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Marcus Trufant, Kelly Jennings, Walter Thurmond and Roy Lewis played significant snaps at cornerback for the Seattle Seahawks last season.

Trufant recently landed on injured reserve. The team traded Jennings before the season. Thurmond has been gaining momentum as his health improves. Lewis spent the first six weeks of the season on the physically unable to perform list.

Sounds like a rough situation, but the Seahawks did not sign a veteran cornerback to replace Trufant this week.

"We wanted our guys to step up," coach Pete Carroll said. "That’s what we brought them here for."

Thurmond joins Brandon Browner in the starting lineup. Rookies Richard Sherman and Byron Maxwell are late-round picks pushing for larger roles. Lewis is coming back soon.

"We feel good about the young guys and we didn’t even think to go look for somebody," Carroll said.

The situation in St. Louis has been similar in one regard. The Rams have also burned through their primary cornerbacks from last season. Unlike the Seahawks, however, they haven't fallen back comfortably on younger players.

Bradley Fletcher, Ron Bartell, Kevin Dockery, Justin King, Jerome Murphy and Quincy Butler were their primary corners last season. Fletcher, Bartell and Murphy are out for the season. Dockery and Butler weren't in the team's plans. King, a fourth-round choice in 2008, has been starting with 36-year-old veteran Al Harris. The team signed Josh Gordy from the practice squad and brought in veteran Rod Hood, who had not played since suffering a knee injury before the 2010 season. Marquis Johnson could come off the PUP list soon.

It's fair to say the Rams' injury-related losses at cornerback have been more substantial than those suffered by Seattle. The Seahawks could not so easily weather another key injury at the position. It's also fair to say Seattle was better prepared for change at the position. To hear Carroll tell it, the team has been looking forward to the transition.

The schedule should brighten Seattle's short-term outlook at the position.

While the Rams are facing Dallas and New Orleans after a trip to Green Bay, the Seahawks draw Cleveland and Cincinnati over the next two weeks. Their secondary faces stiffer tests against Dallas, Baltimore and Philadelphia later in the season. It'll be interesting to see how Carroll feels about the position then.

Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic puts into perspective information about the Cardinals receiving trade inquiries regarding the fifth overall choice. General manager Rod Graves says the conversations have been nothing out of the ordinary. Graves: "There are going to be some excellent football players there in the top 10. Many of those guys will be deemed as franchise-type players. So there will be interest to get up in there, and I wouldn't be surprised that we will get more calls as we get closer to the draft and even on draft day."

Darren Urban of azcardinals.com passes along thoughts from Cardinals personnel director Steve Keim regarding draft strategy. Keim: "There is a difference between ‘now’ and building an organization correctly the long-term way, and the only way to do it correctly long-term is to go in with the mindset of the best available. There are need-based thoughts to that process, but we can’t get consumed with the aspect of need. It’s something you fight every year. That’s just natural. But if you stay focused on long-term goals it keeps you safe."

Bryan Burwell of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch joins colleagues in explaining why Alabama receiver Julio Jones should appeal to the Rams. Burwell: "Jones is a play maker, fast, strong, amazing athleticism and an outstanding downfield blocker. He has everything it takes to be a No.1 receiver. But allow me to ponder what might happen with that No. 14 pick because Jones will not be there. Would the Rams be tempted to go with Florida offensive lineman Mike Pouncey or Boston College G/T Anthony Castonzo to tighten up the interior offensive line? Just throwing out other possibilities for draftniks to mull over." Ideally, any offensive lineman drafted 14th overall would project at tackle, a position the Rams have covered in recent drafts.

Nick Wagoner of stlouisrams.com assesses the Rams' cornerback situation heading into the draft. Wagoner: "As injuries and inconsistencies mounted in the nickel position last year, the Rams rifled through a number of options without ever truly settling on one. At various times, the Rams tried Kevin Dockery, Justin King, rookie Jerome Murphy and Quincy Butler in the nickel role. None ever staked a full claim to the job, leaving it as a potential question mark heading into next season. Of that group, 2010 third-round pick Murphy might have the most potential. Murphy proved to be unafraid of the moment in his opportunities last season and is just scratching the surface on his potential as a strong press corner."

Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee says 49ers general manager Trent Baalke downplayed the team's ability to land a quarterback with experience in the West Coast offense. Also: "One more point about Jim Harbaugh's praise of Alex Smith, which has been interpreted by some as evidence that Harbaugh absolutely adores Smith. Harbaugh told me the other day that he's gone over every NFL snap that Smith has taken. And as we all know, there are more than a few uglies in that group. Harbaugh knows very well that Smith isn't the second coming of Joe Montana. His effusive words are calculated. Harbaugh not only has to convince Smith to return to a town that boos him at every incompletion. He also is trying to pump Smith up if indeed he is Harbaugh's starting quarterback on Sept. 11."

Kevin Lynch of Niner Insider offers thoughts on Harbaugh and what he'll need from the 49ers to succeed. Lynch: "Recently, I've talked to a few people who have spent time observing Harbaugh at Stanford and here's what they say. First, Harbaugh's greatest attributes are his ability to motivate and his reputation as a quarterback whisperer. Harbaugh believes he could coach an Oompa Loompa into spinning NFL-quality spirals, and that's why he wants Alex Smith to stay so badly. Harbaugh believes he can unleash Smith's first-pick talent. But interestingly, Harbaugh is not a great X's and O's man. In fact, Stanford really took off after Harbaugh hired Greg Roman on offense and Vic Fangio on defense. Offensively, Roman, now the 49ers offensive coordinator, was known as the brains of the operation with his use of motion and emphasis on the run. Roman also had the luxury of an extremely bright quarterback in Andrew Luck who sometimes called three plays in the huddle and then chose the best one at the line of scrimmage."

