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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)

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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.

» NFC On the Radar: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South

A player, coach or issue that should be on your radar as training camp approaches.

A sore hip bothered Kurt Warner at Arizona Cardinals camp last summer. It wasn't a big deal.

Two summers ago, the Seattle Seahawks downplayed Matt Hasselbeck's bad back because they didn't know the full extent of the problem. That one turned out to be more serious than expected.

Having the right feel for each injury situation can be tough. I'm sure a surprise injury or two will become a story after NFC West teams report for training camps in late July.

San Francisco 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis (knee), St. Louis Rams running back Steven Jackson (back), Arizona Cardinals cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (knee) and Seattle Seahawks middle linebacker Lofa Tatupu (pectoral) are among the high-profile NFC West players coming off surgery rehabs. Their situations will bear monitoring.

The following players ended last season on injured reserve (some are no longer with NFC West teams):

Arizona Cardinals

Matt Ware, Mike Gandy, Justin Green, Cody Brown

San Francisco 49ers

Tony Pashos, Ricky Schmitt, Thomas Clayton, Jeff Ulbrich, Walt Harris, Kentwan Balmer, Curtis Taylor

Seattle Seahawks

Tyler Roehl, Walter Jones, Kevin Houser, Brandon Frye, Tatupu, Mike Hass

St. Louis Rams

Marc Bulger, Adam Carriker, Oshiomogho Atogwe, Eric Bassey, C.J. Ah You, Brooks Foster, Gary Gibson, Jacob Bell, Daniel Fells, Chris Massey, Bradley Fletcher, Laurent Robinson, Keenan Burton

The earlier item quantifying NFL roster turnover since last season ranks the Seattle Seahawks and Arizona Cardinals among the three teams with the most changes.

Some of the research used for that project shows up in the latest version of the anabolically enhanced rosters found here periodically. Specifically, the 26th and final column shows which players were starters, backups or on injured reserve for NFC West teams in Week 17 last season.

Download the rosters here.

The column showing player ages makes it easy to see how roster attrition affects older players. I'll list below the players currently 30 or older who have been released, traded, announced their retirements or were not re-signed as unrestricted free agents since last season:

Seattle Seahawks (9)

Patrick Kerney, Walter Jones, John Owens, Deon Grant, Ken Lucas, Kevin Houser, Jeff Robinson, D.D. Lewis, Damion McIntosh

Note: The team added 30-plus vets Sean Morey, Ben Hamilton and Chris Baker.

Arizona Cardinals (9)

Kurt Warner, Chike Okeafor, Mike Gandy, Bertrand Berry, Neil Rackers, Morey, Brian St. Pierre, Ralph Brown, Dan Kreider,

Note: The team added 30-plus vets Jay Feely, Paris Lenon, Joey Porter and Alan Faneca.

San Francisco 49ers (6)

Shaun Hill, Arnaz Battle, Mark Roman, Walt Harris, Dre' Bly, Jeff Ulbrich

Note: The team added 30-plus vets David Carr and William James. In looking at the chart, note that receiver Isaac Bruce, 37, is still on the 49ers' roster for the time being.

St. Louis Rams (5)

Leonard Little, Marc Bulger, Lenon, Clinton Hart, Randy McMichael

Note: The team added 30-plus vets A.J. Feeley, Na'il Diggs, Hank Fraley and Fred Robbins.

Unrestricted free agency has come and gone for the NFL in 2010 after no teams made qualifying offers to the more than 100 unsigned UFAs by June 1.

The following former UFAs from NFC West teams remain free agents able to sign with any team that will have them, but none will factor into the formula used for awarding compensatory draft choices:

Arizona: left tackle Mike Gandy, outside linebacker Chike Okeafor, outside linebacker Bertrand Berry (retiring), cornerback Ralph Brown, fullback Dan Kreider, quarterback Brian St. Pierre

Seattle: fullback Justin Griffith, linebacker D.D. Lewis, cornerback Ken Lucas, tackle Damion McIntosh, snapper Jeff Robinson, snapper Kevin Houser

San Francisco: safety Mark Roman, cornerback Dre Bly, cornerback Walt Harris, linebacker Jeff Ulbrich (retiring)

St. Louis : defensive end Leonard Little, tight end Randy McMichael, safety Clinton Hart

The chart breaks down the players by team and 2009 starts.

