ESPN NFL

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

I haven't played fantasy football in probably 15 years, back when we hurried out to pick up a USA Today on Monday mornings to tabulate scoring. You couldn't find detailed box scores anywhere else, and online options did not exist or were not readily available. In any event, I didn't win my fantasy league back then, and I'm not sure how well I would do now. But duty calls in the form of our leadoff mailbag question (note: questions appear as they were submitted).

Chris from Mankato, Minn., writes: Sando, love your stuff. What players stick out in your mind as fantasy players to own in the West? Got any sleepers for us? Keep up the good work. Go Niners.

Mike Sando: Randy McMichael in St. Louis should be on your list. Barring another injury-induced offensive implosion, I feel confident in saying the Rams will get the ball to McMichael more than 39 times this season. You're probably already onto Byrant Johnson. I would think he'll become a primary target on the outside if Alex Smith can get the ball to him. Courtney Taylor in Seattle could be another sleeper if Deion Branch isn't ready to be an every-down receiver early. Taylor might be most likely to emerge from a group of young receivers in Seattle.

Paul in Concrete, Wash., writes: One of the big keys concerning the success of the Seahawks this season has been centered around the addition of Julius Jones and TJ Duckett to the running game and bidding adieu to a former league MVP. I think the biggest acquisition this off season may be the future backfield tandem of Owen Schmitt at FB and Justin Forsett at RB whom the team drafted back in April. I think Forsett could really make a difference for this team given the chance. Does he have a legit chance of making the roster or will he spend 2008 on the practice squad? I assume Schmitt will be a special teamer this year. What's your take on this duo?

Mike Sando: I've heard mixed reviews around the league as to Schmitt's ability to change direction in picking up blocks. He looks like a special teams guy for now. Forsett does stand out when you watch unpadded practices. I haven't seen him in pads yet, but he's so small, you wonder if he can hold up as more than a situational guy.

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Chris from Caldwell, Idaho, writes: So I realize that you've gotten extensive coverage of the Seahawks over the years, three questions, first are you a Seahawks fan. Second, which Jones do you feel is going to have a bigger year, Felix or Julius. Third, do you think the Hawks have a chance at having a good Thanksgiving this year.

Mike Sando: I'm not a fan of any team in the NFL. I rooted for the Los Angeles Rams as a kid in the 1970s because my family had roots in Southern California. Once I was old enough to make my own sports-loyalty decisions, I followed the Raiders closely and even held season tickets for a while. The allegiances faded away quickly once I started covering the NFL in the 1990s. I have great memories of the players and teams I watched years ago, but it seems like that was in another life.

I would think Julius Jones would get more playing time, giving him a chance to put up better numbers than Felix Jones this season. I cannot say that with any certainty because we're so early in camp.

As for Seattle's Thanksgiving Day game in Dallas, I would expect the Cowboys to win at home against almost any opponent. Seattle's defense has performed much better at Qwest Field than on the road. Mike Holmgren keeps reminding his players of that, so perhaps they'll improve in that area. I'll believe it when I see it.

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Jake from Elmira, N.Y., writes: I was reading a question you answered about the 49ers and was wondering why you (and many other people in the sports writing business) thing Mike Martz can't affectively use a TE as a receiver in his offence. Doesn't he run a version of the same offence Al Saunders runs? Now I know that Vernon Davis has to become more consistent running routs and catching the ball, but Tony Gonzalez put up hall of fame numbers in a very similar offence. I was just wondering if after you look at it that way you feel differently about your opinion. Thanks for you time.

Mike Sando: Martz has so far favored big tight ends who hold up well in pass protection, allowing receivers to work deeper routes down the field. That is the primary reason I'm conflicted as to whether Martz will truly feature Davis in the passing game to the extent Davis' talent might merit. I'm headed for the Bay Area late tonight and will be at 49ers practice the next couple days. Perhaps I'll have a better idea then.

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Quinn from Seattle writes: I believe that this year the Seattle Seahawks are going to be very solid and surprise some people who forget about us up here in the northwest. The defense should be one of the best, but I have a couple concerns about the offense. How do you think the new running back situation will play out? Most people in Seattle were elated to see us finally get rid of Shaun Alexander, but our situation still is not great. I do think that it has improved enough for a deep playoff run. How do you think Julius Jones, T.J. Duckett, and Maurice Morris will do? And how far do you think our defense can take us in the playoffs?

Mike Sando: The running game should become more reliable with Mike Solari and Mike DeBoard coaching the offensive line, and with more versatility from the running back position. Seattle has felt limited offensively by one-dimensional players (Alexander and the various tight ends who have played for Seattle in recent seasons).

The hope internally is that the offense becomes more versatile with the new running backs and a new tight end in John Carlson. I think Seattle has the ability to reach the championship game depending on the divisional-round site. Going to Green Bay or another place like that might be tough.

