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

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

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

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

St. Louis Rams (34 off roster)

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

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

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

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

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

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

Special teams: Ryan Neill

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

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

---

Seattle Seahawks (33 off roster)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

---

Arizona Cardinals (24 off roster)

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

Defensive line: Jason Banks (added Dan Williams)

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

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

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

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

Special teams: Neil Rackers (added Jay Feely)

Tight end: Anthony Becht (added Jim Dray)

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

---

San Francisco 49ers (24 off roster)

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

Defensive line: Kentwan Balmer, Derek Walker

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

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

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

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

Special teams: Shane Andrus, Ricky Schmitt

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

---

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.

Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch checks in with Rams quarterback A.J. Feeley, who appears likely to start in Week 1, but not later in the season. Feeley on mentoring No. 1 overall choice Sam Bradford: "I want to help him out as much as he wants to be helped out. But everybody wants to play. If you don't want to play, you shouldn't be in this position. It's what you do. ... The nature of playing quarterback is you help each other out in the meeting room. Those guys that don't have good meeting rooms, where the guys don't get along, that's where bad things happen. But we have a great group."

Kathleen Nelson of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says Rams tackle Jason Smith missed practice to rest a toe injury.

Also from Nelson: a fuller injury update from Rams camp.

Roger Hensley of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch asks colleagues what to expect from Bradford during the team's upcoming scrimmage. Jeff Gordon: "We all know the kid has a great arm – and that the Rams aren’t going to put him at risk to show that off. So fans ought to settle for seeing him command the huddle and demonstrate composure. Will he handle the mechanics of it all without any yips? Last year Keith Null had a rocky start making his adjustment from the spread offense of college to the pro passing game. But he settled in nicely. If Bradford does the same, folks should be happy with that."

Danny O'Neil of the Seattle Times says Seahawks linebacker Lofa Tatupu misses his late father. Tatupu: "Last time I ever spoke to him, I told him I was going to make him proud. And that I loved him."

Also from O'Neil: Defensive tackle Kevin Vickerson appears a bit fragile.

Clare Farnsworth of seahawks.com details Quinn Pitcock's journey from depression back to the NFL. Pitcock: "I cast myself away from everybody and became almost a hermit. I was a hermit for a year. No one knew where I was at."

Also from Farnsworth: a look at the team's tight ends as part of a Thursday roundup.

Greg Johns of seattlepi.com says newly re-signed linebacker Anthony Heygood didn't make it through warm-ups Thursday. Johns: "Heygood, re-signed by the Seahawks on Wednesday to beef up their depth at the position, tore his Achilles' tendon during stretching exercises before the team's first practice Thursday." Also, receiver Mike Williams emerged with a strong morning practice after a quiet couple days.

Also from Johns: Pitcock says lots of athletes suffer from depression and he'd like to do something about it. Pitcock: "Being alpha males and being the strong type, you try not to show your weaknesses. That's why I want to start a charity more toward that and also any kind of addictions or stuff like that and get people more open to asking for help. Because no one great got anywhere by themselves. They always need help to get there. That was my biggest problem. I always wanted to do it all on my own. Now I'm open to everybody helping me get where I want to be."

More from Johns: Seattle released receiver Mike Hass to make room for Pitcock on the roster.

John Morgan of Field Gulls says Julius Jones enjoyed a strong practice Thursday.

Also from Morgan: Williams has good size, but can he separate from defensive backs consistently?

Sam Good of 49ers.com says players had no idea where they were going to practice Thursday.

David White of the San Francisco Chronicle says the new practice venue made life easier for players. White:"Niners training camp hit the coastal road to Cal State-Monterey Bay, a seaside campus on the retired grounds of Fort Ord. The ocean breeze was cool, the driving mist was salty and the marine-layered conditions hovered in the low 50s."

