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Jason Brown should be reaching his prime years as an NFL offensive lineman.

Instead, he has reached a career crossroads.

Brown, scheduled to visit San Francisco, would give the 49ers veteran depth and a potential starting candidate, most likely at right guard.

Brown owns 90 starts for St. Louis and Baltimore over the last six seasons, but in the past six months, Brown has been benched by the Rams' previous leadership, released by its new leadership and left unsigned through three weeks of free agency.

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The Rams made signing Brown a top priority when Steve Spagnuolo was taking over as head coach in early 2009. They called him minutes into the free-agent signing period and signed him to a deal averaging $7 million per season with an $11 million signing bonus. Brown started the next 40 games at center, but with the 2011 season having slipped away, the Rams benched him following a Week 9 overtime defeat at Arizona.

Brown finished the 2011 season as a starter at guard, but only because injuries forced the Rams to adjust their lineup. The Rams subsequently released Brown, who would have earned $5 million in salary for 2012, and signed Green Bay Packers free-agent center Scott Wells.

Brown was not a model of consistency for the Rams last season, but neither were most of his teammates. In retrospect, the Rams paid Pro Bowl money for a player without Pro Bowl credentials, then moved on when they thought Brown's play slipped last season.

Brown was, by all accounts, a hard worker and dedicated player in St. Louis. He was also an increasingly reflective one after the Iraq War claimed his brother in 2003. Last season, Brown touched upon how his brother's death affected his outlook toward football.

"I question how much attention is given to football," Brown told ESPN's Seth Wickersham for a profile. "But it's tough. It's a huge machine that I'm benefiting from."

Brown could be a bargain for the 49ers. He stands 6-foot-3, weighs 328 pounds and would give the team reliable insurance if Daniel Kilgore does not develop into a starter at right guard. Brown could also play center if needed, and his price tag would be far lower than it was when the Rams signed him back in 2009.

The 49ers have met with free-agent guards Deuce Lutui, Leonard Davis and Geoff Schwartz this offseason. Schwartz subsequently signed with the Minnesota Vikings.

Mackay from Lindon, Utah, wonders why the Arizona Cardinals did not pursue former Oakland Raiders outside linebacker Kamerion Wimbley in free agency. Instead, Wimbley signed with Tennessee.

Mike Sando: The Cardinals seem to have it backward at linebacker. They've invested more at inside linebacker (Stewart Bradley and Daryl Washington) than outside linebacker at a time when teams are paying for perimeter players.

Bradley figures to get more comfortable with a full offseason in the Cardinals' defensive system, but even if that happens, he's still going to be a relatively average inside linebacker in a 3-4 defense. Washington is a very good player and an integral part of the defense, so no complaints there.

As for Wimbley, he's projected to play right defensive end in the Titans' 4-3 scheme. I'm not sure he would have been the answer for Arizona. The Cardinals do like their young players at outside linebacker. Sam Acho played nearly half the defensive snaps last season. O'Brien Schofield was at 38 percent. Those two players do have promise, but the Cardinals need help at that position, in my opinion.

Outside linebacker, offensive tackle and wide receiver are three positions for the Cardinals to consider targeting before the draft. I would want a tackle first. Demetrius Bell is one free-agent candidate there. If the Cardinals could address tackle to some degree in free agency, they could feel better about using the 13th overall pick for an outside linebacker type. They cannot expect the unsigned Clark Haggans, 35, to play forever.

Axel from Eagle River, Alaska, suggests that the St. Louis Rams should be more active in seeking out higher-quality free agents at outside linebacker, defensive tackle and on the offensive line. He asks why they would bring in Chilo Rachal and Robert Turner for visits when neither would seem to be better than Jacob Bell or Jason Brown. Why not check out Vernon Carey, Jake Scott and Chad Rinehart?

Mike Sando: I'm with you on this one, in theory, but I also see what the Rams are thinking. They are building for the long haul, so they do not want to throw money at too many older players, particularly at non-premium positions. They want to go young.

The Rams had the NFL's youngest roster by average age heading into the weekend. Players around the league are not lining up to play for a team that has gone 15-65 over the last five seasons. The Rams might have to pay a premium to land some of these free agents.

Adding 31-year-old Scott Wells in free agency gave Sam Bradford a veteran center to lean on. That could be important.

The Rams already invested in right guard Harvey Dahl last offseason. Carey, 30, played right guard for the Miami Dolphins. His versatility and durability would make him an appealing addition. But if the Rams are going to go the 30-something route at guard, why not bring back the affordable Jacob Bell, who played for Fisher in Tennessee?

The Rams exceeded expectations with their trade sending the second overall draft choice to the Washington Redskins. They have fallen short of expectations in free agency to this point by suffering a net loss in the playmaking department (none added, Brandon Lloyd subtracted). I expect they will address that area in a big, big way on draft day.

The Rams' current receivers, listed in the chart, have 11 combined career touchdown receptions. Restricted free agent Danny Amendola remains unsigned, but the Rams own his rights.

Kyle from Des Moines, Iowa, asks what the San Francisco 49ers should do at right guard. "Are they better off drafting to fill that gap and having an even younger and less experienced line," he writes, "or filling it with a veteran who might not have the same skill level but can provide leadership with fewer mistakes?"

