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Yes, the start of training camps is two months away, but it’s never too early to consider the coming season. A look at the best-case and worst-case scenarios for the 49ers in 2012:

Dream scenario (14-2): The 49ers pick up where they left off last season. They continue to force turnovers and protect the football while dictating field position with their dominant special teams. This time, however, the offense has more firepower.

Receiver Michael Crabtree backs up coach Jim Harbaugh's comments suggesting Crabtree has all-time-great hands. A rejuvenated Randy Moss strikes fear into secondaries. Quarterback Alex Smith, armed with sufficient weapons, strikes for explosive plays more frequently. The offensive line, stabilized by Alex Boone's emergence as a top young guard, sustains drives on third downs and finishes them in the red zone.

Rookie receiver A.J. Jenkins hits stride in December as the 49ers clinch home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs heading into Week 17. Colin Kaepernick throws for 350 yards and four touchdowns in the regular-season finale as San Francisco eliminates division-rival Arizona from playoff contention. Sufficiently rested, the 49ers score a dominating victory over Tom Brady and the New England Patriots, delivering San Francisco its first Super Bowl title since the 1994 season.

Nightmare scenario (6-10): The odds catch up to Smith when the Detroit Lions' Ndamukong Suh delivers a controversial hit at the knees in Week 2. Kaepernick isn't ready, Moss loses interest and the offense can't score enough points. Meanwhile, Peyton Manning has the Denver Broncos looking like contenders.

The 49ers realize they were fortunate to have Smith start 18 games the previous season despite taking 51 sacks. They realize how risky it was going into the season without a proven right guard. How hard would it have been to pay one of the veteran options the team considered in free agency? That's a question reporters keep asking, even though none of them said much before the season. The question stings now that Smith is done for the season and Kaepernick is running for his life.

Tough defense and special teams keep the 49ers reasonably competitive. The coaching staff does its best to stabilize the situation. The 49ers compete and steal victories from other teams with quarterback issues. In the end, however, they become the latest team to suffer a hard fall after posting a glittering record the previous season. Rock bottom arrives when Sando notes, again, that the 13 teams finishing 13-3 from 2004 to 2010 averaged 8.3 victories the following season.

Alex Smith's comments referencing Cam Newton, featured here and elsewhere, have caught the Carolina Panthers' attention.

Perhaps they have been overblown. Smith isn't the type to talk trash or disrespect an opponent. He did seem to cross a line when mentioning Newton by name in a manner that diminished Newton's accomplishments as a rookie quarterback.

"Alex smith, don't hate on Cam Bc your stats would've gotten u cut if Peyton decided to come 2 San Fran.Truth b told..That's after a 13-3 yr.," Panthers linebacker Jon Beason said through his verified Twitter account.

Smith isn't on Twitter, to my knowledge, but I would expect some sort of response or clarification from him at some point. He'll be asked about it, for sure.

As for Beason, he's naturally going to stand up for his teammate. Using the 49ers' interest in Peyton Manning against Smith served that purpose, although Manning's status as an all-time great attracted lots of teams, not just San Francisco. Beason has been a better linebacker than Smith has been a quarterback, but if the Panthers could upgrade at his position, they would consider making a move as well. It's what teams do.

Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News says Randy Moss has found friends on the 49ers' defense, not just their offense. Linebacker Patrick Willis: "He's my best fishing buddy. We went fishing a couple times now, and I've out-fished him both times. ... It's an honor to have a guy like that on our team. For people to say the things they said about him, that's in the past. All we know is what we've seen here, and that's all that counts to us. So far he's been unbelievable."

Also from Inman: Smith's thoughts on the 49ers' pursuit of Peyton Manning. Smith: "It was more strange that anything. Looking back, I’d been in constant communication the entire time with Jim (Harbaugh) and Trent Baalke, even before the season ended, about a new contract and going to get things worked out. We were doing the back and forth, them and my agent. The contract was out there. It was about getting the language right and the numbers right. Then all of a sudden, you think you’re close, free agency is approaching and the deal is about to get done, then obviously a little strange to get the Peyton Manning thing thrown in there. But the thing through all of it, Jim has always been up front with me, has never lied to me and that’s what I’ve appreciated that through all of it."

Darren Urban of azcardinals.com says the Cardinals signed free-agent linebacker Quentin Groves from Oakland. Urban: "There has been speculation the Cards will bring back Clark Haggans, who has been with the Cards since 2008. Regardless, the team probably needed to add depth at outside linebacker, where much is unproven. Sam Acho and O’Brien Schofield are the projected starters, but beyond that are untested veterans Brandon Williams and Antonio Coleman, along with undrafted rookies Zach Nash and Broderick Binns." Noted: Groves' signing did make me wonder whether Haggans remained in Arizona's plans at this point. But with only 2.5 career sacks and none since 2008, Groves wouldn't seem to replace what Haggans provided. Then again, Haggans had only three sacks in 16 starts last season, his lowest single-season total as a starter.

