Rick (Pasadena, CA): What do you think about the Rams defense so far? Yes I know it's crazy but I'm still sticking by my prediction that the Rams will be a top ten defense.

Mike Sando: I have a hard time with your assessment. The Rams lack depth, so injuries will affect them. Also, the offense probably will not be good enough to put the defense in favorable situations consistently. The Rams should rise in the defensive rankings based on their schedule, however. The 2009 team's first five home games featured dates with Aaron Rodgers, Brett Favre, Peyton Manning, Drew Brees and Kurt Warner. I actually think the 2010 home schedule is the key to the improvement St. Louis will show in the standings. This is something I'd like to break out on the blog shortly.

Dan Grimm (Ojai, CA): Do you think that Mike Gibson is just getting a look at guard for Seattle or do you think he's actually a candidate to replace Hamilton?

Mike Sando: Ben Hamilton's value to the Seahawks is pretty limited. Alex Gibbs feels as though Hamilton's knowledge of the system can help Russell Okung play more freely. Even then, it was debatable as to whether Hamilton would play well enough to justify his position in the lineup. Now that an injury has sidelined Okung, Hamilton no longer has as much value from a coach-on-the-field standpoint. I would expect Gibson to justify his spot in the lineup, at which point the Seahawks will have to reevaluate Hamilton's value pending Okung's return.

justin (scottsdale, az): How much of Leinart's issues in preseason do you think are the lack of game-planning from the Cardinals?

Mike Sando: That would be a small part of the equation. Leinart also isn't getting a chance to play extensively. The team also has some issues at receiver beyond even Larry Fitzgerald's injury. Throw in the Titans' blitzing and Kurt Warner probably would not have looked very good, either (and he did not look good in the 2009 preseason, finishing it with zero touchdowns and three picks). The difference right now is that Leinart is being evaluated -- at least by the public -- based on how he plays in these games. It's a tough evaluation to make. However, I think it's reasonable to expect a starting quarterback to look like one at some point during an offseason, and I'm not sure Leinart has looked like one to this point. He's been a little nondescript.

Tim (Costa Mesa, CA): A little wishful thinking here, but if Alex Smith has a good season and Aubrayo Franklin proves himself yet another time, the 49ers are going to have to re-sign/release Smith, Vernon Davis, Franklin and possibly Dashon Goldson coming off a good season. Will they have money? Shouldn't they try to sign Vernon now before a collective bargaining agreement disaster?

Mike Sando: Those would be good problems to have from the 49ers' perspective. They would franchise Vernon Davis if they did not re-sign him, but this team has taken care of young players such as Patrick Willis and Joe Staley. I see nothing stopping the 49ers from paying Davis before he becomes eligible for free agency. They could find another nose tackle if someone broke the bank for Franklin. Smith has shown he wants to stay with the 49ers. If he had a great year, the team would just pay him because he's a quarterback. Under this scenario, the team would have the tag for Goldson if necessary. I think it's manageable as long as they take care of Davis, and recent history says they will.