Mike Sando: The 49ers have shown a willingness to invested high draft choices in offensive linemen. Joe Staley, Mike Iupati and Anthony Davis were first-round picks. The two right guards last season, Rachal and Adam Snyder, were relatively early choices as well.

Now would be a good time for the 49ers to show they can develop a later-round choice at guard.

They are proceeding at right guard as though confident in Daniel Kilgore's ability to take the job. Kilgore was a fifth-round pick from Appalachian State in 2011, known for his toughness and tenacity. He played left tackle as a senior in college, but the interior is where he projects in the future. I think the 49ers should sign a lower-priced veteran for insurance, then prove they were right in trading up for Kilgore.

Jeff from Las Vegas asks what the Seattle Seahawks are getting with Frank Omiyale. "Bears fans don't seem to think much of him," Jeff writes.

Mike Sando: The Seahawks are getting veteran depth and a player their line coach, Tom Cable, coached in Atlanta years ago. They are not expecting Omiyale to become a starter, but with Robert Gallery gone, they wanted someone with experience.

Bears fans weren't high on Omiyale because Chicago used him as a starter. You might recall Minnesota Vikings fans wondering why the Seahawks would sign Tarvaris Jackson. Seattle wanted someone to help the team get through the season. The Seahawks were not saying Jackson would become the answer for them. They're not projecting Omiyale as the answer, either.

The St. Louis Rams are getting one of the better centers in the NFL. They're also getting a veteran with the ability to assist Sam Bradford's development as a quarterback.

That is the immediate takeaway from news the Rams have agreed to terms with veteran center Scott Wells, who earned a Pro Bowl berth with the Green Bay Packers last season.

The Rams loaded up Bradford with additional responsibilities last season, including making protection calls at the line of scrimmage. Wells, the Packers' starting center since 2006, became a resource for Aaron Rodgers.

Rodgers has recently credited Wells for helping take pressure off him mentally. The Rams are looking to help Bradford with a strong running game. Having a veteran center known for his attention to detail also looks like a Bradford-friendly move.

"Scott knows the offense as well as anybody in the building," Rodgers told Jason Wilde of ESPNMilwaukee. "I'd say, if you look at guys who really are the smartest players on the team -- and I'm not going to include myself in that mix -- Scott Wells and (fullback) John Kuhn know the offense as well as anybody and they're able to make checks without me even saying anything."

That should be a huge asset for Bradford.

"It takes a ton of stress and pressure off of me and my film study and my preparation when I know that if I guess wrong, or if I'm unsure about a look, that I know Scotty is going to be right there next to me, a step ahead of me at times, knowing what the call needs to be," Rodgers said. "Scotty and his smarts take a ton of pressure off me."

Matt Williamson of Scouts Inc., speaking to Paul Kuharsky of the AFC South blog when Wells and Chris Myers were under consideration for Tennessee, had this to say about the 31-year-old center: "Myers is the better player -- and in his prime -- but Wells is a top-seven or -eight center, too. ... Wells is a tough guy that Mike Munchak will love."

Jason Brown was the Rams' starting center last season. The previous coaching staff benched him for Tony Wragge. The Rams released Brown, 28. Wragge, 32, is an unrestricted free agent.

Brown was already the starter when the Rams drafted Bradford in 2010.

The Seattle Seahawks and St. Louis Rams take two of the NFL's youngest rosters into the free-agent signing period Tuesday.

The first chart shows where teams in the division rank after subtracting from rosters those players scheduled to become unrestricted free agents at 4 p.m. ET. I also eliminated from consideration kickers, punters and long-snappers because age variations matter less at those positions.


Levi Brown, Justin Bannan, Jason Brown, Fred Robbins, James Hall and Ron Bartell were among the players I removed from rosters based on reports indicating their releases were imminent.

A relatively small difference in average across 50 or 60 players can give us a general feel for a roster. NFL careers can be short. Every year counts. That is why general managers and salary-cap analysts pay attention to where their teams stand in these areas.

The Rams have the youngest offensive players in the league. The Seahawks have the youngest defensive players by a wide margin. The 49ers have the oldest specialists, and their overall team age increased after adding 35-year-old receiver Randy Moss.

Last offseason, the Rams patched their roster with veterans signed to one-year deals. In retrospect, that reflected a team with less young depth than would have been ideal.

The Cardinals have the second-oldest offensive linemen in the NFL. That is not always bad. The New York Giants have the oldest offensive linemen on average; they just won a Super Bowl. AFC champion New England has the fourth-oldest players at the position.

Having an older line is tolerable and even preferable if that line has strong talent and has played together for years. But the combination of advanced age and below-average talent signals an inability to improve over time.

The Cardinals will presumably add younger linemen through the draft and possibly free agency.

The 49ers, though strong along the defensive line, have the fourth-oldest players at that position when we count Aldon Smith as an outside linebacker. That is one area the team could address for the future. Justin Smith, arguably the NFL's best defensive lineman, turns 33 before the season and has started 171 consecutive games, 92 more than any active defensive lineman in the NFL.

The chart below shows age ranks for teams by position and overall, counting specialists.
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The St. Louis Rams released or planned to release five starters Monday.

"Is this a signal they aren't trying to be competitive now?" a Rams fan named Rick asked. "They are going to do another full rebuild?"

The Rams were not competitive enough when Justin Bannan, Fred Robbins, Jason Brown, Ron Bartell and James Hall were on their roster. Robbins was very good two years ago. Bartell has serious injury concerns. Hall was a strong all-around defensive end for years, but with 2011 first-round pick Robert Quinn on the roster, Hall's age and salary likely worked against him.

