The Sports Xchange

Change is in the wind for the NFC West in 2015, according to a survey of The Sports Xchange’s football staff.

However, the defending division and NFC Conference champion Seattle Seahawks are projected to once again win the division title, although by a slim margin over — surprise — the St. Louis Rams.

Those two teams split all the first-place votes, with Seattle grabbing 60 per cent of them to 40 by St. Louis, which is picked to finish second.

The Arizona Cardinals were projected to easily finish third over the dis-assembled San Francisco 49ers, a unanimous selection to finish last.

Here is a closer look at the NFC West, listed in order of projected finish by The Sports Xchange.

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

2015 TSX DIVISIONAL PICK: 1st

2014 RECORD: 14-5

DIVISIONAL RECORD: 5-1

COACH: Pete Carroll

6th season with Seahawks

57-33 overall; 7-3 postseason

10th season as NFL head coach

91-66; 8-5 postseason

Strength of schedule:

Overall .559; Division .521; Non-Division .581.

–TEAM STRENGTH: Seattle’s best attribute this season might be its speed on defense, and particularly in the front seven. Pete Carroll has said often that the speed up front might be the best of any team he has coached, and the preseason seemed to bear that out. Michael Bennett and Cliff Avril are as quick as any pair of ends in the NFL and Frank Clark has proven worth the trouble so far, also adding a speed dimension at base end and when moved inside in passing situations. The linebackers also appear as fast as any in the league, notably middle linebacker Bobby Wagner and weakside backer K.J. Wright.

–BIGGEST CONCERN: The offensive line remains a huge issue for the Seahawks as the team continues to try to settle on a workable grouping up front. Drew Nowak appears to have won the job of replacing Max Unger at center, and Garry Gilliam looks like a good fit at right tackle. Justin Britt, who has moved inside to left guard after starting last year at right tackle, appears to be still adapting to playing in the interior. Seattle also needs left tackle Russell Okung to stay healthy. He has battled injuries for years and missed the third preseason game against San Diego because of a shoulder injury.

UNIT-BY-UNIT ANALYSIS

QUARTERBACKS: Starter — Russell Wilson. Backup — Tarvaris Jackson.

Wilson is the unquestioned starter after two straight Super Bowl appearances. Jackson, although currently recovering from a high ankle sprain, is a trusted backup option. Wide receiver B.J. Daniels can play quarterback in an emergency.

RUNNING BACKS: Starters — Marshawn Lynch, FB Derrick Coleman. Backups — Fred Jackson, Thomas Rawls, FB Will Tukuafa.

A revamped group behind Lynch. Jackson joins the team after eight seasons in Buffalo as the primary backup. Rawls made the team as an undrafted free agent. Robert Turbin was placed on injured reserve while Christine Michael was traded to Dallas. Coleman returns as the starting fullback after a broken foot ended his 2014 season. Tukuafu is a versatile reserve that can play along the defensive line as well.

TIGHT ENDS: Starter — Jimmy Graham. Backups — Luke Willson, Cooper Helfet.

Graham, acquired from New Orleans, adds a dynamic passing threat for Wilson. Willson and Helfet are capable backups that will also see significant playing time.

WIDE RECEIVERS: Starters — Doug Baldwin, Jermaine Kearse. Backups — Tyler Lockett, Ricardo Lockette, Chris Matthews, B.J. Daniels. Others: Paul Richardson (backup, PUP).

Baldwin and Kearse return as starters for a much-improved group. Lockett has been explosive in the preseason. Matthews looks to build upon a breakout performance in the Super Bowl.

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters — LT Russell Okung, LG Justin Britt, C Drew Nowak, RG J.R. Sweezy, RT Garry Gilliam. Backups — G/T Alvin Bailey, G/C Patrick Lewis, G Mark Glowinski, G/C Kristjan Sokoli.

An unproven group that has two new starters and a third making a position change. Nowak, a converted defensive lineman, and Gilliam have taken over for Max Unger and Britt. Meanwhile, Britt has moved to left guard to replace James Carpenter. The group has just over one half of one preseason game spent together as a starting unit.

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters — LDE Cliff Avril, NT Brandon Mebane, DT Ahtyba Rubin, RDE Michael Bennett. Backups — DE Frank Clark, DE Cassius Marsh, DE David King, NT Jordan Hill, DT Demarcus Dobbs.

