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The fourth and sixth cornerbacks drafted in 2012 are heading to the St. Louis Rams.

Montana's Trumaine Johnson, chosen 65th overall and in the third round, joins second-round choice Janoris Jenkins (39th) in a rapidly evolving secondary.

Johnson has good size for a corner, standing 6-foot-2 and weighing 204 pounds. Scouts Inc. gave him high marks in all categories except intangibles and durability.

"Would benefit highly from a structured environment and demanding coach who will challenge him and hold him accountable," Pro Football Weekly's Nolan Nawrocki wrote. "Has the tools to become a No. 1 corner if he can be managed properly and stay focused."

The Rams are clearly leaning on coach Jeff Fisher and staff to provide the structure and coaching needed for Jenkins and Johnson to realize their potential. Fisher has worked with mercurial players in the past, from Albert Haynesworth to Pacman Jones to Vince Young and others. He'll need to be right on Jenkins and Johnson for the Rams to maximize their first draft class with Fisher as head coach.

OK, St. Louis Rams fans, here's the plan:

"Maybe if you do Justin Blackmon in the first round, maybe your second-round picks, if it falls need with value, maybe you get a real athletic outside linebacker who starts for you and maybe you get a defensive tackle."

That's what I told Bernie Miklasz during our latest conversation on 101ESPN St. Louis, anyway.

"(The defensive tackle) maybe has some questions about him -- you’re not going to get that perfect guy -- but look, the Rams know there are questions with defensive tackles when you taken them in the first round," my thinking went, with visions of Jimmy Kennedy and Adam Carriker.

The most talented defensive linemen tend to disappear in the first round, although some have projected Michigan State's Jerel Worthy to the Rams at No. 33 overall.

"You're using a lower-round pick, still getting some guys with question marks," I offered. "With the big guys, it's usually about effort and motor and those things, but that's why you have coaches. That's why you have Jeff Fisher, who got something out of Albert Haynesworth."

OK, then. Using my logic, the Rams would draft Blackmon in the first round, Worthy atop the second and, say, Nebraska's Lavonte David with the 39th overall choice.

On a side note, the Houston Oilers and Tennessee Titans never used a second-round choice for a linebacker when Fisher was their head coach. They took one in the first round (Keith Bullock at No. 30), three in the third, five in the fourth, three in the fifth, two in the sixth and five in the seventh.

Perhaps Fisher breaks that trend in 2012. The Rams' general manager, Les Snead, was with Atlanta when the Falcons made Curtis Loftin the 37th overall choice in 2008.

The New England Patriots have tightened their grip on the No. 2 spot in ESPN.com's NFL Power Rankings heading into Week 1.

They even secured a No. 1 ranking on one ballot as perceptions hardened that New England, not so much Philadelphia, posed the greatest threat to the defending Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers.

"I think the Patriots' additions of Chad Ochocinco, Albert Haynesworth, Brian Waters and Shaun Ellis should make them the favorites," panelist James Walker said in explaining why he put New England atop his ballot. "The Packers were the best team in February, but that doesn't automatically make them the best team in September. Super Bowl champions usually do not repeat."

The Patriots were the last team to do it, but their championship victories over Carolina and Philadelphia are fading memories. The NFL has crowned six champions since New England last won a title. But Tom Brady's excellence and the Patriots' offseason maneuvering caught voters' attention.


Four of five panelists ranked the Packers first and Patriots second on their ballots. Walker previously ranked the Eagles first, but he dropped them to third this time. Paul Kuharsky and I dropped Philadelphia one spot apiece.

Kuharsky has been higher than most on the Detroit Lions all along. He had them 18th in the final regular-season balloting from 2010, higher than anyone else had them. He's got them 12th this time, five to six spots higher than most other voters ranked them. And he's got them a full seven spots higher than Chicago.

"I'm just not a huge believer in the way the Bears are doing things," Kuharsky said. "You have to find a way to use Greg Olsen, not give him away for next to nothing. That offensive line isn't fixed. They won't get away with it two years in a row."

Walker was also among those shaking up things within a division. He has Baltimore beating out defending AFC champion Pittsburgh for the AFC North title. He moved up the Steelers one spot to seventh on his ballot, but he moved up the Ravens one spot as well, to sixth.

"I picked the Ravens to win the AFC North back in July, so I'm staying loyal to my prediction and keeping Baltimore one spot higher," Walker said. "Sunday's game will determine if I made the right call."

The Indianapolis Colts, ranked ninth, could be the most volatile team heading into Week 1. Peyton Manning's shaky status is everything for that team.

"If they look bad with Kerry Collins in Houston, certainly my vote will reflect it in a major way," Kuharsky said.

Voters are already downgrading Seattle. The Seahawks fell six spots from our previous rankings, the biggest drop, as voters realized the team was serious about heading into the 2011 season with Tarvaris Jackson behind an offensive line that has not yet found its bearings.

And now, a closer look at the rankings heading into Week 1 ...

Rising (10): Houston Texans (+6), Minnesota Vikings (+5), Jacksonville Jaguars (+3), Pittsburgh Steelers (+2), Dallas Cowboys (+2), Lions (+2), Baltimore Ravens (+1), Oakland Raiders (+1), Washington Redskins (+1), Buffalo Bills (+1).

Falling (10): Seattle Seahawks (-6), Kansas City Chiefs (-4), New York Giants (-4), Tennessee Titans (-3), St. Louis Rams (-2), Carolina Panthers (-1), Cleveland Browns (-1), Colts (-1), New Orleans Saints (-1), Philadelphia Eagles (-1).

Unchanged (12) Packers, Patriots, Atlanta Falcons, New York Jets, San Diego Chargers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Chicago Bears, Arizona Cardinals, Miami Dolphins, San Francisco 49ers, Denver Broncos, Cincinnati Bengals.

