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A reduction in pay generally wouldn't qualify as a vote of confidence.

The one Jason Smith accepted from the St. Louis Rams might be an exception.

Smith's return to the team for 2012 once appeared unlikely given his scheduled $10 million salary and concerns relating to concussions and consistency. The Rams' willingness to cut that figure to $4 million and guarantee the money shows the team is serious about Smith returning as its starting right tackle -- consistent with comments from coaches.

Rookie contracts for high draft choices can be notoriously complicated. Brian McIntyre of Mac's Football Blog runs through the details on this one.

The team saves cash and earns a measure of salary cap relief without creating an additional need at tackle. Smith keeps his job, gets a chance to save his career and earns the right to become a free agent no later than 2014.

Smith, the second player chosen in the 2009 draft, has played in 29 of 48 games, starting 26 of them. He joins former Seattle Seahawks linebacker Aaron Curry, chosen fourth overall in the same year, among highly drafted NFC West players to accept lighter contracts after failing to meet initial expectations. Seattle traded Curry to Oakland last season.

Levi Brown, chosen fifth overall by Arizona in 2007, recently took a new deal as well. The Cardinals released him, then re-signed him to a deal affirming his status as the starter, but on terms more favorable to the team.

A few thoughts on the Seattle Seahawks' recently announced contract agreements with guard Deuce Lutui, linebacker Barrett Ruud and cornerback Roy Lewis:

• Lutui: The Seahawks wanted a veteran guard at an affordable price after releasing Robert Gallery. They considered Steve Hutchinson, but he signed with Tennessee. Lutui has considerable starting experience with the Arizona Cardinals, but weight issues contributed to his decline into a backup role. Lutui and Seahawks coach Pete Carroll were together at USC. Can the Seahawks get more from Lutui than the Cardinals were getting from him recently?
• Ruud: Ruud, 28, was a longtime starter in Tampa Bay before signing with Tennessee last season. He played nine games for the Titans, starting all of them. But a groin injury forced him onto injured reserve. Seahawks defensive coordinator Gus Bradley was with Tampa Bay when Ruud played for the Buccaneers. Bradley coached linebackers for part of Ruud's tenure there. That connection means the Seahawks should have a good idea what they're getting. Ruud's arrival comes after the Seahawks watched starting middle linebacker David Hawthorne sign with New Orleans. I would expect Seattle to address linebacker in the draft as well.
• Lewis: Lewis returns for what will be his fourth season with the Seahawks. He played in 10 games last season, starting one, and participated in about 40 percent of the defensive snaps overall. Lewis adds depth and familiarity to the secondary.

On a side note, Lutui had worked out for the San Francisco 49ers earlier in free agency. San Francisco continues to look for veteran depth at guard.

Seattle Seahawks fans might recall linebacker David Hawthorne, then an emerging player, firing his agent and waiting til the last minute before signing a new contract in 2010.

Hawthorne was an exclusive-rights free agent at the time, meaning he had one choice: take a minimal one-year offer or hold out.

Exclusive-rights free agents usually re-sign as a matter of course, but not Hawthorne.

That series of events came to mind Tuesday when the New Orleans Saints announced they had reached agreement with Hawthorne as an unrestricted free agent.

A humbling market for inside linebackers suggested the Seahawks might be able to re-sign Hawthorne at a bargain rate, but pride sometimes intervenes. Players forced to take less money than anticipated sometimes feel more comfortable doing so elsewhere.

It's too early to say whether that was the case with Hawthorne. Initial news reports said contract terms were not available.

While Hawthorne led the Seahawks in tackles over the past three seasons, the Seahawks made other players higher priorities this offseason. They re-signed Red Bryant to a $35 million deal. They signed Matt Flynn for three years and $19 million.

Hawthorne visited Detroit and New Orleans. With the Saints, he joins former Seahawks teammate Will Herring. Hawthorne also gets a chance to start at middle linebacker if and when incumbent Jonathan Vilma serves a bounty-related suspension, as yet unannounced. Update: The Saints also signed Atlanta Falcons free-agent middle linebacker Curtis Lofton, so I'm not sure where Hawthorne will project in New Orleans. He played the weak side in Seattle previously.

