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A few simple requests for the St. Louis Rams amid expectations the NFL will release its regular-season schedule Tuesday:

• A manageable start would help. In 2009, the Rams opened the Steve Spagnuolo era with three of their first four games on the road. Their first five home games welcomed Aaron Rodgers, Brett Favre, Peyton Manning, Drew Brees and Kurt Warner to the Edward Jones Dome. Tough game are unavoidable. Opponents were set long ago. But there's no sense in dooming a rebuilding team with an unusually tough early schedule.
• Trips to Buffalo and Chicago early in the season could help the Rams avoid playing in frigid conditions for their two outdoor games in cold-weather cities (weather in Seattle can be rough, too, but generally not sub-freezing). Playing the Bears early could carry additional appeal if the NFL suspends receiver Brandon Marshall.
• Trips to Miami and Tampa Bay early in the season can be tough from a weather standpoint, but the Rams should welcome such an arrangement. They train in the sweltering heat of St. Louis, after all, so the conditions would not shock their system. Also, the Dolphins and Buccaneers are breaking in new head coaches, as are the Rams. Perhaps there would be value in facing those teams early.
• The Rams played back-to-back division games on the West Coast last season, first at San Francisco and then at Seattle. The second game was on a Monday night, giving the Rams additional time. The NFL will certainly work with the Rams this season as the team plays one of its home games in London. This will presumably include playing at home the week prior, then having a bye to decompress following the trip overseas. The Rams travel 4,190 miles to London, and 7,998 miles to their eight other destinations (one way).
• The Rams have faced the Washington Redskins by Week 6 in each of the past four seasons. Another early game against them might beat the alternative this season given that Washington will likely be breaking in a rookie quarterback, Robert Griffin III.

Note: The chart shows one-way travel distances for road opponents, plus the home game against New England, relocated to London. The Rams play in St. Louis against the Cardinals, 49ers, Seahawks, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Redskins and New York Jets.

Jason Brown should be reaching his prime years as an NFL offensive lineman.

Instead, he has reached a career crossroads.

Brown, scheduled to visit San Francisco, would give the 49ers veteran depth and a potential starting candidate, most likely at right guard.

Brown owns 90 starts for St. Louis and Baltimore over the last six seasons, but in the past six months, Brown has been benched by the Rams' previous leadership, released by its new leadership and left unsigned through three weeks of free agency.

What's wrong with this picture?

The Rams made signing Brown a top priority when Steve Spagnuolo was taking over as head coach in early 2009. They called him minutes into the free-agent signing period and signed him to a deal averaging $7 million per season with an $11 million signing bonus. Brown started the next 40 games at center, but with the 2011 season having slipped away, the Rams benched him following a Week 9 overtime defeat at Arizona.

Brown finished the 2011 season as a starter at guard, but only because injuries forced the Rams to adjust their lineup. The Rams subsequently released Brown, who would have earned $5 million in salary for 2012, and signed Green Bay Packers free-agent center Scott Wells.

Brown was not a model of consistency for the Rams last season, but neither were most of his teammates. In retrospect, the Rams paid Pro Bowl money for a player without Pro Bowl credentials, then moved on when they thought Brown's play slipped last season.

Brown was, by all accounts, a hard worker and dedicated player in St. Louis. He was also an increasingly reflective one after the Iraq War claimed his brother in 2003. Last season, Brown touched upon how his brother's death affected his outlook toward football.

"I question how much attention is given to football," Brown told ESPN's Seth Wickersham for a profile. "But it's tough. It's a huge machine that I'm benefiting from."

Brown could be a bargain for the 49ers. He stands 6-foot-3, weighs 328 pounds and would give the team reliable insurance if Daniel Kilgore does not develop into a starter at right guard. Brown could also play center if needed, and his price tag would be far lower than it was when the Rams signed him back in 2009.

The 49ers have met with free-agent guards Deuce Lutui, Leonard Davis and Geoff Schwartz this offseason. Schwartz subsequently signed with the Minnesota Vikings.