But if the Seahawks won at home in the first round and then faced a less-seasoned playoff team on the road in the divisional round, I think they could win. That's why Seattle was so frustrated by its playoff loss in Chicago a couple years ago. Winning that game would have set up a road game against the Saints, who had some issues on defense.

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Kev in San Francisco writes: Hey, Mike. If you have the opportunity, let us know if you sense that Boldin carries himself as a team leader. I'm particularly interested in light of his recent statements concerning his future (or lack thereof) with the team. Go 9ers.

Mike Sando: I watched Boldin closely yesterday, but he wasn't practicing, and that makes it harder to evaluate how he interacts. He is passionate and unwavering on this contract issue, but he has also been quite professional throughout his career. Definitely something to watch over the course of the season, particularly if his frustrations grow.

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Mike from Yakima, Wash., writes: Hey Mike, what are your thoughts on Marcus Trufant this season? Can we expect another pro bowl caliber year? Secondly, my friend and I have a disagreement over who is the best cornerback on the team, I believe it's clearly Trufant, my friend says that Jennings is better and should make the Pro Bowl this year, no offense to Kelly, but my friend is crazy isn't he?

Mike Sando: Does your friend's last name start with 'J' and end with 'ennings'? Trufant is a pretty easy choice there. I also expect him to continue to flourish as long as Seattle's front seven keeps generating a pass rush. Trufant would have blossomed earlier in his career with a little help from the pass rush, in my view.

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Marc from Tijuana, Mexico, writes: With some key additions that the Raiders have made on offense but mainly defens
e, did the Raiders do enough to solidify themselves as being AFC west contenders? Is this Kiffin's last year in Oakland?

Mike Sando: I'm thinking our AFC West guy, Bill Williamson, might have a better handle on that one. My own view is that San Diego will remain the team to beat.

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Mark from El Cerrito, Calif., writes: Mike, thanks for your great coverage of the NFC West. It appears that many in the national media express concern that Holmgren's "lame duck" status will negatively impact the Seahawks. While Holmgren's declaration of his final season is unorthodox, I don't see how it is anymore concerning than Wade Phillips' "unofficial lame duck" status. At least in Seattle, everything is transparent and it is assumed that Ruskell, Holmgren and Mora are on the same page. In Dallas, it is seems clear that Jerry Jones really wants Garrett to be the head coach which provides more potential for locker room dissention. I'm interested to hear your thoughts on the difference between the two teams as well as why many in the national media treat the two situations differently. Thanks.

Mike Sando: The situation in Seattle is indeed unusual. It is also a bit uncomfortable for the staff because some of Holmgren's assistants know or suspect they might not have a place on Mora's staff. The arrangement can work because Holmgren is such a strong figure and Mora respects him. But it's still not an ideal situation. The Dallas comparison is an interesting one. The big difference is that Holmgren has already declared his intention to leave the organization after this season, while Phillips would presumably like to remain the Cowboys' head coach for years to come.

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C.J. from parts unknown writes: Mike, The blog is great and thank you by the way. Its very early in the season but to defend Alex Smith, he has had four coordinators in four years. I think the only person who could maybe produce a winning season from that would be Tom Brady, but that's not what were talking about. I am here to ask, overall how do you feel about Patrick Willis and the Singletary defense of the 49ers? Top 15 in the League?

Mike Sando: That depends on how you measure defenses. If you go by yards allowed per game, the 49ers won't rank as high because their offense leaves them on the field too long. If you go by other measurables, their defense ranks in the top half of the league, yes. These are strong words, but Patrick Willis looks like a guy with Hall of Fame potential. Did you see the play when he ran down the Arizona receiver last season? Unreal.

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Adam from Sherman Oaks, Calif., writes: Mike, You previously touched on the chances of Owen Schmitt making the roster and stated the Hawks usually carry 5 RB's. With their current numbers where they are, who do you see as the odd men out? I've heard good things about Forsett so far, would the Hawks let TJ Duckett go possibly if one of these younger guys show promise?

Mike Sando: Seahawks president Tim Ruskell has wanted Duckett for some time (bringing him in for a visit in a previous year). Ruskell and Duckett were together in Atlanta with Jim Mora, and the Seahawks gave Duckett a contract substantial enough to give him more security than some of the other guys, even though Mike Holmgren continually says he doesn't know how he'll use him.

As much as I would like to answer your question directly, I would be speculating pretty hard if I tried to sort out that race after one padded practice. I would be more comfortable making a projection when we have more evidence.

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Tim Gadsby from Seattle writes: Are their any UFA centers still unsigned or potential waiver candidates that could help the Seahawks this year.

Mike Sando: As of Saturday, when I was at Seahawks camp, the team thought Chris Spencer would be ready to go this season. Coaches appear to be grooming Mansfield Wrotto as a candidate there.