Kathleen Nelson of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch checks in with Rams running back Steven Jackson, who compares the team's new offense to the one it ran in 2010. Jackson: "This offense is very similar, not identical. The learning curve has not been too harsh on myself. Sam (Bradford) is looking good, our receivers, we have a deep group that is very competitive that's going to not only help us, but is also going to bring the best out of each individual guy. All in all, as an offense we're looking good. And especially Coach (Paul T.) Boudreau up front, what he's doing with the offensive line is very impressive as well." Noted: The Rams are banking on Boudreau to help Jason Smith and others realize more of their potential on the line.

Clare Farnsworth of seahawks.com offers notes from the most recent organized team activities. On rookie Bobby Wagner: "The team’s second-round draft choice continues to work at middle linebacker with the No. 1 defense, and also is seeing time in the No. 1 nickel. Today, he showed why by making an impressive read and an even more athletic move to intercept a Jackson pass over the middle. Wagner’s play came in the same 7-on-7 drill where Pro Bowl strong safety Kam Chancellor jumped a Russell Wilson pass to make an interception along the sideline."

Also from Farnsworth: Kellen Winslow describes himself as the "knight in the chess game" for creating mismatches. Noted: Winslow does almost resemble a large wide receiver.

Percy Allen of the Seattle Times says Pete Carroll remains vague on the Seahawks' quarterback competition. Noted: That will continue in the absence of meaningful evidence. It's tough to get more than an early feel watching non-contact practices.

Steve Kelley of the Seattle Times explains why the Seahawks wanted Winslow. General manager John Schneider: "He's a guy that brings that energy and passion that fits our group and our locker room right now. Kellen is so passionate about the game. He really is all ball. And those are the kind of guys you feel like it's worth bringing into your program. He's the type of guy who wants to be great."

Randy Moss' impressive offseason with the San Francisco 49ers continues, generating positive reviews.

"The first day, it was surreal out there throwing balls to him," quarterback Alex Smith said. "The physical skills everybody knows. The thing you appreciate a lot is the guy's a true pro. He's played a lot of football. He's incredibly smart out there."

If this sounds familiar, it should.

With Moss, it's often about impressive debuts and new beginnings. Sometimes, he sticks around and produces, as the case was with New England. Other times, the initial impressions do not foreshadow future results.

Moss impressed the Oakland Raiders when he joined them by trade from Minnesota in 2005. That situation did not work out well (the Raiders obviously deserve some of the blame).

"I thought Randy was outstanding," Norv Turner, then the Raiders' coach, said after Moss' first couple practices with the team. "He got in yesterday afternoon late and we put a lot of offense in today and we have a lot going in this weekend. He handled it extremely well. It's a whole different system than he's been around. He went out and relaxed and obviously he can run and catch and do those things. He looked very comfortable to me."

Moss impressed the New England Patriots when he joined them by trade from Oakland in 2007. Moss played very well for the Patriots before his time with the team ran its course.

"Tom Brady has heard the critics who expect Moss to bring more baggage to the Patriots than a hotel valet would," The New York Times wrote back when Moss joined New England. "But so far, Brady has been impressed, and Moss looked explosive during Wednesday’s workout. During one portion of practice, Brady and Moss stood off to the side by themselves, talking and throwing a football, part of the working bond they hope to create."

Moss impressed the Vikings when he rejoined them by trade from the Patriots in 2010. Moss wound up making little impact (the Vikings, like the Raiders, had their own issues).

"He's had a whirlwind week-and-a-half catching up on a new playbook, and the Vikings were quite pleased with his performance against the New York Jets last week despite the lack of familiarity," the Associated Press reported. "The coaches have noted progress in practice this week, believing he'll be able to be more comfortable with his routes without having to stop and think too much about his assignment."

Moss impressed the Tennessee Titans when he joined their team off waivers in 2011. He made almost no impact with the team on the field, however.

"When Randy Moss comes into your locker room, he brings something. Guys are seeing that and responding to it," Kerry Collins, then a Titans quarterback, told reporters. "The biggest thing is just the way he's working. You never judge a book by what you hear. You wait and see what a guy is about. He's come in here with a great attitude and ready to work. The guy just wants to win. Period. The end. He'll do whatever it takes to make that happen."

Moss impressed the New Orleans Saints during a workout in 2012. They did not sign him, however.

"Moss had an off-the-charts workout at the Saints facility this morning," sportsNOLA.com reported. "The 35-year old Moss reportedly performed the 40-yard dash in the 4.39 to 4.4 range and ran routes while hauling in nearly 50 passes. One source described Moss as being more impressive than anticipated, saying that he is in great shape."

And, of course, Moss is impressing the 49ers this offseason. The situation in San Francisco appears more stable than the ones in Oakland or Minnesota (the second time). Perhaps the results will be better as well.

