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Mel Kiper's first mock draft for 2012 provides the foundation for discussing how NFC West teams might proceed this offseason.

I'll run through these for each NFC West team, beginning at the bottom of the first round and working forward. I'll start with a look at Kiper's plans for the San Francisco 49ers, currently projected by Kiper to pick at No. 31 (they could pick slightly earlier or later based on how the postseason plays out).

31. San Francisco 49ers: Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

Kiper's give: The 49ers got much better production out of the offense this season, but I still see a need for a big target on the outside, something Braylon Edwards wasn't able to provide. Jeffery is an absolute beast, a guy who plays at more than 230 pounds and easily could top 6-foot-4 when he measures out.

Sando's take: Upgrading at wide receiver makes sense for the 49ers. The team used the 10th pick of the 2009 draft on Michael Crabtree. Otherwise, the 49ers have invested very little draft capital in the position recently. They used sixth-round picks for Ronald Johnson (2011), Kyle Williams (2010) and Josh Morgan (2008). Before that, they used third-rounders for Jason Hill (2007) and Brandon Williams (2006). Those are the only receivers San Francisco has chosen in the last six drafts. Under a best-case scenario, the 49ers would re-sign Morgan, who is out for the season with an injury. They would also upgrade the position through the draft.

Alex Smith's winning 6-yard scoring pass to Delanie Walker at Detroit carried historical significance for the San Francisco 49ers.

According to Elias Sports Bureau, the play marked only the third time since the Steve Young era that a 49ers quarterback threw the game-winning touchdown pass in the final two minutes. It was the first for Smith during his seven-year career.

A quick look back at the other two:

• 2008 Week 16, at St. Louis: Shaun Hill to Josh Morgan for 48 yards with 1:22 remaining. The play gave the 49ers a 17-16 victory over the St. Louis Rams. Receiver Jason Hill actually thought the pass was coming for him, but Morgan was running a route in the same vicinity. Coach Mike Singletary had come close to benching Hill earlier in the game. He told J.T. O'Sullivan to start warming up, then relented when Hill pleaded to remain in the game. Hill had thrown three interceptions.
• 2002 Week 14, at Dallas: Jeff Garcia to Terrell Owens for 8 yards with 12 seconds remaining. The play gave the 49ers a 31-27 victory over the Cowboys and the NFC West title, thanks to a Rams defeat the same Day. Garcia threw three scoring passes and ran for another. Owens caught 12 passes for 123 yards and two touchdowns.

The 49ers have now come from behind in the fourth quarter to win three road games this season.

Donnie Avery and the as-yet-unsigned Mark Clayton give the St. Louis Rams two capable receivers with significant injury concerns.

The newly added Mike Sims-Walker, who agreed to terms on a one-year deal Friday, should fit right in.

Sims-Walker has missed only three games over the past two seasons, but he battled through knee issues and a staph infection in 2010. The Jacksonville Jaguars watched him walk away even though they need help at the position. They told Sims-Walker before the lockout that they planned to move forward without him.

What does that say for a team whose No. 2 receiver is NFC West alumnus Jason Hill?

The one-year deal Sims-Walker will sign says the Rams are taking a low-risk bet on a player with significant unrealized potential. Sims-Walker stands 6-foot-2, weighs 214 pounds and has 14 touchdown passes over the past two seasons. He is 26 years old.

This signing makes sense for the Rams given the low risk involved. The team has more quantity than reliable quality at the position, but it also has in Josh McDaniels a new offensive coordinator whose history suggests he can help a receiver -- whether it be Randy Moss or Brandon Lloyd -- realize more of his potential.

Scouts Inc.'s Matt Williamson breaks down the wide receivers of each NFC West team. Today: San Francisco 49ers.

Michael Crabtree was an early topic for my Pressure Point series. There have certainly been extenuating circumstances that can be blamed for his stunted development, but in the end, Crabtree just needs to play better if he is ever going to reach his vast potential.

The addition of Jim Harbaugh as head coach could be exactly what Crabtree needs. I expect Harbaugh’s version of the West Coast offense to play to Crabtree’s strengths. Expect the Niners to employ Crabtree on a lot of quick-hitting routes where he can use his big body to shield defenders and his exceptional run-after-the-catch abilities once he secures the football.

Drops were a problem last season. He obviously has been inconsistent to this point of his young career, but I think a breakout season could be on the horizon. Maybe that is wishful thinking on my part, because Crabtree really only had two good games in 2010. But getting the most out of Crabtree is what the Niners are paying Harbaugh to do.

Josh Morgan flashes at times, but San Francisco needs more from its No. 2 wide receiver. Morgan disappears for stretches, which is inexcusable, considering that he is rarely given extra attention by opposing coverage schemes. Of course, quarterback play has had something to do with this problem. Morgan is also known as a good blocker, which fits this offense well.

Looking for a home-run hitter, San Francisco traded for Ted Ginn before the 2010 season. Ginn, as he was in Miami, was a colossal disappointment. He caught just a dozen passes all season, which amazingly was good for the third-most receptions among 49ers’ wide receivers. He is a better return man than he is a wide receiver.

In the sixth round, San Francisco selected Ronald Johnson. He has a definite chance to make an impact -- probably out of the slot -- considering the weak state of affairs at this position.