A few NFC West notes heading into the weekend:

• The Arizona Cardinals announced kicker Jay Feely's return to the team on a two-year agreement. Arizona had been the only team without a specialist under contract.
• Tackle Demetrius Bell and cornerback William Gay remain unsigned. Both visited the Cardinals earlier in free agency. Addressing tackle in particular would give Arizona welcome flexibility heading into the draft.
• The Seattle Seahawks announced a contract agreement with running back Kregg Lumpkin, who became a free agent when Tampa Bay decided against making a qualifying offer to him. Lumpkin was an undrafted free agent with Green Bay when Seahawks general manager John Schneider worked for the Packers. Lumpkin, 5-foot-11 and 228 pounds, had more receptions (41) than carries (31) last season. I'm not sure to what degree Lumpkin addresses the Seahawks' need for a backup with good size.
• Visanthe Shiancoe, 31, looks like the most logical choice for Seattle as the team seeks a replacement for tight end John Carlson. The market dried up further Friday when Jacob Tamme and Joel Dreessen signed with Denver. Tamme and Shiancoe have visited Seattle. Shiancoe and Seahawks offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell were together in Minnesota. By my count, Shiancoe and Jeremy Shockey are the only remaining unrestricted-free-agent tight ends listed as starters last season.
• Former St. Louis Rams linebacker Chris Chamberlain will be reunited with Steve Spagnuolo after signing a three-year deal with New Orleans. The Rams have rights to only three linebackers, tied for the lowest figure in the NFL. The team needs help at outside linebacker in particular. The market for linebackers remains soft. Erin Henderson returned to Minnesota on a one-year deal for $2 million.
• Funny quote from Vernon Davis regarding new San Francisco 49ers teammate Randy Moss, from KNBR radio via CSNBayArea.com: "I have been a big fan of Randy since I was a kid. I used to wear his shoes, I remember running up and down the field. 'Mossed, oh, you just got Mossed.' And I remember I used to say, one day they are going to be saying that about me, you just got 'Davised.' " We could say the New Orleans Saints got Davised during the playoffs.

The chart shows roster counts for NFC West teams, counting active players, restricted free agents and franchise players.
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A look around the NFC West on the third day of NFL free agency:

Best re-signings: Defensive end Red Bryant in Seattle and cornerback Carlos Rogers in San Francisco. Both players earned new contracts. The Seahawks in particular made a strong positive statement. They have the youngest defense in the league. It's important for them to set an example by paying the right players. Bryant is the type of self-made team player they want to build around. So is Chris Clemons, who is entering the final year of his deal and could warrant an extension, in my view. Teams are better off taking care of their own core players rather than overpaying for castoffs from other organizations. The 49ers have taken this route. Looks like the Seahawks are taking it as well.

Best addition: Cortland Finnegan to St. Louis. The stuff referenced above about paying the right players only applies for teams possessing the right players. The Rams do not have enough of them. They are starting over. They will want to build through the draft mostly. In the meantime, they identified Finnegan as a player to help them establish their program. They paid a premium, but that was the price of doing business in free agency. At least they know what they're getting. Finnegan embodied the toughness and competitive spirit that coach Jeff Fisher promoted in Tennessee. He gives the Rams a player to help Fisher establish his program in St. Louis. Former coach Steve Spagnuolo took a similar approach last offseason by signing Quintin Mikell, a player he coached in Philadelphia. Fisher has more time.

Most surprising move: Randy Moss to San Francisco. When Moss worked out for New Orleans, I figured the Saints were looking to change the subject away from the bounty scandal. Turns out the reports about Moss looking impressive must have had at least some merit. The 49ers, mindful about overpaying for outsiders in free agency, also knew they could sign Moss without paying what it would have taken to secure Vincent Jackson or the other marquee receivers in free agency. Moss is a lower-risk gamble. The contract he signed does not affect the financial pecking order in San Francisco. That had to be important for the 49ers.

Toughest departure: Richard Marshall from Arizona to Miami. Free agency tends to be overrated. The Cardinals started 1-6 last season after basking in almost universal acclaim for the aggressiveness they showed in free agency and in acquiring a quarterback. Of all the deals Arizona made last year, the one for Marshall represented the greatest value. The money Marshall got from the Dolphins did not appear prohibitive. Cardinals coaches had held up Marshall as a leader and key contributor. Seems like the team would have been better off keeping him around.

Biggest dilemma: The Cardinals have until Friday afternoon to make a decision on quarterback Kevin Kolb. Barring some sort of compromise, keeping Kolb requires paying a $7 million bonus. But what if the team's first choice at quarterback, Peyton Manning, fails to choose his next team by then? Paying Kolb the bonus would make it tougher for the Cardinals to remain in the chase for Manning. Letting Kolb go without having Manning in place would risk heading into the 2012 season without sufficient options at the position.

Most overhyped storyline: Mario Williams to Seattle. The Seahawks showed no interest in the former Houston defensive end/outside linebacker. Looks like Buffalo was the only team interested in paying huge money for him. Why else would Williams spend three days visiting the Bills, make no other trips and then sign with Buffalo, a team that had to pay a premium to land a high-profile free agent?

