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The St. Louis Rams head into the second half of their schedule with Tony Wragge at center and Adam Goldberg at right tackle.

The team did not plan for journeyman backups to emerge as starters, but the switch to Wragge from Jason Brown was voluntary. The switch to Goldberg from Jason Smith was related to injury, but after two-plus games with Goldberg, are the Rams worse off? Tough to say.

Offensive line was one area where the Rams invested heavily through the draft and free agency. They have relatively little to show for their investments, a concern as the team tries to build around quarterback Sam Bradford.

Heading into Week 10, however, the picture looks like this:

• Left tackle Rodger Saffold is struggling with consistency. He's had lingering back problems and suffered a lower-leg injury at Green Bay. Whether those injuries are affecting his play, Saffold hasn't taken the next step after a promising rookie season.
• Left guard Jacob Bell was released before the season and brought back on a reduced contract, an indication the team no longer valued him as it once did. Bell has played pretty well, however.
• Brown, the starter at center since signing a big free-agent contract in 2009, does not play with the surly demeanor the Rams have been seeking along their line. He hasn't played consistently well this season. The change from Brown to Wragge suggests Brown will not be back next season under his current deal, and probably not at all.
• Harvey Dahl remains the starter at right guard. The team signed him because it wanted a bigger, stronger guard with toughness and attitude. Dahl better fits the McDaniels mold for guards. He seems to be functioning as anticipated.
• Goldberg is starting at right tackle while Smith recovers from head/neck injuries suffered at Dallas. The team signed Dahl to replace Goldberg at right guard. Goldberg isn't a power player and doesn't project as a long-term starter. He's a versatile backup, though.

The Rams thought they had overcome a 2005 draft that brought them Alex Barron, Richie Incognito and Claude Terrell. At best, however, they are set for next season at left tackle and right guard, unless Smith returns and improbably justifies his first-round salary.

The San Francisco 49ers have gone for quality over quantity in trying to build a big, powerful offensive line.

The team has drafted seven offensive linemen since 2005, one below the NFL average. But the 49ers selected a league-high three of the seven in the first round and a league-high five of them in the first two rounds.

That jumped out right away when sizing up NFC West offensive linemen from the 2005-2010 draft classes for the latest "adventures in drafting" installment.

The Arizona Cardinals have taken a different approach, using a division-low one first-round selection for the offensive line since 2005. Philadelphia, Indianapolis, Oakland, San Diego, Tennessee, Dallas, Minnesota and the New York Giants have selected no first-round offensive linemen during that span.

The charts break out NFC West selections by general draft position, with a column showing how many starts each has made for his original team. I am using the term "not active" loosely to describe players who haven't been on rosters during the regular season recently.

Italics reveal what teams might have been thinking as they entered various stages of the draft.

We should find 10-year starters with Pro Bowl potential, most often at tackle ...

Every offensive lineman selected among the top 50 or so choices should contribute and hopefully start ...

The most athletic prospects are gone by now, but tough guys still have value ...

These guys have question marks, obvious limitations or both, but we'll still get some starts from them ...

Anyone seen the Seahawks or 49ers lately?

What are our numbers on the line again? Let's get another one here.

A few thoughts on Mel Kiper's 2005 NFL re-draft, covering the first round and available to Insider subscribers:

1. San Francisco 49ers

Actual pick: Alex Smith, QB, Utah

Kiper re-draft pick: Aaron Rodgers

My thoughts: The question, of course, is to what extent Rodgers would have transcended the bad luck and dysfunction that framed Smith's career with the 49ers. Rodgers benefited from having a few years to learn the pro game before taking over for Brett Favre. Rodgers walked into a far more talented offense than the one that helped drag down Smith early in his career. The disparity between Smith and Rodgers has to do with more than circumstances, however. Rodgers has been better across the board. I think his personality would have helped him fare better than Smith has fared. Matt Cassel, the second quarterback selected in Kiper's re-draft, lacks the physical skills Rodgers possesses. I think he might have become another Smith if the 49ers had selected him. The 49ers would have been just fine selecting DeMarcus Ware, the second player chosen in Kiper's re-draft.