Kyle Williams and Dominique Zeigler both were severely hindered by injuries last season. Williams isn’t especially big, but he has some suddenness in his movements. He has only one career catch, though. With Zeigler’s tall and lanky build, durability could be a continued problem at this level. Lance Long also is on the roster and was a contributor with the Chiefs in 2009.

The 49ers might be wise to add another capable body at this position through free agency, preferably a guy with deep speed to help open things up underneath for Crabtree. Considering just how weak this position is right now from top to bottom, the Niners probably regret losing Jason Hill.

Vernon Davis’ impact from the tight end position is tremendous, and San Francisco should feature him and Delanie Walker quite a bit with double-tight end sets. This present group of wide receivers needs a boost. Although I think Crabtree could really elevate his game, the more I studied the 49ers wide receivers, the less I liked them.

Scouts Inc. watches games, breaks down film and studies football from all angles for ESPN.com. Follow Matt Williamson on Twitter @WilliamsonNFL.

Larry Fitzgerald's arrival with the Arizona Cardinals via the 2004 NFL draft serves as the starting point for the latest item looking at recent NFC West choices.

Fitzgerald already has 613 receptions, far more than any other NFC West receiver over the last seven seasons.

In fact, the wide receivers with the most receptions for the Cardinals' division rivals during the same time period -- Torry Holt (St. Louis), Bobby Engram (Seattle) and Arnaz Battle (San Francisco) -- have long since moved on. I ran across Engram in the 49ers' main lobby Wednesday; he's a quality control coach with the team.

History tells us receivers carry more risk than some other positions. For every Fitzgerald, there seems to be a Koren Robinson, David Terrell or Troy Williamson -- high picks that never came close to realizing their potential. Mike Williams' revival with Seattle last season was an exception.

The charts break down every receiver NFC West teams have drafted since 2004. Will the St. Louis Rams add Julio Jones to their list of drafted wideouts?

As in the past, I'll preface each chart with thoughts from the teams' perspectives.

Immediate needs don't matter so much when front-line talent is available ...

Time to start finding replacements for veterans who might not fit into our plans (Terrell Owens for the 49ers, Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt for the Rams) ...

These guys might not start, but every team needs secondary options in the passing game ...

We're getting late enough in the draft to consider grabbing a receiver while a few with decent potential remain on the board ...

Time to fill out the roster and hope we find depth for special teams ...

JaMarcus Russell's demise as an NFL player is back in the news, shining light upon the perils of investing millions in unproven prospects.

The 2007 NFL draft was about more than Russell, of course.

That draft also produced Calvin Johnson, Joe Thomas, Adrian Peterson, Patrick Willis, Darrelle Revis and Lawrence Timmons among the top 15 choices.

For as much criticism as the Arizona Cardinals have taken for selecting tackle Levi Brown fifth overall, Brown has started 59 regular-season games, second only to Willis (63) among NFC West draft choices that year. He has also started six playoff games, including a Super Bowl, and coach Ken Whisenhunt expects good things from him.

I've put together a couple charts showing what NFC West teams have gotten from their draft choices that year. More on those in a bit.

First, I've taken a team-by-team look at the players selected, whether they remain with their original teams and how many games each has started for his drafted team.

The 49ers had the best draft among NFC West teams. They also had the most draft capital to work with, selecting twice in the first round. The Seattle Seahawks had no first-rounder that year thanks to the Deion Branch trade, so expectations were lower.

Arizona Cardinals

Total picks: five

Still with team (4): Brown (59), Steve Breaston (26), Ben Patrick (20), Alan Branch (3)

No longer with team (1): Buster Davis (0)

Comment: The Cardinals had fewer total selections than any team in the division. Hitting on Breaston in the fifth round was outstanding, but the Cardinals haven't gotten enough from their top three selections that year. Branch never panned out as a second-rounder. Davis, the third-rounder, didn't make it out of camp. Whisenhunt takes pride in making roster decisions with less regard for draft status. He wasn't going to give Davis or anyone a free pass. That's admirable, but in the bigger picture, Arizona still came up short in this draft.

San Francisco 49ers

Total picks: nine

Still with team (5): Willis (63), Joe Staley (50), Ray McDonald (9), Dashon Goldson (34), Tarell Brown (5)

No longer with team (4): Jason Hill (2), Jay Moore (0), Joe Cohen (0), Thomas Clayton (0)

Comment: Former general manager Scot McCloughan gets credit for selling former coach Mike Singletary on Willis as an elite prospect. That seems odd given Singletary's background as a Hall of Fame linebacker, but the 49ers got the right guy, so the "how" part matters less. That one selection makes this draft the best in the division for 2007. Staley is the starting left tackle. McDonald has been a solid rotation player. Goldson became a starter. All in all, this was a strong draft.

Seattle Seahawks

Total picks: eight

Still with team (2): Brandon Mebane (53), Will Herring (7)

No longer with team (6): Josh Wilson (24), Steve Vallos (8), Mansfield Wrotto (5), Courtney Taylor (4), Jordan Kent (1), Baraka Atkins (0)

Comment: Not having a first-round selection severely hurt this class' overall potential. Wilson seemed like a solid selection in the second round given the playmaking value he offered, but multiple changes in organizational leadership left him on the outside in terms of fit. Mebane was a solid choice in the third round. Vallos and Wrotto remain in the league elsewhere.