Jeff Dickerson of ESPNChicago.com checks in with former Seahawks general manager Tim Ruskell for thoughts on how Chicago's draft process has chanced since Ruskell and Bears general manager Jerry Angelo joined forces again. Ruskell: "A lot of the things I incorporated in Seattle are things Jerry and I worked on in Tampa and maybe he got away from. I've taken them and went further with them, and some of them are things we re-instituted, things Jerry is familiar with in terms of the draft boards. There are no earth-shattering changes, but we've talked, and the best of both worlds is what it's felt like. It's felt good to the scouts, it's felt good to the coaches in terms of the way we went about our business. Everyone got their say and the work was thorough. No matter how you get to that point, that's the goal."

The Almanac Online says Seahawks owner Paul Allen plans to discuss his new book Monday at the Computer History Museum in Menlo Park, Calif. The admission price -- $32 for one person and $40 for two -- includes a copy of the book.

Danny O'Neil of the Seattle Times says this wouldn't be the first time Matt Hasselbeck's contract talks with the Seahawks went down to the wire. O'Neil: "The first time also resulted in a last-minute agreement when Hasselbeck signed a six-year, $49.6 million contract in February 2005, the deal announced the very day the team may have been forced to use the franchise tag on Hasselbeck without a long-term deal. Six years later, Hasselbeck and the Seahawks are nearing another deadline, only this time there are national implications. Without a new deal, the future becomes very uncertain. That statement is true for the league in general and for the Seahawks and Hasselbeck in particular. That means everyone will be watching what happens before the close of business Thursday."

Dave Boling of the Tacoma News Tribune has this to say about Hasselbeck's status: "Seahawk management has conceded that the quarterback issue is absolutely fundamental to the franchise’s future. If there were conviction that Hasselbeck’s being retained is the best option, it seems that a deal would have been struck by now. But without a labor deal in place, no one will have a clue where the Hawks stand relative to the most important position on the field. At least for a while."

Brock Huard of 710ESPN Seattle says during a video clip that "anything can happen" regarding Hasselbeck -- including a new deal before the labor situation ends -- and that the quarterback will ultimately decide whether he wants to stay in Seattle or not.

Dan Bickley of the Arizona Republic says Matt Leinart's fate with the Cardinals took a hit when the microphone a teammate was wearing captured the quarterbacks' rant against the team. Bickley: "During the last game of the preseason, the then-Cardinals quarterback was wandering the sideline when he approached a teammate who was wired to capture the sounds of an NFL game. The teammate asked Leinart about his future in Arizona, and according to whispers, Leinart let loose on the organization and the head coach. One problem: Leinart had no idea his teammate was wearing a hidden microphone. Did the audio outburst reach Ken Whisenhunt? Did it hasten or trigger Leinart's departure? The Cardinals say no, but clearly, it couldn't have helped."

Darren Urban of azcardinals.com passes along a 2006 photo showing Prince Amukamara, then in high school, posing with Kurt Warner and Larry Fitzgerald at the Cardinals' facility. Urban: "Amukamara has come a long way since then, going to the University of Nebraska, getting switched to cornerback and, obviously, filling out physically. Now he’s a first-round NFL draft pick-to-be, impressing a lot of people at the just-completed Scouting combine. He’s regarded as the second-best cornerback behind LSU’s Patrick Peterson."

Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says the Rams tendered contracts to their potential restricted free agents. Thomas: "Tight end Daniel Fells, defensive tackle Gary Gibson and offensive tackle Renardo Foster were tendered at a right of first refusal level. None of the three players were drafted, so the Rams have matching rights on any outside offers. But they would not get draft pick compensation if the players received a contract offer from another club and the Rams decided not to match that offer. Meanwhile, linebacker Chris Chamberlain, offensive guard John Greco, cornerback Justin King, wide receiver Laurent Robinson and linebacker David Vobora were tendered at their original draft position level." Fells, Gibson and Robinson would generally qualify as unrestricted free agents using previously established parameters. Quincy Butler, Kenneth Darby and Curtis Johnson did not receive tenders.

Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee says the 49ers appear uninterested in bringing back quarterback Troy Smith. Also from Barrows: "Many of you have asked via Twitter and other means whether the team will cut ties with cornerback Nate Clements before the league year ends as the Packers did today with linebacker A.J. Hawk. In Hawk's case, he was set to earn a $10.5 million bonus on the first day of the new league year. Clements also is scheduled for a huge salary in 2011, but unlike Hawk there is no trigger point -- aside from the start of the season -- that would prompt an early release."

Eric Branch of the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat says 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh values accuracy in his quarterbacks, one reason Troy Smith probably isn't in the team's plans. Alex Smith isn't particularly accurate by starting quarterback standards, but he has completed a higher percentage of passes than Troy Smith.

Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch said the Rams found a way to win on the road despite not playing their best (or anywhere close to their best). Miklasz: "It was the kind of challenge that tests a team's resolve. The Rams were playing a bad team and got off to a slow start. But they never backed off. Not for one second, not for one inch. This performance may have been lacking in charisma and creativity, but the Rams took this game to the streets. And the Cardinals weren't going to beat them there."

Bill Coats of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch offers a Rams report card with a B-plus grade for the running backs and a C-minus grade for Sam Bradford.

