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Yes, the start of training camps is two months away, but it’s never too early to consider the coming season. A look at the best-case and worst-case scenarios for the Cardinals in 2012:

Dream scenario (11-5): A full offseason of healing and playbook study lets Kevin Kolb prove the Cardinals knew what they were doing when they acquired him from Philadelphia last offseason. There's plenty of credit to go around. The team's decision to reassign assistant coach John McNulty from receivers to quarterbacks becomes a popular storyline. There's no doubt Kolb's mechanics have improved, but talent and good health are what win football games.

Michael Floyd's addition through the draft makes the Cardinals' passing game nearly impossible to defend, particularly with second-year back Ryan Williams emerging as the game-breaking runner Arizona was convinced it had drafted. Adding young linemen for Russ Grimm to develop also pays off, particularly as the season progresses. Bobby Massie looks like a keeper at right tackle. On the other side, Levi Brown picks up where he left off last season, proving Arizona was right in re-signing him to a five-year contract.

The transformation on defense surprises even the Cardinals. Yes, Arizona made strides on that side of the ball while winning seven of its final nine games in 2011. But there was no way anyone could have expected Sam Acho to challenge Simeon Rice's season franchise record for sacks since 1982 (Rice had 16.5 in 1999). With a healthy Dan Williams at nose tackle and Acho pumping up an already underrated pass rush, cornerback Patrick Peterson takes the next logical step in his development: picking off passes and returning them for touchdowns.

Winning at San Francisco in Week 17 delivers an 11-5 record and the NFC West title to Arizona, the team's third division crown in five years.

Nightmare scenario (5-11): No one can blame Gregg Williams or Jonathan Vilma for the concussion Kolb suffers in the Hall of Fame Game against New Orleans to open the exhibition season. Some in the Cardinals' organization welcome the switch to John Skelton, but with Ryan Williams and Beanie Wells predictably battling knee problems, the offense becomes one-dimensional. That's tough for a team with Brown and a rookie starting at tackle. Kolb's return after a few weeks means as much as it did last season -- nothing.

By October, it's clear the Cardinals didn't do enough at tackle or outside linebacker to take the next step. Those offseason stories about a full offseason helping Kolb seemed justified at the time, but we should have known better. McNulty's coaching helps, but players revert to form under pressure and Kolb is no exception. He wasn't going to develop instincts all of a sudden, was he? Aldon Smith's three-sack game against Arizona on Monday night in Week 8 doesn't seem so bad when Clay Matthews collects four of them the following week.

For the second time in three seasons, the Cards finish 5-11 after getting blown out at San Francisco in Week 17. The quarterback questions persisting upon Kurt Warner's retirement continue to linger. Watching Peyton Manning in the playoffs doesn't help.

» AFC Scenarios: East | West | North | South » NFC: East | West | North | South

Yes, the start of training camps is two months away, but it’s never too early to consider the coming season. A look at the best-case and worst-case scenarios for the Rams in 2012:

Dream scenario (8-8): Sam Bradford takes every snap on offense for the second time in three seasons as the Rams protect their franchise quarterback with sensible play calling. It's the sixth time a Jeff Fisher-coached team finishes 8-8, but no one is complaining after the Rams' 15-65 run over the previous five seasons. Trusting offensive line coach Paul Boudreau to salvage right tackle Jason Smith becomes one of the surprise success stories of the 2012 season, and a critical one for the Rams' efforts to re-establish Bradford.

Turns out the Rams were not fibbing when they suggested Brian Quick, the receiver they took in the second round, ranked up there with first-rounder Justin Blackmon on their board. The constant threat of Steven Jackson and Isaiah Pead out of the backfield creates favorable matchups for Quick and the Rams' underrated receivers. Bradford publicly downplays a Week 2 victory over Robert Griffin III and Washington, but it feels good to win at home against the player St. Louis could have selected second overall this year.

Watching Janoris Jenkins score on a fourth-quarter punt return in Patrick Peterson's house improbably stakes the Rams to a 6-5 record, stirring visions of the postseason. It's certainly sweet to finally win within the division again. The Rams lose to San Francisco the following week and ultimately finish the regular season with a respectable defeat at Seattle, but the season is a success by any measure.