The Seahawks are hurting for experienced depth at linebacker, but their leadership has welcomed the opportunity to address needs in the draft. K.J. Wright, a fourth-round choice in 2011, played well enough right away for the team to feel good about dumping Aaron Curry. Malcolm Smith, a seventh-rounder in 2011, is another young prospect.

Seattle appeared likely to address linebacker in the 2012 draft with or without Hawthorne in the picture. Boston College's Luke Kuechly is one option in the first round. The Seahawks have also fared well finding defensive starters in the middle rounds, from Wright to starting cornerback Richard Sherman, to Pro Bowl strong safety Kam Chancellor.

Re-signing veteran linebacker Leroy Hill is another option for Seattle.

Jason Brown should be reaching his prime years as an NFL offensive lineman.

Instead, he has reached a career crossroads.

Brown, scheduled to visit San Francisco, would give the 49ers veteran depth and a potential starting candidate, most likely at right guard.

Brown owns 90 starts for St. Louis and Baltimore over the last six seasons, but in the past six months, Brown has been benched by the Rams' previous leadership, released by its new leadership and left unsigned through three weeks of free agency.

What's wrong with this picture?

The Rams made signing Brown a top priority when Steve Spagnuolo was taking over as head coach in early 2009. They called him minutes into the free-agent signing period and signed him to a deal averaging $7 million per season with an $11 million signing bonus. Brown started the next 40 games at center, but with the 2011 season having slipped away, the Rams benched him following a Week 9 overtime defeat at Arizona.

Brown finished the 2011 season as a starter at guard, but only because injuries forced the Rams to adjust their lineup. The Rams subsequently released Brown, who would have earned $5 million in salary for 2012, and signed Green Bay Packers free-agent center Scott Wells.

Brown was not a model of consistency for the Rams last season, but neither were most of his teammates. In retrospect, the Rams paid Pro Bowl money for a player without Pro Bowl credentials, then moved on when they thought Brown's play slipped last season.

Brown was, by all accounts, a hard worker and dedicated player in St. Louis. He was also an increasingly reflective one after the Iraq War claimed his brother in 2003. Last season, Brown touched upon how his brother's death affected his outlook toward football.

"I question how much attention is given to football," Brown told ESPN's Seth Wickersham for a profile. "But it's tough. It's a huge machine that I'm benefiting from."

Brown could be a bargain for the 49ers. He stands 6-foot-3, weighs 328 pounds and would give the team reliable insurance if Daniel Kilgore does not develop into a starter at right guard. Brown could also play center if needed, and his price tag would be far lower than it was when the Rams signed him back in 2009.

The 49ers have met with free-agent guards Deuce Lutui, Leonard Davis and Geoff Schwartz this offseason. Schwartz subsequently signed with the Minnesota Vikings.

» AFC Assessments: East | West | North | South » NFC: East | West | North | South

Arizona Cardinals

Key additions: OL Adam Snyder, CB William Gay

Key losses: CB Richard Marshall

Sando's grade so far: C-minus. Arizona gets credit for making a strong run at Peyton Manning and securing a visit with him at Cardinals headquarters. That was a bold move and one that could have instantly transformed the Cardinals into a contending team. But it did not work. Coach Ken Whisenhunt had a point when he said the Cardinals were comfortable moving forward with Kevin Kolb and John Skelton as their quarterbacks. However, it was still telling that Arizona would aggressively pursue another quarterback eight months after allocating $12.4 million per year to Kolb. Most of the other teams making big investments in quarterbacks last offseason sat out the Manning sweepstakes.

Overall, Arizona has done little to upgrade its roster. Committing $19 million in bonus money to Snyder, Levi Brown and Kolb will not make the team $19 million better. Marshall was a valued contributor and the MVP on defense last season, according to coordinator Ray Horton. He'll be missed after signing with Miami. On the other hand, the Cardinals did win seven of their final nine games last season. Perhaps they have fewer holes than conventional wisdom suggests.

What’s next: The Cardinals need help at offensive tackle and have shown interest in Buffalo Bills free agent Demetrius Bell. The team would be fortunate to address the position before the draft. Whisenhunt has consistently defended Brown, who has played both tackle spots since 2007. The team's decision to give Brown a $7 million signing bonus as part of a streamlined contract showed Whisenhunt wasn't bluffing. But another starting tackle would help.

