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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)

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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)

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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)

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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.

NFL teams have until Saturday to reduce their rosters to 53-man limits, with the 75-man deadline passing Tuesday.

I've been putting together roster breakdowns similar to this one for roughly 10 years. They're a quick read and worthwhile exercise because they require thinking through each position. The numbers in parentheses shows how many players the team has on its roster. The average number kept since 2003 reflects Week 1 counts by position.

In some cases I've used the "looking safe" category for players that could qualify as "keepers" (the term "locks" is one I used previously). The Seattle Seahawks remain somewhat unsettled at quite a few positions and they could be active in claiming players off waivers. Some players looking safe one day could become expendable quickly. The same could be said for some keepers.

Here's what I'm thinking Monday:

Quarterbacks (3)

Average number kept since 2003: 2.9

Keepers: Matt Hasselbeck, Charlie Whitehurst

Looking safe: J.P. Losman

Comment: Some teams keep only two quarterbacks when other positions demand special considerations. Seattle could have some interest in Matt Leinart if the Arizona Cardinals released him. I wouldn't expect the Seahawks to invest anything trade-wise, however.

Running backs (6)

Average number kept since 2003: 5.3

Keepers: Justin Forsett, Leon Washington, Julius Jones, Quinton Ganther

On the bubble: Owen Schmitt

Also: Louis Rankin

Comment: Schmitt isn't a top special-teams player and he isn't versatile enough to carry the ball. Offensive coordinator Jeremy Bates says he has room for traditional fullbacks on his roster. We'll see if that's enough to spare Schmitt. I don't think the team would release Jones even though Forsett and Washington have sometimes looked better.

Wide receivers (9)

Average number kept since 2003: 5.3

Keepers: T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Deion Branch, Mike Williams, Golden Tate

Looking safe: Deon Butler

On the bubble: Ben Obomanu, Brandon Jones

Also: Ruvell Martin, Kole Heckendorf

Comment: Jones probably needs to make an impact over the next week, including during the final exhibition game, to prove he's worth a roster spot. Obomanu can play multiple positions, he's good on special teams and he's caught the ball when given chances. Jones has shown more during past regular seasons and he can also provide special-teams value. Butler's strong offseason should be enough. Houshmandzadeh seems to be gaining momentum following an injury-affected offseason.

Tight ends (5)

Average number kept since 2003: 3.1

Keepers: John Carlson, Chris Baker

On the bubble: Anthony McCoy, Cameron Morrah

Also: Nick Tow-Arnett

Comment: McCoy has dropped too many passes, but he's a draft choice and he also scored a touchdown during the preseason. It's possible the Seahawks could keep four tight ends. They'll use more double-tight personnel groupings this season, most likely. Carlson and Baker are clearly the top two. I'm not sure McCoy or Morrah would rank among the 53 best players overall.

Offensive linemen (15)

Average number kept since 2003: 8.9

Keepers: Russell Okung, Sean Locklear, Chris Spencer, Max Unger, Mansfield Wrotto, Mike Gibson, Ray Willis, Chester Pitts

Not sure what to think: Steve Vallos, Ben Hamilton

Also: Mitch Erickson, Jeff Byers, Joe Toledo, Gregg Peat, Jacob Phillips

Comment: This position is difficult to figure. The Seahawks expect Willis back at some point early in the season. If that holds true, the team wouldn't want to place him on injured reserve. Pitts falls into the keeper category if his knee holds up (reserve/PUP is not an option for him after Pitts passed a physical). Spencer and Unger can both play center, and Gibson could start at guard, making me wonder if there's a spot for Vallos. Hamilton entered camp as a starter. Line coach Alex Gibbs values him as a mentor for Okung. But with Gibson overtaking Hamilton recently and with Pitts getting medical clearance, Hamilton appears less valuable. Seattle might want to keep 10 while the injury situation settles out. Expect the Seahawks to check out the waiver wire, too.

Defensive line (15)

Average number kept since 2003: 9.6

Keepers: Chris Clemons, Brandon Mebane, Red Bryant, Colin Cole, Kevin Vickerson, Nick Reed, Kentwan Balmer, E.J. Wilson, Dexter Davis

Looking safe: Quinn Pitcock

On the bubble: Craig Terrill

Also: Ricky Foley, Rob Rose, Amon Gordon, Jonathan Lewis

Comment: Clemons suddenly rivals Okung as the non-quarterback Seattle could least afford to lose. This reflects Clemons' strong play during preseason and the lack of attractive alternatives. Pitcock's youth and third-round potential could give him an edge over Terrill, at least in my view. Terrill has fought through knee trouble to remain in the mix.

Linebackers (8)

Average number kept since 2003: 6.9

Keepers: Lofa Tatupu, Aaron Curry, David Hawthorne

Looking safe: Matt McCoy, Tyjuan Hagler, Will Herring

Also: Joe Pawelek

Comment: Leroy Hill will open the regular season on the reserve/suspended list. He'll join the keepers once eligible. Hill, Curry and Tatupu have never played a full game together during the 2009 regular season or the 2010 exhibition season.

Defensive backs (15)

Average number kept since 2003: 7.9

Keepers: Marcus Trufant, Earl Thomas, Josh Wilson, Lawyer Milloy, Walter Thurmond, Kam Chancellor

Looking safe: Kelly Jennings, Jordan Babineaux

On the bubble: Kevin Ellison, Jamar Adams, Roy Lewis

Also: Cordelius Parks, Kennard Cox, Josh Pinkard, Marcus Brown

Comment: Trufant's return to form stands out as one of the most welcome developments for Seattle this summer. Thomas upgrades the coverage and playmaking ability of the secondary. The more Milloy plays, the more he looks like an enforcer type. Thurmond's return from knee surgery qualifies as the most pleasant surprise for Seattle in the secondary. Jennings' durability could be a concern. Babineaux's versatility makes him valuable even though it's looking as though the team doesn't have significant long-term plans for him.

