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Five nuggets of knowledge about Week 14:

Putting streak on the line: The San Francisco 49ers have tied a franchise record by allowing no rushing touchdowns in their past 13 games. Since the 1970 merger, only the 1985-86 Chicago Bears have gone more games in a row (15) without allowing one. The streak began with a 38-7 victory against Arizona to close last season. It could end against the Cardinals as well. Beanie Wells has nine rushing touchdowns this season, tied for fourth-most in the league. The Cardinals have blocked well in the running game and they won't have to contend with injured 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis. Then again, the streak without allowing a rushing TD began the last time Willis missed a game.

Sweeps week: The 49ers-Cardinals series has been lopsided every year since 2004. The Cardinals swept the season series in 2005, 2006 and 2008. The 49ers swept it in 2004, 2007, 2009 and 2010. A victory by San Francisco at University of Phoenix Stadium in Week 14 would ensure an eighth consecutive season sweep for one of the teams in the series. The 49ers have won the past five.

Gaining momentum: The 49ers and Cardinals are among 11 teams with at least four victories apiece in their past five games. They are the only such teams playing one another in Week 14. The AFC East, AFC North and NFC West are the only divisions with two such teams. Pittsburgh, New England, Miami, Baltimore, Houston, Denver, Dallas, Green Bay and New Orleans are also 4-1 or better over their past five games.

Prepping for the Steelers: The Cardinals provide the 49ers with a good test run for San Francisco's looming Monday night matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 15. Arizona and Pittsburgh use the same defensive scheme. Ray Horton, the Cardinals' first-year defensive coordinator, spent the previous seven seasons with the Steelers under longtime defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau. So while Pittsburgh has 11 days to prepare for San Francisco following a Thursday night victory against Cleveland, the 49ers have been preparing for the Steelers' defensive scheme even longer.

Yes, the Rams and Seahawks play, too: The Monday night matchup between the teams marks the third week in a row with a prime-time game featuring at least one NFC West team. We'll preview that game in greater detail Monday. For now, though, consider this: The 137.0 NFL passer rating Seattle's Tarvaris Jackson posted against Philadelphia last week was higher than any single-game rating by a Rams or Seahawks starter since Matt Hasselbeck's 147.7 against Tennessee in 2005. No Rams starter has posted a single-game rating above 137.0 since Kurt Warner's 145.6 against New Orleans in 2001. Marc Bulger never had one that high as a starter. Hasselbeck had just that one.

The San Francisco 49ers' 5-1 start and three-game NFC West lead entering Week 8 has led to some projecting.

For example, it's possible for the 49ers to clinch the division title as early as Week 11, should their division rivals cooperate.

With an assist from Elias Sports Bureau via ESPN Stats & Information, I can answer two additional questions some have posed.

Question: When was the last time San Francisco held a three-game lead in the division?

Answer: The end of the 2002 season. The 49ers were 10-6 in what was the first season following realignment into eight four-team divisions. The St. Louis Rams and Seattle Seahawks finished 7-9 that season. That was the year Mike Holmgren nearly lost his job in Seattle, save for a strong finish from Matt Hasselbeck and Holmgren's willingness to step down as general manager. The Rams started that season 0-5 and began making the transition from Kurt Warner to Marc Bulger at quarterback.

Question: What is the largest division lead an NFL team has blown through Week 7 or later since realignment in 2002?

Answer: The 2003 Minnesota Vikings and 2008 Denver Broncos blew 3.5-game leads. The Vikings went from 6-0 to 9-7, allowing Green Bay to surpass them with a 10-6 record. The Broncos went from 6-0 to 8-8, losing a division tiebreaker when San Diego beat Denver in the final game of the regular season. Denver lost its final three games that season.

Cool note from ESPN Stats & Information: First-year San Francisco 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh is the last quarterback other than Peyton Manning to start a regular-season game for the Indianapolis Colts.

That will change when Kerry Collins replaces an injured Manning in the Colts' lineup for Week 1.

The first preseason game I covered as an NFL beat reporter featured Manning making his first start against the Seattle Seahawks in the Kingdome. His very first pass found Marvin Harrison for a 49-yard touchdown. Preseason games are generally without much meaning, but could there have been a more fitting beginning for Manning?

For a fuller appreciation of Manning's durability and consistency in starting 227 consecutive games, I went through Pro Football Reference counting how many quarterbacks had started for current NFC West teams since Manning made his regular-season debut. There have been 48. That figure includes 14 for the St. Louis Rams, 13 for the 49ers, 11 for the Arizona Cardinals and 10 for the Seahawks.

A few notes on the 48 players to start for current NFC West teams since 1998:

• There have been two Brocks (Berlin, Huard), two Charlies (Frye, Whitehurst), two named Chris (Chandler, Weinke), two Jeffs (Plummer, Martin), three Johns (Friesz, Navarre, Skelton), one Jon (Kitna), two Matts (Hasselbeck, Leinart), two Shauns (Hill, King), three Steves (Young, Bono, Stenstrom) and two Trents (Dilfer, Green).
• Two, Young and Warren Moon, have been enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame since Manning's streak began.
• Dilfer and Warner started for more than one current NFC West team since Manning's streak began. Warner started 57 games for Arizona and 50 for St. Louis. Dilfer started 12 for Seattle and six for San Francisco.
• Hasselbeck has the most total starts for current NFC West teams with 131, followed by Marc Bulger (95 for St. Louis), Jake Plummer (73 for the Cardinals) and Jeff Garcia (71 for the 49ers).
• Smith -- Alex, not Troy -- owns the most starts among current NFC West players with 50, all for San Francisco.
• Eight of the 48 were one-and-done as starters: Berlin, Scott Covington, Ty Detmer, Glenn Foley, Friesz, Frye, Navarre and Weinke. Nineteen have made at least 10 starts.