JohnnyP from St. Louis, Mo., wants to see NFC West awards patterned after the major NFL awards: MVP, offensive and defensive players of the year, top rookies, etc.

Mike Sando: We've done all-division teams since 2008 and I'll reproduce the choices here.

What we should do, I think, is make projections for the coming season.

It's a little early to have a great feel for the rookies, but I think we'll likely see one of the receivers make an impact.

Brian Quick of the St. Louis Rams is my early choice on the suspicion Sam Bradford enjoys a bounce-back season. The team doesn't necessarily have an established No. 1 option even though Danny Amendola is returning from injury. Perhaps that gives Quick an immediate opportunity. That could change as we learn more, of course.

Michael Floyd of the Arizona Cardinals is an obvious contender. How many passes will come his way given Larry Fitzgerald's presence and established third-down options elsewhere? I'm less certain where the San Francisco 49ers' A.J. Jenkins will fit into an offense with Vernon Davis, Michael Crabtree and, potentially, Randy Moss.

Defensively, Bruce Irvin will have sack opportunities for the Seattle Seahawks. Janoris Jenkins could have opportunities to pick off passes and factor in the Rams' return game. Those are two players to watch right away. The Rams' run defense figures to improve with Michael Brockers on the line, but he won't have as many chances for stats.

Let's revisit this one in a separate item.

First, I'll dust off the all-division teams since 2008, beginning with the offensive choices.


Defensive choices are next. Note that I went with four defensive ends in 2011, my attempt to include the best defensive linemen.


The specialists featured 49ers punter Andy Lee, who cashed in with a six-year contract Wednesday.

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Moving along to other subjects ...

Richard from Tucson, Ariz., thinks the NFL's push for players to wear knee and thigh pads beginning in 2013 stems in part from injuries such as the one Kevin Kolb suffered last season.

Mike Sando: The San Francisco 49ers' Ahmad Brooks did not appear to be wearing kneepads when his knee accidentally struck Kolb's helmet during a scramble for the football. I went back and watched the play a few more times to be sure. Would kneepads have spared Kolb from the concussion he suffered? That's not something anyone can determine with any certainty.

The injury San Francisco's Delanie Walker suffered at Seattle two weeks later also comes to mind. Seahawks linebacker Leroy Hill was wearing thigh pads. He did not appear to be wearing knee pads when his knee accidentally struck Walker in the side of the helmet, breaking Walker's jaw. Again, it's tough to say if padding would have made any difference for Walker.

Requiring knee and helmet pads seems like a logical move even in the absence of evidence proving additional pads would reduce concussions. The league is working with Nike to develop padding players consider more comfortable. I'd like to know whether these sleeker pads will provide as much protection for those on the receiving end of blows like the ones Kolb and Walker absorbed.

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Miles from Seattle questions asks whether the salaries for Zach Miller and Kellen Winslow would force them into competition for a single roster spot at tight end.

Mike Sando: Miller is scheduled to earn $6 million in base salary. His contract is scheduled to count $7 million against the salary cap this year. Winslow has a $3.3 million salary. His contract could count up to $4.8 million. Indeed, that's a hefty chunk of money tied up in two tight ends, but Seattle has the salary cap room to absorb the charges comfortably.

The five-year deal Miller signed before the 2011 looks more like a three-year contract for practical purposes. Miller's base salary rises to $6.8 million in 2013, with another $3 million due in a roster bonus. His cap number spikes to $11 million. Those numbers appear steep even for a top tight end.

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A.J. from Mendham, N.J., thinks the recent item criticizing Stephen Ross was overkill.

"I don't think the Dolphins were sold on Matt Flynn," he writes. "Jim Harbaugh wanted to stay in Northern California much more than he was uncomfortable with Miami's owner. Jeff Fisher would have taken the Miami job had he been granted total personnel control."

Mike Sando: That's a fair criticism. I'm finished with Ross and suspect he'll be OK, but the way he runs the franchise has benefited teams in the NFC West, in my view. Wait, I thought I was finished with Ross. OK, now I'm finished.

Brock Huard, Mike Salk and I discussed Kellen Winslow during our most recent conversation on 710ESPN Seattle.

One of the questions -- what risk might Winslow carry for the Seahawks? -- reminded me to start with the money when analyzing how a veteran player fits into a new environment.