Nightmare scenario (3-13): Road games against Detroit and Chicago in the first three weeks expose Bradford to significant punishment as Smith and the line struggle to find their bearings. Bradford doesn't want to talk about the ankle injury he aggravated at some point in the season's first month, but it's clearly a factor. Facing Cliff Avril, Kyle Vanden Bosch, Ndamukong Suh, Brian Orakpo, Ryan Kerrigan, Julius Peppers, Chris Clemons, Bruce Irvin, Calais Campbell, Darnell Dockett, Cameron Wake and Clay Matthews in the first seven games leaves Bradford limping toward the bye week, his confidence shaken.

Steven Jackson continues to plug away, but we've seen this movie before and it doesn't end well for the Rams. The depth at receiver is indeed improved, but Bradford doesn't have any truly dynamic weapons. Quick understandably needs seasoning, but with Blackmon and Arizona's Michael Floyd challenging rookie receiving records, the Rams look bad for trading down. It's tough finding open receivers with Smith struggling at tackle, anyway.

First-round pick Michael Brockers and free-agent addition Kendall Langford upgrade the run defense, but life as an every-down defensive end is tough for Robert Quinn. The veteran outside linebackers signed as stopgaps represent only a minor upgrade from last season. Off-field issues dog Jenkins and the defense fails to meet expectations. Critics conveniently blame Gregg Williams' suspension, but the problems are more complex than that.

The Rams head into the offseason with another high draft choice, one they'll almost certainly have to invest in a playmaker of some sort.

RENTON, Wash. -- Aldon Smith, Patrick Peterson and Doug Baldwin lit up the NFL, relatively speaking, as NFC West rookies last season.

Smith's 14 sacks led the 49ers. Peterson's four touchdowns on punt returns tied an NFL record. Baldwin led the Seattle Seahawks in receiving as an undrafted free agent.

Great work, guys, but what's next?

"One of the biggest things I keep hearing from people is not to have a sophomore slump," Baldwin said Thursday following a 45-minute voluntary Seahawks practice.

With that in mind, Baldwin has recommitted to perfection in every practice: no drops, no blown assignments.

"Right now, I'm working on my third perfect day," he said. "I think I have so much to prove, and so much more that I'm capable of."

A quick look at how Baldwin, Smith and Peterson can build on their early momentum:

• Baldwin: One emphasis for 2012 will be for Baldwin to process information more quickly based on a firmer grasp of his responsibilities within a certain play and against specific defensive looks. Baldwin: "For me, it's knowing my assignment earlier and making sure I can read the defense quicker, and not being distracted by the disguises that defenses try to throw at us. Just becoming more a student of the game, making sure that when we have a certain player we're going against, making sure I study him more than I did last year." That will be especially important, because opponents now have much more information on Baldwin, a relative unknown as a rookie.
• Smith: Collecting 14 sacks as a situational player was impressive. Smith figures to have additional opportunities to rush the passer as he becomes more of an every-down player. He'll also have to show an ability to defend against the run on early downs. Smith will have to become more familiar with opponents' tendencies from less predictable down-and-distance situations, and from more varied personnel groupings. An uncanny ability to stay on his feet even after getting knocked off-balance should serve Smith well in the transition. Analyzing his second season will require more than simply consulting the sack numbers.
• Peterson: The impact Peterson made on special teams overshadowed his growth as a cornerback. Teams will presumably be more careful about punting to Peterson. Longer term, Peterson figures to make his greatest impact in the secondary. Forcing additional turnovers and remaining aggressive without incurring as many penalties seem like reasonable goals for Peterson heading into his second season. The talent is obviously there. Peterson is supremely confident. While Smith's role is changing and Baldwin will no longer benefit from being unknown, Peterson appears on course to continue on the trajectory he set last season.

The fact that these three rookies shined following a lockout-shortened offseason suggests they're in position to continue producing.

TheFault17 makes a welcome point after reading about Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson making a positive impression during rookie minicamps over the weekend.

