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The San Francisco 49ers have gone for quality over quantity in trying to build a big, powerful offensive line.

The team has drafted seven offensive linemen since 2005, one below the NFL average. But the 49ers selected a league-high three of the seven in the first round and a league-high five of them in the first two rounds.

That jumped out right away when sizing up NFC West offensive linemen from the 2005-2010 draft classes for the latest "adventures in drafting" installment.

The Arizona Cardinals have taken a different approach, using a division-low one first-round selection for the offensive line since 2005. Philadelphia, Indianapolis, Oakland, San Diego, Tennessee, Dallas, Minnesota and the New York Giants have selected no first-round offensive linemen during that span.

The charts break out NFC West selections by general draft position, with a column showing how many starts each has made for his original team. I am using the term "not active" loosely to describe players who haven't been on rosters during the regular season recently.

Italics reveal what teams might have been thinking as they entered various stages of the draft.

We should find 10-year starters with Pro Bowl potential, most often at tackle ...

Every offensive lineman selected among the top 50 or so choices should contribute and hopefully start ...

The most athletic prospects are gone by now, but tough guys still have value ...

These guys have question marks, obvious limitations or both, but we'll still get some starts from them ...

Anyone seen the Seahawks or 49ers lately?

What are our numbers on the line again? Let's get another one here.

Justin Smith's disqualification from the San Francisco 49ers' game against San Diego on Thursday night marked the first for an NFC West player since 2005.

Officials ejected Damione Lewis, then with the St. Louis Rams, from a 2005 game. Two more Rams, Tommy Polley and Orlando Pace, suffered ejections in 2004.

No other players have suffered disqualifications for current NFC West teams since at least 2001, according to ESPN Stats & Information.

A quick look at NFC West disqualifications since 2001:

• Smith, 2010, Week 15: The 49ers' defensive end shoved umpire Garth DeFelice's arm away while DeFelice separated players following a play. Smith said he didn't realize it was an official making contact with him.
• Lewis, 2005, Week 7: Replays showed the defensive tackle punching New Orleans center LeCharles Bentley in the groin area during the Rams' 28-17 victory over the Saints.
• Pace, 2004, Week 10: Pace made contact with side judge Don Carlsen during a fracas involving Rams and Seattle Seahawks players. The Rams won the game, 23-12.
• Polley, 2004, Week 15: Polley shoved Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Russell Davis in the face while Davis was standing on the sideline without his helmet during the fourth quarter. Trash talk escalated when Davis tapped Polley's helmet.

These were the only four ejections I could find by searching for fouls listed as disqualifications.

I recall Cardinals offensive lineman Elton Brown drawing an ejection for bumping an official during a 2009 exhibition game. Back in 1998, officials ejected 49ers defensive lineman Bryant Young for twice retaliating against allegedly dirty tactics used by Kyle Turley, then with the Saints.

Darren Urban's item on the "final eight" rules provides a good opening to discuss what an uncapped year means for the Cardinals.

Basically, the final eight teams alive in the playoffs, including Arizona, will have a harder time signing free agents from other teams if the NFL and its players fail to extend the collective bargaining agreement. I don't think this is a huge deal, though, because rules will also dramatically reduce the number of players available in free agency. And remember, there haven't been many good players hitting the market, anyway.

Without a new CBA, players must have six years in the league, not four, to become free agents. Teams will also be able to use one franchise tag and two transition tags to restrict veteran players.

Pat Kirwan of NFL.com has done a good job explaining some of the implications here and here.

Last offseason, Arizona lost (and in some cases did not want back) Terrelle Smith, Eric Green, J.J. Arrington, Antonio Smith and the since-re-signed Monty Beisel in unrestricted free agency. The Cardinals added Bryant McFadden and Jason Wright as unrestricted free agents. The team re-signed unrestricted free agents Brian St. Pierre, Ben Graham, Kurt Warner, Ralph Brown, Clark Haggans, Bertrand Berry and the since-released Elton Brown, with Karlos Dansby re-signing as a franchise player.

The Seahawks, seeking to salvage their season at Arizona in Week 10, last won a road game against the Cardinals on Nov. 6, 2005.

Shaun Alexander carried 23 times for 173 yards and two touchdowns during a 33-19 Seattle victory at Sun Devil Stadium. The Seahawks, headed to Super Bowl XL after that season, picked off Kurt Warner three times and sacked him four times.

A couple things about these teams have changed since that game. I had some fun sifting through those 2005 rosters.