The Cardinals have yet to reach a long-term agreement with franchise player Calais Campbell. Getting a deal done with Campbell would reduce the defensive end's salary-cap charge ($10.6 million for now). It would reward a rising young player and head off future headaches associated with using the tag a second time next offseason.

Receiver and possibly outside linebacker are also areas where the Cardinals could use reinforcements.

San Francisco 49ers

Key additions: WR Randy Moss, WR Mario Manningham, RB Brandon Jacobs

Key losses: Snyder, WR Josh Morgan, ST Blake Costanzo

Sando's grade so far: B-plus. The 49ers had relatively few holes on their roster after a 13-3 season. Pursuing Manning provided a temporary distraction without inflicting long-term damage. The 49ers needed to keep together their core, and they accomplished that goal. Alex Smith's re-signing to a three-year deal was key. Smith will return to the team, maintaining continuity and giving the 49ers' offense a chance to build on last season. But the contract terms will not limit the 49ers' options beyond this season, a plus.

The 49ers succeeded in re-signing Pro Bowl cornerback Carlos Rogers after using the franchise tag to retain Pro Bowl safety Dashon Goldson. Those moves solidified the secondary. Addressing the situation at wide receiver was a top priority heading into free agency. Moss and Manningham were low-risk, high-reward additions. Both have the potential to provide qualities the 49ers were lacking last season, but neither carried a high price tag. Retaining receiver Ted Ginn Jr. restored firepower to the return game.

What’s next: Using the draft to improve the long-term outlook at receiver still could be an option. But with Moss, Manningham and Ginn on the roster, the 49ers should not feel pressured to select a wideout with the 30th overall choice in the draft. The team now has flexibility. There has been no indication that the 49ers or any team will seriously pursue Pittsburgh Steelers restricted free agent Mike Wallace, who reportedly wants Larry Fitzgerald money.

The 49ers could use a veteran right guard for insurance in case Daniel Kilgore isn't ready for the starting job. They have visited with Leonard Davis and Deuce Lutui, both former Cardinals. Keeping Snyder would have been nice, but the Cardinals paid a $5 million signing bonus to get him. That price was too high for the 49ers, who similarly balked last offseason when the New York Giants gave center David Baas an $8.5 million bonus.

St. Louis Rams

Key additions: CB Cortland Finnegan, C Scott Wells, DT Kendall Langford, WR Steve Smith

Key losses: WR Brandon Lloyd, P Donnie Jones, OLB Chris Chamberlain

Sando's grade so far: B. The Rams would get a higher grade for their offseason in general, but this item focuses on free agency. That excludes from consideration Jeff Fisher's hiring as head coach, and general manager Les Snead's ability to maximize value for the second overall pick in the draft. The Finnegan and Wells signings give the Rams welcome leadership while upgrading important positions. Langford should help the run defense.

The Rams have yet to address their playmaking deficiencies. They did not land any of the high-profile wide receivers in free agency. There's a chance Smith will recapture old form in his second season back from microfracture knee surgery, but the Rams are not counting on that. They will almost certainly emerge from free agency without even marginally upgrading the weaponry for quarterback Sam Bradford. That is a disappointment.

What’s next: The outlook remains bright for St. Louis. The team owns the sixth, 33rd and 39th choices in the 2012 draft, plus two first-rounders in each of the following two drafts. There will be time and opportunity for the Rams to add the offensive firepower they need so badly, perhaps with Oklahoma State receiver Justin Blackmon or Alabama running back Trent Richardson at No. 6 overall.

Much work lies ahead. The Rams emerged from this week with eight fewer players on their roster than the average for the other 31 teams. Using free agency to address holes at outside linebacker and left guard would provide flexibility heading into the draft. The Rams still need a backup quarterback as well. Bradford is the only QB on the roster. It's looking like the team is serious about bringing back right tackle Jason Smith despite injury concerns and a fat contract that will presumably require adjustment.

Seattle Seahawks

Key additions: QB Matt Flynn, DT Jason Jones

Key losses: TE John Carlson, DT Anthony Hargrove

Sando's grade so far: B-plus: The Seahawks knew for months that Manning would probably hit the market and still could not secure a meeting with him. Their pursuit included a flight by coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Schneider to Denver in a desperation move that failed to impress Manning. That was a rare disappointment for Seattle in free agency.