St. Louis Rams

Total picks: eight

Still with team (1): Clifton Ryan (27)

No longer with team (7): Adam Carriker (25), Brian Leonard (7), Jonathan Wade (6), Dustin Fry (0), Ken Shackleford (0), Keith Jackson (0), Derek Stanley (0)

Comment: This draft was a disaster for the Rams and made worse by massive organizational changes. On the bright side, the Rams might not have been in position to select Sam Bradford first overall in 2010 without selecting so many non-contributors in 2007.

Now, on to the charts. The first one takes a round-by-round look at the number of starts each team has gotten from its 2007 selections. I have used dashes instead of zeroes to show when teams did not have a selection in a specific round.

The second chart divides the number of starts by the values of the selections each team held, using the draft-value chart.

For example, the value chart said the Seahawks' picks that year were worth 669.2 points, far less than the picks for other NFC West teams were worth. Using this measure, Seattle got more bang for its buck if we valued all starts equally (and we should not value them all equally, but we can still use this as a general guide).

Some of the choices were compensatory and could not be traded, so the chart would not have valued them for trading purposes. I assigned values to them for this exercise, however, because we were not considering the picks for trading purposes.

SAN FRANCISCO -- The St. Louis Rams and San Francisco 49ers announced their list of inactive players for Week 10 without making waves.

The situation was much different in Arizona, where the Cardinals named defensive lineman Darnell Dockett (shoulder) and running back Beanie Wells (knee) inactive against Seattle. The Seahawks named left tackle Russell Okung inactive, no surprise but a significant development nonetheless.

A look at NFC West inactives:

Arizona Cardinals: Wells, Dockett, receiver Max Komar, cornerback A.J. Jefferson, safety Hamza Abdullah, linebacker Cyril Obiozor and center Ben Claxton. John Skelton is the third quarterback. Paris Lenon is starting at linebacker despite an ankle injury. Alan Branch starts for Dockett. Branch has played well this season; he had two sacks against the Seahawks earlier this season in a breakout game for him.

Seattle Seahawks: Okung, receiver Brandon Stokley, fullback Michael Robinson, guard Mike Gibson, receiver Golden Tate, nose tackle Colin Cole and defensive lineman E.J. Wilson. Gibson provided quality depth on the offensive line. Ruvell Martin is active at receiver while Stokley and Tate recover from injuries.

St. Louis Rams: cornerback Justin King, cornerback Quincy Butler, safety James Butler, tight end Fendi Onobun, linebacker David Vobora, guard John Greco, receiver Danario Alexander and defensive end Eugene Sims. The Rams are thin in the secondary, as usual, but the 49ers aren't likely to spread the field with wide receivers all afternoon, either.

San Francisco 49ers: receiver Kyle Williams, quarterback Alex Smith, cornerback Tramaine Brock, linebacker Keaton Kristick, linebacker Thaddeus Gibson, tackle Barry Sims, tackle Alex Boone and receiver Jason Hill. The 49ers are keeping four wide receivers active, the minimum. They are healthier at tight end.

Re-signing receiver Jason Hill after losing Ted Ginn Jr. to a knee injury should, in theory, affect the speed element within the San Francisco 49ers' offense.

I'm not so sure after watching the 49ers in the regular-season opener at Seattle.

In breaking down the 49ers' personnel use through most of the first half -- I'll finish charting the game Tuesday night -- I've noticed the team using Ginn as its third receiver on third down, and as the lone receiver in its "22" personnel package with two backs and two tight ends (primarily a short-yardage grouping). But I have yet to see the 49ers use three-receiver personnel outside a third-down context (or the 2-minute offense).

As a result, the speed element Ginn offers was not a regular part of the 49ers' offense. The team instead used its familiar "12" personnel grouping with running back Frank Gore, tight ends Vernon Davis and Delanie Walker, plus receivers Michael Crabtree and Josh Morgan. That "22" grouping has been a good one for the 49ers, but I thought we might see more "11" personnel on early downs, with Ginn replacing Walker.

Ginn could miss the next couple of games. Hill's experience in the 49ers' offense should make for a smooth transition, but I don't expect the 49ers to use him extensively. Dominique Zeigler figures to get playing time. If the team wasn't going to use three receivers much when Ginn was healthy, why would that change with Zeigler moving up the depth chart?

Roster turnover is a leading topic for discussion in Seattle following the release of T.J. Houshmandzadeh in particular.

I've addressed the subject in depth across the division -- first May 26 and again July 30 -- and it's worth another look now that teams have reduced to 53 players for the regular season.

This time, I'm going to break down the changes by position, listing players no longer on the active roster at each main position group (with new players in parenthesis). Departures outnumber replacements because some players finished last season on injured reserve, meaning they were not part of the 53-man roster.

Some players no longer on the active roster remain with the team (they could be suspended, deemed physically unable to perform or part of the practice squad).