Players no longer with Seattle

Offense (20): Bobby Engram, Steve Hutchinson, Robbie Tobeck, Chris Gray, Joe Jurevicius, Jerheme Urban, Mack Strong, Shaun Alexander, D.J. Hackett, Maurice Morris, Leonard Weaver, Floyd Womack, Ryan Hannam, Jerramy Stevens, Peter Warrick, David Greene, Wayne Hunter, Darrell Jackson, Itula Mili, Josh Scobey.

Defense (18): Bryce Fisher, Chuck Darby, Marcus Tubbs, Grant Wistrom, Jamie Sharper, Kelly Herndon, Michael Boulware, Marquand Manual, Jimmy Williams, John Howell, Niko Koutouvides, Kevin Bentley, Isaiah Kacyvenski, Joe Tafoya, Rocky Bernard, Etric Pruitt, Rodney Bailey, Andre Dyson.

Specialists (3): Josh Brown, Tom Rouen, J.P. Darche.

Players still with Seattle

Offense (6): Walter Jones (injured reserve), Sean Locklear, Matt Hasselbeck, Seneca Wallace, Chris Spencer, Ray Willis.

Defense (6): Jordan Babineaux, Craig Terrill, D.D. Lewis, Lofa Tatupu (IR), Leroy Hill, Marcus Trufant.

---

Players no longer with Arizona

Offense (23): Bryant Johnson, Leonard Davis, Nick Leckey, Alex Stepanovich, Oliver Ross, Eric Edwards, Marcel Shipp, Adam Bergen, J.J. Arrington, Josh McCown, John Navarre, Reggie Newhouse, LeRon McCoy, Fred Wakefield, James Jackson, Obafemi Ayanbadejo, Harold Morrow, Jarrod Baxter, Adam Haayer, J.J. Moses, Elton Brown, Teyo Johnson, Reggie Swinton.

Defense (16): Langston Moore, Ross Kolodziej, James Darling, Robert Tate, Robert Griffith, David Macklin, Antonio Cochran, Darryl Blackstock, Orlando Huff, Eric Green, Antonio Smith, Lamont Reid, Quentin Harris, Isaac Keys, Lance Mitchell, Aaron Francisco.

Specialists (2): Scott Player, Nathan Hodel.

Players still with Arizona

Offense (5): Reggie Wells, Larry Fitzgerald, Kurt Warner, Jeremy Bridges, Anquan Boldin.

Defense (6): Chike Okeafor, Darnell Dockett, Bernard Berry, Karlos Dansby, Adrian Wilson, Antrel Rolle.

Specialists (1): Neil Rackers.

Note: Thanks to spaumi10 for noticing that Aaron Francisco and Lance Mitchell were initially listed on offense. There was a little cutting and pasting involved with this entry. Missed those two. Thanks!

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Thoughts and observations from the Cardinals' exhibition game Thursday night against the Broncos:

• Fitzgerald cares. The Cardinals' first-team offense made little apparent progress following an "embarrassing" effort a week earlier, but receiver Larry Fitzgerald showed the unwavering focus and professionalism that help maximize his talents. He ran after the catch the way he would have in a Super Bowl. Receiver Steve Breaston, meanwhile, couldn't even get lined up properly, drawing two penalties for illegal formations. This is a recurring issue for Breaston and one that gets annoying if you watch enough Cardinals games. He committed three such penalties during the 2008 regular season. Details matter.
• Action for Toler. I was a little surprised to read coach Ken Whisenhunt's comments about how the Cardinals' rookie defensive backs, including cornerback Greg Toler, have a long ways to go. Toler competes. He battled hard against Broncos receiver Brandon Lloyd, closing hard on the ball to break up a sideline pass. Lloyd did beat Toler for a long completion to the Arizona 1-yard line, but Lloyd used his left arm to push Toler past the play. It was a veteran move and one that worked, but Toler was there all the way. Officials flagged him for illegal contact on a deep pass in the third quarter. The contact was came early in the route as an act of aggressiveness, not panic. Toler was there all the way and nearly picked off the pass.
• Updating Long. Receiver Lance Long didn't seem to make an emphatic statement in his quest to earn one of the final spots at receiver. Only Jerheme Urban played more than Long among Arizona receivers in the first half. Long finished the game with one reception for 9 yards. Officials flagged him for holding deep in Cardinals territory and it was a good call.
• Playing time. First-half snap counts for the Cardinals' skill players broke down this way: Urban 20, Long 14, Warner 12, Stephen Spach 10, Breaston 10, Fitzgerald 10, Jason Wright 9, Beanie Wells 9, Sean Morey 8, Anthony Becht 7, Dan Kreider 6, Tim Hightower 6, Matt Leinart 6, Tyler Palko 6, Ben Patrick 4, Onrea Jones 4, Reagan Maui'a 2 and Tim Castille 1.
• Wells catches naturally. The Cardinals' first-round choice made a reception out of the backfield for 12 yards, gathering the ball naturally and gaining several yards after the catch. It wasn't much to go on, but nothing about Wells seems to stand out as negative or limiting. We haven't seen enough to know for sure how he'll hold up in pass protection, a key variable for playing time.
• Losing Pope. Tight end Leonard Pope's long-term future with the team appears shaky. The team could keep an extra player at the position while Ben Patrick serves a four-game suspension to open the season. Even that might not be enough for Pope, who did not play in the first half. When Pope finally got a chance, he showed zero tenacity while missing a block against Broncos defensive end Jarvis Moss. The early third-quarter play allowed Moss to tackle running back Chris Vincent for a loss.
• Hobson shows. Cardinals linebacker Victor Hobson made a positive impression on a few plays. He was aggressive and put a big hit on the quarterback in the third quarter.

