ESPN NFL

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Jacob from Denmark writes: On nfl.com, Steve Wyche said the Rams could go after DE Julius Peppers. Do you think the Rams have a chance of getting him? But with limited cap room do you even think it would be wise for the Rams to go out and use the budget on a defensive end when you consider some of the holes on the Rams depth chart. Linebacker, defensive tackle, off. tackle, center, and strong safety just to name a few. Also, in generel, how attractive a team do you belive the Rams are on the free agent market. Do you think any of the bigger names with plenty offers would even consider the Rams? Thanks

Mike Sando: Rams defensive coordinator Ken Flajole would provide the link to Peppers for St. Louis. Flajole was the Panthers' linebackers coach until recently. Peppers would help the Rams tremendously. Chris Long would become a better player on the other side, for sure.

In following up with Steve this morning, however, he said he might have mentioned the Rams as a team that could use defensive help, but he doesn't expect the Rams to land Peppers. Steve sees what you and I see: some potentially significant salary cap limitations and a market featuring free-agent landing spots more attractive than St. Louis. Steve did mention the Broncos in association with Peppers, and the Bucs could be another potential suitor.

The Rams could stand to strengthen their offensive line and the middle of their defense. I expect we'll see them concentrate their efforts in those areas.

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Toni from Seattle writes: Mike, I love the blog, i check it multiple times a day!!! my question is regarding LeRoy Hill, do you think that the Hawks are going to let him test the free agent market or are going to try and re-sign him? i know Ruskell said that he is a top priority, but we have other issues to address so do you just see them letting him walk? and i know many people talk about his latest incident and that Ruskell is a "character guy" but he did give Bernard, Tatupu, and Locklear 2nd chances so that wouldn't stand in the way of Hill coming back, will it, you think? Thanks Mike!!

Mike Sando: Thanks, Toni. I've questioned whether they would franchise Hill since the marijuana incident. The other players you mentioned were under contract. Tatupu and Locklear had signed long-term deals. Bernard probably will not be back.

I think the Seahawks will try to bring back Hill, but I'd be a little surprised if they used the franchise tag. If they did, perhaps they would frame it as a one-year trial period for Hill to prove himself on and off the field.

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Ryan from Vancouver, B.C., writes: Hey Mike, love the blog keep up the great work. What do you think of the current State of the Seahawks offense if they come into this season healthy? I think they are that one impact player away from really opening things up and being an offensive force in the League. And do you see the Hawks maybe trying to go after Albert Haynesworth because he could be the key to helping out the hawks on the defensive side as well.

Mike Sando: Thanks, Ryan. The offense will be different. There could be an adjustment period. I do think a healthy Hasselbeck would give them a chance to get back into the top half of the league rankings, but I'm less sure about Seattle becoming a "force" offensively right away. On Haynesworth, he would help the Seahawks tremendously. He would also carry a very high price tag. I'm not sure Seattle would be his first choice, either.

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Jose from Modesto, Calif., writes: Question about the possibility of the 49ers sharing a stadium with our neighbors the Raiders. What happens if both teams were to host NFC/AFC conference games (which are both played the same day i believe), how would a situation like that play out? What about the field situation (say we play on natural grass) would it be able to hold for two games in less than 24 hours?

Mike Sando: The Giants and Jets share a stadium, so it's already possible. As I recall, the league would have one team play Sunday and the other team play Monday night, with a two-week period leading to the Super Bowl. And I would assume an artificial surface would best accommodate a shared stadium.

I'm not sure what is more likely, the 49ers and Raiders sharing a stadium or the 49ers and Raiders both advancing to conference title games in the same season. At this point, I might have to lean toward the shared stadium.

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Marcus from Moscow, Idaho, writes: Hey Mike, if the Seahawks decide to draft a player (Crabtree) that potentially will have an immediate impact relevant to production, do you think Seattle will retain Branch? If they do and Burleson is healthy, do you feel that our receivers will be a formidable group compared to Arizona's studs? Have you heard how Burleson's rehab is progressing? Thanks, Marcus

Mike Sando: The Seahawks could line up with Steve Largent and Brian Blades in their primes -- with Bobby Engram in the slot -- and the Cardinals' guys might be harder to defend in the passing game with Larry Fitzgerald playing at his current level. Producing three 1,000-yard receivers in the same season puts this Arizona group in a special class.

The Seahawks' current starting receivers have shown they can produce when healthy, but we have not seen the consistency to make any comparisons with Arizona -- even if Seattle added an impact receiver in the draft.

Branch did play well enough late last season to buy himself another year, I would think. The Seahawks aren't really in position to lose talent at that position.

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Rick from Phoenix writes: Mike, What would you think of a Boldin for Tony Gonzalez trade? Gonzalez looks like he's not happy in KC, and I would think he would be eager to work with a veteran QB like Warner. Q would be the man in KC, the town would love him. I think it would be a wash talent wise.

Mike Sando: That type of tight end could make the Cardinals brutally tough to defend. The problem is that Gonzalez might only have one or two more good seasons. Boldin could have six or eight. The move would help in the short term. I think the Cardinals would need to receive more in return.