"A third-round QB looks good against other rookies and undrafted players? Who would have thunk it?" he writes. "Not hating on Wilson at all, but there's way too much stock put in rookie minicamps. Is it September yet?"

It's definitely not September, but it's never too early for keeping things in their proper perspective.

A year ago, the NFL lockout led teams to cancel offseason camps entirely.

That did not stop Patrick Peterson from scoring four touchdowns on punt returns for the Arizona Cardinals. It did not stop Aldon Smith from leading the San Francisco 49ers in sacks with 14. It did not prevent mid-round picks K.J. Wright and Richard Sherman from becoming solid starters for the Seattle Seahawks.

Bruce Miller, a seventh-round pick from Central Florida, became the 49ers' starting fullback despite playing defensive end in college. Then there was undrafted free agent Doug Baldwin, who led the Seahawks in receiving.

Perhaps these rookies would have enjoyed even greater success with some additional on-field prep time in the spring. This year, I'll be interested in revisiting some of the rookie camp storylines to see which ones, if any, proved helpful.

Can the Arizona Cardinals' defense maintain the growth it showed late last season, outpacing whatever gains the San Francisco 49ers make on offense?

Joshua Steuter asked that question and a few others via Facebook as part of our ongoing discussion. We could have asked additional questions about Kevin Kolb, John Skelton and the quarterback situation, but we've been having that discussion for nine months already.

The answer to Joshua's question could hinge on a few variables:

• NFC West Big Question

  •  Arizona Cardinals
  •  St. Louis Rams
  •  San Francisco 49ers
  •  Seattle Seahawks

  Dan Williams' recovery: Williams, the Cardinals' first-round draft pick in 2010, is returning from a nasty arm injury suffered against the 49ers late last season. Arizona should remain strong at both defensive end spots. Darnell Dockett and franchise player Calais Campbell are established players. Williams was showing signs of becoming one before the injury. Conditioning can be a concern for him. As a first-round talent, he holds the key to determining whether the Cardinals field one of the best 3-4 fronts in the game.
• Stewart Bradley's transition: Arizona's coaches had big plans for Bradley heading into last season. They envisioned pairing him with Daryl Washington to get pressure with inside blitzes. Do those dreams live? Bradley struggled with the transition from a 4-3 defense to the 3-4. Paris Lenon beat him out and played well enough to keep the job. Were the Cardinals really that wrong on Bradley? Did the lockout-affected offseason merely delay the transition? The Cardinals will find out for sure this season. They've got a full offseason to make this work. Bradley did take a pay cut.
• Acho/Schofield progression. The Cardinals were the only NFL team to go through the 2012 draft without selecting a player for their front seven. They had needs on offense, but they also showed faith in some of their emerging defensive players, including outside linebackers Sam Acho and O'Brien Schofield. Acho had seven sacks last season. Schofield had 4.5 sacks. Getting one of those players into double digits would signal the continued development Arizona needs to keep its defense on the upswing.
• Next step for Peterson: Cornerback Patrick Peterson should take a significant step forward, improving the Cardinals' ability to match up with a reconfigured 49ers receiving corps featuring Randy Moss and Mario Manningham. Peterson scored four touchdowns on punt returns last season. I like his chances to score on defense this season as well. He'll relish a chance to match up with Moss.

The Cardinals' defense held San Francisco to 23 and 19 points last season despite occasionally horrible play from Arizona's offense. The 49ers converted 11 of 48 times on third down against Arizona, including 3 of 17 times during the Cardinals' Dec. 11 victory over San Francisco.

I'm expecting Arizona's defense to keep pace in this matchup.

The protocol becomes the same for nearly every freshly minted NFL draft choice, from first-round quarterbacks to seventh-round punters.

Not long after their selections, their new employers will connect them to local NFL reporters via conference call.

A surprise awaited the Arizona Cardinals after the team made Notre Dame receiver Michael Floyd the 13th overall choice in the 2012 draft.

Floyd's college coach, Brian Kelly, made an unsolicited call to the Cardinals, availing himself to media questions regarding his former player.