As for the full rebuild part of Rick's question, yes, the Rams are undergoing one of those.

Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says the five cuts will clear about $20 million in cap space, giving the team roughly $30 million of room heading into free agency. General manager Les Snead: "We will be active. Like I've mentioned before, we're going to try to be aggressive in acquiring players whatever the method ... we want to get the best players in."

Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com says the 49ers have demonstrated a willingness to take chances at wide receiver under Jim Harbaugh and Trent Baalke, as demonstrated by signing Braylon Edwards and Randy Moss over the past year. Maiocco: "Of course, the 49ers still have a need at wide receiver. Joshua Morgan is a free agent, and the 49ers want him back. Ted Ginn was a lot more valuable as a return man than as a wideout, so his return is anything but certain. Late in the season, the 49ers rolled the dice in a different way at the receiver position. After several key injuries, the 49ers decided not to address the position. Michael Crabtree and Kyle Williams were the starters in the NFC Championship Game, with Brett Swain was the No. 3 wideout." Noted: The contracts with Edwards and Moss were low-risk deals.

Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee says Moss thinks he's gotten a bad rap in the media. Moss: "When it comes to world wide sports media, you know, I've gotten a bad rap. They've done their homework on me or they wouldn't have brought me in here. ... One thing I would like the sports world to understand is the love and passion I have for football."

Lowell Cohn of the Santa Rosa-Press Democrat describes Moss as a one-dimensional player, and one the 49ers will have a hard time maximizing. Cohn: "Moss is a down-the-field receiver. Period. He does not run shallow crossing routes or underneath routes -- he avoids them. He's strictly a home-run hitter. To make use of Moss, the quarterback -- we're most likely talking Alex Smith here -- needs to throw the ball vertically, and the offensive coordinator must be willing to take long shots downfield. But that is not Smith's style, never has been. He is a meticulous, analytical player who likes to throw to receivers when he sees a nice, comfortable window accompanied by plenty of open space."

Tim Kawakami of the San Jose Mercury News says the 49ers appear cocky going after Moss while ignoring Peyton Manning. Noted: Going after a wide receiver is far less disruptive than going after a quarterback. Manning would change every aspect of the offense, essentially forcing the team to part with Smith. Moss will be part of a rotation at the position, and he will not prevent the team from making other moves at his position.

Danny O'Neil of the Seattle Times offers thoughts on Mario Williams as a potential fit for Seattle in free agency. O'Neil: "The Seahawks have stated a desire to improve their pass rush, and Williams isn't just one of the top pass rushers available in the open market, he's one of the top pass rushers in the game. This isn't a great pass rusher in his 30s. This is a great pass rusher in his prime. He played outside linebacker for the Texans last season, demonstrating a versatility that could give Seattle's defensive coaches a license to scheme with a roster that includes both Williams and Chris Clemons."

Also from O'Neil: thoughts on Matt Flynn as a potential QB signing for the Seahawks.

Brady Henderson of 710ESPN Seattle passes along John Clayton's thoughts on Williams. Clayton: "If you're going to be going for Mario Williams, the best value is to put him on the line of scrimmage and have him rush as a 4-3 defensive end. That's the way the league goes. You don't see $15 million linebackers. ... I think that when you look at the value, he's going to be more valuable to a 4-3 team, and the two 4-3 teams that appear to have either the most money or the most interest are Atlanta and Seattle."

Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic says the Cardinals are hoping for a quick resolution to Peyton Manning's situation. Somers: "The Cardinals would prefer the process to proceed as quickly as possible for a couple reasons. They owe quarterback Kevin Kolb a $7 million bonus if he is on the roster Saturday. They likely would release Kolb if they sign Manning. And the Cardinals are expected to start the league year Tuesday with little room under the NFL's $120.6 million salary cap. It will be difficult for them to re-sign their players, or those from other teams, without knowing if they are going to sign Manning."

Also from Somers: The Cardinals aren't worried about dire salary-cap characterizations regarding the team.

Darren Urban of azcardinals.com says the team expects to be less aggressive in free agency this offseason, in part because it perceives fewer needs.

The St. Louis Rams went through last season as one of the five oldest teams in the NFL.

They are now one of the five youngest after parting with veterans Jason Brown, Justin Bannan and Fred Robbins. The new average, based on rosters I maintain for every team, also reflects subtracting more than 400 projected free agents around the league.

The moves will create about $9.5 million in salary-cap space, according to Howard Balzer of 101ESPN St. Louis. The Rams will get another $1.6 million in space, as will every other NFC West team, after the league took away cap space from Washington and Dallas for accounting tactics they used in 2010.

Defensive end James Hall (35), kicker Josh Brown (32), safety Quintin Mikell (31), guard Harvey Dahl (30) and cornerback Ron Bartell (30) are the only Rams players in their 30s with contracts for the 2012 season. Mikell and Dahl project as starters. It's tougher to say how Hall and Bartell might fit.

Robbins was outstanding for the Rams in 2010, the first of two seasons he spent with the team. He wasn't as effective last season -- the team struggled as a whole, of course -- and will turn 35 next month. Brown, 28, started each of the 46 games he played in three seasons for the Rams, but the coaching staff benched him last season. Bannan, a free-agent addition during camp last summer, started 14 games. He turns 33 in April.