St. Louis Rams (34 off roster)

Defensive back: Eric Bassey, Quincy Butler, Danny Gorrer, Clinton Hart, Cordelius Parks, David Roach, Jonathan Wade (added Kevin Dockery, Jerome Murphy, Darian Stewart)

Defensive line: Victor Adeyanju, Adam Carriker, Leger Douzable, Leonard Little, LaJuan Ramsey, James Wyche (added Jermelle Cudjo, Fred Robbins, George Selvie, Eugene Sims)

Linebacker: K.C. Asiodu, Paris Lenon (added Na'il Diggs, Josh Hull)

Offensive line: Roger Allen, Alex Barron, Ryan McKee, Mark Setterstrom, Phillip Trautwein, Eric Young (added Renardo Foster, Hank Fraley, Rodger Saffold)

Quarterback: Kyle Boller, Marc Bulger, Keith Null, Mike Reilly (added Sam Bradford, A.J. Feeley, Thaddeus Lewis)

Running back: Samkon Gado, Chris Ogbonnaya (added Keith Toston)

Special teams: Ryan Neill

Tight end: Randy McMichael (added Mike Hoomanawanui, Fendi Onobun)

Wide receiver: Donnie Avery, Keenan Burton, Brooks Foster, Jordan Kent, Ruvell Martin (added Mark Clayton, Dominique Curry, Mardy Gilyard)

---

Seattle Seahawks (33 off roster)

Defensive back: Jamar Adams, Deon Grant, Ken Lucas, Josh Wilson (added Kam Chancellor, Kennard Cox, Nate Ness, Earl Thomas, Walter Thurmond)

Defensive line: Lawrence Jackson, Patrick Kerney, Cory Redding, Nick Reed, Darryl Tapp, Craig Terrill (added Kentwan Balmer, Raheem Brock, Chris Clemons, Dexter Davis, Junior Siavii, E.J. Wilson)

Linebacker: Leroy Hill, Lance Laury, D.D. Lewis (added Matt McCoy; note that Hill is suspended for the first regular-season game)

Offensive line: Trevor Canfield, Brandon Frye, Walter Jones, Damion McIntosh, Rob Sims, Steve Vallos, Ray Willis, Mansfield Wrotto (added Stacy Andrews, Evan Dietrich-Smith, Ben Hamilton, Russell Okung, Chester Pitts, Tyler Polumbus)

Quarterback: Mike Teel, Seneca Wallace (added Charlie Whitehurst)

Running back: Justin Griffith, Louis Rankin, Tyler Roehl, Owen Schmitt (added Quinton Ganther, Michael Robinson, Leon Washington)

Special teams: Kevin Houser, Jeff Robinson (added Clint Gresham)

Tight end: John Owens (added Chris Baker, Anthony McCoy)

Wide receiver: Nate Burleson, T.J. Houshmandzadeh (added Golden Tate, Mike Williams)

---

Arizona Cardinals (24 off roster)

Defensive backs: Ralph Brown, Bryant McFadden, Antrel Rolle (added A.J. Jefferson, Trumaine McBride, Brandon McDonald, Kerry Rhodes)

Defensive line: Jason Banks (added Dan Williams)

Linebacker: Monty Beisel, Bertrand Berry, Cody Brown, Karlos Dansby, Gerald Hayes, Chike Okeafor, Pago Togafau (added Paris Lenon, Cyril Obiozor, Joey Porter, Daryl Washington; Hayes can return from the physically unable to perform list after six games)

Offensive line: Mike Gandy, Herman Johnson, Reggie Wells (added Alan Faneca, Rex Hadnot)

Quarterback: Matt Leinart, Brian St. Pierre, Kurt Warner (added Derek Anderson, Max Hall, John Skelton)

Running back: Justin Green, Dan Kreider (added Jerome Johnson)

Special teams: Neil Rackers (added Jay Feely)

Tight end: Anthony Becht (added Jim Dray)

Wide receiver: Anquan Boldin, Sean Morey, Jerheme Urban (added Andre Roberts, Stephen Williams)

---

San Francisco 49ers (24 off roster)

Defensive backs: Dre' Bly, Walt Harris, Marcus Hudson, Mark Roman (added Phillip Adams, Tramaine Brock, William James, Taylor Mays)

Defensive line: Kentwan Balmer, Derek Walker

Linebacker: Scott McKillop, Jeff Ulbrich, Matt Wilhelm (added NaVorro Bowman, Travis LaBoy)

Offensive line: Tony Pashos, Chris Patrick, Cody Wallace (added Alex Boone, Anthony Davis, Mike Iupati)

Quarterback: Nate Davis, Shaun Hill (added David Carr, Troy Smith)

Running back: Thomas Clayton, Glen Coffee, Brit Miller, Michael Robinson (added Anthony Dixon, Brian Westbrook)

Special teams: Shane Andrus, Ricky Schmitt

Wide receiver: Arnaz Battle, Isaac Bruce, Jason Hill, Brandon Jones (added Ted Ginn Jr., Kyle Williams, Dominique Zeigler)

---

The first chart shows how many players are back -- at least for now -- from Week 17 rosters and injured reserve lists. Seattle has the fewest number back with 26.

The second chart shows how many players each team has shed since Week 17 last season. This counts players who were on injured reserve. Teams with lots of players on injured reserve had more players to lose.