Also from Coats: Craig Dahl picked off a pass for the first time in his four-year NFL career. The Rams' secondary had problems Sunday, not that the Cardinals could take advantage of them. Coats: "Rookie cornerback Jerome Murphy sat out with a sore hamstring. Then Ron Bartell, the team's top cornerback, left early in the second quarter with a recurrence of a shoulder injury he initially sustained Oct. 24 at Tampa Bay. Bartell tried to return but had to bow out. That brought in Quincy Butler, who was on the game-day roster for the first time in a month."

Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says the Rams were finally able to coast to victory. They ran the four-minute offense expertly, running out the clock and preventing the Cardinals from trying to rally. Bradford: "That was nice. We've definitely had some games where I thought I was going to have a heart attack in the fourth quarter. But to be in control [was great]. And our defense did a great job. After the first quarter they just completed dominated that football game."

Also from Thomas: Rams kicker Josh Brown bounced back from an off performance.

Nick Wagoner of stlouisrams.com offers postgame notes featuring praise for right tackle Jason Smith, who threw the key block on Steven Jackson's 27-yard scoring run.

Also from Wagoner: Jackson churned out 102 yards on the ground. Jackson isn't happy about the Rams' decision to name fullback Mike Karney inactive over the past couple games. Jackson has taken quite a bit of punishment in those games. Might his path be a little easier if the Rams had Karney clearing the way a few times each game?

More from Wagoner: "Sunday’s win comes with plenty of intrinsic value both in terms of the big picture and in the short term. The victory evens the Rams’ record at 6-6 and keeps them in a tie with Seattle for first place in the NFC West Division. More important, the Rams remain in charge of their own destiny from this point on. In other words, if the Rams can find ways to continue taking care of business, they will be the last team standing in the NFC West when all is said and done."

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

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

A look at NFC West inactives:

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

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

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

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

Arizona: Quarterback Max Hall passed neurological tests following the concussion he suffered against Seattle. That means Hall will start against Tampa Bay unless something unforeseen happens in the interim. The Cardinals' decision to rest Steve Breaston against Seattle means the receiver hasn't played a game in more than a month. Breaston underwent surgery Sept. 28 to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee. The expectation then was that Breaston might return by the Seattle game. He'll presumably be back Sunday. The Cardinals have yet to activate linebacker Gerald Hayes to the 53-man roster following back surgery. Hayes is one week into a three-week window allowing him to practice without counting against the 53-man limit. Arizona must activate him during that window or play the rest of the season without him. Rookie Daryl Washington showed improvement against Seattle, taking off some of the pressure to bring back Hayes. Update: Clark Haggans missed practice Wednesday.

St. Louis: Running back Steven Jackson missed practice Wednesday after undergoing finger surgery Monday. Jackson played well against Seattle in Week 4 after missing practices to rest a groin injury. Jackson's desire to fight through that injury suggests he'll find a way to play despite the bad finger on his left hand. The injury could make it tougher for him to catch passes. The Rams could also decide to limit Jackson's snaps if they build a lead against the visiting 1-5 Carolina Panthers. On defense, the Rams will remain without tackle Clifton Ryan for the remainder of the season after the team placed him on injured reserve. Ryan suffered migraines following the opener. The Rams have generally been solid at defensive tackle thanks to Fred Robbins, but he missed practice Wednesday to rest a toe injury. Placing Ryan on injured reserve gave the Rams room to sign former San Francisco 49ers safety Michael Lewis in a move to bolster an injury-depleted secondary. The Rams also brought back cornerback Quincy Butler. Regular corners Ron Bartell, Bradley Fletcher and Justin King are battling injuries. Bartell practiced in a limited role Wednesday.

Seattle: Left tackle Russell Okung earned special mention from Matt Williamson of Scouts Inc. during ESPN.com's most recent Rookie Watch. Okung stabilizes the line when he's available, but a second high-ankle sprain in two months figures to sideline Okung against Oakland even though coach Pete Carroll hasn't ruled out the rookie. The Seahawks struggled to protect quarterback Matt Hasselbeck in their most recent road game without Okung (a 20-3 defeat at St. Louis). Backup Tyler Polumbus should be in better position to succeed this time. Polumbus started the St. Louis game at right tackle, then flopped sides once Okung could not continue. On defense, Seattle could get starting tackle Brandon Mebane (calf) and starting corner Kelly Jennings (hamstring) back from injuries this week. It's less clear whether slot receiver Brandon Stokley (oblique) will be available. Ben Obomanu, not rookie Golden Tate, filled in for Stokley against Arizona. Using two tight ends more frequently could help in protection while lessening the team's dependence on a slot receiver. The extra blocker could also help the team get by without fullback Michael Robinson, who suffered a hamstring injury.

San Francisco: The 49ers will be without starting quarterback Alex Smith, who once appeared on track to start 16 games in a season for the second time in his career and the first time since 2007. The shoulder injury Smith suffered against Carolina and the 49ers' lack of confidence in David Carr leaves Troy Smith as the starter against Denver. What does that mean for the offense? The world finds out Sunday. Troy Smith is only now beginning to take meaningful practice reps. He could spark the offense, but will he be able to sustain anything over the course of a game? Tight end Vernon Davis (ankle), linebacker Ahmad Brooks (knee) and cornerback Tarell Brown (back) missed practice Wednesday. Davis has shown he can play through injuries. The bye in Week 9 will serve him well.

Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic says the Cardinals need to resolve their quarterback situation in a positive way if they expect to re-sign Larry Fitzgerald. Somers: "In 2008, Fitzgerald signed a five-year contract that voided to four provided Fitzgerald met minimal performance standards. He's done that, meaning his contract, which averages $10 million a year, will expire after the 2011 season. To avoid reaching that point, the Cardinals are expected to discuss a new contract with Fitzgerald no later than this spring, although a lockout could change the timeline." Fitzgerald had the Cardinals in a tough spot when he signed his current deal. That will be the case again.

