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Each Thursday leading up to the NFL draft (April 28-30), the ESPN.com NFL blog network will take a division-by-division look at key aspects of the draft. Today's topic: schemes and themes.

Arizona Cardinals

Theme: Amping up the pass rush. New defensive coordinator Ray Horton has already guaranteed that the Cardinals will blitz on their first play under his watch. Why would Horton say such a thing? He's looking to establish an aggressive, blitzing mindset similar to what the Pittsburgh Steelers have established under his mentor, Dick LeBeau. To do that, the Cardinals will need to upgrade their pass rush by targeting at least one outside linebacker in the draft -- perhaps even with the fifth overall choice. Von Miller from Texas A&M comes to mind as one option. The team also expects more from youngsters O'Brien Schofield and Will Davis, coach Ken Whisenhunt said from the NFL owners meeting. To ease the transition, Horton will adapt much of the terminology used under former coordinator Bill Davis. Both favor 3-4 schemes.

St. Louis Rams

Scheme: Away from the West Coast offense. Josh McDaniels' hiring as offensive coordinator signals a significant scheme change even though the team has held over most offensive assistants from last season. McDaniels traces his roots to New England. The Rams will be looking to upgrade at wide receiver, where injuries diminished a group that had question marks already. McDaniels' teams have drafted bigger receivers over the years. The diminutive Deion Branch stands out as an exception to the rule. Otherwise, McDaniels' New England and Denver teams have targeted receivers in the draft averaging taller than 6-foot-1. His Broncos drafted three receivers in his two years there. All three were at least 6 feet tall. Two weighed at least 220 pounds. Alabama's Julio Jones, a candidate for the Rams at No. 14 overall, fits the profile at 6-2 and 220.

San Francisco 49ers

Scheme: New coordinators proliferate. Jim Harbaugh turned over both coordinator positions, but the 49ers could still be looking for similar types of players. They are sticking with a 3-4 defense, so that helps. Trent Baalke ran the draft last year and will do so again as general manager this offseason. Even though Harbaugh has emphasized the switch to a West Coast scheme on offense, he wants to play an extremely physical brand of football, just like predecessor Mike Singletary. He wants tight ends and fullbacks to be the face of the offense. At quarterback, Harbaugh believes he can make imperfect quarterbacks play winning football. His former coach at Indianapolis, Lindy Infante, made a career of this. As a result, there's no directive to find a quarterback in the first round, even though the position is obviously one of great need.

Seattle Seahawks

Scheme: New offensive coordinator in place. Darrell Bevell's hiring away from the Minnesota Vikings indicated, on the surface, that the Seahawks might not value mobility as much from their quarterbacks. Coach Pete Carroll said otherwise over breakfast during the recent NFL owners meeting. He said Bevell and new assistant head coach/offensive line Tom Cable "totally believe in the moving of the quarterback as a complement to the running game and play-action passing game." That was likewise a point of emphasis under previous coordinator Jeremy Bates. Cable's hiring means the Seahawks will target bigger interior offensive linemen in the draft, a departure from how former offensive line coach Alex Gibbs approached the position. That brings the coaching and personnel mindsets into better alignment.

Those over-the-counter drug commercials filled with hope, sunshine and a long list of potentially disastrous side effects come to mind when NFC West teams hire coordinators these days.

Ray Horton, fresh off a Super Bowl appearance and a successful run as the Pittsburgh Steelers' secondary coach, should be thrilled to have emerged as a favorite to run the Arizona Cardinals' defense.

Becoming a coordinator for the first time stands as a career achievement, particularly for someone such as Horton, who has invested more than 25 years as an NFL player and position coach.

But if the NFC West were living under the same guidelines pharmaceutical companies must follow, the Cardinals would punctuate their interview with Horton by listing the primary side effect associated with the job: quick unemployment.

High rate of turnover

NFC West teams have employed 22 coordinators since 2008. Horton would make it 23.

Only four NFC West coordinators are returning from last season.

Two -- Russ Grimm and Mike Miller in Arizona -- divide responsibilities for the running and passing games, respectively. They work under an offensive-minded head coach, Ken Whisenhunt, who has frequently handled the play calling. The division's two other returning coordinators -- St. Louis' Ken Flajole and Seattle's Gus Bradley -- are defensive coordinators under defensive-minded head coaches.

Since 2008, NFC West teams have fired six coordinators. They have decided against retaining five left over from previous staffs. They have lost two to head coaching jobs and allowed another, Greg Manusky in San Francisco, to make a lateral move while the new head coach, Jim Harbaugh, pursued others for his staff.

Four NFC West coordinators are heading into their first season on the job, with Horton potentially becoming the fifth.

The situation in Arizona

Whisenhunt has sought to transfer the Pittsburgh model to Arizona since leaving the Steelers to become the Cardinals' head coach before the 2007 season. Grimm, who coaches the offensive line and running game while serving as assistant head coach, came along with him from Pittsburgh.

The Cardinals have twice tried and failed to land Steelers linebackers coach Keith Butler as their defensive coordinator. They interviewed Todd Bowles, the assistant head coach and secondary coach for the Miami Dolphins, before the Super Bowl. They reportedly reached out to Green Bay Packers assistant head coach and linebackers coach Winston Moss.

But it's the Pittsburgh model they want to establish in Arizona.

Whisenhunt's background on offense makes him ideally suited to oversee that side of the ball. That offensive background also makes him more reliant on his defensive coordinator to run the defense. Hiring the right defensive coordinator can be critical for an offensive-minded head coach. That is the case here.

Don't forget the players

Horton's immediate boss in Pittsburgh, defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau, likes to dispel the notion that he's some sort of defensive guru devising novel schemes to outwit less resourceful opponents.

LeBeau provided one of my favorite quotes from Super Bowl week when a reporter asked how he manages to disguise his defenses.

"That’s easy," LeBeau said. "You just get Troy Polamalu in your backfield and he’ll move around and disguise anything you want to do. Usually it works when he’s doing it."

The Steelers have dynamic players at outside linebacker, a position critical to making a 3-4 defense succeed. The Cardinals have gotten old at the position without developing suitable replacements, one reason Bill Davis lasted only two seasons as coordinator.

"The bottom line is always going to be who is playing for you and how good are they," LeBeau said, "because they are the ones, in the final analysis, who are going to go out there and make your defense successful."

Horton's credentials

Whisenhunt and Grimm can tap into their own playing careers when relating to players. I've always sensed that Whisenhunt valued that part of the coaching equation.