A strong pass-rushing unit returns three starters, with Rubin replacing the departed Tony McDaniel. Clark has looked dominant in the preseason and should help bolster a strong group led by Avril and Bennett.

LINEBACKERS: Starters — WLB K.J. Wright, MLB Bobby Wagner, SLB Bruce Irvin. Backups — Kevin Pierre-Louis, Mike Morgan, Brock Coyle.

This group returns all three starters from a season ago. Irvin has developed into a dependable starting linebacker. Pierre-Louis, Morgan and Coyle are trusted backups and key special teamers.

DEFENSIVE BACKS: Starters — LCB Richard Sherman, RCB Cary Williams, FS Earl Thomas, SS Dion Bailey. Backups — CB Marcus Burley, CB Tharold Simon, CB Tye Smith, CB/S DeShawn Shead, S Steven Terrell, S Kelcie McCray. Others: SS Kam Chancellor (starter, reserve/did not report), CB Jeremy Lane, (backup, PUP).

Williams takes over from Byron Maxwell as the starting right cornerback. Bailey inherits the starting strong safety job because Chancellor’s holdout is likely to extend into the regular season. Burley will be the team’s nickel cornerback until Lane can possibly return off the PUP list.

SPECIAL TEAMS: Starters — K Steven Hauschka, P Jon Ryan, LS Clint Gresham, KOR/PR Tyler Lockett.

Lockett provides explosiveness in the return game that Seattle lacked a season ago following the trade of Percy Harvin. Hauschka and Ryan are steady options.

PRACTICE SQUAD: TE RaShaun Allen, CB Justin Coleman, OL Will Pericak, LB Eric Pinkins, T Terry Poole, CB Kevin Short, WR Kevin Smith, RB Rod Smith, DE Robert Thomas, WR Kasen Williams.

ST. LOUIS RAMS

2015 TSX DIVISIONAL PICK: 2nd

2014 RECORD: 6-10

DIVISIONAL RECORD: 2-4

COACH: Jeff Fisher

4th season with Rams

20-27-1 overall

20th season as NFL coach

167-153-1 overall; 5-6 postseason

Strength of schedule:

Overall .553; Division .646; Non-Division .497.

–TEAM STRENGTH: Talk about a no-brainer. The Rams’ defensive line ranks as one of the top units in the NFL, and they set the tone for everyone behind them. The depth is considerable and helps the starters stay fresh and maintain top production. The line has five former first-round picks, including all four starters: right end Robert Quinn, left end Chris Long, and tackles Aaron Donald and Michael Brockers. As good as Donald was last season when he was named the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year, coaches believe he will only get better. Behind the starters are ends William Hayes and Eugene Sims, who can also play inside in passing situations, as well as former first-round pick Nick Fairley and Ethan Westbrooks.

–BIGGEST CONCERN: This is also a no-brainer. With the first five games of the season against Seattle, Washington, Pittsburgh, Green Bay and Arizona, the offensive line will experience a baptism under fire as it tries to protect quarterback Nick Foles and help the offense achieve any sort of consistency and get off to a good start. Under head coach Jeff Fisher, the Rams have gone 1-2, 1-3 and 1-4 in the opening stretch of his three seasons. Two rookies will start: Jamon Brown at left guard and Ron Havenstein at right tackle, and the starting center is a tossup between Barrett Jones (no career starts) and Tim Barnes (four career starts). Along with second-year left tackle Greg Robinson, who started 12 games last season, the most total starts they will have with the four starters aside from right guard Rodger Saffold is 16.

UNIT-BY-UNIT ANALYSIS

QUARTERBACKS: Starter — Nick Foles. Backups — Case Keenum, Sean Mannion.

Foles established himself during the summer with his attention to detail and showing leadership. Despite the young line in front of him, Foles is upbeat and positive. Keenum will be the backup in what was never a true competition with Austin Davis, who was cut and signed with Cleveland. The Rams like Keenum’s savvy. It’s hoped that Mannion, the third-round pick, will only have to carry a clipboard all season.

RUNNING BACKS: Starter — Tre Mason. Backups — Benny Cunningham, Isaiah Pead, Chase Reynolds, Todd Gurley. Others: Trey Watts (backup, suspended 4 games).