Re-signing Marshawn Lynch before the signing period took off much of the pressure. Re-signing Red Bryant without using the franchise tag rewarded the Seahawks for a disciplined approach to the market. That approach paid off again when the Seahawks landed Flynn without rushing into an imprudent contract. Flynn spent five days on the market before signing with Seattle. The Seahawks got him for about half as much per season as Kolb cost a year ago, without even promising him the starting job. That was impressive.

What’s next: Quarterback and pass-rusher were Seattle's top two needs heading into free agency. Flynn solved one of them for now, at least. Jones, an inside pass-rusher signed from Tennessee, should help the other area. But the need for outside pass-rush help persists. The team could use the 12th overall choice in the draft for a defensive end.

Linebacker is another obvious position of need for Seattle. Market conditions favor Seattle's re-signing veterans David Hawthorne and Leroy Hill at reasonable rates. Both were starters last season. Hawthorne visited Detroit and New Orleans in free agency, but those teams subsequently signed other linebackers. Hill turns 30 in September, has had some off-field issues in the past and should have more value to Seattle than to another team. Still, it's an upset if the Seahawks do not address linebacker in the draft.

Peter from Rutland, Vt., points to Anthony Dixon's failed third-and-1 rushing attempt in the NFC Championship Game as one reason the San Francisco 49ers might have signed former New York Giants running back Brandon Jacobs.

This play escaped my attention in the Jacobs item Tuesday. I suspect the play-by-play file I consulted did not encompass the NFC Championship Game.

"Dixon got stuffed by the Giants on a key third-and-1 attempt," Peter recalled. "He danced instead of smashing. That's why they took a chance on Jacobs. Dixon is not a reliable power back."

Perhaps, but Jacobs failed to convert a fourth-and-1 rushing attempt in the same game, and he has never been known for his hard-nosed running.

Dixon converted both of his rushing tries during the regular season when needing a single yard on third or fourth down. He missed that one attempt during the postseason, but Jacobs converted only 4 of 8 regular-season tries and 5-of-11 overall when counting the postseason.

I went back and watched Dixon's failed play just to be sure what happened. Dixon did not set a new standard for powerful running on the play, but neither did he have much room to run.

The 49ers shuffled their offensive line and brought onto the field two defenders, Justin Smith and Isaac Sopoaga, for additional blocking. The line, left to right, featured Vernon Davis, Alex Boone, Adam Snyder, Jonathan Goodwin (center), Mike Iupati, Anthony Davis, Joe Staley and Smith. Sopoaga lined up to the right in an offset-I formation.

The blocking was not very good. Mathias Kiwanuka shed Smith immediately and blocked Dixon's path off tackle. Chris Canty got between Anthony Davis and Staley in time to affect Dixon. Dixon did hesitate and step to the side as he sought an opening. Again, though, the blocking was not great.

While an NFL offense should be able to pick up a third-and-1 on the ground, I've thought the 49ers needed to occasionally break from tendency in these situations, not just with a pass but with a deeper strike to Vernon Davis. Previous 49ers coaching staffs succeeded with this tactic.

The 49ers had beaten the Giants for an 18-yard pass to Delanie Walker on a third-and-1 play when the teams met back in Week 10. Perhaps the 49ers' staff knew the Giants would be ready if they tried another pass. And, as noted, the team should be able to pick up a third-and-1 rushing play.

But with such a heavy formation to the right side, the Giants were ready for Dixon. They also took advantage of the fact that Smith, though a great player, plays defense and isn't a polished blocker.

The chart shows 2011 regular-season conversion stats for NFC West running backs on third and fourth downs with 1 yard needed for a first down. There's a reason teams use quarterback sneaks.

Frank Gore, 28, is no longer the oldest halfback on the San Francisco 49ers.

That distinction belongs to Brandon Jacobs, whose contract agreement with San Francisco gives the 49ers veteran insurance at a key position.

Jacobs, 29, averaged only 3.8 yards per carry last season. He did score seven rushing touchdowns and eight total touchdowns. He has 17 total touchdowns over the past two seasons.