8. Arizona Cardinals

Actual pick: Antrel Rolle, CB, Miami

Kiper re-draft pick: Jay Ratliff, NT, Auburn.

My thoughts: Rolle converted to safety and earned Pro Bowl recognition before leaving Arizona in free agency. He wasn't good enough over the course of his time with the Cardinals to justify the early choice, however. Ratliff would have upgraded the Cardinals' defense. Arizona wouldn't have leaned so heavily on veteran nose tackle Bryan Robinson, who has played too many snaps. I might have sent Frank Gore to the Cardinals on a re-draft, however (Gore went 17th in Kiper's version). Taking away Gore from the 49ers and sending him to Arizona would have headed off the Edgerrin James signing while weakening a division rival. Having Gore and Kurt Warner in the same backfield would have upgraded an offense that already had outstanding weapons in Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin.

19. St. Louis Rams

Actual pick: Alex Barron, T, Florida St.

Kiper re-draft pick: Logan Mankins, G, Fresno St.

My thoughts: Mankins would have provided needed toughness and leadership. Barron's tenure became a yellow blur thanks to all the penalties he incurred. Darren Sproles was available in Kiper's re-draft and he would have given the Rams an scary one-two punch at running back, but building along the offensive line would have made more sense. Mankins became a Pro Bowl guard. The Rams wound up selecting guards Richie Incognito and Claude Terrell in this draft. Incognito lacked self-control and flamed out of St. Louis. Off-field issues drove Terrell out of the league. Selecting Mankins early would have averted the mistake on Barron while sending the team in another direction in the later rounds.

26. Seattle Seahawks

Actual pick: Chris Spencer, C, Mississippi

Kiper re-draft pick: Barrett Ruud, LB, Nebraska

My thoughts: The Seahawks got more immediate help at linebacker by selecting Lofa Tatupu in the second round and Leroy Hill in the third. Seattle would not have reached the Super Bowl following the 2005 season without Tatupu bringing together the defense, in my view. Ruud did not start as a rookie. Tatupu went 15th overall to Kansas City in Kiper's re-draft. Some of the other players I would have sent to Seattle in the 26th spot were also gone in the re-draft. Given how Super Bowl XL turned out, the Seahawks could have used another safety. The team liked safety-turned-linebacker Thomas Davis that year. Nick Collins and Oshiomogho Atogwe were gone on a re-draft.

The St. Louis Rams sacrificed depth on their offensive line when parting with Alex Barron, who had started for them at tackle since 2005.

That sacrifice resembled addition by subtraction when Barron's holding penalty Sunday negated the Dallas Cowboys' winning touchdown pass as time expired. This was the third holding call of the game against Barron and the 22nd of Barron's career. The Rams traded Barron to the Cowboys for linebacker Bobby Carpenter, a player St. Louis released.

Barron had run his course in St. Louis, becoming known for penalties and inconsistent play. As the chart shows, Barron ranks third among NFL players in offensive holding penalties (through last season) since entering the league as a first-round choice in 2005, according to ESPN Stats & Information. The Rams' offensive linemen were not flagged for holding in Week 1.

EARTH CITY, Mo. -- The St. Louis Rams' had their starting offensive line intact for practice Tuesday, a pleasant surprise for the team after rookie left tackle Rodger Saffold left practice with a back injury Monday.

Saffold's quick return was hugely important for the Rams as they try to establish continuity and build around rookie quarterback Sam Bradford.

I spoke with veteran guard Jacob Bell after practice to get a better feel for the line's shaky performance against the Minnesota Vikings in the exhibition opener. There is no panic on the line. Right tackle Jason Smith was only recently back from injury and the Vikings threw some wrinkles at the Rams, catching them a bit unprepared, which happens more often during the exhibition season.

Bell said he expects the line to be far better prepared when the regular season begins.

The situation at guard isn't as good as it would have been if Richie Incognito were still around, but the line has a chance to improve gradually if the same five players can stay on the field over time. Saffold's light feet and Smith's power in the run game will be key.

The Rams face a tough defensive front in the opener against Arizona, however.

