ESPN NFL

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Steve from San Jose writes: Hey Mike, I've read your blog religiously over the last season and you have me hooked. About Shaun Hill: He won both of his starts in 2007, he won 4 of the last 5 games in 2008, and is 5 for 8 in the 2nd half of that season. He has had Joe Montana like comebacks against the Redskins and Rams, and led the 49ers to victory over the Bills and Jets, despite being the underdog. He had a better passer rating last year than Donovan McNabb and Eli Manning, and he is 5-0 at Candlestick Park.

Am I the only one that thinks Shaun can't catch a break? He deserved to be the starter this year, but was derailed by Martz, who brought in his friend J.T. O'Sullivan. He has done everything he has been asked and has exceeded all expectations. He pulls that team together like no quarterback since Steve Young, and yet he still may not be the starter next year. The whole bay area is thinking what could have been if Hill had led the team from the beginning, has he not earned it and then some?

Mike Sando: Thanks for the support. You make a compelling case for Hill. Jim Haslett said he could tell the 49ers were responding to Hill. Hill made key plays on third down against the Dolphins late in the season. He was strong on third down overall.

In my view, Hill would have to be the first-team quarterback heading into minicamps if the 49ers kept their current crop of quarterbacks. The team did try to claim Bruce Gradkowski off waivers, but Hill has obviously been more impressive.

The 49ers had no problem opening up the quarterback job through last offseason. Now the team has a new offensive system. Hill will have to prove himself within that system. We know he generally isn't a very good practice player. Now might be a good time for him to improve in that area.

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Jeremy from Dix Hills, N.Y., writes: Sando, there has been some odd questions on the Pendergast firing, but the real question is are the candidates to replace him and Haley. Is there any speculation that Jon Gruden, Mike Shanahan, Mike Martz could become off. coordinator? What about Russ Grimm, he sort of knows the offense and its staff? For the defense, Whisenhunt may want to bring in Pitt LB coach Keith Butler, but what about Giant coaches Peter Giunta or Mike Waufle, two coordinators with a knowledge of an amazing defense.

Arizona needs a coordinator who can give us back our super bowl. I never thought of this a miracle, thought they would win it in the beginning of the year. Using a giants assistant, which people should have great respect for can take the mix of young and veteran players into a top defense. In the offense, keep a pass happy Warner, or Leinart if forced to, with a few surprising runs on plays that should be passing plays. I really think that Butler is great considering what he has with his Pittsburgh linebackers, but the Cardinals real problem on defense is letting the large plays, which is what a secondary or DL coach could do. What is your response on the Cardinals coaching situation and who do you think should be named in each coordinator spot.

Mike Sando: I do not know the specific situations regarding Giants assistant coaches. However, Steve Spagnuolo tapped the Panthers' staff for his defensive coordinator in St. Louis, for whatever that is worth. On offense, none of those former head coaches appears anywhere near the Cardinals' actual list of candidates. Grimm would probably be the favorite.

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Mitchell from Toronto writes: Mike; I am unsure if this is true or can be proved BUT if I am not mistaken did the cardinals not approach Boldin with a contract BEFORE they finalized Larry's Contract? I think further more Boldin decided not to accept the contract extension because he wanted to see what Fitzgerald's contract was like. If im not mistaken isn't this his own fault that he over-played his hand?

Mike Sando: It probably wasn't quite that black and white, but yes, the Cardinals did approach Boldin before they signed the deal with Fitzgerald. That doesn't mean they were going to pay Boldin what he wanted or what Fitzgerald wound up getting.

Fitzgerald's rookie contract forced the team's hand. Boldin's contract is quite manageable, so he has much less leverage and wasn't going to get that type of deal.

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Pat from Columbus writes: Congrats on the new picture, it doesn't look like you are looking directly into the sun anymore.

Mike Sando: True, true. I actually was squinting into the sun in the previous mug shot.

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supninerfan from Sunrise writes: With $20-$30 mil in the cap would it make sense for the Niners to pick up a pass rush in free agency and pick up Jenkins in the draft. They could ask him to play safety. Then they could strengthen the OL and WR in the second and third round. Also, do you think Leftwich would fit in Sings offense?

