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With Tony Gonzalez leaning toward retirement after 16 NFL seasons and 1,242 receptions, I turned back the clock in my mind to 1997, the year San Francisco tried to draft the tight end from California.

The 49ers were in a wheeling and dealing mode in that 1997 draft. They came away with three players -- Jim Druckenmiller, Marc Edwards and Greg Clark -- after trading away all picks in the fourth through seventh rounds.

"While they rated [Jim] Druckenmiller as the best player available at the 26th pick, the 49ers tried to trade up for Miami's No. 15 in order to take Cal tight end Tony Gonzalez," John Crumpacker wrote at the time in the San Francisco Chronicle. "Alas, Kansas City moved up to 13 in a trade with Houston and tabbed the Golden Bear."

Alas, indeed.

Druckenmiller would play in six NFL games, starting one. Edwards, a fullback the team envisioned in the Tom Rathman mold, started 82 of the 134 regular-season games he played. Clark, a tight end, started 39 of the 55 games he played.

As for Gonzalez? He has 237 starts in 254 games and ranks second to Jerry Rice on the NFL's list for all-time receptions. His total for receptions is 50 percent greater than the career total for any tight end. Shannon Sharpe is second with 815 receptions.

The chart ranks 1997 draft choices by most Pro Bowl appearances. Two NFC West players, Walter Jones and Orlando Pace, made the list. Also in 1997, the Arizona Cardinals drafted cornerback Tommy Knight with the ninth overall choice.

Imagine the smartest kid from your high school dropping out as a senior and spending six years in prison. Then imagine that kid trying to pass, say, the state bar exam upon his release at age 26.

We wouldn't expect that kid to fare very well, no matter how well he might have fared back in high school.

Brian Banks, wrongly imprisoned for six years following high school, is attempting something similar. Instead of the bar exam, he's making a run at the NFL -- his first taste of organized football since high school a decade ago.

The odds against Banks, a linebacker, are as staggering as his story is compelling.

Clare Farnsworth of seahawks.com says the team hopes Banks fares well in the tryout they're giving him Thursday, but it sounds like coach Pete Carroll wants to keep expectations from getting out of hand. Carroll: "This is an enormous jump. It’s against all odds physically that he would be able to get back and be able to compete at this level. But it’s a story worth following. We’ll be pulling for him. This may be just the first step along the way of his comeback. Hopefully we can contribute to that in some way."

Eric Pryne of the Seattle Times looks at development options near CenturyLink Field, including plans for a hotel.

Brady Henderson of 710ESPN Seattle says Carroll expects Chris Clemons to attend the Seahawks' mandatory camp for veterans next week. Carroll: "That's a personal situation for Chris. It's his choice to not participate at this time. We have talked with the agent and we've done some serious talks but not to the point where he's ready to jump back in yet."

Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic says Larry Fitzgerald's absence from a recent practice made the team's youth at receiver stand out. Stephen Williams keeps trying to find a niche. Somers: "Williams has been a preseason star before for the Cardinals. He was a training camp phenom in 2010, making the team as a rookie free agent. Last year, he led the Cardinals in receiving during the preseason. For Williams, the problem has been finding a role in the regular season. He was inactive in 14 games last season and had nine receptions in 11 games as a rookie. Williams' challenge is two-fold: He plays behind Fitzgerald, and he has not been able to find a role on special teams."

Darren Urban of azcardinals.com reports from a friendly competition between Jay Feely and Patrick Peterson.

Also from Urban: It's tough to say how Michael Floyd will fare as a rookie, but Urban isn't expecting the receiver to break out right away.

Nick Wagoner of stlouisrams.com says Jeff Fisher shot his appearance in music video before becoming the Rams' head coach. Wagoner: "Fisher made his music video debut, appearing in the band Goodbye June’s video for the song 'Microscope' as a cop who is chasing down a villainous litterer. The Nashville-based band has had a longstanding friendship with Fisher’s daughter Tara and sought Fisher to make an appearance as well as do the shoot on Fisher’s expansive farm land in Tennessee. The shot took place in a single day back in January, before Fisher signed on as coach of the Rams."

Also from Wagoner: Rookie running back Isaiah Pead is playing catch-up after finally gaining clearance to join the Rams.

Dan Hanzus of NFL.com says the pressure's on Cortland Finnegan to produce for the Rams. Hanzus: "Finnegan will be 28 when the season begins, so the Rams should have prime seasons still ahead of them. But Finnegan won't be given much margin for error. He's now in the big boys club at his position, and with great salary comes great responsibility."

Taylor Price of 49ers.com says Jim Harbaugh sees "a big jump" in Anthony Davis' play at right tackle.

Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle offers notes from a recent 49ers practice. Branch: "Randy Moss had a spectacular, I’m-a-first-ballot-Hall-of-Famer, one-handed grab against cornerback Tarell Brown in the end zone. Moss appeared to intentionally bat the ball in the air with his right hand before hauling it in while Brown was draped all over him. Later, Moss made a curious attempt at another one-handed touchdown grab on a 50-something-yard laser from Johnson. Moss, who was wide open, stuck one hand in the air and the pass fell incomplete."

Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee checks in with 49ers running backs coach Tom Rathman, who says there might not be enough carries to keep all players happy at the position. Are there ever?

A few notes on NFC West coaching staffs after the St. Louis Rams announced theirs for 2012 in a news release Tuesday:

• The Rams are not listing suspended defensive coordinator Gregg Williams on their staff. They did not mention him in the news release. They did not list a defensive coordinator. Coach Jeff Fisher and assistant head coach Dave McGinnis will presumably take the lead. Secondary coach Chuck Cecil has also been a coordinator.
• Williams' son, Blake, coaches the Rams' linebackers.
• The Cardinals have 3-4 fewer assistants than the other teams in the division. I've noticed that to be the case in recent seasons. Staff sizes can vary. Arizona has one more than the NFL listed for New England heading into the most recent Super Bowl.
• Every team in the division has an assistant head coach. Two serve as offensive line coaches. Another coaches special teams. Assistant head coaches might earn more money than they otherwise would, but the title does not distinguish them from other assistants in relation to hiring protocol. The title affords no additional protections against losing an assistant to another team, in other words.
• Paul Boudreau is the Rams' offensive line coach. His son, also named Paul, is assistant special teams coach. They are not Paul Sr. and Paul Jr., however. It's not yet clear how the Rams intend to differentiate between the two. Middle initials?
• Niners offensive assistant Michael Christianson is also coordinator of football technology.

The chart lists full-time assistants, not interns or administrative assistants. Strength-and-conditioning coaches aren't involved in football strategy, but I have listed them.

The St. Louis Rams continue to operate without a general manager or much apparent urgency to hire one right away.

That should tell us something about the relative importance -- or unimportance -- of the role for the team at this stage of the offseason.

The Rams are not looking for someone to shake up the organization. They hired coach Jeff Fisher to do that. What they want from a GM, it appears, is the right fit with their higher-profile head coach. Organizational structure was critical to Fisher and the No. 1 reason he chose the Rams over the Miami Dolphins.

Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch wonders what is taking so long. Miklasz: "Are some of the candidates shying away from the Rams because they sense that Fisher will have final say, and that the GM chair doesn't come equipped with any real authority? This isn't a shot at Fisher; after all, Stan Kroenke went all-in on him financially and brought the coach in here to be the lead football man. That said, we have been through this before, watching a coach trying to do too much in the overall running of the football operation and frankly, I don't want to see the Rams go there again. Fisher says he doesn't want to be that guy, that coaching is his priority." Noted: Fisher has never shown any inclination he wants to be a coach/GM type. The fact that he is participating in the hiring of a GM suggests he'll have significant control of the roster. The Rams have not stated clearly for the public exactly where Fisher's responsibilities end. The league defines a GM as "an individual who has (1) the authority over all personnel decisions related to the signing of free agents, the selection of players in the college draft, trades, terminations, and related decisions, and (2) the responsibility for coordinating other football activities with the head coach." If the Rams are hiring that type of GM, making the move by March 1 could be important. If they wait past that date, they might have to wait past the draft to pull personnel people away from their current teams, according to the NFL's anti-tampering policy.

Clare Farnsworth of seahawks.com says receiver Doug Baldwin is putting in extra work to improve upon what stands as a breakout rookie season. Farnsworth: "While his receptions (51), receiving yards (788) and touchdown catches (four) ranked fourth, fourth and sixth among the rookie receivers in the league, he was first in third-down receptions (25), shared the lead in receptions of 20-plus yards (19) and was second in receiving first downs (40) and percentage of receptions that produced first downs (.784, 40 of 51)." Baldwin: "In all actuality, if you look at the numbers they’re real average for wide receivers in the NFL, and that’s not what I want to be known for. Regardless of me being undrafted, that’s not what I want my legacy to be."

Also from Farnsworth: a look at the Seahawks' offseason schedule.

Eric D. Williams of the Tacoma News Tribune offers thoughts from Baldwin during a chat. Baldwin on his favorite receivers: "Andre Reed from the Buffalo Bills is my all-time favorite. Today I watch a lot of Steve Smith and Wes Welker as well as Brandon Marshall."

Brock Huard of 710ESPN Seattle says the Seahawks should value Red Bryant over alternatives.

Darren Urban of azcardinals.com checks in with Cardinals defensive coordinator Ray Horton, who has grand plans. Horton: "One of the things burning inside of me is, as a player I have won a Super Bowl, as an (assistant) coach I have won a Super Bowl, I’d like to win one as a coordinator and I’d like to win one as a head coach. No one has ever done that. I think it will happen. My only regret is we didn’t win an NCAA championship (when he played at Washington). We were close."

Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee provides a construction update from 49ers headquarters. Barrows: "Right now the work has been knocking down walls, ripping up parking lots and chopping down trees in an effort to make that area level. In the back of the building where the practice fields are located, there also have been changes. The hill -- dubbed Mt. Pain -- that Mike Singletary built in 2009 has been removed. It went unused in Jim Harbaugh's first season as head coach and was in the way of the new road to the facility."

Kevin Lynch of the San Francisco Chronicle says the construction isn't stopping regular team business. Lynch: "Running backs coach Tom Rathman, Starbucks beverage in hand, also headed in to break down film on potential free agents. Even the disappointment of the title game loss still lingers, the pulse of this team is still very much alive, even while the facility undergoes a heart transplant of sorts."

Taylor Price of 49ers.com looks back at the team's season on special teams.

Tim Kawakami of the San Jose Mercury News sets the scene with Jim Harbaugh and Alex Smith on the golf course. Kawakami: "It was yet another sign -- literal and metaphoric -- of the undeniable bond between Smith and Harbaugh, and the adrenaline boost the 49ers’ rise has given the Bay Area. Throughout the long round, Smith was the dutiful caddie, carefully raking the sand traps after Harbaugh blasted out and methodically searching through the dunes and trees whenever Harbaugh knocked tee shots deep into trouble. Smith didn’t read the greens for Harbaugh’s putts, but the two were talking and laughing the entire round."

Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle says 49ers safety Dashon Goldson would be "shocked" if he did not return to the team in 2012, according to remarks Goldson made during a radio interview.

A few thoughts and notes on former Seattle Seahawks coach Jim Mora emerging as the next coach at UCLA:

• Mora's contract with the Seahawks runs through the 2012 season. The team is still paying him.
• The Atlanta Falcons were still paying Mora when the Seahawks hired him as an assistant under Mike Holmgren before the 2007 season. A year later, the Seahawks announced Mora had signed a five-year deal that would make him Seattle's head coach once Mike Holmgren stepped down.
• Mora has been working for NFL Network and as a Fox game analyst with play-by-play man Ron Pitts. He was scheduled to work the Atlanta-Carolina game Sunday. Update: This section amended after another member of the Pitts-Mora broadcast team, sideline reporter Drea Avent, deleted her tweet about Mora expressing interest in the UCLA job last week.
• I've long thought Mora might be well suited for the college game, but I never envisioned him coaching for one of Washington's conference rivals. Mora played for the Huskies. He was blindsided when the Seahawks fired him to hire Pete Carroll. Now, he'll be coaching for UCLA against his alma mater -- and against Carroll's former right-hand man at USC, Huskies coach Steve Sarkisian. Weird.
• Mora is tireless. He keeps himself in freakishly good physical condition. He's extremely competitive. Those qualities should serve him well as a recruiter and in general. The college game also requires coaches to become schmoozers. It requires them to relate with boosters, speak at banquets and kiss up to high school players (and their parents). Mora has a hard time hiding his true feelings. He is not a schmoozer. This could be interesting. Eventual clashes with university administrators would come as no shock.
• Mora will probably be back in the NFL at some point. I wouldn't be surprised if he eventually coached at his alma mater, either. He's only 50 years old.
• Mora's search for a staff at UCLA could target some current NFL assistants. Mora has ties to San Francisco 49ers running backs coach Tom Rathman. They were assistants together for the 49ers years ago. Greg Knapp, quarterbacks coach for the Houston Texans, was Mora's offensive coordinator for the Seahawks. Ed Donatell, the 49ers' secondary coach, was Mora's defensive coordinator in Atlanta. Mora's defensive coordinator in Seattle, Gus Bradley, remains in that role and presumably would have nothing to gain by taking a college job. Seahawks line coach Tom Cable was once rumored as a candidate for the UCLA job. Mora's hiring ends any shot at that happening, a good thing for the Seahawks.

Looking forward to Mora's introductory press conference. He could be entertaining -- sometimes a little too entertaining for his own good -- in those settings.

Sam Bradford made it through a full game just 21 days after suffering a high-ankle sprain.

The St. Louis Rams' quarterback is paying the price, however.

Kathleen Nelson of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says Bradford was wearing a boot to immobilize the ankle Monday. Nelson: "Coach Steve Spagnuolo said Bradford's participation in practice Wednesday would depend on how the left ankle responds to treatment. He called Bradford's performance Sunday 'admirable' and said he 'showed tremendous courage,' completing 23 of 36 passes for 255 yards." Noted: Getting Bradford back was nice, but there was no real payoff. The offense managed only three field goals. The team lost to an opponent that was riding a six-game losing streak. Bradford emerged from the game with significant soreness.

Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says the Rams had no regrets about punting to the Cardinals' Patrick Peterson in overtime, even after Peterson's 99-yard return beat them. Spagnuolo also said he was OK covering Larry Fitzgerald with a linebacker on the Cardinals' tying touchdown pass in the fourth quarter. And, on the fourth-and-1 play, he was OK running the same play that failed on third-and-1. Noted: We'll find out whether the Rams had regrets when the teams play again later in the season. If the game goes to overtime and the Rams have to punt, I would almost guarantee they'll punt the ball out of bounds.

Nick Wagoner of stlouisrams.com says the team is down to its third slot receiver after losing Danny Amendola and then rookie Greg Salas to season-ending injuries.

Howard Balzer of 101ESPN St. Louis says the Rams are banged up and will probably activate receiver Mark Clayton from the physically unable to perform list Tuesday.

Steve Corkran of Bay Area News Group offers a 49ers injury update. Frank Gore says his ankle isn't injured too badly. Ray McDonald says he expects to return from a hamstring injury this week. Also: Coach Jim Harbaugh took players to Arlington National Cemetary the day before playing the Redskins. Harbaugh: "I just thought it would be neat for the fellas and myself, the team, and we were practicing very near there. ... Our guys were really moved. They really appreciated what they were witnessing, what they were able to be a part of. It was a good, positive thing for us."

Gwen Knapp of the San Francisco Chronicle says the 49ers were methodical in their defeat of the Redskins.

Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle passes along a transcript from Tom Rathman's interview session. The 49ers' running backs coach says the team wants to dominate. Rathman: "We want to take guys out. We want to hurt guys. We want to win. We just want to dominate, hit them in the mouth."

Brady Henderson of 710ESPN Seattle says the Seahawks weren't able to get into no-huddle mode extensively against the Cowboys because doing so would have compromised their ability to block DeMarcus Ware, according to coach Pete Carroll.

Danny O'Neil of the Seattle Times offers thoughts on the Seahawks' performance against Dallas, including this one on left guard Robert Gallery: "The man who was supposed to be the answer at left guard has had some very questionable play the past two games. A pancake is one of the top accomplishments for an offensive lineman. To be pancaked is a pretty serious problem, and Gallery was put on his back in the first quarter by DeMarcus Ware. He was also penalized for holding, a call that stalled a third-quarter drive, and a false start. Hesuffered groin and knee injuries in August, and he appeared to suffer a leg injury last Sunday against Cincinnati, and while he returned to the field, he certainly isn't playing like someone who's completely healthy."

Also from O'Neil: The Seahawks have struggled to finish games. They've been within a touchdown of their opponents in fourth quarters of five defeats this season.

Dave Boling of the Tacoma News Tribune passes along notes from Pete Carroll's news conference. Sidney Rice and Mike Williams could be limited in practice.

Dan Bickley of the Arizona Republic says there's no quarterback debate in Arizona if Kevin Kolb is healthy enough to play. Bickley: "To bench him before his first professional homecoming would be emasculating and potentially devastating. In the larger picture, the team needs a fuller portrait of Kolb before next season, before he is due a $7 million roster bonus. Kolb already received a $10 million bonus as part of his contract extension in August, along with a guaranteed salary of $2 million in 2011."

Bob McManaman of the Arizona Republic says the Cardinals know they are stepping up in class against Philadelphia. Darnell Dockett: "We're fortunate and we're blessed and we're going to enjoy the win because it was a great team win. But we need to get back focused on a higher opponent. No disrespect to the Rams, but now we've got to play a team that's loaded, name-wise, and we've got to be focused and get back to work."

Also from McManaman: The Cardinals do not yet know if Kolb will play Sunday.

Kevin Lynch of Niner Insider sizes up the 49ers' inside linebackers. Lynch: "The best thing the 49ers do as a team is play inside linebacker. The reputed Patrick Willis remains the team's best player and largely because of his talents, the 49ers are excellent against the run. Last season may have been Willis's most challenging. Teams figured they had to run away from Willis or be devoured. Opposing offenses decide to run offensive linemen at Willis instead of running backs and his tackle total for the season dropped. Nevertheless, the 49ers dropped just two places from fourth to sixth according to profootballoutsiders.com in their effectiveness against the run. Even though Willis wasn't always making the tackle, they were still able to cage running backs. Why? Two words: Takeo Spikes." The 49ers' signing of Spikes before the 2008 season stands as one of the better low-profile moves an NFC West team has made in recent seasons. He projected as a one- or two-year stopgap initially, but Spikes has started 44 of 48 games. He's been credited with six interceptions and 16 passes defensed. At age 34, he does not appear finished.

Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com explains how 49ers kicker Fabrizio Scaccia can play in the Arena League during the lockout. The Cardinals' Cliff Louis is doing the same thing. Maiocco: "The players are required to report to their NFL teams when the lockout ends. The AFL is in Week 6 of their 18-game regular season. The Arena Bowl, the league championship, is scheduled for Aug. 12. Scaccia also played last fall with the Sacramento Mountain Lions of the United Football League."

Eric Branch of the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat says the 49ers' Tom Gamble and Tom Rathman were there when Eastern Washington University's Taiwan Jones ran for scouts. Branch: "Jones, perhaps the draft’s most tantalizing running-back prospect, clocked 40-yard dash times that ranged anywhere from 4.28 to 4.35 seconds, according to the figures from the phalanx of scouts on hand. Perspective: On a different surface, Maryland’s Da’Rel Scott had the fastest 40 (4.34) among running backs at the NFL Combine and Miami cornerback DeMarcus Van Dyke had the fastest time overall (4.28). Jones also registered some other eye-opening measurables, including a 40-inch vertical jump and an 11-foot broad jump, five inches shy of the all-time combine record."

Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic gives the Cardinals a "C" grade for the first-round selections they've made since Ken Whisenhunt became head coach in 2007. The grade isn't any better for the second and third rounds. Somers on the first-rounders: "Levi Brown is the most controversial of the four, partly because the Cardinals passed on running back Adrian Peterson to take him. Whisenhunt defends Brown, who moved from right tackle to left in 2010, calling him an improving player. But Brown has been average, at best, and more is expected of a fifth pick. A bust? I don't say that. But more was/is expected. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie took a step back last year after making great progress his first two years. A Pro Bowler in 2009, he’s been worth the first-round pick. Wells has yet to live up to expectations, but I've seen the Cardinals give up too early on other backs. A little patience could pay dividends. Dan Williams showed improvement in the latter half of the 2010 season."

Darren Urban of azcardinals.com profiles new defensive coordinator Ray Horton, who likes keeping people off-balance -- on the field and with the braided hair he wears. Urban: "In Horton’s world, he doesn’t want to be that predictable. He’ll drive to work various routes. If he’s playing golf, he may use a 6-iron on a particular shot and then, if a similar shot comes up again, try to 8-iron, just to see the difference. He’s also got the hair, which he started growing in Pittsburgh and -- when no one said anything -- just kept growing it, in part egged on by his players." Said Cardinals assistant DeShea Townsend: "Most coaches don’t have the good hair. That’s how I see it. This is his Samson moment."

Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says the Rams' offensive linemen are working out together during the lockout. Thomas: "We train on Tuesdays and Thursdays together as a group. That way we get some camaraderie and cohesiveness that everybody who knows anything about football knows is important for our group. So we train together twice a week, and then most of us train there at other times during the day on a one-on-one basis [with a personal trainer]."