The Rams are only getting started on their roster makeover. They added veteran seasoning to patch holes on their roster coming out of the lockout last offseason. The contracts for most of those players had no bearing on the salary cap beyond 2011.

Now, with additional draft choices acquired from Washington, the Rams are in position to stock their roster with younger players. They had fallen behind their division rivals in developing young talent.

INDIANAPOLIS -- The St. Louis Rams have not given up on 2009 first-round draft choice Jason Smith.

Their new coach, Jeff Fisher, and new general manager, Les Snead, said during the NFL scouting combine that they hoped to bring back Smith following three disappointing seasons.

The strategy makes sense if Smith agrees to reduce his scheduled $10 million salary. The team might as well find out whether new line coach Paul Boudreau can help salvage some return on a massive investment. Better luck with injuries might help Smith more than anything. The concussion he suffered against Dallas came on a freak play when Smith was making a tackle following a turnover.

For the Rams, there's no sense in making tackle a bigger need by dumping Smith prematurely. Publicly declaring interest in Smith sets a positive tone for expected negotiations on a new deal.

Smith has started 26 of 48 games for the Rams, the third-lowest total for three seasons among players drafted second overall from 1990-2009.

The chart ranks three-year start totals for players drafted second overall since 1998, beginning with Ryan Leaf. The final column shows total starts each player has made for his original team.

» NFC Wrap-ups: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South

Arrow indicates direction team is trending.

Final Power Ranking: 31
Preseason Power Ranking: 17

Biggest surprise: The Rams ranked eighth in sacks per pass attempt, one spot ahead of the 13-3 San Francisco 49ers, even though they rarely forced opponents into obvious passing situations. Chris Long broke out with a career-high 13 sacks. Long had been improving since moving to the left side. There were indications he might hit double digits for sacks if the Rams forced opponents into obvious passing situations frequently enough. Long came within a half-sack of matching his combined total for the 2009-10 seasons.

Biggest disappointment: Failing to build on Sam Bradford's promising rookie season. Bradford was the NFL's offensive rookie of the year after setting rookie records for completions (354) and pass attempts (590). Only Peyton Manning had thrown for more yards than Bradford as an NFL rookie. There were challenges this season with the lockout, a tough early schedule and all that goes with learning a new scheme. Bradford and first-year coordinator Josh McDaniels liked their chances, but the offense suffered huge setbacks when injuries sidelined Steven Jackson and Danny Amendola in the season opener. The Rams approached the season eager to see how Jackson, Amendola, Brandon Gibson, Mike Hoomanawanui and Lance Kendricks functioned together. That group never took a snap together. Bradford completed only 53.5 percent of his passes. He took 36 sacks in 10 starts and threw for only six touchdowns.

Biggest need: Offensive playmakers. Bradford completed only 1 of 16 attempts in goal-to-go situations. For perspective, consider that Tampa Bay's Josh Freeman, another young quarterback facing struggles in 2011, completed 14 of 20 passes with eight touchdowns in these situations. Picking up Brandon Lloyd by trade helped, but the veteran receiver might wind up being a one-year rental. Lloyd's contract expires in March. The man influential in bringing him to St. Louis, McDaniels, might not be back. The Rams need to draft a difference- maker at receiver. That could be tough to justify with so many needs elsewhere on the roster.

Team MVP: Jackson was an obvious choice. If only he hadn't strained a quadriceps while breaking a 47-yard touchdown run against Philadelphia on his first carry of the season. That injury limited Jackson to six carries over the first three games. Jackson still topped 1,100 yards for the season. He joined Emmitt Smith, Thurman Thomas, Curtis Martin, Barry Sanders, Eric Dickerson and LaDainian Tomlinson as the only players with seven consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. He rushed for 159, 130 and 128 yards during a three-game stretch when the Rams went 2-1.

Starting over up front: The offensive line was supposed to be a strength for St. Louis after the team signed guard Harvey Dahl in free agency. Dahl held up his end, but the rest of the line fell apart. Rodger Saffold will be back at left tackle or somewhere along the line. Dahl will return. Right tackle Jason Smith, chosen second overall in 2009, will not return at his current salary. Center Jason Brown lost his starting job during the season. Left guard Jacob Bell took a pay reduction and a one-year deal right before the season. The team has not developed young depth on the line. How will the team protect Bradford?

Five things I noticed while watching the St. Louis Rams during their most recent game, a 26-0 defeat at San Francisco in Week 13:

• One play sums up the Rams. Third-and-1 is generally a power running situation, but not for the Rams. They lined up with receiver Brandon Lloyd in the backfield, behind fullback Brit Miller. Miller took the inside handoff and lost yardage. Right guard Jason Brown blocked no one. Defensive end Ray McDonald blew up the play and rolled up on the back of Jacob Bell's legs, leaving Bell with a season-ending injury.
• Brandon Lloyd presents a dilemma. The leaping 34-yard sideline grab Lloyd made despite defensive pass interference again showed just how dynamic Lloyd can be as a playmaker. The question is really how much the Rams should consider paying a 30-year-old receiver with one great season on his résumé. The team badly needs a No. 1-type receiver. Lloyd can be that type of player. At what price? And will he have similar value if the Rams have a new offensive scheme next season? So far, Lloyd has flourished under Josh McDaniels, but no one else.
• The pass rush was not so bad. The Rams showed they can get pressure when they put the opponent in obvious passing situations. A third-and-17 play right before halftime provided one example. Defensive ends Chris Long and Robert Quinn beat the 49ers' tackles with inside moves, converging at the quarterback for a sack credited to Long. It's unusual to see both defensive ends get to the quarterback immediately on a three-man pressure, but the Rams did it on this play. Long had two sacks.
• Defense needs perimeter speed. Not many players would have immediately tracked down 49ers speedster Ted Ginn Jr. on the fly sweep San Francisco ran around right end in the third quarter. The Rams had no chance. The play reminded me how much the team could use an outside linebacker and/or safety with speed in the draft. After the Ginn play, the 49ers successfully ran tight end Delanie Walker to the other side. Walker faked out one safety, Quintin Mikell, and outran the other, Craig Dahl, to get around the corner.
• Conventional run defense improved. Yes, the Rams gave up 144 yards rushing on 32 carries, but take a closer look at where the yardage originated. Ginn, Walker and receiver Kyle Williams accounted for 55 of those yards on three carries. Their runs count, of course, but the Rams did hold running back Frank Gore to 3.5 yards per carry. That was a big improvement from the previous week, when Arizona's Beanie Wells gashed them for a franchise-record 228 yards.

Also: five things to watch when the Rams face the Seattle Seahawks on Monday night. I'll be heading over to CenturyLink Field for that one.

Five things I noticed while watching the San Francisco 49ers during their 26-0 victory against the St. Louis Rams in Week 13:

• The 49ers came out throwing. The Rams entered (and exited) the game with a No. 32 ranking in run defense. The 49ers tested that run defense on their first play, running Frank Gore for an 8-yard gain with a block from fullback Bruce Miller. Overall, however, the 49ers called passes on seven of their first nine plays (one was a scramble). They called passes on their first four second-down plays. That was a bit of a surprise.
• Short-yardage rushing wall. The 49ers generally kept the Rams in third-and-long situations. When St. Louis did get into third-and-1, it didn't matter. Defensive lineman Ray McDonald blew up the play, allowing linebacker NaVorro Bowman to stop fullback Brit Miller for a loss. McDonald was so quick off the line, I initially thought he was offside. He was not. Right guard Jason Brown blocked straight ahead and made no contact with McDonald or anyone else. Right tackle Harvey Dahl did make contact with McDonald, but that was actually bad for the Rams. The play was already doomed. Sufficiently redirected, McDonald fell into the back of guard Jacob Bell's legs, leaving Bell with a season-ending knee injury.
• More short-yardage considerations. The 49ers are allowing minus-0.1 yards per carry on third and fourth down with 1-2 yards needed for a first down. Every other team allows at least 1.0 yards per carry in those situations. The Rams allow 5.7, third-worst in the league. The 49ers have allowed first downs on 45.5 percent of these runs, the third-lowest percentage in the league (Seattle ranks fifth at 53.8 percent). Those numbers come courtesy of ESPN Stats & Information.
• 49ers' dominance in field position. The Rams began drives at their own 19-yard line on average. The 49ers began drives at their own 39 on average. A 20-yard head start on drives put the 49ers in position to kick field goals without generating much offense. Their four field-goal drives began at their own 35-yard line or better. One began at the St. Louis 6. That's too easy.
• About that physical offense narrative. There's no question the 49ers are a physical team on defense. Their use of heavy personnel on offense reveals a desire to play that way on that side of the ball, too. But how physical are they on offense? Gore gained nothing on a third-and-1 rush. Teammate Kendall Hunter lost seven yards after taking a direct snap on third-and-2. Thanks to those plays, the 49ers are the only team in the NFL converting first downs less than half the time on third or fourth down with 1-2 yards to go. Another time, guard Adam Snyder committed a false-start penalty when the 49ers lined up in a running formation on fourth-and-2 (they punted instead).

A few things to consider as the 49ers head into their game Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals. Earlier: five observations on the Cardinals.

Five things I noticed while watching the St. Louis Rams' most recent game, a 23-20 home defeat to the Arizona Cardinals:

• Defensive scheming still evident. It's been a tough season for the Rams' defense. I'm inclined to think personnel, not scheming, is primarily at fault. The coaching staff continues to draw up blitzes producing free shots on opposing quarterbacks. That was the case about five minutes into the game when the Rams brought safety Darian Stewart to the line of scrimmage at the last moment, suggesting seven defenders could be coming on a blitz. Two defenders on the left side dropped into coverage, leaving Cardinals right guard Rex Hadnot with nobody to block. The left guard and left tackle went in opposite directions to pick up their rushers, leaving a free path for Stewart to shoot into the backfield unblocked. Stewart sacked quarterback John Skelton quickly, killing the drive.
• Defense vulnerable on early downs. The Rams allowed 5.1 yards per play on first down, 8.1 yards per play on second down and 3.9 yards per play on third down. They allowed only 3.2 yards per play and no plays longer than 14 yards when using sub packages on defense, according to ESPN Stats & Information. But with Beanie Wells gashing the Rams' base defense, it's clear St. Louis needs the most improvement from its front seven, even while injuries at cornerback get most of the attention.
• Stewart could be missed in run game. The 228 yards Wells gained could have been much more without a couple open-field tackles by Stewart, the Rams' big-hitting, somewhat inconsistent safety. A concussion will prevent Stewart from playing against San Francisco.
• Rough one for Laurinaitis. The Cardinals, specifically left guard Daryn Colledge, effectively blocked Rams middle linebacker James Laurinaitis. I'll be interested in seeing how Laurinaitis fares when the 49ers' left guard, Mike Iupati, comes his way. Inside linebackers benefit or suffer from the defensive tackles playing in front of them. The Rams were without Justin Bannan in the Arizona game. Fred Robbins, coming off a career-best performance in 2010, hasn't stood out this season.
• Sharing the blame for punt return. Patrick Peterson's 80-yard touchdown on a punt return stretched a 13-10 Cardinals lead to 20-10 late in the third quarter. So many factors beyond punt coverage enabled the return. Two plays before the return, guard Jason Brown and tackle Harvey Dahl whiffed on their blocks, allowing the Cardinals to tackle Steven Jackson for a loss, setting up third-and-long. Peterson made a physical tackle to stop the Rams short on third down. And with the Rams facing fourth-and-1, a false-start penalty against C.J. Ah You prompted the Cardinals to change their personnel. Arizona had its defense on the field to prevent against a fake on fourth-and-1. The punt-return team came onto the field once Ah You's penalty changed the situation to fourth-and-6.

