ARIZONA CARDINALS

Coach: Ken Whisenhunt (second season, 8-8).
Key players added: TE Jerame Tuman, LB Clark Haggans, LB Matt Stewart, P Dick Johnson.
Key players lost: WR Bryant Johnson, OT Oliver Ross, LB Calvin Pace, DB Ralph Brown.
Draft picks who should help: DB Dominique Rodgers-Cromarite (16th overall), Tennessee State; DE Calais Campbell (50), Miami; WR Early Doucet (81), Louisiana State.
Of note: The Cardinals not only have not made the playoffs since 1998, they have not had a winning record since then, the longest drought in the NFL.
Outlook: Arizona was sitting pretty at 7-5 last season, with a shot at a winning record almost a certainty. But the Cardinals were outscored 103-84 over their next three games, and they finished 8-8. There is turmoil this season over who will start at quarterback (Matt Leinert or Kurt Warner), and what Arizona will do with disgruntled receiver Anquan Boldin.
Last playoff appearance: 1998.

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

Coach: Mike Nolan (fourth season, 16-32).
Key players added: QB J.T. O'Sullivan, RB DeShaun Foster, WR Isaac Bruce, WR Bryant Johnson, OT Joe Toledo, OT Barry Sims, DB Allen Rossum, LB Dontarrious Thomas, LB Takeo Spikes, DE Justin Smith.
Key players lost: WR Darrell Jackson, G Justin Smiley, DE Marques Douglas, LB Brandon Moore.
Draft picks who should help: DT Kentwan Balmer (29th overall); North Carolina, G Chilo Rachal (39), Southern Cal; C Cody Wallace (107), Texas A&M.
Of note: Miami's Frank Gore should shudder at having Mike Martz as the 49ers' offensive coordinator. In Martz's two seasons holding the same job in Detroit, the Lions ranked last in the NFL in rushing attempts.
Outlook: Martz's obsession with O'Sullivan continues. O'Sullivan was a backup in Detroit, and Martz pushed hard for him to get playing time. Now O'Sullivan is in line to start over Alex Smith. And Dolphins fans moan about their quarterback situation.
Last playoff appearance: 2002.

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

Coach: Mike Holmgren (10th season, 82-62).
Key players added: RB Julius Jones, RB T.J. Duckett, DE Chris Cooper, LB D.D. Lewis.
Key players lost: RB Shaun Alexander, WR D.J. Hackett, G Chris Gray, DE Ellis Wyms, LB Kevin Bentley, K Josh Brown.
Draft picks who should help: DT Lawrence Jackson (28th overall), Southern Cal; TE John Carlson (38), Notre Dame; DT Red Bryant (121), Texas A&M; K Brandon Coutu (235), Georgia.
Of note: Jones will be hard-pressed to make up for the loss of Alexander. The Seahawks were 23-3, including the playoffs, when Alexander had at least 25 carries.
Outlook: The good news for Seattle is that quarterback Matt Hasselbeck is coming off a season in which he set team records for completions (352), attempts (562) and passing yards (3,996). The bad news is, he has been bothered by a bad back in the preseason. His health is crucial to Seattle's playoff hopes.
Last playoff appearance: 2007.

ST. LOUIS RAMS

Coach: Scott Linehan (third season, 11-21).
Key players added: QB Trent Green, WR Reche Caldwell, TE Anthony Becht, G Jacob Bell, K Josh Brown.
Key players lost: WR Isaac Bruce, C Andy McCollum, LB Brandon Chillar, K Jeff Wilkins.
Draft picks who should help: DE Chris Long (second overall), Virginia; WR Donnie Avery (33), Houston; OT John Greco (65), Toledo; WR Keenan Burton (128), Kentucky; LB Chris Chamberlain (228), Tulsa.
Of note: Wilkins retired after making 371 consecutive extra-point attempts, tied for the longest streak in NFL history. But Brown is no slouch. He has made 223 of 224 in his career, and set career highs last season for points (127) and field goals (28).
Outlook: The Rams' defense was ranked 21st in the NFL last year, allowing an average of 341 yards game, including 225 passing. The pass defense has improved, but it has worsened against the run. After two exhibition games, the Rams' defense allowed an average of 349 yards, including 222 rushing.
Last playoff appearance: 2004.

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