ESPN NFL

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

The APB we put out for Cardinals fans lured a few into the mailbag.

Grant from Omaha, Neb., writes: Are the cardinals using more of the 3-4 this year than last or will they still be a hybrid type like last year?

Mike Sando: I consider the Cardinals a bit of a hybrid, but not so much in the sense of flipping between 3-4 and 4-3. They're a 3-4 team without being married to the idea of the linemen being in the two-gap mindset as much of the time. Darnell Dockett can get up the field more than some traditional 3-4 defensive ends. Darren Urban of azcardinals.com touched on this.

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Trenton from parts unknown writes: Hey Mike, how come the reporters don't put the same pressure that (Mike Nolan) is putting on this qb situation on himself. Today i finally read that he said, 'I'm tired and that's all we talk about after camp are the QBs.' Well i think being that he's run down, just like he's doing with our organization, why dont the reporters pounce on him until he answers questions about SMITH AND SMITH ONLY WITOUT DIVERTING TO SOMETHING ELSE. If we keep letting him off the hook then he can just wasel back into hiding. Put the pressure on, can't we? Well, we as fans cant so why not a session where they hit him hard, and MAKE HIM STAY ON TOPIC, BOUT THE QB BATTLE.

Mike Sando: I'll be down there at 49ers camp in the not-too-distant future. We do need some answers. I haven't sensed reporters giving Nolan a free pass, though. They ask tough questions. They can't make him answer the questions to their liking. Nolan can be fairly easy to read by how he says things and by what he doesn't say. It's just hard to quote a guy for tone and omission.

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Tom from Calgary writes: Hey Mike, thank you for reading my question. Is Brock Berlin the quarterback that would replace Marc Bulger in midseason if Bulger struggles.

Mike Sando: Trent Green would be the replacement.

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Grant from Omaha is back for more: While the cardinal rookie ends looked good in the first game, is it more a product of them playing against second and third string competition or could they compete and make an impact this year?

Mike Sando: Both.

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Andrew from Phoenix writes: Ok I'm a Cardinals fan and I have a question. Do you think Rolle will play well at free safty and finally be the player we thought he would be when we drafted him?

Mike Sando: I think Rolle should become a good starting safety. I'd be surprised if he justified his high draft standing, but safety is probably where he is best suited.

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Williambryan from Vancouver, Wash., writes: Here is an idea... Djack (Darrell Jackson). This is Holmgrens last year, Jack just got passed by Royal of the Broncos. The only thing that would have to happen is for Ruskell to let go of some pride. Djack was not a locker room problem for the players or coaches, he was only a problem for Ruskell. His chemistry with Hass was such that they were great together even when DJack wasn't practicing so there is no reason to think he couldn't come back and get back to work right?

Mike Sando: Yes, the Seahawks have some injury issues at receiver. But they won't be bringing back Darrell Jackson.

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Van from Chandler, Ariz., writes: I saw where you called the Cards the #2 team in the NFC West, given how bad the 49ers and Rams appear to be, is that even a compliment???

Mike Sando: Cardinals fans can't be picky about the legitimacy of compliments directed their teams' way.

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Hugo from Vermont writes: I've just read over your last few blog entries and my question is this - someone has to win the NFC West, right? With the injuries to Engram and maybe Hasselbeck, don't we have the makings here of not only the worst division in football this year, but more likely the worst division in football in years? Who do you pick?

Mike Sando: Yes, this could be a very bad division. Right now I go with Seattle, Arizona, San Francisco and St. Louis. The Rams move ahead of the 49ers if/when Steven Jackson rejoins the team.

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Mark from Olympia writes: Hey Mike...appreciate all the hard work you do keeping us up to speed on what's going on. My question is regarding the hawks "log jam" in the backfield. It appears that MoMo and Julius have similar running styles and Weaver, Duckett and Schmitt all offer the short yardage back we needed last year. Then you throw in a change of pace in Forsett, who has impressed us all, and you've got some competition that could create some roster intrigue...what do you see them doing with all six and how can they keep all this talent on the 53 man roster or the practice squad? How do you see them protecting guys like Kent and Payne from getting picked up elsewhere if they keep 6 backs?

Mike Sando: Here is an idea ... keep three quarterbacks, six running backs, six receivers, three tight ends, nine offensive linemen, nine defensive linemen, six linebackers, eight defensive backs and three specialists. If a guy doesn't make your 53, you can't worry about another team signing him. That's just the way it goes.

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Dale from Port Orchard, Wash., writes: Hey Mike, excellent job with the blog coverage so far. It was a brilliant move on ESPN's part to cover each of the divisions like this. I sense from the recent posts that you're just as frustrated with the San Francisco Quarterback situation as I am. Since a true leader has not emerged, might it not be better to pick a winner of the competition now and build the offense around the winners strengths? Even O'Sullivan seemed a bit lost during the pre-season game, and he had a year of tutelage under the Mike Martz system in Detroit. Alex plays best under the spread system he had in Utah (which is somewhat like the Martz system from what I understand), Shaun Hill does best with the West Coast system, and JT does what...JT does, I guess. At this point in the game, does it not make more sense to pick the QB and let him sink or swim in the best possible situation?

Mike Sando: Yes, I think picking a quarterback early makes sense. You can always replace him if needed. But in the meantime, you give the starter a better chance to succeed. This is not an ideal situation in San Francisco. Nolan wanted competition, but it's tough to say that approach is paying off at this point.

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Matt from Seattle writes: Sando, I know one game does not win you or lose you a roster spot, usually. But how in the world is Hawthorne the heater not going to make the seahawks. Also, with the inexperience at wide out, what do you think of cutting duckett and using an I formation of O. Schmitt leading the way for Weaver on 3rd and 4th and 1? And giving ducketts roster spot to another wideout.

Mike Sando: Hawthorne appears pretty safe to me at this point, barring injury or an unexpected fade. I would hold off before making judgments on Duckett. Let's see another game or two. Weaver running behind Schmitt does sound like a fun combination. I'd like to see it.

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Mitchell from London, Ontario, writes: Mike; Thank you very much for the comments and blogs from the NFC WEST!. I am just curious to what you thought of Tony's commentary of the Saints vs
Cardinals game considering he spent considerable amount of time ignoring the game and talking about subjects from his PTI show?

Mike Sando: Hey, it's the preseason. I'm not sure the broader viewing audience is calling for an in-depth breakdown of the race for the ninth spot on the offensive line. That one reason we have the blogs!