Kelly has vouched for other players, including Minnesota Vikings first-round pick Harrison Smith. A college head coach certainly has a recruiting interest in getting his name out there in association with prominent draft choices.

But in publicly testifying for Floyd, whose draft file includes three three alcohol-related incidents and a resulting team suspension, Kelly extended himself to an extent that wasn't necessary. It was a notable early marker for the Cardinals, who have never drafted a player with such significant baggage since Ken Whisenhunt arrived as head coach in 2007.

Floyd could not have scripted Kelly's testimonial more favorably:

• On Floyd in general: "Well, a kid who got his degree in three-and-a-half years from Notre Dame. Probably in my 23 years now as a head coach, the best practice player that I've ever had. He just has a passion and a love for the football."
• On Floyd as a teammate: "Whether he is getting the football or not, he is a guy who has never complained. He certainly always wants the ball in critical situations. He has never been a diva, if you will, in terms of not getting his catches. If we're successful and we're making plays, he's on the other end making blocks. That's why it was such a pleasure to coach the kid."
• On what changed in Floyd following a suspension: "To have an opportunity to come back and play at Notre Dame and get a degree and be successful in the NFL, he had to make some choices. And he made some great choices. Now, you've got a young man who had been through some adversity, has handled it, has been humbled because of it and the best is in front of him now."

Authorities cited Floyd for underage drinking in 2009 and 2010. A DUI conviction last year made for three alcohol-related incidents in three years, raising obvious questions about judgment and the potential for a more serious problem.

College programs can become enablers for troubled star athletes. Handing millions to those troubled athletes usually doesn't help.

Those are generalities. Floyd's situation stands on its own. Whether he has a problem or carries a heightened risk cannot be known for certain.

The Cardinals' decision to draft Floyd was an organizational one, with team owner Michael Bidwill, a former federal prosecutor, participating directly in the vetting process.

Coach Ken Whisenhunt said the team asked tough questions, thought Floyd provided honest answers and felt Floyd made a positive statement by returning to Notre Dame for his senior season amid quarterback uncertainty that could have hurt Floyd's status.

"I just basically told them it was a bad decision," Floyd told reporters following his selection. "I learned from it and I moved on. I know I can't be like every other college student, just doing what a college student does, because the spotlight is on me. They wanted to see if I had improvements since that time, and I have."

There is less uncertainty over the Cardinals' on-field plans for Floyd. They anticipate him becoming their flanker opposite split end Larry Fitzgerald, who had been the most recent first-round wideout chosen by Arizona. With Floyd projecting as a starter, Andre Roberts becomes a candidate for additional playing time from the slot, where Early Doucet was already a factor for the team.

Fitzgerald and Floyd present matchup problems with their size alone. Both are nearly 6-foot-3. Floyd weighed 220 pounds at the scouting combine. Fitzgerald weighed 225 upon entering the league in 2004. He has preferred playing at a lighter weight recently.

Size matters for receivers in the NFC West, a division featuring punishing safeties and Pro Bowl credentials in the secondary. Kam Chancellor, Earl Thomas, Brandon Browner, Richard Sherman, Adrian Wilson, Patrick Peterson, Carlos Rogers, Dashon Goldson, Donte Whitner, Cortland Finnegan and Quintin Mikell come to mind immediately.

"You could consider Mike to be still a raw receiver in that he can get better in all the technical elements in route running and things of that nature," Kelly said of Floyd. "He is certainly a guy that attacks the football and attacks defenders and blocking -- he is an outstanding blocker."

Any rookie open to input from veteran players stands to benefit from joining a team with strong leadership at the player's position. Fitzgerald sets an impeccable standard for the Cardinals' receivers and the team in general. From that standpoint, Floyd couldn't have found a better working environment.

The joke from Arizona Cardinals general manager Rod Graves was that his team, without a second-round choice and having passed on Riley Reiff in the first round, would consider taking the Iowa tackle in the third.

Graves knew Reiff would be long gone by then, but if he and the Cardinals were stressing over their perceived need for a tackle, they hid their discomfort well.