Jacobs' three longest runs last season -- covering 34, 28 and 19 yards -- came from Week 14 or later, including one against the Atlanta Falcons in the wild-card playoff round. He played on early downs and in short-yardage situations, gaining six first downs on 11 third- or fourth-down rushes when the Giants needed 2 or fewer yards for a first down.

Jacobs is 6-foot-4 and 264 pounds but less physical as a runner than Gore or any of the leading NFC West backs. His addition would not seem to threaten Kendall Hunter, the 49ers' primary backup and a promising young player, but rather power back Anthony Dixon.

Dixon gained first downs on all three of his short-yardage rushing attempts (defined the same way I defined them for Jacobs earlier in this item). Hunter converted once on five of these rushes. Gore converted eight times in 16 chances, including on the 49ers' only attempt during the postseason.

Ed from Lake Arrowhead, Calif., thinks the St. Louis Rams have sufficient draft needs to stand pat at No. 6 and select a player that falls to them. He thinks there's no reason to panic if Oklahoma State wide receiver Justin Blackmon is not available.

"There are two first-rounders to use for the next two years, and free agency might be kinder to the Rams next season," Ed writes. "This will take some time to get right."

Mike Sando: Offensive players currently on the Rams' roster combined for 10 touchdowns last season. Marshawn Lynch (13) and Beanie Wells (10) had at least that many for division rivals. Finding players to score touchdowns has to be the Rams' top priority as they help Sam Bradford and, of course, win games.

Quite a few projections suggest that Blackmon and Alabama running back Trent Richardson will not last past the fifth pick. In that case, we're seeing LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne listed as a logical Rams choice based more on value than need.

Adding Claiborne would not help Bradford directly. But the draft does go beyond the sixth overall pick. The Rams also hold the 33rd and 39th choices. They could use those second-round choices to trade up into the first round for a shot at a wide receiver. They could even trade one of the second-rounders for a 2013 first, giving them three next year.

Teams have drafted eight receivers from 30th through 42nd since 2008, a range that approximates where the Rams are scheduled to pick. The eight: Arrelious Benn, Kenny Britt, Brian Robiskie, Donnie Avery, Devin Thomas, Jordy Nelson, James Hardy and Eddie Royal.

Blackmon would not be a sure bet at No. 6, but the list of receivers drafted in that slot shows the potential value. James Lofton (1978), Tim Brown (1988) and Torry Holt (1999) were the last three receivers taken sixth until the Atlanta Falcons, led in part by new Rams general manager Les Snead, selected Julio Jones in that slot last year.

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Charles from Atascadero, Calif., wants to know which pick the San Francisco 49ers received for safety Taylor Mays, who was traded during training camp last offseason.

Mike Sando: The 49ers will receive a 2013 seventh-round choice. That is why there was no additional pick for San Francisco when the 2012 draft order came out.

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Jeff from Las Vegas thinks the Seattle Seahawks should have been ranked higher than 22nd in ESPN's NFL Power Rankings. He points to their defense, running game and an upgraded quarterback situation in suggesting the Seahawks can challenge the 49ers for the NFC West title and possibly earn a wild-card playoff berth.

Mike Sando: I ranked Seattle higher than 22nd, but the Seahawks have quite a bit to prove. Matt Flynn offers hope, but no guarantees. Can he produce over a full season? Is he durable? Will offensive linemen Russell Okung, John Moffitt and/or James Carpenter be healthy enough to contribute? What about Sidney Rice?

These are subjects we can discuss in greater detail Wednesday when following up the item soliciting opinions on which team is best positioned to overtake the 49ers.

I'm expecting to hear from Arizona Cardinals fans then as well, if not in the mailbag (been quiet on the Cardinals front recently, but I know you're out there).

Steve Smith caught 107 passes for 1,220 yards and seven touchdowns for the New York Giants during the 2009 season.

The 26-year-old receiver has only 59 catches for 653 yards and four touchdowns in two subsequent seasons, enduring microfracture knee surgery that has called into question Smith's ability to produce at a high level in the future. Smith landed on injured reserve last season thanks to what was described as a bone bruise in the same knee.

Lingering concerns allowed the St. Louis Rams to reach agreement Monday on a one-year deal for Smith, an unrestricted free agent, according to Jim Thomas.