Bob McManaman of the Arizona Republic checks in with former Cardinals coach Joe Bugel, who lives in the Phoenix area and recently participated in Russ Grimm's Hall of Fame induction.

Also from McManaman: a conversation with Cardinals center Lyle Sendlein, who has this to say about what he enjoys during the offseason: "If my body's feeling all right, I like to play some golf. But a lot of times, my hands, my back and my head hurts. The wife and I sometimes go out to see a movie. But I don't do a whole lot; I guess that's the point. I'm kind of mindless at times."

Darren Urban of azcardinals.com says playing well is the best kind of "leadership" during the NFL season.

Clare Farnsworth of seahawks.com says Russell Okung made his first NFL start without many practice reps. Okung's second NFL start will be tougher, most likely, because Julius Peppers will be lining up against him.

Steve Kelley of the Seattle Times says the Seahawks' latest trade, for Marshawn Lynch, shows the front office never rests and isn't content waiting until next season. Kelley: "They've turned the locker room at VMAC into a pigskin version of Ellis Island, with new players coming in almost daily from all over the NFL. The turnover has been unprecedented. To that point, on Tuesday, they pulled the deal of the season. They got something the Seahawks have been seeking since forever."

Danny O'Neil of the Seattle Times says Seattle is one of four teams without a 1,000-yard rusher in any of the last four seasons. Buffalo has had three during that time (Lynch twice, Fred Jackson once).

Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says the Rams see no reason they cannot contend within the NFC West. Guard Adam Goldberg, speaking immediately following the team's 20-3 victory Sunday: "I am ready for next Sunday. This winning's addictive and you want to get to the next one."

Also from Thomas: a chat transcript noting that Larry Grant has played OK for the Rams lately.

More from Thomas: The Rams brought in cornerback Quincy Butler for a tryout. Kevin Dockery is injured.

Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch offers an appreciation for Steven Jackson. Miklasz: "He's become a tremendous leader under head coach Steve Spagnuolo. Jax has been a positive influence in his vocal leadership, and in his actions. Though last year's 1-15 record -- and a back injury -- probably had Jackson screaming inside, he never wavered from his commitment to be a forward-thinking Ram who could see daylight ahead. Jackson trained very hard. He's taken care of himself. He's put in extra time. Tuesday morning, on a day off, Jackson was at Rams Park, studying video of Sunday's opponent, Detroit."

Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com says 49ers president Jed York has incentive to give Mike Singletary every chance for success given that York's first major move in the role was to hire the former linebacker as head coach. The 49ers aren't really in position to hand the job to anyone else during the season. Greg Manusky could take over, but giving him the top job would weaken the 49ers at defensive coordinator.

Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee details a few moves the 49ers made around the fringes of their roster. The Raiders signed Bruce Davis off the 49ers' practice squad.

David White of the San Francisco Chronicle passes along this quote from Singletary: "It's not like we're puzzled over here, throwing our hands up, saying, 'What the heck do we need to do win?' It's on the wall, it's on the film. We can see it."

Kevin Lynch of the San Francisco Chronicle says Nate Clements answered reporters' questions about his fateful interception return for the first time. Clements: "It was instinct; it was happening fast. I caught the ball, and I didn't see anybody but the quarterback, and I had three blockers."

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

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

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

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

St. Louis Rams (34 off roster)

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

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

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

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

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

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

Special teams: Ryan Neill

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

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

---

Seattle Seahawks (33 off roster)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

---

Arizona Cardinals (24 off roster)

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

Defensive line: Jason Banks (added Dan Williams)

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

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

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

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

Special teams: Neil Rackers (added Jay Feely)

Tight end: Anthony Becht (added Jim Dray)

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

---

San Francisco 49ers (24 off roster)

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

Defensive line: Kentwan Balmer, Derek Walker

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

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

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

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

Special teams: Shane Andrus, Ricky Schmitt

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

---

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

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

Biggest surprise: The Rams aren't good enough yet to produce a big surprise on cutdown day. I'll address a few mild ones. Rookies Jermelle Cudjo and George Selvie stuck on the defensive line, where Victor Adeyanju was the odd man out. The Rams parted with third-string quarterback Keith Null, who started four games last season. They dumped linebacker Bobby Carpenter, acquired from Dallas in the Alex Barron trade, after trying him at defensive end. In the secondary, I thought Quincy Butler might stick at cornerback after serving as a spot starter amid injury problems last season. At running back, Chris Ogbonnaya looked good in relief against Arizona last season and the Rams had some hopes for him early in the offseason, but he simply didn't run the ball well enough to earn a roster spot (even though the Rams' poor depth behind Steven Jackson has been a primary storyline all offseason).

No-brainers: The Rams kept only eight offensive linemen initially because the depth beyond their starters simply wasn't very good. On defense, safety Kevin Payne's injury situation cost him a chance at providing depth while James Butler recovers from a knee injury. Coach Steve Spagnuolo talked up rookie running back Keith Toston a few times, and he has long appreciated Kenneth Darby's toughness. But if the Rams can find upgrades, they should consider their options.

What’s next: The Rams hold the NFL's No. 1 waiver priority following their 1-15 record last season. Expect them to make a few claims in an effort to upgrade their roster. Most teams keep nine offensive linemen. The Rams could be active at that position. They could use a backup for Jackson. And with receiver Donnie Avery on injured reserve, the Rams could explore the trade market.

