Content provided in partnership with

NFC west

Sporting News, The, Oct 21, 2005

ARIZONA CARDINALS

WRs Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald have asserted themselves in recent weeks. Though neither has great speed, they give the club a nice inside-outside combination. Boldin, a physical runner with a knack for breaking tackles, excels working underneath and down the middle. Fitzgerald is best along the sideline, where he can better use his size, strength and leaping ability.... C Alex Stepanovich's return from a broken hand has helped an offensive line that was in bad shape. Stepanovich has improved greatly since his rookie season last year. At 304 pounds, Stepanovich is big enough to hold up while still maintaining his mobility. The broken hand still affects his snaps, but that seems to improve with each game. Stepanovich is smart and earnest. His versatility is a bonus. PROBLEM SPOT: The running game has been a weakness for years, and this season the team is averaging just 3.1 yards per carry. The biggest problem is the lack of continuity on the line, but there also has to be a commitment to run from the coaching staff. That's hard to make, however, because the passing game has been productive lately.--Kent Somers

Most Popular Articles in Sports: The first family: Archie, Peyton and Eli are incredibly famous, immensely ...; The growing gap: driving distances are skyrocketing on the PGA Tour. So why ...; Which pistol caliber for self defense? Four different people come to four ...; Drag racing - National Hot Rod Association; The world's most popular .22: the Marlin Model 60 just keeps on ticking; More »

ST. LOUIS RAMS

The offense needs better balance, not only to help win games but to keep QB Marc Bulger in one piece. RB Steven Jackson has yet to run more than 19 times in a game.... WLB Dexter Coakley was signed to add leadership and playmaking ability. Coakley (5-10, 236) doesn't play on passing downs, but he is effective against the run. He still has a good burst and isn't shy about taking on blockers, though he occasionally gets overwhelmed around the line of scrimmage. ... Rookie G Claude Terrell could be pushing for a starting spot after replacing RG Adam Timmerman in the second half against the Seahawks. Terrell has a wide body and plays with toughness, but he is a better run blocker than pass blocker at this point. PROBLEM SPOT: The secondary has struggled the past two weeks. Travis Fisher is the best corner, but injuries have affected his closing speed. Corey Ivy and Chris Johnson are inconsistent and have shown little potential as nickel backs. FS Michael Hawthorne, a free-agent addition, has been disappointing and was replaced by Mike Furrey, a converted receiver, after being out of position several times against Seattle.--Jim Thomas

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

Rookie QB Alex Smith, elevated to starter last week in place of Tim Rattay, has trouble reading defenses and still does some of the things that cost him the starting job midway through the preseason. Against the Colts, he repeatedly threw into double coverage or off his back foot while under duress, resulting in four interceptions. He either hurried his throws or held the ball too long. It will take Smith time to adjust to the speed of the pro game.... OLB Corey Smith is climbing the depth chart since a preseason switch from defensive end. He's at his best as a pass rusher in space. His tackling needs work and he still is learning how to cover receivers, but he's tenacious and coachable. PROBLEM SPOT: Injuries have created instability in a vulnerable secondary. LCB Bruce Thornton has gone from the practice squad to starter. He has good speed and change-of-direction skills, but at 5-10, 195, he will struggle against taller, physical receivers. Converted corner Mike Adams is at free safety in place of Mike Rumph (foot). Adams has good range and speed but needs to refine his technique, in particular in preventing receivers from getting inside him on post routes.--Dennis Georgatos

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

WR Peter Warrick has the skills to produce in the Seahawks' West Coast offense, but he has been slow to pick up the nuances of the passing game. He has only two catches for 49 yards. With WRs Darrell Jackson (arthroscopic knee surgery) and Bobby Engram (cracked ribs) sidelined, the passing game will need more from Warrick.... When the team signed Bryce Fisher in the offseason to replace LE Chike Okeafor, it knew it was getting a solid pass rusher. But Fisher has been better than expected against the run. Though Fisher (6-3,272) lacks prototypical size and ideal speed, he has compensated with athleticism and tenacity. Fishers three sacks and 16 tackles are the most among the linemen. PROBLEM SPOT: The Seahawks continue to struggle to generate enough pressure consistently with a four-man rush. That forces them to blitz, which is a problem because it leaves the defensive backs in man coverage, where they've failed to make plays, or allows big seams to open up in zone coverage. The issue was less troublesome against the Rams because the Seahawks' blitzes were effective, but in Week 4 the Redskins exploited the weakness to convert 72.2 percent of their third-down opportunities.--Clare Farnsworth

8.5

Alex Smith's quarterback rating in his debut as an NFL starter Sunday. His inauspicious outing against the Colts included four interceptions, five sacks and one lost fumble. That might make Joey Harrington feel better about his 34.1 rating in the Lions'Week 5 victory over the Ravens.

NFC west

Sporting News, The, Oct 21, 2005

Find Research Guides for:

Find Featured Titles for: Arts

Most Popular Articles in Sports

Most Popular Publications in Sports