With that in mind, I've sketched out a few thoughts on deals for Winslow and a few other notable NFC West newcomers this offseason (one per team):

• Cortland Finnegan, St. Louis Rams: Finnegan signed a five-year deal that could be worth $50 million, with guaranteed salaries in each of the first two seasons. This deal identifies Finnegan as a starter, team leader and a core player for new coach Jeff Fisher. The risk should be low because Fisher knows Finnegan well. But the investment is high. The Rams are counting on Finnegan to produce and set a high standard.
• Randy Moss, San Francisco 49ers: Moss signed a one-year, $2.5 million deal. There was no bonus. Moss must be on the roster during the regular season to collect. Concerns over Moss becoming a negative influence, if valid, would be premature at this point. The organization hasn't invested enough in Moss to make this an issue now. The 49ers can release Moss before the season at no cost.
• Winslow, Seahawks: The Seahawks inherit the long-term deal Winslow signed in 2009, but without being on the hook for guaranteed money. At most, Winslow will cost Seattle a sixth-round choice and $4.8 million in 2012. But if the Seahawks released Winslow before the season, they would avoid paying any money. That puts Winslow in the low-risk category, at least until the season.
• Adam Snyder, Arizona Cardinals: Arizona didn't really make any high-profile additions this offseason. Deals for veteran guards generally don't make waves. But ignoring the Cardinals wasn't an option, either. So, here goes. The $5 million bonus Arizona paid to Snyder identifies him as a starter for the 2012 season. It identifies him as a projected starter for the future. But with 2013-and-beyond salaries at less than $3 million annually, Snyder's deal is not a cap killer.

Note: My usual Tuesday conversations with 101ESPN St. Louis' Bernie Miklasz will continue as we get closer to football season. In the meantime, follow Bernie's work through stltoday.com and on Twitter.

Before offering his list of five wideouts with the best hands, ESPN's Tim Hasselbeck explains why he thinks San Francisco 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh offered such high praise for Michael Crabtree.

"If you look at the context, Randy Moss joins the team, you spend a fairly high draft pick on a wide receiver," Hasselbeck said. "It's part of massaging the guys on your roster to make them feel appreciated."

Cue the video for Hasselbeck's top five.

Yes, Larry Fitzgerald is on the list.

There's little sense in taking the bait when San Francisco 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh tells a radio program Michael Crabtree "has the best hands I've ever seen on a wide receiver."

Anyone with a strong grasp of NFL history would place Cris Carter, Raymond Berry and Steve Largent on a short list for receivers with the surest hands.

Hall of Famer Ken Houston, speaking for a 2008 piece on all-time great wideouts, stood up for AFL stars Otis Taylor and Lionel Taylor.

"Lionel Taylor, I mean, he would catch a BB," Houston said.

Green Bay Packers general manager Ted Thompson, speaking for the same piece, said Randy Moss, then with New England, had the best hands in the NFL at that time (2008).

"A lot of guys can catch," Thompson said then. "He can catch on any platform, as we say in scouting. He can adjust and catch it over the top of somebody's head, catch it falling down, and it doesn't matter if he is covered."

With Moss now on the 49ers, it is possible Crabtree does not possess the best hands among wide receivers on his own team.

Oops. I wasn't going to take the bait on this one, but now it's too late. Time to regroup.

Bottom line, I suspect Crabtree has impressed Harbaugh this offseason, and Harbaugh would like that to continue for as long as possible. By offering such strong public praise for Crabtree, Harbaugh is setting a standard for Crabtree to meet this season. He realizes Crabtree has the ability to meet that standard, or else he wouldn't make the statement.

We should all recall Harbaugh's calling quarterback Alex Smith "elite" and promoting him for the Pro Bowl last season. Then as now, Harbaugh was standing up for his guy. Smith enjoyed the finest season of his career and even outplayed the truly elite Drew Brees at times during the 49ers' playoff victory over New Orleans. The way Harbaugh backed Smith played a role in that performance, in my view.

Back to Crabtree. He has the ability to rank among the most sure-handed receivers in the game. He has not yet earned that status, but now he has little choice, right?

As the chart shows, Crabtree finished the 2011 season with 12.2 receptions per drop, which ranked 28th in the NFL among players targeted at least 100 times. Larry Fitzgerald led the NFL with 80 receptions and only one drop. Those numbers are according to ESPN Stats & Information, which defines drops as "incomplete passes where the receiver should have caught the pass with ordinary effort."

Crabtree suffered six drops last season by that standard, a few too many for the player with the best hands his head coach has ever seen on a wide receiver.

Count ESPN's Herm Edwards among those expecting a career revival from Randy Moss in San Francisco.

Edwards envisions an "energetic" Moss making a push to get the 49ers over the top following a run to the NFC Championship Game.

Cue the video.

Drafting front-line NFL starters in the second round isn't always easy.

The Arizona Cardinals have had their share of successes (Calais Campbell, Daryl Washington, Karlos Dansby and Deuce Lutui) in recent years. They've also suffered some disappointments (Cody Brown, Alan Branch).

Retaining Campbell on a long-term deal was important for quite a few reasons, especially with Dansby playing well elsewhere, Branch enjoying success for a division rival and Lutui threatening to do the same.

Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic put Campbell's new five-year deal in perspective. Somers: "By removing the franchise tag from Campbell and restructuring his contract, the Cardinals freed up money to explore free-agency options and possibly re-sign some of their free agents, such as outside linebacker Clark Haggans and defensive lineman Vonnie Holliday. It should should help them sign some of their picks from last month's draft, including first-rounder Michael Floyd. Just as important, the signing means Campbell won't follow the footsteps of former Cardinals linebacker Karlos Dansby. Several attempts to sign him to a multi-year extension failed, and Dansby, one of the team's key contributors, left via free agency and signed with Miami."