Neither of the Cardinals' previous two coordinators under Whisenhunt played in the NFL. Horton, a second-round draft choice in 1983, played six seasons for Cincinnati and four for Dallas, transitioning from cornerback to free safety. Being a former player isn't enough by itself, obviously, but Horton's playing career could make him more credible initially.

And for the first time, Whisenhunt would have a defensive coordinator versed in the Steelers' scheme and mindset.

Horton's background coaching the secondary, as opposed to linebackers, further distinguishes him from his immediate predecessor. It also distinguishes him from most coordinators running a 3-4 scheme under offensive-minded head coaches, a distinction I find relevant because defensive-minded head coaches tend to oversee that side of the ball.

Arizona was among eight NFL teams that went into the 2010 season with an offensive-minded head coach and a defensive coordinator running a 3-4 scheme. Six of the eight defensive coordinators had backgrounds coaching linebackers. One, Romeo Crennel in Cleveland, traced his coaching roots to the defensive line. The Packers' Dom Capers was the only one with a background in the secondary, although he had been a head coach twice before joining Green Bay.

Three-four schemes rely heavily on blitz combinations featuring linebackers. Horton's background coaching the secondary wouldn't preclude him from knowing the ins and outs of linebacker blitzes. At the least, he might approach the defense a little differently than a former linebackers coach might.

"He’s been around the game a lot and he’s won a Super Bowl as a coach and as a player," Polamalu said of Horton. "He’s had so much to do with the success that we’ve had as a secondary."

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Keith Butler didn't want to say much, at least initially, about his prospects as a candidate to become the Arizona Cardinals' defensive coordinator.

"I'm Sergeant Schultz -- I know nothing," the Pittsburgh Steelers' linebackers coach joked during Super Bowl media day Tuesday.

At this point, I turned to ESPN.com colleague John Clayton, who covered Butler's playing career in Seattle, and jokingly asked for what the Cardinals have so far failed to secure from the Steelers: permission to speak with Butler about a coaching job in Arizona.

We laughed, and it wasn't for the last time.

Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt, Butler's golfing buddy and former coaching associate in Cleveland and Pittsburgh, requested permission to interview Butler following the Super Bowl two years ago. The Steelers denied the request.

Tuesday, Butler repeatedly credited Steelers' ownership for stepping up to keep him in Pittsburgh. He pointed to Dan Rooney in particular for setting up the organization in a manner that has produced six Super Bowl championships.

"And the Rooneys did something they normally don't do with assistant coaches," Butler said. "I am cognizant of that."

What was it, I asked, that was so unusual?

"They gave me a lot of money," Butler said, his deadpan delivery enhanced by an accent with roots in Alabama, where he was born, and Memphis, where he played linebacker.

More laughter.

"It was unusual for a linebackers coach to make that kind of money," Butler said. "That was commitment from them. I am very fond of the Rooneys. I think they are great owners."

Butler credited Dan Rooney for playing a pivotal role in settling the two player strikes that marked Butler's playing career. He said he thought Rooney, now U.S. ambassador to Ireland, should play a role in solving in the current labor impasse.

"He has been a great asset for the league and the proof is in the pudding -- they've got six Lombardi trophies sitting in the trophy case in our office we see every day," Butler said.

If Butler came to Arizona, he would inherit a defense with talent on the line and in the secondary, but with serious concerns at outside linebacker. He credited the Steelers for arming him with high-character linebackers through the draft, noting that it makes his job easier. Butler could not work for a more stable organization.

Butler also shot down reports suggesting the Steelers have put in writing a promise to name him their next defensive coordinator. Current coordinator Dick LeBeau is 73 years old and without a contract for next season. LeBeau has said he'll coach for the Steelers if he coaches next season.

If LeBeau does decide to return, Butler could conceivably have more incentive to consider an offer from Whisenhunt, provided the Steelers granted Arizona permission to interview him. NFL rules require teams to let assistants interview for head coaching positions. Teams do no have to let assistants interview at the coordinator level.

Assistants for Super Bowl teams are off-limits to other teams until after the game.

Whisenhunt and Butler became close friends when working on the Browns' staff in 1999. Once in Pittsburgh, they regularly golfed with LeBeau and current offensive coordinator Bruce Arians. The four still debate which one won the most matches. According to Butler, winning a Super Bowl together cemented the bond.

"That doesn't mean he wouldn't fire me," Butler said of Whisenhunt. "That doesn't mean that at all. That doesn't mean I wouldn't fire him if I was in his shoes, either. He is a good friend of mine. Has been for a long time. We golf once a year in Hilton Head. I've been to Augusta with him once (to play Augusta National)."

The Cardinals fired defensive coordinator Bill Davis about three weeks ago. They have interviewed Miami Dolphins assistant head coach/secondary Todd Bowles. Whisenhunt has said he'd like to speak with assistants from both Super Bowl teams.

"Kenny has to do what he has to do," Butler said. "I do not want him to do anything that takes away from him being a great head coach at Arizona. I am under contract with the Steelers. I am not sure they will let me go. ...

"So, we'll see how it goes after everything pans out. As to whether I am going to be the defensive coordinator in Arizona or not, I have no idea. Kenny is not allowed to talk to me in terms of that situation until after the Super Bowl."

Steelers permitting.

The 2010 Arizona Cardinals struggled badly on both sides of the ball.

They'll address those problems, at least in part, by seeking a new quarterback and a new defensive coordinator. The team fired Bill Davis, its coordinator the past two seasons, in a move announced Thursday.

This marks the second time in three seasons coach Ken Whisenhunt has fired a defensive coordinator. He inherited Clancy Pendergast from Dennis Green's staff in 2007, firing him after the 2008 season.

Whisenhunt, as an offensive-minded head coach, is not in a position to take over the defense if things go wrong. That's why it's critical for him to find the right defensive coordinator.

Pendergast's defense had failed to hold a fourth-quarter lead against Pittsburgh in the Super Bowl. Arizona had ranked 28th in points allowed per game during the 2008 regular season.

Whisenhunt tried to hire Steelers assistant Keith Butler to replace Pendergast, but Butler remained with Pittsburgh. Whisenhunt then promoted Davis. The defense made statistical gains in 2009, but key young players regressed in 2010 as the defense failed to compensate for an even more dramatic dropoff on offense following Kurt Warner's retirement.