John Crumpacker of the San Francisco Chronicle says Jerry Rice's work ethic set him apart during a Hall of Fame career. Crumpacker: "In an Oct. 14, 1990, game against Atlanta at Candlestick Park, then-Falcons coach Jerry Glanville foolishly thought he could cover Rice with a single man, a cornerback named Charles Dimry. It was a move that had Dimry paying dearly for his coach's arrogance. Rice caught a career-high five touchdown passes among his 13 receptions overall for 225 yards. The man throwing all those passes to him, Joe Montana, finished with 476 yards passing, the most of his career."

Also from Crumpacker: Rice adjusted from one great quarterback to another. Rice: "Steve Young was the first lefty I worked with. I used to have Ted Walsh throw to me because it was so unusual seeing that delivery. They had very similar throwing styles. They both threw ducks. ... I'm just joking. Steve always threw spirals."

Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com has this to say about the 49ers' situation at wide receiver: "I don't see the 49ers going with four-WR sets. The reason: they are not going to take Vernon Davis or Frank Gore or another back off the field. Brandon Jones is having a difficult time getting practice time among the group of wideouts. It'll be tough for him to make the team."

Also from Maiocco: Rice declined to take days off even when Bill Walsh suggested he take it easy.

Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee says improved confidence is helping safety Reggie Smith. Barrows: "As far as the on-field action, the defense spent the day practicing one of its nickel packages. This one employs three safeties - Reggie Smith was No. 3 - and two linemen, who usually are Justin Smith and Ray McDonald. They rush the quarterback along with specialists Parys Haralson and Ahmad Brooks. Reggie Smith has been filling in with the first-string defense when veteran Michael Lewis has been given a break and it appears he's preparing for the role Mark Roman had last year."

Daniel Brown of the San Jose Mercury News says one player in particular couldn't believe the 49ers were relocating practice to Seaside, Calif. Tight end Tony Curtis grew up there.

Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic sizes up the situation at inside linebacker in Arizona. Linebackers coach Matt Raich on Paris Lenon: "He's not Patrick Willis [of the 49ers]. He's not the fastest guy. He's not the biggest guy. But you could tell he understood the game. When he got the chance to make plays, he stepped up and made plays."

Also from Somers: The Cardinals were relieved to learn Ben Patrick suffered no ligament damage to his injured knee.

More from Somers: "Quarterback Matt Leinart made a point of trying to bond with his offensive linemen this offseason. He even paid for several of them to go to Hawaii with him in late June and early July. Center Lyle Sendlein, guard/tackle Jeremy Bridges and tackles Brandon Keith and Levi Brown accepted the offer. Guard Alan Faneca was there with his family and spent some time with the group, too."

Darren Urban of azcardinals.com says the Cardinals are optimistic about Brown moving to left tackle. Coach Ken Whisenhunt: "One of the things [Wednesday] night in practice that was apparent to me was the number of times he went against Joey Porter, and Joey is someone who brings it in practice every snap. I asked Joey after his assessment of Levi, and he said Levi is going to be fine. When you have a veteran player like Joey, who has gone against some good tackles, make that assessment, it makes you feel good about the progress Levi has made."

Also from Urban: a look at the Cardinals' situation on the offensive line.

NFL teams are starting to declare players "physically unable to perform" as they convene for training camps.

Wes Welker of the New England Patriots recently became a high-profile addition to a PUP list. We'll see NFC West teams take advantage of PUP lists as well, making this a good time to lay out exactly what PUP status means for players.

Players who do not pass physical examinations before training camp cannot practice. Teams place these players on their PUP lists. The players remain on the active roster and count against 80-man limits. They can come off the PUP list and begin practicing as soon as they pass physical examinations.

Players remaining on PUP lists at the Sept. 4 mandatory reduction to 53 players are not eligible to play until after the first six games. They continue to receive their salaries in full.

The chart shows current NFC West players who finished the 2009 season on NFC West injured reserve lists. Some could be candidates for PUP lists as camps open. Their ages are rounded down to the nearest tenth, making it easy to see, for example, that Rams long snapper Chris Massey is much closer to 31 than he is to 30.

Some players not shown in the chart could be candidates for PUP lists.