Mason will be carrying the load until Gurley plays in a game, and that’s not a bad thing. Both are explosive, although Gurley is bigger and faster. Problematic entering the opener is that Mason is dealing with a hamstring issue. Cunningham has shown himself to be a versatile player that can run and catch, while also being solid in blitz pickup. Pead has been a disappointment since being a second-round pick in 2012, but he had a solid camp coming back from a torn ACL. Still, his roster spot could be in jeopardy once Watts’ suspension ends. Reynolds is one of the team leaders on special teams.

TIGHT ENDS: Starters — Jared Cook, Lance Kendricks. Backups — Cory Harkey.

Cook has to be more consistent catching the ball, as he frustrates coaches with drops. He is multi-talented and is able to stretch the defense. Kendricks is a good blocker and receiver. He has a knack for getting open, although there aren’t a lot of yards after the catch. Harkey, like Kendricks, is very good in the running game, and will surprise defenses when the quarterback looks his way in the passing game.

WIDE RECEIVERS: Starters — Kenny Britt, Brian Quick. Backups — Tavon Austin, Chris Givens, Stedman Bailey, Bradley Marquez.

How well the Rams play on offense this season is centered around Quick and Austin. Quick is back after suffering a major shoulder injury last season, but it’s still unknown if he will be able to pick up where he left off when he was starting to establish himself as a consistent receiver. Coaches insist they will find a way to get the ball in Austin’s hands more, but talk is cheap. He has big-play ability. Givens was the surprise of the summer, but it remains to be seen how much he will be included in the offense once the real games begin. Britt has developed into a mature leader and should improve on his numbers from last season. Bailey is solid, while Marquez made the roster as an undrafted free agent but probably won’t be active for games.

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters — LT Greg Robinson, LG Jamon Brown, C Tim Barnes, RG Rodger Saffold, RT Rob Havenstein. Backups — T/G Garrett Reynolds, T Andrew Donnal, T Darrell Williams, G Cody Wichmann, C/G Demetrius Rhaney.

Most important for this green group is that Saffold stay healthy. He did start all 16 games last season despite battling a shoulder problem and came to camp feeling good after fixing the shoulder early in the offseason. He then injured his other shoulder on the fourth offensive play of the preseason and didn’t play another down. He will in between the rookie Havenstein at right tackle and Barnes, who has four career starts, at center. Robinson showed growth in the preseason, but also must be stout in protecting Foles’ blind side. Brown is a rookie, but didn’t play like one in the preseason, although he missed the final game because of an ankle injury. Of the five depth players, Reynolds is the only one that has ever played an NFL game.

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters — LE Chris Long, T Aaron Donald, T Michael Brockers, RE Robert Quinn. Backups — E William Hayes, E Eugene Sims, T Nick Fairley, T Ethan Westbrooks.

The only new face from last season is Fairley and he only strengthens a unit being heralded as possibly the best in the NFL. If they aren’t No. 1, they are certainly in the conversation. Quinn is hard to stop and is held perhaps more than any defensive end in the league without getting many calls. Long returns from a serious foot injury that compromised his 2014 season, and it’s important he stays healthy after hitting 30. Donald is a relentless worker that won’t rest on the laurels of being the league defensive rookie of the year last season. Brockers is a mountain inside. The depth is also strong with Hayes, Sims and an emerging Westbrooks.

LINEBACKERS: Starters — WLB Alec Ogletree, MLB James Laurinaitis, SLB Akeem Ayers. Backups — Cameron Lynch, MLB Daren Bates, MLB Bryce Hager.

It’s time for Ogletree to shine. The ability is there, but discipline in playing the defense can be a problem. Laurinaitis will never be a highlight-film middle man, but he is consistent and able to make plays. Ayers replaced Jo-Lonn Dunbar as the starter on the strong side. Bates is one of the team’s best special teamers, and Hager has the potential to be. Lynch made the roster as an undrafted free agent and will also have to contribute on special teams.

DEFENSIVE BACKS: Starters — LCB Trumaine Johnson, RCB Janoris Jenkins, FS Rodney McLeod, SS T.J. McDonald. Backups — CB Lamarcus Joyner, RCB Marcus Roberson, FS Cody Davis, SS Mark Barron, SS Maurice Alexander.