Bad teams aren't the only ones churning their rosters during the offseason.

The defending NFC West champion Arizona Cardinals have parted with 15 of the 53 players on their Week 17 roster from last season. Only the rebuilding Seahawks have parted with more -- 16 -- among division teams this offseason. The Rams have parted with 11. The 49ers, seeking continuity as they try to build on an 8-8 season, have parted with only three.

The first chart shows how many Week 17 starters and backups have returned to each NFC West team.

The second chart shows how many Week 17 starters and backups have left each NFC West team.

I'll first list the players by team.

Seattle (16): receiver Nate Burleson, quarterback Seneca Wallace, linebacker Lance Laury, defensive end Cory Redding, guard Trevor Canfield, quarterback Mike Teel, tackle Damion McIntosh, linebacker D.D. Lewis, snapper Jeff Robinson, fullback Justin Griffith, cornerback Ken Lucas, safety Deon Grant, defensive end Darryl Tapp, guard Rob Sims, tight end John Owens and defensive end Patrick Kerney.

Arizona (15): linebacker Pago Togafau, safety Antrel Rolle, receiver Jerheme Urban, receiver Sean Morey, kicker Neil Rackers, linebacker Bertrand Berry, fullback Dan Kreider, cornerback Ralph Brown, quarterback Brian St. Pierre, defensive end Jason Banks, receiver Anquan Boldin, linebacker Karlos Dansby, quarterback Kurt Warner, cornerback Bryant McFadden and linebacker Chike Okeafor. Note that Rolle did not start in Week 17.

St. Louis (11): defensive tackle LaJuan Ramsey, cornerback Jonathan Wade, receiver Ruvell Martin, quarterback Mike Reilly, defensive end Leonard Little, safety Clinton Hart, snapper Ryan Neill, running back Samkon Gado, linebacker Paris Lenon, tackle Alex Barron and tight end Randy McMichael.

San Francisco (5): receiver Arnaz Battle, cornerback Marcus Hudson, quarterback Shaun Hill, safety Mark Roman and cornerback Dre Bly.

The third chart shows what happened to players who were on injured reserve in Week 17.

I'll first list by team the players who were on IR but are no longer with their teams.

San Francisco (5): tackle Tony Pashos, punter Ricky Schmitt, linebacker Jeff Ulbrich, cornerback Walt Harris and running back Thomas Clayton.

Seattle (4): running back Tyler Roehl, tackle Walter Jones, snapper Kevin Houser and tackle Brandon Frye.

St. Louis (3): quarterback Marc Bulger, defensive tackle Adam Carriker and safety Eric Bassey.

Arizona (2): tackle Mike Gandy and fullback Justin Green.

The Cardinals remain the only NFC West team to re-sign any of their unrestricted free agents this offseason.

That is mostly by design.

Twenty-seven of 31 remaining unrestricted free agents from NFC West teams are at least 30 years old. Two are retiring. Two of the four still in their 20s are 29.

The chart shows remaining UFAs from the NFC West, arranged by team and by age.

Arizona Cardinals

Unrestricted free agents: TE Anthony Becht, LB Monty Beisel, LB Bertrand Berry (retired), LT Jeremy Bridges, CB Ralph Brown, LB Karlos Dansby, LT Mike Gandy, FB Dan Kreider, WR Sean Morey, LB Chike Okeafor, K Neil Rackers, NT Bryan Robinson, QB Brian St. Pierre, S Matt Ware.

Restricted free agents: SS Hamza Abdullah, WR Steve Breaston, G Ben Claxton, FB Justin Green, LG Deuce Lutui, TE Ben Patrick, C Lyle Sendlein, TE Stephen Spach, WR Jerheme Urban, NT Gabe Watson.

