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Defending a running back from criticism has been as simple as blaming defenses for "stacking the box" against him. It's usually not that simple. The subject came up here most recently after we considered why the St. Louis Rams had so few "explo...

Fifth-round tight end Luke Willson was one of the more impressive players in rookie camp with the Seattle Seahawks recently. It's looking like the team will need him. 2012 Seahawks TE Use, 1st/2nd Downs TEs Plays Yards/play ...

How does each NFC West team look at running back, and what still needs to be done? Arizona Cardinals: This is a transitional year at the position for Arizona. Free-agent addition Rashard Mendenhall gets a shot to revive his career following a disa...

Seth from New Orleans recently hit the NFC West mailbag with a question seeking clarification for recent items regarding what Michael Crabtree's injury will mean to the San Francisco 49ers. He thinks some of my analysis appeared contradictory, but I'...

Around the NFC West: May 24, 2013 Arizona Cardinals Somers: Crabtree dominated Cards McManaman: Mathieu signs 1st deal Urban: Mathieu, CB Arenas noticed Weinfuss: Acho, Okafor are reunited St. Louis Rams ...

Quarterback Sam Bradford pointed to team speed when asked what the St. Louis Rams' offense offers for 2013. "We're much faster now," Bradford told reporters in St. Louis on Thursday. "I think we're all hoping that's going to lead to more explosive...

The one-game NFL suspension recently levied against St. Louis Rams guard Rokevious Watkins looked like the latest setback in his attempt to win over the team's coaching staff. After all, Watkins had reported to training camp overweight as a rookie...

Tyrann Mathieu's new contract with the Arizona Cardinals is making headlines for the financial particulars. These particulars mean a great deal to the people directly involved in negotiations. Agents, team negotiators and Mathieu himself have a s...

The San Francisco 49ers, though unusually healthy in recent seasons, had a hard time recovering from injuries to return specialist Ted Ginn Jr. and top defensive lineman Justin Smith over the past two seasons. Bill Barnwell drives home that point ...

We interrupt ongoing coverage of Michael Crabtree's surgically repaired Achilles tendon to continue our recent discussion on average ages for projected 2013 NFL starting lineups. Offense went first. Defense is up next. 2013 Starter Age Rank...

Around the NFC West: May 23, 2013 Arizona Cardinals Bordow: RB Williams played scared Somers: Attacking DEs, Crabtree Urban: Injury affects Boldin, Peterson Weinfuss: 'Grind' for young players St. Louis Rams ...

So much has gone down since our last NFC West chat one week ago. Suspensions for Bruce Irvin and Rokevious Watkins. A not-guilty plea from Daryl Washington. Michael Crabtree's torn Achilles' tendon. News that Cliff Avril is suffering from a foot i...

A few notes from ESPN Stats & Information's Jason Vida regarding Michael Crabtree after the San Francisco 49ers receiver -- Crabtree, not Vida -- underwent surgery to repair a torn Achilles' tendon: Go-to guy: 49ers quarterback Colin Kaeperni...

The St. Louis Rams hoped 2012 fifth-round draft choice Rokevious Watkins would compete for a starting job at guard last season. Watkins reported to training camp overweight, then suffered a season-ending ankle injury. His second shot at winning a ...

The season-altering and potentially season-ending injury Michael Crabtree suffered Tuesday leaves the San Francisco 49ers with question marks at wide receiver. Anquan Boldin becomes the most productive healthy receiver available to the team. Mario...

The San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks have, by some accounts, carried their NFC West rivalry into the offseason. When one team would make a high-profile move, the other would seem to have a move of its own ready. 2012 Michael Crabtre...