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Good morning, NFC West, and welcome back from a s-s-s-low weekend in the division.

On the bright side, depending upon your perspective, we're only 76 days away from the Hall of Fame game between our own Arizona Cardinals and whichever New Orleans Saints employees remain in good standing with the NFL by Aug. 5.

While the Saints see rehab for their reputation, the Cardinals are focused on getting their running backs healthy.

Beanie Wells and Ryan Williams haven't played or practiced since undergoing knee surgeries. Wells underwent a less serious procedure, but his durability has been a concern dating to college. Williams is nine months into his rehab from a torn patella tendon; the one-year anniversary falls on Aug. 19.

Darren Urban of azcardinals.com says the Cardinals haven't done much to address the position, an indication both backs could be on track for 2012. Urban: "Williams, who is anxious to get back on the field right now, admits the team will likely not push him now, instead wanting to preserve him for camp. It wouldn’t be a surprise if the team takes the same tact with Beanie. He's made that work before. Last season, Beanie didn’t get any summer work -- no one did, because of the lockout -- and he still had a career-high 1,047 yards rushing, 10 touchdowns and a 4.3 per-carry average despite battling his knee injury most of the season." Noted: Wells has missed five games in two seasons. He had 228 yards against St. Louis in Week 12 and a combined 198 yards in four subsequent games to end the 2011 season.

Also from Urban: Undrafted rookie receiver Stanley Arukwe ran the 40-yard dash in a wind-aided 4.19 seconds this offseason.

Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch checks in with Rams general manager Les Snead for thoughts on where the team has improved this offseason. Snead on the defensive line: "We've got two young ends (in Chris Long and Robert Quinn). We've added (Kendall) Langford. We've got Darell Scott coming back. Bam! You throw in (Michael) Brockers, and all of a sudden that unit gets strong. Now the DL becomes a dominant unit."

Also from Thomas: Joe Long, brother of Jake, clears his own path.

Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch calls for calm over the Rams' stadium situation. Miklasz: "Less than 20 years ago, this region put up a lot of money to attract the Rams and enhance the convention-hosting capability in downtown St. Louis. We may ultimately decide to reject the allocation of additional public money for the stadium/convention center. Before our initial investment is essentially thrown in the river, before we dismiss the possibility of Kroenke and the NFL stepping in as our financial partners in this endeavor, we should at least make a sincere effort to see if this investment makes sense. That will require calm, rational discussion."

Howard Balzer outlines salary details for recent Rams additions Mario Haggan and Barry Richardson.

Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee has this to say about Jim Harbaugh's recent comments regarding Michael Crabtree's sure hands: "I was reminded of last offseason when Harbaugh said Alex Smith was a 'very accurate passer.' Or when he said Smith was an 'elite' quarterback. Or when he insisted Smith deserved a spot in the Pro Bowl. Not only does Harbaugh always back his players publicly, he pumps up the players that are in need of a little inflating. Last year that was Smith, who had been kicked around like no other 49er in the last quarter century but who responded with the best season of his career. This year Crabtree may be getting the same kind of treatment."

Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com says the 49ers still have only one proven return specialist: Ted Ginn Jr.

Also from Maiocco: big plays for a 49ers Hall of Fame.

Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News offers assorted 49ers notes, including this one: "Rather than report to the 49ers offseason conditioning program, franchise-tagged safety Dashon Goldson headed to South Florida and has hooked up with Bommarito Performance Systems. Among the 49ers who’ve previously worked with trainer Pete Bommarito are Frank Gore, Vernon Davis, Kendall Hunter, Ricky Jean Francois, Tavaris Gooden and rookie Cam Johnson."

Clare Farnsworth of seahawks.com says the team felt as though seventh-round draft choice Greg Scruggs was a bargain. A turf-toe injury slowed the defensive lineman at Louisville last season. Farnsworth: "Where Scruggs fits with the Seahawks remains to be seen, but for now he is working as a pass-rusher from the three-technique tackle spot as well as at the five-technique end position in the base defense -- a backup role that was filled last season by Anthony Hargrove, who signed with the Green Bay Packers in free agency."

Danny O'Neil of the Seattle Times checks in with former Seahawks quarterback Jon Kitna, who is teaching math and coaching football at his high school alma mater. O'Neil: "It's not hard to imagine a former NFL quarterback filling his afternoons with football. It's tougher to imagine that same man -- a guy who was making $3 million last year -- arriving on campus at 7 a.m. and bringing breakfast for kids who need extra help, hosting a home room and then teaching two periods of algebra."

Brady Henderson of 710ESPN Seattle says Seahawks receiver Doug Baldwin remembers one game more than any other last season: the one against Cleveland, when Baldwin finished with no receptions during a 6-3 defeat.

Aaron Curry, apparently headed for Oakland, has plenty of company among 2009 NFL draft choices failing to meet expectations with their original teams.

The player Seattle's previous leadership drafted fourth overall was part of a draft featuring quite a few underwhelming players near the top.

Thirteen NFC West choices from the 2009 draft remain with their teams: Max Unger, Deon Butler and Cameron Morrah in Seattle; Beanie Wells, Rashad Johnson, Greg Toler and LaRod Stephens-Howling in Arizona; Jason Smith, James Laurinaitis, Bradley Fletcher and Darell Scott in St. Louis; and two players in San Francisco, Michael Crabtree and Ricky-Jean Francois.

Let's sift through the rubble ...

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Staph infections made news in the NFL back in 2008.

The Cleveland Browns were hit hardest, but Tom Brady and Peyton Manning also experienced staph-related complications.

Now, a member of the San Francisco 49ers is battling one.

Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com says 49ers nose tackle Isaac Sopoaga is suffering from a staph infection that could sideline him against Tampa Bay in Week 5. Maiocco: "Third-year player Ricky Jean Francois would take over as the starting nose tackle. Then, undrafted rookie defensive linemen Demarcus Dobbs and Ian Williams could both suit up for the game -- though neither would be expected to see much playing time." Noted: Staph infections can be serious. The MRSA variety is antibiotic-resistant and much tougher to treat. This is a concerning development for the 49ers.

Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News says receiver Joshua Morgan and defensive back Keith Lewis suffered from staph infections while with the 49ers in 2008.

