NFC west.(NFL)

ARIZONA CARDINALS

The loss of Calvin Pace (arm) leaves the team woefully thin at end. Though not a starter, he had played a key role in the line rotation. He will be replaced by Antonio Smith, who spent most of his rookie 2004 season on the practice squad. An end/tackle 'tweener, he's not very strong and is raw.... CB Robert Tare has played surprisingly well after being signed last month because of injuries. Tate is not exceptionally gifted athletically, but he's smart and competitive. Left one-on-one,Tare would struggle, but he's effective in zone coverages. OFFENSIVE SYSTEM CHECK: The coaches built the offense around the pass, and they hoped to establish at least an adequate running attack. That hasn't happened, and the team's red zone performance has suffered. The line is protecting better, and the increased reliance on a two-tight end set has helped. That has allowed the offense to go to maximum protection, giving the quarterback time to find WRs Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald. The team needs to get the tight ends and running backs involved in the passing game.--Kent Somers

ST. LOUIS RAMS

CB Travis Fisher lacks the closing speed that characterized his play when he entered the league in 2002. Fisher has been bothered by a groin injury since training camp and still shows the effects of a broken arm in 2004, which might explain why he isn't as physical in run support.... QB Jamie Martin will make one more start before Marc Bulger (shoulder) returns to the lineup. Martin makes intelligent reads and knows when to throw the ball away, which allows him to get by with an average arm. The team needs a reliable backup because there continue to be concerns about Bulger's ability to withstand hits at 205 pounds. OFFENSIVE SYSTEM CHECH: Steven Jackson has yet to carry more than 20 times or gain 100 yards in a game. Weak play on defense and special teams have made it difficult to be patient with the running game. The Rams must get RB Marshall Faulk more involved in the running and passing games. If the team would put more emphasis on underneath mutes, it would move the chains more and reduce turnovers.--Jim Thomas

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