Rams players cut:
QB Keith Null
RB Chris Ogbonnaya
FB Dennis Morris
WR Danario Alexander
WR Jordan Kent
WR Brandon McRae
TE Darcy Johnson
OL Roger Allen
OL Tim Mattran
OL Ryan McKee
OL Drew Miller
OL Eric Young (IR).
DL Victor Adeyanju
DL Ernest Reid
LB Devin Bishop
LB Bobby Carpenter
LB Cardia Jackson
CB Quincy Butler
CB Marquis Johnson
CB Antoine Thompson
SS Brett Johnson
SS Kevin Payne (IR)

The St. Louis Rams hold the No. 1 priority for waiver claims and they'll probably put that status to work following the mandatory reduction to 53 players Saturday.

With that in mind, let's take a position-by-position look at the Rams' roster heading into their second season under coach Steve Spagnuolo (current roster counts listed in parentheses):

Quarterbacks (4)

Average number kept since 2003: 2.9

Keepers: Sam Bradford, A.J. Feeley

Looking safe: Keith Null

On the bubble: Thaddeus Lewis

Comment: Lewis has played well enough to intrigue the Rams, but probably not well enough for another team to claim him off waivers. That makes Lewis a natural choice for the practice squad.

Running backs (5)

Average number kept since 2003: 5.3

Keepers: Steven Jackson, Mike Karney

Looking safe: Kenneth Darby

Not sure what to think: Keith Toston, Chris Ogbonnaya

Comment: The Rams are carrying as many running backs as teams typically keep, but multiple spots could be up for grabs depending on which running backs become available via waivers. I'd rather list Toston, Ogbonnaya and Darby in one group until it becomes clear which backs -- and which types of backs -- hit the waiver wire. Ogbonnaya showed potential last season and looked good early in camp, but his performance hasn't carried over to exhibition games and that could cost him. Perhaps expectations were too high. Darby's toughness and special-teams contributions could help him. Toston runs hard and could land on the practice squad.

Wide receivers (9)

Average number kept since 2003: 5.3

Keepers: Laurent Robinson, Mardy Gilyard, Danny Amendola, Brandon Gibson, Keenan Burton

On the bubble: Dominique Curry

Also: Brandon McRae, Jordan Kent, Danario Alexander

Comment: Curry stood out as an undrafted steal during camp. He has excellent size and has showed good ability on special teams. Burton's durability should remain a concern, but that's the case with Robinson and even Gibson at this point. Gibson's value rises with Donnie Avery on injured reserve.

Tight ends (6)

Average number kept since 2003: 3.0

Keepers: Billy Bajema, Mike Hoomanawanui

Looking safe: Fendi Onobun

Not sure what to think: Daniel Fells, Darcy Johnson

Also: Dennis Morris

Comment: But wait, Fells is the incumbent starter, right? Yes, but he hasn't been durable and there's so much to like about the rookies Onobun and Hoomanawanui. Bajema is an obvious keeper for his blocking and all-around game (he has caught the ball well on limited chances). Johnson has shown toughness and blocking ability, so he could be an option if the team wants to move on from Fells. Perhaps I'm over thinking things here, but the emergence of Onobun and Hoomanawanui during camp creates dilemmas.

Offensive linemen (13)

Average number kept since 2003: 9.3

Keepers: Jason Brown, Jacob Bell, Rodger Saffold, Jason Smith, Adam Goldberg, Hank Fraley

Looking safe: John Greco, Roger Allen III

Also: Eric Young, Drew Miller, Ryan McKee, Renardo Foster, Tim Mattran

Comment: It's tough finding nine keepers here, so the Rams could be active in the waiver-claim game. Greco's versatility works in his favor. Are the Rams still high on Allen's prospects? I know they liked him last season, but that was before reconstructive knee surgery. Trading Alex Barron made sense in the big picture, but the Rams would have better depth here if Barron were still around.

Defensive line (12)

Average number kept since 2003: 8.6

Keepers: Chris Long, Fred Robbins, Clifton Ryan, James Hall, Gary Gibson, Darell Scott

Looking safe: George Selvie

On the bubble: Victor Adeyanju, C.J. Ah You, Jermelle Cudjo

Also: Ernest Reid, Eugene Sims

Comment: Durability concerns could cost Ah You. Adeyanju also could be on the bubble depending on what options the Rams have beyond their own roster. Cudjo has made a positive impression during camp and preseason. Same goes for Selvie, although an injury sidelined him part of the time.

Linebackers (9)

Average number kept since 2003: 6.3

Keepers: James Laurinaitis, Larry Grant, Na'il Diggs, Chris Chamberlain

Looking safe: Bobby Carpenter

On the bubble: David Vobora, Josh Hull

Also: Devin Bishop, Cardia Jackson

Comment: Carpenter has gotten some work at defensive end. Perhaps his presence in an emergency capacity at that position could allow the Rams to keep one fewer defensive lineman, at least early. Chamberlain is probably the best special-teams position player on the Rams, enhancing his value. Hull could provide depth behind Laurinaitis because he's a true middle linebacker, whereas Vobora can back up every position. That could be a close call.

Defensive backs (14)

Average number kept since 2003: 9.7

Keepers: Oshiomogho Atogwe, Ron Bartell, Justin King, Bradley Fletcher, James Butler, Kevin Payne, Craig Dahl, Jerome Murphy, Kevin Dockery

Looking safe: Quincy Butler

On the bubble: Darian Stewart

Also: Brett Johnson, Marquis Johnson, Antoine Thompson

Comment: James Butler's knee injury probably makes keeping Payne a higher priority. Stewart could be a candidate for the practice squad.