Mike Sando: If Byron Leftwich or any quarterback can hand off accurately, he fits the offense. I'm only half-joking there. On the draft front, the 49ers wouldn't want to pay a first-round cornerback to play safety. That would not make much sense financially. The Cardinals wound up doing that with Antrel Rolle. They probably wouldn't have drafted him eighth overall if they knew he would become a free safety within a couple seasons.

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Peter from Modesto writes: Sando, why is everyone so down on the 9ers safety position? I get the stuff about Roman, but what about Lewis? Is he really that bad?

Mike Sando: I don't think Michael Lewis is a problem at safety. He would benefit from having someone with better coverage skills in the other safety spot.

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Brian from Missoula, Mont., writes: Sando, I like the Blog but love the new pic. Who do you see the Seahawks using the franchise tag on this year? Do they use it on Hill or go another direction? Thanks!

Mike Sando: Looks like the blog will struggle to live up to the new mug. My feel would be that the Seahawks would not use the franchise tag on Hill.

This situation will test general manager Tim Ruskell. Ruskell has appeared pretty eager to part with players who ran into off-field trouble. Most of those players happened to be Holmgren-era draft choices, from Jerramy Stevens to Koren Robinson to possibly Rocky Bernard in the near future. Hill was a Ruskell guy and he also appears to have a brighter future than Stevens or Robinson had. Those things complicate the decision.

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David from parts unknown writes: Regarding Anquan Boldin Boldin is upset that he didnt get a new contract prior to the 2008 year -- his sixth in the league. How many NFL players with five years of experience have had their contract renegotiated upwards twice? If the Cards give him a new deal this offseason -- that would be two brand new contracts in a six year career. Isn't that way out ahead of what NFL teams normally do?

Mike Sando: Yes, that would be way ahead of what most teams normally do. I'm not sure how many players have redone their deals that many times in that short a period. This situation does allow the Cardinals an opportunity to define how they will do business.

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Justin from York, Pa., writes: Mike I always enjoy reading the blog and think you have excellent opinions for all the NFC-West teams. In saying that, I'm looking at this Draft this year and am wondering why I'm not seeing Ray Maualuga at the 10th pick for the 49ers. You look at the Ravens defense built around linebackers and defense, they don't need to score much. Talk about dominance with him and Willis and Manny Lawson's speed around the end in the 3-4 style it would be ridiculous. Why is this not being talked about? Thanks

Mike Sando: Perceptions, probably. People know what Patrick Willis gives the 49ers and assume the team is set at linebacker. I wonder also if Takeo Spikes provides some short-term insurance based on how well he played most of the time last season. I'll take your mailbag note as a reminder not to rule out linebacker in that spot.

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Bronson from East Helena, Mont., writes: Hey sando, like always keep up the good work on the west. Some of the niner fans have been dreaming of signing someone like Suggs or Peppers. I believe with a little more aggressive defense this year we already have the talent. Haralson had the same number of sacks as Suggs and is still a young guy. I also think Manny Lawson could become a very good 'Hybrid' LB. I would rather see them go after a safety (atogwe) or a tackle. What are your thoughts?

Mike Sando: Pass-rush help is at a premium, so if you can get it, go for it. That doesn't always mean you have to overpay. The Cardinals might not have gotten to the Super Bowl this season without Bertrand Berry. He made timely plays for them, starting with that forced fumble on J.T. O'Sullivan in the season opener. The point is that you don't have to have a single dominant pass rusher. Still, if you can get one, you can't pass up the opportunity.

Teams can find safeties without spending huge money. And unless you think Oshiomogho Atogwe is the next great safety, I would warn against paying him that type of money. I would also warn against paying huge money for a right tackle.

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Scott from Washington, D.C., writes: Mike, what are the chances of the niners pursuing Oshiomogho Atogwe in Free Agency? They have the need, as well as significantly more cap space than the Rams. Does this make too much sense?

Mike Sando: The Rams could put the franchise tag on Atogwe if they really wanted to keep him. Releasing Orlando Pace and/or Torry Holt would give them the cap flexibility to make that kind of move. If Atogwe hits the market, yes, the 49ers should take a look at him. They need their safeties to force more turnovers (forcing fewer really isn't an option, as you know). Atogwe does force turnovers.

