ESPN NFL

Arizona Cardinals

Brad Wilbricht cites a few Cardinals go-to players who need to return to form in 2011.

Deshea Townsend hasn't filed his official retirement papers, but he is ready to start a new career as a coach.

St. Louis Rams

Running back Steven Jackson left Christchurch, New Zealand, just two days before Tuesday's deadly earthquake.

The Rams are working to reach a deal with wide receiver Mark Clayton.

San Francisco 49ers

The Santa Clara City Council is expected to vote Tuesday on legislation that would protect funds for a new stadium for the 49ers.

The Sporting News looks at the 49ers under new head coach Jim Harbaugh.

Seattle Seahawks

Might the Seahawks have interest in acquiring quarterback Matt Leinart? ESPN.com's John Clayton shares his thoughts on the topic.

Arizona Cardinals

Having two new defensive coaches who played the game is a big plus for the Cardinals.

The Arizona Republic's Bob Young puts a Cardinals spin on the Tom's Tavern menu, which was recently taken over by the Bidwill family.

St. Louis Rams

Former Rams safety Oshiomogho Atogwe is reportedly scheduled to meet with the Washington Redskins on Monday.

Here is a look at how the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Jim Thomas views the first round of the draft heading into this week's NFL combine.

San Francisco 49ers

New head coach Jim Harbaugh and general manager Trent Baalke have been working in tandem as they prepare for their first draft together.

Matt Maiocco explains why new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio can't copy the scheme implemented by the Green Bay Packers' Dom Capers, a man Fangio coached under for 16 years.

Seattle Seahawks

Building depth along the defensive line remains a priority for the Seahawks during the offseason.

Allen Wilson of The Buffalo News targets Washington quarterback Jake Locker for the Seahawks in his mock draft.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Bill Coats of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch wonders if Jason Smith has moved closer to the Rams' starting lineup. With right guard Richie Incognito resting a sprained knee, coaches moved right tackle Adam Goldberg into Incognito's spot, clearing the way for Smith to play right tackle with the first-team unit in practice. Coats also provides injury updates.

Also from Coats: Rams receiver Laurent Robinson keeps making strides. Also, cornerback Jonathan Wade is getting some first-team reps at Tye Hill's expense.

Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says Rams guard Jacob Bell is trying to make up lost ground following a concussion. Bell never saw what hit him against the Jets two weeks ago. He stayed in the game one more play, but teammates had to tell him which player to block. Bell: "And I'm practically blocking him with my eyes closed. They probably should've left me in there and seen what happened."

Jim Corbett of USA Today revisits Larry Fitzgerald's ambitions offseason. Corbett: "The only thing more impressive than Fitzgerald's remarkable postseason ascent was his ambitious offseason agenda. There's little concern about a post-Super Bowl letdown for the sixth-year wideout, who reinvented himself as a respected league-wide leader."

Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic says the Cardinals can clear two roster spots by placing Cody Brown and Pago Togafau on injured reserve. The team would then need to clear three roster spots to comply with the 75-man limit.

Ray Ratto of the San Francisco Chronicle sees little value in exhibition results, counter to 49ers coach Mike Singletary's stated position.

John Crumpacker of the San Francisco Chronicle breaks out positive aspects of the 49ers' performances while posting a 3-0 record during the exhibition season. The team has succeeded in forcing turnovers.

Also from Crumpacker: 49ers general manager Scot McCloughan says he expects first-round choice Michael Crabtree to sign at some point.

Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee says Josh Morgan's hold on a starting job at receiver could be tenuous. Singletary: "He's still learning how to be a pro. At some point, the light's going to go on and he's going to take off." The 49ers' passing game hasn't made anyone but Arnaz Battle look good recently. Remember Jason Hill?

Matt Maiocco of the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat says Andre Smith's signing in Cincinnati doesn't necessarily mean the 49ers are closer to signing Crabtree, the last unsigned draft choice. Maiocco: "The sides are no closer in principle, but ... it is another day closer to the beginning of the regular season. That's significant because a player without a contract starts to feel the pinch on his wallet once the regular season begins. Players get 1/17th of their base salaries every week during the regular season. So, Crabtree will only begin losing money when he's not collecting game checks."

Dan Brown of the San Jose Mercury News lists players who helped and hurt their standing in the 49ers' game against the Cowboys.

Danny O'Neil of the Seattle Times takes a closer look at the Seahawks following their exhibition game at Kansas City. He notes: "Fullback Justin Griffith plays like the bushwhacking trailblazer the running game needs. Through one quarter Saturday, Julius Jones had carried five times for 15 yards behind starting fullback Owen Schmitt. Griffith entered in the second quarter, and Jones popped consecutive 8-yard runs, which isn't mind-blowing but certainly constituted improvement."

John Morgan of Field Gulls examines the interception Matt Hasselbeck threw early in the game against the Chiefs. Morgan: "Hasselbeck either didn't see (Mike) Vrabel or underestimated him."

Brian McIntyre of NorthwestFootball.net provides updated snap counts and information on personnel groupings for the Seahawks during the exhibition season.

Mike Salk of 710ESPN Seattle wants to see more from the Seahawks' Lofa Tatupu and Patrick Kerney. It's tough to know how to analyze these exhibition games. Some veteran players seem to pick their spots. I've noticed it when watching other teams in the NFC West as well. Singletary said he thought Nate Clements lost focus at times. 

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Matt Maiocco of the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat says Marvel Smith's expected retirement leaves the 49ers' offensive line worse off than it was when last season ended. Maiocco: "It is believed that the 49ers are holding out hope Smith will reconsider his decision and still be able to fill a role as a backup at both offensive tackle positions." The 49ers should be OK if Adam Snyder plays a full season. They would be in trouble if Barry Sims opened the regular season as a starter. With Sims starting Saturday night, the 49ers might need Vernon Davis to help protect.

Daniel Brown of the San Jose Mercury News says 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis grew up a Cowboys fan in a big way.

Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic says the first half was an "embarrassment" for the Cardinals against Green Bay. Coach Ken Whisenhunt: "Guys came in here and didn't really care about the game. Green Bay came in here on a mission, and that was to prove they were a good football team. They said publicly they thought this would be a good mark for them, because they thought we were a good football team, but we weren't a very good football team tonight."

Also from Somers: Beanie Wells' performance provided a rare bright spot for the Cardinals.

