ESPN NFL

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Julian from Frankfurt, Germany, writes: Hey Mike. I don't understand why Tim Hightower is so much overlooked by most reporters as one of the best rookie backs so far. I am pretty impressed with what he does, he already has 5 TDs and has given the Cards something they really needed in his ability to get the yards they need in short yardage situations. Last year we were forced to throw even at the 1. Does he lack one or two runs of 50+ yrds to get some attention?

Mike Sando: Hightower is overlooked because people do not watch every team closely. People do not make time to appreciate every productive situational performer. Hightower has impressed me from the beginning (1,2,3,4).

Hightower's overall numbers are just OK. He doesn't have lots of yards. He doesn't have a huge average per carry. His value to the Cardinals comes in the way he converts short-yardage situations, hardly glamorous work. But he is an important part of what they do.

---

Kenny from Phoenix writes: Hey mike, love the column. I'm stoked that your going to the cardinals cowboys game but let me say that I hope you're wearing red because there's going to be quite the red vs. blue battle going on between fans. Also, got a spare ticket? Would love to go and hear your thoughts between snaps.

Mike Sando: Thanks, Kenny. I'm really looking forward to this game. No extra tickets to offer, but we'll talk about the game plenty on the blog. No other game in the division interests me as much as this one. I would like to see the others, but this will be a good opportunity to watch the Cardinals against a playoff-caliber team in Arizona.

---

Ricky from Miami writes: Hey Sando. Love reading your blog, keep up the good work. I've been a 49ers fan all my life. The last five years have have been tough and this year is already looking shaky. Obviously Nolan will get canned if we don't finish well this year. But my biggest concern is what happens to the players. Usually when a new head coach comes in they start cleaning house and building their own team, but I feel like this team already has a lot of talent. What kind of roster changes can you see happening if a new coach comes in next year?

Mike Sando: Thanks, Ricky. The new coach would have to figure out whether he likes the quarterback. He would have to figure out which assistant coaches might remain on staff. The team would have to weigh the possibility of hiring yet another offensive coordinator. Those would be the primary concerns. I'm not sure the 49ers could risk assuming that the talent is great.

---

Dukeshire from Portland writes: Sando, I thought John Marshall was promoted to DC under Tim Ruskell. I should be more specific about the losses, as well. Bears, Steelers and Packers (in playoffs) crushed the Seahawks by running, and running right up the middle. What I would really like to know is your opinion about Mora's future staff. Do you feel Marshall is here to stay or can we expect a change (PLEASE) from Mora?

Mike Sando: I would expect Mora to make changes. Every new head coach wants to make his own staff hires and establish his own program. That would be my feeling at this time.

---

Lance from Mount Vernon, Wash., writes: Why do people say Seahawks linebackers are small and weak and were drafted for speed? They seem like they are league average to me. Here are a few other teams' linebackers compared with the Seahawks. Chicago Bears (6-4, 238 and 6-4, 258 and 6-1, 240). Tennesse Titans (6-2 and 225, 5-11 and 235, 6-3 and 235. Jacksonville Jaguars (6-2 and 245, 6-1 and 238, 6-1 and 232). Seattle Seahawks (6-1 and 238, 6-0 and 242, 6-3 and 240). Minnesota Vikings (6-3 and 244, 6-1 and 245, 6-2 and 242)

Mike Sando: Good question. I happen to chart linebacker weights by scheme and can tell you the average 4-3 team lists its linebackers at about 239 pounds. Seattle is right around there. The Seahawks are also right near the averages weights for 4-3 defensive linemen.

---

Rich from Bellevue, Wash., writes: Said you: "We've seen players have a hard time adjusting even from corner to safety." My question: What exactly is the difference between cornerback and safety? From an ignorant fan perspective, they've always seemed pretty much the same to me; both are defensive backs, principally charged with covering receivers. CB's are generally a little better cover guys, safeties are generally a little better at run support. But they seem pretty the same. But then I hear people make comments such as yours, which suggest that the two positions are actually very different. I'm sure you are correct, but I'd sure love to understand just what that difference is. Can you elaborate?

Mike Sando: Sure. The safeties are going to pay more mind to the run. They are going to need a broader understanding of the defense as a whole. Safeties will often make defensive calls based on what they see from the offense. Cornerbacks generally are in their own little worlds. Safeties cover more of the field on a given play.

---

Matt from Seattle writes: Sando, I don't understand what people are complaining about with the Boldin injury? Stat grabbing? I mean, come on. I don't know about you, but I was taught to fight until the clock struck 0:00. What would the reaction of been had Kurt Warner came out and took a couple knees? Come on people!

Mike Sando: I don't think anyone would have said anything about Warner taking a knee while trailing by 21 points with 27 seconds remaining. It would have been a non-issue. I do understand the keep-fighting mentality, but a coach does need to keep an eye on the longer-range future in those situations. The decision to "fight to the end" against the Jets is not doing the Cardinals any good right now.

---

Mike from Los Angeles writes: Sandoman, If the Seahawks lose this weekend to Green Bay, the season is basically over. If this happens do you think Tim Ruskell would give any thought to dumping some older players with big cap numbers by the trade deadline? I'm thinking specifically of Julian Peterson and Matt Hasselbeck. I could see the Seahawks maybe getting a 1, 2, and 3 out those two guys, and maybe even a 5th, maybe spread out over the next 2 drafts.

I'm not sure of the cap ramifications but they're both in the 3rd or 4th years of their current deals so I assume it would be manageable. I could see San Diego being interested in Peterson and New England in Hasselbeck as a 1 year stop gap for Tom Brady.

I know it would be a crappy thing to do to Mike Holmgren in his last year, but if the season is lost you have to think about the long term future of the club.

Mike Sando: Experience tells me never to say never, but I'm tempted to break that rule in saying those things aren't going to happen. The salary-cap ramifications would be minimal for the reasons you described. Mike Holmgren would rightly protest and fans would revolt.

---

Mandy from Miami writes: Mike, The guy who asked you about Q playing safety should know that a former pro bowl Cardinal played both sides of the field. Roy Green. Also, I believe for the Cards to win the division simply have to win on the road. But the main reason I believe they are getting better every year is that they are drafting very well. I think this is the first year where a rookie wasn't
NEEDED to step in and start immediately. They have good depth and should only get better.

Mike Sando: I'm not sure I would use "very well" to describe the Cardinals' drafting just yet. Matt Leinart is on the bench. Levi Brown has been OK at right tackle, but not as good as a top-five pick should become. Buster Davis fizzled out as a third-round choice. Alan Branch has done nothing as a second-round choice. The team moved Antrel Rolle to safety after picking him eighth overall.

---

Dr. Jones from Utah writes: Hey Sando, love all of your insight. You make me feel comforted for the aggravationI've felt over my Niners the past several years. I've heard rumors about the Niners being interested in getting Roy Williams and/or TJ Housh. Can you shed any light on that?

Mike Sando: Thanks, doc. Wish I could shed some light, but there isn't much to see at this point. There just isn't hard news behind those stories, to my knowledge.