Will from Salem, Mass., writes: Mike, while at Rams camp, what most fans seem most interested in is the offensive line. That unit is so critical to the offense's ability to improve on their terrible 2009 numbers. The big questions are obviously how quickly Jason Smith and Rodger Saffold develop at tackle, and when the Rams settle on a starting duo at center and right guard. I'm hoping the Rams keep Jason Brown at center, where he belongs (and is one of the league's top centers). Let Hank Fraley and Adam Goldberg square off at right guard until John Greco returns healthy.

Mike Sando: No doubt, the line is in focus and under pressure after a weak showing in the exhibition opener. This is where Richie Incognito is the Rams' forgotten man. Had he not imploded last season, sealing his exit from the team, the Rams might have a tough and fiery scrapper at right guard. I agree that Brown should be at center, but Fraley's value is disproportionately at center, I think, while Brown's size lets him play guard a little easier. Fraley has played center almost exclusively during his career.

I'm heading out to the Rams' morning practice shortly and will be watching the line closely. The team thinks Saffold avoided serious injury to his back in practice Monday, but we do not yet have a definitive report on his status. Smith should only improve with more reps, assuming he is healthy. I do think guard is a concern, though, in part because Jacob Bell has had some injury problems and, as noted, the team had little choice but to part with the volatile Incognito last season.

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

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

Right now, much like a large portion of the Rams’ offensive line, Jason Smith is fighting an injury (toe), but forecasting him to take a substantial step forward does not seem out of line at this point. In a massive understatement, St. Louis needs him to develop in a big way -- and soon.

This year, Smith moves to his more natural left tackle spot. I found it very curious that he wasn’t put there from the start last season and that decision may have stunted his development, as did injuries during his rookie year. But moving him where he was drafted to play was a step in the right direction -- as was drafting Rodger Saffold to man the right tackle spot. Rookie quarterback Sam Bradford, Saffold and Smith should all grow up together in this offense. While it may result in more hits than Bradford or management would like in 2010, it is a very stable long-term plan.

St. Louis also got rid of Richie Incognito and Alex Barron. Both linemen are very talented, but their approach to the game can be questionable. Getting such potential bad influences out of the offensive line meeting room was a wise long-term decision.

Smith has all of the tools you look for. His size and feet are superb, but more polishing with his technique against speed rushers would be a good idea. He didn’t flourish in his rookie season, but he didn’t appear overwhelmed either. Smith had a few bad games, but nothing catastrophic. Now he understands the speed of the game and what is expected of him at this level. Smith has had a full offseason to dedicate himself to develop into a top-notch starting left tackle.

But injuries to Smith and this entire line just can’t be ignored. As a rookie, he just wasn’t on the field very much. While St. Louis looks to have very solid prospects at both tackle spots and reliable veterans at left guard and center, the turnover with this unit on a week-to-week basis last year was very difficult to overcome. Continuity and having a great understanding of your linemates is paramount to success up front in the NFL. We just haven’t seen that of late, but there is hope for sure -- not only for Smith, but for the entire front wall.

Berry Tramel's column and my earlier item on how early to start Sam Bradford have generated discussion and a few new thoughts.

"They're going to pay him like a (Hall of Famer)," former Seahawks defensive lineman Mike Frier tweeted. "He better start."

Turf Show Times' VanRam outlined key factors he thinks will be important in determining the best time for Bradford to make his regular-season starting debut with the Rams. "Plenty of things have to be in place before that happens," he concluded. "It's unlikely those things will be a go by Week 1."

ESPN's Chris Mortensen reminded us that the Rams' Steve Spagnuolo and Pat Shurmur were with the Eagles in 1999 when Philadelphia eased first-round quarterback Donovan McNabb into the lineup after going with Doug Pederson to open the regular season.

"Then again," Mortensen tweeted, "if the Rams think Bradford is ready & Steven Jackson is ready to play, the O-line is very solid ... and Sam could start."

Tramel noted that the Rams should start Bradford even though they lack the "big-time running games and solid defenses" that helped Matt Ryan, Joe Flacco and Mark Sanchez start right away as rookies. I would take exception to half of the premise. The Rams do have a big-time running game as long as Steven Jackson is part of the equation. Their offensive line was pretty good and improving until injuries and Richie Incognito's demise wiped out the Rams' depth in the second half of the season.