Specialists (3)

Average number kept since 2003: 2.7

Keepers: Josh Brown, Donnie Jones, Chris Massey

Comment: Strong group here.

EARTH CITY, Mo. -- Footballs were flying and so were receivers Tuesday night at St. Louis Rams training camp.

Among the highlights:

• Rookie Mardy Gilyard gathering a low-and-away ball from Sam Bradford and running through the coverage with authority;
• Tight end Billy Bajema catching a Bradford pass that first bounced off Daniel Fells;
• Third-year receiver Donnie Avery elevating and laying out for an A.J. Feeley pass along the right sideline -- perhaps the best catch I've seen at a training camp this summer. Avery had a rough day from a physical standpoint, taking a hard shot to the back when a defender landed on him awkwardly, but he bounced back and caught a sideline pass right away. Avery put on weight this offseason in an effort to become more durable. Looks like he passed an initial test Tuesday;
• Second-year receiver Brooks Foster diving to catch a pass from Keith Null, also along the right sideline. Foster was running full speed and he landed hard -- the sound suggested his helmet hit the grass -- but he still held on;
• Rookie tight end Fendi Onobun outleaping a defender to catch a deep pass in the back-left corner of the end zone;
• Fells catching a high pass over the middle;
• Danny Amendola, building on a terrific camp so far, snatching a pass over the middle from Bradford.

Cornerback Quincy Butler picked off Feeley at one point, but the receivers won this practice -- not necessarily by beating defensive backs, but by making spectacular grabs. The Rams have lacked playmakers. It was tough to tell Tuesday. Gilyard in particular was catching passes left and right.

Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says former Rams coach Dick Vermeil would welcome a chance to work for the team under pending owner Stan Kroenke. Vermeil: "Oh yeah, I’d listen. There’s nobody in the United States more prepared to be an owner as Stan Kroenke. It’d be a crime for him not to end up with this football team." How could Kroenke say no? Vermeil would be perfect for the Rams in some sort of advisory role. At age 73, he wouldn't be a direct threat to the current coaching staff, but it would be important for him to temper his comments sometimes.

Also from Thomas: a chat transcript says the Rams haven't signed a veteran backup running back in part because they like Chris Ogbonnaya. Thomas: "Right or wrong, the Rams think Ogbonnaya has what it takes to be a good NFL third-down back. And they like Keith Toston, the undrafted rookie from Oklahoma State although they're not necessarily adverstising it. Yes, once again, I'll say it is puzzling that they didn't bring in a veteran with some tread left to back up Steven Jackson." This affirms what I saw from Ogbonnaya in rewatching Rams games this offseason.

More from Thomas: Oshiomogho Atogwe is on the comeback trail following an injury-shortened 2009 season. Atogwe: "It was tough. I've been playing football all my life. Never missed a game. Never missed any time. So to be completely away from it for so long was hard on me. But during that time I used it to improve myself, and just continue to develop as a man and develop as a person. So that when I did come back to the game, I'd be better off."

Bill Coats of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says Keenan Burton faces a tough fight for a roster spot. Coats: "Ten wide receivers are competing for five or six roster spots, and only Donnie Avery, Laurent Robinson and probably rookie Mardy Gilyard appear to be safe bets to make the team." I'd be surprised if Brandon Gibson did not make the cut. Also, boxing promoter Don King was at Rams practice. No joke -- or trickeration.

Also from Coats: Quincy Butler replaced Ron Bartell with the first-team defense after Bartell suffered what appeared to be a significant ankle injury.

The Associated Press checks in with Rams defensive end Chris Long, who made strides last season. Long: "I was just kind of letting things go; not worrying about it so much and just playing. I think that's just me getting better. I don't think it's a flash in the pan thing. I hope not."

The Rams have tendered their restricted free agents as follows:

• Oshiomogho Atogwe, FS, right of first refusal. The team must upgrade its $1.226 million offer to nearly $7 million guaranteed in June if Atogwe is unsigned and the Rams want to retain his rights.
• Clifton Ryan, DE, second round.
• Alex Barron, OT, second round.
• Victor Adeyanju, DE, original round (fourth).
• Craig Dahl, S, right of first refusal.

The Rams can match any offers these players receive. All but Atogwe and Dahl would return a draft choice as compensation if the Rams decided against matching.

Eight players will become unrestricted free agents after the Rams declined to make RFA offers: safety Eric Bassey, long snapper Ryan Neill, cornerback Jonathan Wade, running back Samkon Gado, wide receiver Ruvell Martin, guard Mark Setterstrom, tight end Daniel Fells and defensive tackle Gary Gibson.

The minimum RFA offers exceed $1 million. Some of those eight players could conceivably return for less.

The team also retained rights to defensive end C.J. Ah You, cornerback Quincy Butler, running back Kenneth Darby, linebacker Larry Grant, wide receiver Jordan Kent, tackle Ryan McKee, safety David Roach and linebacker David Vobora.

It's easy to look past the Rams and 49ers this week with the Seahawks hiring Pete Carroll and the Cardinals preparing for the Saints.

Here's a Rams-centric mailbag. I'll hit on some 49ers stuff separately.

Brian from Kent, Wash., writes: Do you see the Rams drafting Ndamukong Suh or trading the No. 1 pick? Also, I have heard rumors that the rams are after Mike Vick.

Mike Sando: It's tough getting teams to trade into the top spot, or even the top five, from lower in the round. The Rams would want the top pick if there were an obvious choice for the No. 1 pick. If Peyton Manning were in this draft, the Rams would keep the pick, right? I just don't see that type of obviously superior quarterback talent in this draft. For that reason, the Rams are probably stuck with the pick.