Unfinished business: The Rams and 49ers still need receiver help. The Seahawks need another quarterback (Matt Flynn?). The 49ers have yet to re-sign Alex Smith. Those are the storylines lurking in the shadows while Arizona awaits word from Manning.

Quick scorecard: The 49ers have lost three unrestricted free agents (Josh Morgan, Blake Costanzo and Adam Snyder). Arizona has lost one, Marshall. Seattle has also lost one, John Carlson. The Rams have lost none, although Brandon Lloyd is making the rounds. The Rams (Finnegan) and Cardinals (Snyder) are the only NFC West teams to add a UFA from another team to this point in the signing period. Moss was not a UFA; he was a street free agent.

Next up: The NFC West chat begins at 1 p.m. ET Thursday. See you there.

NFC West thoughts as NFL free agency runs through its second day:

• The Seattle Seahawks' free-agent visit with Steve Hutchinson calls attention to the team's situation at left guard. Robert Gallery's $5 million salary and $1.5 million bonus represent a steep price. If the Seahawks are going to pay $6.5 million for a left guard in 2012, Hutchinson would appear to be the better value. Re-signing Paul McQuistan for depth at guard and tackle could also make sense. Update: The Seahawks have announced Gallery's release and McQuistan's re-signing.
• Free-agent quarterback Chad Henne canceled his visit to the Seahawks after reaching an agreement on a contract with Jacksonville. Seattle still plans to meet with Matt Flynn, but the team has proven it will show restraint at the position when dealing with unproven prospects. That was the case last offseason when Seattle resisted acquiring Kevin Kolb. Flynn fits into a similar category.
• The San Francisco 49ers continue to consider a long list of options at wide receiver. Brandon Lloyd, Chaz Schilens and Mario Manningham are possibilities. Eddie Royal could become an option as well, Matt Barrows reports. The 49ers obviously hope to cover themselves at the position in free agency, taking off pressure to target any one position early in the draft.
• Former 49ers guard/tackle/center Adam Snyder gives the Cardinals improved depth on their offensive line. Losing him can be a positive for the 49ers if it forces them to seek an upgrade at the position. Veteran players such as Snyder are easy to coach. Sometimes teams get comfortable with them at the expense of upgrading. The 49ers came out OK last offseason after losing center David Baas to the Giants.
• The Seahawks and St. Louis Rams both have interest in former Tennessee Titans defensive lineman Jason Jones. Jones struggled at defensive end last season. He would play tackle with the Rams or Seahawks. St. Louis has the greater need. Seattle could use Jones as depth behind Red Bryant and as an inside pass-rusher.
• Seahawks linebacker David Hawthorne plans to visit New Orleans. The Saints should know him well. Hawthorne had a combined 21 tackles and one interception against New Orleans in two games during the 2010 season (one in postseason). He faced the Rams six times when new Saints defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo was head coach in St. Louis. Hawthorne is an NFL success story as an undrafted free-agent-turned-starter. Seattle needs help at linebacker whether or not Hawthorne returns. K.J. Wright can move from the strong side to the middle if needed.
• The Cardinals remain largely in a holding pattern while awaiting a decision from Peyton Manning. Other veteran free-agent quarterbacks are signing deals around the league. That's no big deal for Arizona if the Cardinals are comfortable paying a $7 million bonus to keep Kolb. But if Manning signs elsewhere and Arizona wants to sign a cheaper alternative to Kolb, the pickings could be slim. Matt Hasselbeck comes to mind if Manning lands in Tennessee.
• The Rams' interest in former Houston Texans tackle Eric Winston has led to a potential visit.

Thanks for coming along.

There are good reasons relatively few prominent NFL players transition into coaching.

Salaries are much lower for coaches, especially at the entry level. Hours are much longer. There is very little glory compared to the rush players experience routinely on the field.

Any highly-paid player making the transition probably loves the work.

Former Seattle Seahawks receiver Bobby Engram comes to mind. He's joining the Pitt staff as receivers coach after spending 2011 as an offensive quality control coach for the San Francisco 49ers.

Quality control coaches often do the dirty work, including recording detailed play-by-play information for use with video systems. It is tedious work. Hours are long. Salaries are far lower than what other assistants earn. But as Jon Gruden, Steve Spagnuolo and others have proven, starting out at the bottom can result in getting the top job eventually.

Engram, 39, grew up in South Carolina and played at Penn State. He's obviously serious about coaching.