Also from Inman: 49ers quarterback Alex Smith has done a much better job limiting interceptions lately.

Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle breaks down Smith's passing stats by targets.

Danny O'Neil of the Seattle Times traces Doug Baldwin's unlikely journey from Florida high school prospect to Stanford receiver to the NFL. O'Neil: "It's a story that involves a former NFL coach whose daughter attended the same high school as Baldwin, a newspaper publisher whose son worked in Stanford's football program and a whippet-quick receiver who caught their attention eight years ago."

Clare Farnsworth of seahawks.com explains why the team signed Jameson Konz to its active roster. Konz has switched from offense to defense during his tenure with the team, but Seattle needs him to contribute on special teams after losing linebacker Matt McCoy for the season.

Dave Boling of the Tacoma News Tribune says Seahawks guard John Moffitt fits the profile for offensive linemen and is growing into the role alongside fellow rookie James Carpenter. Boling: "The massive Carpenter is not only finishing his blocks now, but at times driving his man into the turf. And the two are functioning better as a tandem on the right side."

Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic says Cardinals quarterback Kevin Kolb is still learning when to run and when to hang in the pocket. Quarterbacks coach Chris Miller: "Let's be real, he's making a change mechanically and fundamentally from how they taught it in Philadelphia, with your feet hitching up and moving up in the pocket like Joe Montana and Steve Young used to do. That's kind of the tree of coaches who are in Philly. Where we're more of a 'hang-on-your-back-foot' type offense and system. Maybe take a rhythm hitch or two up in the pocket. We're in a little transition period."

Darren Urban of azcardinals.com updates progress in the Cardinals' ground game.

Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch updates the Rams' dire situation at cornerback following Bradley Fletcher's season-ending knee injury. Thomas: "The team already was perilously thin at cornerback, with Justin King moving into the starting lineup following Ron Bartell's season-ending neck injury in Week 1, and veteran Al Harris serving as the Rams' third cornerback. Three of the Rams' top four cornerbacks entering the season now are on injured reserved."

The freshly updated NFC West roided-out rosters feature a lineup change no one could have envisioned just two years ago.

Moving rookie K.J. Wright into the Seattle Seahawks' starting lineup over Aaron Curry leaves NFC West teams with six of their own 2009 draft choices as projected starters heading into Week 3. The other divisions average about 10 starters from their 2009 draft classes.

Curry joins a growing list of NFC West picks from that class failing to meet expectations. Arizona's second-rounder Cody Brown never earned a spot on the Cardinals' 53-man roster even though the team needed, and still needs, young outside linebackers. Glen Coffee, the San Francisco 49ers' third-round choice in 2009, retired last offseason.

The six current NFC West starters from the 2009 class: Jason Smith, James Laurinaitis and Bradley Fletcher for the St. Louis Rams; Max Unger for the Seahawks; Michael Crabtree for the San Francisco 49ers, provided he moves back into the starting lineup; and Beanie Wells for the Arizona Cardinals. Of those, only Laurinaitis and Fletcher have met expectations.

Fourteen players from the 2009 class remain with the NFC West teams that selected them: Smith, Fletcher, Laurinaitis and Darell Scott for the Rams; Wells, Rashad Johnson, LaRod Stephens-Howling and Greg Toler (injured reserve) for the Cardinals; Curry, Unger, Deon Butler (physically unable to perform list) and Cameron Morrah (also PUP); and two 49ers, Crabtree and Ricky Jean-Francois.

I'd rank the Rams' 2009 class best in the division, no surprise given how early the the team was drafting. The Cardinals' class would rank second even though Arizona was coming off a Super Bowl and ranked 31st in the draft order. That reflects poorly on the Seahawks' and 49ers' classes that year.

Brady Henderson of 710ESPN Seattle passes along John Clayton's thoughts regarding Seahawks quarterback Charlie Whitehurst. Clayton thinks Whitehurst should be leading teammates in player-organized workouts. Clayton: "Part of the knock on him is that you know he's got talent, but does he have that desire to take over things? Does he have that leadership ability? To be a leader you have to lead. And the (time to lead is now) when you've got everybody scattered around trying to do it." It would reflect well on Whitehurst if he were leading well-organized workouts featuring large numbers of Seattle players. On the other hand, it's not like anyone else on the roster has been able to pull together the team this offseason. The Seahawks are not gathering in large numbers this offseason for a couple reasons. One, relatively few players live in the Northwest. Two, this is a roster in transition. Quite a few players are without contracts for 2011 and unsure whether they'll be back.

Clare Farnsworth of seahawks.com revisits 1996, the year then-owner Ken Behring tried to relocate the team. Farnsworth: "One of the oddest twists to this whole deal involved David Behring and the team’s best player -- Cortez Kennedy, who balked at going to Anaheim because he had signed a contract with the Seattle Seahawks. Kennedy’s action was viewed as beyond defiant by Behring, who fumed that the team leader was not displaying the kind of leadership ownership deemed appropriate. ... Late that season, Behring and Kennedy found themselves at midfield at the Kingdome, as the club president presented Kennedy with the Steve Largent Award trophy that has been voted annually since 1989 to the player who best exemplifies the spirit, dedication and integrity of the Seahawks."

Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic says nothing has changed on the quarterback front for the Cardinals. Somers: "Whenever they are able, the Cardinals will pursue a trade for Eagles quarterback Kevin Kolb. Kolb had highs and lows last season, but if you are looking for reasons to be excited about him, check out this highlight video of his game against the Falcons. He completed 23 of 29 for 326 yards and three touchdowns against good defense."

Darren Urban of azcardinals.com thinks an increasingly complex NFL game requires more offseason prep time for players. Urban: "Today’s playbook is more complicated. The premium placed on not turning the ball over is so much higher than it used to be (watch those 702s QBs huck the ball downfield in search of a big play; interceptions weren’t good but they weren’t as frowned upon as now). Running, running, running was much more commonplace. Precision in the passing game -- which takes reps -- wasn’t as important."

Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee says the San Francisco 49ers could use more wide receivers at their player-organized workouts. Barrows: "The only wide receivers on the 49ers roster who have not spent some time with Alex Smith in the Bay Area are Lance Long, Dominique Zeigler and ... wait for it ... Michael Crabtree. The 49ers signed Long to their practice squad in November. Zeigler is recovering from an ACL tear suffered in Week 12 this past season. Crabtree, meanwhile, recently has been working out on his own in the Bay Area, but he has yet to join the group of 49ers that works out together in the South Bay. David Carr said that the group intended to contact Crabtree and ask him to join their training session." It's tough to say Crabtree should be attending these sessions if he hasn't been invited.

Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com says second-year 49ers nose tackle Ricky Jean-Francois continues to put in the necessary offseason work. Jean-Francois has moved closer to earning a college degree. Maiocco: "He spent the past three weeks in Baton Rouge, La., where he continues to get high offseason marks. In fact, Jean Francois scored an 'A' on Tuesday in his Caribbean Studies course at LSU. Completion of the course brings him 12 hours from earning his degree in general studies. Now, Jean Francois plans to head back to Miami, where he regularly works out with teammate Frank Gore and other NFL players at Bommarito Performance Systems."

3k of Turf Show Times takes a hard look at possibilities for the St. Louis Rams' offense with rookie tight end Lance Kendricks as a focal point. VanRam: "The use of the H-back allows for a TE to set up at multiple spots: TE, WR, FB or RB. By pushing the player around the formation, it forces some kind of response from the defense to adjust to the switch. Complicating things even further is the possibility of motion. The H-back can play off the line next to the traditional TE and motion into another position. Conversely, he can come out of the FB spot up into a receiving spot to begin the play." Using a second-round choice for Kendricks does signal the Rams' intentions offensively.

Brig. Gen. Kevin Ryan, writing in the Arizona Republic, explains how former Cardinals safety Pat Tillman continues to make an impact through his foundation seven years after his passing. Tillman's wife, Marie, has taken the lead. Ryan: "The foundation has pledged over $1.3 million in scholarships to 111 Tillman Military Scholars attending 46 universities in 28 states. At a time when veteran jobless rates are high, a degree is indispensable. But, as impressive as the foundation's work is, the real inspiration comes from the personal example set by Marie Tillman. ... No one would have blamed her if she had walked away from the Army and everything that reminded her of Pat's time in the military. But she did not."

Darren Urban of azcardinals.com says the team's quest to find a quarterback will impact Larry Fitzgerald's decision on whether to remain with the team past 2011. Urban: "Money will not be an issue. The Cardinals are expected to meet Fitzgerald’s desires in that area. As last season progressed, however, Fitzgerald talked more and more about wanting to make sure he played for a winner. He was always careful not to talk about having a better quarterback -- Fitzgerald is too smart for that -- but it was not difficult to read between the lines."

Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says the Rams went without a compensatory draft choice for only the second time in 10 years. Thomas: "Over the years, the Rams have had good success with compensatory picks, including two members of the current roster -- linebacker Josh Hull from the 2010 draft and linebacker David Vobora from the '08 draft. Vobora was Mr. Irrelevant in '08 as the last player taken in the draft. Three other former Rams compensatory picks are still playing in the NFL: quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (Buffalo) and fullback Madison Hedgecock (Giants) were Rams comp picks in 2005; and linebacker Scott Shanle (New Orleans) was a comp pick in 2003."

Also from Thomas: The Rams expected improvement from quarterback Sam Bradford to help raise the level of play at receiver as well. Better luck with injuries would certainly help. Coach Steve Spagnuolo: "Donnie Avery looks great. You know, when Donnie and I talked a year ago at the end of the (2009) season I said, 'You've got to be a durable guy, and that takes the offseason.' Because he would catch a pass and it seemed like every time he got up -- I told him this -- something was sore. So he worked on it last year, and of course he had the (knee) injury, and with this time with rehab that still rings in his ear. He has really taken a step to get his body ready to play an NFL season."

Nick Wagoner of stlouisrams.com says the team is still formulating its draft opinions. General manager Billy Devaney: "We are not close to being there. I have a general idea. Being realistic, there are certain guys you know are going to be gone from pick one to five, six, seven. Then after that there is a cluster of names and they are darn good names. It’s exciting. It’s really exciting the possibilities that will be there at 14. We have a vague idea but we haven’t narrowed it down yet."

Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com explains why the 49ers received a second compensatory draft choice. Maiocco: "There were 21 compensatory picks awarded Friday based on the compensatory pick formula. By rule, 11 additional choices were awarded at the end of the seventh round to bring the total number of compensatory selections to 32, equaling the number of NFL clubs. The 49ers were among the teams given an extra draft choice based on the 2011 draft selection order."

Also from Maiocco: He makes the case against San Francisco using an early draft choice for a wide receiver. Maiocco: "Teams with good passing attacks can plug in receiver after receiver, and there is rarely a statistical drop-off. The 49ers have 10 picks in the draft, and they will almost assuredly use one of those selections on a wideout. But the team should be just fine with Michael Crabtree and Josh Morgan as the starters -- as long as Jim Harbaugh can come up with somebody to throw the ball to them. The 49ers will look to upgrade the production from their No. 3 wideout. Veteran Ted Ginn had only 10 catches for 122 yards, and his spot on the roster is certainly not guaranteed. Kyle Williams did not get on the field much as a rookie, but he's a Trent Baalke draft pick. Baalke raved about Williams' combination of quickness and speed, attributes that serve him well as a slot receiver and in the return game."

Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee updates pre-draft workouts and visits for the 49ers. Barrows on Andy Dalton: "Dalton said on NFL Network that he has private visits set up with the 49ers among other teams. Jim Harbaugh attended Dalton's pro day workout earlier this month, and he is among a group of second-round prospects the 49ers are sorting out. Dalton's best attribute may be his accuracy, although like many passers in this year's class, he operated out of a spread system in college."

Kevin Lynch of Niner Insider says the 49ers, who already hold a league-high 12 draft choices, should trade back to acquire more in the hopes that quantity gives them a better shot at quality. Lynch: "In the last decade, the 49ers proved adept at drafting a Pro Bowl punter, long-snapper, middle linebacker and running back. But now they have to take chances on pass rusher, cornerback and quarterback. It would be best to go after those spots with two or three possibilities instead one potentially expensive miss."