Picking a quarterback that early forces teams to pay a premium price relative to other positions in the draft (if not relative to quarterbacks already in the league). I'm not sure the Rams will see a quarterback worth the price. That could lead them to the veteran trade market, where Vick stands out as one of the better options.

The price a team pays for a player defines the risk. Adding Vick for the right price makes more sense now than it would have a year ago. One, Vick has kept a low profile and stayed out of trouble, to the best of our knowledge. Two, he spent the past season learning the offense St. Louis uses. It's still fair to question how he would fare over a 16-game schedule. The Rams would have a chance to lead the league in rushing yardage with Vick and Steven Jackson on the same team, but leading the league in rushing isn't necessarily a worthy goal.

The Rams need more from their passing game and better health on their offensive line.

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Jesse from Fallbrook, Calif., writes: Up until the last few weeks of the season, I was hoping the Rams would pursue OLB Derrick Johnson, S Nick Collins and QB Jason Campbell. I am quickly thinking that all three will be nearly impossible. Nick Collins is now a two time Pro Bowler and will cost more than Oshiomogho Atogwe. Johnson had two picks for six in the last week of the season. Way to leave an impression on the front office before your contract expires. Campbell will be a restricted free agent with an uncapped season. And he might fit Shanahan's offense nicely.

Now I am thinking we move Quincy Butler to free safety if his cover skills will warrant the move, and attempt to draft Myron Rolle (fourth round) at strong safety and A.J. Edds (third round) at SLB. And hope for Sean Canfield to slip to the fifth. I'd hate to use both fives to get back up to get him or someone similar. Your thoughts?

Mike Sando: Campbell is probably the best quarterback option for the Redskins. Here is what Shanahan said about him, according to the Washington Post: "I just love the way Jason handles himself. I'm looking forward to sitting down and watching film and going through every play that he's had throughout his career, and looking forward to sitting down and talking with him. Hopefully the best years are ahead. But that's a process that will take some time."

Doesn't sound like Shanahan will be in a hurry to trade him. In Green Bay, Collins just finished his fifth season in the league. He is part of the 2005 draft class. Without a new collective bargaining agreement, Collins reverts to being a restricted free agent. Same goes for the Chiefs' Johnson and even Atogwe.

Butler is listed at about 190 pounds. He has good height, but I'm not a big fan of having players change positions. Butler, while promising, isn't a top-flight corner. What makes us think he would become the answer at safety?

Free agency could be even worse than usual this season if the NFL remains without a CBA. Fewer players will hit the market as unrestricted free agents.

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Adam from Mesa, Ariz., writes: Should the Rams follow the Chargers' example in 2004 and trade a coveted player in the draft for several high picks? They are similar to San Diego in that they already have the all-world running back in Steven Jackson (compared to San Diego with LaDainian Tomlinson in 2004) and have the No. 1 overall choice.

The Lions or the Bucs make sense since they both need Ndamukong Suh and both drafted a quarterback last year. Should the Rams build up Ndamukong Suh, then trade him at the last minute for as much as they can get, even if its a discounted price, instead of taking the perceived best player available? Our precedent is the 2004 draft with Eli Manning and Philip Rivers (the No. 1 overall for the No. 4 overall, a third-rounder in 2004 and a first- and fifth-rounder in 2005).

If the Rams offer the No. 1 overall to either team for say, the No. 2 or No. 3 overall and a second-rounder this year and second-rounder next year, it might be a discount, but would that be better than one dominant player this year? What are your thoughts?

Mike Sando: The Rams could benefit from having multiple picks. They also need difference makers. This team hasn't found truly elite, high-impact players at the top of the draft recently. The important thing becomes determining whether Suh will be that type of player relative to other players available near the top of the draft.

The 2004 draft did feature a couple of highly regarded quarterbacks. The Chargers and Giants both came away with quarterbacks who have since won playoff games. The 2010 draft doesn't necessarily seem to feature quarterback prospects as highly regarded as Manning and Rivers were six years ago.

The bottom line, I think, is that other teams will not be willing to trade into the top pick. Recent history tells us it's a tough sell.

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Jason from St. Louis writes: Even if they have to take less than market value for the No. 1 overall choice, don't they need to get away from the money a top five pick makes after drafting the last two No. 2 overall picks? Suh may end up being one of the greatest lineman of all time, but do we know for sure that is going to happen? And just for the opportunity for that to happen, he gets a rookie contract for about what DeMarcus Ware makes. I don't know that any team could carry three contracts the size these three young gentlemen will be making.

Even without a cap next year, a cap has to come back in any CBA, right? And this team is setting itself up to be in serious cap trouble. The Rams let Chris Draft go over I think $700,000 before this year because of cap issues. Giving Suh $70 million over six years isn't going to help matters. If the Rams could get a late first and a couple second-rounders, you have to make that deal, right? And with Suh at the top, someone has to be willing to give that up for him.

Mike Sando: The Rams have dramatically improved their salary-cap outlook. Cap space is not going to be a problem. The Rams' cap guy, Kevin Demoff, left the Bucs with tens of millions in cap space when he took the job in St. Louis. He knows how to create room. Cash could be more of a concern than cap space. The Rams are looking for a buyer. Their wallet is only so deep.

The decision on Draft was also a value judgment based on the fact that he was an older player on the decline. Keeping him on the roster for Week 1 would have forced the Rams to guarantee his full salary. Once they cut Draft, it's not like a long line of teams rushed out to sign him.