Darren Urban of azcardinals.com sees a pattern: "The last four players the Cardinals kept saying publicly they would soon be extending -- Adrian Wilson, Darnell Dockett, Larry Fitzgerald and now Campbell -- all got their extensions. Something to remember when analyzing what the team says about future players."

Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News says Randy Moss and Michael Crabtree are becoming fast friends. Donte Whitner: "They have a great relationship. Whenever you're doing something where you need a partner, they're always together."

Also from Inman: Alex Smith consulted with a pitching coach this offseason.

Kevin Lynch of the San Francisco Chronicle says Moss could be the key to San Francisco's season.

Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle says Alex Boone is embracing a chance to play right guard.

Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com previews the 49ers' rookie camp. Maiocco: "LaMichael James will be ineligible to return to the work at the 49ers practice facility until after Oregon's graduation ceremony on June 15. Stanford, Northwestern and Wisconsin also have late graduations."

Clare Farnsworth of seahawks.com says Bobby Wagner is the latest in a long line of second-round linebackers with a shot at starting for the team. The others: Lofa Tatupu, Dave Wyman, Keith Butler, Terry Beeson and Terry Wooden. Scout Eric Stokes: "First and foremost, he’s a big-time upgrade athletically. His speed and his range are going to be very impressive and you’re getting a guy that’s really physical. It’s going to be a natural adjustment to middle linebacker."

Dave Boling of the Tacoma News Tribune offers first impressions after watching the Seahawks during a 45-minute workout. Boling: "The new No. 72 is the surprisingly svelte guard Deuce Lutui, whom you may recall from the days when he was stretching out Arizona Cardinals jerseys. Lutui failed the physical last year with Cincinnati and returned to Arizona as a backup. Although said to have been topping out in the 400-pound range, he’s listed at a believable 338 now, having slimmed down by adopting some vegan concepts in his diet. That’s good news for an offensive line that finished the season without three injured high draft picks -- Russell Okung, James Carpenter and John Moffitt. Okung and Moffitt have recovered well enough to be active in drills going against bags, while Carpenter is on the hoof but mostly watching."

Bryan Burwell of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says Rams fans shouldn't be too alarmed over the team's stadium lease situation. He says team owner Stan Kroenke has incentive to keep the requested stadium upgrades within a reasonable price range. Burwell: "The best way for Kroenke to maximize the G-4 loan is if the final Dome proposal mandates that his share of the financial burden for renovation not exceed $150 million and that the total cost of the project costs between $200 million and $400 million. ... The thing that works for everyone is making sure that the Rams stay right here. After seeing what it cost the good folks of Minneapolis to keep the Vikings, suddenly $400 million doesn't sound so bad."

Lots going on with the St. Louis Rams.

First, thanks to @Gofastleft for pointing out a story suggesting the team has asked for a retractable roof as part of its proposed renovations to the Edward Jones Dome.

Charles Jaco of Fox2now.com says experts generally suggest a price tag between $200 million and $300 million for retrofitting a stadium with such a roof. Jaco: "The Rams lease at the dome says the team is free to leave St. Louis in January 2015 if the dome is not among the top facilities in the National Football League. The Rams rejected an offer from the Convention and Visitor’s Commission to spend $124 million to upgrade the dome, half from taxpayers, half from the team. And this is their counter-offer. If the CVC rejects this proposal, which is pretty likely, then both sides go to arbitration June 15." Noted: Details for the various proposals become public Monday.

Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch details changes in the Rams' scouting department. Thomas: "The process is well under way, with general manager Les Snead bringing two Atlanta Falcons scouts into directors' positions in the front office. Falcons pro scout Ran Carthon is joining the Rams as director of pro personnel; Falcons area scout Taylor Morton is coming to St. Louis as director of college scouting. The Rams didn't have anyone with the title of director of pro personnel last season, so technically, Carthon isn't replacing anyone. John Mancini, who has been the Rams' director of college scouting for the past two years, is being retained with the title of assistant director of college scouting."

Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com offers thoughts on Michael Crabtree's development through three seasons. Maiocco: "While fans expect 1,000-yard seasons from a player chosen with the No. 10 overall draft pick, the 49ers' offense is not one that features the outside receivers. Some view Crabtree as a bust. I am certainly not in that camp."

Kevin Lynch of the San Francisco Chronicle looks at how rookie LaMichael James could change the 49ers' offense. Lynch: "At Oregon, he played in a spread and most of his carries came from a shotgun quarterback. That could continue with the 49ers. With the additions of Randy Moss, Mario Manningham and rookie A.J. Jenkins the team is showing signs of opening up the offense. Going into the shotgun frequently, could put James on the field more often. But for that to be the case, James will have to prove he’s more of a Darren Sproles than a Dexter McCluster. The revelation of just whom James will be, will start this Friday at the team's rookie minicamp."

Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee looks at the sorry recent history of the No. 81 jersey in San Francisco, asking whether there's been a T.O. curse.

Darren Urban of azcardinals.com explains how receiver Larry Fitzgerald pushes teammates to work harder. Fitzgerald: "I'm just an extremely self-motivated person, that's all. Every day I am trying to run faster, jump higher, lift more. I have always been that way. Especially young guys like (Ryan Williams) … yesterday Patrick Peterson, we had a squat competition. I do it with (receivers) DeMarco Sampson, Jaymar (Johnson). I am into that. I love the competition, no matter if it is on the field, the basketball gym, the bowling alley, competition always makes the cream rise to the top. So I love to compete."

Clare Farnsworth of seahawks.com checks in with offensive line coach Tom Cable for thoughts on why the team drafted defensive lineman J.R. Sweezy with an eye toward converting Sweezy to offense. Cable: "It was his demeanor, first and foremost. His intelligence. His toughness. And how he played on defense."

Danny O'Neil of the Seattle Times says Red Bryant is determined to fulfill expectations after signing a $35 million contract this offseason. Bryant: "A lot of guys get big contracts and they kind of go in the tank because you get comfortable. I feel like not so much to justify it, but I have bigger expectations than just a contract. You hear that all the time, but I definitely want to be a guy that when my playing days are over with and they think about the Seahawks, they think about big Red Bryant."

710ESPN Seattle passes along comments from Seahawks coach Pete Carroll regarding Russell Wilson's arm strength.

Gary Horton of Scouts Inc. singled out the San Francisco 49ers' passing game as one of the NFC's three most improved units this offseason.

Randy Moss, Mario Manningham, A.J. Jenkins and LaMichael James are among the newcomers he expects to upgrade that area.

A look at the areas where the 49ers' competitors have the greatest potential for improvement, in my estimation:

• Arizona Cardinals: wide receiver. Michael Floyd's addition as a potential strong No. 2 wideout could upgrade two receiving spots by casting Andre Roberts into more of a slot role, which could suit him better. Floyd projects as the flanker, with Larry Fitzgerald remaining at split end most of the time. We should also mention the Cardinals' offensive line, simply because the team now has a few young players to develop. I'm just not sure how much Adam Snyder and rookie Bobby Massie will upgrade the right side initially.
• Seattle Seahawks: quarterback. Adding Matt Flynn in free agency and Russell Wilson through the draft dramatically changes the outlook for the position in Seattle. We cannot know what Flynn or Wilson will become, and that is the point. The team will not go through another season with Tarvaris Jackson and Charlie Whitehurst as the only viable options. That is progress. The Seahawks' pass rush deserves mention, too. Adding Bruce Irvin and Jason Jones changes the dynamic. A healthy Dexter Davis could be a factor, too.
• St. Louis Rams: defensive line. The Rams also addressed their secondary, which was going to improve simply through better health. But with defensive tackles Kendall Langford and Michael Brockers joining the rotation, St. Louis now has four young starters on its line. Chris Long and 2011 first-round choice Robert Quinn are the others. The team still needs help at linebacker, but the brightened outlook at defensive tackle provides the foundation for improved run defense. That's important in a division featuring Marshawn Lynch, Frank Gore, Beanie Wells and others.

That's how I see it, anyway. Now it's your turn.

Will the San Francisco 49ers approach their turnover differential from last season?

Ken Baker asked the question via Facebook. He's a Seattle Seahawks fan, so the question was probably rhetorical, but there's a broader context worth our attention.

The 49ers were plus-28 in turnover differential last season, a big reason they posted a 13-3 record. Winning the turnover battle most of the time is a reasonable expectation for the 49ers based on how they play defense. It was an even more reasonable expectation last season based on how the 49ers played offense in concert with that defense.

The 2011 49ers risked sacks instead of risking interceptions, trusting their defense and special teams. It usually worked. And the offense produced in critical moments against New Orleans during the divisional playoff round. But there were signs of trouble all season, especially on third down. The 49ers will have a harder time taking the next step in the playoffs -- reaching the Super Bowl -- without taking the next step on offense.

There should be higher expectations in 2012.

The 49ers have spent the offseason acquiring offensive weapons. They welcomed Randy Moss out of retirement. They signed Brandon Jacobs and Mario Manningham. They used a first-round pick for receiver A.J. Jenkins and a second-rounder for running back LaMichael James. By all appearances, the 49ers want more from their offense.

Spinning off the original question from Ken, I'm curious to see whether the 49ers demand more from quarterback Alex Smith and whether Smith can deliver without committing too many additional turnovers.

The 49ers built flexibility into their new contract with Smith, and they have expectations for Colin Kaepernick. How much higher will coach Jim Harbaugh raise the bar on offense?