Eric Branch of the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat says the 49ers have a shot at continuing their recent successes in the latter rounds of drafts. The team holds five choices in the final two rounds. Josh Morgan, Ricky Jean-Francois and Anthony Dixon were recent finds in those rounds.

Brady Henderson of 710ESPN Seattle says Seahawks kicker Olindo Mare would take a "hometown discount" to remain with the team. Mare: "Oh, absolutely. For sure. I would be stupid not to. The Seahawks gave me an opportunity. I always take that into consideration also. But we'll see. I have to get a offer first. What would be great would be is if there was a bunch and it would show that people appreciate what you do, and that's always flattering. Just to get all your options available. If you signed (for) three, four, five years, that would be your last contract. You want to make sure that everything was done right. But yeah, Seattle will definitely get a home discount. Besides, I like to go to the Sounders games, and I've got a lot going on there." Looks like the Seahawks don't have to worry about losing Mare in free agency.

Clare Farnsworth of seahawks.com continues his series on the 35th anniversary team with a look at retired safety Eugene Robinson. Farnsworth: "For a guy who showed up in 1985 as an undrafted rookie out of Colgate, as a cornerback no less, Robinson left an indelible mark on the franchise. He is the Seahawks’ all-time leading tackler (984) and ranks second in career interceptions (42) to Dave Brown (50) and fumble recoveries (14) to Jacob Green (17) -- one of the ends on the reader-selected 35th Anniversary team."

Danny O'Neil of the Seattle Times says a small group of Seahawks fans protested the NFL lockout at Qwest Field. Said one fan: "It frustrates me because we paid for our tickets. We spend a lot of money during the season to watch these guys, and our say doesn't even get taken into any consideration."

Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean says the Tennessee Titans could have interest in Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck this offseason. Wyatt: "I have no doubt Matt Hasselbeck is one name on the Titans’ radar. The long-time Seahawks quarterback, scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent, has ties to a Titans front office that includes GM Mike Reinfeldt, VP of Player Personnel Ruston Webster and Director of Pro Scouting Lake Dawson." Quarterback drama continues to dominate the NFC West outside St. Louis. It's tough to envision Hasselbeck moving to Nashville for the final couple seasons of his career, but we should expect to hear more about potential suitors as long as Hasselbeck doesn't have a deal with Seattle.

Clare Farnsworth of seahawks.com explains why John Carlson earned a spot on the team's 35th anniversary team despite playing only three seasons. Farnsworth: "He already has posted the club single-season records for a tight end in receptions (55 in 2008), receiving yards (627 in ’08) and touchdown catches (seven in 2009). Even more telling, his three-season totals in each category (137 for 1,519 and 13) are just off the career marks that belong to Christian Fauria (166 catches in 10 seasons), Itula Mili (1,743 yards in seven seasons) and Jerramy Stevens (15 TDs in five seasons)."

Brian McIntyre of Mac's Football Blog provides updated salary information for Seattle's Chris Clemons, Marshawn Lynch, Earl Thomas and Russell Okung.

Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic says the Arizona Cardinals are dropping ticket prices without raising prices for other seats. Somers: "About 3,700 seats will decrease in price, including 2,300 that went down from $40 to $25. ... An additional 1,400 tickets were reduced by $5 (from $60 to $55)." The Cardinals' 5-11 record last season and the NFL's labor issues will make it tougher for the team to continue its sellout streak.

Darren Urban of azcardinals.com sits down with team president Michael Bidwill for details on the ticket changes and more.

Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com expects San Francisco 49ers nose tackle Aubrayo Franklin to have considerable options once he hits the free-agent market. Backup Ricky Jean-Francois might not be the projected starter if Franklin does depart. Maiocco: "Line coach Jim Tomsula is the only holdover from last year's defensive coaching staff, so he would have a lot of input. But, based on the film of the 49ers' game against the Packers last season when Franklin left the lineup, I'm sure the 49ers would not feel comfortable with Jean Francois as the primary nose tackle. The Packers repeatedly moved Jean Francois off the ball during a 17-play game-clinching drive. Jean Francois later said he made errors with his technique, as his stance was too wide."

Tim Klutsarits of examiner.com says the St. Louis Rams have something significant going for them heading into a potential lockout. They play in the NFC West. Klutsarits: "The Rams' schedule is more difficult in 2011 and you have a rookie quarterback that needs to make bigger strides in the upcoming season, but everyone else has problems too. The best scenario would be for this to be resolved in the next few days and everyone can begin the 2011 season for real, but even if it doesn’t happen it is not the end of the world from a football perspective. What saved the Rams in 2010 will save the Rams in 2011. The mediocrity of the NFC West is the Rams' lifeboat during this current work stoppage. They don’t have to jump the Green Bay Packers or the New Orleans Saints they just need to be better than the Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers."

Greg from Novato, Calif., writes: Hey Sando, I post as allenjr16 on espn.com, and I was wondering in terms of the 49ers, they need a QB and some other stuff as well.

Cornerback is one of those other things. Since the biggest name in the draft at that position is likely out of the 49ers' reach, how likely do you think the 49ers are to pay Nnamdi Asomugha? My thinking is that he is from the Bay Area originally and the pickup would allow the 49ers to move Nate Clements to free safety (since Dashon Goldson is going to expect a big unearned payday).

Also, do you think with the new defensive coordinator that the 49ers will change back to a 4-3 in which they are best suited, with Isaac Sopoaga, Aubrayo Franklin and Ricky Jean-Francois in rotation in the middle, and Ray McDonald, Justin Smith and Parys Haralson in rotation on the outside?

Regardless of those personnel changes, can you please comment on how the most successful coaches alter their schemes to match their players and not the other way around? I am sure there is information out there proving just that.

Mike Sando: Good questions, Greg. The 49ers did spend in free agency several years ago as they sought to upgrade their roster. The team has more recently focused on re-signing its own players. That philosophy will probably continue with Trent Baalke as general manager.

Team president Jed York has been unwavering in saying the 49ers have enough talent in general, if not at quarterback. The 49ers are not a high-revenue team, they are playing in a dumpy stadium and they will be paying two head coaches with a lockout looming.