The NFC West will have two starters new to the division in Week 1: Tarvaris Jackson and Kevin Kolb.

The chart shows start totals by team for the 48. The NFC West changed membership with realignment in 2002. I'm going back to 1998 for the four teams currently in the division.

John Clayton's annual NFL quarterback rankings are out, based on a simple criteria.

"To be elite," Clayton writes, "a quarterback must have 4,000-yard potential, complete 60 percent of his passes and score more than 20 points a game."

Enforcing that criteria strictly, NFC West quarterbacks have produced four qualifying seasons since 2000: Jeff Garcia with the San Francisco 49ers in 2000, Kurt Warner with the St. Louis Rams (2000) and Arizona Cardinals (2008), and Marc Bulger with the Rams (2006).

Matt Hasselbeck, the most consistent quarterback in the division for several years, never posted such a season. He fell just short in yardage for the 2004 and 2007 seasons, but likely would have been "elite" in those years given Clayton's call for 4,000-yard potential, not just 4,000-yard production.

"Although I am criticized for putting a Matt Schaub or a Joe Flacco in the same category as a Tom Brady or a Peyton Manning, I do it for a reason," Clayton explains. "Elite quarterbacks are the ones who usually make the playoffs, so I categorize the elites as the ones who give their franchises the best chance. The league has 12 playoff spots, and usually 10 or 11 of the elite quarterbacks fill those positions."

Clayton ranked the Rams' Sam Bradford 14th overall and just outside the elite group, with a good chance of getting there in the not-too-distant future. He ranked the Cardinals' Kevin Kolb 18th and has him ascending also. The 49ers' Alex Smith (28th) and the Seattle Seahawks' Tarvaris Jackson (30th) stand ahead of just three ranked quarterbacks on Clayton's list.

Not that fans in San Francisco or Seattle needed any reminders. Perhaps Smith or Jackson will exceed expectations. One of them is likely to open the season 1-0. Their teams face one another in the opener.

Rumors swirled in recent seasons that Marc Bulger, former Pro Bowl quarterback for the St. Louis Rams, was contemplating retirement.

Bulger had taken so much punishment during his final years in St. Louis, the thinking went, that he had lost the will to continue in the game. Bulger hung around for one last season, spending 2010 as a backup with Baltimore. But he was indeed finished.

Bulger's retirement plans, revealed Wednesday by ESPN's Adam Schefter, come one year after the Arizona Cardinals considered bringing him in as a stopgap starter.

At his best, Bulger was a highly accurate passer and competent heir to Kurt Warner as conductor of the Greatest Show on Turf in St. Louis. He once completed 36 of 48 passes for 453 yards against San Diego, tossing four touchdown passes without an interception. He had four other games with at least 440 yards passing. But the Rams posted only a 1-2 record in the playoffs with Bulger. The team and organization began deteriorating around him as the years progressed, exposing Bulger to repeated beatings.

Bulger finishes his career with 122 touchdown passes, 93 interceptions and an 84.4 rating. The Rams were 26-10 when Bulger started from 2002-04, his first three seasons with the team. They never posted a winning record with him in the lineup thereafter. Bulger finished his career with a 41-54 record as a starter, including 5-30 over his last three seasons.

Tight end Anthony Becht, Bulger's teammate on the 1-15 Rams of 2009, blamed the Rams organization for Bulger's demise as a player. He said the team was unwilling to spend on its offensive line, exposing Bulger to punishment that left the quarterback without the necessary drive to continue.

"Congrats, my friend, on a spectacular career that could have been that much better," Becht wrote.

Thoughts on the Arizona Cardinals' trade for Kevin Kolb and contract agreement with veteran center Lyle Sendlein (thank you, ESPN's Adam Schefter).

More thoughts:

• Challenging perception: The Cardinals have taken criticism for what has been portrayed as unwillingness to pay Marc Bulger last offseason after reaching agreement with Derek Anderson. To review, the timing worked out poorly for Arizona. The team considered acquiring Charlie Whitehurst, then decided to sign Anderson while he remained available. Meanwhile, the St. Louis Rams were waiting to release Bulger, a player the Cardinals otherwise would have targeted. After adding Anderson, the Cardinals weren't going to pay similar money for Bulger, despite apparent pleas from coach Ken Whisenhunt. Whether or not the criticism was valid, the Cardinals aren't holding back now. Perhaps a 5-11 disaster season gave Whisenhunt the power he needed. Whatever the case, if the five-year, $63 million contract Kolb plans to sign does include more than $20 million in guarantees, as advertised, it's tougher to say the organization is afraid to spend on a quarterback, even an unproven one.
• Offensive focus: Arizona is transforming its offense. Third-round pick Rob Housler projects as a receiving tight end. Veteran Jeff King, who agreed to terms with Arizona recently after beginning his career in Carolina, projects as more of a blocker. Ryan Williams, a surprise pick in the second round, projects as a running back with big-play ability. The offense has evolved significantly. The team could use a speed receiver after Steve Breaston left for Kansas City, but San Diego's Malcolm Floyd apparently isn't on the radar, Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic noted.
• Jump start?: After a quiet start to the negotiating period, the Cardinals appear to be operating with urgency as the signing period approaches Friday. Kolb's addition was a big step. Keeping Sendlein was a key for a line that needs to move forward, not take steps in the other direction. Sendlein has quietly become a consistent, solid contributor on the line. He and newcomer Daryn Colledge, formerly of Green Bay, should help the line develop more of an enduring identity. I still think the Cardinals could use help at tackle, but that doesn't appear to be a priority.