Franchise player: none

What to expect: The Cardinals generally do not pursue marquee free agents from other teams. That trend figures to continue. The Cardinals have too many of their own free agents to re-sign for them to worry about chasing other teams' castoffs. We might see Arizona plug the roster with a few lower-tier free agents. They had success doing that last offseason, particularly with Becht at tight end. Dansby leads the list of 2009 starters expected to depart. Arizona is reportedly interested in quarterback David Carr.

St. Louis Rams

Unrestricted free agents: QB Kyle Boller, DE James Hall, SS Clinton Hart, LB Paris Lenon, DE Leonard Little, LS Chris Massey, TE Randy McMichael.

Restricted free agents: S Eric Bassey, S Craig Dahl, TE Daniel Fells, LS Ryan Neill, DT Clifton Ryan, CB Jonathan Wade, DE Victory Adeyanju, FS Oshiomogho Atogwe, T Alex Barron, RB Sam Gado, DT Gary Gibson, WR Ruvell Martin, G Mark Setterstrom.

Franchise player: none

What to expect: The Rams could be in the market for a veteran quarterback such as Chad Pennington. Beyond quarterback, coach Steve Spagnuolo said the Rams could use a little more seasoning in the form of veteran role players. The Rams will remain a young team, but they could add some experience. The team parted with players fitting that profile last offseason, but most had inflated salaries. The ones St. Louis adds this year figure to carry lower price tags in most cases. The Rams have said they want Little and Hall back. McMichael figures to be gone.

Seattle Seahawks

Unrestricted free agents: WR Nate Burleson, FB Justin Griffith, LS Kevin Houser, LB D.D. Lewis, CB Ken Lucas, T Damion McIntosh, S Lawyer Milloy, DE Cory Redding, LS Jeff Robinson.

Restricted free agents: T Brandon Frye, WR Ben Obomanu, LB Lance Laury, G Rob Sims, G Chris Spencer, DE Darryl Tapp.

Franchise player: K Olindo Mare

What to expect: The Seahawks are a little difficult to figure. Their owner has the money to bankroll aggressive spending if Seattle chooses to go that route. Coach Pete Carroll surely realizes the team could use talent upgrades. The new general manager, John Schneider, comes from the Ted Thompson school of personnel. Thompson's aversion for free agency is well established, although Schneider has characterized himself as slightly more aggressive. The problem, of course, is finding good players on the market. Burleson will hit the market. He could return if the price is right. Carroll has said nice things about Redding, who should be affordable.

San Francisco 49ers

Unrestricted free agents: WR Arnaz Battle, CB Dre Bly, CB Walt Harris, T Tony Pashos, FS Mark Roman, T Barry Sims, LB Jeff Ulbrich (retired), LB Matt Wilhelm.

Restricted free agents: LG David Baas, LB Ahmad Brooks, CB Marcus Hudson.

Franchise player: NT Aubrayo Franklin

What to expect: The 49ers have largely turned their back on free agency now that they feel better about their roster. I would expect the team to lay low again when the signing period begins late Thursday night on the West Coast.

» AFC Free Agency: East | West | North | South » NFC: East | West | North | South

An early look at the free-agent situation in the NFC West.

Note: These projected lists reflect notable unrestricted free agents for each team. The NFL will not issue an official list of free agents until the signing period begins March 5.

Arizona Cardinals

Unrestricted free agents: LB Karlos Dansby, LT Mike Gandy, OLB Chike Okeafor, K Neil Rackers, NT Bryan Robinson, WR Sean Morey, TE Anthony Becht, DE Bertrand Berry, LT Jeremy Bridges, CB Ralph Brown, FB Dan Kreider, QB Brian St. Pierre, S Matt Ware, LB Monty Beisel.

Key figures: The more than $17.7 million Arizona has paid to Dansby over the past two seasons should suffice as a parting gift if, as expected, the linebacker leaves in free agency. Dansby could be leading an exodus. Okeafor turns 34 in March and could be on his way out. Berry announced his retirement. Morey has had concussion problems. Gandy's return probably depends on whether he's willing to stay for less than the $5 million he earned last season. Safety Antrel Rolle does not appear on the list, but he would hit the market when free agency begins if the Cardinals decline to pay a $4 million roster bonus.