At best, Smith will recapture Pro Bowl form, giving quarterback Sam Bradford a needed weapon with the versatility to line up in multiple spots. Players recovering from knee surgery sometimes fare better in their second year back on the field. Microfracture surgery is generally a last resort, however.

Smith joins Danny Amendola and Brandon Gibson as current Rams receivers coming to St. Louis from the Eagles. The connection appears coincidental. Amendola and Gibson appealed in part because the Rams were running the Eagles' offensive scheme from 2009 through last season.

Smith, 5-foot-11 and 195 pounds, was a big-play threat after the catch before his injury.

"He is an excellent route runner who can get in and out of his breaks with no wasted motion," the Scouts Inc. report on him reads, in part.

As Darren Urban pointed out, former Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback William Gay has suggested he'll be signing with the Arizona Cardinals.

The Cardinals needed help at the position after losing Richard Marshall to Miami. Gay, who visited Arizona in free agency, would fit the team quite well because Arizona's defensive coordinator, Ray Horton, coached him in Pittsburgh.

This signing would be a telling one for the Cardinals. Gay is about as different from Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie as a cornerback could be. Rodgers-Cromartie, a first-round pick for Arizona in 2008, stands 6-foot-2 and has blazing speed, but he did not provide much of a physical presence.

Gay is 5-10, 190 pounds and not as gifted athletically, but he's tenacious and a willing tackler -- and Horton, like the Steelers, insists that his corners support against the run. That is why the Cardinals were OK trading Rodgers-Cromartie to Philadelphia once Horton became their defensive coordinator before the 2011 season.

Gay did not contribute on special teams to the degree Marshall did for Arizona last season. He did play 95 percent of the Steelers' defensive snaps. He started 15 games. He would give the Cardinals additional flexibility at the position heading into the draft, and instant familiarity with their scheme.

"He has average size and strength with deceptive quickness and agility," the Scouts Inc. report on Gay reads, in part. "He is a physical, reliable tackler and is very aggressive for a perimeter defender. ... He wins with toughness, technique and instincts."

Update: The Cardinals have announced a contract agreement with Gay.

Leverage shifts from players to teams as NFL free agency moves along.

Contract values provide the most persuasive evidence.

As time passes, players with stratospheric expectations must lower their sights to find deals.

Team-issued statements from San Francisco 49ers general manager Trent Baalke have marked the changing landscape with unintended humor.

"We are extremely pleased to re-sign an All-Pro player like Carlos," Baalke said when the 49ers re-signed Carlos Rogers on March 16.

Notice the shift when quarterback Alex Smith returned to the team five days later, much deeper into free agency.

"We are pleased that Alex has chosen to continue his career as a 49er," Baalke said then.

The 49ers brought back Rogers. They waited out Smith. Big difference.

More of the same awaited Ted Ginn Jr.'s re-signing a day later.

"We are glad that Ted has decided to return to the 49ers in 2012," Baalke said.

Teams are more proactive in re-signing players early in free agency. Players come back to teams later in the process.

Forty-one unrestricted free agents from NFC West teams remained without contract agreements through Saturday. Eleven of them are at least 33 years old. Another 17 are at least 29.

As the chart shows, St. Louis saw little value in rushing out to secure players from a team that finished 2-14 last season. Nineteen of the 21 original UFAs from the Rams remain unsigned. Two, Brandon Lloyd and Chris Chamberlain, signed elsewhere.

Overall, only seven of the remaining 41 UFAs without contracts were players I listed as starters late in the season: Clark Haggans and Brandon Keith from Arizona; Tony Wragge, Brady Poppinga and Jacob Bell from St. Louis; and two Seattle linebackers, Leroy Hill and David Hawthorne.

Hawthorne stands out as a relatively young starter (26) with an established record of consistent production. He visited Detroit, only to have the Lions re-sign Stephen Tulloch. He visited New Orleans, only to have the Saints reach agreement with Curtis Lofton.

The Seahawks would be better with Hawthorne and Hill back on their roster. Like a lot of teams at this stage, however, they aren't facing a great deal of pressure.

That helps explain why it's been a quiet weekend around here so far.