Playing for Joe Paterno in college and Mike Holmgren in the NFL gave Engram a strong coaching pedigree during his playing days. Working under Jim Harbaugh with the 49ers added more seasoning.

Engram will work under Paul Chryst at Pitt. Chryst's brother, Geep, is the 49ers' quarterbacks coach.

The St. Louis Rams and New Orleans Saints both fared well in lining up defensive coordinators.

Steve Spagnuolo, let go as Rams coach this month, takes over the Saints defense. He replaces Gregg Williams, who is expected to join the Rams under new coach Jeff Fisher.

Spagnuolo and Williams have both fared well enough as defensive coordinators to become head coaches, Williams with Buffalo (2001) and Spagnuolo with St. Louis (2009). That makes them solid choices for each team.

Williams comes to St. Louis already familiar with some of the Rams' 2012 opponents. He faced six of them -- Green Bay, Chicago, Tampa Bay, Detroit, Minnesota and San Francisco -- while with the Saints in 2011.

Playing the 49ers twice in 2012 means the Rams will play half their 2012 games against opponents Williams faced this season.

Spagnuolo likewise faced six of the Saints' 2012 opponents this past season: Philadelphia, San Francisco, Washington, Dallas, Green Bay and the New York Giants.

The chart shows where the Saints' and Rams' defenses ranked in various categories for 2011. These defenses played under vastly different circumstances based on how many points each team's offense scored. The Rams' ability to finish with more more interceptions (12-9) and sacks (39-33) -- not just on a rate basis, but overall -- stands out.

The St. Louis Rams can finally exhale with news that Jeff Fisher has agreed to become their head coach.

With all due respect to the other candidates the Rams dutifully considered, the organization needed to secure its top choice to proceed with confidence.

Replacing Steve Spagnuolo with another unproven coordinator candidate wasn't going to give the Rams the credibility they need to win over a skeptical St. Louis market. Fisher also stands a better chance to make the Rams competitive on the field. His Tennessee Titans teams posted double-digit victory totals six times in his final 12 seasons, including as recently as 2007 and 2008.

Fisher is not the perfect candidate.

Critics will conveniently ignore his five 8-8 seasons when they say Fisher posted only six winning seasons in 17 years. How good would 8-8 look to the St. Louis Rams after they went 10-38 under Spagnuolo and 15-65 since 2007? Even if Fisher brings mediocrity to the Rams, the franchise will be better off exponentially.

The NFC West now has four head coaches with playoffs on their résumés. At their best, Fisher's teams in Tennessee played with a nasty edge on defense. They ran the ball on offense and still managed to produce a co-MVP at quarterback in the late Steve McNair.

We should expect Fisher to draw on his vast experience in assembling a quality staff. Concerns about his choice for offensive coordinator appear valid. Les Steckel, the late Mike Heimerdinger and Norm Chow were his coordinators in Tennessee. Fisher will need to find a coordinator to help quarterback Sam Bradford bounce back from a rough, potentially damaging second NFL season.

Fisher clashed with Vince Young in Tennessee. Bradford is easy to get along with, a coach's dream. The stability Fisher projects should allow Bradford to grow from a solid base.

The Rams' ability to beat out Miami reflects poorly on the Dolphins and their ownership, particularly after stories emerged suggesting owner Stephen Ross would not be outbid. Similar stories circulated before the Dolphins fell short in their pursuit of Jim Harbaugh last offseason.

Landing Fisher also reflects favorably on the Rams, who have their own stadium issues and, as a result, cannot be certain of their long-term viability in St. Louis. Fisher is a credible coach. He has succeeded under difficult circumstances, including when the Houston Oilers moved to Tennessee. He does not flinch easily.

Fisher made the smart choice. He'll be able to participate in the hiring of a general manager. That seems counter to the old ideal calling for teams to hire GMs, who then hire coaches. But smart coaches with Fisher's experience and leverage wisely insist upon making sure the right GM is in place.

Pete Carroll, having learned the hard way in New England, participated in John Schneider's hiring as GM in Seattle. The Carroll-Schneider relationship has worked well so far. The team has acquired young talent that has fit well with what Carroll wants to do on the field. In San Francisco, the 49ers had already hired Trent Baalke as GM when they landed Harbaugh, but the two felt comfortable with one another. They were also hired at roughly the same time, allowing them to start fresh together.

Fisher will get that opportunity in St. Louis. We should expect the Titans' Lake Dawson to emerge as a leading candidate for GM. Fisher worked with Dawson in Tennessee. Dawson is already familiar with the NFC West, having worked for the Seahawks during the Mike Holmgren years.