San Francisco 49ers

Unrestricted free agents: WR Arnaz Battle, CB Dre' Bly, NT Aubrayo Franklin, CB Walt Harris, RT Tony Pashos, FS Mark Roman, LT Barry Sims, LB Jeff Ulbrich, LB Matt Wilhelm, CB Keith Smith.

Key figures: The 49ers have been proactive in re-signing their own players. That explains why relatively few big names appear on this list. The franchise tag appears well suited for Franklin, the only marquee UFA on the 49ers' list this offseason. Tagging Franklin at the $7 million franchise rate makes sense heading into labor uncertainty. Why spend lavishly on a long-term deal? Franklin has played at a high level consistently for only one season, and a lockout could keep him off the field in 2011. Re-signing Sims for depth would make sense. Ulbrich, meanwhile, has retired and joined the Seahawks' coaching staff.

Seattle Seahawks

Unrestricted free agents: WR Nate Burleson, DE Cory Redding, CB Ken Lucas, K Olindo Mare, LB D.D. Lewis, FB Justin Griffith, LT Damion McIntosh, SS Lawyer Milloy, LS Kevin Houser, LS Jeff Robinson.

Key figures: New coach Pete Carroll is on the record saying he likes what he's seen from Redding. Mare is coming off an outstanding season. Lucas has the size Seattle's new leadership wants in its cornerbacks. Milloy played for Carroll in New England. There isn't much more to say about this relatively nondescript group, and it's unclear how much the new regime will value these UFAs. Unrestricted free agency isn't the only road out of Seattle this offseason. The team will probably part with a few established players who haven't lived up to their salaries because of injuries and other factors. Patrick Kerney and Deion Branch come to mind. Update: I've added Nate Burleson to the list of free agents. He has a contract for 2010, but it voids. Thanks to CowboyP893 for the assist.

St. Louis Rams

Unrestricted free agents: DE Leonard Little, DE James Hall, LB Paris Lenon, QB Kyle Boller, S Clinton Hart, LS Chris Massey, TE Randy McMichael.

Key figures: Boller, 28, is the only player on the Rams' list younger than 30. Franchise player Oshiomogho Atogwe and starting tackle Alex Barron become only restricted free agents under rules governing the uncapped year, explaining their absence from the Rams' UFA list. It's unclear how seriously Little and Hall figure into the team's plans for 2010. Chris Long's emergence late last season should make it easier for the team to move on without them, but the aging defensive ends did combine for 27 starts and 11 sacks last season.

The NFL Players Association made available its free-agent lists during its annual news conference at the Super Bowl.

I've gone through the list and broken it down by team and by position, making adjustments for players such as 49ers linebacker Jeff Ulbrich and Cardinals defensive end Bertrand Berry, free agents who have retired. I also reclassified Seattle's Kevin Houser and Jeff Robinson from tight ends, their listed positions, to specialists (both are snappers).

The Cardinals have 13 potential unrestricted free agents, trailing only the Texans, who have 14. The potential for turnover in Arizona climbs when we factor for the retirements of Berry and quarterback Kurt Warner.

Across the division, the list of potential free agents includes quite a few older players with uncertain futures: Chike Okeafor in Arizona, Justin Griffith in Seattle, Dre' Bly in San Francisco and a few in St. Louis (Randy McMichael, James Hall, Leonard Little).

I would expect some of these players to drift away and out of the league. It's time, in some cases, for teams to move on.

Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says the Rams' already shaky depth is depleted. Coach Steve Spagnuolo: "Yeah, slowly but surely. Anybody have any eligibility left? We're pretty banged up. The list is long. But it just gives another guy an opportunity. I know it sounds like a cliché, but it does. It gave some guys an opportunity [against Houston]. And that'll happen again this Sunday."

Also from Thomas: The Rams have claimed defensive end James Wyche off waivers from the Jaguars.

More from Thomas: The Rams placed tight end Daniel Fells on injured reserve. Meanwhile, the team still wasn't saying which player would start at quarterback Sunday.