There's no way the Rams could justify dropping from the first pick to the bottom of the first round. They need playmakers. They're more likely to find one in the top five or 10 than if they trade all the way to the bottom of the round.

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Rob from Asheville, N.C., writes: Mike, can Adam Carriker be an effective starter in the NFL? If so, can the Rams pass on Suh and take Anthony Davis or Eric Berry? Is Suh dominant enough that somebody would actually offer the Rams a package to move up to No. 1?

Mike Sando: The Rams cannot bank on Carriker being healthy, let alone becoming an effective starter. They might have hope for him, but they cannot count on him. Any decision they make on Suh probably has to stand on its own, not in relation to what they might get from Carriker.

The Rams spent last offseason beefing up the offensive line. They need to work more on the defensive line this offseason. Steve Spagnuolo will want depth up front so he can create the type of rotation he enjoyed while with the Giants.

Drafting Davis first overall wouldn't make a great deal of sense after the Rams used the second overall choice for another offensive tackle, Anthony Davis. Berry has playmaking ability, which the Rams need, but can they afford to focus so much of their resources on a back-end player? Seems to me the Rams will want to upgrade their front four and front seven first.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Matt Maiocco of the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat says 49ers coach Mike Singletary fully supports offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye's play calling. I'd be surprised if Singletary publicly questioned Raye's approach without a compelling reason to do so. The team does need to continually re-evaluate its approach now that Alex Smith is the quarterback. And when Singletary explains the team's second-half approach against the Colts by saying the staff has not had much "exposure" to Smith, that does not sound like an acceptable reason. Smith has been there going on five years. Anyone following the 49ers closely should know what suits the player San Francisco drafted with the first overall choice of the 2005 draft. The 49ers' staff should certainly know what suits him.

Also from Maiocco: What's next for Nate Clements?

Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee says the 49ers' Joe Staley has never dealt with a significant injury before suffering sprains to his medial collateral and posterior cruciate ligaments Sunday.

Also from Barrows: Raye opened things up against the Colts, calling first-down pass plays most of the time.

Mark Emmons of the San Jose Mercury News says injuries are starting to hurt the 49ers.

Tim Kawakami of the San Jose Mercury News says Singletary can motivate, but can he coach?

Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says the Rams' Steven Jackson is headed for an early retirement unless the team can upgrade its situation at quarterback and receiver. Miklasz: "The Rams should invest a premium 2010 draft pick in the quarterback position and get on with the future. There's no guarantee that Sam Bradford, Tony Pike, Jimmy Clausen, Jake Locker, Tim Tebow, Colt McCoy or any other top QB prospect will turn into a franchise-altering starter in St. Louis. And though we've seen rookie quarterbacks -- Ben Roethlisberger, Matt Ryan, Joe Flacco -- immediately step in and thrive, a growth period is the norm. And that maturation process can be difficult."

Also from Miklasz: a game ball for first-year coach Steve Spagnuolo.

Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says Spagnuolo has heard from quite a few friends since the Rams' first victory of the season.

Bill Coats of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says cornerback Quincy Butler played well against the Lions in his first start as part of the base defense.

Steve Korte of the Belleville News-Democrat checks in with Spagnuolo, who says the Rams cannot let down just because they won a game.

Clare Farnsworth of seahawks.com says coach Jim Mora left Matt Hasselbeck in the game after the outcome was decided because he didn't want to send the wrong message to his team.

Also from Farnsworth: How the Seahawks respond in practice Wednesday will say much about their team, Hasselbeck says.

Danny O'Neil of the Seattle Times explores the sideline "conversation" between Hasselbeck and receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh. Hasselbeck: "You're talking about on the sidelines where he looked all mad and stuff. That's just T.J. That conversation was about a pass we had had, but it wasn't like he was mad at me or I wasn't mad at him. Just kind of his demeanor. We've got an X Box room right in there where everyone plays X Box, and he yells at that TV far worse than he was yelling on the sidelines. I think that's something you have to understand about a teammate is that you've got to understand what works and what doesn't work. The perception certainly is that something bad was going on, so maybe we've got to worry about the perception, but there's no issue there between he and I at all. But we've got to complete more passes. That's a big issue."

Also from O'Neil: Mora circles the wagons, so to speak, in the Seattle locker room.

Art Thiel of seattlepi.com questions Mora's motivational tactics.

Eric D. Williams of the Tacoma News Tribune questions what Deion Branch meant when he following a touchdown by saying into the camera, "Y'all come find me. Anybody want me, come find me."

John Morgan of Field Gulls looks at Sam Hurd's touchdown reception against the Seahawks. Morgan: "Why Seattle blitzed on third and two is beyond me."

Bob McManamon of the Arizona Republic says Cardinals tight end Ben Patrick expects the team to start connecting on big plays in the passing game. Guard Deuce Lutui: "I think teams underestimated our passing game in the playoffs. But now that defenses are trying to slow us down, we've got to stay aggressive and keep mixing it up. We just have to jab, jab, jab and then bam -- knockout."

Also from McManamon: Fullback Jason Wright continued playing Sunday despite suffering a fractured thumb. The bone was sticking through the skin. McManamon: "During a punt return in the second quarter of Arizona's loss to Carolina, Wright's left hand was caught in the shoulder pads of a Panthers player he was trying to block. He felt something rip." Wright: "I looked down and my glove was (pointed) that way (at a right angle). I thought, 'Oh, that's not good.' "

Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic quotes injured Cardinals receiver Anquan Boldin as saying he'll play Sunday if possible.

Darren Urban of azcardinals.com looks at the team's inability to strike downfield in the passing game this season.