ESPN Search

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...

San Francisco 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh said Friday that new Chicago Bears coach Marc Trestman "taught me everything" when they were on the Oakland Raiders coaching staff, and he still uses many of Trestman's techniques. "Everything wouldn't be an ...

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'...

Michael Vick is ready to prove he's still the NFL's fastest quarterback.

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 ...

The new wave of young NFL quarterbacks still have a lot to prove to Ben Roethlisberger.

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 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 ...

In case you were busy concocting an elaborate theory in which the film The Faculty exists as a prequel within the Fast & Furious universe, here's what you missed in sports on Wednesday: LeBron James had a triple-double and scored the game-winnin...

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...

Christopher Harris discusses the fantasy fallout of Michael Crabtree's Achilles injury, especially on the value of Anquan Boldin and Colin Kaepernick.

The injury bug has finally caught up with the 49ers, and now they are in the market for a Pro Bowl–caliber receiver.