It's not yet clear which direction the Cardinals might go in replacing Davis. They could pursue Butler again. As Mike Jurecki of XTRA910 radio in Phoenix notes, the team could consider San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Greg Manusky, should he become available.

The chart breaks down defensive stats for the Cardinals over the past five seasons.

» NFC Stock Watch: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South

FALLING

1. Adrian Wilson, Cardinals SS. We've all seen the Cardinals' Pro Bowl strong safety have bad moments here or there. His dominance around the line of scrimmage doesn't always serve him as well in coverage. I've just never seen Wilson flustered so frequently over such an extended period. It's getting to the point where opposing quarterbacks can simply target whichever player Wilson appears to be covering with expectations that good things will happen for the offense. Wilson's frustration has been obvious through his body language. He can't get a break, either. The one-armed reception Seattle's Mike Williams made against him over the middle Sunday provided fitting punctuation on a difficult day.

2. Bill Davis, Cardinals defensive coordinator. The Cardinals have allowed 407, 507 and 490 yards in their past three games. They have allowed more points than any team in the league. They are missing tackles left and right. The defense appears to have no confidence, no killer instinct and poor fundamentals. Younger players such as Greg Toler and Calais Campbell appear to be regressing.

3. Alex Smith, 49ers QB. An injury forced Smith to the sideline, where he has watched the 49ers' offense flourish without him. It's possible Smith has played his last down for the 49ers. His contract expires after this season and Smith hasn't done enough to win over management.

RISING

1. Matt Hasselbeck, Seahawks QB. A few more performances like the one Hasselbeck turned in against Arizona will force the Seahawks to address his contract situation. Hasselbeck passed for 333 yards without an interceptions in his best showing of the season. He'll need to get Russell Okung back in the lineup at left tackle, particularly against stronger defenses. Protecting Hasselbeck becomes more important after the quarterback suffered a concussion two weeks ago and cracked bones in his left wrist Sunday.

2. Troy Smith, 49ers QB. Two victories in two starts would have sufficed. How Smith led those victories has sent his stock surging. Smith's big-play ability has been the difference, separating him from Alex Smith and giving the 49ers renewed hope in the unsettled NFC West race. The 49ers have not committed a turnover since Troy Smith became the starter. To be fair, they committed only one in the two games before Troy Smith replaced Alex Smith, and David Carr was responsible for that one.

3. Mike Williams, Seahawks WR. Williams' stock has experienced wild swings in recent weeks. His 11-catch, 145-yard effort against Arizona re-established him as one of the two top receivers in the division this season. Williams has won contested throws even more impressively than Larry Fitzgerald this season.

Thoughts on the Seattle Seahawks' 36-18 victory over the Arizona Cardinals in Week 10:

What it means: The Cardinals have serious problems on defense, their starting quarterback remains prone to turnovers, the Seahawks cannot trust their backup quarterback and their starter, Matt Hasselbeck, can be the difference for Seattle -- in a big way. Hasselbeck played his best game of the season Sunday despite suffering a left wrist injury that sidelined him to open the second half. Arizona, having allowed more than 500 yards to Minnesota last week, had no answer for Hasselbeck's quick passes and increasingly accurate deep throws. Seattle helped itself tremendously within the division by sweeping the Cardinals. The Seahawks are now 3-1 within the division, 5-4 overall and feeling good about themselves after a brutal two-week stretch. Coach Pete Carroll couldn't have scripted this one much better for his team. Arizona has lost four in a row and is officially in free-fall mode.

What I liked: Both teams' quarterbacks started quickly. The Cardinals' Derek Anderson connected with Larry Fitzgerald for a 33-yard gain during a touchdown drive to open the game. Hasselbeck was at his best targeting Mike Williams on third down as the Seahawks answered with a touchdown drive. Anderson and Hasselbeck had combined for only 11 touchdown passes through Week 9, matching St. Louis Rams rookie Sam Bradford. The Cardinals and Seahawks needed to improve their passing games and they did early in the game. Hasselbeck kept up his stellar play the whole game, offering long-term hope for the Seahawks.

What I didn't like: Hasselbeck was outstanding, but the Cardinals' defense was far more generous than it needed to be. The secondary was no match from the beginning, with Arizona even replacing struggling cornerback Greg Toler. I put Cardinals defensive coordinator Bill Davis on the hot seat heading into the season because Arizona has had trouble finishing games on defense. The designation was arguably premature because injuries were a significant factor late last season. Injuries are not the only problem now. They are not even a primary problem. Davis' defense had trouble starting and finishing Sunday. This has to rank as one of Arizona's most disheartening performances on defense. Seattle hadn't done anything on offense recently, even when Hasselbeck was at quarterback.

Injurie(s) of note: The Cardinals played without starters Darnell Dockett (shoulder) and Beanie Wells (knee). Wells' absence meant even more when the Cardinals lost another running back, LaRod Stephens-Howling, to a hamstring injury. Fullback Jason Wright was also injured.

Big Revelation: Seattle's Williams is back after a couple unproductive weeks. He's healthier. The Cardinals had no answer for him. Williams burned the Cardinals on third down as Seattle's offense made a statement early. This was his third game of the season with at least 10 receptions. Williams might have again become the leading candidate for NFL comeback player of the year.

Hindsight: Seahawks coach Pete Carroll keeps making questionable decisions. His decision to go for it on fourth down late in the first half backfired.

Unsung Hero: Aaron Curry, Seattle's second-year linebacker, was around the quarterback. He hit Anderson hard. Chris Clemons was also a force at times.

What's next: The Seahawks visit the New Orleans Saints in Week 11. The Saints had a bye in Week 10.

» NFC Big Question: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South

Which high-profile player, coach or executive from the division sits on the hottest seat heading into the 2010 season?

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Matt Leinart gets my vote because he's replacing a legend and his career in the desert is coming down to one season.

It's not clear if Leinart's career in Arizona can survive a poor exhibition season or disappointing start to the regular season. Any drop in offensive performance will be seen as a reflection of Kurt Warner's retirement.

Leinart steps into a talented offense with an improved line. The Cardinals have a strong offensive coaching staff, one of the game's best receivers and a versatile 1-2 punch at running back with Beanie Wells and Tim Hightower. Leinart's contract balloons in value for 2011, meaning he must produce this season. The Cardinals signed an experienced backup (Derek Anderson) and coach Ken Whisenhunt benched Leinart once already (heading into the 2008 season).