The Cardinals also reached agreement with former Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Nick Eason. His ties to new defensive coordinator Ray Horton made this a natural fit. Eason, 31, has started five games in each of the past two seasons.

Anthony Becht closed out his 10-year NFL career with the St. Louis Rams (2008) and Arizona Cardinals (2009). He knows the NFC West.

Count the veteran tight end among former Arizona employees taking shots at the team's approach.

The Twitter account for Becht described the Cardinals as "sweating" and the Philadelphia Eagles as "in control" during trade talks for quarterback Kevin Kolb. There was praise for other teams as "proactive" in their quarterback searches after having months to formulate plans. There were harsh words for what was characterized as an unwillingness to pay for Marc Bulger last offseason (Becht and Bulger were teammates with the Rams).

Former players sometimes carry grudges. That could be the case here. Arizona cut Becht before last season. But these criticisms against the Cardinals have become familiar. The organization earned a negative reputation over the decades and hasn't fully shaken it despite clear progress in recent seasons.

Rather than rehash the merits of those criticisms in general, I'd like to consider the Cardinals' approach to Kolb in particular. My take Tuesday night was that Arizona should take its time in courting Kolb because the Eagles appeared to have few, if any, additional suitors for him. I thought Arizona would be wise to consider pursuing Kyle Orton and free-agent quarterbacks such as Matt Hasselbeck, if only to drive down the price for Kolb.

But Becht brings up good points, too: Getting the right quarterback is ultimately the most important thing, and if the Cardinals lose out, then what? Hasselbeck has already agreed to terms with Tennessee. The price for Orton could be higher than the Cardinals want to pay.

For now, we do not know for sure what Arizona is offering for Kolb. We only know the Cardinals need another quarterback, the Eagles need to trade Kolb or risk getting nothing for him next year, other teams are addressing the position and market forces could influence the price Kolb ultimately commands.

The Cardinals should not rush into a costly deal with Kolb as long as other options remain available to them. There's a right time to act and I'm not convinced that time has passed. But if the Cardinals wait too long and miss out on a viable quarterback, Becht and other critics will have an even easier time saying the team lacked a plan all along.

Note: I've reached out to Becht and hope to follow up with him. I've also confirmed his Twitter identity through 1040 AM ESPN Tampa Bay, which has employed him recently.

The Arizona Cardinals were prepared to "make a move quickly" for Kevin Kolb or another quarterback once the lockout ended.

That might not be necessary.

"I would be surprised if something happened today," Whisenhunt told reporters Tuesday after the trading period opened without fanfare.

The Cardinals can afford to wait if they're confident in their ability to land Kolb or if they're comfortable with options in free agency. They've spoken to the Philadelphia Eagles about Kolb and to the Denver Broncos about Kyle Orton, while also reaching out to Matt Hasselbeck and Marc Bulger, according to Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic.

How strong is the market for Kolb outside Arizona? A little time and a few phone calls could provide answers. Playing the field gives Arizona options and leverage.

Also, if the Cardinals and Philadelphia Eagles have already agreed to something in principle for Kolb, rushing into a formal trade could fuel tampering perceptions.

Contract considerations also come into play on trades for quarterbacks.

So far, teams have appeared more focused on subtracting players than on adding them. Along those lines, Arizona plans to release linebacker Gerald Hayes and quarterback Derek Anderson, players made vulnerable by high salaries and diminished roles.

» NFC: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South » Unrestricted FAs

A look at the free-agent priorities for each NFC West team:

Arizona Cardinals

1. Sign or acquire a quarterback: You've heard all the potential names by now. Kevin Kolb, Kyle Orton, Carson Palmer, Marc Bulger and Matt Hasselbeck all could be available. The same goes for Donovan McNabb, but the Cardinals aren't interested in him. How much interest they have in the others remains less clear. They liked Bulger as an option last offseason, but the timing wasn't right. Kolb reportedly stands atop their wish list now, although price is a consideration. One way or another, the Cardinals will go into the 2011 season with fresh veteran blood at the position.

2. Firm up the offensive line: Left guard Alan Faneca retired. Center Lyle Sendlein and right guard Deuce Lutui have expiring contracts. Brandon Keith showed promise at right tackle, but he's coming off knee surgery. A better quarterback would help take pressure off the line, but Arizona isn't going to find another Kurt Warner. The team has loaded up at running back, adding second-round choice Ryan Williams to an already crowded backfield. The Cardinals need to re-sign Sendlein. Letting Lutui depart would put them in the market for veteran help. I've looked through the free-agent lists for guards already familiar to the Cardinals. Pittsburgh's Trai Essex, a starter in 21 games over the past two seasons, played for Arizona's Ken Whisenhunt and Russ Grimm with the Steelers.

3. Work toward a deal with Larry Fitzgerald: Ideally, the Cardinals would have landed their next quarterback in March, then spent the offseason working toward extending Fitzgerald's contract beyond the 2011 season. Fitzgerald is an NFL rarity. He's in line to sign three massive contracts during the course of his career. He signed the first one as the third player chosen in the 2004 draft. That deal ultimately became untenable for the Cardinals, giving Fitzgerald the leverage to get $40 million over four seasons, plus assurances Arizona would not name him its franchise player once the deal ended. Fitzgerald, still only 27, will cash in at least one more time.