More from Somers: While Whisenhunt was close to seething, the Packers felt great about their performance. Somers: "After getting four sacks last week, the starting defense failed to get to Packers QB Aaron Rodgers. He had too much time to throw, completing 14 of 19 for 258 yards and three touchdowns. In one half."

Darren Urban of azcardinals.com says Whisenhunt was "extremely disappointed" in his team's performance. Urban: "The Cards' starting defense, which hadn't allowed a point, was run over in the first half, allowing a stunning 357 yards."

Eric D. Williams of the Tacoma News Tribune offers keys for the Seahawks heading into their game against the Chiefs. A little more from the running game would help.

Danny O'Neil of the Seattle Times profiles Seahawks defensive coordinator Gus Bradley. Said Monte Kiffin: "I knew he was going to be a coordinator, and someday a head coach. With some people, you can just feel it. He's outstanding."

Clare Farnsworth of Seahawks.com says the team expects its zone-blocking scheme to hit stride after six or seven games. Offensive cooridnator Greg Knapp: "It's the same transition I went through in Atlanta and the same transition I went through in Oakland. It's not going to happen as fast and as much as it was talked about. It will take -- I don't know -- five, six, seven games into the season before the guys finally get comfortable with it."

Greg Johns of seattlepi.com sizes up Michael Bennett's chances for earning a roster spot on the Seahawks' defensive line.

Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says Kyle Boller's gritty play has earned respect from Rams teammates. The quarterback bounced up quickly following a crushing hit against the Bengals, then assured teammates the team was about to score. He was right. Guard Richie Incognito: "Oh, he's a tough kid. He popped right up. He got right back in the huddle and he kept going. It didn't even faze him. I would've taken a second to shake that bad boy off; he took it right on the chin."

Also from Thomas: a look at which players might earn spots on the Rams' 53-man roster. He places defensive tackle Hollis Thomas on the bubble.

Bill Coats of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says Jason Smith is taking small steps toward the Rams' starting lineup. Smith: "I never look at my draft status or what (outside) people think. I feel that I'm progressing at a steady pace."

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Darren Urban of azcardinals.com thinks it's a good sign for the team that Kurt Warner sounds unconcerned about recent problems in the red zone. Urban: "Warner has never been one to shy away from voicing worries about issues so for him to say he felt as good in the second game as the first is a plus for the offense. You definitely get the sense, as a veteran offense, how much the key players just don't put much stock in these exhibitions."

Bob McManaman of the Arizona Republic says Warner is proceeding as though rookie LaRod Stephens-Howling has already locked up a roster spot. Warner: "Obviously, he was very impressive and having a guy like that is something that's really going to help us. I look at him a lot like J.J. [Arrington] was for us last year. He was a game-changer and made a lot of big plays for us in critical situations. He's kind of a scat-back guy and LaRod can be that same guy who can give us a spark and make a big play every time he touches the ball. I think we'll see the same thing once we implement him into our offense a little bit more."

Bill Coats of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says the Rams set aside a couple first-team practice snaps at both tackle spots for rookie Jason Smith. On the injury front: RB Kenneth Darby sat out with what is believed to be a slight knee sprain.

Also from Coats: Leonard Little has fresh legs, while Adam Carriker participated in individual drills for the first time since suffering an ankle injury.

Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says Rams players, notably Oshiomogho Atogwe, think the defense will be improved this season, despite struggles in the most recent exhibition game. I was looking at the Rams' schedule Sunday and trying to find five or more victories. They need to win some division games.

Nick Wagoner of stlouisrams.com says the Rams will adjust their practice schedule now that training camp is over. Wagoner: "Hard work has certainly been the calling card of Camp [Steve] Spagnuolo. Beyond the hitting and tackling drills, the Rams had 14 two-a-day practices with at least 12 of those full padded practices that included live drills."

Ray Ratto of the San Francisco Chronicle says Glen Coffee's emergence makes it easier for the 49ers to forget about another rookie, Michael Crabtree. This is what often happens when non-quarterbacks fail to sign in time for camp. After a while, everyone forgets about them.

49ers linebacker Scott McKillop updates his team-sanctioned blog, noting that Joe Staley and David Baas tried to pull a phone prank on tight end Bear Pascoe.

John Crumpacker of the San Francisco Chronicle quotes 49ers coach Mike Singletary as saying he needs longer than most coaches to make decisions such as the one his team faces at quarterback. Shaun Hill or Alex Smith? Singletary: "Got to look at some more film. It takes me a little longer than other coaches. Attention to detail is key. That's the thing I'm always looking at. That's why it takes me longer."

Kevin Lynch of Niner Insider says the 49ers' receivers are not getting open. Lynch: "Over two games, Smith and Hill have completed one pass to a receiver that traveled over 10 yards in the air and that was Smith to Josh Morgan for a 14-yarder against the Broncos on a ball that should have been intercepted. While the receivers have potential, they're not getting open, and that includes the two days of practices against the Raiders."

Matt Maiocco of the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat says the following young players stood out to Singletary against the Raiders: Reggie Smith, Scott McKillop, Carlos Thomas, Glen Coffee, Kory Sheets, Nate Davis and Chilo Rachal. 

Daniel Brown of the San Jose Mercury News says neither 49ers quarterback has made much of a case for the starting job. Brown: "After three minicamps, four organized team activities, three weeks of training camp and two exhibition games, the 49ers' quarterback competition remains unsettled."

Also from Brown: He thinks the 49ers need to end the drama by naming Hill their starter.

Greg Johns of seattlepi.com says Seahawks linebacker Will Herring impressed against the Broncos on Saturday night. Herring appears stronger and more decisive than in the past.

Danny O'Neil of the Seattle Times looks at the good, bad and ugly from the Seahawks' most recent exhibition game. Three projected starters on the offensive line are out. Chris Spencer became the third. Walter Jones is already out and Mike Wahle had to retire.

Clare Farnsworth of seahawks.com calls the Seahawks' Deon Butler a receiver who is fast, not a fast guy trying to play receiver.

John Morgan of Field Gulls didn't like what he saw from Seahawks linebacker Lofa Tatupu during an encounter with Broncos running back Correll Buckhalter.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Daniel Brown of the San Jose Mercury-News says Glen Coffee's strong running performances this summer will not necessarily affect Frank Gore's playing time. Brown: "[Coach Mike] Singletary, though impressed by the rookie, has no appetite for a running backs controversy. He said that Coffee is not necessarily earning a bigger share of the workload for 2009 and that the kid's role remains the same -- to give Gore a rest on occasion."