Put together those factors, throw in the fact that Oakland or another team might covet Asomugha and I'm thinking it's unlikely the 49ers go that route. I'm going to address Asomugha's situation in relation to the entire division at some point here. I'd be a little surprised if Al Davis let the NFL's best cornerback get away. Davis loves corners.

If Davis were willing to overpay Asomugha a couple years ago, why not again? Asomugha has held up his end. Letting Asomugha leave as a free agent would help return a compensatory draft choice to Oakland this offseason, perhaps, but that is no reason for a team to let its best player get away. If Asomugha wanted out, he would have tried to leave a couple years ago. The Raiders have only improved since then.

Oakland will have some tough financial choices. Richard Seymour's contract is also up. That could help Asomugha pop free. It's just not a slam dunk at this point.

As for the defensive scheme, yes, good coaches adapt. I tend to think most coaches adapt within their system, however. They generally do not scrap what they know best. You would not see Ken Whisenhunt suddenly adopting a West Coast offense. Jim Harbaugh would not suddenly switch to the Mike Martz offense.

Martz is a good example. The Bears have changed their style and some of their approach on offense, but they are still running Martz's system.

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Mike from Seattle writes: I know the Seahawks had to pass, but what happened to Marshawn Lynch in the second half? Never saw him again.

Mike Sando: The situation at tight end and the Bears' stout run defense combined with the scoreboard to take Lynch out of the Seattle offense.

Justin Forsett is often the preferred back from pass-oriented personnel groupings because he's quicker. Lynch is the power runner, but it's tough to play the power game with Chris Baker on injured reserve, John Carlson headed to the hospital and Cameron Morrah battling a turf-toe injury.

Seattle ran 13 snaps from 12 personnel (one back, two tight ends) when the Seahawks and Bears played in Week 6. I counted none Sunday. The Seahawks ran nine snaps from 22 personnel in Week 6. I counted one Sunday, but only with an extra offensive lineman as the second tight end. In Week 6, Lynch scored on a 1-yard touchdown run from 23 personnel. That wasn't even an option against the Bears in the rematch.

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Brandon from Pullman, Wash., writes: After watching the Seahawks game then the Jets-Patriots game, one thing immediately stood out to me -- the conditions of the fields. In Chicago, the field looked a sickly yellowish green that was clearly frozen solid.Yet in New England, a similarly northerly cold location, the field was a lush green that looked like a beautiful playing surface. Do the Bears need to fire their groundskeeping crew or what?

Mike Sando: The Bears, like the Pittsburgh Steelers, share their field with local high schools. In a best-case scenario, they would change to FieldTurf or another surface better suited to for heavy use. My understanding, however, is that the Bears do not control every aspect of the playing surface.

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Kevin from Maryland writes: Who would you think is a better fit as the new offensive coordinator in St. Louis -- Josh McDaniels, Brad Childress or someone else?

Mike Sando: I started out thinking the Rams should lean more toward maintaining continuity of scheme, which would favor Childress. I am increasingly leaning toward McDaniels as the more exciting hire. His offense might suit Sam Bradford at least as well.

One key, I think, would be making sure the Rams had a successor on staff in case a team gave McDaniels another shot at a head-coaching job. That might seem like a stretch given how things ended in Denver, but McDaniels struggled more with personnel decisions than with the tactical side, it seemed.

That's it for now. There were no new questions on the Cardinals this time. To clarify earlier items, however, note that Larry Fitzgerald's no-trade clause remains in place for the 2011 season. His deal with Arizona voids before the 2012 season. That negotiation will have significant ramifications for the Cardinals and the NFL.

A quick look at the San Francisco 49ers' 2009 draft class ...

Best pick so far: Receiver Michael Crabtree has three touchdown receptions in his last four games. He played and produced like a veteran immediately upon reporting to the team last season. The production hasn't been as consistent this season. Crabtree occasionally has lapses, as when a slightly off-target pass bounced off his hands for an interception Monday night. I sense Crabtree mostly needs improved quarterback play to take the next step and become a top receiver.

Second-guessing: Coach Mike Singletary has placed high value on adding players with a passion for the game. That makes Glen Coffee's retirement after one season all the more puzzling. What did the 49ers see in him? Coffee showed little during his time with the 49ers. The blocking wasn't always great, of course, but the team could certainly use a third-round talent at the position now that Frank Gore is out for the season.

Key variable: Quarterback Nate Davis has shown a strong arm and some play-making ability during the exhibition season. Singletary questioned the quarterback's preparation, however. Davis went from the 53-man roster to the practice squad and nearly out of the picture at quarterback altogether. The 49ers aren't really counting on him, but if Davis gets serious about his craft and emerges as a viable candidate in the future, he could salvage a draft class that isn't looking very promising overall. On a side note, Ricky Jean-Francois filled in nicely for Aubrayo Franklin during camp. Might he develop?

Aubrayo Franklin must be the most overlooked franchise player in memory. Perhaps it's the anonymity that comes with his position, nose tackle, or the realization he would report at some point anyway.

News that Franklin plans to sign his tender and report to the San Francisco 49ers arms the team with its starting nose tackle, a big deal for a team running a 3-4 defense. Ricky Jean-Francois seems to have performed relatively well in Franklin's absence, gaining valuable experience.

There was little doubt about whether Franklin would sign. He had no other choice beyond sitting out the season and forgoing paychecks. That wasn't going to happen. Franklin made it clear the 49ers weren't going to have him in camp without giving him a long-term deal. Now that he's back, both sides can move on, focusing on the regular season (something the 49ers were doing anyway).

Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic says Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald is frustrated a knee injury will sideline him because, in Fitzgerald's words, he was enjoying his best camp as a professional. Also quarterback Matt Leinart apologized for missing his postgame media obligations Saturday night, blaming a miscommunication.

Zach Buchanan of the Arizona Republic says undrafted rookie receiver Stephen Williams has a shot at a roster spot. Williams stood out to me early in Cardinals camp for two reasons: he's unusually rangy at 6-foot-5 and 208 pounds, and he appeared more comfortable than most rookies.

Darren Urban of azcardinals.com says Cardinals backup quarterback Derek Anderson looks good until he throws the ball. Urban: "Anderson was lucky he didn’t throw a third interception (it was dropped). It’s funny, he looks so confident in there. I liked his pocket presence. But the passes just don’t connect. Some of that was his accuracy, a couple of times, the receivers have to make the play." It's early and Anderson should improve as he spends more time in the offense. Interceptions have been a problem for him in the past, however.