Top five free agents: Sendlein, Lutui, receiver Steve Breaston, defensive lineman Alan Branch, defensive lineman Gabe Watson.

St. Louis Rams

1. Upgrade the run defense: The Rams could use another defensive tackle to take their promising defensive front to another level. Adding Fred Robbins in free agency last offseason was a good start. Barry Cofield (New York Giants) and Brandon Mebane (Seattle Seahawks) are scheduled to become free agents this offseason. Cofield played for Steve Spagnuolo and would transition to the Rams' system easily. The Rams could use an in-the-box safety, something they addressed later in the draft. They need to find one and possibly two starting outside linebackers. Chase Blackburn projects more as a backup, but he was also with Spagnuolo on the Giants. Blackburn has played all three linebacker positions. Minnesota's Ben Leber would make sense as well. Paul Ferraro, the Rams' linebackers coach, was with the Vikings previously.

2. Help out Steven Jackson: Adding a third-down back such as Darren Sproles would lighten the load for Jackson, who has played through several injuries in recent seasons. Jackson has 654 rushing attempts over the past two seasons despite missing one game and playing for a team that has often trailed its opponents. Only Chris Johnson (674) has more carries during that span. Sproles isn't the only viable potential option. Jason Snelling, DeAngelo Williams and Reggie Bush also could become available. Upgrading at right guard would also help out Jackson.

3. Figure out the situation at receiver. It's questionable whether the Rams will find any clear upgrades at receiver in free agency. That could lead them to stand pat at the position. They have quantity, but not enough high-end quality. Adding more quantity wouldn't solve much. Plaxico Burress gets mentioned as an option for his ties to Spagnuolo, but he's been out of the game and might not offer much. The Rams thought about claiming Randy Moss off waivers last season. Moss could make more sense for the Rams now that Josh McDaniels is offensive coordinator. He worked well with Moss in New England. Sidney Rice could also have appeal.

Top five free agents: receiver Mark Clayton, guard Adam Goldberg, defensive tackle Clifton Ryan and tight end Daniel Fells.

Seattle Seahawks

1. Sign or acquire a quarterback: Bringing back Hasselbeck remains an option. The team expressed interest in Kolb last offseason. The team could also add a lower-profile veteran to the mix -- perhaps a Matt Leinart type -- for an open competition with Charlie Whitehurst. That would not excite Seattle fans, of course. Getting a young quarterback to build around would be ideal, but the Seahawks are adamant they will not force the situation in the absence of viable options. They weren't going to do it in the draft, when they passed over Andy Dalton for tackle James Carpenter. They probably aren't going to do it in free agency, either.

2. Solidify the offensive line: Tom Cable's addition as assistant head coach/offensive line puts the Seahawks in position to court Oakland Raiders guard Robert Gallery in free agency. Gallery has said he's not returning to the Raiders. Seattle has drafted its starting tackles, starting center and starting right guard in the past few seasons. Max Unger and Russell Okung need better luck with injuries. Okung would also benefit from an experienced presence next to him at left guard. Gallery qualifies as such and he would fit the zone system Cable wants to run. Green Bay's Daryn Colledge could be available, too. He has ties to Seahawks general manager John Schneider. Former Seattle starters Chris Spencer, Sean Locklear, Chester Pitts and Ray Willis might not return.

3. Plug holes on defense. Mebane appears headed for free agency. The Seahawks want him back, but how badly? Mebane could fit better in a purer 4-3 defense. He also might command more money elsewhere. Injuries along the defensive front could also affect the Seahawks' needs. Red Bryant is coming off season-ending knee surgery. Injuries affected Colin Cole and Chris Clemons last season as well. Cornerback is another area to monitor once free agency opens. Does Marcus Trufant still fit at his relatively high price? The Cincinnati Bengals' Johnathan Joseph and other free-agent corners could appeal.

Top five free agents: Hasselbeck, Mebane, Locklear, linebacker Will Herring, defensive end Raheem Brock.

San Francisco 49ers

1. Re-sign Alex Smith: Smith and the 49ers renewed their vows informally this offseason. The official ceremony should come when free agency opens and Smith signs with the team. Smith's name continues to show up on free-agent lists in the interim, but there's no chance he'll sign elsewhere. He's given his word to the 49ers. The team, in turn, has entrusted him with its playbook. Smith even took the lead in teaching what he knew of the offense to teammates. Re-signing Smith takes pressure off rookie quarterback Colin Kaepernick. With a new coaching staff, a young prospect in Kaepernick and no access to players during a lockout, this wasn't the year for San Francisco to make a bold play for a veteran passer from another team.

2. Make a decision on Aubrayo Franklin. The 49ers' plans on defense remain a bit mysterious. Coordinator Vic Fangio did not distribute playbooks to players. The team's needs could change based on whether Franklin, a solid nose tackle, leaves in free agency. Franklin's status as a franchise player last season raised the stakes for a new contract. What does Fangio think of him? What specifically does Fangio want from his defensive linemen? How much will Fangio change to suit the 49ers' personnel? How much new personnel might he want? General manager Trent Baalke said the 49ers will not be aggressive in free agency. The team has shown restraint on that front in recent seasons. Losing Franklin would hurt.

3. Figure out the secondary: The pass defense was problematic last season. Personnel changes in the secondary are on the way. Veteran cornerback Nate Clements stands to earn more than $7 million in base salary in 2011. That price appears prohibitive. The team could release Clements or find a way to keep him at a lower rate. Free safety Dashon Goldson does not have a contract for 2011. How much is he worth? Baltimore's Chris Carr is one free-agent cornerback with ties to the 49ers' staff. He and Fangio were together in Baltimore.