Persistent rumors of the Cardinals' continued interest in Marc Bulger only underscore perceptions.

Other prominent NFC West figures on the hot seat:

• Matt Hasselbeck, Seahawks QB. Entering a contract year with a new staff and front office after two down seasons.
• Leroy Hill, Seahawks LB. High salary, durability concerns, unfulfilled expectations and off-field troubles are a dangerous combination.
• Deion Branch, Seahawks WR. Big contract, increased competition at the position with Mike Williams and Golden Tate on board.
• Julius Jones, Seahawks RB. Adding Leon Washington and LenDale White put Jones on notice.
• Rams leadership. A pending ownership change makes this an uncertain situation, particularly if the team continues to struggle.
• Bill Davis, Cardinals defensive coordinator. Arizona's defense couldn't hold a lead in Super Bowl XLIII, when Davis coached linebackers, then struggled in the playoffs last season.
• Alex Smith, 49ers QB. Smith started eight games last season and played relatively well, taking off some of the pressure heading into the season. The 49ers have remained committed to him as the starter.
• Nate Clements, 49ers CB. Could use a bounce-back season at age 30 as salary escalates.

I'm not sure what the record is for kicker-related entries on a Friday, but since the previous item, the Cardinals did pass along comments from coach Ken Whisenhunt following Jay Feely's signing in favor of Neil Rackers:

"Not knowing where things were going with Neil, we had to look at all the available options. When we looked at Jay, he graded out very high, but what was particularly impressive was how well he kicked in some brutal conditions. To kick in that stadium and in that conference and to put up the kind of numbers he did is certainly impressive. We also have some people here who were familiar with Jay. He and (defensive coordinator) Bill Davis were together in New York and that was a plus. Jay has a strong leg and is a proven NFL kicker, so we feel great about being able to get him.

"It’s tough (losing Rackers). I was just thinking about it and my first win as Cardinals head coach was against Seattle on a game-winning field goal by Neil. We're all very grateful to Neil for what he's contributed to our team. He's not only been a very productive kicker but also tremendous in the community and he'll be missed. Unfortunately, we couldn't work anything out (on a new contract) with him and the most important thing for us was to make sure we were covered at that position with a quality and proven kicker. Certainly, Jay Feely gives us that."

The bottom line, I think, is that bringing back Rackers wasn't a high priority for Arizona. The Cardinals could have franchised Rackers at a reasonable rate, something the Seahawks did to keep Olindo Mare. But it wasn't a high enough priority. I'll be interested in seeing what kind of contract Rackers gets elsewhere, and how it compares to what Feely received.

» NFC Stock Watch: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South

Falling

1. Steve Spagnuolo, Rams coach. The team's record is 1-10, worse than expected, and Spagnuolo invited criticism with his ill-fated decision to go for it on fourth-and-4 against Seattle. The Seahawks' Kelly Jennings broke up the pass. Teammate Josh Wilson intercepted it and scored on a 65-yard return. The potential 10-point or even 14-point swing turned the momentum in Seattle's favor. The Rams never recovered. The Rams are overmatched right now. That might naturally lead a coach to take a few fourth-down gambles. This one didn't make much sense and it cost the Rams.

2. Bill Davis, Cardinals defensive coordinator. Giving up 532 yards, including 99 on the game-losing drive, will drag down any defensive coordinator's stock. The Cardinals did not play horribly on defense, even though the yardage total would suggest otherwise. But Arizona's inability to close out an opponent in a critical situation recalled similar struggles against the Steelers in Super Bowl XLIII. Life will not get easier for Davis in the short term. Brett Favre, Adrian Peterson and the Vikings are next on the Cardinals' schedule. Arizona must improve significantly on defense to hang with Minnesota.

3. Steven Jackson, Rams RB. Jackson has done nothing wrong to drag down his stock. But with center Jason Brown suffering a sprained knee Sunday, Jackson could have a harder time padding his already impressive rushing stats. The Rams are hoping Brown can practice at some point this week and play against the Bears, but the veteran center could conceivably miss time. The Rams could get right guard Richie Incognito back from a foot injury this week, but a concussion continues to sideline right tackle Jason Smith. A neck injury continues to bother fullback Mike Karney, who had developed an effective rapport with Jackson in recent weeks. The injuries are preventing the offense from developing continuity (the quarterback change following Marc Bulger's injury also contributed to the Rams' problems in that department).

Rising

1. Alex Smith, 49ers QB. The fifth-year quarterback stood out as a primary reason for the 49ers' success against the Jaguars. That was important for Smith's confidence and for the team's confidence in him. The play Smith made when he rolled to the right, drew defenders to him and threw a scoring pass to Frank Gore demonstrated a feel for the position that hasn't always been apparent. The Jaguars' poor pass rush surely helped Smith get more comfortable. Smith still had to make the plays, and he generally did. The pass he threw to Vernon Davis for a 30-yard gain on fourth-and-1 also stood out.

2. Matt Leinart, Cardinals QB. Leinart needed some time to get going against the Titans and that was understandable after Kurt Warner took nearly all of the important snaps in practice last week. The 80-yard scoring drive he led in the second half represented a positive step for Leinart. The situation wasn't too big for him. He avoided costly mistakes and made plays when needed. The Cardinals need to get Warner back in the lineup to realize their full potential on offense. They were competitive with Leinart in the game, however, and that was a step forward for the 2006 first-round draft choice.

3. LaRod Stephens-Howling, Cardinals RB. This was a tough call in the third spot. Stephens-Howling had a clutch 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. He downed one punt at the Tennessee 2 and another at the Tennessee 1. But several other NFC West players could have been worthy choices. The Seahawks' Justin Forsett topped 100 yards rushing for the second time in three weeks. The Cardinals' Darnell Dockett might have wrapped up a Pro Bowl berth with a three-sack game against the Titans. Seattle's Jordan Babineaux continued to make strides in his transition to safety.

	Getty Images
	Kurt Warner’s Cardinals and Jake Delhomme’s Panthers have gone in different directions since their playoff meeting last season.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando and Pat Yasinskas

The Arizona Cardinals did more than knock the Carolina Panthers from the 2008 postseason.

Their 33-13 victory in Charlotte delivered a knockout blow from which the Panthers' organization has yet to recover. What should be a Week 8 grudge match between playoff contenders is looking more like a mismatch.