Specialists (4)

Average number kept since 2003: 3.1

Keepers: Olindo Mare, Jon Ryan, Clint Gresham

Also: Clint Stitser

Comment: Mare missed from 43 yards against Minnesota on a strange night for kickers in the NFC West. Joe Nedney and Shane Adrus missed for the San Francisco 49ers.

Five thoughts after the Seattle Seahawks opened their exhibition season with a 20-18 victory against the Tennessee Titans:

• Charlie Whitehurst has to feel better about things after completing 14-of-22 passes for 214 yards, with two touchdowns, one interception and a 107.0 rating. Whitehurst hasn't pushed Matt Hasselbeck for the starting job, and this performance changes nothing on that front. But it was still a step forward.
• Rookie receiver Golden Tate has been a star in camp, but Mike Williams and Deon Butler were the more productive receivers. Williams' 51-yard touchdown reception from Whitehurst showcased his improved conditioning. Williams looked lean. The effort he showed in blocking for Justin Forsett earlier in the drive also stood out. It's easy to forget about veteran wideout T.J. Houshmandzadeh when watching the youth-oriented Seahawks under Pete Carroll. I wonder where he'll fit heading into the regular season.
• Defensive end Red Bryant made a couple strong plays against Titans tackle Michael Roos. Fellow defensive linemen Kevin Vickerson, Colin Cole and Brandon Mebane also looked good in this game. The Seahawks had to like what they saw from their best pass-rusher, Chris Clemons, as well. Clemons lacks size by NFL standards, but he showed good power in getting to the quarterback. Clemons is eager to prove himself. Is this something he can sustain?
• First-round choice Russell Okung missed the beginning of camp, but it was tough to tell. I noticed him diving at defenders' legs in the Alex Gibbs zone tradition.
• Julius Jones remained the invisible man in the Seahawks' backfield. Forsett, Quinton Ganther and Louis Rankin each had runs covering at least 13 yards. Forsett had a 30-yard reception. Jones had five carries for 13 yards. He does most things pretty well, but rarely does Jones stand out. We'll have to wait at least another game before seeing Leon Washington in action. Washington might have more flair than any runner on the roster.

I'm hitting the road here shortly for the drive from St. Louis to Indianapolis. I'll check in from the San Francisco' 49ers exhibition opener against the Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. I've got some Rams notes left over from Saturday night as well. Will post those as time permits.

Julius Jones' future with the Seattle Seahawks appears safer now that LenDale White will not be a factor for the team.

I've still wondered what the team's new offense would mean for traditional fullbacks -- guys without much running ability. It's a subject we discussed on the blog in May, and one I raised with Seahawks offensive coordinator Jeremy Bates as camp was beginning.

Seattle's base personnel group on offense does feature two backs, including a traditional fullback, but the team is expected to use two tight ends extensively (at the expense of a one-dimensional blocking back).

"When we were at Denver, we ran a lot of base and then all of a sudden our running backs got hurt, so then Peyton Hillis had to play tailback and we lost our fullbacks," Bates said. "We are going to be a base running team. That is part of the personnel group. We're going to have a fullback in there and he's going to have to block and be able to get out on the edge and run keepers, also. We will definitely use a fullback. We have some great eight-man runs where we don't have to check it or anything. We can just call it and run it. Having a fullback back there helps you block the safety."

Bates' offense owes its roots to Mike Shanahan, his former boss in Denver. The chart shows how many fullbacks and running backs the Denver Broncos kept on their opening-day rosters under Shanahan from 2004 through 2008. Bates was on those staffs beginning in 2006.

"In the zone-running offense, the offensive line [runs] a lot of stretch," Bates said. "The one guy who is going to punish somebody is the fullback."

The Seahawks list Owen Schmitt and Ryan Powdrell as true fullbacks. Running back Quinton Ganther can also play the position.

Jones, Justin Forsett, Leon Washington and Ganther appear likely to earn roster spots as running backs. Keeping Schmitt or Powdrell would give the team five total backs, a common number on 53-man rosters. Teams usually keep between four and six backs. Louis Rankin is also competing for a spot at running back.

Joel from Atwater writes: I love your pieces on the NFC West. I'm a huge 49er fan. I was wondering if you ever thought of putting a piece together on Vernon Davis and his blocking. I've been a huge fan of his since he entered the NFL.

Everyone takes for granted how good of a blocker he is. I recall a few games where he completely shut down an opponent's best pass rusher, i.e. Jared Allen, and it would have been Joey Porter also if it were not for the last play where Porter sacked Shaun Hill.

It's just something that I have been trying to see film on and I just cant find any. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Mike. Keep up the great work.

Mike Sando: I'm with you on Davis' blocking. It jumped out at me right away when I started watching every play of every 49ers game. The first time I broke it down was following a 2008 game against the Saints. Davis was absolutely dominant, even against defensive ends.

As I wrote then, "Watching this game made me think Davis was one of the best pass protectors on the team. He regularly blocked (Will) Smith and fellow defensive end Charles Grant, tough duty for any tight end. Davis was effective as a run blocker. During the third quarter, he blocked Smith twice and Grant twice on runs that gained 9, 9, 6 and 7 yards."

The 49ers did not ask Davis to block nearly as much in pass protection last season. That is the main reason his receiving numbers took off. Davis is an every-down player, so he's in there on running plays and he's a willing blocker. It's a great sign with a talented pass-receiving tight end is a willing and effective blocker. It means he loves the game and isn't just going after stats.