I see no real negatives for St. Louis here based on the options available to the team. The Rams were justified in firing Spagnuolo based simply on the 10-38 record. But they needed to find someone as good or better. Fisher passes that test, but he'll need better players to win. Holding the second overall choice in the 2012 draft gives Fisher and the team's next GM a head start.

NFC West life does exist outside the divisional playoff round. Our latest chat provided a platform to look beyond the San Francisco 49ers' matchup with the New Orleans Saints.

Kyle from New Jersey asks which coaching candidate could turn around the St. Louis Rams with the right personnel in place.

Mike Sando: Jeff Fisher and Steve Spagnuolo could. My point is that the personnel must improve for any coach to succeed there. Just about all we learned about the personnel in 2011 was negative. The Rams are close to starting over on their offensive line. They need more top-line talent at receiver. They need a young running back. They need outside linebackers and defensive tackles. They could use cornerbacks, too, now that Ron Bartell and Bradley Fletcher are coming off serious injuries.

Gino from Ohio asks about the Seattle Seahawks drafting a quarterback.

Mike Sando: In theory, they have to. In reality, they might do so only if they can get one early. They already have their short-term starter in Tarvaris Jackson. They already have a developmental quarterback they like in Josh Portis, unless their feeling on him have changed. With Jackson coming back as no worse than the No. 2, and with Portis in place, the Seahawks do not really have room for another backup quarterback. They need someone with the potential to start relatively quickly, and it's no sure thing they will find one drafting 11th or 12th overall.

Chris from Broadview Heights, Ohio asks whether the Cleveland Browns, with ex-Philadlephia executive Tom Heckert advising Mike Holmgren and Pat Shurmur, might send some of their draft bounty to Arizona for quarterback Kevin Kolb.

Mike Sando: That is a good "talker" but not something I expect to happen. Too many things would have to come about. Tom Heckert, Mike Holmgren and Pat Shurmur would have to like Kolb. Arizona would have to pay a $7 million bonus to Kolb in March just to have him on its roster heading into the draft. The Cardinals would have to feel good about drafting a quarterback early, something they have not done under coach Ken Whisenhunt.

49ertime from California asks about the Saints' ability to cover tight ends. He asks whether we should expect good things from Vernon Davis.

Mike Sando: I see opportunities for the 49ers in this area. Davis had some productive games late in the season. He needed time to grasp the offense and has turned a corner in that regard, according to Davis and offensive coordinator Greg Roman. That makes sense. Meanwhile, the Saints' Roman Harper is banged up and could not run with Davis, anyway. I do think this is an area for the 49ers to exploit.

Thanks again to those who contributed. Appreciated, as always. I'll be heading over to 49ers headquarters shortly to catch Jim Harbaugh's post-practice interview session. I'm sure he'll pass out full game plans to all.

While the St. Louis Rams wait for Jeff Fisher, the team is lining up interviews with additional candidates.

Jay Gruden, offensive coordinator for the Cincinnati Bengals and brother to Jon, is apparently on the interview schedule for Thursday, Bernie Miklasz notes. Denver Broncos assistant Dennis Allen is also interviewing.

This could be a case of the Rams simply doing their diligence. It could also indicate the Rams feel as though Fisher is slipping away. Or, they simply do not know what to think.

The father-son relationship between Fisher's agent, Marvin Demoff, and Rams executive Kevin Demoff hardly guarantees Fisher will land in St. Louis. It's reasonable to think that relationship would help the Rams have an accurate feel for Fisher's intentions, however.

If the Rams were confident in landing Fisher, they would have less reason to speak with other candidates -- particularly coordinators, who could not join the organization in any capacity other than as head coaches.

There's a danger in overthinking what still could be a straightforward situation. The longer Fisher takes to decide, however, the more our minds wander.

We know Fisher is the Rams' top choice. The team has said so. Landing a secondary candidate would feel like settling.

The irony, in my view, is that even Fisher would have a hard time improving upon a Steve Spagnuolo-Josh McDaniels pairing purely from a scheme standpoint. What kind of staff could Gruden, Allen or the other backup candidates put together?

Good morning. Lots of coaching considerations to address on the first Sunday following the 2011 regular season. Let's take a spin around the division.