The protocol becomes the same for nearly every freshly minted NFL draft choice, from first-round quarterbacks to seventh-round punters.

Not long after their selections, their new employers will connect them to local NFL reporters via conference call.

A surprise awaited the Arizona Cardinals after the team made Notre Dame receiver Michael Floyd the 13th overall choice in the 2012 draft.

Floyd's college coach, Brian Kelly, made an unsolicited call to the Cardinals, availing himself to media questions regarding his former player.

Kelly has vouched for other players, including Minnesota Vikings first-round pick Harrison Smith. A college head coach certainly has a recruiting interest in getting his name out there in association with prominent draft choices.

But in publicly testifying for Floyd, whose draft file includes three three alcohol-related incidents and a resulting team suspension, Kelly extended himself to an extent that wasn't necessary. It was a notable early marker for the Cardinals, who have never drafted a player with such significant baggage since Ken Whisenhunt arrived as head coach in 2007.

Floyd could not have scripted Kelly's testimonial more favorably:

• On Floyd in general: "Well, a kid who got his degree in three-and-a-half years from Notre Dame. Probably in my 23 years now as a head coach, the best practice player that I've ever had. He just has a passion and a love for the football."
• On Floyd as a teammate: "Whether he is getting the football or not, he is a guy who has never complained. He certainly always wants the ball in critical situations. He has never been a diva, if you will, in terms of not getting his catches. If we're successful and we're making plays, he's on the other end making blocks. That's why it was such a pleasure to coach the kid."
• On what changed in Floyd following a suspension: "To have an opportunity to come back and play at Notre Dame and get a degree and be successful in the NFL, he had to make some choices. And he made some great choices. Now, you've got a young man who had been through some adversity, has handled it, has been humbled because of it and the best is in front of him now."

Authorities cited Floyd for underage drinking in 2009 and 2010. A DUI conviction last year made for three alcohol-related incidents in three years, raising obvious questions about judgment and the potential for a more serious problem.

College programs can become enablers for troubled star athletes. Handing millions to those troubled athletes usually doesn't help.

Those are generalities. Floyd's situation stands on its own. Whether he has a problem or carries a heightened risk cannot be known for certain.

The Cardinals' decision to draft Floyd was an organizational one, with team owner Michael Bidwill, a former federal prosecutor, participating directly in the vetting process.

Coach Ken Whisenhunt said the team asked tough questions, thought Floyd provided honest answers and felt Floyd made a positive statement by returning to Notre Dame for his senior season amid quarterback uncertainty that could have hurt Floyd's status.

"I just basically told them it was a bad decision," Floyd told reporters following his selection. "I learned from it and I moved on. I know I can't be like every other college student, just doing what a college student does, because the spotlight is on me. They wanted to see if I had improvements since that time, and I have."

There is less uncertainty over the Cardinals' on-field plans for Floyd. They anticipate him becoming their flanker opposite split end Larry Fitzgerald, who had been the most recent first-round wideout chosen by Arizona. With Floyd projecting as a starter, Andre Roberts becomes a candidate for additional playing time from the slot, where Early Doucet was already a factor for the team.

Fitzgerald and Floyd present matchup problems with their size alone. Both are nearly 6-foot-3. Floyd weighed 220 pounds at the scouting combine. Fitzgerald weighed 225 upon entering the league in 2004. He has preferred playing at a lighter weight recently.

Size matters for receivers in the NFC West, a division featuring punishing safeties and Pro Bowl credentials in the secondary. Kam Chancellor, Earl Thomas, Brandon Browner, Richard Sherman, Adrian Wilson, Patrick Peterson, Carlos Rogers, Dashon Goldson, Donte Whitner, Cortland Finnegan and Quintin Mikell come to mind immediately.

"You could consider Mike to be still a raw receiver in that he can get better in all the technical elements in route running and things of that nature," Kelly said of Floyd. "He is certainly a guy that attacks the football and attacks defenders and blocking -- he is an outstanding blocker."

Any rookie open to input from veteran players stands to benefit from joining a team with strong leadership at the player's position. Fitzgerald sets an impeccable standard for the Cardinals' receivers and the team in general. From that standpoint, Floyd couldn't have found a better working environment.

Every team in the NFC West had a 1,000-yard rusher last season.

Coaches in Seattle, San Francisco and St. Louis have promoted run-first philosophies. Arizona has invested first- and second-round picks in running backs Beanie Wells and Ryan Williams, respectively.

Run, run, run.

And yet the division focused on the passing game quite a bit during the 2012 NFL draft -- on both sides of the ball. NFC West teams drafted a league-high three wide receivers in the first two rounds. Teams from the division drafted three cornerbacks in the first three rounds, tied with the NFC North for most in the league.

The charts show how many receivers and corners each division added through the first three rounds. The combined total for the NFC West (six) was the most for any division, one more than the NFC North.

