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NFC west

Sporting News, The, Oct 7, 2005

ARIZONA CARDINALS

NT Russell Davis has developed into the team's best lineman against the run. in the Cardinals' under front, Davis usually lines up at an angle between a guard and the center. He's double-teamed most of the time. If he is driven off the ball, chances are a big running play will result. At 306 pounds, Davis does a nice job of staying at the point of attack. ... Rookie RG Elton Brown has struggled in every game and might lose his starting job. Brown has ability and is particularly good at pulling and blocking in space, but he has difficulty with stunts. Adam Haayer replaced Brown at times during the loss to Seattle but probably isn't the long-term answer, The situation underscores the lack of depth on the line. OVERACHIEVING/UNDERACHIEVING: LG Regime Wells, a former sixth-round pick, has been the team's most consistent offensive lineman. Wells (6-4,320) has plenty of size and power, but he also is fast and quick for a man his size. ... RT Oliver Ross, a key free-agent signing in the offseason, has struggled--especially in the first two weeks--but he's experienced and figures to improve. The team desperately needs Ross to play at a high level because he could provide some veteran leadership.--Kent Somers

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ST. LOUIS RAMS

Rookie Alex Barron will be the starter at right tackle after replacing Blaine Saipala Sunday and shutting down Titans LE Kyle Vanden Bosch. Barron surely will make mental mistakes as he continues to learn the team's complex protection schemes, but he's a good athlete, second only to LT Orlando Pace in the Rams' line. Barron (6-7, 320) has the wingspan and footwork to handle speed rushers. ... Moving Adam Archuleta back to strong safety from free safety during the preseason was crucial for the defense. Archuleta, who played linebacker in college, is much more comfortable playing closer to the line. His coverage skills are much sharper--he closed nicely for an interception and went 85 yards for a ID Sunday-and he is missing fewer tackles. OVERACHIEVING/UNDERACHIEVING: LG Tom Nutten, 34, needy retired in the offseason after undergoing reconstructive toe surgery, but he has started all three games and has helped shore up a weak spot. ... RE Anthony Hargrove was expected to be a pass-rushing complement to LE Leonard Little, but he remains a work in progress. Hargrove still is looking for his first sack of 2005.--Jim Thomas

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

Rookie RB Frank Gore is pushing for more playing time. Gore is a quick, compact runner who usually doesn't go down on first contact. He shows a good burst to the hole, minimizes sideways movement, makes decisive cuts and gets downfield quickly. Though he injured both knees in college, be has showed no signs of knee problems as a pro. ... TE Trent Smith (6-5, 245) is tall and athletic and is a good receiver. Because Eric Johnson (foot) is out for the season, Smith, who missed his first two seasons because of a broken leg, finally is getting a chance to show his skills. He is the team's best option at right end because be can replace Johnson's ability to get deep down the middle. OVERACHIEVING/UNDERACHIEVING: WR Brandon Lloyd is becoming the team's standout receiver. He has improved his hand technique and is separating better at the line. Lloyd also has uncanny focus on airborne balls, which has allowed him to make several acrobatic catches. ... RB Kevan Barlow hesitates when hitting the hole. Barlow often sidesteps to try to find openings and make big plays but costs himself yards because defenders have swarmed to the ball.--Dennis Georgatos

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

The Seahawks held DTs John Henderson and Marcus Stroud (Jaguars), Rod Coleman (Falcons) and Darnell Dockett (Cardinals), who had a combined 25 sacks last season, to no sacks and seven tackles in the first three games largely because of the play of LG Steve Hutchinson. A road grader as a run blocker, Hutchinson has steadily improved his pass blocking since coming into the league in 2001. He helped hold Dockett to no tackles. ... MLB Lofa Tatupu Continues to play at a level beyond what can be expected of a rookie. He also continues to spike the notion he's too small and too slow for his job. Tatupu (5-11,226) compensates for his lack of prototypical size and speed by rarely taking a false step. OVERACHIEVING/UNDERACHIEVING: DT Rocky Bernard, who was on the bubble entering training camp, is making plays while rotating with Marcus Tubbs on the right side. Bernard remains quick, fast and explosive-the traits that have always made him a good pass rusher. But this season he is playing with more consistency and emotion. ... CB Mamus Trufant isn't playing up to expectations. He has all the physical traits to develop into a shutdown corner, but he needs to improve his consistency and ability to make plays on the ball when it's in the air.--Clare Farnsworth

NFC west

Sporting News, The, Oct 7, 2005

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