Biggest surprise: Veteran running back Michael Robinson was one of the best special-teams players in the league, but he wasn't a factor on offense and that hurt him. It's worth noting that the 49ers have a new special-teams coach, and Robinson hurt his chances for a roster spot by fumbling on the first play of the exhibition opener. Keeping third tight end Nate Byham as a potential backup fullback allowed the 49ers to keep only four running backs, at least initially. Robinson was also the emergency quarterback, but with third stringer Nate Davis surviving the mandatory reduction to 53 players, Robinson wasn't as important in that capacity, either. Former 49ers linebacker Jeff Ulbrich is a first-year assistant special-teams coach in Seattle. Former 49ers general manager Scot McCloughan also works for the Seahawks. Perhaps Seattle can find a place for Robinson. I was also surprised to see the 49ers release veteran inside linebacker Matt Wilhelm.

No-brainers: Receiver Jason Hill was lost in the shuffle all through training camp, so his release came as little surprise. The team kept rookie Kyle Williams, who showed potential as a return specialist before suffering a toe injury. Dominique Zeigler also stuck after stepping up his game during camp. Zeigler's sure hands and precise route running worked in his favor. Hill could have some value elsewhere, but his future in a 49ers uniform was shaky. At tight end, Byham's development made J.J. Finley and Tony Curtis expendable. The 49ers kept only two tight ends last season. Byham proved worthy as the third tight end and as a potential backup fullback. The 49ers usually load up on defensive backs and this year might be no different; they kept 11, a high number. They also kept 10 offensive linemen, one more than usual -- not a surprise while center Eric Heitmann recovers from a broken leg.

What’s next: This is the initial 53-man roster, not the final one, and some players surviving the first cut cannot celebrate too wildly. Coach Mike Singletary has made clear his unhappiness with Davis, whose talent and potential have outweighed his preparation to this point. Davis might now have an opportunity to prove he's serious about becoming a professional and taking advantage of this second chance. On defense, the 49ers will need to monitor outside linebacker Ahmad Brooks' recovery from a lacerated kidney. Keeping Diyral Briggs and Travis LaBoy gives them pretty good depth at the position.

49ers players cut:
K Shane Andrus
LB Mike Balogun
QB Jarrett Brown
FB Jehuu Caulcrick
TE Tony Curtis
LB Bruce Davis
G Brian de la Puente
TE Joe Jon Finley
WR Bobby Guillory
WR Jason Hill
WR Kevin Jurovich
T Matt Kopa
LB Keaton Kristick
S Chris Maragos
FB Brit Miller
DT Khalif Mitchell
CB Karl Paymah
RB Michael Robinson
DT Will Tukuafu
DT Derek Walker
C Cody Wallace
LB Matt Wilhelm

I'll provide a separate file breaking down each NFC West team's roster moves once they meet the 53-man limit.

In the meantime, a few odds and ends:

Arizona Cardinals

Traded guard Reggie Wells to Philadelphia; released tight end Anthony Becht; released linebacker Steve Baggs; released linebacker Monty Beisel; apparently informed receiver Max Komar he made the initial 53-man roster; apparently did not tell quarterback Matt Leinart about his status to this point; scheduled a news conference for 6 p.m. ET (but nothing significant on Leinart is expected at that time).

San Francisco 49ers

Released running back Michael Robinson, released fullback Brit Miller; released fullback Jehuu Caulcrick; released receiver Jason Hill; released receiver Kevin Jurovich; released offensive lineman Cody Wallace; released defensive lineman Khalif Mitchell; released tight ends Tony Curtis and J.J. Finley; released linebacker Bruce Davis; released cornerback Karl Paymah.

Seattle Seahawks

No known moves to this point; Seattle waited until Saturday to announce its cuts last season.

St. Louis Rams

No known moves to this point; the Rams also waited until Saturday last season.

Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says NFL owners needed less than an hour to approve Stan Kroenke's bid to purchase majority ownership in the Rams. Thomas: "Kroenke has until December 2014 to be fully compliant with NFL cross-ownership rules. That gives him four years to work out a financially efficient way to actually sell the Nuggets and Avalanche to Josh Kroenke, or another family member. Those familiar with the sale process say Kroenke isn't entirely sure how he's going to do that at this point but is considering several options."

Also from Thomas: Shahid Khan bows out gracefully.

More from Thomas: Chip Rosenbloom reflects on his family's ownership of the Rams. Thomas: "Rosenbloom made it a point to stay out of the spotlight Wednesday. He respectfully declined an invitation to join Kroenke at a news conference following the owners' vote. And he quietly checked out of the hotel where the meetings were held a couple of hours before the meeting concluded, heading to the airport for the flight back home."

Brian Burwell of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch sees Kroenke as the right man to own the Rams, even though he doesn't necessarily trust the billionaire. Burwell: "Until Kroenke agrees to a new lease agreement, or the Rams are playing in a new stadium in the greater St. Louis area — or two other NFL franchises end up in Los Angeles over the next five years -- I will continue to raise an eyebrow to his every move when it concerns the long-term future of the Rams in St. Louis. ... Yet in spite of my ever-diligent distrust of the man, here's why Kroenke still could and should be great for the Rams. He will hit the ground running. Because he is no stranger to the workings of the organization, there will be no learning curve. He knows how everything works, and just as important, what doesn't work. And I would be surprised if everyone in the organization doesn't already understand that the clock has been ticking on their evaluations for more than a year."