Also from Urban: Cardinals rookie quarterback John Skelton looks good.

More from Urban: Second-round draft choice Daryl Washington made a positive statement in his first exhibition game for the Cardinals. Washington will make it tough for the Cardinals to leave him off the field as early as Week 1. It's not as though the Cardinals are stacked at inside linebacker, either. Coach Ken Whisenhunt: "He showed up. There were a couple of times I noticed he got stuck on some blocks. He’s going to have an adjustment to the speed of this game and going against some of the bigger guys. When you have the speed he has and can make plays, it’s all about getting him reps."

David White of the San Francisco Chronicle says the 49ers' first-team offense struggled Sunday, but quarterback Alex Smith faced no questions about his starting job. Smith: "I felt good, but we didn't get it done. I was getting rid of the ball. For a couple of reasons, me and some of the receivers are off a little bit, just not finishing passes. I've got to get that ironed out."

Also from White: Backup running back Anthony Dixon fared well against the Colts.

Phil Barber of the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat says the 49ers' Kyle Williams and Will James were playing well until injuries felled both.

Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com offers notes from the 49ers' performance Sunday. Maiocco: "Rookie right tackle Anthony Davis and left guard Mike Iupati played the entire first half and saw limited work in the second half with the second stringers. On the 49ers' second possession, Davis was called for a false start and he was beaten by Robert Mathis for a quarterback pressure."

Also from Maiocco: items on the 49ers' first-team offense, first-team defense, second-team offense, second-team defense, second-half offense and second-half defense.

Tim Kawakami of the San Jose Mercury News says David Baas and Ricky Jean-Francois looked good for the 49ers, but question marks persisted elsewhere.

Greg Johns of seattlepi.com sees potential for improvement this season on the Seahawks' defense. Rookie cornerback Walter Thurmond has been a surprise in camp. I could see him fighting for a spot in the nickel defense. He would give the Seahawks needed size and a physical presence. The key, of course, is for Thurmond to continue getting stronger physically following knee reconstruction.

Danny O'Neil of the Seattle Times asks what the Seahawks learned from their exhibition opener. Among the answers: "Cornerback Josh Wilson isn't ready to relinquish a starting job. He became a backup last season after the Seahawks signed Ken Lucas only to earn it back. And when training camp opened, Kelly Jennings was working with the first-unit defense. Well, Wilson not only started Saturday's game, but he made a heck of a play to drive on a ball and pick off Vince Young in the first quarter." It's baffling to think Wilson might not have been one of the starters, but also a sign the new staff isn't reading as much into what happened in the past. As noted, the Seahawks have the potential to improve their secondary with Wilson in the lineup and Thurmond coming off the bench. The fact that rookie Earl Thomas can cover well enough to play corner if needed provides additional flexibility.

Dave Boling of the Tacoma News Tribune says Seahawks rookie Russell Okung fared well in his first exhibition game.

Eric D. Williams of the Tacoma News Tribune says Charlie Whitehurst enhanced his profile with a strong showing at quarterback for Seattle.

John Morgan of Field Gulls lists Whitehurst, defensive tackle Kevin Vickerson and running back Quinton Ganther as "big winners" from the Seahawks' opener.

Bill Coats of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says injuries have severely limited the Rams at cornerback. Coats: "Three cornerbacks were unavailable: Ron Bartell (ankle), Bradley Fletcher (knee) and Justin King (calf). Then rookie Jerome Murphy went down with an ankle injury in the first minute of the second quarter. Dockery left later with a hip pointer."

Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says poor pass protection was the Rams' primary concern coming out of their exhibition opener. Thomas: "(Sam) Bradford absorbed four of those sacks on just 17 called pass plays. Getting sacked roughly once every four pass plays isn't a recipe for success. At that rate, Bradford -- or anybody else -- may not make it into November healthy." Or September, for that matter.

Steve Korte of the Belleville News-Democrat says the Rams do not plan to "panic" after one rough outing by their offensive line, according to coach Steve Spagnuolo.

INDIANAPOLIS -- Thoughts and observations after watching the San Francisco 49ers' backups help them grab a 20-10 halftime lead against the Indianapolis Colts in the 2010 exhibition opener for both teams:

• Linebacker Diyral Briggs enjoyed a monster first half even without the pass he picked off. Briggs forced another interception with pressure. Briggs has enjoyed a strong training camp and it transferred to this game. That's what coaches want to see.
• Rookie Kyle Williams shined on returns, posting a 36-yard punt return and a 28-yard kickoff return. Ted Ginn Jr. gained 11 yards on his lone punt return. Both players have had strong camps to this point (in the relative sense, with expectations being higher for Ginn, a veteran).
• Alex Smith's accuracy appeared poor, including when he threw a couple yards behind a wide-open Vernon Davis over the middle. Smith had plenty of room in the pocket to make this throw. It can be risky to assume the quarterback is wrong because receivers sometimes run routes incorrectly. The pass to Davis wasn't the only one that seemed off, however. Update: Accuracy wasn't the primary issue here. More to come.
• Rookie left guard Mike Iupati appeared to fare well when I focused on him. He looked like a veteran in pass protection on one play, first helping the center with a double team, then peeling off to block another defender. Smith again enjoyed an expansive pocket on this play, although the Colts picked off his pass for tight end Delanie Walker. I initially thought Walker might have dropped this pass, but the defender was right there. Not sure if Smith should have led Walker a little more here.
• Officials flagged rookie right tackle Anthony Davis for a false start early in the game. The defender he was blocking also pressured Smith on a third-and-1 incompletion. Smith held the ball while trying to find an open receiver, however, and that might have put additional pressure on Davis.
• Strong safety Michael Lewis absorbed a hit to the head/neck area on the final play before the 49ers subbed out their starters on defense. Lewis seemed to be OK.
• Peyton Manning was still the Colts' quarterback when Taylor Mays and the No. 2 defense took over for the 49ers. Manning completed a 16-yard pass into Mays' area. Mays' speed and hitting potential were apparent at times, as when he made an open-field tackle on Colts running back Donald Brown for a 3-yard loss on a third-and-13 pass play late in the first quarter.
• Reggie Smith's 91-yard interception return for a touchdown against Colts backup quarterback Curtis Painter wasn't the safety's only impressive play. Smith also broke up Manning's pass to Anthony Gonzalez in the back of the end zone on third-and-goal from the 3.
• Nose tackle Ricky Jean-Francois caught my attention by blowing up a Colts running play in the backfield. Jean-Francois has become more important to the 49ers with franchise player Aubrayo Franklin still unsigned.
• The 49ers' starting defense played only about half a quarter. Cornerback Nate Clements said he was happy to be back on the field after an injury kept him from playing late in 2009. Clements might have been rusty. He missed a tackle after a Manning pass to Joseph Addai.
• Frank Gore did not play for the 49ers and backup Glen Coffee announced his retirement Friday, putting more pressure on rookie running back Anthony Dixon. I didn't see enough of Dixon in pass protection to know how he fared in that area -- David Carr was under pressure frequently -- but he made impressive runs. Dixon had a 17-yard run in the first half and a 23-yarder in the third quarter. Dixon also caught the ball out of the backfield.