• Jeff Fisher and the Rams: ESPN's Adam Schefter notes that New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams is in the final year of his contract and could leave the team for a chance to rejoin Fisher's staff in St. Louis or Miami. I have heard the same rumblings. Williams and Fisher were together back when Tennessee came within about a yard of tying the Rams late in Super Bowl XXXIV. A Fisher-Williams pairing would have to excite the Rams. I wonder who Fisher would land for his offensive coordinator, however. The late Mike Heimerdinger was his coordinator in Tennessee.
• Josh McDaniels and the Patriots: The Rams let McDaniels out of his contract as offensive coordinator, clearing the way for McDaniels to rejoin New England. In fact, McDaniels will begin helping the Patriots right away -- during the playoffs. That means McDaniels will coach in the divisional round against either his former team, Denver, or a Pittsburgh team he faced with the Rams in Week 16. This seems strange. The Rams' willingness to let McDaniels walk suggests they know McDaniels would not fit well with their next head coach. It makes me wonder whether the Rams already know Fisher will become their next coach. In that case, all parties would be stalling while the Rams followed protocol regarding the Rooney Rule. Otherwise, what would the Rams have to gain by parting with McDaniels at this time?
• Todd Haley and the Cardinals: Not much new here. The big question is how bringing back Haley would impact the rest of the offensive staff in Arizona. Haley would presumably not return as anything less than offensive coordinator. But as Kent Somers notes, coach Ken Whisenhunt likes current coordinator Mike Miller. Mike Jurecki has pointed to quarterbacks coach Chris Miller as the likely casualty. I've heard the same thing. Someone would seemingly have to go.
• Steve Spagnuolo's thinking: The former Rams coach opened up some to St. Louis Post-Dispatch columnist Brian Burwell. Spagnuolo: "I am not bitter at all. I understand the business. I do. I get it." Burwell asked Spagnuolo about complaints from unnamed players regarding the Rams' coaching staff lacking experience.

The Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers will happily stand on the sideline during the staff shuffling this offseason. Both organizations have experienced plenty of turnover in recent seasons. Seattle's Tom Cable and San Francisco's Vic Fangio are the two coaches each team needs to keep the most.

Passing along: an audio link from my Friday conversation with Dan Bickley and Mike Jurecki of XTRA Sports 910 in Phoenix.

Among the subjects we discussed:

• Ray Horton and the Rams: The Arizona Cardinals' defensive coordinator did interview for the Rams' head coaching job Friday. The Rams confirmed it to Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. My money would be on Jeff Fisher taking the job next week. It's unlikely, in my view, that the Rams would hire a first-year, first-time coordinator to replace Steve Spagnuolo.
• Divisional competition: San Francisco ran away with the NFC West this season, but contentious late-season games between the 49ers, Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks made the division feel highly competitive. The division produced two 1,200-yard rushers and two others with at least 1,000 yards. There were two top-10 defenses (measured by yards and points allowed). Hard-hitting safeties made their mark.
• Josh McDaniels' future. The Rams' in-limbo offensive coordinator would appear much smarter and adept as a play caller if he landed with Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. One thing we did not discuss was Sam Bradford's affinity for McDaniels' system. And if the Rams do hire Fisher, a defensive-minded head coach, they would become vulnerable to continuity issues if their offensive coordinator fared well enough to land a head coaching job elsewhere. That was never a big problem for Fisher in Tennessee, however. Les Steckel, Mike Heimerdinger (twice) and Norm Chow were his coordinators. Bradford was fired up about working with McDaniels. How might he feel about running an offense similar in philosophy to the ones Fisher's teams ran in Tennessee?
• Todd Haley's status: The Cardinals' former offensive coordinator could return to the role after three seasons coaching the Kansas City Chiefs. The direct, sometimes highly charged connection Haley achieved with some players on the team, notably Larry Fitzgerald, distinguished his Arizona tenure. Adding Haley could come at the expense of quarterbacks coach Chris Miller, according to Jurecki. Miller had little to work with in 2010. Kevin Kolb's struggles in 2011 stood as a disappointment.
• Larry Fitzgerald's greatness: It was tough to envision any receiver living up to the contract Fitzgerald signed in August. I think Fitzgerald is pulling it off, not just through his production but by what he represents on the field.

Enjoy your Friday. I'm home this weekend before heading to San Francisco to spend much of next week with the 49ers.

Steve Spagnuolo was heading into the final year of his original four-year contract with the St. Louis Rams. Keeping Spagnuolo as head coach for 2012 would have likely meant extending that contract to avoid a lame-duck season. The Rams couldn't realistically do that after the team went 2-14 this season and 10-38 over the last three.

Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says the 10-38 record was simply unacceptable, and the main reason firing Spagnuolo (along with general manager Billy Devaney) was an easy call. Miklasz backs former Titans coach Jeff Fisher as a strong candidate. Miklasz: "Even when the Titans had losing seasons, they were not a team that opponents enjoyed facing. Over Fisher's 16 full years, the Titans ranked sixth in the NFL in rushing, and were No. 4 in stopping the run. They were 4th in sacking the QB and allowed the third-fewest number of sacks. The Titans passed the ball better than they were generally given credit for; over 16 seasons they had the league's 10th-best touchdown/interception ratio. Just very solid, tough and fundamentally sound football." Noted: Welcoming Fisher into a division already featuring Jim Harbaugh, Ken Whisenhunt and Pete Carroll would up the ante. The NFC West is already becoming a tougher, more physical division. Fisher would amplify that.

Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says the Rams' next coach will likely have experience leading a team.

Also from Thomas: The Rams' record was the reason behind the firings because owner Stan Kroenke is concerned with the bottom line.

Howard Balzer of 101ESPN St. Louis suggests former Rams executive John Shaw could still be steering the franchise to some degree. Balzer: "The Rams had a chance to keep a good thing going a decade ago, but instead, dysfunction became the rule. Kroenke was a part-owner then and John Shaw was the club president. Shaw ostensibly 'retired' after the 2010 season and there was supposed to be a new direction for the franchise. But Shaw never went totally away. ... Now, Kroenke will be putting his true imprint on the franchise, perhaps with Shaw’s recommendations. Hopefully, he gets it right."

Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com says San Francisco 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh has again stated his desire to keep Alex Smith with the team beyond this season. Harbaugh: "I've told Alex that. I wouldn't tell you [the media] something I wouldn't tell Alex. I told Alex, 'Hey, we're going to want you to come back here next year.' He's focused on the season, and that's where his mindset wants to be. And I totally respect that, and we'll talk about it and address it once the season is over. That's the way I understand it right now."

Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee says the 49ers will reassess Delanie Walker's injury Wednesday.

Lowell Cohn of the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat thinks Harbaugh goes too far in being uncooperative. Cohn: "Many football coaches act like this, like they are planning the invasion of Normandy, and life as we know it depends on keeping silent. It’s just that most coaches are more subtle than Harbaugh and most are willing to compromise just a little in safe areas -- there are safe areas, believe me. Most coaches certainly have better manners and even a sense of humor or a shred of warmth and charm. Harbaugh may eventually learn these things."

Daniel Brown of the San Jose Mercury News updates 49ers offensive coordinator Greg Roman's candidacy at Penn State.

Darren Urban of azcardinals.com says Kevin Kolb faces a crossroads season in 2012 after struggling on the field and with injuries during his first year in Arizona. Coach Ken Whisenhunt: "One thing that’s been consistent is we’re always going to play the best player. As far as how those guys stack up or where they are, that’s all part of the evaluations we do in the offseason. … I’m excited about all three of our quarterbacks."

Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic says the Cardinals anticipate few changes this offseason.

Eric D. Williams of the Tacoma News Tribune checks in with Marshawn Lynch for thoughts on potentially hitting free agency. Williams: "Lynch would like to stay in Seattle, but when asked about the possibility of reaching free agency if the two sides do not come to an agreement, he didn’t sound like someone willing to give in to a hometown discount either."

Jerry Brewer of the Seattle Times has this to say about Tarvaris Jackson and the Seahawks' quarterback situation: "Jackson did his job. He became a more efficient quarterback, especially after the run game emerged. You don't really have to worry about Jackson losing games. The Seahawks still don't have a quarterback who can win games regularly, however. And so the pursuit continues. Or maybe, because they haven't made a significant investment in a quarterback yet, the pursuit begins. Will general manager John Schneider go after Matt Flynn? Or move up in the draft to take Robert Griffin III if he declares? Or make an unpredictable pick in a later round? Or sign Charlie Whitehurst's clone? It's hard to tell where the Seahawks are in this drama."

Lots going on around the NFC and in the NFC West. Let's make the rounds ...