Using a third-round choice for Oklahoma cornerback Jamell Fleming, chosen 80th overall Friday, showed the Cardinals weren't going to reach for help at tackle.

The team liked its depth at corner and felt as though four of its players at the position could start: Patrick Peterson, A.J. Jefferson, William Gay and Greg Toler. But with Toler coming off knee surgery and valuable veteran Richard Marshall having left in free agency, necessitating the move to sign Gay, the Cardinals had room for another young prospect at the position.

Coordinator Ray Horton expects his corners to support against the run. Scouts Inc. gave the 5-foot-10, 206-pound Fleming high marks in that area. Others weren't as convinced.

As for the need at tackle, consider that Kansas City selected Oklahoma's Donald Stephenson with the 74th choice, the first pure tackle selected since Cleveland chose Mitchell Schwartz with the 37th pick. The Cardinals aren't the only team avoiding tackles in this range of the draft, in other words. Arizona's next pick is 112th overall.

A great wide receiver does not always make for a great general manager.

Larry Fitzgerald appears to have been right last season, however, when he called Arizona Cardinals first-round draft choice Patrick Peterson a "can't-miss" prospect.

Fitzgerald is now backing Notre Dame receiver Michael Floyd as a first-round candidate for the Cardinals in 2012, according to a passage near the bottom of this page featuring Peter King's predraft thoughts. Sounds like a decent idea to me, and if Fitzgerald is supportive, that can only help. He can be a fabulous mentor.

Fitzgerald backed Kevin Kolb as an option via trade last offseason. That move has yet to pay off, although one lockout-affected season wasn't much to go on. While Fitzgerald was part of a Cardinals contingent to meet with free-agent quarterback Peyton Manning last month, the receiver remained matter-of-fact in his public comments. There was no need to say anything that would make Kolb's job tougher.

Justin from Phoenix understands criticism over the Arizona Cardinals' relative inactivity in free agency. However, he notes that running back Ryan Williams and cornerback Greg Toler will be returning after missing the 2011 season with injuries. In his view, the team will be adding a couple of impact players.


Mike Sando: The Cardinals must have their fingers crossed on Williams, who really did stand out at training camp before suffering a torn patella tendon. That was a serious injury. Might Williams need an extended period -- perhaps several games or even the full season -- to get all the way back?

A healthy Toler would quietly give the Cardinals a potentially strong group of corners. Patrick Peterson, A.J. Jefferson, Toler and William Gay all have starting experience.

Nose tackle Dan Williams, who suffered a freak arm injury at San Francisco last season, is another key player the Cardinals expect to have back. We could throw quarterback Kevin Kolb into that category as well. He'll get a fresh start after battling head and toe injuries last season.

I've put together a chart showing notable NFC West players returning from injuries suffered last season. Seattle's James Carpenter and Walter Thurmond are not expected to be ready for training camp or even the regular season. They are candidates for the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. Carpenter in particular will need an extended period to recover from his knee injury, general manager John Schneider said recently.

Tight end Nate Byham is the only San Francisco 49ers player on the list. The 49ers were generally healthy last season.

Byham projected as an outstanding blocker before suffering a season-ending knee injury. His expected return to a group featuring Vernon Davis and Delanie Walker should restore the position.

With Walker entering the final year of his contract, we've discussed the possibility of San Francisco drafting Stanford tight end Coby Fleener. However, Walker's value on special teams and his growth as an all-around tight end could make keeping him a priority. In that case, where would Fleener play?

Patrick Peterson commanded the most attention among Arizona Cardinals cornerbacks last season.

That was natural for a rookie drafted fifth overall. Scoring touchdowns four times on punt returns also helped Peterson command the spotlight.

There was far less fanfare for veteran corner Richard Marshall. A team news release announcing Marshall's signing carried the stock title, "Cardinals make roster moves." Marshall's addition shared an introductory sentence with the release of Da'Mon Merkerson and the signing of rookie free agent Tae Evans.