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Ryan from Dallas writes: Hey Mike, got a Rams question for you. I was reading an article you posted a link to that said the Rams only rushed four players 65 percent of the time last year which was most in the league. I was a bit shocked to find this out because I really thought Spags would put together craftier schemes than just a soft four-man rush that often.

Two years ago, the Rams were blitzing like crazy and the claim was that they had to out of necessity due to lack of playmakers. So what do you think would be the better route? Or is there a happy medium to be found in here? Thanks as always. Keep it up.

Mike Sando: I could not find that blog post, but I did write one discussing blitz percentages.

The knock on the Rams previously was that their schemes weren't all that sound. I had heard that from opposing players. ESPN Stats & Analysis tracked blitz numbers last season and the Rams rushed four or fewer players 71 percent of the time. The league average was 65.2 percent. The Titans, Panthers and Bucs -- all teams with defensive coaches -- all rushed four or fewer at least 76 percent of the time.

The Rams were pretty inventive with some of their blitzes, according to coaches for other teams. For example, then-Seahawks offensive coordinator Greg Knapp counted 12 unscouted blitzes the Rams used in the regular-season opener. That was a high number. By unscouted blitzes, I mean blitzes the Seahawks hadn't seen from Spagnuolo on video.

It's tough to blitz without having players who are good at it, particularly when you're running a 4-3 scheme without good coverage players. I think the Rams should be OK from a scheme standpoint with Spagnuolo influencing the defense.

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Rick from Boise writes: We all know there is a point value for each draft pick that teams use to determine vaule in trading picks. My question is, in any given draft, are picks for future years valued differently from current-year picks?

Mike Sando: Yes, they are valued differently. A pick next year generally loses about one round's value. For example, a 2011 third-rounder would be worth a 2010 fourth-rounder (update: I initially had the rounds transposed).

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Jeremy from Vallejo, Calif., writes: Are the 49ers' training camp practices free to the public? How do I get info on times?

Mike Sando: Tickets are sold out, according to the 49ers. Sorry about that, Jeremy.

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Trevor from Kelowna, B.C. writes: Assuming the Seahawks have no pass rush (probable), what's the solution? Don't see any free agents out there. Maybe a trade? Whadya think.

Mike Sando: I think the Seahawks are stuck. They do not have outstanding pass-rushers and they aren't going to land one before the season.

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Chris from San Diego writes: Do you see the 49ers' Navorro Bowman playing this year and where, inside or outside?

Mike Sando: Bowman projects as an inside linebacker even though he's not the biggest guy. Look for Takeo Spikes to start this season, but Bowman could get in there, particularly if Spikes wears down. The 49ers think Bowman is an instinctive player. Instinctive linebackers tend to get on the field sooner than guys who lack that feel for the game. Lofa Tatupu in Seattle is one example. He became an immediate starter and Pro Bowl player as a rookie drafted outside the first round.

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Andrew from Fort Worth writes: What really stands out about the "Fortunate 50" list is the fact that the list is flooded with big name-stars -- that is, until you come across recent high NFL draft picks such as Matthew Stafford, Darrius Heyward-Bey, Jason Smith, Tyson Jackson and Mark Sanchez. All together, these second-year players will be collecting $103,487,280 in salary next year with none proving to be elite players or achieving any outstanding accomplishments (Sanchez did lead his team to the AFC title game).

This again highlights the NFL's issue with rookie salary structures and should be a major focus in the next CBA. While I have no sympathy for NFL owners, as they are by far the most powerful owners in professional sport, this is clearly a problem that deserves attention. Given that players can be cut at any moment and lose out on non-guaranteed portions of their contracts, is it somewhat surprising that you don't see more players hold out once they've outperformed their current contracts?

Mike Sando: Those NFL players are on the list largely because their rookie deals were structured to have massive payouts in the second year. Those players likely will not rank as high next year. I don't have a huge problem with player salaries in the NFL. These guys submit their bodies to brutal beatings. Their life expectancies shrink. They deal with life-long health issues.

NFL players generally do not hold out because teams hold the cards. Teams simply aren't beholden to a single player in the vast majority of cases. Football is such a team sport. Very few players are important enough to their teams for those teams to buckle when a player holds out.

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Mitch from Austin, Texas writes: Sando, can you explain how the cap works? I'm lost. In your post about the uncapped year helping the Seahawks, it says that the 'Hawks basically would have had to eat Deon Grant's salary in a capped year, correct? I don't understand why a team is punished for cutting a player and therefore not paying his salary. In theory, if you cut a player, then you don't have to pay him, so why does it count against the cap?

Mike Sando: The base salary doesn't count against the cap after a team releases a player. Other aspects of the contract count against the cap (when there is a cap, obviously). Teams account for some bonus money over multiple years, not all at once. But when a player is released with time left on his deal, that money can accelerate against the current cap. In Grant's case, his base salary was about the same as the bonus money that accelerated upon his release.

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Q from Victoria, B.C., writes: Hey Mike, do we give Louis Rankin any shot of making the team in Seattle?

Mike Sando: Yeah, he has a chance. I'm not sure whether the Seahawks will keep a traditional blocking fullback. If they do, it's tougher for Rankin.

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Seth from Newport News, Va., writes: I saw article on NFL.com about the league pushing players to wear more padding this season and that something may be mandated for the 2011 season. The NFL anticipates a lot of resistance to this. I understand players want to maximize speed, but they need to compromise to protect their investment (themselves).

I was wondering if you could give some insight into how this would affect the CBA negotiations and if this gives the owners something to use ( i.e. wear more padding or we will pay you less). Thanks.