Arizona is 4-2 and riding high following a nationally televised victory over the Giants, the Cardinals' fourth consecutive road victory dating to their divisional-round upset of Carolina. The Panthers are 2-4 and contemplating whether to bench veteran quarterback Jake Delhomme, who has more interceptions through six games (13) than he had in 16 starts last season (12).

What happened?

NFC West blogger Mike Sando and NFC South counterpart Pat Yasinskas pick up the discussion.

Pat Yasinskas: That playoff game changed the momentum for both franchises. Going into that game, the thinking was how the Panthers would thump the Cardinals. Arizona had beaten Atlanta in the wild-card round to get its playoff victory, but the Cardinals were ultimately a 9-7 team from a weak division. They would be no match on the road against a 12-4 team. The upset vaulted the Cardinals toward the Super Bowl while absolutely crumbling the Panthers. Carolina hasn't recovered from it, starting with the quarterback and extending to the defense. The game led to changes on the coaching staff. The Panthers still could have a mental block heading into the rematch at University of Phoenix Stadium.

Mike Sando: These teams share quite a few similarities. Both re-signed older quarterbacks during the offseason. Both made significant changes to their coaching staffs. Both faced salary-cap limitations in free agency after naming franchise players. The results have been vastly different.

Fateful QB decisions

	Chris Keane/Icon SMI
	Jake Delhomme and the Panthers haven’t been the same since last season’s playoff loss to Arizona.

Pat Yasinskas: After the playoff game, I personally had some doubts about Delhomme, as did a lot of fans. He threw those five picks and I thought there was a chance they would at least bring in someone to compete with him -- not to replace him, but to compete with him. They did not do that. He had one year left on his deal and they signed him to a contract extension. I understand the loyalty coach John Fox and general manager Marty Hurney felt toward Delhomme because he has obviously done a lot for that franchise and he is a leader in the locker room. But in hindsight, that game against the Cardinals and even a few late-season games last year showed that he was declining and they should have sought out alternatives.

Mike Sando: The Cardinals had little choice but to re-sign Warner. In the back of their minds, though, they would have been entitled to wonder when Warner might hit the wall. Quite a few other quarterbacks have faded at around age 38. Would Warner be next? He made the trip to San Francisco in free agency, but there was still a sense the Cardinals were bidding against themselves. Committing $22 million to him over two seasons was a necessary risk. In the end, Arizona could not walk away from the quarterback who put them ahead in the final stages of Super Bowl XLIII. The Cardinals made the right move.

Coaching turnover

Pat Yasinskas: I think the playoff debacle against Arizona contributed to a rift on the Panthers' coaching staff over the direction of the team. Defensive coordinator Mike Trgovac decided he no longer wanted to be a coordinator. His departure started a near-total disbandment of the defensive staff. Line coach Sal Sunseri left for the University of Alabama. Linebackers coach Ken Flajole bolted to become defensive coordinator for the Rams. Secondary coach Tim Lewis left for the Seahawks. On the offensive side, Delhomme's longtime position coach, Mike McCoy, became offensive coordinator in Denver. Fox had passed over him for the same position on his staff a couple of years earlier. Some on the staff felt McCoy should have gotten that job.

	Jason Bridge/US Presswire
	Kurt Warner has thrown for 1,672 yards and nine touchdowns this season.

Mike Sando: The Cardinals had a good thing going on the offensive staff when coordinator Todd Haley left to coach the Chiefs. I think Arizona is still sorting through the aftermath of that one. Haley and Warner were tight. Haley knew how to push players' buttons. He called the plays and the offense was in a rhythm. The offense is still finding its identity a little bit. On defense, Whisenhunt failed to land Keith Butler from the Steelers after firing coordinator Clancy Pendergast. He promoted linebackers coach Bill Davis instead. Either way, the defense was going to become more straightforward, with an emphasis on reducing big plays allowed. It's still too early to pass judgment on Davis, but the defense has played very well recently. Overall, Whisenhunt is certainly on the rise, whereas there's a perception Fox has possibly run his course in Carolina.

Pat Yasinskas: Absolutely, Mike. There’s a sense of that. Julius Peppers asked out after last season, shocking given that Fox is supposedly a defensive wizard. There was precedent for this. Kris Jenkins asked out for two years before Peppers did. People shrugged and said Jenkins was a flake. But when Peppers, who was born and raised in North Carolina, asked for the same, it raised some eyebrows. Fox used to build his team around the defensive line and suddenly you had the two cornerstones of that line asking to get out of there. That tells you something pretty major right there.

Salary-cap limitations

Pat Yasinskas: Franchising Peppers cost about $18 million total in cap space. The Panthers re-signed tackle Jordan Gross to a long-term deal. With those moves, they tied up their cap to a point where they could not do anything else. They did not sign any free agents. They had to let veteran cornerback Ken Lucas go. They could not even re-sign veteran snapper Jason Kyle, even though the savings for letting him go was only $600,000. That severely affected their depth across the board, which was demonstrated when defensive tackle Ma'ake Kemoeatu went down with an injury on the first day of training camp and there were no decent replacements behind him. The Panthers have struggled on the interior of their defensive line ever since. They bragged coming into the season that they had 21 of 22 starters back, but the salary-cap issues meant they had absolutely no depth behind those starters.

Mike Sando: The Cardinals charged $9.678 million against their cap by naming Karlos Dansby their franchise player. They paid more than $10 million per year to Warner. Larry Fitzgerald was already making that kind of money. Re-signing Adrian Wilson ate up another huge chunk of cap room, although some of that seemed by design. Arizona did manage to sign cornerback Bryant McFadden from the Steelers in free agency. When defensive end Antonio Smith left in free agency for $8 million a year, the Cardinals plugged in second-year player Calais Campbell, who has played well. Again, the Cardinals' moves have simply worked out better.

Divergent outlooks

Pat Yasinskas: I think we're seeing the end of the Fox era in Carolina. The Panthers still have talent, but Delhomme appears finished. It’s time to blow up the roster and rebuild.

Mike Sando: The Cardinals are a good team with the potential to get better. The Cardinals were 4-2 at this point last season heading into their 30-24 regular-season defeat at Carolina. They should beat the Panthers this time. The rest of the schedule sets up favorably. Some of the games that once appeared toughest this season -- at Seattle, at the Giants, at Tennessee -- are either in the bank already or looking like they will be.