We're midway through the third quarter of this game. I'll post again after heading down to the locker room after the game. Then it's back on the road to Rams camp just up the street (OK, about 240 miles up the street).

Glen Coffee's surprise retirement announcement after only one NFL season sent me back for a look at the San Francisco 49ers' 2009 draft class.

The class has taken a couple hits lately with Coffee saying he'll retire and key special-teamer Scott McKillop suffering a serious knee injury.

The chart breaks 'em down.

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- The San Francisco 49ers call it taking ownership.

Coach Mike Singletary sets aside a portion of practice for players to step forward and coaches to step back. Quarterback Alex Smith gets to call whichever offensive play he thinks will work for the situation. Inside linebacker Patrick Willis makes the call on defense.

"Good ownership, Alex," Pro Bowl tight end Vernon Davis hollered as he ran back upfield after snatching Smith's 40-yard pass in the back of the end zone Friday. "I like that ownership. You're part of the team now, baby!"

Smith isn't nearly as outspoken, but in his own way, he made sure Willis, the 49ers' Pro Bowl linebacker, knew which side's play call prevailed. And if anyone remained unsure, all he had to do was consult Davis, one of the brashest and most freakishly athletic players anywhere. Davis, and his mouth, always seem to be open.

"Vernon brings an attitude now that we're going to out there and we're going to make plays and we're going to shove it down your throat," Smith said. "And when we make plays, you're going to hear about it. We're going to be hooting and hollering. I'm not going to do that, but those perimeter guys are. You love that attitude."

Even the 49ers' defensive players love it. They know how hard Davis works and, besides, this team is tight. For all the offensive coaching changes the 49ers have endured -- five coordinators since Smith entered the NFL in 2005 -- the team's core players have been together for at least three seasons in most cases.

All the key components are back from a team that finished 8-8 last season. An improving offense and questions elsewhere in the division give the 49ers their clearest shot at a playoff berth since the days of Jeff Garcia and Terrell Owens. Just ask Davis.

"You have Ted Ginn outside with a lot of speed and you have to keep an eye on him," Davis said. "Then you have [Michael] Crabtree, who is just like a cat in the night. I mean, he just runs his routes so well. Then you have to worry about Josh Morgan. When all of us are on the field and Frank Gore, I mean, they can't stop us."

THREE HOT ISSUES

1. How will Frank Gore's role evolve? Gore rushed for 1,120 yards and 10 touchdowns last season, so it's not like he wasn't a big part of the offense. Still, perceptions linger that Gore and Smith weren't particularly compatible. Smith seemed most comfortable operating from looser formations. Gore has always preferred running behind a fullback out of a more traditional offense. To answer the question, though, check out Gore's stats over the final four games of the 2009 season. He averaged 23 carries for 113 yards in those games. Expect the 49ers to continue feeding Gore as long as the running back holds up physically. That was where the offense was headed in December.

2. What impact will Ted Ginn Jr. have on the offense? Forget about what Ginn accomplished -- or failed to accomplish -- with the Miami Dolphins. In Miami, Ginn was measured against expectations for a first-round draft choice. The expectations aren't the same in San Francisco, where the 49ers already have established offensive stars (Davis and Gore) and one of the better up-and-coming wideouts in second-year pro Crabtree. All Ginn has to do for the 49ers is use his speed to attract safety help against the deep ball. Ginn has been able to do that in practice. His speed is obvious, and it should lead to more favorable coverages for the other receiving targets, notably Davis and Crabtree.

3. Will the offensive line improve? The three hottest questions in 49ers camp concern the offense. That is fitting for a team whose defense has held up its end in recent seasons. While the 49ers are excited about adding first-round linemen Mike Iupati and Anthony Davis, both players face learning curves as they transition to the NFL. The 49ers play three of their first four games on the road, where communication can be difficult and experience helps a great deal. Iupati and Davis will upgrade this line over the course of the season, but the line could face some issues early on.

BIGGEST SURPRISE

Nate Clements. The veteran cornerback seems like his old self: confident, outspoken, having fun. He's been bantering with Davis and seems to have moved past a difficult 2009 season. Clements spent his offseason training in Arizona, with an emphasis on fundamentals. He looks good so far.

BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT

Aubrayo Franklin. The 49ers' franchise player remains unsigned. It's a given that Franklin will report before the regular season. Singletary has confidence Franklin will report in good condition, so there won't be any Albert Haynesworth-style conditioning issues. But with the team setting aside $7 million for Franklin this season, it would be nice to have him in camp.