Like Ogletree, Jenkins often has lapses where he veers from the discipline of the defense believing he can always make a big play. That leads to big plays the other way, and that’s what he has to avoid. Johnson is back as the starter with E.J. Gaines (foot) out for the season. Joyner is one of the keys to the pass defense and will often be in the slot. Roberson is an ascending player in his second season, and could be a starter in 2016 if either Jenkins or Johnson aren’t re-signed after their contracts expire in March. McLeod is one of the more underrated safeties in the game, and he makes a strong tandem with McDonald. It will be intriguing to see how defensive coordinator Gregg Williams uses Barron this season. He was acquired in a trade during the 2014 season and now has been in the defense through an offseason and training camp. He will often play like a linebacker in the nickel and can rush the passer. Alexander has improved immensely from his rookie season, while Davis is also capable if he has to play and is strong on special teams.

SPECIAL TEAMS: K Greg Zuerlein, P Johnny Hekker, LS Jake McQuaide, KOR Benny Cunningham, KOR Isaiah Pead, PR Tavon Austin.

Zuerlein and Hekker are as good a combination of kickers in the league, and McQuaide is consistent. Cunningham doesn’t have the ability to score touchdowns, but can do enough to provide decent field position if the kickoff is returnable. Austin is a threat to score any time he gets his hands on a punt.

PRACTICE SQUAD: T Isaiah Battle, RB Malcolm Brown, S Christian Bryant, TE Justice Cunningham, S Jacob Hagen, FB Zach Laskey, DE Matt Longacre, CB Trovon Reed, DT Louis Trinca-Pasat, DT Doug Worthington.

ARIZONA CARDINALS

2015 TSX DIVISIONAL PICK: 3rd

2014 RECORD: 11-6

DIVISIONAL RECORD: 3-3

COACH: Bruce Arians

3rd season as Cardinals/NFL head coach

21-12 overall; 0-1 postseason

Strength of schedule:

Overall .557; Division .542; Non-Division .566.

–TEAM STRENGTH: Safety. The Cardinals have five safeties with starting experience — Tyrann Mathieu, Rashad Johnson, Tony Jefferson, Deonne Bucannon and Chris Clemons. Mathieu and Bucannon have great versatility that allows coordinator James Bettcher to be creative.

Mathieu is playing cornerback in nickel and dime packages. While still called a safety, Bucannon most often plays inside linebacker, next to starter Kevin Minter.

–BIGGEST CONCERN: Who plays right tackle to start the season?

Bobby Massie is facing a three-game suspension. Bradley Sowell has struggled as his replacement. Rookie D.J. Humphries, a first-round pick, doesn’t look ready. Earl Watford will get a chance to win the job over the next two weeks.

UNIT-BY-UNIT ANALYSIS

QUARTERBACKS: Starter — Carson Palmer. Backups — Drew Stanton, Matt Barkley.

Palmer was very sharp throughout the preseason, and Stanton had a good outing in his final appearance. He’s a steady backup. Barkley was obtained in a trade as the team continues to look for its quarterback of the future.

RUNNING BACKS: Starter — Andre Ellington. Backups — David Johnson, Chris Johnson, Stepfan Taylor.

Ellington and the Johnsons give the team some options. Ellington and Chris Johnson are quick and fast, and David Johnson is an excellent receiver. But there isn’t a lead blocker, or fullback, among the group. That’s a concern.

TIGHT ENDS: Starters — Darren Fells, Ifeanyi Momah. Backups — Jermaine Gresham, Troy Niklas.

There is not much depth here, especially with Gresham and Niklas nursing hamstring injuries. Fells is a rising young player, while Momah is an excellent receiver and a poor blocker.

WIDE RECEIVERS: Starters — Larry Fitzgerald, Michael Floyd, John Brown. Backups — J.J Nelson, Jaron Brown, Brittan Golden.

It’s a deep group and talented. Floyd is questionable for the opener after suffering three dislocated fingers in the preseason. Nelson and John Brown are very fast. Fitzgerald again will be used mostly out of the slot, on shorter routes. He’s effective getting difficult yards on third down.

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters — LT Jared Veldheer, LG Ted Larsen, C Lyle Sendlein, RG Jonathan Cooper, RT Earl Watford. Backups – G Mike Iupati, T Bradley Sowell, T D.J. Humphries, C A.J. Shipley. Others: T Bobby Massie (starter, suspended 2 games).