» NFC Stock Watch: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Falling

Hill

1. Shaun Hill, QB, 49ers. The 49ers are following a familiar pattern here. A year ago, J.T. O'Sullivan started the first eight games before newly named interim coach Mike Singletary benched him for Hill. Hill lasted seven weeks this season before Singletary made the move to Alex Smith. If Smith plays reasonably well but not great down the stretch, the 49ers could enter the 2010 season in the same spot they found themselves heading into this season -- feeling OK about their quarterback situation in the short term, but not longer. Hill wasn't entirely to blame for the 49ers' problems on offense, of course. He wasn't the solution, either. Hill has proved he can lead the 49ers to victory when the team plays games on its terms. But continued problems on the offensive line were making the 49ers too predictable, exposing Hill's limitations.

Devaney

2. Billy Devaney, general manager, Rams. Midseason is generally a bit early for team executives to start appearing in stock watches. Their work is best measured over the longer term, and Devaney is still in the early stages of a massive rebuilding project. Still, it was a bad week for him. The Rams traded veteran linebacker Will Witherspoon, weakening their defense in the short term, and Witherspoon repaid them with a monster performance for the Eagles on "Monday Night Football." Witherspoon returned an interception for a touchdown, forced a fumble and sacked Redskins quarterback Jason Campbell in his Eagles debut. Receiver Brandon Gibson, acquired from Philadelphia in the Witherspoon trade, wasn't active for the Rams in Week 7 even though Devaney said he expected immediate contributions. Again, the one-week mark isn't time to evaluate trades, but this wasn't a good week to be the Rams' GM.

Bulger

3. Marc Bulger, QB, Rams. Two second-half interceptions against the Colts helped turn a 21-6 deficit into a 42-6 blowout as the Rams fell to 0-7. Bulger completed 14 of 26 passes for 140 yards and no touchdowns. He took three sacks and the Colts laid him out on a few other plays. This was supposed to be the season when a restored offensive line gave Bulger the time he needed to rejuvenate his career. Instead, the line still has issues and Bulger lacks the receivers he needs exploit defenses. It's a dispiriting combination. The longer this goes on, the more it seems as though Bulger will have to continue his career elsewhere. It's just not working in St. Louis.

Rising

1. The Cardinals in general. I couldn't single out one player as the key to Arizona's eye-opening victory over the Giants in the Meadowlands. That was the best part of this victory from the Cardinals' perspective. It was a team effort all the way and a potentially transforming victory for coach Ken Whisenhunt. Arizona has won its last four road games, counting playoffs, and six of eight dating to a 34-13 victory at St. Louis in Week 9 last season. Rookie Beanie Wells made strides toward providing the needed balance to the Cardinals' offense. The last couple of weeks have also given first-year defensive coordinator Bill Davis something to build around. Even third-year nose tackle Alan Branch is turning into an effective player.

Smith

2. Alex Smith, QB, 49ers. Three second-half touchdown passes against the Texans made Smith an easy choice to replace Hill as the 49ers' starter until further notice. The past few years have tested Smith on and off the field. I get the sense he has emerged in a better place. That doesn't necessarily mean Smith will pick up where he left off against the Texans (minus that desperation interception on fourth down to end the 49ers' final rally). But it's clear the 49ers' offense needed to change something. Smith appeared relaxed, decisive and in control while completing 15 of 22 passes for 206 yards. The 49ers will be eager to see him develop more of a rapport with rookie first-round draft choice Michael Crabtree.

Davis

3. Vernon Davis, TE, 49ers. A career-high and team-record three touchdown receptions against the Texans left Davis with six in seven games this season. The 49ers have overhauled Davis' role. They are sending him into pass routes more regularly and building him into the passing game. Davis spent much of last season serving as a glorified offensive tackle for Mike Martz's pass-oriented offense. Davis has proven to be a difficult matchup for safeties and linebackers down the middle of the field. He stands as the biggest success story of the Singletary era in San Francisco. Adding Crabtree to the offense should give defenses more to think about in the passing game. If only the 49ers could protect the quarterback more consistently.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Three quick hits on the Arizona Cardinals:

Beanie watch: I figured Beanie Wells would be making a strong push to be the Cardinals' running back of the present, not just future, by this point in training camp. Instead, colleague Kevin Seifert is looking smart for saying the Vikings' Percy Harvin would outshine Wells as a top rookie performer this season. While Harvin is making big plays in Vikings camp, Wells is recovering from the sprained ankle he suffered during his first training camp practice. Wells' only competition for the job, Tim Hightower, reported to camp highly motivated. Wells still has time to make his move, but this has to be a discouraging start for him. Arizona could use him to establish the play-action game that worked so well in the playoffs.

Football Outsiders The Football Outsiders use their unique brand of analysis to break down each of the league's 32 teams. Arizona Cardinals

Happy campers: The Cardinals proved last season they could overcome Anquan Boldin's contract complaints and whatever other potential distractions came their way. Those were non-stories last season and they appear even less relevant now. Boldin and Darnell Dockett have set aside contract concerns and publicly dedicated themselves to football. What a concept.

Defensive pressure: The spotlight shines on new defensive coordinator Bill Davis as the Cardinals favor more of a 3-4 identity. Dockett's role appears pivotal. His ability to get upfield and disrupt plays makes him a classic 4-3 defensive tackle. He doesn't appear to fit naturally into a traditional 3-4 favoring containment-oriented defensive ends. Davis says he has big plans for Dockett. That suggests the Cardinals will remain flexible on defense, even if coaches would prefer a traditional 3-4 in theory.

	Mark J. Rebilas/US Presswire
	The Cardinals hope Beanie Wells can help give the team a consistent running game.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. -- Fans watching Arizona Cardinals training camp chanted Larry Fitzgerald's name as the decorated receiver approached to sign autographs.

They chanted with enough fervor to drown out Bill Davis' voice as the Cardinals' new defensive coordinator submitted to an interview nearby.

The symbolism was appropriate.

Camp Confidential: NFC West • Cardinals: Mon., Aug. 3 • 49ers: Wed., Aug. 5 • Seahawks: Mon., Aug. 10 • Rams: Thurs., Aug.13

Already a star, Fitzgerald became superstar material by setting NFL postseason records for receptions (30), receiving yards (546) and touchdowns (seven) last season.

As for that Cardinals defense? Coordinator Clancy Pendergast lost his job after coaching in the Super Bowl.