Top five free agents: Smith, Franklin, outside linebacker Manny Lawson, center David Baas, linebacker Takeo Spikes.

Michael Crabtree's mostly underwhelming second NFL season and the San Francisco 49ers' recent coaching change surely contributed to one NFC West chat question about the receiver's future.

I'll break out something on that subject separately on the blog. In the meantime, a few chat highlights:

Dan Grimm (Ojai, Calif.): Mike, what do you make of the Mebane situation playing out for Seattle? I understand he's not worth big big franchise type of money, but is there any viable options if he walks? I was surprised that he threw teammates under the bus when talking about his own production and stated that he wasn't in the plans for the team.

Mike Sando: Brandon Mebane's situation is a classic example of what happens when new leadership takes over. The new leadership values inherited players only to a point. The new leadership hears about how great Mebane can be, shrugs a little bit and says to itself, 'We'll be fine either way.' Seattle values Mebane more after not addressing the defensive tackle position in the draft, but the team isn't going to back up the Brinks truck, either.

Chris (Phoenix, Ariz.): Hey Mike, long-time reader, first-time asker. Let's say the Cards get Kevin Kolb or Carson Palmer. Would they still try to sign Marc Bulger? And if they do, does that mean Max Hall and Richard Bartel are out?

Mike Sando: Thanks for calling the program. I'm seeing Bulger as more of a fallback in case the team doesn't find a better option. But there have been longstanding questions about what Bulger wants from football at this stage of his career. Would he jump at the chance to sign with Arizona and become a starter? And would the Cardinals still want him if they had other, younger options? To answer the last part of your question, I do not think Bulger would come to Arizona as a backup.

Ben (Toledo): Does Amendola become the new Wes Welker (100+ catches a year) in STL with McDaniels? Everyone said that Eddie Royal would in Denver, but that never happened.

Mike Sando: Seems like "the new Wes Welker" candidates crop up everywhere. Amendola fits the profile exceptionally given that he's smaller, plays the slot effectively and is coming off an 85-catch season. A.J. Feeley was calling him a Welker clone in camp last summer. Amendola is a little taller than Welker, but they are both 185-pounders with the ability to catch lots of shorter passes. Welker, before his injury, was much more productive than Amendola has been, but some of that comes down to opportunities. With Sam Bradford having a year of experience, with Josh McDaniels taking over the offense, with the Rams having more depth around Amendola at receiver, yes, I could see Amendola approaching 100 receptions in 2011.

Ciscoskid (San Francisco): First, I can't believe the 49ers were not on the list of best helmets, but the Browns were. Really? Next, I don't feel like Michael Crabtree is a good fit for the 49ers. I also don't really see him staying with the 49ers long term. I get the feeling he will wait for free agency and bolt to Dallas if he can. Would the 49ers entertain trading him or is it too soon?

Mike Sando: On helmets, to each his own. I don't have strong opinions on that subject. Crabtree's situation will be fascinating to watch, I think. He showed up as a rookie eager and willing to learn. He seemed less engaged last season and I'm not sure what was going on there. The little tiff with Vernon Davis seemed weird. Watching the games, Crabtree sometimes appeared like something wasn't sitting well with him. Jim Harbaugh is going to require full engagement from his receivers. He'll require them to block. This is a subject I'd like to investigate a little more. Maybe I'll reach out to Matt Williamson of Scouts Inc. for some thoughts. Thanks for the idea.

The closer the Arizona Cardinals get to identifying their next quarterback, the muddier the picture becomes for those not privy to the team's plans.

At various points recently, we've seen projections suggesting:

• Drafting Missouri's Blaine Gabbert would be a "no-brainer" selection for Arizona;
• The Cardinals might already have "an understanding" with veteran Marc Bulger;
• Arizona is Matt Hasselbeck's most likely free-agent destination;
• Carson Palmer could fit nicely in the Cardinals' offense;
• Arizona appears to be the favorite to land Kevin Kolb from Philadelphia;
• The Denver Broncos think the Cardinals have interest in Kyle Orton as a fallback plan;
• Donovan McNabb is not an option.

What to make of it all? Rule out Gabbert. The Cardinals selected LSU cornerback Patrick Peterson instead.

The Cardinals are like a quarterback drawing up plays on a whiteboard. They cannot be sure which receiver will come open first, how quickly pressure might develop or from where, what defensive measures their opponents might take, when the game will begin or even the rules under which the game will be governed.

The rest of us know even less.

The Cardinals could pursue any of the other quarterbacks mentioned here, along with others. To continue the whiteboard analogy, they do not have to lock onto one receiver before the game has even begun. Bulger could make sense at a certain price, but what if Hasselbeck suddenly becomes a viable option? What if the market for Kolb is strong? What if it's weak? What if Cincinnati unexpectedly dangles Palmer?

Let's just call this what it is: a fluid situation.