Matt Maiocco of the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat says the 49ers learned little about their quarterback situation Saturday night. On the offensive line, Marvel Smith replaced Adam Snyder at right tackle after Snyder suffered ankle and knee injuries. Maiocco: "Snyder appeared to be walking without any problems after the game, but Singletary said he would undergo an MRI examination."

Also from Maiocco: A play-by-play account of the 49ers in the first half of their game against the Raiders. Micheal Spurlock served as the third receiver early in the game.

More from Maiocco: The 49ers' quarterback debate is a lot nastier than the relationship between Alex Smith and Shaun Hill.

Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee says Smith played better than Hill against the Raiders, though his 4.2 passer rating wouldn't say so. Barrows on Smith: "He showed good energy and urgency early on, which hasn't always been the case with Smith. The truth is that he wasn't helped out by his receivers. Both Vernon Davis and Josh Morgan missed catchable balls, and Morgan's miscue led to an interception."

More from Barrows: A play-by-play account of the 49ers in the first half. Anyone seen team president Jed York?

David Fucillo of Niners Nation didn't see much pass rush from the 49ers, one of several points he makes in a position-by-position review of the team.

Scott Kegley of 49ers.com says running back Michael Robinson rushed for 83 yards against Oakland in the third quarter alone.

Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic offers thoughts and observations following the Cardinals' game against the Chargers. Somers: "Five trips in the red zone. No touchdowns. Coach Ken Whisenhunt wasn't happy about it but he's not going to panic. But it would be nice if the first team scored a touchdown this preseason. The Cardinals have scored only one TD in the preseason, on a pass from Tyler Palko to Onrea Jones at Pittsburgh."

Also from Somers: "It was a rough night for the Cardinals quarterbacks. Starter Kurt Warner wasn't sharp and had a pass intercepted at the Chargers goal line. For the second consecutive game, [Brian] St. Pierre did nothing to threaten Matt Leinart's status as Warner's backup, completing 6 of 15 for 79 yards and no touchdowns."

Dan Bickley of the Arizona Republic says the Cardinals have become a hot commodity. Bickley: "This reborn franchise has done more than just join the party. These days, the Cardinals are the party."

Somers and Bob McManaman say the Cardinals' red zone offense has struggled.

Darren Urban of azcardinals.com says Arizona's first-team defense played very well against the Chargers. Calais Campbell:  "We have the potential to be great. If we can just keep the team thing going, we will be fine." 

Also from Urban: LaRod Stephens-Howling might have earned a roster spot, but all was not good for the Cardinals against San Diego. Whisenhunt pointed to mitigating factors when asked about St. Pierre's performance at quarterback.

Danny O'Neil of the Seattle Times offers a few Seahawks notes from their game against the Broncos. Deon Butler made a strong impression early as a receiver, but not as a kickoff returner.

John Morgan of Field Gulls singles out the following Seattle players as "winners" Saturday night: Nick Reed, Michael Bennett, Butler, Justin Forsett, Will Herring, Baraka Atkins, David Hawthorne, C.J. Wallace, Brandon Coutu and Jordan Babineaux.

Eric D. Williams of the Tacoma News Tribune says the Seahawks' first-team defense struggled against the Broncos, getting pushed up and down the field. I had the same feeling, but the Broncos' overall rushing numbers were weak. Coach Jim Mora: "Our second unit came in and did a heck of a job. We just have to be more focused, we just have to play with more enthusiasm, more energy, we have to tackle better, we have to bring our feet when we tackle." I also suspect the Broncos' offense did a little more game-planning than usual in an attempt to get quarterback Kyle Orton on track following a three-interception showing last week.

Clare Farnsworth of seahawks.com says Matt Hasselbeck and T.J. Houshmandzadeh are starting to get in sync.

Bill Coats of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch profiles Rams left tackle Alex Barron. Says teammate Chris Long: "I got to see some great left tackles last year, and I really do feel like Alex is a rising star in the league at that spot. I feel like this is going to be a breakout year for him, where people start to realize this is a premier left tackle."

Bryan Burwell of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch looks at the unforgiving nature of NFL
preseasons. Said Rams middle linebacker James Laurinaitis: "In college, I made it a point of learning everyone's name and becoming familiar with all my teammates. I wanted to know where they were from, what their brothers or sisters names were, because in college, you started camp with 100 guys and you ended camp with 100 guys. But here, you look around and you realize that there will be a lot of empty lockers around here in a few weeks."

Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says falling behind 14-0 right away wasn't what the Rams wanted as they attempted to win back a skeptical fan base.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Matt Maiocco of the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat says Parys Haralson could "easily" finish the season with 10 or more sacks if he could stay healthy. Twelve NFL players reached double-digit sacks last season: Demarcus Ware (20), Joey Porter (17.5), John Abraham (16.5), James Harrison (16), Jared Allen (14.5), Julius Peppers (14.5), Justin Tuck (12), Mario Williams (12), Robert Mathis (11.5), LaMarr Woodley (11.5), Dwight Freeney (10.5) and Darren Howard (10). Note that none of the 12 played in the NFC West.

Also from Maiocco: Rookie Glen Coffee has stepped up in earning the No. 2 job behind Frank Gore.

The 49ers' Web site runs a fan question-and-answer transcript involving Parys Haralson. Haralson: "Basically we simplified our scheme and he let us do what we do best. He let guys go after the quarterback and let us play football."

John Crumpacker of the San Francisco Chronicle profiles 49ers running backs coach Tom Rathman. Crumpacker: "Although he loves his job, Rathman said he's no NFL lifer in the making. He said he'd like to put in 15 years as an assistant coach, get his pension, and retire to enjoy life sans air horns, blocking sleds and film study."

Also from Crumpacker: Rathman's recollections about lining up incorrectly on the winning play against the Bengals in Super Bowl XXIII.

Mark Emmons of the San Jose Mercury News checks in with 49ers fullback Brit Miller, who has caught the 49ers' attention as a converted linebacker.

Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic says it's unclear why Larry Fitzgerald restructured his contract with the Cardinals. The usual reason -- to clear cap space in the short term -- does not appear to be the motivation.