Bryan Burwell of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says the Rams would be best served staying in position to hold the No. 1 overall draft choice. Burwell: "With only two weeks to play in the regular season, the Rams have, without tampering with the integrity of the game, moved one step closer to locking down the all-important first pick in the draft (let it roll off your tongue easily: N-dom-Ah-ken Suh ... N-dom-Ah-ken Suh ... N-dom-Ah-ken Suh), and that is a very good thing."

Jim Rodenbush of the St. Louis Globe-Democrat says the Rams do not have a timetable for Leonard Little's return from injury.

Steve Korte of the Belleville News-Democrat says Spagnuolo isn't interested in losing just to maintain the No. 1 draft choice.

Clare Farnsworth of seahawks.com says snapper Kevin Houser remained hospitalized with a collapsed lung. Veteran Jeff Robinson will replace Houser.

Jose Miguel Romero of the Seattle Times says Seahawks coach Jim Mora lobbied for Mike Holmgren's return to the team. Mora: "It's no secret that I'm a Mike Holmgren fan, and I was an advocate of him coming back, to the point that I made my feelings known to the people that make those decisions," Mora said. "I'm probably as disappointed as anybody that he's decided to reject our offer and go onward. I don't know all the particulars. I just know that I absolutely have great regard for Mike Holmgren."

Greg Johns of seattlepi.com says Mora e-mailed Seahawks CEO Tod Leiweke on Friday, expressing support for Holmgren.

Eric D. Williams of the Tacoma News Tribune says Holmgren never contacted Mora during the process. Mora: "That's not Mike's style."

Dave Boling of the Tacoma News Tribune says the Seahawks should probably give Mora another season to prove himself. Boling: "I think Mora -- heck, anybody -- deserves a shot at a second season. But whomever is hired to make that decision might have an entirely different perspective, especially if the nosedive grows even steeper."

Matt Pitman of 710ESPN Seattle points to Steve Keim and Eric DeCosta as preferred candidates to lead the Seahawks' football operation. Pitman: "DeCosta also is a guy who understands the importance of using the draft to land long-term solutions on the offensive line, something the Seahawks must address in the upcoming draft. He found center Jason Brown, a three year starter in Baltimore, in the fifth round. Guard Ben Grubbs, one of the best in the AFC, was a late 1st round selection (29th pick). He found tackle Jared Gaither in the supplemental round of the '07 draft. But the thing I like about him most is that he's not a 'defensive guy' (which we heard about Tim Ruskell and uh, how'd that work out) or an 'offensive guy.' DeCosta's resume shows he is a guy that has an uncanny eye for talent throughout a draft, and can put together moves and trades to immediately improve his football team the very next season with solid drafting."

Dave Wyman of 710ESPN Seattle says fixing the Seahawks will take much more than Holmgren or any one person could accomplish. Wyman: "It's never one guy or one thing that makes a team bad or makes a team good. As brilliant as Mike Holmgren is, he's not the panacea for all of this team's ills. As talented as Jake Locker is, he's not necessarily the answer either. It's never one guy and it's never one move. It's a team game. Something that big money contracts and fantasy football has taken us away from. We don't need a 'football czar' to make this team all better. We don't need a 1st round superstar quarterback to make this offense work. There is no football genius out there that's going to make the perfect personnel moves and the perfect play calls. We need an organization and a team and yes even a fan base that is willing to work hard, work together, be patient and be positive."

John Morgan of Field Gulls looks at Keim's record in Arizona. I would not blame him for the team's selection of Levi Brown. The coaching staff wanted a tackle. I'm pretty sure the scouts would have preferred Adrian Peterson.

Bob McManaman of the Arizona Republic says the Cardinals could get Will Davis back from injury this week. They need depth at linebacker.

Also from McManaman: The Cardinals still have a shot at a higher playoff seed. Whisenhunt: "The No. 2 seed is obviously a powerful incentive, to be able to get that bye week. Who knows what can happen? There are a lot of things that would have to fall into place. I think it's more important that we continue to try and improve and get on a hot streak going into the playoffs."

Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic says Mike Gandy's future with the Cardinals is in doubt. That was the case even before Gandy required hernia surgery. Somers: "Gandy is in the last year of his contract and is making $5 million. If he goes on IR, as expected, he'll be the first starter placed there in the last two years. There's a good chance Gandy has played his last game with the club. It's questionable if the Cardinals will pay him close to that on a new contract. I suppose Levi Brown could move from the right side to the left, but it's hard to say that Brown has proven he could make that move look seamless."

Darren Urban of azcardinals.com says Whisenhunt isn't concerned about the Cardinals' passing game. Whisenhunt: "We have to continue to get better and get polished up. Sometimes it’s not as easy as you want it to be."

Revenge of the Birds' Andrew602 looks at key performances from the Cardinals' victory at Detroit.

Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee says the 49ers are not discouraging rumors linking them to a London game in 2010. Team president Jed York: "I would certainly think we're a candidate just with being in an older stadium. We haven't been approached and it's not something we're seeking out."

Matt Maiocco of the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat says the 49ers need to stay the course in the name of continuity. Maiocco: "A lot of people want to see changes. They want to see heads roll when a club fails to meet their own expectations. But I think the best thing the 49ers can do is maintain continuity. And that includes quarterback. Do I think Alex Smith is an above-average NFL starting quarterback? Right now, I'd say he's not. But I do believe he is their best option for 2010. I think Smith will continue to improve every season for a while, as long as he remains in an unchanged system. He has improved every season that did not include a trip to injured reserve."

Also from Maiocco: He does not expect big changes.

Howard Mintz of the San Jose Mercury News wonders what would happen if voters rejected the 49ers' stadium proposal for Santa Clara.

Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle says 49ers coach Mike Singletary apologized to Smith for challenging the quarterback on some throws. Upon reflection, Smith was better than Singletary thought Sunday.

Steve Kelley of the Seattle Times relays Mike Holmgren's side of the story regarding the former coach's decision to reject an offer to run the Seahawks' football operations. Kelley: "A Seahawks' spokesman said Sunday that Holmgren had been offered a Bill Parcells-sized contract, a four-year deal worth $3 million a year. Holmgren said that wasn't true. A Seahawks spokesman said Holmgren would have control over the selection of the general manager and the last word on whether Jim Mora would be retained as coach. Holmgren said that also wasn't true."

Also from Kelley: another version of the column featuring details about a letter Mora sent to Seahawks brass endorsing Holmgren's hiring. Kelley: "By Saturday, however, the deal was off. The money wasn't enough. The layers of Vulcan executives (Allen's senior advisers) Holmgren felt he had to pass through to implement his plan seemed too thick. And he didn't want to commit, as the Hawks wanted him, to keeping Mora for one more season. After Sunday's 24-7 loss to Tampa Bay, Holmgren hardly could be blamed if he wanted a head coaching change."

Danny O'Neil of the Seattle Times says the Seahawks are searching for answers. Receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh: "You thought after last week it couldn't get any worse. Surprise. I don't know what's going on, to be honest with you."

Also from O'Neil: Seattle had zero sacks for the second game in a row. No pass rush can mean no chance in the NFL.

More from O'Neil: Matt Hasselbeck had a bad game, but he wasn't the only problem Sunday. O'Neil: "With Seattle trailing one of the NFL's worst teams by double digits at home and its offense high-centered, it was reduced to throwing the ball deep to a 5-foot-9 receiver who hasn't caught a pass longer than 9 yards since Nov. 15 and hasn't caught a pass longer than 23 yards all season." Three of Hasselbeck's four interceptions came on passes intended for Deion Branch.

Clare Farnsworth of seahawks.com says Hasselbeck was "speechless" after the Seahawks' loss to the 1-12 Bucs.

Also from Farnsworth: Cornerback Kelly Jennings served as long-snapper after the team lost Kevin Houser to injury. Coach Jim Mora: "I was very reluctant to punt again because I didn’t want them to just tee off on him. You know, he’s 172 pounds dripping wet. Not your prototypical long-snapper in the National Football League. God forbid we would have had to try a field goal."