Iupati’s knee injury and Massie’s suspension forced changes already. The Cardinals tried Humphries and Sowell at right tackle in place of Massie, but appear to have settled on Watford, who played well in camp. This group didn’t do a good job in pass protection late in the preseason, and it’s a concern going into the opener.

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters — DLE Frostee Rucker, NT Rodney Gunter, DRE Calais Campbell. Backups — DE Cory Redding, NT Xavier Williams, DE Josh Mauro, DT Ed Stinson.

Campbell is the only elite player in the group, but the other veterans — Rucker and Redding — are savvy pros and excellent leaders. Williams is a stout nose tackle, while Mauro has position flexibility.

LINEBACKERS: Starters — WLB Alex Okafor, ILB Kevin Minter, ILB Deone Bucannon, SLB LaMarr Woodley. Backups — ILB Kenny Demens, ILB Alani Fua, OLB Shaq Riddick, OLB Markus Golden, OLB Kareem Martin, ILB Sean Weatherspoon.

Weatherspoon should take over for Bucannon, normally a safety, when he’s fully back from a hamstring injury. With Weatherspoon out most of training camp, Minter took over as signal-caller and every-down linebacker. He lost 20 pounds in the offseason and is much faster than a year ago. Golden will be used in some pass-rush situations, likely replacing Woodley.

DEFENSIVE BACKS: Starters — LCB Patrick Peterson, RCB Jerraud Powers, FS Tyrann Mathieu, SS Rashad Johnson. Backups — CB Justin Bethel, S Chris Clemons, S Tony Jefferson.

The Cardinals kept only three cornerbacks but are looking to add another either this week or next. The strength of the team could be the safeties. They are smart and versatile, especially considering Deone Bucannon also plays linebacker. Mathieu is playing nickel cornerback and had an excellent preseason.

SPECIAL TEAMS: K Chandler Catanzaro, P Drew Butler, LS Mike Leach, KOR Golden Brittan, PR J.J. Nelson

Catanzaro missed two extra points in the final preseason game. Head coach Bruce Arians said he isn’t concerned, but it’s hard to believe that. A rookie last year, Catanzaro was excellent, but had a so-so training camp. Butler won the job over Dave Zastudil. He needs to work on downing the ball deep in opponents’ territory. Golden is the third different kick returner in three years. The Cardinals ranked last in kickoff returns a year ago and 31st in 2013. Nelson is very fast, but he’s also slightly built (160 pounds). The team can’t have him taking big hits as a returner.

PRACTICE SQUAD: TE Brandon Bostick, CB Cariel Brooks, T Rob Crisp, ILB Gabe Martin, G Antoine McClain, CB Leon McFadden, CB Robert Nelson, DE Lawrence Okoye, WR Jaxon Shipley, RB Kerwynn Williams.

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

2015 TSX DIVISIONAL PICK: 4th

2014 RECORD: 8-8

DIVISIONAL RECORD: 2-4

COACH: Jim Tomsula

1st full season with 49ers/NFL head coach

1-0 overall

Strength of schedule:

Overall .561; Division .604; Non-Division .534.

–TEAM STRENGTH: Special teams. The 49ers made news in the off-season when they dealt one of their most dependable players, punter Andy Lee, to the Cleveland Browns, handing the position to rookie Bradley Pinion. The cost-cutting move had some questioning the priority the new coaching staff was putting on special teams. Suffice it to say, those critics have been silenced, not only by the brilliant punting of Pinion, but also by the emergence of Australian rugby star Jarryd Hayne as a punt returner. And now, after watching undrafted rookie Corey Acosta belt three no-doubt field goals last Saturday in Denver, you have to wonder about the future of another of the team’s holdovers, K Phil Dawson.

–BIGGEST CONCERN: How long before 49ers fans start calling for Blaine Gabbert? The backup quarterback surely outperformed starter Colin Kaepernick in the preseason, albeit it mostly against backups. That said, Gabbert has been impressive enough to at least identify himself as an option in the mind of disgruntled fans. Gabbert or no Gabbert, the call for change might have more to do with the starter than the backup.

UNIT-BY-UNIT ANALYSIS

QUARTERBACKS: Starter — Colin Kaepernick. Backup — Blaine Gabbert.

Gabbert played well enough in the preseason to raise the coaches’ confidence level should he be pressed into action. That could result in Kaepernick being given the green light to run more often, knowing the team now has a safety net in case of an injury.