OBSERVATION DECK

• Shawntae Spencer could be the best cornerback on the team even if Clements regains past form. He played well last season and should gain momentum in his second season back from knee surgery.
• [+] Enlarge
  Kevin Terrell/Getty ImagesThe 49ers are in no rush to make rookie Taylor Mays a starter this season.
  Cornerback-turned-safety Reggie Smith is getting significant reps as an extra defensive back in camp. I'm not sure what that means for rookie second-round choice Taylor Mays, but it would be foolish to think the 49ers will not find playing time for Mays this season. It's just a matter of how quickly they feel comfortable working him into the defense. There's no rush to make Mays a starter as long as veteran Michael Lewis is healthy.
• Brandon Jones has a chance to make the situation at receiver more interesting. Crabtree and Morgan are the starters. Ginn appears likely to earn a spot among the top three or four. Jones, a disappointment last season after an injury set him back, has the talent to become more of a factor. He seems to be having a good camp so far.
• The 49ers' low-stakes gamble on Travis LaBoy suffered a setback when the veteran pass-rusher suffered a concussion early in camp. Concussion problems factored into the Tennessee Titans' decision against re-signing LaBoy years ago. The 49ers might not have an elite pass-rusher, but they ranked third in the NFL for sacks last season, and their outside linebackers have very good quickness. Diyral Briggs has stood out recently and could provide depth for a group featuring Parys Haralson, Manny Lawson and Ahmad Brooks.
• Brit Miller has made a positive impression early in camp, but it's an upset if veteran Moran Norris isn't the starting fullback.
• One upside to Franklin's absence: Ricky Jean-Francois is getting significant reps at nose tackle. As Franklin proved, the 49ers can develop players at that position.
• Singletary drew national attention for physical practices last summer when he unveiled nutcracker drills in which players rammed into one another. That storyline has run its course. Singletary has modified the drills and limited reps for linemen, who are already doing plenty of hitting. Technique is the primary point of emphasis in the drills.
• Spread passing games in college have made it tougher to evaluate inside linebackers for 3-4 schemes, but the 49ers think they've found a potential good one in third-round choice Navorro Bowman. They're working him at the "Ted" linebacker position as a possible successor to dependable veteran Takeo Spikes.
• Backup running back Glen Coffee added weight this offseason in an effort to improve upon what he considered a subpar rookie season. He hasn't stood out in camp to this point, however.
• New special-teams coach Kurt Schottenheimer has slid under the radar to this point. That will change if the team suffers continued problems in the return game. Ginn should upgrade kickoff returns. Preseason games should tell us whether rookie receiver Kyle Williams can salvage the punt-return game. Williams could stick as the fifth or sixth receiver if he can make a positive impact on punt returns this summer.
• Iupati stands out for his run blocking, but he's getting lots of reps and could wear down in the short term. Incumbent starter David Baas continues to miss time with a concussion.
• Veteran Barry Sims and slimmed-down second-year tackle Alex Boone could be competing for the ninth and likely final spot among offensive linemen. Once Iupati and Davis become starters, the top three backups would likely become Baas, Adam Snyder and Tony Wragge.

Jesper from Denmark continues to see his NFC West blog legacy grow.

What began as his critical look at the St. Louis Rams has turned into a four-part series. We're back with a look at the San Francisco 49ers after covering the Seattle Seahawks on Wednesday.

Thanks to all who reached out and volunteered to engage me in conversation. Facebook friend Aaron was the first to come through with his thoughts, so here we go ...

Quarterback

Aaron: Alex Smith is coming off of his best statistical season and for the first time in his career is going to have a true No. 1 receiver in Michael Crabtree, a Pro Bowl target in Vernon Davis and the same offensive coordinator. There are still questions about whether he can put the team on his back and win, but if he can show some of what he did against Seattle back in 2007, then there is a chance he could start climbing the QB ranks. David Carr has more arm strength than Shaun Hill and might finally be over his shell-shocking in Houston. Nate Davis has the tools as a No. 3 quarterback who can develop. Verdict: improved just because Alex will be more comfortable and farther ahead in the playbook than a year before.

Sando: I'd rather have Hill than Carr as a backup if I were the 49ers. He won games as the 49ers' starter, knew the offense and had the respect of teammates. I also understood the thinking in going with a more physically talented player. The 49ers wanted someone with more long-term starting potential. The 49ers should be better at quarterback as Smith becomes more experienced in the system.

Running back

Aaron: Frank Gore is Frank Gore; I love him he does everything you want a back to do. He has the power you don’t expect out of someone his size. His ankles are what worry me, though. Two years in a row, he has had to miss games because of them. Glen Coffee and Anthony Dixon have not earned any of my trust. It almost feels like they are slower less powerful versions of Gore, with worse vision. Verdict: same or slightly better because the offensive line should improve.

Sando: Coffee should be improved in his second season. As a rookie, he was thrown into the lineup before he was ready and struggled behind a floundering line. As with quarterback, I think the situation has improved more than the talent has improved. The 49ers have had an offseason to set up their offense in a way that suits Gore and Smith together. They essentially had two offenses last season, one for Gore and one for Smith. There's still reason to wonder whether a back best suited for running out of the I-formation can produce consistently playing with a quarterback most comfortable with spread-type formations. But the 49ers have had plenty of time to remedy the situation. Gore should be in better position as a result.

Wide receiver

Aaron: Crabtree gets a full offseason to get the playbook and develop chemistry with Smith. He looked like a pro when he came in and now he truly gets to show his stuff. I see a possible Pro Bowler. Josh Morgan is a solid No. 2 who can show flashes of breaking away. Ted Ginn Jr. -- if he catches the ball -- can be a game-changer from the slot or out wide. Even if he's just a decoy, Ginn will help with what I feel is the one weakness on offense -- speed. Jason Hill, I love, and I wish he could stay healthy and get a good chance. I feel he'd be a better No. 2. In the games he's played in, he's produced. The rest of the guys are playing for the No. 5 spot on the team. I'm not so sure Brandon Jones will make it or is worth what we spent on him. Verdict: better.

Mike Sando: The 49ers haven't had the personnel at this position recently to justify putting three wide receivers on the field during early downs at the expense of Delanie Walker or Moran Norris. Their three-receiver stuff was reserved mostly for third downs last season. This is one area where the 49ers need to diversify. Ginn is the key variable. The threat of what he can do could matter as much as what he actually does. The speed factor could upgrade this largely inexperienced group. The 49ers' wide receivers have 26 career touchdowns. Only the Rams' wideouts have fewer (13) among division teams. That isn't necessarily bad, but it's a reminder that this group must prove itself. Isaac Bruce's retirement opens a roster spot for a player who might develop. Crabtree should improve with a full offseason of practice.

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