2005 NFL Draft Round Players on Active Rosters Total Players Percent on Active Rosters 1 27 32 84.4% 2 25 32 78.1% 3 26 37 70.3% 4 23 35 65.7% 5 14 38 36.8% 6 18 40 45.0% 7 16 41 39.0% Totals 149 255 58.4%

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

The quadriceps injury threatening Chris Spencer's future with the Seahawks sent me back through his 2005 draft class.

The first six players NFC West teams selected that year have not met expectations: quarterback Alex Smith (49ers), cornerback-turned-safety Antrel Rolle (Cardinals), tackle Alex Barron (Rams), Spencer, guard David Baas (49ers) and running back J.J. Arrington (Cardinals).

The next four players NFC West players selected -- Lofa Tatupu (Seahawks), Ron Bartell (Rams), Frank Gore (49ers) and Oshiomogho Atogwe (Rams) -- have either achieved Pro Bowl status or become front-line starters.

The Seahawks, Rams and 49ers each have four members of their 2005 draft classes on their active rosters. The Cardinals have two.

Even with Spencer out, the Seahawks arguably had the best 2005 draft of any team in the division, landing Tatupu, Leroy Hill, Ray Willis and Spencer.

The Rams found four current starters in Barron, Bartell, Atogwe and third-rounder Richie Incognito.

The 49ers found Gore and right tackle Adam Snyder, while Baas and Smith could wind up starting this season.

The Cardinals have only Rolle and backup guard Elton Brown to show for that 2005 class.

Tatupu and Gore are the only Pro Bowl players from the 2005 NFC West draft class.

(Read full post)

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

The Cardinals have gotten dramatically younger at running back this offseason. Edgerrin James and Terrelle Smith are gone, leaving Tim Hightower and Dan Kreider as the only current Cardinals running backs with starting experience.

The team kept three halfbacks and two fullbacks on its Week 1 roster last season. Nine other teams also kept more than one fullback for the opener.

Hightower, Chris Wells, Jason Wright, Kreider and Tim Castille entered camp as the likely choices for those spots, should the team keep five. LaRod Stephens-Howling would have to significantly liven up the return game to earn a spot, most likely.

Arizona Cardinals Week 1 Roster Counts since 2003 QB RB WR TE OL DL LB DB ST Fewest 2 4 5 2 8 5 6 7 2 Most 4 7 7 4 10 9 8 10 3 Average 3.0 5.3 6.0 3.2 8.8 7.7 7.0 8.8 2.8 Currently on roster 4 8 10 5 15 10 11 14 3

The chart provides a framework for how many players the Cardinals might keep at each position heading into the regular-season opener against the 49ers.

Here's a quick look at which Cardinals players I might keep on the cutdown to 53 players:

(Read full post)

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

The Seahawks have 34 defensive players on their roster, fewest in the league and well below the NFL average (38.7). That was one of the things I noticed upon updating the 26-column NFC West rosters and comparing them to the rest of the league.

Download rosters here.

Seattle has nine linebackers. The average is 10.7. Seattle has 12 defensive backs. The average is 14.7. Perhaps the team will add players at these positions. Or perhaps the rest of the league will release players at these positions. Seattle is carrying 79 players on its roster, counting unsigned draft choices. The average is 85.2.