RUNNING BACKS: Starter — Carlos Hyde. Backups — Reggie Bush, Mike Davis, Jarryd Hayne, FB Bruce Miller.

The 49ers ranked third in the league in rushing yards during the preseason, and while it can be foolish to read too much into the stats of games that don’t count, in this case it speaks directly to the club’s new offensive game plan. In just his second season, Hyde will be given a chance to be a star.

TIGHT ENDS: Starters — Vernon Davis, Vance McDonald. Backups — Garrett Celek, Blake Bell.

Few teams find the need to keep four tight ends, but the 49ers believe they have three standouts and a rookie (Bell) with a ton of potential. The plan is to have two tight ends on the field more often than two backs.

WIDE RECEIVERS: Starters — Anquan Boldin, Torrey Smith. Backups — Quinton Patton, Bruce Ellington, DeAndrew White. Others: Jerome Simpson (backup, suspended 6 games), DeAndre Smelter (backup, NFI).

The undrafted White, one of the surprises of training camp, has six weeks to prove he’s worthy of a roster spot. That’s when Simpson will be returning and needing a roster spot. The battle to be third wideout remains wide-open and certainly includes the rookie.

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters — LT Joe Staley, LG Alex Boone, C Marcus Martin, RG Jordan Devey, RT Erik Pears. Backups — C Nick Easton, G Brandon Thomas, G/T Ian Silberman, T Trent Brown. Other: C Daniel Kilgore (starter, PUP).

No doubt, the unit rates as the club’s biggest concern, as was indicated by rapid rise of Patriots castoff Devey into the starting lineup and the last-minute acquisition of Easton from the Ravens. The strength of the line is on the left, so that’s where defenses can expect a majority of the 49ers’ run-first offense to be headed.

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters — DLE Glenn Dorsey, NT Ian Williams, DRE Quinton Dial. Backups — DE Tank Carradine, DE Tony Jerod-Eddie, DE Arik Armstead, NT Mike Purcell.

The starting trio in essence gives the club three run-stopping nose tackles on the field at the same time. The key is going to be timing the entry of the pass-rushing specialists, where Armstead’s value increased the moment veteran Darnell Dockett was cut.

LINEBACKERS: Starters — WLB Corey Lemonier, ILB Michael Wilhoite, ILB NaVorro Bowman, SLB Ahmad Brooks. Backups — OLB Eli Harold, OLB Aaron Lynch, ILB Shayne Skov, ILB Nick Bellore.

With Bowman, Patrick Willis and Aldon Smith, it wasn’t long ago that the 49ers had a strength in numbers at this position. Now they just have a strength: Bowman. Without question, the whole defense revolves around him after an impressive return to action following major knee surgery. The hope is that Harold or Lynch can quickly develop into half the pass rusher Smith used to be.

DEFENSIVE BACKS: Starters — RCB Tramaine Brock, LCB Keith Reaser, FS Eric Reid, SS Antoine Bethea. Backups — CB Kenneth Acker, CB Shareece Wright, CB Dontae Johnson, FS/CB Jimmie Ward, FS Jaquiski Tartt, SS L.J. McCray.

Reaser and Acker, neither of whom played a down last season, are key additions to a unit that already was strong at the safety positions. All things considered, this area is now the strength of the team. The incredible depth here is one reason the 49ers consider themselves elite when it comes to special teams.

SPECIAL TEAMS: K Phil Dawson, P Bradley Pinion, LS Kyle Nelson, KOR/PR Bruce Ellington, PR Jarryd Hayne, KOR/PR Reggie Bush, KOR DeAndrew White.

Hayne, the Australian rugby star, earned his spot on the roster mainly on the strength of his punt returning. That said, no playing time is guaranteed with tried-and-true Bush and Ellington still in the mix. Still, it’ll be a shock if Hayne, one of the best stories league-wide this summer, doesn’t trot out there to return the opponent’s first punt in the opener.

PRACTICE SQUAD: WR DiAndre Campbell, CB Marcus Cromartie, RB Kendall Gaskins, T Tanner Hawkinson, DE Caleb Ramsey, OLB Marcus Rush, DT Garrison Smith, QB Dylan Thompson, G Andrew Tiller, S Jermaine Whitehead.

–Correspondents covering each team for The Sports Xchange contributed material for this report.