Also from Somers: Anquan Boldin thinks the Cardinals' approach to training camp helped cut down on injuries.

Darren Urban of azcardinals.com says Early Doucet made a spectacular one-handed reception upon returning from a shoulder injury.

Also from Urban: Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt would have liked a longer training camp. Urban: "The NFL calendar began later and NAU begins at the same time, forcing the Cards to leave after just 3.5 weeks."

Art Thiel of seattlepi,com says Seahawks rookie Max Unger impressed during the team's exhibition opener.

Danny O'Neil of the Seattle Times says the Seahawk's offensive linemen are sporting mohawks.

Steve Kelley of the Seattle Times considers whether Walter Jones' latest knee surgery marks the beginning of the end for Seattle's best offensive lineman.

Eric D. Williams of the Tacoma News Tribune thinks Julius Jones and Aaron Curry will be questionable for the Seahawks' second exhibition game.

Also from Williams: Sean Locklear will get extended work at left tackle for the Seahawks against Denver. The team needs him in that capacity while Jones recovers. This line would be in trouble if something happened to Locklear.

Clare Farnsworth of seahawks.com says the Seahawks found their first training camp under Jim Mora to be a grind. Farnsworth: "This camp was shorter, even if it didn't seem that way to the players. The Seahawks have traditionally broken camp before the third preseason game. This year, with Mora contorting tradition at seemingly every turn, camp broke before the second preseason game. But the gap was bridged by rapidly paced, high-tempo practices, and that lone day off for the players."

Also from Farnsworth: Matt Hasselbeck and T.J. Houshmandzadeh are getting in sync.

More from Farnsworth: Red Bryant stood out at the Seahawks' morning practice Thursday.

Bryan Burwell of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says the Rams can take their cue from the crosstown Cardinals. Burwell: "Watch very carefully as the Rams get closer to the end of the preseason, because there will probably be a lot of changing faces. This is the new reality at Rams Park, and it is another sign of a franchise moving in the right direction. There are only a handful of players on this Rams team who should rest easy. When you've won only five games in two seasons, nearly everyone is replaceable."

Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo established a fast tempo during training camp, according to safety James Butler. Thomas: "If you include the Aug. 7 scrimmage at Lindenwood, nine of the first 11 full-squad days of camp featured live tackling."

Also from Thomas: Five things to watch when the Rams face the Falcons in their second exhibition game. Rookie Jason Smith could win the starting job at right tackle with a strong performance, Thomas suggests.

More from Thomas: The Rams put veteran running back Ahman Green on their "ready list" after working him out this week.

Turf S
how Times' VanRam says Falcons injuries could help the Rams.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Jason LaCanfora of NFL.com says the Rams brought in veteran running back Ahman Green for a tryout this week. The team has gone young for the most part this offseason, but the signing of veteran defensive tackle Hollis Thomas showed a willingness to bolster depth with established, if declining players.

Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch checks in with Rams fullback Mike Karney, who hopes to upgrade the position for St. Louis this season. Karney: "When you're running the ball -- and that's the first and foremost thing we're trying to establish here with our offense -- you can't have the fullback going one way and the running back going the other way, unless the play's designed that way. When I'm leading to the hole, I want (Steven Jackson) to know what I'm seeing. And I want to know what he's seeing. Because if a defense is playing a certain front, a guy's playing a certain way, or a certain technique, and I tell him: 'Look out for this; watch for this,' and he sees that, then he'll be able to hit the hole or make the cut he needs to make."

Bill Coats of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says the Rams plan to use James Hall's versatility on the defensive line.

Also from Coats: The Rams are reaching out to kids on the first day of school.

Daniel Brown of the San Jose Mercury News says the 49ers might be able to trust rookie running back Glen Coffee more than expected. Coffee's pass protection makes him more viable as a candidate for playing time.

Also from Brown: Former Raiders kicker Joe Nedney is still kicking with the 49ers.

Taylor Price of 49ers.com breaks down the 49ers' defensive domination against the Raiders in practice Wednesday. Coordinator Greg Manusky: "The guys performed in a winning fashion today and they made some plays. I think they were just playing their techniques and they started having fun with it."

Kevin Lynch of Niner Insider also describes the Raider carnage. Cornerback Dre Bly: "I told Shaun (Hill), 'Why don't you feed us like that in practice?' That buffet was good."

John Crumpacker of the San Francisco Chronicle says Mike Singletary's passion for walking led him to "hoof it" for a 2-mile walk between hotels Wednesday.

Matt Maiocco of the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat suggests the 49ers could re-sign injured fullback Zak Keasey after reaching agreement with him on an injury settlement.

Also from Maiocco: Hill appears to be in good position to win the starting job at quarterback.

Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee puts cornerback Eric Green's signing in context this way: "Remember that they lost one of last year's corners, Donald Strickland, to free agency, another, Walt Harris, to injury and converted Reggie Smith to safety. They added Dre Bly to replace Harris but could still stand to bulk up that unit."

Also from Barrows: an interview transcript featuring 49ers offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye.

Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic says Cardinals receiver Onrea Jones is trying to make a strong impression in a training camp filled with talented receivers. Also, Beanie Wells was somewhat limited in practice after aggravating his ankle injury.

Also from Somers: He profiles second-year cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, who wears a Toy Story backpack and drives a miniature car. Seriously. Says DRC: "I'm still a kid. I don't care how many years I've played or what profession I'm in. I'm going to be me and that's part of me, just being a kid." 

Dan Bickley of the Arizona Republic says Cardinals receiver Anquan Boldin plans to play through the bitterness he feels toward the organization. Boldin: "I think the fans want me around. Since I've gotten back out here in Arizona, everywhere I go, from the mall to the grocery to the baseball game, the fans have been real supportive. I feel like the fans know that Anquan is going to play and give us everything he has, the same Anquan he's always been." The Cardinals will pay $5.4 million to Boldin this season, or $317,647 per week during the 17-week regular season.

Darren Urban of azcardinals.com says Matt Leinart feels good about his future as a starting quarterback in the NFL. Leinart's record as a starter is 7-9 -- not great, but also close to the winning percentage Bears savior Jay Cutler (17-20) has posted in the NFL.

Also from Urban: Cardinals offensive lineman Brandon Keith is better prepared to play if called upon.

Gregg Bell of the Associated Press says Seahawks linebacker Leroy Hill is awaiting word from the NFL on his punishment for an offseason arrest. Hill is contesting the charge.