Arizona played well enough on defense at key moments for the Cardinals to make their Super Bowl run, but not well enough to hold a last-minute lead with a championship on the line. Arizona's regular-season opponents amassed 426 points, one fewer than the Cardinals' prolific offense scored, and an astounding 36 touchdown passes, nine more than any other NFL team allowed.

Davis, promoted from linebackers coach, points to scoring defense as the "only thing we talk about." He expects better play against the deep ball, a stronger pass rush and renewed commitment to technique, alignment and assignments.

"You can focus on a lot of things, but when you have our offense, which we have so much respect for and it's fun to watch, we've got to take care of our end," Davis said. "We are really emphasizing technique, alignment, eyes, assignments. It sounds like it goes back to high school, but at the end of the day, that is what makes teams great because they all have great talent."

Key questions

	Jeff Gross/Getty Images
	Running back Tim Hightower rushed for 399 yards and 10 touchdowns last season.

1. Is Beanie Wells the answer at running back?

The Cardinals aren't much closer to knowing than when they drafted him with the 31st overall selection.

Ohio State's late graduation kept Wells from practicing with the Cardinals beyond the post-draft camp in early May. Wells' ankle injury Saturday during his first training camp practice will sideline him further. The more time Wells misses, the more likely Tim Hightower will emerge as the Week 1 starter.

"The only personal goal I've set for myself is to come in and be that guy, be the guy that -- I know we're a passing team -- that defenses will have to actually focus on the running game for the Arizona Cardinals," Wells said.

The Cardinals released Edgerrin James this offseason in part because they knew what they would get from him, and it wasn't enough to justify a $5 million salary. Though durable and reliable, James wasn't going to break long runs or scare defenses with the big play.

Wells is far more suited to provide those things if he can stay on the field.

"We want to be a little bit more balanced," Fitzgerald said. "If we can get a good running game going, the play-action is going to be big. That is going to leave single coverage for us outside and that is going to make it easy -- not easy, but easier -- for us to make plays when we are in one-on-one coverage."

2. Where will the Cardinals get their pass rush?

Dockett

Campbell

Twenty-three NFL teams had at least one pass-rusher with more than five sacks last season. The Cardinals were not among them. They lack an obvious candidate to break through this season.

Everyone from general manager Rod Graves to coach Ken Whisenhunt to Davis points to rookie second-round choice Cody Brown and 2008 second-rounder Calais Campbell as potential surprise contributors.

The team's most disruptive pass-rusher, Darnell Dockett, wondered earlier t
his offseason how he would fit as Davis leaned more heavily on 3-4 alignments. Dockett, who projects as the prototypical 4-3 interior pass-rusher, apparently has nothing to worry about. Davis said he re-watched every snap Dockett played over the past two seasons while designing his defense to suit the 290-pound Pro Bowler's talents. Expect Dockett to line up in new places.

"Without giving too much away," Davis said, "the bottom line is, we're excited about having Darnell in this package and we're very aware of his talents in this package."

3. How will the Cardinals handle turnover on the coaching staff?

Former offensive coordinator Todd Haley thrived on challenging even the Cardinals' best players. His sideline shouting match with Anquan Boldin in the playoffs proved as much. The intensity Haley brought to the position isn't the sort of thing a staff naturally replicates.

Players responded to Haley, and now he is gone.

Whisenhunt is excited to take back play-calling duties on offense. The team shouldn't lose much, if anything, on that front. Whisenhunt might be just as good or better.

Fitzgerald's continued emergence as a more proactive leader could help fill some of the void now that Haley is the head coach in Kansas City. Fitzgerald's mentoring of Wells alone qualifies as extraordinary. Wells lived with Fitzgerald for stretches this offseason and accompanied him to Minnesota for workouts with Cris Carter.

"I think that is special with Larry," Whisenhunt said. "I've been on some good football teams and the common thread with those teams is there was a chemistry, there was a closeness with the players. A lot of times when you have veteran players that have had success, they have a responsibility to help the younger players, and when you start to see some of your players do that, I think it's a very good indication of the closeness of your team and that chemistry that is so important."

Market watch

Boldin appears to be working on restoring his image. Always a hard worker and terrific teammate, Boldin's reputation took a hit when unhappiness with his contract affected his outlook during the playoff run last season.

Boldin

Fitzgerald

Boldin said nothing inflammatory upon reporting to camp, a departure from his tack last offseason. He has also been staying after practice longer than usual to sign autographs and reconnect with fans. Perhaps he realized the Cardinals weren't going to suddenly cave to his demands. Teammate Adrian Wilson's ability to command a new deal after taking a low-keyed approach might also have resonated. ...

The thought of spending another season on the bench behind Kurt Warner hasn't dragged down Matt Leinart. To the contrary, Leinart seems to be in a better place this offseason. He rededicated himself to conditioning and reported at 227 pounds, as light as he can remember weighing since high school.

"Last year was so up and down, it was like a roller-coaster," Leinart said, recalling the battle he ultimately lost to Warner. "No one knew what was going to happen. It was a lot of pressure on me to perform. This year, I just feel more at ease. I'm more comfortable with the offense. I feel great. I feel like I can go in there and play. Now it's just a matter of time, when my opportunity comes, to make the most of it."...

As much as any superstar, Fitzgerald appears obsessed with improving and driven by fear of failure. The time he spent working with Jerry Rice armed Fitzgerald with new ideas, including drills to help Fitzgerald address what he considers to be his biggest weakness, coming out of his breaks.

"I picked his brain all week," Fitzgerald said. "Every night, we sat around and talked. The thing I was so impressed with about him, even at 46 years old, his mentality, he did every single drill we did. He didn't miss a rep or anything. ... I couldn't imagine when he was 25 or 26, what he was thinking. If I can have his same mentality at 25 that he has at 46, I'll do well."

Newcomer to watch

	Rick Scuteri/US Presswire
	Bryant McFadden gives the Cardinals a more physical presence in the secondary.

Former Steelers cornerback Bryant McFadden has already given the Cardinals an obvious physical presence in the secondary. Fitzgerald and Boldin have beaten him to the ball a few times, but McFadden's aggressive nature has stood out in camp to this point.

More broadly, McFadden hopes the Cardinals can establish the mentality that has helped make Pittsburgh so tough on defense over the years. He points to players holding one another accountable as the key. Arizona made progress in that area during its playoff run.

"In Pittsburgh, we went into a ballgame telling our offense, 'You give us 17 points, we will win,' and that wasn't out of a sense of cockiness," McFadden said. "That was from a sense of assurance and knowing we were going to get the job done, and being consistent at it, playing at a consistent level."

