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Sporting News, The, Dec 27, 2004

ARIZONA CARDINALS

RB Emmitt Smith will give strong consideration to playing another year--but if he does, it likely won't be with the Cardinals. Smith has been solid this year, but he'll be 36 next season and the team could use more explosiveness. There have been few long runs.... WLB James Darling was acquired two years ago largely to be a special teams performer, but he has been one of the team's top defenders, playing every down and using his speed as an asset in coverage.... Injuries have plagued Duane Starks during his three years with the team, but when healthy, he's the team's best cover corner. No corner on the club is faster than Starks, who is a solid tackler despite being 174 pounds. Starks is playing a lot as the nickel back and providing decent field position as a punt returner. YOUTH MOVEMENT: Rookie TE Eric Edwards has played well enough over the past month to convince coaches that he will play a significant role in the future, particularly because the team likes to use two-tight end sets. Edwards needs to improve his blocking but has proved to be a reliable receiver. If Freddie Jones doesn't return next season, Edwards could become the No. 1 tight end.--Kent Somers

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ST. LOUIS RAMS

Signing QB Chris Chandler as Marc Bulger's backup was a bad idea. Chandler threw six interceptions in the loss at Carolina and was benched after three series in the loss at Arizona. He free-lanced too much, disregarding the progression of reads that are key to the offense. Bulger is expected to start against the Eagles Monday, but look for Jamie Martin to be the No. 2 QB the rest of the season.... This was to be a breakout year for SS Adam Archuleta, but a bulging disk in his back has caused him to miss tackles and lack his usual pop. He's still around the ball and remains more effective closer to the line than in space.... Because of injury problems in the offensive line, rookie Larry Turner started at left guard against Arizona. Turner has good balance and technique. Though he's a bit undersized at 290 pounds, he could have a future at guard or center. YOUTH MOVEMENT: Second-year CB Kevin Garrett could be the team's fastest player, and he has shown an athletic ability and closing speed the Rams love. But when given a chance to play, he has lacked aggressiveness. Garrett must be more physical in run support and more competitive.--Jim Thomas

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

Management has assured coach Dennis Erickson it wants him back but also seems prepared to orchestrate a fight over some of his assistant coaches that could force Erickson to choose between his job and loyalty to his staff. Owner John York has been privately talking with players to get their takes on things and reportedly is asking around the league about G.M. Terry Donahue.... OL Kyle Kosier might suffer from his own versatility. He is the team's best left tackle and also its best right guard and as a result has been shuffled between the two positions. He is dependable, rarely whiffs outright on a block and has a good feel for the game. Kosier (6-5, 293) is not a dominating player and is not the prototypical size for a left tackle but has been effective for the most part. YOUTH MOVEMENT: Kwame Harris, a first-round pick in 2003, has shown little indication he's going to be a reliable long-term left tackle. He has struggled in pass protection. His run blocking has been decent, but he hasn't been either quick enough or strong enough to hold up against pass rushers. It's possible Harris could move to right tackle and succeed there.--Ira Miller

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

The loss of RE Grant Wistrom (knee) moves Antonio Cochran back into the starting lineup. It's a plus that the Seahawks have a player who has started at right end in the past to fill in for Wistrom. The drawback is that Cochran is most effective when rushing the passer as a tackle in the nickel defense. That's because he has good initial quickness and is adept at anticipating the snap count. While playing end, Cochran has problems maintaining his gap control, which results in opponents running at him-and, too many times, past him.... For WR Darrell Jackson, the key to getting over his problems with drops is to keep getting the ball. The team can try all the practice drills and punishments in the book, but the past two seasons have proved Jackson will start catching the ball if the team keeps throwing him the ball. Jackson has followed a poor three-game stretch with three big games in which he had 23 catches for 293 yards and two touchdowns. YOUTH MOVEMENT: Rookie DT Craig Terrill finally has gotten on the field, and he is showing the traits that prompted the coaches to clear an extra defensive lineman spot for him. He has a good burst off the ball, the tenacity to provide push in the middle of the line and a throwback work ethic.--Clare Farnsworth

NFC west

Sporting News, The, Dec 27, 2004

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