Brady Henderson of 710ESPN Seattle quotes ESPN's Adam Schefter as saying Arizona is the favorite to land Kevin Kolb once the trading period opens, with Seattle as a fallback option. Schefter: "I think that when the lockout is lifted, there's no doubt that the Philadelphia Eagles are going to trade Kevin Kolb. I think at this point in time, it's fairly certain that he's going to wind up in the NFC West. Right now, all signs point to Kevin Kolb somehow finding his way to Arizona, which would make Larry Fitzgerald very happy, which would make the Cardinals an instant contender in the NFC West, and it would make them the team that they were a couple of years ago when Kurt Warner was playing quarterback, rather than last year when they had the quarterback carousel. Kevin Kolb is going to get dealt from Philadelphia, most likely going to be to the NFC West, and right now all signs point to Arizona." What are those signs? One is that Arizona did not draft a quarterback. With the lockout ongoing, the Eagles can only hope a market builds. The Cardinals' long-reported interest in Marc Bulger suggests the team has options other than acquiring Kolb. Kolb would upgrade the position for Arizona, but there's no evidence, in my view, that he would give the team what Kurt Warner gave the team. Kolb has 11 touchdown passes and 14 interceptions during his career. Warner had 31 touchdown passes with 14 interceptions in the playoffs alone. He had 11 touchdown passes in the playoffs following the 2008 season.

Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic says Warner endorsed Carson Palmer as the best option for Arizona at quarterback. Somers: "Several problems with that for the Cardinals. While Palmer has threatened to retire if he's not traded, Bengals owner Mike Brown has made it clear he's not giving in to trade demands. And if he did, the Cardinals would have to give up assets to get him. After a 5-11 season and with numerous weaknesses, the Cardinals can't afford to give up too much. And Palmer is due to make $11.5 million. That's a steep price, too."

Darren Urban of azcardinals.com was surprised when the Cardinals did not draft an offensive lineman. Urban: "The Cards, surprisingly, did not take an offensive lineman in the draft. Given how many expired contracts are coming (Alan Faneca, Deuce Lutui and Lyle Sendlein all need new deals whenever the league year starts) there was a thought they would cover themselves with another piece, especially with tackle Brandon Keith still unproven and the center position thin even if Sendlein returns. The Cards still have Levi Brown, who is expected to remain in place as the left tackle. Everything else – for now – is in limbo as far as line starters. There should be, in free agency, decent linemen who are available, so it’s possible the Cards may be eyeing a change in that regard."

Danny O'Neil of the Seattle Times had this to say in response to a Kolb skeptic regarding whether the Seahawks should pursue the Eagles quarterback: "He's carved up some opponents in regular-season games. But you're absolutely right, there's a risk. Most explicitly, you don't have a history of quarterbacks produced by Andy Reid having success elsewhere. It's not like Green Bay when the Packers consistently churned out backup QBs who were transplanted around the NFL to become great starters."

Eric D. Williams of the Tacoma News Tribune thinks Kolb would be the Seahawks' No. 1 target in free agency. Williams: "If they do not get him, then I think a fall back could be bringing in Matt Leinart and J.P. Losman. Former Scout Dave Razzano made a good point on the radio yesterday. The 2012 draft class is filled with pretty good QBs, including Andrew Luck, Matt Barkley and Laundry Jones, so maybe the Seahawks are content to wait until next year to get their guy and see how the season plays out. I think Matt Hasselbeck will get a better offer from a team like Tennessee and will not be back, unless Seattle moves the price tag up." I've never sensed an interest in Leinart. The Seahawks had a chance to add Leinart last season. Coach Pete Carroll has not favored his former USC players unconditionally. After joining the Seahawks, he expressed surprise that Lawrence Jackson had been a first-round pick, and he later traded Jackson to the Lions.

Jeff Gordon of stltoday.com says the Rams drafted with character in mind. Gordon: "This regime has weeded out most of the underachievers and assembled a much more diligent group. James Laurinaitis is a leader. Chris Long is a leader. Veteran James Hall is a leader. Steven Jackson caught on and became a leader, too. Sam Bradford proved to be a fast learner and leader. So did tackle Rodger Saffold, the team’s second pick from last season. The Rams staff hopes the latest draft picks will offer those same qualities and create an even more competitive training camp atmosphere. Even the seventh-round picks in this draft will bring the attitude to camp. They are longshots to make it big in the NFL, but it sounds like they have ample drive."

Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch assesses the Rams' late-round picks' chances for earning roster spots.

Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com lists re-signing David Baas as the 49ers' top priority in free agency, diminishing the need to re-sign nose tackle Aubrayo Franklin. Maiocco: "The reason I consider Baas the No. 1 player the 49ers would like to retain is because there are options at other spots on the roster where they have projected unrestricted free agents. Isaac Sopoaga might end up being an upgrade at nose tackle over Aubrayo Franklin if the 49ers choose to move him from left defensive end. Sopoaga is coming off a better season than Franklin, and his technique has gotten much better under the tutelage of defensive line coach Jim Tomsula." That risk would be inadvertently weakening two positions.

Also from Maiocco: a projected 49ers depth chart.

Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee projects how the 49ers' rookies might fit in 2011. Barrows on cornerback Chris Culliver: "The 49ers were clear that they drafted Culliver as a cornerback and not a safety. At 6 feet and 200 pounds, Culliver has nice size. He also has excellent athleticism, which he displayed at the scouting combine. That combination makes him a good fit for a nickel cornerback, which likely will be his role early on. That the 49ers did not use one of their first two picks on a cornerback indicates that they either expect Nate Clements to return in 2011 or that they will find a starting-caliber cornerback in free agency. (Clements played nickel on third downs last year). Let the Nnamdi Asomugha speculation begin."

Eric Branch of the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat says the 49ers apparently have interest in undrafted free-agent tackle David Mims.

D'Marco Farr of 101ESPN St. Louis says the 49ers' decision to take Aldon Smith over Blaine Gabbert was inexplicable.

The 2011 NFL draft went almost exactly as anticipated, but counter to conventional wisdom, when it came to NFC West teams and the available quarterbacks.

The Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks all needed quarterbacks. But every time I discussed the position in relation to the draft, I kept finding reasons these teams would head in another direction early.

Arizona appeared unlikely to take one at No. 5 and less likely to take one later in the draft, given that a quarterback selected later might not have given them more than John Skelton gives them. San Francisco seemed likely to target defense with the seventh pick before considering a quarterback in the second round. And Seattle was picking late enough in the first round -- 25th overall -- to lead the team in another direction early.

Did these teams get it right? I threw out the question during the draft and wanted to advance the discussion by singling out your responses for additional consideration.

ScottA2001 wanted the Cardinals to draft a quarterback they could develop over the next couple seasons.

Mike Sando: They think they have that in John Skelton. As you noted in comments I did not include here, the team wasn't going to find an immediate-impact quarterback after the first round. It's debatable whether the Cardinals could have found one even at No. 5. There was no Sam Bradford in this draft, according to Arizona, and that is a widely shared assessment. Blaine Gabbert lasted to No. 10.

DiLune2 thinks the Seahawks know who their quarterback is going to be, and will acquire that quarterback once the signing period opens.

Mike Sando: General manager John Schneider said the same thing. He said they've got clear quarterback plan. Had the team been able to act on that plan before the draft, the picks Seattle made would have gotten higher reviews. Making those selections before getting the quarterback made this draft harder to evaluate. Trent Dilfer was adamant that Seattle needed to draft Andy Dalton with the 25th pick given the quarterback situation in Seattle. The conviction with which he made that statement does hinge on what other options the team might explore, in my view.

Leesters thinks the Cardinals are focusing on Marc Bulger after missing out on him last offseason when the timing wasn't right. He hopes the team signs Bulger, then trades Beanie Wells to Cincinnati as part of a Carson Palmer deal.

Mike Sando: We've been hearing about Bulger for so long now that it'll be an upset if he does not sign with the Cardinals. The down time Bulger has had surely has helped his body recover from the pounding he took during his final seasons with the Rams. He's an intriguing option for the Cardinals. Derek Anderson and John Skelton were not accurate enough. Accuracy is Bulger's strength as long as he has time to throw. Will he have time to throw in Arizona? Let's see how the line takes shape.

As for getting Bulger and Palmer, that just isn't happening. If the Bengals do trade Palmer, they will also be trading his fat contract. Getting Palmer to restructure that deal would be contingent on clearly defining his role with his next team. He's not going to camp having to compete for a job, in my view.

THADIGGY805 thinks the 49ers would have drafted Andy Dalton if the Bengals didn't draft him first, but he thinks Colin Kaepernick will work out well.

Mike Sando: Dalton was off the board when San Francisco made the move up for Kaepernick, which means the team valued Kaepernick enough to take him there, independent of how it valued Dalton. Kaepernick is so much more athletic. I tend to think his athleticism appeals to Jim Harbaugh a great deal, enough to question whether Dalton would have appealed more. Once the Dalton pick was made, San Francisco figured it had to strike quickly to get one of the available quarterbacks. Hence, the move up.

_red_n_g0ld_ would like to see the 49ers land Matt Hasselbeck because Hasselbeck, unlike Alex Smith, has proved he can win.

Mike Sando: We've subsequently learned that Smith's return is highly likely, to the point that the 49ers have given him a playbook. Smith even signed a waiver allowing him to hang out at the facility before the lockout was reinstated. It's a big shock if he does not re-sign. With Smith and Kaepernick there, Hasselbeck would not be part of the equation any longer. Hasselbeck has sought longer-term assurances from Seattle. He could conceivably take less elsewhere, but I doubt it'll be in San Francisco.

naudebo thinks the players the Cardinals drafted will contribute more quickly than any of the quarterbacks in the draft, except possibly Dalton. He also thinks the Cardinals have enough talent to win this season with an effective quarterback.

Mike Sando: That last point is a good one to debate. Matt Williamson of Scouts Inc. told me before the draft he thought the Cardinals' talent was severely lacking overall. I see some holes on the roster, but do not think the situation is quite as dire -- especially when we're talking about contending within this division.

12thManT.Hast says the Seahawks already drafted their quarterback by trading a third-round choice to San Diego for Charlie Whitehurst. He thinks Seattle will eventually win or lose with Whitehurst.

Mike Sando: Pete Carroll has become more outspoken in his praise for Whitehurst now that Hasselbeck isn't on the roster. I think the team will bring in someone else, possibly Hasselbeck, as the likely starter for the 2011 season, however.

MIKEFROMAZ52 thinks the Cardinals want a veteran quarterback, not a rookie, to quickly maximize the weapons they have, including running back Ryan Williams and tight end Rob Housler.

Mike Sando: You have the right feel for the situation. Whisenhunt did not want to play Skelton last season. He thought Max Hall would fare better, but the overall experience last season makes a veteran more appealing. There's no way Arizona can let 2010 happen again from a quarterback planning standpoint.

Brett_CO thinks the Seahawks were justified in drafting for their offensive line early because any quarterback would struggle behind the line they fielded last season.

Mike Sando: The Seahawks are focused more on their running game than the quarterback position right now. From the outside, it's easy to wonder why there appears to be less urgency in finding a quarterback. From the inside, Schneider and Carroll see a roster that needs renovation throughout. If they do not see the right quarterback, they're not going to take one anyway -- particularly with so many needs. It's another indication Seattle sees this as a longer-term building project.

jandkolepsycho realizes Seattle has a plan at quarterback, but still thinks the team erred by trading back to get more picks. He doesn't think the Seahawks will find answers in the later rounds, but he wonders if the team plans to use significant 2012 draft capital to acquire Kevin Kolb.