Danny O'Neil of the Seattle Times says rookie receiver Deon Butler shined during practice Thursday.

Also from O'Neil: an "exhaustive" injury update.

More from O'Neil: The Seahawks could be without Walter Jones and Marcus Trufan
t when the regular season opens. Coach Jim Mora on Jones' knee surgery, scheduled for Thursday: "We don't think it's anything significant, but we just want to make sure."

Eric D. Williams of the Tacoma News Tribune says Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck isn't worried about Jones' health. Hasselbeck: "Maybe if it was somebody else, but he's just done it so many times -- no OTAs, no minicamp, no training camp, Pro Bowl. It's what he does. It's almost better (because) you know he's not going to get hurt out there. That's just how it's been out there."

John Morgan of Field Gulls says Trufant might be the "single most indispensable" defensive player for the Seahawks. Morgan: "A use of zone coverage will somewhat hide his absence, but by pushing Josh Wilson into the starting lineup, Seattle weakens its starting cornerback tandem and especially its nickel defense. Kelly Jennings could sub for Wilson at right cornerback on nickel downs, allowing Wilson to slot into nickelback. At right cornerback, Jennings would cover or team to cover its opponent's number one receiver. Kelly Jennings could play in half of Seattle's downs and most of its highest leverage downs against its opponent's best recceiver. Receivers like Reggie Wayne, Larry Fitzgerald, Roy Williams and Calvin Johnson."

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic says veteran nose tackle Bryan Robinson is making it tough for Gabe Watson and Alan Branch to take his job. Somers: "A year ago, no one envisioned Robinson starting at nose tackle. The Cardinals signed him to a two-year contract in spring 2008, thinking he would be a rotation player at end or tackle, a veteran who would be willing to mentor the younger players."

Also from Somers: Ken Whisenhunt canceled practice and took his team to the movies, an annual custom this far into training camp.

Darren Urban of azcardinals.com checks in with Cardinals cornerback Michael Adams, who is trying to earn a roster spot despite concerns about his height.

Taylor Price of 49ers.com says the team liked practicing with the Raiders as a change of pace. Price: "On the very first play of 11-on-11 work, center Eric Heitmann leveled Raiders defensive tackle Tommy Kelly at the line, allowing Frank Gore to burst for a nice gain down the right side of the line."

Matt Maiocco of the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat says 49ers running back Frank Gore is learning from running backs coach Tom Rathman. Maiocco: "Gore said he takes great pride in his ability to block. He said Rathman has helped him tremendously in that area, showing him how easy it can be as long as he takes proper angles."

Also from Maiocco: "Defensive coordinator Greg Manusky singled out safety Reggie Smith and defensive lineman Ricky Jean-Francois for their play in Friday's exhibition opener. Smith, of course, had an interception and also picked off a two-point conversion attempt. Jean-Francois held up well at the point of attack on run plays, Manusky said."

Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee says 49ers safety Michael Lewis suffered a concussion in the morning session Tuesday, possibly jeopardizing his status for the second exhibition game.

Daniel Brown of the San Jose Mercury News says Mike Singletary's emphasis on avoiding fights paid off while the 49ers practiced with the Raiders. Also: "Shaun Hill was the sharpest 49ers quarterback on Tuesday, especially during the morning practice. During 11-on-11 drills, Hill completed 12 of 14 passes -- and one of those incompletions was a spike to stop the clock. Alex Smith was 7 of 13. It would have looked better had Arnaz Battle hauled in a downfield pass over the middle during the two-minute drill."

Danny O'Neil of the Seattle Times had this to say, among other things, during his most recent chat: "People might disagree, but I thought Julius Jones looked good in Saturday's game. I think he's got a shot to be a very productive starter. I think [Justin] Forsett is promising and ahead of where the team had hoped, but I don't think he's ready to displace Julius Jones."

Also from O'Neil: Seahawks tight end John Carlson appears on the verge of a tremendous season. Carlson has improved his lower-body strength to become a better blocker, and it showed early in the Seahawks' exhibition opener, offensive coordinator Greg Knapp said.

Clare Farnsworth of seahawks.com also sees very good things from Carlson. Also, Steve Mariucci showed up at practice and went after Matt Hasselbeck.

John Morgan of Field Gulls saw good things from Seahawks linebacker Will Herring in the exhibition opener.

Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch thinks Craig Dahl will be the fourth safety for the Rams. He thinks Alex Barron appears more comfortable at left tackle. He thinks Joe Klopfenstein, Adam Carriker and Quinton Culberson have been disappointments so far. All part of Thomas' weekly Rams chat.

Bill Coats of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says Barron's knee checked out OK. Also, Mark Setterstrom and John Greco took first-team snaps at left guard while Jacob Bell recovered from a concussion.

Turf Show Times' VanRam raises concerns about Marc Bulger's injury while wondering whether Chris Long will step up as a pass-rusher.

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Matt Maiocco of the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat says 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis welcomes the opportunity to wear the radio headset in his helmet after resisting the technology last season. Willis: "It verifies that this is my show to run."

Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee says Willis suffered his ankle injury during a nutcracker drill Aug. 3. Offensive lineman David Baas also suffered an injury during the drill. On another front, defensive coordinator Greg Manusky sounded more optimistic than coach Mike Singletary on the 49ers' pass rush against Denver in the exhibition opener.

Taylor Price of 49ers.com says Brit Miller and Reggie Smith appear to be making successful position changes.

Daniel Brown of the San Jose Mercury News previews the 49ers' upcoming practices with the Raiders in Napa. Raiders coaches are presumably looking forward to fighting with assistants wearing different uniforms.

Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic says Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt doesn't want to hear whispers about his team running a soft camp. Whisenhunt: "This system has worked pretty good for the last seven, eight years I've been around. We've been to two Super Bowls -- won one, lost one -- been to three or four [conference] championship games." 

Also from Somers: Whisenhunt expects Michael Ray Garvin to miss only a week or two even though the receiver might need surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee.

More from Somers: Jerheme Urban might be the MVP of training camp for the Cardinals.

Darren Urban of azcardinals.com checks in with the Cardinals' offensive line. Guard Reggie Wells: "There aren't many offensive lines called upon to do what we do week in and week out, not just from the scheme aspect but also protecting as many times as we do and not have guys mentioned for Pro Bowl and things like that. It underestimates the abilities of guys on that line."