The Arizona Cardinals Gerald Hayes is one obvious candidate. The St. Louis Rams have said they expect Steven Jackson to be recovered from back surgery in time for camp. The Seattle Seahawks' T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Deion Branch and Leon Washington have missed time recovering from surgeries this offseason.

There's not necessarily reason for panic when a team places a high-profile player on its PUP list to open camp. Sometimes the player misses only a short time.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Arizona Cardinals

Matt Ware, Mike Gandy, Justin Green, Cody Brown

San Francisco 49ers

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

Seattle Seahawks

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

St. Louis Rams

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

The 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 Seahawks have five tall receivers from the Pac-10 after signing former No. 1 draft choices Mike Williams and Reggie Williams following a three-day minicamp.

The Pac-10 connection is somewhat by chance. T.J. Houshmandzadeh (Oregon State) and Mike Hass (Oregon State) were already on the roster when the Seahawks hired coach Pete Carroll from USC.

But there's no question the Seahawks are getting bigger at the position. They have four receivers 6-foot-4 and taller. Eight of their 11 receivers are at least 6 feet tall.

Seattle has had tall receivers in the past, including Jordan Kent (6-4). But some of their key wideouts -- Bobby Engram (5-10) and Darrell Jackson (6-0) -- would be on the smaller side relative to the current group.

"Historically, if you look back at our past, we love big guys, and have had a lot of success with them and haven’t changed our attitude on that at all," Carroll told reporters Thursday.

Carroll also singled out Branch, suggesting he could play a significant role in the offense.

"I think he recognizes that and really embraced it and is excited about what is going on," Carroll said.

The trade or release of Deion Branch seemed almost fated during the 2009 season.

Branch was making lots of money. He wasn't producing at a high level. He had injury concerns. He didn't seem to fit the offense. The team was losing.

Subsequent events make Branch appear more valuable to Seattle, at least in the short term:

• No salary cap. The dissolution of the salary cap removed the most relevant framework for valuing players. The more than $5 million owed to Branch for the 2010 season was arguably too much relative to a salary cap. Take away the cap, however, and carrying that salary becomes easier to justify.
• Diminished receiver depth. The Seahawks watched Nate Burleson leave in free agency after determining they weren't going to value him at more than $9 million, the amount paid to franchise players at the position. Subtracting Burleson leaves Seattle with Branch, T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Deon Butler, Ruvell Martin, Patrick Carter, Mike Hass, Michael Jones and restricted free agent Ben Obomanu as the Seahawks' receivers. The expected signing of Sean Morey will help the special-teams situation more than the receiver situation.

Given the latter item, can the Seahawks afford to part with Branch at this point? They have shown little fear in flushing out depth at other positions -- safety comes to mind -- but keeping Branch at least in the short term makes sense on another level. I think the Patriots would welcome him back. Branch also has ties to Broncos coach Josh McDaniels, although I'm not sure if Denver has interest in him. Branch could have some value beyond what he offers on the field. Another reason to keep him for now.

Acquiring Brandon Marshall from Denver would make it easier to justify parting with Branch. Adding a starting-caliber receiver in the draft could also affect the thinking. Right now, however, Branch is one of the two best receivers on the team.

The Seahawks have signed offensive lineman Trevor Canfield to their active roster from the Cardinals' practice squad.

Making a move such as this one heading into Week 17 probably has more implications for the offseason than the short term. Perhaps Canfield, a seventh-round draft choice from Cincinnati, is a prospect Seattle would like to evaluate through an offseason.

Seattle made room on its roster by placing receiver Mike Hass on injured reserve.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

The Seahawks' decision to sign veteran running back Edgerrin James made sense when Seattle was expecting to immediately contend for an NFC West title.

James apparently became a luxury the team couldn't afford once it struggled to a 2-5 start, particularly with Justin Forsett backing up the promise he showed during the preseason (minus that fumble Sunday).

That probably explains why the team released James on Tuesday. James isn't contributing on special teams and the Seahawks aren't getting much from him in the running game.