St. Louis drafted cornerbacks Janoris Jenkins (second round) and Trumaine Johnson (third round). Arizona used a third-round choice for cornerback Jamell Fleming. Arizona (Michael Floyd) and San Francisco (A.J. Jenkins) used first-round picks for receivers. St. Louis added receiver Brian Quick in the second round (and another receiver, Chris Givens, in the fourth).

NFC West pass defenses could face additional pressure given the scheduling rotation in 2012.

Every NFC West team faces New England with Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski, Aaron Hernandez and Wes Welker.

The division also faces Green Bay (Aaron Rodgers, Jermichael Finley, Greg Jennings, Jordy Nelson), Detroit (Matthew Stafford, Calvin Johnson, Brandon Pettigrew) and Chicago (Jay Cutler, Brandon Marshall).

San Francisco draws New Orleans (Drew Brees, Jimmy Graham, Marques Colston) and the New York Giants (Eli Manning, Hakeem Nicks, Victor Cruz). Arizona faces Philadelphia (Michael Vick, DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin) and Atlanta (Matt Ryan, Roddy White, Julio Jones). Seattle faces Dallas (Tony Romo, Jason Witten, Dez Bryant) and Carolina (Cam Newton, Steve Smith).

The top five teams in 2011 passing yardage -- New Orleans, New England, Green Bay, Detroit and the Giants -- show up on NFC West schedules. Green Bay, New England, the Giants and Saints comprised the top four in yards per passing attempt. The top seven teams in passing touchdowns -- Green Bay, New Orleans, Detroit, New England, Dallas, Atlanta and the Giants -- play a combined 16 games against the NFC West.

And, of course, NFC West teams must face each other, which means games against Larry Fitzgerald, Vernon Davis, Randy Moss, Sidney Rice and others.

The 2010 New England Patriots had just posted a 41-14 victory over the Miami Dolphins heading into their bye week.

They had a 3-1 record and should have been gaining momentum, but their veteran wide receiver, Randy Moss, wasn't happy. Moss had blown up at offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien during halftime of that Dolphins game, the final act of insubordination that New England would tolerate. The Patriots traded Moss to Minnesota a couple days later.

"Moss as a Patriot in 2010 basically talked his way out of town, complaining about his lack of a long-term contract in a press conference, battling with offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien at halftime of his final game with New England, in Week 4 of that season, and reportedly taxing the patience of quarterback Tom Brady with his constant need for game plan targeting and star-treatment coddling," Don Banks wrote for Sports Illustrated. "Brady was growing weary of having to worry about keeping Moss' mood ring a happy color, and [Bill] Belichick responded by removing that concern from his QB's daily checklist."

The Patriots finished that 2010 season with a 14-2 record.

Meanwhile, in Arizona, the 2010 the Cardinals were 2-2 on their way to a brutal 5-11 season featuring ragged play from no-name quarterbacks. But their leading receiver, Larry Fitzgerald, handled himself so professionally that the team felt great about rewarding him with one of the most lucrative contracts in NFL history.

While the Patriots increasingly worried about Moss' potential negative impact on Brady and the example he was setting for younger players, the Cardinals took comfort in the fact that Fitzgerald handled himself impeccably, in good times and bad.

The disparate picture is sharply relevant to the NFC West now that Moss has signed with the San Francisco 49ers.

The 49ers, like the Cardinals, used a 2012 first-round draft choice for a wide receiver. But Arizona appears in better position to provide the mentoring that can help a young player learn what it takes to become a professional.

Michael Floyd, chosen 13th overall by Arizona, already has strong ties to Fitzgerald. The two are from Minnesota. They share a trainer. They have spent time together. Fitzgerald, who has welcomed young Cardinals players into his home, voiced support for Floyd even before the draft, indicating he'd be happy if the team selected the Notre Dame receiver. Floyd could not have a better mentor.

The 49ers' first-round receiver, A.J. Jenkins, walks into a different situation. Moss might be terrific for him, or he might pursue his own agenda as time passes. The halftime blowup against the Dolphins comes to mind.

"It highlighted a shift in which Moss had transitioned from a team-first player in 2007 to someone more interested in his own production," Mike Reiss wrote for ESPNBoston.com. "It is also my belief that quarterback Tom Brady became increasingly drained with keeping Moss on board, to the point that it became a concern of the coaching staff."

If Moss became a threat to Brady, what could he become to a less-established quarterback such as Alex Smith? Michael Crabtree has already raised concerns about his role. If Smith cannot keep Crabtree happy, how can he keep Moss happy?

The 49ers have little to lose by giving Moss a chance. They can always release him if Moss becomes a burden. From that standpoint, the signing made sense.

It's also worth noting that Jenkins comes to the 49ers without the off-field concerns that Floyd carries to the Cardinals. There have also been some vague indications Moss might have been going through some personal trials in 2010, in which case his mindset might be healthier at this time.

This is a conversation I think we'll be having through the offseason and into the season. Your thoughts?