Mackay from Lindon, Utah, wonders why the Arizona Cardinals did not pursue former Oakland Raiders outside linebacker Kamerion Wimbley in free agency. Instead, Wimbley signed with Tennessee.

Mike Sando: The Cardinals seem to have it backward at linebacker. They've invested more at inside linebacker (Stewart Bradley and Daryl Washington) than outside linebacker at a time when teams are paying for perimeter players.

Bradley figures to get more comfortable with a full offseason in the Cardinals' defensive system, but even if that happens, he's still going to be a relatively average inside linebacker in a 3-4 defense. Washington is a very good player and an integral part of the defense, so no complaints there.

As for Wimbley, he's projected to play right defensive end in the Titans' 4-3 scheme. I'm not sure he would have been the answer for Arizona. The Cardinals do like their young players at outside linebacker. Sam Acho played nearly half the defensive snaps last season. O'Brien Schofield was at 38 percent. Those two players do have promise, but the Cardinals need help at that position, in my opinion.

Outside linebacker, offensive tackle and wide receiver are three positions for the Cardinals to consider targeting before the draft. I would want a tackle first. Demetrius Bell is one free-agent candidate there. If the Cardinals could address tackle to some degree in free agency, they could feel better about using the 13th overall pick for an outside linebacker type. They cannot expect the unsigned Clark Haggans, 35, to play forever.

Axel from Eagle River, Alaska, suggests that the St. Louis Rams should be more active in seeking out higher-quality free agents at outside linebacker, defensive tackle and on the offensive line. He asks why they would bring in Chilo Rachal and Robert Turner for visits when neither would seem to be better than Jacob Bell or Jason Brown. Why not check out Vernon Carey, Jake Scott and Chad Rinehart?

Mike Sando: I'm with you on this one, in theory, but I also see what the Rams are thinking. They are building for the long haul, so they do not want to throw money at too many older players, particularly at non-premium positions. They want to go young.

The Rams had the NFL's youngest roster by average age heading into the weekend. Players around the league are not lining up to play for a team that has gone 15-65 over the last five seasons. The Rams might have to pay a premium to land some of these free agents.

Adding 31-year-old Scott Wells in free agency gave Sam Bradford a veteran center to lean on. That could be important.

The Rams already invested in right guard Harvey Dahl last offseason. Carey, 30, played right guard for the Miami Dolphins. His versatility and durability would make him an appealing addition. But if the Rams are going to go the 30-something route at guard, why not bring back the affordable Jacob Bell, who played for Fisher in Tennessee?

The Rams exceeded expectations with their trade sending the second overall draft choice to the Washington Redskins. They have fallen short of expectations in free agency to this point by suffering a net loss in the playmaking department (none added, Brandon Lloyd subtracted). I expect they will address that area in a big, big way on draft day.

The Rams' current receivers, listed in the chart, have 11 combined career touchdown receptions. Restricted free agent Danny Amendola remains unsigned, but the Rams own his rights.

Kyle from Des Moines, Iowa, asks what the San Francisco 49ers should do at right guard. "Are they better off drafting to fill that gap and having an even younger and less experienced line," he writes, "or filling it with a veteran who might not have the same skill level but can provide leadership with fewer mistakes?"

Mike Sando: The 49ers have shown a willingness to invested high draft choices in offensive linemen. Joe Staley, Mike Iupati and Anthony Davis were first-round picks. The two right guards last season, Rachal and Adam Snyder, were relatively early choices as well.

Now would be a good time for the 49ers to show they can develop a later-round choice at guard.

They are proceeding at right guard as though confident in Daniel Kilgore's ability to take the job. Kilgore was a fifth-round pick from Appalachian State in 2011, known for his toughness and tenacity. He played left tackle as a senior in college, but the interior is where he projects in the future. I think the 49ers should sign a lower-priced veteran for insurance, then prove they were right in trading up for Kilgore.

Jeff from Las Vegas asks what the Seattle Seahawks are getting with Frank Omiyale. "Bears fans don't seem to think much of him," Jeff writes.

Mike Sando: The Seahawks are getting veteran depth and a player their line coach, Tom Cable, coached in Atlanta years ago. They are not expecting Omiyale to become a starter, but with Robert Gallery gone, they wanted someone with experience.