Also from Thomas: Draft prospects visiting the Rams hung out in the late Georgia Frontiere's posh suite at Rams Park, dining on steaks catered by Ruth's Chris. Julio Jones and Corey Liuget were among the 19 confirmed attendees.

Nick Wagoner of stlouisrams.com says the Rams were better than expected at defensive end last season, including backups. Wagoner: "C.J. Ah You’s performance came as a bit of a surprise on the heels of his return from a season-ending knee injury in 2009. But he answered the bell as a third-down pass rush specialist as he was fourth on the team with four sacks and 10 quarterback hits and pressures while also showing the versatility to move inside. As a seventh-round choice, George Selvie impressed coaches with a strong preseason before he was put on the sidelines early with a foot injury. Selvie pushed through and contributed 1.5 sacks and five quarterback hits while also proving solid against the run."

Clare Farnsworth of seahawks.com says former receiver Michael Bumpus is giving soccer a try. Writes Mark Gaschk of soundersfc.com: "He started playing club soccer at age 13 with Santa Monica United and played his high school soccer at Culver City High School, where he was one of the better defenders in the region and was heavily recruited. He even went to Europe with his club team, where the soccer bug had him fully enraptured. However, when it came time to decide on his future in his senior year of high school, the scholarships he was being offered to play football outweighed a scenario that would have him playing soccer and paying his own way through college."

Danny O'Neil of the Seattle Times provides a chat transcript featuring former Seahawks coach Jim Mora. Mora says the Eagles would be a great fit for Jake Locker. Also from Mora: "I'd like to see them re-sign Matt (Hasselbeck) just because I have so much respect for him and he's such an institution here in Seattle. But I think it's irresponsible as an organization if you don't address the future at such an important position as quarterback. And I think they've tried to address the future with the signing of Whitehurst and they'll continue to do so." But he thinks selecting Locker wouldn't be a great idea for Seattle.

Dan Caesar of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says former Rams tackle Orlando Pace has invested in a company that owns sports media properties in St. Louis. Pace's involvement could lead to an on-air radio role periodically. Pace had previously made an hour-long appearance that went better than expected, according to the company president: "I jokingly told him he hadn't said a word in his Rams days, so we were surprised when he had so much to say. Nothing really came of our meeting and then we reconnected through our mutual friendship with (former Ram) Roland Williams. ... We met again and really found mutual passion for sports and for media and the more we talked the more we realized what a great fit he could be as a partner in the company."

Tony Softli of 101ESPN St. Louis offers a detailed scouting report from Missouri's pro day featuring Blaine Gabbert and Aldon Smith. 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh was among those in attendance. Softli on Gabbert: "In my top 32 regardless of position, Gabbert is ranked 9th and will remain there because I don’t move players up and down the draft rankings based on a spring workout. But, he did solidify himself as a top-five pick in a lot of minds of those NFL coaches and general managers that were in attendance yesterday. When asked by several coaches, scouts and media if this quarterback compares to Sam Bradford, I paused and said no. The grade I put on Sam Bradford, my last draft class with the St. Louis Rams, was second only to Peyton Manning, who is the highest graded quarterback in my 15-year tenure as a personnel man in the NFL."

Howard Balzer of 101ESPN St. Louis passes along thoughts on the Rams from general manager Billy Devaney, plus a note about the Rams' chances of appearing in the NFL exhibition opener in Canton. Devaney on the 2011 draft's depth of defensive linemen: "Yeah. Outside guys, defensive ends, it looks like it's really deep. In fact, it looks like it's deep in 3-4 ends. We're a 4-3 team and we think there's some really quality depth as pass-rushers at defensive end, that goes into the second round. So we're excited about that."

Jeff Legwold of the Denver Post blames Aaron Curry's underwhelming first two NFL seasons on forces largely beyond the Seattle lienbacker's control: injuries, injuries to teammates and coaching/scheme changes. He expects more from 2011 draft prospect Von Miller. Legwold: "Defensive players who can get to the quarterback in college, especially at the Division I-A level, usually find a way to get to the quarterback in the NFL. Miller led the nation in sacks with 17 in 2009 and had 10.5 sacks in 2010, when he faced a lot of double-team blocks. He plays well outside and inside and should be a high pick in the April 28-30 draft. Pass-rushers who struggle in the NFL usually are pass-rushers who have trouble working inside, like former Broncos first-round draft pack Jarvis Moss." Curry's instincts haven't come through to the degree I would have expected. That could be his fault or the fault of factors Legwold cited, or a combination.

Darren Urban of azcardinals.com isn't convinced the Cardinals will draft a quarterback in the first round, but if they had to choose between Blaine Gabbert and Cam Newton, he thinks Gabbert would be the choice. Urban: "There’s just something about everything that swirls around Newton off the field that I think they think Gabbert would be a safer pick." That is my sense as well, based in part on comments the team has made about needing to make sure a quarterback drafted that early has no question marks.

Also from Urban: A look at how the Cardinals' video department puts technology to use. One example: When the team hired Ray Horton as defensive coordinator, several players asked for Steelers video, the better to help them learn the defense Horton is bringing from Pittsburgh.

Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee says multiple 49ers coaches attended Stanford's pro day, no surprise given proximity and those assistants' history at the university. Barrows: "Among the coaches making the short drive up Highway 101 were defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, offensive coordinator Greg Roman, offensive line coach Tim Drevno and running backs coach Tom Rathman, who put Stanford fullback Owen Marecic through cone drills and then spent more than a half hour chatting with Marecic in a corner of the practice field." Rathman was not at Stanford last season, so this workout was probably more helpful for him.

Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says Jerome Bettis became a Hall of Fame candidate after leaving the Rams in a regrettable trade. Thomas: "If the Marshall Faulk trade in 1999 was one of the best in St. Louis sports history, the Bettis deal three years earlier was one of the worst. And ultimately, it cost coach Rich Brooks and general manager Steve Ortmayer their jobs." Bettis averaged 3.2 and 3.5 yards per carry in his final two seasons with the Rams. He then topped 1,000 yards for six consecutive seasons with the Steelers. He finished his career with 91 rushing touchdowns, three receiving touchdowns and 13,662 rushing yards. Said Brooks at the time of the trade: "I wanted a little more speed at the position. 'Jerome is an outstanding player and the Pittsburgh scheme will suit him more than my scheme will. It is a good move for Jerome.'' The Rams felt OK trading Bettis because they had recently drafted Lawrence Phillips. Oops.

Also from Thomas: says Rams receiver Mardy Gilyard underwent wrist surgery recently. Ron Bartell, Chris Chamberlain, Chris Long and Jerome Murphy have also undergone surgical procedures this offseason.

More from Thomas: If he were running the Rams, he would inquire about Chargers receiver Vincent Jackson this offseason. I would expect the Rams to be more aggressive at times in upgrading their roster. They're in better position to take an occasional risk now that they feel better about their leadership and foundation. And they certainly need to acquire weapons for quarterback Sam Bradford.

Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says the Rams can learn from the Steelers and Packers, who have drafted very well. Miklasz: "From 2002 through 2007, the Rams drafted 55 players, and only four remain with the team today: cornerback Ron Bartell, running back Steven Jackson, safety Oshiomogho Atogwe and long snapper Chris Massey. And only one, Jackson, has been voted to the Pro Bowl. The Rams' list of draft-day busts is lengthy and depressing. The Rams are doing better under general manager Billy Devaney. Over the last three drafts the Rams have added important franchise pieces such as quarterback Sam Bradford, middle linebacker James Laurinaitis, offensive tackles Rodger Saffold and Jason Smith, defensive end Chris Long and cornerback Bradley Fletcher. The Rams may have another impact draftee in tight end Michael Hoomanawanui, and other young players have shown promise."

Brian Stull of 101ESPN St. Louis marks the 11-year anniversary of the Rams' Super Bowl victory over Tennessee.

Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com sizes up the 49ers' coaching staff, noting that the team still needs a tight ends coach. Maiocco lists the following coaches as retained from Mike Singletary's staff: Tom Rathman, Mike Solari, Jim Tomsula and Bill Nayes.

Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee says the 49ers are raising -- and lowering -- ticket prices for the 2011 season. Barrows: "According to the 49ers, the average cost of an NFL ticket in 2010 was $101. A 49ers ticket averaged $77 in 2010 and will rise to $83 in 2011. The team also notes that it offers a $59 lower-bowl ticket, which is one of the lowest costs in the league for that level."

Glen Creno of the Arizona Republic says Cardinals ownership has purchased a landmark restaurant where team president Michael Bidwill hung out during his days as a federal prosecutor. Creno: "Tom's has been around in various incarnations for more than 80 years, but it was put up for sale last year when its owner, Michael Ratner, could no longer spend the time he wanted running the place. He was spending most of his time in treatment for esophageal cancer and said that if a buyer couldn't be found, the restaurant would be closed."

Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic expects the Cardinals to accelerate efforts to land a defensive coordinator beginning Monday or Tuesday following the Super Bowl. Somers: "There appear to be at least five candidates. Even though Steelers coordinator Dick LeBeau has said he won't coach anywhere else than Pittsburgh in 2011, I think Ken Whisenhunt will at least inquire. ... Steelers linebackers coach Keith Butler is another prime target. But the Steelers gave him a new contract a year ago and made him 'coordinator in waiting.' The Steelers might well deny Whisenhunt permission. Steelers secondary coach Ray Horton will also draw some interest. ... The Packers run a similar defensive scheme, with the 3-4 as their base alignment. Assistant head coach Winston Moss is highly regarded and coaches the inside linebackers. Safeties coach Darren Perry worked with Whisenhunt in Pittsburgh and is well-versed in LeBeau's system. The Packers have other young assistants, namely cornerbacks coach Joe Whitt, Jr., who are regarded as up and comers, but they are not believed to be under consideration by the Cardinals at this time."

Joe Reedy of the Cincinnati Enquirer lists recently fired Seahawks offensive coordinator Jeremy Bates as a potential candidate to replace another former Seattle coordinator, Bob Bratkowski, as the Bengals' offensive coordinator.

Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal says former Seahawks defensive line coach Dwaine Board will coach the Browns' defensive line under new coach Pat Shurmur. Board worked under Browns president Mike Holmgren in Seattle.

NFL players aren't the only ones team owners would lock out if the league fails to secure a collective bargaining agreement this offseason.

Assistant coaches could be on the outside, too.

The subject came to mind this week while NFC West teams shuffled their staffs.

Seattle lost a few assistants to the college ranks, where a lockout isn't a threat. San Francisco drew from the college game in filling out its staff (while also bringing back Tom Rathman, Mike Solari, Ray Brown and Jim Tomsula, the team announced Friday). Arizona reportedly sat back and waited for the NFL playoffs to end for teams with candidates to become their defensive coordinator.

I do not think a potential lockout is a pivotal factor for most coaches deciding whether to take NFL jobs or head to/stay in the college ranks. I do think labor uncertainty plays a role, however, even though some assistants can earn back lost wages if there's labor peace in time for the regular season.

How could the situation be affecting NFC West teams? Cue the video.

Dan Bickley of the Arizona Republic checks in with former Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner for thoughts on Marc Bulger, Cam Newton, Kevin Kolb and other potential quarterback options for Arizona this offseason. Warner on Newton: "I think he's a great college quarterback who can throw the ball well and has every intangible you're looking for, but the one thing I always tell people is that, at this level, you don't win with running quarterbacks. It just doesn't happen. As great as Michael Vick played this year, when it came down to it, he had to win games in the pocket. And his team was eliminated in the first round. This is not a knock on Newton or how great a player he is or can be. There's just a big difference in the way the game is played in the NFL."

Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com looks at where the 49ers are tentatively scheduled to draft in 2011, minus as-yet-unannounced compensatory choices. Maiocco on draft needs: "Cornerback is a definite need for the 49ers. They also need to get new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio someone who can pose a threat as an outside pass rusher. Those are two huge needs. The only position I can see the 49ers addressing on offense is quarterback." The outside pass rush has been a group effort and a fairly successful one, but one dominant outside rusher can open up options for a coordinator.

Also from Maiocco: a look at the 49ers' coaching staff as it stood over the weekend.

More from Maiocco: He expects assistants Mike Solari, Tom Rathman and Jim Tomsula to remain with the 49ers under new coach Jim Harbaugh.

Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee says Solari and the newly hired Tim Drevno will share duties coaching the 49ers' offensive line. Barrows: "This past season, Ray Brown served as Solari's assistant offensive line coach. There is no word yet on where Brown will end up."

Danny O'Neil of the Seattle Times offers thoughts on key plays in the Seahawks' 35-24 divisional-round playoff defeat at Chicago. O'Neil on the turning point: "The Bears had the ball at Seattle's 3-yard line later in the first quarter when Cutler threw a quick pass straight to safety Jordan Babineaux. Babineaux saw the ball after it was released, and couldn't respond in time to intercept a pass he very well could have returned for a touchdown that would have tied the game. Instead the pass bounced off Babineaux's hands incomplete, and the Bears scored four plays later on a 1-yard touchdown run from Chester Taylor."

Also from O'Neil: Veteran safety Lawyer Milloy says the Seahawks aren't seeking a consolation prize for reaching the divisional round.

More from O'Neil: injury updates on Marcus Trufant and John Carlson.

Steve Kelley of the Seattle Times says the Seahawks' defeat to Chicago felt more like reality than their victory over the Saints. Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck: "The hard thing is that I don't know if everyone realizes how close we were to doing something special. We had everything there for us. We didn't deserve it, but it was right there for us."

Jerry Brewer of the Seattle Times sizes up the Seahawks this way: "The Seahawks needed to play their best game to beat the Bears, who are for real, by the way. They needed to perform at a level even higher than they did against New Orleans. Instead, they were a playoff remix of their 2010 season: erratic, fidgety, unworthy. It doesn't make their invigorating run to the divisional playoff round any less special. But, sadly, it does mean their season ends with the type of performance you could've envisioned long ago."