Also from Urban: Antrel Rolle points to an abundance of Cherry Blossom Lotion on his arms as the reason for a fumble. Seriously.

Gregg Bell of the Associated Press describes Walter Jones' latest apparent back trouble this way: "The 35-year-old linchpin to Seattle's offensive line for the past decade was practicing for the third time since training camp began July 31. He took part in one series with the starting offense, then left the field in pain. He stood and kneeled next to a trainer while wincing and holding his back for a few moments. He eventually summoned the trainer to escort him into team headquarters."

Greg Johns of seattlepi.com says Seahawks cornerback Kevin Hobbs wasn't to blame for a deep pass he appeared to allow in the exhibition opener. Overall, though, coach Jim Mora wasn't very happy with the secondary.

Danny O'Neil of the Seattle Times says Seahawks rookie Deon Butler wasn't returning punts in practice Monday, likely a reflection of his struggles in that area Saturday.

Also from O'Neil: Mora downplays Jones' exit from practice.

Eric D. Williams of the Tacoma News Tribune sizes up Aaron Curry's debut performance for Seattle. Mora might have put it best when he said Curry "didn't stand out negatively."

Also from Williams: None of the Seahawks' young receivers stood out from the others Saturday night.

John Morgan of Field Gulls wonders whether Deion Branch fits in the Seahawks' new offense. Morgan on a play from the Seahawks-Chargers game: "Eric Weddle discarded a blocking Deion Branch on Julius Jones two yard rush. If Branch is traded, it might not be his injuries but his fit within this offense that instigates the move."

Also from Morgan: Brandon Mebane is the key to Seattle's defense. So far, so good.

Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch checks in with Kyle Boller, the Rams' starting quarterback while Marc Bulger recovers from a finger injury. Boller: "It's not my first rodeo. I've been a starter. I've been out there. So I'm just going to go out there and be myself. Be a leader, and lead this team to hopefully a lot of scoring drives."

Bryan Burwell of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says Steve Spagnuolo appears to have the "it" factor as the Rams' head coach. Burwell: "On Monday afternoon, as he met with reporters to discuss the news that starting quarterback Marc Bulger would miss at least the next two weeks with a broken finger on his throwing hand, Spags was totally unfazed by the sort of development that might freak out most neophyte NFL coaches."

Bill Coats of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says the Rams' Adam Goldberg is helping his eventual replacement on the offensive line, Jason Smith. Goldberg: "I take that as part of my role. But I'll tell you what, [Smith] doesn't need too many tips. He's going to be a really good football player."

Turf Show Times' VanRam wonders what happened to Kenneth Darby.

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Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says Marc Bulger has suffered more sacks since 2003 than any NFL quarterback. The Jets sacked him three times in seven dropbacks during the exhibition opener, thanks largely to problems in blitz pickup. The problems running backs had in protection could be addressed through the type of game planning that takes place during the regular season, in my view.

Bill Coats of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says Kenneth Darby worked mostly with the third team after a rough outing in the Rams' exhibition opener. Coats: "RB Samkon Gado, who had a big game vs. the Jets, took some snaps with the No. 1 offense. Antonio Pittman, who also had a nice outing Friday, and Gado shared second-team reps. Darby, who struggled in the preseason opener, spent most of his time with the third unit."

Brian Stull of 101ESPN in St. Louis provides a Rams-related injury update, with audio. Stull: "Jacob Bell was still a little fuzzy from his concussion and underwent the testing to compare to his initial baseline results. In his absence, Mark Setterstrom moved to left guard. Tim Mattran took Setterstrom's reps at center with the 2s while John Greco handled the snaps with the 3s."

The 49ers' Web site provides a transcript from Mike Singletary's conference call with reporters Sunday. On rookie linebacker Scott McKillop: "I see a young guy that's trying to have the game slow down for him. He continues to work on his technique and all of the little things that he needs to do in order to make this football team and make a contribution in his first year. He's trying to make calls. So, right now, the game is big for him, not too big, but it's big, and for him, he's trying to get it to slow down a bit so that he can get his eyes in the right place and get the correct reads. I think right now that's the biggest thing for him."

Gwen Knapp of the San Francisco Chronicle says the Broncos weren't a very good measuring stick for the 49ers in the exhibition opener.

Matt Maiocco of the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat says the Eagles were thought to be among the teams with interest in Thomas Clayton before the running back suffered a season-ending injury Friday night.

Also from Maiocco: Score the 49ers' exhibition opener for Shaun Hill. Maiocco: "Even into the first week of training camp, I had my questions whether Hill could fit Jimmy Raye's offense. It is essential that the quarterback be able to get the ball down the field to keep defenses from stacking the box against the 49ers' power-running game. Hill is showing more and more every day that he can do that."

Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic says Cardinals running back Beanie Wells was back at practice Sunday, but coaches held him out of team drills. Wells wanted to do more in his first practice back from an ankle injury. Coach Ken Whisenhunt: "I think Beanie is going to be begging to get some reps off here in the near future. So be careful what you wish for, right?"

Also from Somers: Receiver Early Doucet could return from a shoulder injury this week.

Darren Urban of azcardinals.com says Steve Breaston's right knee has some swelling. The bone bruise is more problematic than the posterior-cruciate ligament sprain. The Cardinals have not ruled out Breaston for their next exhibition game, however.

Greg Johns of seattlepi.com had this to say about the Seahawks' exhibition opener: "I wasn't impressed by young Deon Butler on kick returns as he didn't look comfortable yet and Brandon Coutu's kickoffs weren't as long as he'll need to be to beat out Olindo Mare, though he continues to be very accurate on medium-range field goals."

Danny O'Neil of the Seattle Times looks at the Seahawks' numbers at defensive end, where Nick Reed is making a push for a roster spot.

John Morgan of Field Gulls offers five observations from Seattle's opener. He also noticed fullback Owen Schmitt's cut blocking in the run game.

Also from Morgan: Brandon Mebane's speed set up Cory Redding for a sack on the Seattle defense's first play of the game.

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Dave Boling of the Tacoma News Tribune saw good things from Seahawks offensive lineman Max Unger against the Chargers. Boling: "First-round pick Aaron Curry, who missed eight days of training camp while holding out, showed that he's not entirely up to speed with his responsibilities when he got lost in coverage on a crossing route in the first period. Second-round pick Max Unger had a much more impressive outing. At right guard in the first half, Unger looked solid enough for a first appearance in both run and pass situations. He seemed to know where to go and was able to get the job done once he got there."