I'll be heading over to Candlestick Park shortly. No NFC West teams play early games this week. Sounds like a chance to check out the tailgating scene. The forecast calls for clear skies, moderate temperatures and the 49ers' first NFC West title since 2002.

The preseason NFC West favorite St. Louis Rams take a 2-9 record into Candlestick Park on Sunday.

They will not take their starting offensive tackles or their leading receiver from 2010, and to hear coach Steve Spagnuolo tell it, injuries help explain why the Rams haven't kept pace with the 9-2 San Francisco 49ers this season.

Spagnuolo, speaking to reporters covering the 49ers, said injuries are no excuse. He also said continuity is crucial for teams installing new offenses, as the Rams and 49ers did this season. He said that was especially so coming out of a lockout-shortened offseason.

"We knew there'd be some rough edges, but you'd hope that you'd get to this certain point of the season and those reps underneath your belt would surface and you'd have some success," Spagnuolo said. "I think that’s happened for San Francisco."

The 49ers averaged 213 yards per game over the first three weeks of the season, never exceeding 226. They have averaged 344 yards over the subsequent eight games, despite a season-low 170 during their most recent game, a 16-6 defeat at Baltimore.

"You have a better chance of doing that when you can keep the same the same 11, 12, 13 guys on offense," Spagnuolo said. "We haven’t had that, and again, as a professional football team, professional coaches, professional players, you have to find a way to overcome that and it’s been tough for us to do that."

The Rams averaged 279 yards over their first four games, 349 over their next four, but only 246 over their past three. They are in decline.

St. Louis' offense suffered more significant injuries early in the season. The quadriceps injury Steven Jackson suffered in Week 1 sidelined him for one game and limited him for weeks. Losing 2010 receiving leader Danny Amendola at the same time compounded the problems.

The Rams' preferred personnel group -- Jackson, Brandon Gibson, Amendola, Mike Hoomanawanui and Lance Kendricks -- never played a snap together. The team acquired Brandon Lloyd by trade, explaining why the chart lists 12 projected starters for the Rams. But with Hoomanawanui suffering from injuries before ultimately landing on injured reserve, and with quarterback Sam Bradford missing time with an ankle injury, continuity suffered badly.

The 49ers' preferred offensive personnel group -- Frank Gore, Michael Crabtree, Josh Morgan, Vernon Davis and Delanie Walker -- played extensively together until Morgan's season-ending injury in Week 5. The remaining four continue to play extensively together. Their quarterback, Alex Smith, hasn't lost a snap to injury.

The injury Bradford suffered at Green Bay on the final offensive play in Week 6 came just as the offense had amassed a season-high 424 yards, only to lose 24-3. That injury was a tough setback, but the team won for the first time all season two weeks later -- with backup A.J. Feeley at quarterback against New Orleans.

Injuries are not the only reason for the disparity between St. Louis and San Francisco. They might not be the primary reason.

The 49ers' defense and special teams have taken pressure off their offense. Their offense has made great use of favorable field position. Their offensive line has struggled at times, but the 49ers have developed a power running game the Rams never matched even before injuries undercut their line (Jackson's production largely came on misdirection-type runs from shotgun formations). The Rams' defense has also fallen far short of expectations, buckling against the run in particular.

The 49ers have nearly doubled the Rams in scoring (262-140) despite averaging only 13.1 additional yards per game. Both teams are converting around 30 percent of the time on third down. They average right around 4.2 yards per rushing attempt. The Rams have a slightly lower interception rate.

Both teams have lost starting or primary wide receivers to season-ending injuries. The Rams counted on Amendola more than the 49ers counted on Morgan. But as valuable as Amendola was to the Rams -- he caught 85 passes last season, compared to 44 for Morgan -- the season did not hinge on his availability.

By my count, eight projected Rams starters on offense have missed a combined 25 starts, while two projected 49ers starters have missed a combined eight starts. I've used the word "projected" because those totals reflect only players projected as starters coming into the season. The breakdowns fall this way:

• Rams: Amendola 10, right tackle Jason Smith 5, tight end Hoomanawanui 3, Bradford 2, left tackle Rodger Saffold 2, Jackson 1, receiver Gibson 1, tight end Kendricks 1.
• 49ers: Morgan 6, Crabtree 2.