John Boyle of the Everett Herald says the Seahawks were outgunned, particularly after losing Carlson. Boyle: "For his part, Hasselbeck was very good in what could have been his final game as a Seahawk. Hasselbeck, who turned 35 this season, becomes a free agent this offseason, and while he and Carroll have both said they'd like him to stay a Seahawk, nothing is done as of now. And if Hasselbeck was playing his last game for Seattle, he went out in style, throwing a touchdown pass to Brandon Stokley on his final completion of the day. Hasselbeck finished with 258 yards, three touchdowns and no turnovers, and those numbers would have been better if not for several drops by receivers."

Clare Farnsworth of seahawks.com says the injuries to Carlson and Trufant weighed on Seattle players.

John McGrath of the Tacoma News Tribune says the moment was too big for Seattle. McGrath: "Potential completions went through Seahawks receivers’ fingers. Defensive backs failed to hang onto easy interceptions. Most surprising was how coach Pete Carroll abandoned the go-for-broke aggressiveness of a prohibitive underdog. With nothing to lose, Carroll’s strategy suggested his team had everything to lose." Carroll said he punted on fourth-and-1 in the first half in part because he didn't want to send the signal that his team was in desperation mode after falling behind. Not having Carlson also diminished Seattle's short-yardage options.

Dave Boling of the Tacoma News Tribune says the Seahawks' defeat exposed their lack of playmakers. Boling: "No discredit. Making it to the divisional round of the playoffs was far beyond reasonable expectations. Still, getting this far after a 7-9 regular season was equal parts quirk, illusion, fortunate timing and the positive psychological bounce from a late infusion of confidence. Not the least of this was the powerful influence of their home fans. But the sprinkle of pixie dust that made this ordinary team special at home isn’t portable."

Eric D. Williams of the Tacoma News Tribune passes along this from Carroll: "It took us the whole season to get to the point where we really understood how hard the work needs to be to get yourself to play at a really high level. We kind of dipped in and out of it at times this year. So I think that’s really important. I think these guys understand where we’re going and what we’re trying to get done. And that’s important for us to move forward with that."

Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says the Rams should hire an offensive coordinator quickly. Miklasz: "Give the new OC as much time as possible to implement his offense and get down to serious meeting-room study with quarterback Sam Bradford before a threatened lockout shuts down the NFL on March 4. If the Rams want continuity and stability and a conservative style, then Childress would be the choice. He'd keep their West Coast offense intact and Bradford wouldn't have to absorb a new playbook. If the Rams prefer excitement and aggressiveness and some risk, then Josh McDaniels is their man. He's creative and edgy. McDaniels can do for the offense what Steve Spagnuolo did for the Rams' defense. But is Spags really willing to go away from the offense and turn it over to McDaniels?"

Brian Stull of 101ESPN St. Louis says the Rams should consider minority candidates for the coordinator's job.

Bob McManaman of the Arizona Republic examines the relationship between receiver Larry Fitzgerald and cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. Fitzgerald: "I don't think there's a cornerback in the NFL as athletically gifted as he is. He's the best athlete I've gone against since I've played in the NFL. It's hands down, not even close." Both players enter the 2010 season coming off knee injuries. Rodgers-Cromartie has bounced back better than I might have expected. Fitzgerald expects to return for the regular-season opener.

Also from McManaman: The Cardinals head to Tennessee, site of their memorable 2009 regular-season defeat. McManaman: "And then there's Cardinals defensive coordinator Bill Davis, who remembers every last morbid detail of the Titans' stunning 20-17 come-from-behind victory in Week 12 last season. It was so gut-wrenching for Davis, he still has nightmares about it. And the Tennessee game doesn't even haunt him as much as Arizona's playoff performances in a narrow victory over the Green Bay Packers and a loss to eventual Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints." It's a big season for Davis and the Cardinals' defense. The offense probably will not score as many points. The margin for error could shrink on defense.

Darren Urban of azcardinals.com pays tribute to former Cardinals (and Rams) receiver Johnny Bailey, who passed away from pancreatic cancer at age 43. Little-known fact from the Cardinals' media guide: Steve Breaston's punt-return touchdown against the Steelers in 2007 was the team's first since 1993, when Bailey returned Reggie Roby's punt 58 yards for a score against the Redskins.

Also from Urban: The Cardinals brace for three games in 11 days.

Cam Inman of Bay Area News Group offers 10 observations from the 49ers' game against the Vikings on Sunday night. Inman: "Rookie tailback Anthony Dixon continues to impress. And not just by scoring the 49ers' lone first-half touchdown. On the sideline, Dixon looked at full attention as (Frank) Gore and running backs coach Tom Rathman mentored him."

Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com says the 49ers were not happy with their running game against the Vikings. Not having Gore or even Brian Westbrook was a big factor.

Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee looks at 10 players who were "on the bubble" heading into the 49ers' exhibition game Sunday night. On Travis LaBoy, who enjoyed a strong game against the Vikings: "Based on the first three weeks of training camp, it's hard to see LaBoy making the team. The fourth OLB must be rugged enough to contribute on special teams. LaBoy missed the most of the team's practices with a concussion. The 49ers also are wary of a foot injury that cost LaBoy the 2009 season. However, he still has three preseason games to make an impression."

Phil Barber of the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat says Alex Smith was sharp for the 49ers. Barber: "Smith's performance was a big step up from the first game. He completed 9 of 13 passes for 88 yards, for a solid passer rating of 88. And the fact that he did it without Crabtree, (Vernon) Davis and Gore says something of his ability to improvise."

Lowell Cohn of the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat says Smith needs to be a little less nice, or maybe a lot less nice. True, Smith might be better off if his personality had a sharper edge. The most important thing, however, is for Smith to be himself. Faking an edge isn't going to work.

David White of the San Francisco Chronicle checks in with Patrick Willis following the linebacker's big hit on Brett Favre. Willis: "He's a wise old vet. I guess he was like, 'This is a little too much for me right now just coming back.' I guess a lot of people thought he shouldn't have played. I was happy to be out there myself."

Clare Farnsworth of seahawks.com says Leon Washington could get the start for Seattle at running back in the team's third exhibition game. Julius Jones and Justin Forsett have each started on game to this point. Coach Pete Carroll: "We decided that somewhere months ago about how we were going to do this in the first couple of games. Just give these guys a chance to compete, and that’s exactly what we’re doing. There’s a good chance that Leon will start next week, and we’ll see how he does in that role. That’s what our plan was, to give these guys a chance to go with the first group and show us what they’ve got."

Brian McIntyre of scout.com calls T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Golden Tate and Deon Butler "locks" to earn roster spots at receiver for Seattle.

Danny O'Neil of the Seattle Times says the Seahawks' first-team offense looks better with Mike Williams as part of the group. O'Neil: "In the exhibition opener against Tennessee, Seattle used T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Deion Branch and tight end John Carlson in the slot in a three-receiver formation. That lineup that didn't threaten the defense outside. Williams changed the dynamic of that group. He caught four passes against Green Bay in the first half, as did Houshmandzadeh, and Seattle scored touchdowns on two of its first three possessions."

Eric D. Williams of the Tacoma News Tribune sizes up Seahawks rookie Dexter Davis, who has made an impact as a pass-rusher.

John Morgan of Field Gulls lists Matt Hasselbeck, Jon Ryan, Marcus Trufant and Mike Williams among "big winners" in the second week of the Seahawks' exhibition season. Aaron Curry? Not so much. Perhaps Curry really does need Lofa Tatupu by his side.

Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says Sam Bradford will start for the Rams on Thursday night if A.J. Feeley's injured thumb remains a problem. Bradford on his performance against the Browns: "Obviously, I'd like to have had a couple more completions out there. I felt like we struggled a little bit early. I felt like once I settled down, I made some smart decisions. I felt like for the most part, I was in the right place with the ball."

Also from Thomas: The Rams signed former Missouri receiver Danario Alexander, releasing 2009 fifth-round choice Brooks Foster. Thomas: "Rams general manager Billy Devaney said the team is realistic about what to expect right away. Today marks Alexander's first practice since January, when he suffered his most recent knee injury in a Senior Bowl practice. So he'll be playing catch-up."

Bill Coats of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says the Rams' poor tackling against the Browns stood out to coach Steve Spagnuolo. Coats: "After watching the game film, Spagnuolo put together a clip of five or six tackles that he said were executed perfectly. He plans to highlight those when he meets with his defense today."

Also from Coats: The Rams need more from their backup running backs. Kenneth Darby was probably most impressive among them Saturday night.

Bryan Burwell of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch saw improvement from the Rams' offensive line Saturday night.

Steve Korte of the Belleville News-Democrat says Spagnuolo wasn't happy after the Rams scored only six points off five Cleveland turnovers.

David White of the San Francisco Chronicle says Ted Ginn Jr. showed good ability in practice Tuesday, a reminder why the 49ers acquired him. White: "Seventy-four percent of quarterback Alex Smith's pass attempts were for 10 or fewer yards. His 6.3 yards per attempt ranked 24th in the NFL. He simply had no deep help outside of tight end Vernon Davis. It hasn't come from Jason Hill, the 40-yard-dash wonder with 40 catches over three seasons. And it didn't come from Ashley Lelie or Bryant Johnson during their stints with the Niners. Johnson enjoyed mild success, but only as a No. 3-type role player."

Phil Barber of the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat profiles 49ers fullback Brit Miller, who is trying to unseat veteran Moran Norris. Overwhelmed as a rookie trying to attain standards set by running backs coach Tom Rathman, Miller says he's more comfortable in his second training camp. Miller: "When you're not used to Rathman, I mean he can do that to you. Because he expects perfection. But now I already know what he's gonna say before he says it. ... And it's a little more comforting coming into camp having an idea what to do, and not guessing, not getting nervous in the huddle, and just going out and playing ball."

Also from Barber: 49ers camp notes, including one about tight end Vernon Davis challenging defensive teammates to "come and get some" after he dispatched linebacker Ahmad Brooks in the nutcracker drill.

Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com says Davis struggled some in pass protection. He was referring to rookie tackle Anthony Davis, not tight end Vernon Davis, who ranks among the better pass protectors on the team.

Also from Maiocco: a new role for quarterbacks coach Mike Johnson. Maiocco: "Quarterbacks coach Mike Johnson is getting his first taste of relaying the plays, via radio, to the quarterbacks. Last season, offensive assistant Jason Michael handled those duties because he and offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye worked together previously for three seasons with the New York Jets and Raiders. Raye said he is trying to figure out which system works best. Raye said he will likely decide which assistant will be on the radio hookup with himself and the quarterbacks after the second exhibition game."

More from Maiocco: Glen Coffee laments his 2.7-yard rookie rushing average.

Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee says some of the 49ers' younger players benefit when the team gives veterans practices off. Barrows: "The 49ers also must groom several young players at safety, primarily Reggie Smith, Curtis Taylor and Taylor Mays. Smith has been getting all of Lewis' first-team repetitions the last two practices while Mays and Taylor have composed the second-string group. Taylor and Chris Maragos have made up the third-string safety tandem. Again, Lewis doesn't need the repetitions, so the coaching staff is giving them to younger players."

Tim Kawakami of the San Jose Mercury News says rookie guard Mike Iupati is well-suited for nutcracker drills. Kawakami: "Generally, Iupati wreaked havoc whenever he was out there, except in one pass-block drill, when veteran defensive end Justin Smith got the jump off the outside edge and sent Iupati twisting backward."

Taylor Price of 49ers.com passes along this Ginn-related quote from Raye: "His presence on the field demands that you have to make a decision about how many you want to commit to the run, from a coverage standpoint. We certainly think that he gives us something defensively that you have to figure out when he’s on the field."

Also from Price: Chilo Rachal was treated for dehydration after collapsing at practice.

Note: I'm giving each team its own Around the NFC West post given the volume of material early in camps. More to come.

Notable players: QB Joe Montana, QB Steve Young, WR Jerry Rice, WR John Taylor, RB Roger Craig, FB Tom Rathman, TE Brent Jones, G Guy McIntyre, FS Ronnie Lott, OLB Charles Haley, DE Pierce Holt, DE Kevin Fagan, OLB Keena Turner, LB Matt Millen.

Analysis: The San Francisco 49ers had multiple teams worthy of consideration as the best in franchise history. I'll take the one that outscored its opponents 126-26 during the postseason, including 55-10 over the Denver Broncos in the Super Bowl. Denver led the NFL in scoring defense that season.

The 1989 team featured the 49ers' offense at the peak of its powers.

Joe Montana averaged 9.1 yards per attempt with 13 starts that season. The figure for three-game starter Steve Young -- 10.9 yards per attempt -- was even more ridiculous. Drew Brees set a career high at 8.5 yards per attempt last season. Tom Brady's average was 8.3 during his historic 2007 season. Dan Marino was at 9.0 in his 1984 career season. None could match the 49ers' top two quarterbacks during this special season.

This was the first 49ers team of the 1980s without Bill Walsh, but offensive coordinator Mike Holmgren was still there, as were nearly all of the team's iconic offensive players from the decade. Tight end Brent Jones emerged as a starter. Roger Craig topped 1,000 yards rushing. Fullback Tom Rathman caught 73 passes. Montana set a career high for passer rating at 112.1, completing 70.2 percent with 26 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Rice caught 17 touchdown passes while averaging 18.1 yards per reception.

The defense was typically overlooked except by those forced to play against it. John Elway completed only 10 of 26 passes for 108 yards and two interceptions against the 49ers in the Super Bowl.

"Their defense doesn't get enough credit," Broncos coach Dan Reeves said afterward. ''I can't say enough about them.''

Walsh later regretted retiring. This team made it easy to see why.

Most impressive win: Having already touched on the Super Bowl victory, let's focus on the victory that delivered the NFC West title to San Francisco that season. Montana passed for 458 yards, including 286 to receiver John Taylor, and the 49ers twice overcame 17-point deficits to edge the division-rival Rams, 30-27, on the road.

Transcending Walsh: This 49ers team became the only one in NFL history to win back-to-back Super Bowls with different head coaches. The change from Walsh to George Seifert might have actually helped this team, at least for a season. The offensive-minded Walsh left the defensive-minded Seifert with a veteran offense trained to function at a high level without much big-picture help. Holmgren took the best of what Walsh taught him and made it even better with his own tweaking. In that sense, the 1989 team might have gotten the best of what Walsh and Holmgren had to offer. Montana was also at his best. He never enjoyed a finer season.