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Ryan from Chandler, Ariz., writes: Hey Mike, during the last mailbag I had seen a few readers comment on Brandon Jacobs going to either the Rams or with Haley to the Chiefs. What about Jacobs going to the Cardinals (especially if we get rid of Edge)? He'd be a big bruising back that the Wiz wants and we'd still have Hightower and Arrington to break the long ones. What do you think of this scenario? Thanks, Ryan

Mike Sando: The Giants could make it a non-issue by re-signing Jacobs, which would make a lot of sense.

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Steven from Florida writes: When do teams normally use their throwback jerseys and when do you see the Seahawks use their throwback jerseys? Would be pretty cool to see them play in them.

Mike Sando: The Seahawks have been wearing their new jerseys only since 2002. I have previously asked them about wearing the old ones again, but haven't learned of any such plans. In asking the league about throwback jerseys and when teams wear them, a league spokesman once told me to check with the teams.

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Nick from Vancouver, Wash., writes: Hey Mike, I was just wondering what your personal stance is on the combine when it comes to judging talent. Do you think an off 40 time should really affect a player's draft stock? It seems silly to me that people invest so much time and energy into how players do in the combine, but so many great players in the last 5-10 years have been nothing outstanding in the combine.

Also, do you think that Seattle should take Crabtree? I'm not so sold on taking a WR so soon as that tends to be a position where guys need a year or two to figure out at the pro level, regardless of where they get picked. Would Crabtree be an exception to that and play more like Calvin Johnson his rookie year, or would he be like a Reggie Williams? Thanks for your time!

Mike Sando: You're welcome. I do not think a 40-yard time should affect a player's stock too much, but I do think the overall combine experience allows teams to get a better feel for players. The medical and psychological tests are helpful.

As for whether the Seahawks should take a receiver? The new staff has talked about installing a system that players can learn quickly. If Crabtree projects as a Pro Bowl-caliber receiver, the Seahawks should draft him and get him up to speed quickly, as promised.

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Josh from Agoura Hill, Calif., writes: Hey Mike, Have you heard anything out of Rams camp on who they will draft? Everywhere I look I get something different.

Mike Sando: I'm with you. The Rams are just getting their coaching staff together. Their coaches probably have lots of work to do in terms of evaluating the existing talent and evaluating the college talent. We won't have a great feel for a while.

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Kevin from parts unknown writes: Hey Mike, Thanks for all the great coverage and I look forward to your analysis on the off season ahead. I'm wondering why no one has mentioned the Hawks signing Antonio Bryant? He's big, fast, and can make great plays (one-handed
TD snag on MNF, to go along with a 200 yard night). He put up very solid numbers in a traditionally run-first offense last year, and would probably come at a lower price than Housh. I think he's a few years younger, too. He and a healthy Branch should be able to lead a pretty decent group of receivers, especially considering who the Seahawks might draft in the first 3 or 4 rounds. We wouldn't have to rely on "potential" any more, and some of our younger guys would be able to develop properly(at least the ones who stay on the team). Proven talent wins a lot more games.

Mike Sando: The prevailing opinion is that the Bucs will not let Bryant get away.

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Nick from Phoenix writes: I know the Cardinals are not likely to make a big splash in free agency since Whiz likes to use it for depth, but do you think they may go after any starters at Center or Tight End or wait for the draft. Center like Jason Brown or Brad Meester would be big upgrades and would not break the bank.

Mike Sando: I would expect the Cardinals to address tight end and center this offseason. We will also learn more about how Ken Whisenhunt wants to use free agency. The Cardinals had little cap flexibility last offseason. They have more flexibility now. A head coach coming off a Super Bowl season should be able to push for a player or two.

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SanDiegoDave from San Diego [presumably] writes: I see fullback as one of the primary needs for SF. For Singeltary's offense, we need a smashmouth player (ie not Weaver). The draft doesn't have a standout so it looks like we'll have to pick one up in free agency. Who do you like out out there (Heath Evans, Terrelle Smith, or Moran Norris)? Obviously, Frank likes Norris....thoughts?

Mike Sando: Norris is probably better as a pure blocker than those other guys. The traditional fullback is a dying breed. We're seeing teams use tight ends as fullbacks because they aren't willing to commit roster spots to true fullbacks. The college game isn't producing many true fullbacks, either.