"Is there a set of stats to put together to show the relativity in the last five or 10 years as to QBs drafted in the top 10 slots, when they began to start, and their first- and/or second-year performance," Bcook122 asked in the comments section of my earlier item. "There is no question that it's not done in a vacuum and the quality of the offense when the guy takes over has a lot to do with the success ratio, but I'm a little concerned about all this talk of Bradford being 'pro-ready' and then holding a too high expectation. Clearly, if he is the best of the bunch, he is going to be starting, and if he shines like Sanchez did, then yahoo, but that's not always the case."

This is where I think it's important to make distinctions between Bradford's situation and other situations encountered by early quarterbacks.

The Jets traded up from the 17th spot into the fifth spot to draft Sanchez. That meant Sanchez walked into a pretty good situation. There's no use in comparing that situation to situations encountered by quarterbacks drafted first overall by teams that did not acquire the top pick. Bradford has joined the worst team in the league, by definition. Sanchez joined one of the better teams.

Quarterbacks Matthew Stafford, JaMarcus Russell, Alex Smith, Carson Palmer, David Carr, Tim Couch and Peyton Manning were No. 1 overall choices drafted by teams that did not acquire the top choice. Eli Manning and Michael Vick were also No. 1 overall quarterbacks during that time, but both landed with teams that did not finish the previous season with the NFL's worst record.

Stafford, Carr and Manning started in Week 1 as rookies. Stafford lasted four games before an injury sidelined him. Carr absorbed 76 sacks in 16 rookie starts. Manning tossed 26 touchdown passes with 28 interceptions while starting 16 games as a rookie.

Russell did not play until Week 13 of his rookie year. He did not start until Week 17. Palmer did not play at all as a rookie. Couch became the Browns' starter in Week 2. Smith made his first NFL start for the 49ers in Week 5.

The more I look at recent history, the less it appears to matter exactly when quarterbacks drafted first overall make their starting debuts. Quarterbacks ultimately succeed or fail based on how they approach the game, their mental toughness, physical abilities and how well their teams assemble coaching staffs and rosters around them.

That said, if you're a Rams fan, how excited are you to see Bradford make his NFL debut in Week 1 against an Arizona defense featuring Darnell Dockett, Calais Campbell, Joey Porter and Adrian Wilson? Think those guys would like to welcome Bradford to the league with a few crushing hits?

Last offseason, then-Rams guard Richie Incognito planned to work on becoming a more mature player.

The Rams wound up cutting Incognito in December after the volatile guard snapped during a game at Tennessee, drawing two personal-foul penalties -- part of a pattern dating to Incognito's college days.

A year ago, I used Incognito's pledge to build a chart showing 2008 penalty leaders from the NFC West. I've updated the chart to show how many penalties the same players committed in 2009, according to ESPN Stats & Information. The numbers reflect accepted and declined penalties.

Incognito committed two fewer penalties in three fewer games while playing for one additional team.

The Cardinals' Darnell Dockett reduced his penalty count in half despite playing roughly the same number of defensive snaps for Arizona. Even though the league did fine Dockett for actions that did not draw a penalty, the numbers suggest Dockett could be headed in the right direction. He had six penalties in 2007 and eight in 2008, but only four last season. His 2009 total was his lowest since he committed only one in 2006 (Dockett committed three in 2005 and five in 2004).

The 49ers' Nate Clements committed five fewer penalties last season than in 2008, but he also played in eight fewer games. The Seahawks' Josh Wilson cut his flags from eight to one while playing in four fewer games. The 49ers' Ray McDonald went from 2008 starter to 2009 backup. Kurt Warner cut down on delay-of-game penalties significantly.

Overall, the group committed 32 fewer penalties.

One of my best friends from high school is a longtime Rams fan. I'm convinced his sense of humor has carried him through the lean years.

He sent along a link to this song parody from joesportsfan.com (also hosted by KFNS radio in St. Louis).

My favorite lyric: "Six years of 'memories' that make you want to hurl. Do we believe in 'Spags' and QB coach Dick Curl?"