Bill Coats of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch expects Kroenke to evaluate the Rams' structure.

Also from the Post-Dispatch: a recent Rams ownership timeline.

Clare Farnsworth of seahawks.com says Leon Washington impressed during practice Wednesday. Washington will start for the Seahawks this week.

Danny O'Neil of the Seattle Times offers notes from Seahawks practice, including this one: "Ben Hamilton worked as the second-unit center on Tuesday. He watched Wednesday's practice at one point with an ice bag on his knee. Chester Pitts was on the field, but was limited. Extremely limited, and he also iced the knee after individual drills."

Also from O'Neil: a look at the Seahawks' roster on defense. O'Neil: "Lawyer Milloy and Earl Thomas are lined up as the starting safeties, but behind that duo is a logjam of players that includes former starter Jordan Babineaux, a fifth-round pick in Kam Chancellor the team probably doesn't want to cut and free-agent addition Kevin Ellison, who has a bad knee, but all he did last year was start nine games for the San Diego Chargers."

Greg Johns of seattlepi.com says Seahawks tight end John Carlson isn't sweating too much over a couple dropped passes.

John Morgan of Field Gulls appreciates Mike Williams' sure hands.

Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic checks in from the Cardinals' spirited practices with the Tennessee Titans. Somers: "The pass-rush session between the Cardinals' offensive line and the Titans' defense was the only serious threat to decorum. The Titans' front four is relentless, and the Cardinals started to take offense to what they viewed as extracurricular behavior. Cardinals backups Jeremy Bridges and Rex Hadnot ratcheted things up a notch with some talking. After the Titans were stopped on snap, Hadnot said, 'No soup for you!' Bridges did some hitting and talking, prompting one Titans player to ask later if Bridges had eaten enough biscuits."

Also from Somers: "Matt Leinart continues to play with the starting unit and backup Derek Anderson got some work with the starters, too. Rookie Max Hall worked some with the second unit. Leinart looked sharp in the two-minute drill, driving the team down the field. Anderson looked decent and Hall was in command, too."

More from Somers: a chat transcript with his thoughts on the quarterback situation in Arizona. Somers: "I sense some worry. Staff is waiting for Leinart to make the plays he should. But it's not as if Anderson is pushing him. I think the staff feels comfortable the line, backs and receivers will be fine. ... Some people I talked to think Leinart is not looking downfield long enough. It seems to be he's a little cautious of making a mistake. The go route to Williams was an aggressive play call on 3rd and 1. Coaches wanted to see how Leinart would handle it."

Darren Urban of azcardinals.com says Greg Toler was working at right cornerback with the Cardinals' first-team defense.

Also from Urban: Were there unrealistic expectations for the Cardinals' offensive line?

More from Urban: Ken Whisenhunt and Jeff Fisher sounded satisfied with the work their teams got in practice.

Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com says 20 players missed 49ers practice for various reasons, but Ted Ginn Jr. was not one of them. Maiocco: "Quarterback Alex Smith hit receiver Ted Ginn with 29-yard touchdown pass in the back corner of the end zone, over the coverage of Patrick Stoudamire. Ginn narrowly avoided running into a table in an empty hospitality tent. Ginn spiked the ball in the tent." I'm often amused by the seemingly arbitrary rules coaches set for practices. They'll ban cell phones or drink containers among spectators, only to let sponsors set up tables within a few yards of the fields.

Also from Maiocco: Phillip Adams is making a positive impression with the 49ers.

More from Maiocco: The 49ers held their morning practice in full pads.

Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee updates 49ers position battles. Barrows: "At the beginning of training camp, four players -- Brandon Jones, Jason Hill, Dominique Zeigler and Kyle Williams -- were competing for perhaps two spots. Jones is out of the running and Williams is out with a toe injury. (He was seen walking in a boot today). But while Williams has been recuperating, no one has stepped forward to take his place as the top punt returner."

Also from Barrows: Defense prevails in a staple of 49ers practice.

Phil Barber of the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat looks at the 49ers' return game.

Dan Brown of the San Jose Mercury News explains the reasoning behind the "ownership" drills the 49ers run in practice. It's a chance for players to call the plays.

Mark Emmons of the San Jose Mercury News checks in with former 49ers standout Bryant Young.

David White of the San Francisco Chronicle says the 49ers do not want Ginn returning punts.

Kevin Lynch of Niner Insider says there's evidence Smith's experience in the 49ers' offense is paying off.

David White of the San Francisco Chronicle says Ted Ginn Jr. showed good ability in practice Tuesday, a reminder why the 49ers acquired him. White: "Seventy-four percent of quarterback Alex Smith's pass attempts were for 10 or fewer yards. His 6.3 yards per attempt ranked 24th in the NFL. He simply had no deep help outside of tight end Vernon Davis. It hasn't come from Jason Hill, the 40-yard-dash wonder with 40 catches over three seasons. And it didn't come from Ashley Lelie or Bryant Johnson during their stints with the Niners. Johnson enjoyed mild success, but only as a No. 3-type role player."

