ESPN NFL

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Jake from Middletown, N.J., writes: Have the Seahawks been looking at any free-agent receivers? I think eric parker would make an impact.

Mike Sando: Parker's injured toe remains an issue. He doesn't expect to be ready for several weeks or longer. The Seahawks expect Deion Branch to return for the regular season, but an injury to another receiver could force them to look around.

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Aaron from Redmond, Wash., writes: I know this is bringing up an old issue, but I'm wondering if it's one that was ever resolved. You remember the whole ordeal between the Seahawks and Vikings regarding "poison pill" contracts for Hutchinson and Burleson? I was wondering the other day why we havn't seen any more of those types of contracts since then. I tried to research on my own, but all I can find are articles saying that the NFL wanted to fix the problem soon (articles are all dated back in 2006), but I could find nothing about it actually being fixed. Are poison pill contracts still possible? Why haven't we seen any in the headlines since?

Mike Sando: Flush with cap space, teams have protected themselves by forgoing the transition tag and by tendering restricted free agents at higher amounts. That was always going to be the best antidote to the poison pill; in both cases, the signing team would have to forfeit more in return for the player.

Douglas from Salem, Ore., writes: I'm assuming the process of learning a new offense will take more time than just training camp and pre-season, but am hopeuful that within the first 2-3 games of the regular season the Offense will start clicking under Martz's direction. I don't see the 49er's schedule as being too scary, and the Defense *should* keep us in most of our games. Prediction: Sweep St Louis, split with the 'Hawks and Cardinals. Lose to N.E., NY Giants, Eagles, Cowboys and Redskins, and the 49ers finish 9-7, enough for a wild card spot. Too optimistic?

Mike Sando: I went through the 49ers' schedule today and had a hard time giving them more than two or three victories in the first half of the season. Their defense and special teams should be solid. Their offense should improve. That said, let's say they beat Arizona in the opener and beat Detroit in the third game. Remaining first-half games are at Seattle, at New Orleans, vs. New England, vs. Philadelphia, at NY Giants and vs. Seattle. The opponents will be favored to win all but one or two of those games, I would think. If the 49ers open 2-6 or 3-5, I have a hard time seeing them get to nine victories.

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Joe from Tacoma, Wash., writes: Mike, There has been a lot of talk about Walter Jones showing his age. From some of the camp reports I've read he seems to be getting beat more often than usual.I.E. getting beat on two consecutive plays by Julian Peterson. Do you believe that this has more to do with off-season shoulder surgery or is he slowing down? If he is showing his age, and will need to be replaced in 2 or 3 years, have you heard of a plan to do so?

Mike Sando: Age and injuries have affected Jones, but he's still very good. I would think the team should develop a potential successor beginning in the next draft.

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Babur Saleem from Sherman Oaks, Calif., writes: Hey Mike, I was just wondering since you worked on the Seahawks and lived in Seattle if you may have a subconscious biased towards them or even against the 49ers while you are covering them? Also is it normal to see what you did at 9er camp this early on, where you didn't see much of what has been discussed and promised by the coaches, concerning plays, and players being involved i.e Vernon Davis. Do you think if we stay healthy and our team clicks, we have enough talent to do some damage in the NFC? Thanks Mike.

Mike Sando: I don't root for any teams, and I generally pay very close attention to language when writing. Fairness is important to me. To clarify, I covered the Seahawks for the Tacoma News Tribune from 1998 into 2007.

The 49ers continue to install their offense. They are teaching more than they are scheming, if that makes sense. I think that makes it harder to determine purpose.

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Jeff from Salt Lake City writes: Do you think there might be any chance of improvement in the 49ers offense to warrant a playoff run? How good do you think our defense really is?

Mike Sando: I do not expect the 49ers to make a playoff run. Their quarterback situation is telling. The defense should continue its improvement. Manny Lawson is a bit of an "X" factor coming off surgery. The 49ers think he can emerge as a player opposing quarterbacks must account for before the snap.

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49ERSNH from parts unknown writes: Hope they give Kent Balmer number "97" his idol. Norris is history, not a starter. I'm still looking forward to the Spikes press conference.

Mike Sando: Niners coach Mike Nolan called Moran Norris the starting fullback, but that position is in flux.

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Steven in Seattle writes: Do you think Shaun Alexander will be picked up at all this year? Or is pride getting in the way of him becoming somebody's well-known backup?

Mike Sando: I don't think Alexander projects well as a backup because he's not a third-down back and he doesn't play special teams. He might be best off waiting for a starter to get hurt.

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Michael from London (via Belfast) writes: Mike, Just to say I really loved your work on the TNT (I was one who added to the lengthy comments section when you announced your departure - must have been a bit like attending your own funeral reading all that!) Anyway, firstly great work on the NFC West blog, we feel truly spoilt to have you here. I was wondering how different you found it covering four teams instead of one? Also a question about my beloved Hawks. Do you think they will be able to keep Leroy Hill (who seems to "fly under the radar" but does a great job). I believe he is a free agent next year which is also a year when big escalators kick in in Peterson's contract. I worry because he doesn't get as many sacks since Peterson has arrived and is used a little differently he may want to go to another team who will use him in a more high profile role. Do you have any thoughts/insight on this? Thanks again for all your work. A fellow Michael. PS I am a little devastated to hear you were a Raider fan in a former life, still no one is perfect.

Mike Sando: Thanks for the kind words, Michael. I'm in the process of educating myself more thoroughly on the four teams in this division. Covering one team all the time makes it easier to know that team well. Bouncing around to these training camps helps immensely. I also covered quite a few games involving NFC West teams last season.

Leroy Hill might be the best player on Seattle's defense. If not, he could be right behind Lofa Tatupu. That's the feedback I've gotten from coaches and personnel people familiar with the Hawks. Keeping him should be a top priority. He is such an explosive player. We saw it late last season and the Hawks expect more of the same, and then some, this upcoming season.

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R.K. from Lexington, Ky., writes: Mike, while your in San Fran, keep an eye out for how much Gore is used coming out of the backfield. Will Martz try to make him the next Marshall Faulk like he did not have in Detroit? Also, what seems to be the order of the WR core? Is Issac Bruce competing for a spot of there more for a teacher in Martz tough playbook. Thanks and please provide some feedback!!

Mike Sando: I saw Gore catch the ball repeatedly.
He'll be a big part of the offense. The injuries at receiver are fouling up the evaluations. Mike Martz wants those guys on the field. Bruce, Arnaz Battle and Bryant Johnson would be the top three. The order isn't obvious to me yet. Ashley Lelie's injury situation isn't helping his cause. Martz and the personnel people love what they see from Josh Morgan. They think he can help them this season.