Mike Sando: This issue gives the owners an opportunity to show interest in player safety. I do think it's a valid issue, though. Even some linemen play without basic padding. I don't see this issue being a big one in CBA negotiations. Having padding built into pants is intriguing.

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Jesper from Denmark writes: Hi Mike. I think you have already talked about this in an earlier chat, but I would like to hear your oppinion on Kevin Payne. As far as I have understood, he played strong safety in his second year with the Bears and was a really really good player. They then moved him to free safety, which did not work out so well. Now the Rams have moved him back to strong safety. Shouldnt that make him the starter over James Butler, who is solid at best?

Mike Sando: The book on Payne does say he was better at strong safety. I'm intrigued by his addition and wondering whether he'll take the starting job. Teams generally do not give away starting-caliber players, though, so we shouldn't assume Payne will win the job. He should be in the mix. It's one of the issues I'm interested in pursuing.

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Scott from Boise writes: I don't understand why Seattle isn't hosting Pittsburgh next year. They only meet once every four years and last time around was in Pittsburgh. What's the justification for making it 12 years since the last time they were in Seattle?

Mike Sando: I don't understand the issue well enough to explain it as simply as I would like.

The NFL has made a couple alterations to its scheduling formula. One tweak spares teams from making two long trips to face West Coast teams. Also, the league reset the scheduling formula so that 2011 mirrored 2002 (instead of picking up where 2009 left off). The league wasn't able to make the home-and-home swaps match up evenly.

Let me try to get a better explanation for you. I know some readers of this blog follow scheduling stuff more closely than I do, and they might be able to explain it more concisely and definitively.

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Keith from Seattle writes: Regarding your column, 'Much fantasy love for Gore, 49ers', where did you get those numbers for top TD scorers in 2009? I didn't even see Chris Johnson or Maurice Jones-Drew listed and they easily had over 10 TDs a piece!

Mike Sando: The chart showed NFC leaders but I did not make that clear. I've updated the item with clear labeling. Sorry about that.

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Kyle from Tempe writes: Hey, Mike. I'm sure you record every nfc west game during the season and watch them when you return home. Is that how you plan on handling shark week being in the middle of training camp?

Mike Sando: I do record all the regular-season games and chart them. As for shark week, I'm sure my sons would like to watch that one with me. I wind up watching Top Chef with my wife. We also try to catch Pawn Stars and some true-crime shows.

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Dave from Covington, Wash., writes: My question is regarding Earl Thomas. I just haven't heard many things on how he has done it organized team activities, and what we are to expect out of him this season and how close we are to signing both of our first-rounders. Thanks for your time and all the great insight you have for the blog.

Mike Sando: Hey, thanks for that. Earl Thomas looks like a cornerback out there. His ball-hawking ability shined through a few times at OTAs. He did not immediately dominate to the point where it was clear he would be an instant star. But I think he generally looked like a good coverage safety. As for signing statuses, I don't worry about them for early draft choices until training camps are nearly upon us. If they aren't signed when camp starts, we can evaluate the issue then. Right now, it's a non-issue.

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Mastermind from San Francisco writes: Hi Mike, the 49er glory days were characterized by some great minds in the front office, coaching staffs and on on the field. Who are today's masterminds in the 49ers' organization in those three categories, and how to they compare to past greats? One of my nagging worries regarding the Niners is this aspect of what it takes to be a great franchise. I'm just not sure they have many great minds throughout their organization, even if they have much more talent than recent years. Even our best player, Patrick Willis, was noted for avoiding playcalling duties on the field and seemed to want to play mostly with his intincts. Thanks!

Mike Sando: If you're looking for Bill Walsh or Mike Holmgren types, keep looking. They don't exist in San Francisco or in most franchises. The people that made the 49ers great during the 1980s and beyond were exceptional people. They were exceptions. It's unrealistic to expect an organization to have those sorts of people forever.

The 49ers do have some sharp people. I think Paraag Marathe is very bright and he has shown himself to be capable in handling the team's contracts. That is one area where the 49ers are far ahead of where they were during the years that led to their salary-cap issues.

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Fritz from Auburn, Calif., writes: Hi Mike. Interesting post on divisional age. Is there any correlation between division age and win/loss percentages? It would be interesting if divisional youth were a leading indicator for increased winning in a year or two. I don't have the raw data or I'd check myself. Thanks!

Mike Sando: I do not think we could safely make such a connection. Teams can be young for different reasons. For example, the Indianapolis Colts are among the very youngest teams year after year. It's the nature of how they build their team around a few big-time veteran stars. Other young teams tend to be rebuilding teams (the Rams last season, the Carolina Panthers this season). Going young is the easy part. Building that young team into a winner requires skill and good fortune.

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Shane from Los Angeles writes: Sand-O, Can you believe Kurt Warner didnt even make an honorable mention on this list? As big as he has played in big games, I am shocked ESPN did not have him on here. Please comment on it in your mailbag or in your blog. Thanks!

Mike Sando: There have been quite a few great quarterback performances over the years. Which of Warner's games would you single out? I know he's had games with a perfect passer rating. Another time, he completed 20 of 23 passes for 323 yards, five touchdowns and one interception (against the 49ers in 1999). His playoff performance against the Packers has to go down as one of the great efforts. The list you cited covered regular season only, however.

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Constantine from San Francisco writes: Mike, following up on your latest entries regarding the best lines in the NFC West, which team has the best linebacking corps? Receiving corps? One other question: I'm a bit confused as to why so many people are high on Josh Morgan, why is he considered an up-and-comer? His play has struck me more as a "split tight end" -- catching a few balls and being valued as a blocker. Is he really a legitimate second receiver? Thanks for the thoughts.