More from Farnsworth: The Seahawks have a better idea what rock bottom feels like.

Matt Pitman of 710ESPN Seattle offers thoughts and audio from the Seahawks' locker room.

John McGrath of the Tacoma News Tribune says Mora wasn't being accountable when he reminded reporters that the Seahawks had a 4-12 record last season.

Eric D. Williams of the Tacoma News Tribune says Branch failed to make the most of his opportunity.

Ryan Divish of the Tacoma News Tribune says the Seahawks' offensive line played well for a half.

Dave Boling of the Tacoma News Tribune says the ghost of Holmgren could haunt the organization if the Seahawks do not find a strong leader.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

The Seahawks have a few tough decisions to make before reducing their roster to 53 players in less than three weeks.

The final spot or two at receiver remain unsettled. I see at least 10 defensive linemen worth keeping, but perhaps no more than eight offensive linemen. The final spots at all three general positions on defense -- line, linebackers and secondary -- could spur debate.

• Earlier: Rams, Cardinals, 49ers
  

The Seahawks aren't even certain which kicker will earn a roster spot, opening possible trade scenarios for teams with needs at the position.

Seattle Seahawks Week 1 Roster Counts since 2003 QB RB WR TE OL DL LB DB ST Fewest 2 5 4 3 8 8 6 7 3 Most 3 6 7 4 9 10 8 8 4 Average 2.8 5.3 5.3 3.2 8.8 9.3 7.0 7.8 3.2 Currently on roster 4 8 10 5 14 13 9 13 4

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

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

(Read full post)

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Recently released Seahawks long-snapper Bryan Pittman injured a finger on his right hand while moving his belongings into his Seattle residence, his agent said.

Agent Kevin Gold said Pittman plans to remain in the Seattle area while trying to hook on with another team or possibly get a second chance with the Seahawks, depending on how their snapping situation unfolds.

According to Gold, Pittman could be ready in another couple of weeks. The Seattle snapping job is now Kevin Houser's to lose after the former Saints long-snapper signed with the Seahawks.

The best long-snapper in the division -- Brian Jennings of the 49ers -- is one of two NFC West snapping holdovers from last season. The 49ers recently extended Jennings' deal through 2014.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

The Seahawks released Bryan Pittman on Friday after the veteran long snapper suffered a hand injury this offseason in a non-football injury. That explains why Seattle signed veteran snapper Kevin Houser on Thursday. I'm not sure if Pittman is a candidate to return upon healing, but Houser, formerly of the Saints, is an established player at the position.

Update: Danny O'Neil spent at least part of his Friday night reading a long snapping blog. Looks like Pittman might need about four weeks to recover. Thank you, Danny.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee assesses the 49ers' running backs. He wonders whether Glen Coffee might ultimately play a bigger role in the offense than Michael Crabtree. Frank Gore might have something to say about that. Coffee would need a highly impressive preseason to siphon many carries from Gore at this point, in my view.

Kevin Lynch of Niner Insider defends his position that the 49ers would be better off running a West Coast offense in the tradition of Bill Walsh.

David Fucillo of Niners Nation sees an 11-5 record as a best-case scenario for the 49ers.

Matt Maiocco of the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat explains what Mike Singletary might have meant when he said the 49ers should aspire to being "physical with an 'f' ". Maiocco: "What it boils down to, I believe, is the letter 'F' is a lot more forceful than the soft-looking and passive 'Ph.' After all, why does a man like Singletary need two letters to form one sound? That's what it's all about. A physical, tough-minded team -- that is how offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye describes what he wants to see from his unit -- does not need two when one should suffice."

Scott McKillop of the 49ers files a 49ers.com diary featuring information about his girlfriend. McKillop: "It's important that I spend time with Allison. We've been together seven and a half years. We were high school sweethearts and have been together since the end of our sophomore year. As you can probably tell she's very important to me. We had homeroom together in high school and that's where we first met. We were also voted the best male and female athletes of our school. I guess in a way, it's a storybook relationship."