Observation deck

Warner might be a little stiff in his movements at times while he works through a painful rehabilitation from hip surgery. The procedure was relatively routine by NFL standards, however, and Warner should be fine for the regular season. He has started 31 consecutive games, counting playoffs, making him the most durable quarterback in the NFC West over the past two seasons. ... Davis, the defensive coordinator, retained much of the terminology from last season in an effort to smooth the transition. "And then I cleaned some of the extra verbiage out and I added some calls -- really some blitzes -- that I've had in my past so we can pressure some more and in more different ways," Davis said. ... The rapport Warner has developed with fourth receiver Jerheme Urban will make it tough for 2008 third-round choice Early Doucet to crack the rotation. Fitzgerald, Boldin and Steve Breaston are set as the top three. ... Second-year cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie continues to show the ability to contest balls that Fitzgerald would catch against most other defensive backs. ... Left tackle Mike Gandy struggled in the Super Bowl, but the Cardinals need him. An injury at that position might throw off the whole line. ... Whisenhunt appears unconcerned by the instability at tight end. He'll feel a lot better during the regular season if Stephen Spach continues his impressive rehab from knee surgery. Spach is a willing blocker and reliable player. The same cannot be said for 2006 third-round choice Leonard Pope, who jogged out a route and made a halfhearted effort to catch the ball during a drill on the first day of camp. ... Breaston was by far the most impressive player returning punts early in camp. ... The Cardinals are withholding judgment on 2007 second-round choice Alan Branch even though the nose tackle reported to camp in better shape and fared well against backups in pass-rush drills. Branch clearly has not earned the benefit of the doubt. ... Center Lyle Sendlein should be much better following shoulder surgery. ... While the Cardinals' recommitment to the ground game helped set up play-action fakes in the playoffs, the team's offensive stars aren't ready to change their offensive identity. "That was a good preview of things to come," Fitzgerald said, "but we don't want to run it too much."

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. -- Thought I'd pass along a few thoughts after scanning the division following the first day of full-squad practices for the Rams, Seahawks and Cardinals:

• Reporters in St. Louis were razzing coach Steve Spagnuolo for running an easier first day than anticipated. Players were in shorts and shells. Spagnuolo promised a tough camp, but that doesn't mean he'll stage a slugfest every day.
• The atmosphere at Cardinals camp in Flagstaff is far more lively than in past seasons. Coach Ken Whisenhunt said he remembered maybe 80 fans showing up for his first camp practice two years ago. There were at least a couple thousand this time. I had trouble hearing defensive coordinator Bill Davis following the afternoon practice because fans were chanting Larry Fitzgerald's name as the all-world receiver approached. Great atmosphere.
  
• Seahawks left tackle Walter Jones appeared lean and moved well in his first practice back from knee surgery, according to reporters I spoke with following practice. Patrick Kerney and Deion Branch also looked good. One day doesn't mean a whole lot, but those are encouraging signs. On the flip side, Marcus Trufant's back trouble might be minor, but missing the first day of practice following an extended layoff caught my attention.
• The 49ers won't practice until Saturday. Players are expecting lots of fully padded practices. We'll see if coach Mike Singletary follows through. Injuries will happen either way, but if Singletary runs an overly physical camp and the team loses key players, the coach will shoulder blame, fairly or not.

That is probably all for me for Friday. Probably. Back at it Saturday.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic says the Cardinals have not yet commenced contract talks with coach Ken Whisenhunt. Somers: "Whisenhunt hasn't brought the subject up with management, nor does he have plans to. Asked at the owners' meetings about his contract, Whisenhunt said he wasn't even thinking about it. General Manager Rod Graves referred questions about the subject to team President Michael Bidwill, who smiled and didn't respond to the question." Whisenhunt has three years left on his deal.

Also from Somers: The NFL owners' meeting included a video presentation complete with Super Bowl highlights. Whisenhunt had trouble watching.

Darren Urban of azcardinals.com says the team's new additions tend to have special-teams prowess. Somers asked Whisenhunt about that during the NFC coaches' breakfast Wednesday. Whisenhunt said special-teams play was a factor in the signings, but not necessarily a pivotal one.

Also from Urban: New Cardinals defensive coordinator Bill Davis takes a long-range view. 

Revenge of the Birds' Hawkwind wonders what the Cardinals need more: Help on the offensive line or a running back. The running back probably provides more value at No. 31.

Steve Schrader of the Detroit Free Press says the 49ers weren't impressed by Matthew Stafford's attitude. This story revisits Bay Area reports stemming from the combine.

Paul Gutierrez of the Sacramento Bee checks in with Al Davis and Mike Singletary from the NFL owners' meeting. Both enjoyed a laugh or two.

Matt Maiocco of the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat says the 49ers and Marvel Smith could be moving toward an agreement. Also, Tony Wragge extended his contract through 2010.

Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch checks in with Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo from the NFL owners' meeting. Not counting interim coaches, Spagnuolo is the Rams' first defensive-minded head coach since Ray Malavasi. So far, James Butler is the only defensive starter added during the offseason. Thomas: "Spagnuolo confirmed Wednesday that Will Witherspoon will open next week's minicamp at outside linebacker with Chris Draft at middle linebacker. At defensive end, he likes the experience that Leonard Little brings to the table and the high-energy approach of Chris Long."

Also from Thomas: Former Rams receiver Torry Holt plans to visit the Jaguars.

Eric Williams of the Tacoma News Tribune thinks the Seahawks need a running back with speed. Williams: "Don't get me wrong, [Julius] Jones is plenty fast. He ran a 4.51 40-yard dash time at the NFL Scouting Combine when he came out of Notre Dame in 2004. However, I'm thinking of guys like Chris Johnson with Tennessee (4.29), Felix Jones with Dallas (4.44) or Steve Slaton (4.44) with the Houston Texans, guys who can change the complexion of a game with one play by bursting through the line of scrimmage and sprinting past the secondary for a long touchdown run."

Chris Sullivan of Seahawk Addicts explains why he thinks Seattle fans aren't excited about Jones. Sullivan: "It also seems that many fans believe that [Maurice] Morris was the better back last year, but statistically that's not the case. They were basically on par with each other (4.41 ypc for Jones, 4.35 for Morris). Jones had two touchdowns, Morris had none; Jones had two fumbles lost, Morris had one. Call it even? I do."