Mike Sando: The 49ers probably have the best linebackers in terms of how they've played recently. The Seahawks have the potential to have the best group, but it would help if they stayed on the field past Week 1. When you talk about receivers, do you mean wide receivers? The Cardinals probably have the best ones, even without Anquan Boldin. If you include tight ends, I could see giving the 49ers stronger consideration. On Morgan, I think he's viewed in the context of where the 49ers drafted him -- in the sixth round. That sets the bar lower for him. I think he can be a good No. 2 receiver.

Reading between the lines following the Seahawks' quick release of LenDale White five weeks after acquiring him:

• The phrasing of general manager John Schneider's statement -- White wasn't ready to be a Seahawk -- tells me the team thought White wasn't committing to the extent expected. This comes as a surprise given White's improved conditioning. He reported to camp weighing less than 220 pounds. This suggests the team wanted more from White in other areas and that White didn't have the attitude Carroll expected from him. "Buy In," reads a sign Carroll has put up at team headquarters.
• Other running backs on the roster have apparently stepped up, and the team must feel pretty good about Leon Washington's recovery from a broken leg. Julius Jones and Justin Forsett benefit directly from White's release. The team will now look to see if another running back emerges. Quinton Ganther and Louis Rankin are the other halfbacks on the roster. The team could always try to acquire another one if needed.
• Carroll is sending a strong message by making this move so quickly after acquiring White. It shows Carroll won't offer free rides to his former USC players. Seattle still has 26 players from the Pac-10 Conference on its roster, easily a league high, but there will be no scholarships.

That's all for now. Enjoy your holiday weekend.

Update: Jason LaCanfora of NFL.com and ESPN's Adam Schefter is reporting that White is facing a four-game suspension and that Seattle released him for other reasons, which would make sense. A looming suspension could explain why the Titans got so little in return for White when they traded him to Seattle. That wouldn't have been enough by itself for Seattle to cut White, in my view. There would likely be other factors relating to White's attitude and overall approach. I base that on Schneider's comments about White not being ready to be a Seahawk.

The Rams' running backs outweigh the Seahawks' running backs by more than 17 pounds on average, not counting fullbacks.

That was among the revelations after Matt Barrows' note about Frank Gore led me to take a closer look at NFC West runners.

Average weights by team: Rams 227, 49ers 220.5, Cardinals 211.2 and Seahawks 209.8. The Cardinals' average reflects returner LaRod Stephens-Howling, listed at 185 pounds. Seattle's average would be higher if LenDale White weren't in shape.

Using multiple backs in rotation should allow teams to carry runners of various styles and sizes. Carrying smaller backs also becomes easier when teams use several instead of relying disproportionately on one.

The chart breaks out the runners individually using listed weights. Jason Wright has played fullback for the Cardinals, but he's more of a utility back than full-time blocker.

The Seahawks have 26 players from Pac-10 schools on their roster heading into their post-draft minicamp.

The rest of the NFC West has a combined 25 players from the conference.

Seattle had more Pac-10 players than most teams even before the team hired Pete Carroll away from USC as head coach.

The numbers have only grown (and I have added the newly acquired LenDale White to Seattle's list).

Update: The team has re-signed safety Lawyer Milloy, formerly of the University of Washington. That makes the total 26.

A look at Pac-10 players from each NFC West team:

Arizona (7)

Quarterback Derek Anderson (Oregon State), quarterback Matt Leinart (USC), safety Matt Ware (UCLA), safety Hamza Abdullah (Washington State), tight end Jim Dray (Stanford), tight end Dominique Byrd (USC) and unsigned restricted free agent guard Deuce Lutui (USC).

St. Louis (7)

Quarterback A.J. Feeley (Oregon), receiver Brandon Gibson (Washington State), running back Steven Jackson (Oregon State), fullback Mike Karney (Arizona State), guard Mark Lewis (Oregon), receiver Jordan Kent (Oregon) and unsigned restricted free agent safety Oshiomogho Atogwe (Stanford).

San Francisco (11)

Safety Taylor Mays (USC), safety Dashon Goldson (Washington), cornerback Karl Paymah (Washington State), linebacker Keaton Kristick (Oregon State), guard Brian De La Puente (California), guard Chilo Rachal (USC), center Eric Heitmann (Stanford), tackle Adam Snyder (Oregon), receiver Kyle Williams (Arizona State), snapper Brian Jennings (Arizona State) and receiver Jason Hill (Washington State).

Seattle (26)

Linebacker Reggie Carter (UCLA), receiver Mike Williams (USC), cornerback Josh Pinkard (USC), receiver Reggie Williams (Washington), receiver Mike Hass (Oregon State), receiver Michael Jones (Arizona State), running back Justin Forsett (California), cornerback Marcus Trufant (Washington State), cornerback Walter Thurmond (Oregon), cornerback Roy Lewis (Washington), safety Will Harris (USC), running back Louis Rankin (Washington), fullback Ryan Powdrell (USC), linebacker Lofa Tatupu (USC), defensive end Dexter Davis (Arizona State), guard Max Unger (Oregon), center Jeff Byers (USC), guard Mike Gibson (California), receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh (Oregon State), tight end Anthony McCoy (USC), tight end Cameron Morrah (California), defensive tackle Brandon Mebane (California), defensive end Lawrence Jackson (USC), LenDale White (USC), Lawyer Milloy (Washington) and defensive end Nick Reed (Oregon).

The facts: The Seahawks fell to 5-10 with a 48-10 road defeat to the Packers in Week 16.

The upside: Even the worst defeats tend to feature a bright spot or two.