John Morgan of Field Gulls singles out winners and losers from the Seahawks' exhibition opener. That would be Nick Reed among the winners.

Eric D. Williams of the Tacoma News Tribune offers notes and observations from the Seahawks' first exhibition game. Williams: "The pass defense is still in a work in progress. The Seahawks finished last in the league in pass defense last season, and gave up a league-leading 59 plays of 20-yards or more. That disturbing trend continued on Saturday, with the Seahawks giving up four plays of 20-yards or more through the air. Cornerback Kevin Hobbs was twice victimized, and Kelly Jennings also was beat deep, although he did manage an interception."

Clare Farnsworth of Seahawks.com says Matt Hasselbeck's scramble against the Chargers suggests the quarterback has moved past a back injury.

Doug Farrar of Scout.com sees significant changes to the Seahawks' offensive and defensive schemes under new coach Jim Mora.

Danny O'Neil of the Seattle Times profiles Curry, exploring the linebacker's sensitive side.

Chris Sullivan of Seahawk Addicts offers first-half notes from the Seahawks' opener. Cole: "The defensive line, especially the first unit, has looked quite good. I was most impressed by Colin Cole, who I did not expect a whole lot from him."

John Crumpacker of the San Francisco Chronicle says 49ers coach Mike Singletary singled out right tackle Adam Snyder for playing well against the Broncos. Singletary also liked what he saw from rookie running back Glen Coffee. Singletary: "I'm really excited about what I saw of him. He's really a tough guy. I thought he did a decent job in pass protection. Glen is going to be a good addition to our team."

Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee says Singletary lauded Shaun Hill's game management. Singletary: "He's great at managing the game. You know he can manage a game, but he can also throw the ball downfield. ... How consistent, and on what basis? That's something we still have to look at, but we pretty much know what's there." 

Matt Maiocco of the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat says 49ers running back Thomas Clayton suffered "major" ligament damage in his knee against the Broncos. Singletary withheld a formal announcement pending MRI results.

Also from Maiocco: The following players "showed nothing" against the Broncos: "Manny Lawson, Marques Harris, Kentwan Balmer, Isaac Sopoaga, Aubrayo Franklin, Demetric Evans, Pannel Egboh, Ricky Jean-Francois."

Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic says results from Steve Breaston's MRI remained a mystery. Also from Somers: "QB Brian St. Pierre didn't play well, obviously, but he didn't have much help, as coach Ken Whisenhunt noted. Oliver Ross moved from right tackle to left because of the injury to Elliot Vallejo. Ross was beaten a time or two. There appeared to be some miscommunication in protection on other occasions."

Darren Urban of azcardinals.com offers notes from the Cardinals-Steelers game. Urban: "You've got to love the potential as a return guy of Michael Ray Garvin, but it just seems like he's a long shot given his limited abilities beyond the return game (unless he can become a gunner on punt coverage). He seems like more of a practice-squad candidate, although if he sparkles the rest of the preseason, maybe he'll sneak in. We'll see if Antrel Rolle keeps getting a try as a punt returner; he just doesn't look as comfortable as I would have thought."

Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says Samkon Gado's stock with the Rams is rising after his 77-yard touchdown run against the Jets. Thomas: "[Steven] Jackson took note of the fact Gado's big run came after spending most of the first half playing fullback in place of Mike Karney, who dressed but didn't play because of an ankle injury."

Bill Coats of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch updates Rams injuries. Coats: "Quarterback Brock Berlin and guard Jacob Bell will be day-to-day this week after being knocked out of the game with injuries. Spagnuolo reported that Berlin suffered a sprained knee and Bell a mild concussion. Also, MRI exams were scheduled for wide receivers Tim Carter (groin) and Brooks Foster (ankle). Defensive end Adam Carriker (ankle) will be out again this week."

Steve Korte of the Belleville News-Democrat says Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo pointed to pass protection as one of the areas needing improvement. 

Turf Show Times' CoachConnors sees room for improvement from Rams cornerback Justin King.

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Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic says the Cardinals feel as though they are taking steps toward improvement on defense. Strong safety Adrian Wilson: "I thought we played well. We can take a lot of positives from this game defensively. I think we executed what we wanted to execute, which was not to give up big plays, not to give up big running plays and try to keep everything in front of us and get off on third down." 

Matt Levin of the Arizona Republic says Cardinals receiver Steve Breaston will undergo an MRI exam on a stiff knee. Coach Ken Whisenhunt did not sound concerned.

Darren Urban of azcardinals.com says the Cardinals expect rookie running back Beanie Wells to return from an ankle injury in time to play in the next exhibition game. Also, Whisenhunt was generally pleased with the Cardinals' performance against the Steelers.

Matt Maiocco of the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat says 49ers coach Mike Singletary didn't see much from the quarterbacks Friday night. He also called the pass rush non-existent. On the injury front: "Fullback Zak Keasey sustained a fractured right forearm. Running back Thomas Clayton sustained a right knee injury and was carted off the field in obvious pain."

Also from Maiocco: running commentary from the first half of the 49ers' game against Denver.

Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee says injuries to the 49ers' running backs could mean more playing time for scoring machine Brit Miller.

Also from Barrows: some in-game notes.

Tim Kawakami of the San Jose Mercury News says 49ers quarterbacks Alex Smith and Shaun Hill looked OK -- particularly compared to Kyle Orton.

Daniel Brown of the San Jose Mercury News quotes 49ers president Jed York as saying the team will eventually sign first-round choice Michael Crabtree. Not that York was going to say the team likely never would sign Crabtree.

Also from Brown: Dre Bly was quite pleased to pick off a pass against his old team.

Andrew Davidson of Niners Nation provides a 49ers game overview. Was that Brit Miller or Leonard Weaver out there?

Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says the Rams were generally pleased by their performance against the Jets -- and ecstatic for rookie quarterback Keith Null. Marc Bulger even retrieved the ball Null threw for his first NFL touchdown pass. Bulger: "I said, 'Who cares if it's preseason? It's still your first touchdown pass in the NFL. It was a great throw. That pass looked like it was (thrown) by a 10-year vet." Sounds like a little camaraderie.