Mike Sando: Seattle did show interest in Kolb previously. How much interest is the question. I've spoken with personnel people around the league who see Kolb as a solid option, but not as an elite one. How much should a team give up for a good, but not great, quarterback? I would have traded the team's first-round pick this year for Kolb, most likely. But it's an upset if Seattle is picking 25th or later in 2012. The pick next year could be more valuable.

sc6968 liked how the 49ers targeted needs at quarterback, outside linebacker and cornerback early.

Mike Sando: The second-round selection of Kaepernick is pivotal. I do have some questions on Aldon Smith as the seventh overall choice. General manager Trent Baalke pointed to versatility as one appealing trait. I'd rather have a dominant pass-rusher or dominant interior defender over a prospect that is good at multiple things, but not great at any of them. Baalke was not putting any limits on how good Smith can become in any one area. The question is still one to consider until we see what Smith offers as an outside pass-rusher.

FTBallenthusiast says the draft strategies for the quarterback-needy teams in the NFC West came down to a simple choice between needs and values of the picks. He thinks opportunities in free agency and the trade market made it easier for those teams to address other areas, whereas San Francisco was better positioned to grab Kaepernick in the second round.

Mike Sando: The 49ers jumped past Arizona to take Kaepernick with the 36th overall choice, two spots ahead of where Arizona was picking. The Cardinals then took Williams, the running back they said rated 15th overall on their board. Another 35 picks went by before another quarterback (Ryan Mallett) was selected.

Sometimes it takes years to evaluate a draft class. In the nearer term, we'll have a better foundation from which to analyze once Arizona and Seattle address their quarterback situations later this offseason.

KNBR's Damon Bruce and I broke down NFC West drafts Monday, hitting on the key issues for every team.

The quarterback situation in Seattle was one of the leading subjects. The Seahawks did not select a quarterback in the first round for the 18th year in a row. They didn't draft a quarterback in any round for the second year in a row. My thoughts:

"What they are saying is, they didn't have the available quarterbacks at No. 25 rated high enough, so this draft will be judged on that. If Andy Dalton or Colin Kaepernick ends up being a great player, then almost no matter what, there will be some criticism there. They will live with that. That was the gamble they were taking in the draft, but once they made that determination that there wasn't a quarterback, then they said, 'No matter what, no matter who the quarterback is, we have to be better on the offensive line.' They started 11 combinations on their line last year. I don't think people who aren't following the team as closely day to day, play to play understand how bad the offensive line was. They got in their first two picks, guys who are going to start on the offensive line Day 1.

"Look at what the Rams did. They didn't have the quarterback for a while. They were stuck with Marc Bulger for a while, which is a little similar to what has happened with Matt Hasselbeck. He hasn't been that productive, but they have stuck with him, haven't found anybody better. And what did the Rams do? They drafted two tackles and got their line in order. And then when they did finally have a chance to get a young quarterback, he was in better position to have some success. I don't have a problem with the philosophy. It just all comes down to whether [the Seahawks] were right on those quarterbacks who went a little bit later."

I've been working on an item making sense of the Seahawks' situation with Hasselbeck following ESPN analyst Trent Dilfer's prediction that Hasselbeck would not return to the team. I'd be interested in your thoughts while trying to crystallize my own.

My basic sense is it's premature to be making predictions given the lockout and multiple unsettled quarterback situations around the league. If anything, Hasselbeck should have more value to Seattle after the team did not draft a quarterback -- unless, of course, the team has plans to go in another direction once free agency opens.

Larry Fitzgerald's thoughts on new teammate Patrick Peterson are worth our consideration (thanks to Kent Somers for pointing out Mike Silver's story).

According to the story, Fitzgerald saw Peterson, Von Miller and A.J. Green as players worthy of the fifth overall choice. Miller and Green were not available when Arizona selected Peterson, the highly rated cornerback from LSU. Fitzgerald on Peterson:

"He’s a can’t-miss player, a real difference-maker, and that’s exciting. Things have changed in this league. It’s a receiver-quarterback game now. That’s the name of the game and the wave of the future. We have to go against Sam Bradford twice a season. Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Matt Ryan, Aaron Rodgers, Peyton Manning -- the teams that have those guys are the teams that’ll be in the thick of it every year. And you can’t match up with these teams if you can’t stop them outside."

Silver also quoted Fitzgerald on a touchy subject -- the team's decision to select Levi Brown over Adrian Peterson with the fifth choice in 2007. According to Silver, Fitzgerald said coach Ken Whisenhunt "learned his lesson" in that draft. Whisenhunt has defended Brown against criticism, but Adrian Peterson was obviously a more dynamic talent. Fitzgerald:

"Whiz told me he learned his lesson with Adrian Peterson. If there’s an incredible athlete there, you take him, even if you don’t have a need. You find a place for him. It’s like the Vikings with Randy Moss [in 1998]. They had two star receivers in Cris Carter and Jake Reed; they didn’t need Randy. But he was the best player on their board, and it changed their team."

Whisenhunt's relationship with Fitzgerald has always been strong. Earlier this offseason, stories suggested Whisenhunt consulted with Fitzgerald on the team's options for a veteran quarterback. Fitzgerald reportedly favored Kevin Kolb and Marc Bulger, leaving the impression that the team was running personnel decisions through one of its players. This Adrian Peterson revelation comes as no shock, but it's not the sort of thing a head coach wants publicized.