A few other roster-related notes from the NFC West:

• The Rams have released defensive lineman Mike Newkirk and signed tackle Eric Young. They also brought in former Seahawks and Chiefs snapper J.P. Darche for a workout last week. Darche has been rehabbing the knee injury that sidelined him last season and precipitated his release from the Chiefs.
• The 49ers released quarterback Kirby Freeman and signed two draft choices, fifth-rounder Scott McKillop and seventh-rounder Ricky Jean-Francois. They have five unsigned draft choices. Only the Saints have fewer (four).
• The Seahawks have reached agreement with former Oklahoma State center David Washington, according to Danny O'Neil. I'll add Washington to the roster once he signs a contract.
• The Cardinals still lead the NFL in most unrestricted free agents re-signed this offseason with seven: Kurt Warner, Brian St. Pierre, Bertrand Berry, Clark Haggans, Ralph Brown, Ben Graham and Elton Brown. Their unsigned UFAs: Guard Scott Peters and tight end Jerame Tuman.
• Seattle has 36 of its own draft choices on its roster. All 36 are from BCS programs, most in the league and 11 above the league average.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Ezra from Las Vegas writes: Mike, Do you think that Karlos Dansby might be more compelled to sign now that Leroy Hill has a contract, seeing as his agent works for Hill too?

I am hoping that he will, but I think that Dansby is significantly better than Hill, so his contract would need to be better. Or do you think Dansby still wants to leave the Cards because of what he said about making a splash?

I know if next year comes around, I would value Adrian Wilson over Dansby and tag him instead. Thanks, Ezra

Mike Sando: Dansby has much more leverage than Hill because he signed the one-year franchise tender, worth $9.678 million in his case, and the Cardinals did not select Aaron Curry in the first round of the draft.

The $9.678 million became guaranteed when Dansby signed the tender. That makes it pretty easy for Dansby to play out the 2009 season and take his chances in free agency. The Cardinals might have more incentive than Dansby to work out a long-term deal because doing so would help their salary-cap situation in the short term (although the team does not appear to be in desperate need of additional cap space).

Dansby had a better season than Hill enjoyed in 2008. While the gap between the players isn't enormous, the gap between their salaries will be significant. Dansby will make a much more money than Hill over the next two seasons. Hill erred in failing to sign the franchise tender, set at $8.3 million for him. The Seahawks used the error to secure Hill for a bargain price. Unlike Hill, who had lost all leverage, Dansby would never accept a deal that essentially allows the team to release him after two seasons without significant cap consequences.

(Read full post)

Pick 2008 2007 2006 2005 10 Jerod Mayo Amobi Okoye Matt Leinart Mike Williams 43 Tyrell Johnson Drew Stanton Roman Harper Corey Webster 74 Dan Connor Yamon Figurs Brian Calhoun Justin Tuck 111 Martin Rucker Dewayne Wright Demetrius Williams Elton Brown 146 Jerome Felton Aundrae Allison Dawan Landry Trent Cole 171 Marcus Henry Clint Oldenburg Mike Hass Ben Emanuel 184 Mike Gibson John Wendling Adam Jennings Bill Swancutt 219 Demetrius Bell Kelvin Smith Ryan LaCasse Adrian Ward 244 Angelo Craig Jason Snelling Tim Massaquoi Noah Herron

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

The 49ers hold the 10th, 43rd, 74th, 111th, 146th, 171st, 184th, 219th and 244th choices in the 2009 draft. For perspective, I've singled out the last four players chosen in those spots.

The Lions' selection of USC receiver Mike Williams with the 10th overall choice is enough to raise those familiar red flags for receivers drafted in that range. The last 10 receivers drafted between seventh and 10th overall were Ted Ginn Jr., Troy Williamson, the aforementioned Mike Williams, Roy Williams, Reggie Williams, David Terrell, Koren Robinson, Plaxico Burress, Travis Taylor and David Boston.

How many of those once-highly regarded wideouts would you want on your team right now? Not many. Only four have NFL jobs. For those hoping the 49ers might draft a USC quarterback [Mark Sanchez] in the first round instead, it's been done at No. 10 recently and with unconvincing results.

Justin Tuck at No. 74 in 2005 stands out as a terrific value, but I also credit the Giants for developing him.