Far more notable was Marshall's departure from the team via free agency Wednesday. Marshall, who agreed to terms on a three-year deal with Miami, played nearly three-quarters of the defensive snaps for Arizona last season. He was also a regular on special teams.

"He's a very good veteran football player that understands the game, understands how to prepare," coach Ken Whisenhunt said of Marshall in November. "He's a great example for our younger players with his toughness and his attention to detail. He works at it and that’s what you want."

The Cardinals also valued Marshall's versatility.

"Flexibility of what we're asking him to do is something that has tremendous value for us," Whisenhunt said. "To play outside, to play in the nickel, to play some back at safety, which he's done, all those things, that’s not easy. It takes not only ability, but it takes a mentality to be able to do that and that’s important to your team."

Marshall played last season on a one-year deal for $3.5 million.

The Cardinals' current cornerbacks include Peterson, A.J. Jefferson, Michael Adams, Marshay Green, Korey Lindsey and Crezdon Butler. Greg Toler, a restricted free agent tendered to a fourth-round choice, is returning from injury.

A few thoughts after the San Francisco 49ers reached agreement Monday on a one-year deal with receiver Randy Moss:

• The 49ers needed to do something at the position. They probably still do. But there's at least an outside chance Moss will help them open up the passing game and threaten opponents down the field. There was less chance of that happening without Moss on the roster.
• San Francisco's low-risk investment in Braylon Edwards did not work out last season. Edwards suffered knee and shoulder injuries. He appeared to become frustrated. The 49ers cut him late in the season even though they needed manpower at the position. Moss is the new Edwards, a big-name receiver trying to revive his career on the cheap. Edwards was a strong vertical threat before joining the 49ers, but that aspect of his game never materialized in San Francisco. The 49ers' yards-per-catch were down across the board. That changed in the playoffs when Vernon Davis got going. Can Moss provide something similar, even in small doses? Davis is much younger and more athletic than Moss at this point.
• What will Moss offer in the locker room? How will he mesh with Michael Crabtree? The 49ers were generally pleased with Crabtree last season. They loved the way he blocked. They appreciated the plays he made in crucial moments, including against Cincinnati (negated by a bad officiating call) and at Seattle (clutch catch down the sideline). There's still a sense from the outside that Crabtree hasn't fully bought into what the team is doing, as reflected by some of his comments and, in the past, his lack of participation in various offseason practices. Those perceptions might not line up with how coach Jim Harbaugh views Crabtree, however.
• A one-year contract gives Harbaugh and the organization all the leverage. The 49ers can release Moss at any time. That makes this signing a low-risk proposition. Skepticism should prevail until Moss proves he can be more effective than he was while bouncing from team to team to team during a lackluster 2010 season. He's 35 years old and has been out of the game for a year. We're more likely to see an old Moss than the Moss of old, and the nature of the 49ers' offense wouldn't seem to facilitate downfield strikes.
• Assistant head coach and special-teams coordinator Brad Seely was with Moss in New England. His presence provided the 49ers with an honest first-hand assessment of what Moss might offer. Then again, Moss was catching passes from Tom Brady in New England. How will he react with Alex Smith as his likely quarterback?
• Minicamps and training camp just became more interesting for the 49ers. Moss will be the center of attention. I'm looking forward to seeing him match up against Arizona's Patrick Peterson and the big, aggressive corners in Seattle.

Your thoughts on Moss to San Francisco? Fire away.

INDIANAPOLIS -- NFL teams can at least partially thank Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson for delivering one of the top prospects at the position to the 2012 draft.

Morris Claiborne credits Peterson, his former LSU teammate, for converting him from the enemy ranks: offense.

"Growing up, I was mainly an offensive guy," Claiborne said from the scouting combine Sunday. "I didn't play too much defense, just here and there, but I never really played corner til i got to college."

Claiborne initially resisted Peterson's recruitment. But Peterson, who developed the moniker "DBU" to describe LSU, won him over.

"Patrick kept on pulling me," said Claiborne, projected as a first-round pick. "I tried for a day or two and I ended up liking it."