Honorable mention

1984: This was the team that knocked off Marino in the Super Bowl after the quarterback shredded defenses for a then-record 48 touchdown passes. This was a great 49ers team with a franchise-best 15-1 record, but the best group in 49ers history needed to include Rice, I thought. He arrived the next year.

1994: Proponents of this team will point to a defense featuring Deion Sanders, Rickey Jackson, Ken Norton, Merton Hanks, Eric Davis, Tim McDonald, Bryant Young and others. They'll point to Young's record six touchdown passes against the San Diego Chargers in the Super Bowl.

1948: Let's save some recognition for one of the early 49ers teams. This one outscored opponents by more than 17 points per game on its way to a 12-2 record. Frankie Albert put up modern-day numbers with 29 touchdown passes, 10 interceptions and a 102.9 rating.

Eric D. Williams of the Tacoma News Tribune says the Seahawks do not plan to pursue Terrell Owens unless "something drastic" happens, according to what general manager John Schneider told 950KJR radio in Seattle. Interest in Owens could have made more sense for Seattle before the team drafted Golden Tate in the second round. Mike Williams' emergence this offseason has also filled a void. The team also held onto Deion Branch and liked what he showed earlier this offseason.

Bryan McIntyre of scout.com summarizes Schneider's interview with Mitch Levy of 950KJR Seattle. Schneider on the need for more pass-rush help: "That’s definitely a concern for us, there’s no question. We’re going to be active [scouring the wire]. Right now, we’re excited about some young guys. We’re excited about [Chris] Clemons, he’s doing some real nice stuff. The guy we got from Philadelphia. [2010 seventh-round pick] Dexter Davis has some pass-rush ability. Ricky Foley, who we signed from the CFL, is a good special teams player and a very active pass-rusher. But, it’s definitely an area, I think if you talk to 9 out of 10 teams in the league, they’d say they’re looking for a pass-rusher, too, so we will continue. We hold the sixth spot in the claim order right now. We’ll continue to talk to other teams about possible trades, and try to work that wire and to continue to upgrade this team, not only at the pass-rush position, the 'Leo' position, I guess, for us, but at every position."

Clare Farnsworth of seahawks.com says second-year receiver Deon Butler continues to make strides during organized team activities. Butler: "I feel like I’ve been working on running routes and getting better each day. Today, it just happened that a lot of opportunities went my way. I was the first read in a lot of the progressions, so it just turned out to be a good day."

Rod Mar of seahawks.com offers photos from OTAs.

Danny O'Neil of the Seattle Times shows where the Seahawks' rushing offense has ranked relative to the rest of the division over the past five seasons. O'Neil: "If Pete Carroll's history at USC is any indication, the lead back could change from month to month and from game to game. Consider that over the past four seasons total there wasn't a single back who had more than five 20-carry games."

Steve Kelley of the Seattle Times checks in with running back Leon Washington, who has this to say about his recovery from a broken leg: "I can only move forward. I can't live with regrets. I live by the quote, 'Man is not alive if he lives with regrets.' Right now, I think the greatest lesson I can show my two little boys is that, 'Hey, Dad bounced back from a compound fracture and was able to get back on the field and have a successful career.' That's my goal."

John Morgan of Field Gulls compares Clemons to Colin Cole in that both might be a little more one-dimensional than a starter should be.

Jim Gintonio of the Arizona Republic says the Cardinals are counting on Joey Porter for more than pass-rush help. Coach Ken Whisenhunt: "Besides the good play, a part of the reason for bringing in a guy like Joey is because I know the way he works in practice, I know the way he works in the weight room, I know what kind of teammate he is, and that type of leadership is what's important."

Also from Gintonio: a look at Cardinals rookie quarterback John Skelton, who never thought he'd wind up playing college ball at Fordham. Skelton: "I never even heard of Fordham until I went up there. I visited Columbia [where his uncle played quarterback], Fordham and Holy Cross, schools that you don't really associate football with, but to go up there and learn about the storied tradition of Fordham, Vince Lombardi and everything, it was a good school to be a part of."

Darren Urban of azcardinals.com says Nehemiah Broughton has a chance to become the Cardinals' fullback this season. Whisenhunt: "It’s a position that is hard to find guys. Nehemiah has good size [at 6-foot, 255 pounds] and is very athletic. He came in and worked hard for us. I am excited to see how he develops because obviously, it’s a position where we need someone to do it. You are looking for someone to step up and he’s got a little bit of a leg up because of the work he did with us last season."

Also from Urban: photos of players laughing as linebacker Clark Haggans fields a punt during practice, avenging an embarrassing drop from last offseason. Also: "One play did stand out today that I noticed during 11-on-11. Matt Leinart threw a dart into a seam that safety Matt Ware was sitting on, arms open, waiting for an interception. Then suddenly Steve Breaston burst back on the ball, making the catch in front of a stunned Ware and sprinting upfield. It just underscores the timing needed with some of these passes."

Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch checks in with Rams owner Chip Rosenbloom, who had this to say about Stan Kroenke's bid to buy the team: "Stan will help us fulfill our desires to stay a part of the organization's family, so to speak, whether it's through community activities or just being huge fans of the team."

Bryan Burwell of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says it appears as though Kroenke's efforts are gaining momentum. Burwell on Rosenbloom: "The world of ownership in the NFL has changed dramatically since current owner Chip Rosenbloom's socialite mom and millionaire dad got into the family business more than 50 years ago. The need for participating in this high-priced playground now is no longer millions. It's billions. Rosenbloom and his sister Lucia are millionaires, not billionaires. They don't have the deep pockets to stay in the NFL ownership club for an extended period of time."

Bill Coats of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch checks in with third-team Rams quarterback Keith Null.

Howard Balzer of the St. Louis Globe-Democrat says the Rams are much more comfortable in their second season under coach Steve Spagnuolo. Spagnuolo: "There’s a huge comfort level there. I felt that, and I actually jotted something down on my notes here that we’re certainly ahead of where we were last year defensively with the communication and getting things set and people feeling comfortable. Defenses are reactionary, so when you eliminate the learning curve of thinking instead of reacting, you usually play better defense. They play faster, so I think we’re getting there."

Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com says he's eager to see rookie running back Anthony Dixon once the 49ers open training camp. Maiocco: "During his two days of practices last week, he showed some nice moves and a burst of speed for a 235-pounder. He also appears to be a capable pass catcher. His biggest chore will be learning and performing all of the blitz pickup assignments RBs coach Tom Rathman will throw at him. My first impression of Dixon is that his style reminds me of Kevan Barlow, a 238-pound back who did a bit more dancing than his 49ers coaches wanted to see from him."

Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee quotes a recent NFL Network discussion between Mike Lombardi and Jamie Dukes regarding the 49ers. Dukes: "This 49ers team is ready. The defense is there. It's ready to make things happen. Offense, you've got weapons. You've got [Michael] Crabtree, you've got [Vernon] Davis, a Pro Bowl tight end. Think about it. Crabtree is gonna be I think an exceptional player. He's a young guy who's learning the system. Then I think Ted Ginn is going to give them something not only in the kick-return game but also I think as a third, second or third, wide receiver because he's such an explosive player."