The 49ers could use a young prospect at safety. They could do worse than the Ravens did when they made Dawan Landry the 146th player chosen in 2006. Landry became a starter as a rookie.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

• Add former Rams tight end Anthony Becht and former Seahawks center Donovan Raiola to the list of players the Cardinals have signed to contracts. Guard Elton Brown and defensive tackle Rodney Leisle were the others. The team announced the moves. All four signed one-year contracts. Becht can be a strong blocking tight end. He might provide insurance while Stephen Spach recovers from knee surgery.
• One more note on Becht: Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt coached tight ends for the Jets when they drafted Becht in 2000.
• Seahawks president Tim Ruskell was also attending the workout for Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford. We previously noted that offensive coordinator Greg Knapp was there.
• Free-agent 49ers cornerback Donald Strickland paid a visit to the Titans.
• The Rams signed tackle Daren Heerspink. He signed with the Dolphins last season as an undrafted free agent from Portland State. The Rams now have nine offensive linemen.
  

Cardinals Offensive Lineman Age Status Scott Peters 30 UFA Mike Gandy 30 Signed Ben Claxton 28 Signed Reggie Wells 28 Signed Elton Brown 26 Agreed Deuce Lutui 25 Signed Lyle Sendlein 25 Signed Levi Brown 25 Signed Elliot Vallejo 24 Signed Brandon Keith 24 Signed

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Thanks to those who passed along notes about the Adam Caplan report Wednesday on the Cardinals adding nose tackle Rodney Leisle.

The team has also brought back one of its unrestricted free agents.

Guard Elton Brown, who has occasionally challenged Deuce Lutui for the starting job at right guard, has agreed to terms on a new contract.

The Cardinals now have nine offensive linemen. That's about how many offensive linemen teams tend to carry during the regular season.

Arizona will add to that total through the draft, presumably, and possibly through free agency, although the Cardinals haven't brought in free agents for visits during the first three weeks of the signing period. The team could always draft one or more linemen, then round out the group with undrafted free agents.

The Cardinals are relatively young on the line. They also have one of the better line coaches in the league in Russ Grimm. They could benefit from adding a center and possibly another prospect at tackle and/or guard.

Arizona Cardinals 2009 UFA Watch Pos. Status Kurt Warner QB Re-signed Brian St. Pierre QB Re-signed Clark Haggans LB Re-signed Ben Graham P Re-signed Bryant McFadden CB Added Jason Wright RB Added Bertrand Berry DE UFA Terrelle Smith FB UFA Ralph Brown CB UFA Elton Brown OL UFA Scott Peters OL UFA Antonio Smith DE Texans J.J. Arrington RB Broncos Monty Beisel LB Chiefs Eric Green CB Dolphins

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Kurt Warner and Karlos Dansby won't be leaving the Cardinals this offseason.

That means Arizona accomplished its two primary goals for the offseason, even if the Warner negotiations took a detour. (Dansby signed his one-year tender as a franchise player.)

The chart shows which unrestricted free agents the Cardinals have re-signed, added and lost since the signing period opened Feb. 27. We can also see which of their own free agents remain unsigned. I'll update the other NFC West teams as the day progresses.

Several Cardinals fans have expressed to me concern about possibly losing Bertrand Berry. Older veterans sometimes do wind up signing late. The Cardinals will also presumably look for pass rushers in the draft.

Arizona brought back Berry at a discounted price last season. He wound up playing more than Clark Haggans and nearly as much as Travis LaBoy.

Arizona did not "lose" Antonio Smith, J.J. Arrington, Monty Beisel and Eric Green so much as the Cardinals watched them leave. Yes, they would have liked to keep Smith, but they figured he wouldn't fit into their budget for the position.

Signing Bryant McFadden was a bonus. That move puts the Cardinals in position to field a strong secondary for years to come, health permitting.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Clare Farnsworth of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer says Seahawks free-agent tackle Ray Willis has visited the Redskins and Raiders.

Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic provides updates on Cardinals free-agent guard Elton Brown and former Cardinals center Al Johnson. He also suggests coaches had problems with Nathan Hodel's snapping accuracy and coverage ability. What I know: Hodel failed a physical before his termination. He has had some knee issues.

Darren Urban of azcardinals.com says Cardinals general manager Rod Graves hopes to meet with Drew Rosenhaus to discuss free-agent cornerback Bryant McFadden. Rosenhaus might have other business following Terrell Owens' release.

Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean says Cardinals free-agent cornerback Eric Green plans to visit the Titans. Green is no longer in the Cardinals' plans.

Matt Maiocco of the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat says the 49ers aren't interested in Jeff Garcia as a free agent because coach Mike Singletary isn't convinced Garcia would provide a definite upgrade over Shaun Hill.