Phil Barber of the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat profiles 49ers fullback Brit Miller, who is trying to unseat veteran Moran Norris. Overwhelmed as a rookie trying to attain standards set by running backs coach Tom Rathman, Miller says he's more comfortable in his second training camp. Miller: "When you're not used to Rathman, I mean he can do that to you. Because he expects perfection. But now I already know what he's gonna say before he says it. ... And it's a little more comforting coming into camp having an idea what to do, and not guessing, not getting nervous in the huddle, and just going out and playing ball."

Also from Barber: 49ers camp notes, including one about tight end Vernon Davis challenging defensive teammates to "come and get some" after he dispatched linebacker Ahmad Brooks in the nutcracker drill.

Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com says Davis struggled some in pass protection. He was referring to rookie tackle Anthony Davis, not tight end Vernon Davis, who ranks among the better pass protectors on the team.

Also from Maiocco: a new role for quarterbacks coach Mike Johnson. Maiocco: "Quarterbacks coach Mike Johnson is getting his first taste of relaying the plays, via radio, to the quarterbacks. Last season, offensive assistant Jason Michael handled those duties because he and offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye worked together previously for three seasons with the New York Jets and Raiders. Raye said he is trying to figure out which system works best. Raye said he will likely decide which assistant will be on the radio hookup with himself and the quarterbacks after the second exhibition game."

More from Maiocco: Glen Coffee laments his 2.7-yard rookie rushing average.

Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee says some of the 49ers' younger players benefit when the team gives veterans practices off. Barrows: "The 49ers also must groom several young players at safety, primarily Reggie Smith, Curtis Taylor and Taylor Mays. Smith has been getting all of Lewis' first-team repetitions the last two practices while Mays and Taylor have composed the second-string group. Taylor and Chris Maragos have made up the third-string safety tandem. Again, Lewis doesn't need the repetitions, so the coaching staff is giving them to younger players."

Tim Kawakami of the San Jose Mercury News says rookie guard Mike Iupati is well-suited for nutcracker drills. Kawakami: "Generally, Iupati wreaked havoc whenever he was out there, except in one pass-block drill, when veteran defensive end Justin Smith got the jump off the outside edge and sent Iupati twisting backward."

Taylor Price of 49ers.com passes along this Ginn-related quote from Raye: "His presence on the field demands that you have to make a decision about how many you want to commit to the run, from a coverage standpoint. We certainly think that he gives us something defensively that you have to figure out when he’s on the field."

Also from Price: Chilo Rachal was treated for dehydration after collapsing at practice.

Note: I'm giving each team its own Around the NFC West post given the volume of material early in camps. More to come.

Jon Robinson of ESPN.com checks in with 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis, who loves his 99 rating on "Madden NFL 11." Willis: "It's truly an honor just to be in the game because when I was a kid, I used to created myself in 'Madden' and give myself all 99s. I feel like I should be a 99 in everything ... I didn't just want to be an 80 in this or an 80 in that. I was striving for that 99 in real life. So now to be in 'Madden' and see my character improve throughout the years to the point where now I'm a 99, it's really a blessing."

Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee says 49ers fans did not boo quarterback Alex Smith's first pass of training camp -- unlike last season.

Also from Barrows: The 49ers want to go deep. Barrows: "So far, Smith and (Ted) Ginn haven't connected on anything deep, not in practices anyway. But Smith said that's because the passing game is adjusting to the speed and physicality of practices. Smith's arm has fully returned from the last surgery he had in 2008, and he says he and Ginn worked hard on building chemistry during the offseason."

Taylor Price of 49ers.com singles out one play from the morning practice: "Michael Crabtree turned in the play of the practice session with a tremendous over-the-middle grab in which he reached up and snatched Nate Davis’ pass out of the air in front of multiple converging defenders."

Also from Price: inside linebackers went against guards instead of running backs in Mike Singletary's nutcracker drill. Scott McKillop: "It was a harder challenge for us, but it will make us better. We’re in a situation where we need to work on leverage and using our hands to separate. It’s going to be difficult but it’s something that will make us a better player."

More from 49ers.com: a transcript featuring comments from Singletary. On Alex Smith: "I'm hoping he gets more comfortable as we go. I just think that as we’re out here we just have to continue to allow him the snaps that he needs to continue to get better. But he has the control of the offense, it’s just a matter of making sure that he takes the time to really see the whole defense and not just maybe sometimes look at the safety. You’ve got to see the whole thing."

More still from 49ers.com: Roger Craig's thoughts on Jerry Rice.

Ann Killion of CSNBayArea.com offers thoughts on Rice's impending Hall of Fame induction.

Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com singles out Brit Miller's big hit on Parys Haralson as a memorable play from 49ers camp.

Also from Maiocco: a look at how many reps key players received in the afternoon practice. Maiocco: "(Mike) Iupati got 19 valuable reps at left guard with (David) Baas out. Safety Reggie Smith, inside linebacker Scott McKillop and defensive end Demetric Evans worked with the first units in place of (Michael) Lewis, (Takeo) Spikes and (Justin) Smith. ... Alex Smith took 19 reps, completing 8 of 15. David Carr had nine reps and completed 2 of 7. (Nate) Davis took six snaps and completed 4 of 6."