Also from Thomas: Samkon Gado and Antonio Pittman were far better than Kenneth Darby. All three are battling to be the second-team running back.

More from Thomas: positives and negatives from the Rams. Rookies Brooks Foster, Sean Walker and Null made big plays.

Turf Show Times' VanRam saw improvement from the Rams' linebackers.

Greg Johns of seattlepi.com says the Seahawks will let backup quarterback Seneca Wallace get some snaps behind the starting offensive line. 

Danny O'Neil of the Seattle Times sizes up the competition for one or two spots at receiver on the Seahawks' roster. I would think the team would find a spot for Ben Obomanu.

Also from O'Neil: The Seahawks are unapologetic about adopting cut-blocking techniques even though defensive linemen despise them.

Eric D. Williams of the Tacoma News Tribune explains how the Seahawks identify the strong side, thereby determining where Aaron Curry lines up.

John Morgan of Field Gulls sizes up the Seahawks' offensive line heading into the team's exhibition opener at San Diego. Morgan: "The other matter is seeing the team's progress zone blocking. Everyone matters, but I will pay special attention to Rob Sims, because he never looked good pulling in Mike Holmgren's system, and Ray Willis, because he has potential to be an elite run-blocking right tackle. Overall, the line must move and slide and block as a unit."

Also from Morgan: a look at attempts to project Matt Hasselbeck's production in 2009.

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A quick spin around the radio dial with an eye toward the NFC West:

49ers

KNBR: 49ers safety Dashon Goldson visits with Razor and Mr. T.
KNBR: 49ers linebacker Jeff Ulbrich visits with Razor and Mr. T.

Seahawks

710ESPN: John Clayton, Cory Redding with Brock and Salk.
710ESPN: Seahawks safety Brian Russell with Brock and Salk.
KJR: Seahawks defensive coordinator Gus Bradley with Elise Woodward.
KJR: Seahawks receiver Deon Butler with Elise Woodward.
KJR: Seahawks kicker Brandon Coutu with Elise Woodward.

Cardinals

XTRA910: Cardinals receiver Jerheme Urban with Bickley and MJ.
XTRA910: Cardinals running back LaRod Stephens-Howling with Bickley and MJ.

Rams

101ESPN: Peter King with Bernie Miklasz from Rams camp, part one.
101ESPN: Peter King with Bernie Miklasz from Rams camp, part two.

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Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic says the Cardinals' exhibition opener at Pittsburgh has led them to review Super Bowl video. Cardinals guard Reggie Wells: "I don't think anybody who was there thinks they stole the game from us. They earned the win. They made fewer mistakes and they capitalized on ours. Winning this game isn't going to give us that ring we ultimately wanted. But it'll be good to go back out there and bang on somebody and, hey, it may as well be the team you lost to."

Also from Somers: a few questions heading into the exhibition opener, including one about the tight ends.

More from Somers: three areas Cardinals coaches will be monitoring Thursday night. Will the first-team offense appear sharp? Will Brian St. Pierre challenge Matt Leinart? Will Calais Campbell look the part at defensive end?

Dan Bickley of the Arizona Republic sees good things from Cardinals running back Tim Hightower. Bickley: "There have been many pleasant surprises in training camp, from stunning crowds to Jerheme Urban's hands to the smile on Anquan Boldin's face. Hightower's sharpness and focus are near the top of the list, and possibly the most important sign of all."

Revenge of the Birds' Hawkwind wants to see how the Cardinals align on defense, among other things.

John Crumpacker of the San Francisco Chronicle says the 49ers were pleased with Michael Spurlock's handling of the Wildcat offense, dubbed the "Taser" in 49ers terminology. The Wildcat gets more attention per snap than any personnel group out there.

Matt Maiocco of the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat says Kentwan Balmer and Justin Smith become inside pass-rushers on passing downs. Balmer had a sack during the 2-minute drill.

Also from Maiocco: Spurlock seems to be having a better camp than Jason Hill. Perhaps there's a spot for him on the 53-man roster.

More from Maiocco: Some accused Mike Nolan of game-planning to throw off Aaron Rodgers during an exhibition game last season. What might Nolan have in store for Alex Smith?

More yet from Maiocco: Perhaps there's a roster spot for Thomas Clayton somewhere around the league, if not with the 49ers.

Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee says Smith was effective on short passes while Shaun Hill succeeded with the deep ball, a departure from usual form.

Also from Barrows: Smith still seems like the nice guy while Hill shows his emotions.

Greg Johns of seattlepi.com wonders if the Seahawks will wear predominantly green jerseys at any point this season. The Seahawks aren't saying for sure.

Danny O'Neil of the Seattle Times takes a position-by-position look at the Seahawks on defense.

Also from O'Neil: Lofa Tatupu and Chris Spencer were back at practice after resting injuries. Also, Ken Lucas is practicing harder than O'Neil anticipated.

Eric D. Williams of the Tacoma News Tribune says Steve Vallos worked at center with the first unit while Spencer missed team drills nearly a week after suffering a sprained ankle. Spencer: "I'm lucky and blessed to be able to get out here so fast after what happened last Friday. It was real scary. With all of the offseason work I've done to get back to where I am now and have something I can't control happen, it was a little scary. But God puts his hands on me and had a good blessing for me, and I dodged a bullet on it."

Also from Williams: T.J. Houshmandzadeh wouldn't mind wearing predominantly green.

William P. Tomisser of Seahawk Addicts summarizes Seahawks-related radio interviews.

John Morgan of Field Gulls saw Seahawks rookie Mike Teel throwing off his back foot in practice. I saw Rams rookie Keith Null do the same thing -- deliberately, it appeared -- when lofting passes into the end zone.

Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says Null is very much looking forward to his NFL debut, even if it's "only" the exhibition season. Thomas also takes a look at other rookies from smaller college programs.

Bill Coats of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says Adam Carriker's ankle injury is giving Gary Gibson a chance to work with the starters. Coaches also want to take a look at rookie defensive tackle Darell Scott, who was slowed by a knee injury this week.

Also from Coats: Steven Jackson is eager to see what the new Rams are about.

Brian Stull of 101ESPN.com previews the Rams' exhibition opener. Stull: "Yes, it is just a preseason game -- the first of four and not everything will be decided with these snaps. But it is a chance to see the beginning of the rewards of the work of the last few months."