• Tight end John Carlson scored a touchdown for the third consecutive game. Carlson has six touchdowns this season, one more than he had as a rookie in 2008.
• The Seahawks ended a two-game streak without a sack.
• The season is almost over.
• Louis Rankin had a 30-yard kickoff return. Justin Forsett returned one 29 yards.
• Center Max Unger continues to develop and looks like a long-term starter.
• Seattle ran the ball effectively on its opening drive, moving efficiently into Packers territory before Matt Hasselbeck tossed the first of four interceptions.
• The Seahawks cannot fool themselves into thinking things might be OK with only a few tweaks. This performance confirms that the organization must reassess everything at every level.

Looking ahead: The Seahawks face the Titans at home in Week 17.

Arizona: Apologies to Cardinals inside linebacker Gerald Hayes for underestimating his value against the run. If his absence against Seattle wasn't a significant factor in the Seahawks' ability to run the ball in Week 10, well, good luck containing the Rams' Steven Jackson. Hayes, sidelined by a back injury for the last two games, was back at practice in a limited capacity Wednesday. If healthy, he figures to play extensively against the Rams because St. Louis operates from so many base personnel looks. Strong safety Adrian Wilson (groin) is another key to the Cardinals' run defense. He was limited Sunday. Linebacker Chike Okeafor (back) and cornerback Bryant McFadden (ankle) missed practice. The Rams, though improved in the passing game lately, might not exploit their absences as much as other teams would.

San Francisco: Left tackle Joe Staley and cornerback Nate Clements remain out. Linebacker Takeo Spikes (hamstring) missed practice and has been banged up overall. The 49ers have weathered Staley's absence much better than expected. Barry Sims has played well in his place. I keep thinking Staley's absence will rise up to hurt the 49ers as the season progresses, but Sims has held up so far. The 49ers are strong enough in the secondary without Clements, but the Packers can be a dynamic passing team despite significant protection issues. Having Clements healthy and on top of his game would certainly help.

Seattle: Cornerbacks Marcus Trufant and Josh Wilson missed practice Wednesday with what the team described as concussions. The assumption is that both will play, but how eager might they be in run support against the Vikings' Adrian Peterson? The Seahawks are without starting running back Julius Jones (bruised lung). His absence could be felt over time. Justin Forsett appears able to carry much of the load on a short-term basis at least. The Seahawks could find themselves in frequent passing situations against Minnesota. Forsett is suited for that type of role. Louis Rankin also played well against the Cardinals. He and Forsett have good quickness.

St. Louis: Another week, another injury issue at receiver. Brandon Gibsdon's emergence against the Saints gives the Rams reason for optimism following Keenan Burton's season-ending knee injury. Gibson very much looks the part. His production -- seven catches for 93 yards -- was also impressive. The Rams have fared well on the offensive line without guard Richie Incognito (foot), who missed practice again Wednesday. The Cardinals' Darnell Dockett presents a very difficult matchup for the right side of the Rams' line, with or without Incognito. Injuries are threatening to diminish a defensive line that has already had problems rushing the passer consistently. Chris Long (knee) missed practice Wednesday. Leonard Little (knee), James Hall (back), Clifton Ryan (toe) and C.J. Ah You (knee) were limited in practice. The Cardinals' Kurt Warner becomes very difficult to stop when the front three or four fail to get pressure.

Danny O'Neil of the Seattle Times revisits Steve Hutchinson's departure from the Seahawks. O'Neil: "Tim Ruskell's future as Seattle's president is being weighed as he enters the final months of his contract with the Seahawks, and he will come eye-to-eye once again with the biggest mistake in his tenure when the Seahawks play at Hutchinson's Vikings on Sunday. Ruskell was not made available for comment on this story."

Steve Kelley of the Seattle Times says Ruskell will "almost certainly" get a two-year extension "because he drafted well in April and because he needs more than one year with (Jim) Mora." There's no question the team needs to stand behind Mora longer than one season. Replacing the GM would conceivably complicate things for Mora. "Almost certainly" is pretty strong wording with seven games remaining. I do expect the Seahawks' offense to gain momentum as the season progresses. Ruskell was hired largely to remake the defense. He has done that. Independent of any decision on Ruskell's future, the Seahawks need to see more from their defense down the stretch. Significant improvement on that side of the ball would make everyone -- well, not everyone, but more people -- feel better about moving forward with the current arrangement.

Clare Farnsworth of seahawks.com says the team is in search of a pass rush.

Also from Farnsworth: Justin Forsett and Louis Rankin will be getting the carries while Julius Jones sits out.

Tony Grossi of the Cleveland Plain Dealer suggests former Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren might have met with Browns ownership Tuesday. The story also suggests Holmgren lost his personnel power when Ruskell arrived for the 2005 season. That happened after the 2002 season. Bob Ferguson served as GM before Ruskell arrived. Holmgren held those powers for the 1999 through 2002 seasons.

Eric D. Williams of the Tacoma News Tribune says Forsett and Rankin livened up the Seattle ground game against Arizona.

John Morgan of Field Gulls says the Seahawks' Brandon Mebane is excellent off the snap before struggling to separate from blockers consistently.

Also from Morgan: He thinks Mebane might be better playing in Colin Cole's spot on the nose.

Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic says Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt spends Friday afternoons going through his offensive plan. Somers: "Two weeks ago, he was driving home from the office late and thought of a run-pass check that would work against the Bears. So he wouldn't forget, Whisenhunt immediately called passing-game coordinator Mike Miller. Whisenhunt declined to detail the scheme because the Cardinals might use it again, but it proved to be effective, he said."