There's also a nice reference to Richie Incognito later in the video.

Last offseason, I thought the 49ers should have made a run at Seahawks free agent Ray Willis, who seemed well-suited for their needs at right tackle.

Willis re-signed with Seattle, but another Seahawks free agent -- albeit a restricted one -- again appears to be a good fit for the 49ers.

Guard Rob Sims doesn't project as an ideal fit for the Seahawks as they make a full conversion to the zone blocking scheme, but Sims would seem to fit the 49ers' system while providing an upgrade for the 49ers. Adding Sims in San Francisco might make even more sense now that offensive line coach Mike Solari has made the jump from the Seahawks to the 49ers.

Seattle tendered Sims to an original-round pick, meaning another team would have to offer its fourth-round choice for signing Sims to an offer sheet. I don't think the Seahawks would match such an offer. The price could be negotiated down if a fourth-round choice were too steep, but if the 49ers wanted to buy some flexibility on the line heading into the draft, Sims would make sense.

Seattle appears likely to add a veteran with roots in the zone scheme. The Broncos' Ben Hamilton comes to mind as a candidate.

Elsewhere in the guard market, the addition of former Rams guard Richie Incognito in Miami could end the Dolphins career of former 49ers guard Justin Smiley. Smiley has started 24 games and earned $12 million from the Dolphins since signing with them minutes into free agency after the 2007 season, his last with the 49ers.

Terry Foster of the Detroit News says free-agent linebacker Larry Foote could be close to signing with the Steelers after visiting Arizona. Foster: "Foote said there was a slight chance he could still sign with Arizona."

Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette says he expects Foote to sign with the Steelers if he passes a physical examination. Dulac: "Foote met last week with the Washington Redskins, where former Steelers defensive assistant Lou Spanos is the new linebacker coach; and also with the Arizona Cardinals, where he would be reunited with several former Steelers coaches and players, including head coach Ken Whisenhunt and former linebacker mate Clark Haggans. But, in each instance, Foote was allowed to leave without signing a contract, something that is not expected to happen with the Steelers, pending a physical."

Darren Urban of azcardinals.com says adding Charlie Whitehurst wouldn't necessarily prevent the Cardinals from also adding Derek Anderson. Urban: "I can see a scenario where the Cards bring in both Whitehurst and Anderson with Matt Leinart — especially if they aren’t thrilled with the aside-from-Sam-Bradford QBs in this draft. Anderson would almost certainly come in on a short-term deal in that regard. Now, you still have to convince the free agents that it’s a place to be despite other guys who are trying hard to find a place to play. Leinart, Anderson and Whitehurst are all desperately trying to get and stay on the field."

Also from Urban: He wonders whether there might be a medical issue with Foote.

Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch expects newly signed backup center Hank Fraley to compete for a starting job at guard for the Rams.

Also from Thomas: a look at how the Rams might upgrade at receiver. Thomas: "The Rams are in a tough spot when it comes to upgrading at wide receiver. With the limited unrestricted free agent pool due to the uncapped year, there was very little available. Nate Burleson and Antonio Bryant got nice contracts, but they’re not No. 1 receivers or difference makers. Terrell Owens is still out there -- never mind his antics, he’s on the decline and no longer an elite player. Denver’s Brandon Marshall is a restricted free agent, but comes with tons of baggage, and right now the Broncos want a first-round draft pick as compensation. As far as the draft, there are a lot of good receivers, but don’t seem to be many great ones. Finding one that can be a clear upgrade is the challenge."

Mike Berardino of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel says former Rams guard Richie Incognito has a visit lined up with the Dolphins.

Howard Balzer of the St. Louis Globe-Democrat passes along LeCharles Bentley's take on Fraley, noting that the Browns acquired Fraley from Philadelphia after Bentley suffered a serious knee injury. Bentley: "He didn’t look the part, and you wondered how this guy could play at a high level. But he came in just before the season and took command. He’s a hard-working guy, a blue-collar guy. He adds value to a team on the field and in the locker room."

Also from Balzer: NFL owners might have no plans to specifically address the Rams' pending sale at the league meetings beginning March 21.