I would expect the Seahawks to give playing time to recently signed running back Louis Rankin, who played for offensive coordinator Greg Knapp in Oakland.

In another move, the Seahawks released safety C.J. Wallace. They signed receiver Mike Hass, safety Jamar Adams and cornerback Roy Lewis.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Seahawks Player Released on Cutdown Pos. Current Team Capacity Brian Russell DB Jaguars Active Roster Marquis Floyd DB Browns Active Roster Kevin Hobbs DB Lions Active Roster Devin Moore RB Seahawks Practice Squad Jamar Adams DB Seahawks Practice Squad Mike Hass WR Seahawks Practice Squad Logan Payne WR Seahawks Practice Squad Baraka Atkins DL -- -- Brian De La Puente OL -- -- Brandon Coutu K -- -- Dave Philistin LB -- -- Jeff Rowe QB -- -- David Kirtman RB -- -- Courtney Greene DB -- -- Nate Ness DB -- -- Na'Shan Goddard OL -- -- Andre Ramsey OL -- -- William Robinson OL -- -- Joe Newton TE -- -- Jordan Kent WR -- -- Courtney Taylor WR -- -- Cory Withrow OL -- -- D.D. Lewis LB -- --

The tough decisions teams face in reducing their rosters to 53 players sometimes aren't so tough.

They were arguably tougher for the Seahawks than for other teams in the division.

Three of the players Seattle released on its initial cutdown to 53 players have joined active rosters elsewhere in the league. Aaron Francisco, cut by the Cardinals, and Phil Trautwein, cut by the Rams, are the only other initial NFC West castoffs to join active rosters for other teams.

Seattle's Brian Russell (Jaguars), Marquis Floyd (Browns) and Kevin Hobbs (Lions) currently reside on active rosters. The Seahawks re-signed to their practice squad running back Devin Moore, safety Jamar Adams, receiver Mike Hass and receiver Logan Payne.

The apparent drama at receiver left Jordan Kent and Courtney Taylor on the outside. Kent reached an injury settlement following his release. Taylor remains available. Neither player has eligibility for the practice squad.

Defensive lineman Baraka Atkins and kicker Brandon Coutu appeared close to earning roster spots. The Seahawks once thought Coutu might have trade value. That wasn't the case in the end.

NFC West roster counts, including practice squads Pos. ARI SF STL SEA Avg. QB 3 3 3 3 3.0 RB 5 6 5 6 5.5 WR 8 8 5 7 7.0 TE 3 3 4 3 3.3 OL 10 10 10 11 10.0 DL 8 8 12 11 9.8 LB 8 9 8 7 8.0 DB 9 11 11 10 10.3 ST 3 3 3 3 3.0 Totals 57 61 61 61 60.0

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

The seven players Seattle signed to its practice squad tell coaches, in general, how many players they'll have for practice at a given position.

Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo pointed to this often overlooked figure when asked about the Rams' lack of depth at receiver. The team has only four receivers on its 53-man roster. What mattered to Spagnuolo in the short term was how many receivers the Rams had available to practice. The number stands at five. The Rams would like six.

The chart shows positional roster counts for NFC West teams, including players signed to practice squads. The Cardinals have only four players on their practice squad. Their numbers in the secondary are relatively low.

None of the NFC West teams has signed a quarterback to its practice squad.

Also: Seattle's initial 53-man practice squad features receiver Mike Hass, receiver Logan Payne, safety Jamar Adams, running back Devin Moore and tackle Kyle Williams, all released during the reduction to 53 players. The team also signed center Blake Schlueter, formerly of the Broncos, and cornerback Roy Lewis, formerly of the Steelers.