Peterson advised Claiborne to "go up and take over" at the combine. Claiborne has not yet worked out. He'll skip the bench press until his pro day to protect a wrist injury he played with during the season.

Claiborne and Peterson, the fifth overall choice in the 2011 draft, differ in their styles.

"I'm more of a technician, trying to funnel the guys instead of getting really physical with them at the line all the time," Claiborne said.

INDIANAPOLIS -- Morris Claiborne is largely regarded as the top cornerback available in the draft.

The Jaguars may be drafting a bit too late at No. 7 to get him, but he’d sure be a great fit. Jacksonville has a quality young corner in Derek Cox. But veteran Rashean Mathis is about to be an unrestricted free agent and is coming off a torn ACL. Even if he’s re-signed and recovered for opening day, the Jaguars need their next starting corner on the roster.

Not long ago, Claiborne wasn’t even a cornerback. He said he was recruited to LSU as an “athlete” and teammate Patrick Peterson, drafted fifth overall by Arizona last year, convinced him to try corner.

He was quickly hooked.

Regarding the combine, Peterson told Claiborne to “go up and take over.”

Claiborne is an admirer of Darrelle Revis and rates himself a technician who funnels receivers rather than being especially physical with them.

He’d be a great piece for the Jaguars. But it may be difficult for him to get beyond Tampa Bay at No. 5.

In the end, Von Miller's status as a complete player won him the NFL Defensive of Rookie of the Year award.

The Associated Press announced the Denver Broncos rookie linebacker had been chosen. He and San Francisco linebacker Aldon Smith were considered close competitors for the award. Miller was the No. 2 overall pick in the April draft, while Smith was the No. 7 pick.

Miller had 11.5 sacks and Smith had 14, which was a half sack shy of the NFL rookie sack record.

Miller broke his thumb in late November and played the rest of the season and in Denver’s two playoff games with a cast on his right hand. The injury greatly affected his game as he was essentially playing with one hand. Miller’s play did improve in the playoffs.

Voters probably went with Miller because he was considered a much more complete player than Smith, who just played in pass-rushing situations. Miller was on the field for 79 percent of Denver’s defensive snaps and Smith played on 48 percent of the 49ers’ snaps.

Miller was the centerpiece of an improved Denver defense that helped spur an unlikely playoff run. The Broncos believe Miller will be a star for years to come. He does need to become a better run stopper and that should come with time. He was replaced on running downs at different parts of the season.

But Miller showed the work ethic and desire to improve that area of his game. Coaches and teammates lauded Miller for his approach and he is likely becoming a leader on the team.

Denver selected Miller in last April's draft after considering several other prospects, including Marcell Dareus, Patrick Peterson and Nick Fairley. The Broncos took Miller because they thought he had the most explosion and he had the highest ceiling. So far, it looks like the right call.

This was indeed a special season for the San Francisco 49ers and, by extension, the NFC West overall.

The Associated Press All-Pro Team, announced Friday, includes five 49ers, a league high for any team. Arizona's Patrick Peterson made the team as the return specialist, joining the 49ers' David Akers and Andy Lee to give the NFC West all three specialists.

The 49ers' Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman made it as inside linebackers. Teammate Justin Smith made it as a defensive tackle. He also got votes at defensive end. Smith moves around the line, playing end in the base 3-4.

Aaron Rodgers won 47.5 out of 50 votes at quarterback, a strong indication Rodgers will emerge as the leader in MVP balloting. Those results have not yet been revealed, but they draw from the same group of voters.

The chart shows All-Pro counts by division.

Also making the team: fullback Vonta Leach, center Maurkice Pouncey, guard Carl Nicks, guard Jahri Evans, running back Maurice Jones-Drew, running back LeSean McCoy, tackle Joe Thomas, tackle Jason Peters, tight end Rob Gronkowski, receiver Wes Welker, receiver Calvin Johnson, cornerback Darrelle Revis, cornerback Charles Woodson, defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul, defensive end Jared Allen, defensive tackle Haloti Ngata, linebacker Derrick Johnson, outside linebacker Terrell Suggs, outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware safety Troy Polamalu and safety Eric Weddle.