Turf Show Times' VanRam catches up with Rams defensive end Chris Long, who sums up his progress this way: "The big difference was the just the sacks. I was playing the run well most of the season. I had to pick up my pass rushing a little bit, and there were some things I did getting more comfortable with the scheme, adjusting my game a litle bit and just kind of let it fly once I felt comfortbale with the scheme. I'm not the only one who had the burden of learning a new scheme. But once you master that scheme it was just a great scheme. I feel like a lot of guys improved. I was certainly one of those guys, but there's a long way to go. I think the biggest thing is that I was getting to the quarterback more."

Matt Maiocco of the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat says the 49ers' trade with Detroit involving Shaun Hill was contingent on Hill passing a physical and the 49ers receiving David Carr's signed contract. Maiocco: "Carr received the original contract while on vacation in Cabo San Lucas last week. He is expected to deliver the document when he arrives today in the Bay Area for the 49ers' offseason conditioning program, which begins Monday."

Also from Maiocco: a chat transcript with thoughts on left guard David Baas, among others. Maiocco: "I don't think anyone with the 49ers is sold on David Baas as a long-term answer. And they don't want to give him any kind of lucrative extension. Therefore, they are not averse to having a veteran guard to play a couple years before finding a new guy to plug in there."

Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee suggests the Hill trade might have come together when executives for the Lions and 49ers met at Oklahoma State's recent pro day.

Daniel Brown of the San Jose Mercury News quotes a USC marketing expert as saying 49ers fans should understand recent price hikes on some tickets. Said the expert: "The reality is that some of these fans have had premier seats on the cheap for a long time. That's a very cynical way to say it. But can a fan really be mad that they've had their seats under market value for a number of years?"

Mason Kelly of the Seattle Times says former Seahawks coach Jim Mora plans to help out at Bellevue High School in the Seattle area. Says Bellevue coach Butch Goncharoff: "Jim will be involved. I don't know in what capacity yet. It's great. He's an outstanding guy in whatever capacity we get him, even if it's only for spring ball or summer. It's great to have him around. He's a great resource for us."

Greg Johns of seattlepi.com wonders why the Whitehurst is drawing interest from the Seahawks, among other teams. Johns: "Having never seen Whitehurst throw a pass in the NFL regular season, that's going to be hard for anyone to judge. But it's worth noting that Whitehurst hasn't been able to beat out seven-year NFL backup Volek for the No. 2 job in San Diego, so how he's suddenly become a hot property as a restricted free agent seems a bit curious. Keep it in perspective, though. The debate is whether Whitehurst would be a better addition than a third-round draft pick this April, when the possible mid-round candidates will include the likes of Tony Pike of Cincinnati, Dan LeFevour of Central Michigan or Jonathan Crompton of Tennessee."

Nancy Dooling of the Great Binghamton Press & Sun Bulletin says former Seahawks and Rams linebacker Isaiah Kacyvenski was charged for his role in a large brawl at a casino in Connecticut. Dooling: "Kacyvenski and four others were involved in a large altercation in the retail area of the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Conn., southeast of Hartford, according to state police. He has a court hearing on April 1 in Norwich, Conn."

Rams tackle Alex Barron led the NFL in penalties with 14 during the 2009 season.

Seahawks cornerback Marcus Trufant led the NFL in penalty yardage with 133.

Two other NFC West players -- Kurt Warner and Deuce Lutui of the Cardinals -- reduced penalties dramatically. Warner committed three, down from 11 last season (most were delays of game which might not have been his fault in every case). Lutui committed four, down from 12.

NFL teams averaged 110 accepted and declined penalties during the season. Oakland had the most with 137. Jacksonville had the fewest with 78.

NFC West penalty counts: Cardinals 119, Rams 118, 49ers 112, Seahawks 107.

Former Rams guard Richie Incognito, let go after committing two personal fouls that cost him $50,000 in fines, committed three penalties in his debut with the Bills.

Afterward, he recast his release from the Rams as a parole.

"With the fine of 50 grand, I would have gladly paid more to get out of that situation in St. Louis," Incognito said Sunday.

That's class.