Dan Bickley of the Arizona Republic says Kurt Warner and Dick Vermeil remain close friends. Warner: "He saw something special in me that no one else saw," Warner said. "And he continually let me know that he believed in me. When everyone else doubted and questioned me, he encouraged me and gave me the confidence to play the way I was gifted to play and not worry about anything else."

Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic provides a heads up on an NFL Films feature showcasing receivers with the best hands. Larry Fitzgerald was fourth, one spot behind Steve Largent.

Also from Somers: The Cardinals knew what they could expect from Edgerrin James and Terrelle Smith. The same cannot be said for their replacements.

Matt Maiocco of the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat explains what Mike Singletary might have meant when he said the 49ers should aspire to being "physical with an 'f' ". Maiocco: "What it boils down to, I believe, is the letter 'F' is a lot more forceful than the soft-looking and passive 'Ph.' After all, why does a man like Singletary need two letters to form one sound? That's what it's all about. A physical, tough-minded team -- that is how offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye describes what he wants to see from his unit -- does not need two when one should suffice."

Dan Bickley of the Arizona Republic says Kurt Warner and Dick Vermeil remain close friends. Warner: "He saw something special in me that no one else saw," Warner said. "And he continually let me know that he believed in me. When everyone else doubted and questioned me, he encouraged me and gave me the confidence to play the way I was gifted to play and not worry about anything else."

Scott McKillop of the 49ers files a 49ers.com diary featuring information about his girlfriend. McKillop: "It's important that I spend time with Allison. We've been together seven and a half years. We were high school sweethearts and have been together since the end of our sophomore year. As you can probably tell she's very important to me. We had homeroom together in high school and that's where we first met. We were also voted the best male and female athletes of our school. I guess in a way, it's a storybook relationship."

Kevin Lynch of Niner Insider defends his position that the 49ers would be better off running a West Coast offense in the tradition of Bill Walsh.

Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee assesses the 49ers' running backs. He wonders whether Glen Coffee might ultimately play a bigger role in the offense than Michael Crabtree. Frank Gore might have something to say about that.

David Fucillo of Niners Nation sees an 11-5 record as a best-case scenario for the 49ers.

Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic provides a heads up on an NFL Films feature showcasing receivers with the best hands. Larry Fitzgerald was fourth, one spot behind Steve Largent.

Also from Somers: The Cardinals knew what they could expect from Edgerrin James and Terrelle Smith. The same cannot be said for their replacements.

Darren Urban of azcardinals.com takes a peek at "Madden 10" screenshots featuring the Cardinals.

Revenge of the Birds' Hawkwind places Jerheme Urban and Sean Morey "on the bubble" in his look at the Cardinals' wide receivers.

Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch recalls the Rams' 1999 championship season under Vermeil in a series of remembrances.

Bill Coats of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says the Rams broug
ht in a couple of players for tryouts without offering contracts. Coats: "Former Mizzou wide receiver Tommy Saunders and return man Terrance Sanders, an Eastern Illinois U. product who plays for the Boise Burn of the af2 indoor football league, had tryouts with the St. Louis Rams."

Clare Farnsworth of Seahawks.com checks in with linebacker Leroy Hill. Farnsworth: "The role the coaches envision for Hill is similar to the one Derrick Brooks used to fill with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Lance Briggs plays for the Chicago Bears. Each was voted to the Pro Bowl last season -- Brooks for the 11th time and Briggs the fourth."

Also from Farnsworth: Cory Redding's versatility is key for Seattle.

Brian McIntyre of scout.com says long-snapper Kevin Houser, signed Thursday by Seattle, became available after the Saints released him. McIntyre notes that Houser "had encouraged several current and former Saints players and coaches, including head coach Sean Payton and Archie Manning, to invest in a tax credit program that had lost about $2 million."

John Morgan of Field Gulls revisits Mansfield Wrotto's 2008 season with the Seahawks. In case you'd forgotten, Wrotto was the player Seattle drafted with the choice acquired from San Francisco in the Darrell Jackson trade. Wrotto has improved, but not enough to project as a starter at this point.