Darren Urban of azcardinals.com says the NFL's decision to move back the Cardinals' kickoff against the Titans shows how far the team has come. Urban: "The Cardinals’ game this weekend against St. Louis is a late afternoon start – rather than the early start it’s been for years – because Fox needed for a game in that spot, and the Super Bowl runner-up Cards were attractive (and the side story of Kurt Warner returning to St. Louis doesn’t hurt). But that was decided before the season. Word came down Tuesday the Cardinals’ game the following week in Tennessee will also be shifted from an early (11 a.m. Arizona time) kickoff to later (2:15 p.m. Arizona time) to work with TV issues. It doesn’t mean the Cards-Titans game will suddenly be beamed everywhere, but there were a couple of other games Fox could have turned to for a later start but decided the Cards were worthy."

Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says during a chat he cannot understand why the Rams keep only four wide receivers active on game days. I think it's because the team runs so few three-receiver personnel groups. The Rams pound the ball with fullback Mike Karney or a second tight end. In short, they do not have three receivers good enough to command playing time together regularly. Thomas: "It's mind-boggling to me. When it comes down to it, I think Spags wants that extra body for special teams. (And not many wide receivers do much on special teams unless they're returners.) But the Rams have been caught with only three receivers to finish a game on several occasions this season."

Also from Thomas: A local television blackout could loom in St. Louis even though Kurt Warner is returning to town. Thomas: "Last week, with half as many tickets to move, the Rams needed an extension of the Thursday blackout deadline and a promotion in which members of the military were given free tickets for every ticket sold during the week to meet sellout requirements and get the game televised on local TV."

More from Thomas: Rookie receiver Brandon Gibson is catching on quickly.

Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee says Josh Morgan has supplanted Isaac Bruce in the 49ers' starting lineup. I guess I'd forgotten that hadn't happened already. The 49ers have been phasing out Bruce for a while. I'm not sure they would have brought him back if the team had known it would draft Michael Crabtree in the first round. Coach Mike Singletary: "I talked to Josh Morgan the other day and just let him know that I liked what he's doing. I like the progression. I just want to see it faster. I want to see, when Josh Morgan and Michael Crabtree line up, [the defense] has issues on both sides. It's not, 'We'll take away one, and deal with the lesser.' "

Matt Maiocco of the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat says the 49ers are very pleased with what Barry Sims has provided at left tackle. They should be. He has held up well to this point.

Also from Maiocco: Bruce says he knew he was "holding a spot" for Morgan.

Daniel Brown of the San Jose Mercury News quotes Alex Smith this way on the Aaron Rodgers comparisons: "I understand that we will forever be connected because of that. But I don't at all feel like I am competing with him in that sense. I am competing with him to win the game on Sunday."

John Crumpacker of the San Francisco Chronicle says two of the three interceptions Smith threw against the Titans were intended for Morgan.

Also from Crumpacker: Matt Wilhelm has shown enough to start at linebacker for the 49ers if Takeo Spikes cannot play.

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- The Seahawks are listing Julius Jones' return as questionable.

I was wondering why Louis Rankin was the running back for one snap from four-reciever personnel. Perhaps we have our answer.

Justin Forsett figures to get lots of work for Seattle.

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- The Seahawks' decision to name fullback Owen Schmitt inactive against Arizona reflects a couple of things for Seattle.

Return specialist Louis Rankin gives the Seahawks a fourth active running back. Another special-teams player, receiver Ben Obomanu, is also active after an injury sidelined him last week.

The Seahawks might also be evolving to more of a one-back, three-receiver offense without a fullback. That was the case against Detroit in Week 9.

Safety Jamar Adams, guard Mike Gibson, guard Mansfield Wrotto, defensive tackle Red Bryant, tight end Cameron Morrah and defensive end Derek Walker are also inactive for Seattle.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Steve from Ukiah, Calif., writes: Mike, love the blog. Best source of info on the NFC West that's out there. The loss of Joe Staley seriously hurts the 49ers' [chances] for even modest success. In fact, losing any starting lineman for a team could have that impact and it seems as if the guys in the trenches are always getting hurt. If you watch most college games, the entire o offensive line is on the field with braces on each knee. Seems to me like this is a preventative measure to avoid injuries and seems like a great idea. If the league and the teams are concerned with player safety, why not require lineman to wear braces and try and prevent some of these serious knee injuries?

Mike Sando: Thanks for the support, Steve. I think there's conflicting information about how much knee braces help as a preventative measure, particularly for players who have not suffered knee injuries previously. I asked Jason Smith of the Rams about the subject when I spoke with him at Rams training camp. He was wearing braces on both knees. He said it was something he did in college and wanted to continue in the pros, just to be safe. He then missed time with a sprained knee this season. Did the brace prevent more serious injury? Tough to say.

I've found a couple of studies online -- one here and an earlier one here -- discussing this matter. The former link included this statement regarding knee braces worn at the amateur level: "There has been controversy regarding whether knee braces prevent injury. Some researchers have found that knee braces can prevent injury, while others have not or have found increased injuries with knee braces. The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) reports that although prophylactic knee braces have not been shown to be effective in preventing injury, rehabilitative knee braces for individuals who have already had knee injuries have been proven effective. The AAOS further recommended that muscle strengthening and conditioning programs and well-groomed grass athletic fields are better prevention measures for knee injuries than prophylactic braces."

This might be a subject to investigate further. Staley had never missed a snap until this season. I'll ask around.

---

Jeff from Ellensburg, Wash., writes: Sando, what is your take on the Seahawks in the long term? During the Mike Holmgren era, the Seahawks were an above average team. They consistently made the playoffs but were never able to attain elite status. As that era has come to an end, we are left with many aging players who are injury prone. I just don't see how a few drafts could remedy what ails the Seahawks. Despite the doom and gloom tone here, I know the Hawks do have potential in their young starters. I just wonder if it is going to be a long road back to top of the NFC West. Your thoughts?