Following up: Chart has been updated to relfect the 49ers' signing of Tony Pashos and placement of Diyral Briggs on the practice squad. Also, the Seahawks have signed linebacker Thomas Williams, formerly of the Jaguars, to fill out their practice squad.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando



Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee says the 49ers are taking a "long look" at former Jaguars starting tackle Tony Pashos. Barrows: "The 49ers are looking at Pashos as a right tackle. They signed Marvel Smith in the offseason to play that position, but Smith's bad back never returned to normal, and he retired last month. As of now, Adam Snyder is the starter with Barry Sims backing him up."

Matt Maiocco of the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat says "none of the players [the 49ers] cut on Saturday was claimed off waivers today, including [Kory] Sheets. And the 49ers did not make any waivers claims, either. However, the 49ers might still be interested in adding a veteran or two for insurance."

Also from Maiocco: The 49ers view Pashos as a backup right tackle. Pashos sees the 49ers as where he might find the best chance at playing time. Maiocco: "The 49ers scouted Pashos’ final exhibition game. Although Pashos (6-foot-6, 326 pounds) started and played the first half of the Jaguars’ game Thursday against Washington at right guard, the 49ers envision him as a backup right tackle."



Cameron Hollway, writing for the Amarillo Globe-News, checks in with quarterback Keith Null after the rookie earned a spot on the Rams' initial 53-man roster. Null: "Man, it's such a blessing to have made it. It's sort of a hard feeling to explain. I've worked so hard to get here, and to reach that goal is just so special." Null and the man he beat out, Brock Berlin, both had practice-squad eligibility. The Rams have not signed a quarterback to their practice squad.

Allen Meyer of stjoenews.com checks in with Roger Allen's former college coach after the undrafted rookie earned a spot on the Rams' initial 53-man roster. With John Greco sidelined by wrist surgery in the short term, the Rams were one of only six teams carrying more than nine offensive linemen Sunday night. They had only four receivers. Those holding down spots on the fringes of the roster could remain vulnerable as the Rams add depth where it's needed most.

Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch profiles Rams safety Oshiomogho Atogwe, who hasn't let contract issues sour his mood.



John Morgan of Field Gulls says the Seahawks' defense fully reflects general manager Tim Ruskell, and that Ruskell's future in Seattle depends on how well that defense performs. Morgan: "The parts have been good individually, but never great together. Until now the talent and the coaching staff were at odds. This year, they are united by the vision of one man. Seattle's defense is now Tim Ruskell's living resume. In one week, this ship sets out to sea. It will float or it will sink. It will take this season somewhere wonderful or drag us all to a watery grave. The hull, keel, masts, crew and captain were picked by Ruskell as was the sail. We are below deck, cargo. Now we await the wind."

Danny O'Neil of the Seattle Times says the Seahawks plan to sign Mike Hass and (reportedly) Logan Payne to their practice squad

Also from O'Neil: An advance look at the Rams-Seahawks game in Week 1.

Darren Urban of azcardinals.com says Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt remains confident in his team following some shaky moments during the exhibition season. Whisenhunt: "I had a friend who said his son was torn up because we didn’t do well in preseason because he really didn’t understand what preseason was all about. I think with the general public, that’s the perception, and I understand that. All I can say is I feel good about our team and what we have done and where we are."

Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic says former Cardinals safety Aaron Francisco, released Friday, plans to sign a one-year deal with the Colts. Somers: "Francisco is a vested veteran, so he wasn’t subject to the waiver process. He was traveling to Indianapolis on Sunday and is expected to begin practice with the Colts this week, said his agent, Max Hannemann."

Ex-Seahawks eligible for practice squad Pos. Jamar Adams DB Brandon Coutu K Brian De La Puente OL Marquis Floyd DB Na'Shan Goddard OL Courtney Greene DB Mike Hass WR Devin Moore RB Nate Ness DB Joe Newton TE Logan Payne WR Dave Philistin LB Andre Ramsey OL William Robinson OL Jeff Rowe QB

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

NFL teams can begin forming eight-man practice squads once released players clear waivers this afternoon.

The Seahawks faced tougher decisions on the reduction to 53 players because some of their young prospects, notably receivers Courtney Taylor and Jordan Kent, had no remaining eligibility for the practice squad following an injury-plagued 2008 season.