I did not consider fullbacks as starters because both teams' preferred groupings featured a halfback with two tight ends. The 49ers have played most of the season without veteran fullback Moran Norris, but Bruce Miller has grown into the role. The Rams have occasionally started fullback Brit Miller.

Both teams made performance-related changes to their offensive lines. The 49ers benched right guard Chilo Rachal after three games. The Rams benched center Jason Brown more recently.

Injuries have wiped out the Rams' offensive line in recent weeks, but their five projected starters were in the lineup into Week 7, with disappointing results. The 49ers were 5-1 at that point. The Rams were 0-6. Those trends have pretty much held.

Spagnuolo's comments covered the offense. The Rams' problems on defense are a subject for another conversation.

Coach Jim Harbaugh took the high road when reporters asked about the penalty that wiped out a 75-yard touchdown reception for his San Francisco 49ers.

The call was unlucky but also correct, Harbaugh said, following the 49ers' 16-6 defeat at Baltimore on Thursday night.

Running back Frank Gore went low to block the Ravens' Bernard Pollard. Gore had already made his block when right guard Chilo Rachal shoved Pollard high.

Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News quotes Harbaugh this way: "It was a bang-bang play for Chilo. He really just got his hands on (Pollard). I wish he could have seen that and not put his hands on him. It certainly was a chop block and it was a good call." Noted: A 75-yard touchdown strike to snap a 3-3 tie would have changed the dynamics of this game. The call from referee John Parry's crew might have been technically correct, but if the call had never been made, would there be any outcry? I don't think so. The rules governing chop blocks exist to protect players from serious injuries. No defender should have to worry about getting chopped at the knees while another offensive player engages him in a block. This penalty did more to demonstrate Parry's knowledge of the rules than it did to protect Pollard from a dangerous block. NFL Network analyst Marshall Faulk explained this well on the broadcast. Harbaugh was exceedingly gracious in his response. He also set the right example for his team by refusing to embrace potential excuses. The Ravens were the better team on this night and deserved to win the game.

Also from Inman: postgame thoughts on various aspects of the 49ers' performance. Inman: "The 49ers' defense played OK. But OK isn’t good enough when the 49ers' offense is getting pummeled. True, the Ravens scored only 16 points and the 49ers still lead the league in points allowed and rushing yards allowed. But the 49ers' defense was terrible on third down, aside from a goal-line stand in which Joe Flacco foolishly tried running for the goal line and got stuffed for no gain by Aldon Smith and Justin Smith. The go-ahead touchdown pass by Flacco looked too easy, and I don’t know if that is because Donte Whitner came over too late to cut off the angle of that catch. One more thing: Actually no things, as in NO SACKS and NO TURNOVERS. In other words, NO CHANCE." Noted: The Ravens did not let the 49ers play this game on the 49ers' terms. That exposed the limitations San Francisco has covered so well most of the season.

Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com says the 49ers have many issues to address offensively following this defeat. Alex Smith: "We've haven't felt like this in a long time. But we are 9-2. This was a very tough game. Every guy in the locker room is hurting. No one is OK with this. That's a big difference from previous years. We invested in each other so much and that's why we are winning. This has left a bad taste in our mouths."

Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee says a communication error led to Smith's interception right before halftime. Harbaugh: "We were taking a shot. We were more hoping for the back shoulder. Alex saw Braylon inside the corner and he threw it and it was an unfortunate play. I don't know exactly who was right, but (the corner) made a good play. That happens. You try to take a shot, and we didn't get it."

Lowell Cohn of the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat says the 49ers failed a fourth-quarter test against the Ravens.

Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch gets thoughts from Rams offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels regarding the team's offensive approach against Seattle. Thomas concludes by saying the team plans to shuffle its offensive line, with right guard Harvey Dahl possibly moving to left tackle. Previously benched center Jason Brown would play right guard. Noted: My first thought upon seeing Dahl at Rams training camp was that the veteran guard looked more like a tackle. He was taller and leaner looking than anticipated given Dahl's reputation as a brawler. There was never any thought, however, that Dahl would actually play tackle, let alone left tackle. But his experience and tenacity should make him better suited for the position than undrafted rookie free agent Kevin Hughes at this time.

Also from Thomas: Mark Clayton's knees continued to give the receiver trouble, leading to Clayton's placement on injured reserve.

More from Thomas: a closer look at the Rams' offensive line. McDaniels: "We're at that point now where we're going to have to potentially play a guard at tackle, potentially play a center at guard -- swing guys left and right. And then if something does happen in the game, there's no question there's going to be some moving parts and pieces within the four quarters, too. They've accepted the challenge and the burden that we have. It's normal. Every team goes through it. We've got to deal with it well this week."

Nick Wagoner of stlouisrams.com profiles Rams middle linebacker James Laurinaitis.

Tony Softli of 101ESPN St. Louis evaluates the Rams' roster.

Danny O'Neil of the Seattle Times explains how Red Bryant helped transform the Seahawks' thinking on defense.

Liz Mathews of 710ESPN Seattle says the Seahawks placed right tackle James Carpenter on injured reserve, replacing him on the roster with Allen Barbre.