Mike Sando: The Seahawks can compete for the NFC West title quickly if they can fix their offensive line and find ways to replace what Patrick Kerney provided a couple of years ago. Matt Hasselbeck seems to have conquered the back issues that bothered him last season. Those can come and go, so there's always a risk for recurrence, but that part of him has held up better than I would have anticipated. He could conceivably have a couple of more good seasons left -- if only Seattle could protect him. Fixing the offensive line would also help the running game and take pressure off the defense.

(Read full post)

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Clare Farnsworth of seahawks.com says the team could start the same five offensive linemen in back-to-back games for the first time since Week 2. So much for continuity. Sean Locklear, Brandon Frye, Kyle Williams, Damion McIntosh, Rob Sims, Mansfield Wrotto, Steve Vallos, Chris Spencer, Max Unger and Ray Willis have started on the line for Seattle this season. It wasn't always this way. Chris Gray started all but one game on the Seahawks' line from 2000 through 2007. Robbie Tobeck started every game from 2001 through 2005. Steve Hutchinson started every game from 2003 through 2005. Walter Jones started just about every game from 1998 through 2007.

Also from Farnsworth: The Seahawks want to take a longer look at running back Louis Rankin, whose speed intrigues the coaching staff. Farnsworth: "Pressed a bit, Rankin said he ran the 40 in 4.4 seconds -- in the rain -- during his workout with the Seahawks."

Danny O'Neil of the Seattle Times says Locklear probably will not start on the Seahawks' offensive line in Week 9. Also, Deion Branch had this to say about his post-touchdown comments telling the world where he could be found: "I've been accepting my role. If I wanted to start something, I would have done it in minicamp. That's not me. I wouldn't say those type of things. Me and management, we talked about it. We both understood what was what. They told me what was going on in preseason. I understood that going into this season."

Also from O'Neil: At least the Seahawks aren't the Lions. Has it come to this?

Greg Johns of seattlepi.com checks in with Rankin, who opened the University of Washington's 2007 game against Washington State with an 89-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. Offensive coordinator Greg Knapp: "He has very good speed and hits the hole very fast. He does have some background in the zone run game that shows us some chances to hit that hole fast and get a big run for us."

Ryan Divish of the Tacoma News Tribune says Sims worked some at left tackle in case Locklear isn't ready to play even as a backup.

Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic quotes Cardinals defensive tackle Darnell Dockett this way: "You usually don't win a game on Sunday. You usually win the games Wednesday, Thursday, Friday in practice. I'm just trying to get my guys to understand that you can't just turn it on on Sunday."

Also from Somers: a look at issues facing the Cardinals in the passing game. Larry Fitzgerald: "I've seen my fair share of coverages, but we're not using any excuses; we've got to find solutions. I haven't played great, by any stretch of the imagination. The teams that we play against ... they watch tape like everybody else does. They want to make us go on long drives, and when you make long drives you have to make tough third-down catches. We understand that and we have to deal with it."

Darren Urban of azcardinals.com found one guy who doesn't have a problem with Tim Hightower leading NFL running backs in receptions. "You can control the ball, it’s a high-percentage pass, and as long as it keeps the offense going, I don’t think anyone should complain," Larry Centers said.

Bill Coats of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo plans to hang out locally over the weekend as the team observes its bye week. Spagnuolo: "My wife and I would like to stay here and enjoy St. Louis. You don’t get to do that during the season. So we’ll be in town. I’m sure we’ll find some places to eat and just relax a little bit."

Also from Coats: The Rams' tight ends are carrying more of the receiving load than expected.

More from Coats: "I like the Rams’ future, because I think they’re going about things the right way. That is, they’re not pulling off desperate moves now to try to win a relatively meaningless game or two but hamstringing themselves down the road. They’re being patient and prudent, and I believe that approach will pay off in the long run."

Nick Wagoner of stlouisrams.com says Spagnuolo's consistency is a strength.

Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says Rams quarterback Marc Bulger has come under fire for sliding short of a first down on a third-and-6 play against the Lions. Bulger is an undersized quarterback with durability concerns.

Jeff Gordon of stltoday.com says the Rams' progress isn't obvious from afar. Spagnuolo on the first half of his first season as an NFL head coach: "There were some struggles, there were some good things, but we have built something. We talked this morning on the foundation we wanted to build. There is some trust, there is mutual respect, there is unity in the team. I think more than anything, we take that away."

Steve Korte of the Belleville News-Democrat says Steven Jackson has become a leader on the Rams. I agree. Jackson has set a standard for teammates. He has bought into what Spagnuolo is teaching. Without Jackson onboard, Spagnuolo's job would be much tougher.

Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee says the newly added Chris Patrick will back up both tackle spots for the 49ers. Barrows: "Patrick said he played on both the left and right sides at Nebraska and also has played both positions in preseason. He has not played in a regular-season game."

Also from Barrows: Titans coach Jeff Fisher thinks the 49ers are on the right track philosophically.

Matt Maiocco of the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat says the 49ers expect Parys Haralson's production to pick up as the 49ers face fewer teams that favor max-protection schemes. Coach Mike Singletary: "Max protection is one of the main things that's happened for all of our guys. But we'll still find a way to get there."

Daniel Brown of the San Jose Mercury News says the 49ers' run defense faces a tough challenge against the Titans' Chris Johnson. Fisher: "To have played teams like Atlanta and St. Louis and Minnesota and be where they are against the run is impressive. "That's not a misleading statistic. They're very sound, and they play well." What, no mention of the Seattle or Arizona ground games?