• Polian's availability: Bill Polian's departure from the Indianapolis Colts as team president comes while the St. Louis Rams are seeking new leadership. This could be an intriguing fit. Polian succeeded in acquiring weapons for a franchise quarterback. Other aspects of the Colts' roster suffered for the tradeoff. Rams owner Stan Kroenke and executive vice president/chief operating officer Kevin Demoff are leading the efforts to find a coach and general manager. Owners sometimes consult with league brass in putting together short lists of candidates. If Kroenke were to take that route, I would expect Polian's name to emerge. Polian has vast experience, but he's also nearer the career finish line than most other candidates.
• Fisher's status. Former Tennessee Titans coach Jeff Fisher remains a logical candidate in St. Louis. Demoff's father is Fisher's agent. Fisher coached several hours' drive away in Tennessee and never seemed to care about coaching in a glitzy market. His long track record with the Titans would make him a high-percentage play for the Rams, who took a chance on a first-time head coach when they hired Steve Spagnuolo before the 2009 season. Fisher is expected to interview with the Miami Dolphins and the Rams. He sounds like the early favorite.
• What to do with McDaniels. All but one Rams assistant coach appears on his way out with an expiring contract. Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels is the exception. He could become a candidate for jobs elsewhere. For now, he's a Rams asset. If that remains the case,the team's next GM and/or head coach would likely decide whether McDaniels remained with the team.
• Greg Roman's prospects. San Francisco 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh has held up his coordinators as strong candidates for head coaching jobs. Reports suggest Penn State might have been listening. Losing Roman would hurt, but Harbaugh's presence as an offensive-minded head coach would protect the 49ers from the turmoil that ensued when they lost offensive coordinators under defensive-minded head coaches previously.
• Matt Flynn's appeal. The Green Bay Packers' backup quarterback tossed six touchdown passes against Detroit in Week 17. The Seattle Seahawks will be looking for a long-term quarterback prospect even though Tarvaris Jackson is expected back. Their GM, John Schneider, was with the Packers when Green Bay drafted Flynn. Schneider would have a good feel for Flynn. Would the Seahawks make an offer substantial enough to trump their interests in a quarterback through the draft? I'd be a little surprised. They pick 11th. The team did not, by all accounts, push to acquire Flynn by trade when deciding to go after Charlie Whitehurst. Has Flynn shown enough in limited reps to become a legitimate option? That is the question. The Packers have no realistic way to keep Flynn from testing the market. Naming him their franchise player would force them to pay him more on a one-year basis than Aaron Rodgers is earning. The money would become guaranteed if Flynn signed the franchise offer.

Those are a few of the issues percolating around the division. Back with more in a bit.

The firings of coach Steve Spagnuolo and general manager Billy Devaney from the St. Louis Rams have become official. Team owner Stan Kroenke issued a brief statement confirming what had been expected.

"No one individual is to blame for this disappointing season and we all must hold ourselves accountable," Kroenke said. "However, we believe it's in the best interest of the St. Louis Rams to make these changes as we continue our quest to build a team that consistently competes for playoffs and championships."

The Rams finished 2-14 this season, which means they were likely to improve in the 2012 standings whether or not they made a coaching change.

Carolina went from 2-14 in 2010 to 6-10 this season after firing head coach John Fox. It's impossible to know whether the Panthers would have improved by as much or more by staying the course. They could not have gotten much worse.

Three teams went 4-12 in 2010. Cincinnati improved five games after keeping Marvin Lewis. Denver improved four games after firing Josh McDaniels. Buffalo improved two games after keeping Chan Gailey. How did coaching moves play into those changes? Again, it's tough to know.

Two teams went 5-11 in 2010. Cleveland lost ground in the standings by one game after hiring a new coach, Pat Shurmur. Arizona improved three games after keeping Ken Whisenhunt.

The Rams can easily justify the changes they are making by pointing to the bottom line. The team went 10-38 with Spagnuolo as its head coach. Nothing more needs to be said in justifying the move.

Kroenke has been with the Rams for years, but he is relatively new to the position of majority owner. The situation is perfect for him to set a new course with his own people. The team has a young franchise quarterback. Chris Long and James Laurinaitis give the next coach two young defensive players to build around. Robert Quinn could be another.

The team's salary-cap situation has improved. Most of the veterans signed to make a push in 2010 are easily expendable from a financial standpoint. The Rams are in position to become one of the NFL's younger teams with an offseason roster overhaul. They will have to acquire and develop starters throughout most of their offense. They need help at outside linebacker and throughout their secondary, depending to some degree on health-related issues.

In the accompanying video, ESPN's Adam Schefter points to Jeff Fisher as one potential candidate. That would make some sense, given Fisher's experience as a head coach. Spagnuolo was a first-timer. Hiring a more experienced coach would be one way to set a new course. Someone with credibility on a national level might initially help to win over skeptical Rams public.

The weight of 10-38 prevented the Rams from credibly pointing to a long list of injuries that obviously affected their chances in 2011. No one cares much why teams lose. They want winners. All parties understand that, making Kroenke's announcement no surprise to anyone.