Daniel Brown of the San Jose Mercury News says Kentwan Balmer thinks improved health could help the 2008 first-round choice produce.

Also from Brown: Khalif Mitchell impressed in nutcracker drills.

David White of the San Francisco Chronicle says the 49ers are missing nose tackle Aubrayo Franklin.

Phil Barber of the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat says fullback Brit Miller impressed at 49ers practice Monday. Also: "Taylor Mays, already enjoying the improved status of the second-team defense, made a pair of nice plays late in practice. He blanketed TE Joe Jon Finley on a short route, helping disrupt a pass from Alex Smith, and on the next play read a gadget play perfectly and was there to touch down the ball carrier."

Also from Barber: various 49ers-related notes, including one about Jason Hill making the catch of the morning practice. On Ted Ginn Jr.: "Ted Ginn looked good running one-on-one vs. DBs in a morning drill, beating Tramaine Brock and Karl Paymah twice on various routes -- one against Paymah on a deep touchdown throw from David Carr. But he wrapped up his day's work by dropping an easy ball that LB Keaton Kristick had batted right to him." If Ginn was consistent, the Dolphins probably would have kept him. The 49ers could use the threat of Ginn's speed, but it's an upset if he becomes a polished, consistent receiver.

More from Barber: surprise over the fact that Willis didn't dominate nutcracker drills the way he dominates during games. Willis' ability to avoid blocks and make tackles helps make him a special linebacker. The nutcracker drill is all about taking on blocks and overpowering opponents.

Note: I'm breaking out each team separately today because there's too much stuff for a single Around the NFC West file.

Jesper from Denmark continues to see his NFC West blog legacy grow.

What began as his critical look at the St. Louis Rams has turned into a four-part series. We're back with a look at the San Francisco 49ers after covering the Seattle Seahawks on Wednesday.

Thanks to all who reached out and volunteered to engage me in conversation. Facebook friend Aaron was the first to come through with his thoughts, so here we go ...

Quarterback

Aaron: Alex Smith is coming off of his best statistical season and for the first time in his career is going to have a true No. 1 receiver in Michael Crabtree, a Pro Bowl target in Vernon Davis and the same offensive coordinator. There are still questions about whether he can put the team on his back and win, but if he can show some of what he did against Seattle back in 2007, then there is a chance he could start climbing the QB ranks. David Carr has more arm strength than Shaun Hill and might finally be over his shell-shocking in Houston. Nate Davis has the tools as a No. 3 quarterback who can develop. Verdict: improved just because Alex will be more comfortable and farther ahead in the playbook than a year before.

Sando: I'd rather have Hill than Carr as a backup if I were the 49ers. He won games as the 49ers' starter, knew the offense and had the respect of teammates. I also understood the thinking in going with a more physically talented player. The 49ers wanted someone with more long-term starting potential. The 49ers should be better at quarterback as Smith becomes more experienced in the system.

Running back

Aaron: Frank Gore is Frank Gore; I love him he does everything you want a back to do. He has the power you don’t expect out of someone his size. His ankles are what worry me, though. Two years in a row, he has had to miss games because of them. Glen Coffee and Anthony Dixon have not earned any of my trust. It almost feels like they are slower less powerful versions of Gore, with worse vision. Verdict: same or slightly better because the offensive line should improve.

Sando: Coffee should be improved in his second season. As a rookie, he was thrown into the lineup before he was ready and struggled behind a floundering line. As with quarterback, I think the situation has improved more than the talent has improved. The 49ers have had an offseason to set up their offense in a way that suits Gore and Smith together. They essentially had two offenses last season, one for Gore and one for Smith. There's still reason to wonder whether a back best suited for running out of the I-formation can produce consistently playing with a quarterback most comfortable with spread-type formations. But the 49ers have had plenty of time to remedy the situation. Gore should be in better position as a result.

Wide receiver

Aaron: Crabtree gets a full offseason to get the playbook and develop chemistry with Smith. He looked like a pro when he came in and now he truly gets to show his stuff. I see a possible Pro Bowler. Josh Morgan is a solid No. 2 who can show flashes of breaking away. Ted Ginn Jr. -- if he catches the ball -- can be a game-changer from the slot or out wide. Even if he's just a decoy, Ginn will help with what I feel is the one weakness on offense -- speed. Jason Hill, I love, and I wish he could stay healthy and get a good chance. I feel he'd be a better No. 2. In the games he's played in, he's produced. The rest of the guys are playing for the No. 5 spot on the team. I'm not so sure Brandon Jones will make it or is worth what we spent on him. Verdict: better.

Mike Sando: The 49ers haven't had the personnel at this position recently to justify putting three wide receivers on the field during early downs at the expense of Delanie Walker or Moran Norris. Their three-receiver stuff was reserved mostly for third downs last season. This is one area where the 49ers need to diversify. Ginn is the key variable. The threat of what he can do could matter as much as what he actually does. The speed factor could upgrade this largely inexperienced group. The 49ers' wide receivers have 26 career touchdowns. Only the Rams' wideouts have fewer (13) among division teams. That isn't necessarily bad, but it's a reminder that this group must prove itself. Isaac Bruce's retirement opens a roster spot for a player who might develop. Crabtree should improve with a full offseason of practice.

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