We are halfway through the exhibition season and, technically, done with training camp in the NFL. The time is right to check in with each of the 49ers three NFC West rivals.
St. Louis Rams
Preseason record:0-2
Storylines:Sam Bradford has more believers now than he has had the past couple of seasons, particularly after he was 9-of-12 for 110 yards passing with a touchdown toss in Saturday's 21-7 defeat to the Green Bay Packers... Running back Isaiah Pead, who was slated to spell running backs Zac Stacy and Benny Cunningham, tore the ACL in his knee on a kickoff return in the game... Michael Sam, the seventh-round pick who came out as gay before the NFL Draft, is listed as a third-stringer on the team's depth chart. Fisher was impressed with his preseason debut, but said that he had some mistakes to correct. Sam recorded his first sack on Saturday against the Packers... Defensive end Robert Quinn, who recorded an NFL-high 19 sacks last season, likes the team's scheme under defensive coordinator Gregg Williams.
Worth sharing:
That was Sam Bradford's first in-game snap in 300 days. (via @AndrewSiciliano) #GBvsSTL pic.twitter.com/sunbaWC7hH — NFL (@nfl) August 16, 2014
Versus the 49ers:Week 6 in St. Louis, Week 9 in Santa Clara
#IceBucketChallenge:
Watch @KennyBritt18 @iamSB3 @BCunningham36 & @EBTXmade take the #IceBucketChallenge: http://t.co/TjYU2DbMGn #ALS pic.twitter.com/6vn6zBI7Oh — St. Louis Rams (@STLouisRams) August 15, 2014
Arizona Cardinals
Preseason record:1-1
Storylines:Defensive tackle Darnell Dockett was carted off the field during Monday's practice with a reported torn ACL in his right knee. Dockett has missed two games in 10 seasons... The long-tenured Card was happy to see outside linebacker John Abraham return to camp after an extended absence... Safety Tyrann Mathieu could come off of the Physically Unable to Perform List within a week. The second-year pro missed action during his rookie season because of a torn ACL in his left knee... Cornerback/return man Patrick Peterson is now the highest-paid corner in the league thanks to his late-July contract extension.
Worth sharing:
Welcome home @LarryFitzgerald! #AZvsMIN pic.twitter.com/IkGRSfBrOK — Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) August 16, 2014
Versus the 49ers:Week 3 in Glendale, Week 17 in Santa Clara
#IceBucketChallenge:
Uh-oh. @Broncos QB Peyton Manning just challenged @AZCardinals asst Tom Moore in Ice Bucket Challenge. http://t.co/mDGKLLJTBW — MarkDalton (@CardsMarkD) August 14, 2014
Seattle Seahawks
Preseason record:1-1
Storylines:Don't be surprised if you see wideout Percy Harvin returning punts or kickoffs for the reigning division champ... Longtime left tackle Walter Jones was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Aug. 2... Oakland Raiders-turned-Seattle signal-caller Terrelle Pryor, who is competing for a roster spot, had a 44-yard touchdown run in Saturday's 41-14 win over the San Diego Chargers.
Worth sharing:
Seahawks' coach @PeteCarroll remembers his high school classmate Robin Williams: http://t.co/388g8Memi9 pic.twitter.com/WdadoiT3ut — Sports Illustrated (@SInow) August 13, 2014
Versus the 49ers:Week 13 in Santa Clara, Week 15 in Seattle
#IceBucketChallenge:
Best #IceBucketChallenge ever by our own @DangeRussWilson! pic.twitter.com/YH6q8rRyyl — Space Needle (@space_needle) August 17, 2014