Clare Farnsworth of seahawks.com says coach Pete Carroll has gone to unusual measures in an effort to reduce penalties. Farnsworth: "In his quest to eliminate penalties, Carroll had the unit that committed the most against the Rams purchase turkeys this week for the unit that was not penalized. So today’s turkey dinners for the linebackers are on the offensive linemen." Good quotes from middle linebacker David Hawthorne: "I got my turkey. It’s in the oven as we speak. Linebackers just don’t get penalties. We're just bred to be the smartest guys on the field."

Darren Urban of azcardinals.com updates Kevin Kolb's injury status and says the Cardinals quarterback has suffered no setbacks during the week. Noted: All signs point to Kolb returning Sunday. The team might have an easier time giving Kolb additional rest if backup John Skelton were coming off a strong game. But after Skelton completed 6 of 19 passes with three interceptions at San Francisco, getting Kolb back onto the field at less than full strength has more appeal.

Jim Gintonio of the Arizona Republic explains how the Cardinals plan to replace injured nose tackle Dan Williams. Nick Eason and David Carter will get more snaps. Coach Ken Whisenhunt: "We're going to miss Dan because Dan's been playing really good, he's come on. I think we've got a veteran presence in Nick, and David Carter obviously has made some plays for us there this year. We feel good about them being able to step in there and handle that."

The St. Louis Rams have yet to hear about an injury they could not top.

They proved it Friday when starting left tackle Rodger Saffold suffered a serious pectoral injury that could require season-ending surgery. Saffold suffered the injury during a routine weight-lifting session, the team said.

For pure freak value, that arguably tops the season-ending knee injury Seattle Seahawks right tackle James Carpenter suffered during routine pass-rush drills Thursday. Tom Cable, the Seahawks' veteran offensive line coach, said he'd never seen a player injured seriously in such a drill.

Just like that, both the Seahawks and Rams are heading into their game Sunday with barely recognizable offensive lines. The Rams have already lost eight cornerbacks -- nine, depending on one's accounting -- to injuries this season. One report Sunday said their backup running back, Cadillac Williams, suffered a calf injury while checking into the game.

Before losing Saffold, the Rams had already lost starting right tackle Jason Smith to a concussion. Removing Saffold from the equation forces Mark LeVoir into the lineup at left tackle. Adam Goldberg is filling in for Smith at right tackle. The Rams have no tackle depth at this point, in other words. They had already shaken up their personnel on the line by replacing center Jason Brown with Tony Wragge.

The Seahawks, meanwhile, will play for the first time this season without Carpenter and rookie right guard John Moffitt, who suffered a season-ending knee injury against Baltimore in Week 10. They've been getting increasingly strong play from left tackle Russell Okung and center Max Unger, however, so their line has the edge heading into Sunday -- barring any new injuries before kickoff.

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FALLING

1. Jason Brown, Rams center. The Rams have paid $7 million per season to Brown since signing him for the 2009 season. They replaced him with Tony Wragge, presumably because they wanted their line to project more toughness and tenacity. The move almost surely foreshadows the end for Brown in St. Louis. Wragge, 32, had started only 15 games, 10 of them in 2008, since making his NFL debut in 2002. The San Francisco 49ers cut him after developing Adam Snyder as a backup for additional positions, including center. Wragge made his first Rams start Sunday and the running game carried on.

2. Frank Gore, 49ers running back. Gore carried only six times for zero yards during the 49ers' otherwise memorable victory over the New York Giants. The knee injury Gore suffered did not appear serious, but it's the latest ailment to threaten his availability this season. Ankle injuries slowed him earlier in the season. Gore's franchise-record streak of 100-yard games ended at five, but the injury concerns account for his placement on this list.

3. Rams' secondary. Losing Al Harris to a season-ending and (at his age) career-threatening knee injury weakened an already ravaged St. Louis secondary. One of the few remaining corners, Justin King, suffered a head injury late in the game, although coach Steve Spagnuolo suggested all symptoms cleared quickly. Bradley Fletcher, Ron Bartell, Jerome Murphy and other corners have already landed on injured reserve for the Rams this season.

RISING

1. Ray Horton, Cardinals defensive coordinator. The Cardinals have not allowed a passing touchdown in their last three games after allowing nine in their first six. They became the first team to hold Philadelphia below 300 yards this season. Younger players like Sam Acho, O'Brien Schofield and Patrick Peterson are contributing. Calais Campbell has had some huge games. Yes, the Cardinals have played a couple struggling teams in recent weeks. But after allowing 932 yards over the first two games and 445 to Pittsburgh a few weeks ago, Arizona has stopped the defensive bleeding.

2. Russell Okung, Seahawks left tackle. Okung fared well in matchups against DeMarcus Ware and Terrell Suggs over the past two games. He had help at times, but there's no question Okung is gaining in confidence and ability as his previous ankle injuries fade into the more distant past. His play has helped Marshawn Lynch put together 100-yard rushing performances in back-to-back games for the first time in his career. Seattle has allowed only two sacks in its last two games after allowing 14 in its previous three.

3. Alex Smith, 49ers quarterback. Smith doesn't appear higher on this list because his stock has already been rising steadily throughout the season. Even those surprised the 49ers would lean on him so heavily against the Giants had to admit Smith's performance was only mildly (if at all) surprising in the context of this season. Don't be fooled into thinking the 49ers leaned on Smith out of necessity once Gore was injured, either. They threw 11 times in their first 13 plays because that was the offensive plan.