Defensive end Baraka Atkins, cornerback Kevin Hobbs and fullback David Kirtman are also among the recently released Seattle players without eligibility for the practice squad. Receiver Mike Hass also caught some fans' attention.

The chart shows recently released Seattle players who remain eligible. Safety Jamar Adams, kicker Brandon Coutu, safety Courtney Greene, receiver Logan Payne and tight end Joe Newton could be among the candidates.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Biggest surprise: Starting free safety Brian Russell, signed in 2007 after the Seahawks grew tired of assignment errors in the secondary, seemed to fend off a challenge from versatile backup Jordan Babineaux. That made Russell's release a surprise even though coach Jim Mora had said Babineaux would compete for the job in camp. The team went with Ben Obomanu as its fifth and final receiver, releasing Courtney Taylor and Jordan Kent. Rookie defensive linemen Nick Reed and Michael Bennett joined preseason surprise Derek Walker among 11 defensive linemen, prevailing at Baraka Atkins' expense -- a big surprise. Rookie seventh-rounder Cameron Morrah beat out Joe Newton as the third tight end. Veteran kicker Olindo Mare beat out second-year pro and 2008 draft choice Brandon Coutu in a close battle. The team cleared another spot by placing starting corner Marcus Trufant on the physically unable to perform list, helping corner Travis Fisher earn a spot among the initial roster. Keeping 11 defensive linemen meant keeping only six linebacker, costing versatile veteran D.D. Lewis a job.

No-brainers: The Seahawks also released safety Jamar Adams, guard Brian De La Puente, cornerback Marquis Floyd, tackle Na'Shan Goddard, safety Courtney Greene, receiver Mike Hass, cornerback Kevin Hobbs, fullback David Kirtman, running back Devin Moore, cornerback Nate Ness, tight end Joe Newton, receiver Logan Payne, linebacker Dave Philistin, tackle Andre Ramsey, tackle William Robinson, quarterback Jeff Rowe.

What's next: The Seahawks reduced to 52 players with these moves, but the team was expected to add veteran safety Lawyer Milloy for depth and experience.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Among the things I'll be watching when the Seahawks face the Broncos in their second exhibition game Saturday night:

• Sean Locklear at left tackle. The Seahawks hope Walter Jones can return from knee surgery in time to play a full season at left tackle. Locklear will work there in the meantime. The team's usual right tackle can earn an additional $600,000 in 2010 compensation if he plays half the snaps at left tackle in half the Seahawks' regular-season games this season. That price would be a bargain if Locklear plays well.
• Depth at receiver. Jordan Kent, Ben Obomanu, Courtney Taylor, Logan Payne, Mike Hass and Michael Bumpus are battling for one or two roster spots behind receivers T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Deion Branch, Nate Burleson and Deon Butler. Kent, Obomanu and Taylor do not have practice-squad eligibility. They need to produce now.
• Nick Reed, Michael Bennett and Baraka Atkins. At least one of these players could be affected if the Seahawks keep fewer than 10 defensive linemen. Another impressive showing from Reed, who had two sacks and an interception in his exhibition debut, could make it tougher for Seattle to sneak him onto the practice squad.
• Matt Hasselbeck. The quarterback has yet to take a hit since last season. The Broncos pressured the 49ers' quarterbacks last week by exploiting fullback Zak Keasey in blitz pickup. Seattle fullback Owen Schmitt needs to prove he can play consistently well in that area. One lapse could expose Hasselbeck to punishment.
• The kickers. Brandon Coutu needs to get more depth on his kickoffs. He and Olindo Mare are competing for one roster spot. The team will not keep two kickers this season.
• Cameron Morrah. Seattle will likely choose between Morrah, a seventh-round rookie, and Joe Newton as the third tight end. It's the sort of competition you'll probably appreciate if you've lasted this deep into a blog entry about things to watch during a game few will remember one month from now.

NFL Network is carrying this game live at 10:30 p.m. ET.