Bears fans weren't high on Omiyale because Chicago used him as a starter. You might recall Minnesota Vikings fans wondering why the Seahawks would sign Tarvaris Jackson. Seattle wanted someone to help the team get through the season. The Seahawks were not saying Jackson would become the answer for them. They're not projecting Omiyale as the answer, either.

Ted Ginn Jr.'s return to the San Francisco 49ers on a one-year contract, announced by the team Thursday, restores experience and breakaway speed to the return game.

The 49ers badly missed Ginn when an injury sidelined him during the playoffs last season.

The chart ranks the 49ers' current wide receivers by games started last season.
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An irate Matt Forte lashed out at the Chicago Bears after the team signed Michael Bush to a four-year contract Thursday.

Forte has reason to be mad -- at the Bears, perhaps, but mostly at his predicament.

"There's only so many times a man that has done everything he's been asked to do can be disrespected!" Forte tweeted. "Guess the GOOD GUYS do finish last ..."

Forte's situation illustrates how wise/fortunate Marshawn Lynch was to secure a long-term deal from the Seattle Seahawks before free agency. The free-agent market for running backs, safeties, inside linebackers and the like has been absolutely dead. As the NFL becomes more of a passing league, teams are building their rosters from the outside in, rewarding outside pass-rushers, cornerbacks and wide receivers.

Forte is panicking because he knows the guaranteed money allocated to Bush bites into the Bears' budget for the position. The team is now less likely to pay big money for Forte.

The deal Lynch signed reportedly featured $18 million in guarantees. If the Bears gave a similar deal to Forte, they would have roughly $25 million in guarantees tied up at running back, provided initial reports on Bush's deal are accurate. That seems unlikely to happen.

"Since drafting Matt in 2008, the Bears have signed Kevin Jones, Chester Taylor and Marion Barber, all ostensibly to serve as Matt's back-up," Forte's agent was quoted as saying. "To sign yet another running back, prior to completing a contract with Matt suggests disregard for Matt and his contributions to the Bears."

It also reflects the realities of the market for running backs. Special backs can still command lucrative deals, but very good ones are having a tougher time playing the leverage game.

The latest from San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith, who spoke with reporters via conference call Wednesday after re-signing with the team:

• 

  Smith
  49ers up front on Manning: Smith says 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh and general manager Trent Baalke communicated in person their intention to pursue Peyton Manning. The 49ers' offer to Smith remained on the table, he said. Smith said he was "not offended at all" and would have "relished" a shot at competing with Manning. Smith: "The one time we sat down, it would have been about competition and the best man winning. ... I feel, I know this is my job, I have earned it, I have earned the right to compete for it." Manning obviously wasn't going to compete for a job. It's a non-issue now.
• Relationship intact: Smith dismissed concerns that the Manning diversion might harm his relationship with Harbaugh or the team. Smith said he "never really felt like a free agent" and those relationships remain "as good as they've always been, and getting better." The frustration, he said, was how long it took to reach an agreement. Structure was the sticking point.
• Disputing Condon conflict: Smith disputed reports suggesting he was considering an agent change while the 49ers pursued Manning. Tom Condon represents both players. Changing agents might have been impractical, anyway. The NFL Players Association requires a five-day waiting period between changes. Smith on a potential conflict of interest: "That has never been an issue with me."
• Visiting the Dolphins: Smith made it sound as though he was never seriously considering signing with Miami. Smith on his trip to Florida: "I had never been to Miami Beach and I thought it was a good way to go see it."
• Saints bounties: Smith declined to discuss the NFL's bounty punishment against the New Orleans Saints, who hit him repeatedly -- and some thought excessively -- during the exhibition opener. He faced them again in the playoffs. Smith: "I don't have a great perspective, anyway. As a quarterback, you feel they are always out to get you."
• On getting Mossed: Smith returns to a 49ers team with a remade group of receivers. Randy Moss and Mario Manningham are in. Josh Morgan is out. Ted Ginn Jr. could be out, too. Smith on Moss: "He has a tool set that is totally unique to himself. When your last name can become a verb, that you got Mossed, as the receivers say, that is a special player."

Smith's handling of the situation is consistent with his approach overall. As a result, there should be little long-term fallout from what became an eventful week featuring the Manning diversion.