Deadlocked: We broke three ties this week. San Diego prevailed over Houston at No. 10, Chicago prevailed over Dallas at No. 13 and Oakland prevailed over Tennessee for No. 22. The tiebreakers are, in order, head-to-head results, overall record, which team won most recently and previous ranking. Since no games have been played in this regular season, we used 2010 records to break ties.

Like minds: Every voter but Walker had the Packers first and the Patriots second. Four of five voters had the Ravens eighth.

Agree to disagree: The Raiders generated the largest disparity between highest and lowest votes. The gap between highest and lowest votes was at least seven spots for five teams:

• Raiders (14): Ashley Fox ranked them 15th, higher than any other voter ranked them. Walker ranked them 29th, lower than any other voter ranked them.
• Chargers (12): Sando and John Clayton seventh, Fox 19th.
• Bears (10): Fox ninth, Kuharsky 19th.
• Dolphins (7): Clayton 21st, Sando 28th.
• Giants (7): Fox 11th, Clayton 18th.

Power rankings histories: These colorful layered graphs show where each NFL team has ranked every week since the 2002 season.

Ranking the divisions: Teams from the NFC North ranked highest with a 12.7 average ranking. The chart below shows how each voter ranked each division on average. Highest votes in red. Lowest votes in blue.

For download: An Excel file -- available here -- showing how each voter voted, high and low votes for each team, correlation between voters and divisional rankings. This file will expand in future weeks to include week-to-week comparisons and a "powerflaws" sheet showing potential inconsistencies on voters' ballots.

The San Francisco 49ers have taken their chances with free agents this offseason, allowing quite a few of their own players to test the market.

Takeo Spikes and David Baas found deals elsewhere quickly.

Two more starters, Dashon Goldson and Aubrayo Franklin, reached free agency. Losing one or both would have stung, but the team was unwilling to pay a premium to keep them from the market.

Recent events suggest the 49ers could have a shot at retaining both players. The Oakland Raiders' agreement with safety Michael Huff appears to have removed them from the list of potential suitors for Goldson. And with ESPN's Adam Schefter reporting that Franklin plans to visit the team Sunday night, perhaps the 49ers are closer to bringing him back.

The market for defensive tackles has been softer than I had anticipated. Brandon Mebane re-signed with Seattle for about $5 million per season -- good money, to be sure, but not a blockbuster by NFL standards. Franklin's status as a former franchise player threatened to cloud his value after Albert Haynesworth's old deal with Washington inflated the franchise figure for defensive tackles.

Getting Goldson and Franklin back would affirm general manager Trent Baalke's contention that patience in free agency can work well for a team. Goldson and Franklin have more value than Spikes and Baas.

Bryan Burwell of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch fears the lockout could diminish Marshall Faulk's experience heading into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Burwell: "Unless the lockout ends this week, the chances are high that the NFL will be forced to cancel this year's Hall of Fame game, and that would be a shame. One of the rare treats of the Hall of Fame weekend is when the streets of the city are full of fans from the two teams that are scheduled to play, and both teams have a former player being enshrined. This year, with the Rams and Bears scheduled for that Sunday afternoon -- Aug. 7 -- nationally-televised contest, it figured that there would be quite a few car caravans rolling across I-70 from the 'Lou and the Windy City to pay tribute to Faulk and former Bear Richard Dent. ... How much better would it be if the celebration of the first St. Louis Ram to reach Canton isn't cut short by a day?"

The Rams' website says the team plans to send a large contingent to Joplin, Mo., for continuing relief efforts following the tornadoes there. Among the details: "The Rams' staff will assist with projects including removing debris, unloading trucks, organizing donations and staffing the call center and data entry center. Upon arrival in Joplin, the Rams will report to the volunteer check-in area at Missouri State Southern University where they will be deployed to the various project locations. A group of cheerleaders, alumni and the team’s mascot, Rampage, will also be on hand to help lift the spirits of the community."

Tony Softli of 101ESPN St. Louis is part of the group heading to Joplin. Softli: "Seventy-five Rams employees and selected media members will depart the Russell Training Center on two buses at 5 a.m. with an anticipated arrival into Joplin around 10 a.m. The Rams have worked with the United Way and AmeriCorps of St. Louis to identify a variety of volunteer options. ... Upon arrival in Joplin, we will report to the volunteer check-in area at Missouri State Southern University to be dispatched to the various project locations and work until approximately 1:30 p.m."

Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com checks in with 49ers safety Chris Maragos as part of a piece examining how college free agents will work from a disadvantage this offseason. Maragos: "This year is quite a bit different. It's a huge transition from college to the NFL. I played in Big 10, so I was already acclimated to a high level of physicality. But the NFL is definitely a big jump in the level of competition. I needed the time (in the offseason) to learn the playbook, get up to speed and develop an understanding of what it takes at this level."

Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee expects Aubrayo Franklin and Manny Lawson to leave the 49ers in free agency this offseason. Barrows: "Last year the 49ers were able to hold onto Franklin with the franchise tag. This year his tag number is expected to jump to more than $12 million, and the 49ers opted not to retain him in that fashion. It looks like Franklin, who has wanted to reach the open market for two years, finally will get his wish barring some sort of right-of-first-refusal language in the new collective bargaining agreement. Furthermore, there promises to be a strong market for him. Reports out of Washington this offseason have said that the nose tackle-desperate Redskins (See: Haynesworth, Albert; the saga of) have triple underlined Franklin's name on their list of free-agent targets." I can see why the 49ers wouldn't want to pay a premium for either player, but the team will be worse off without Franklin and Lawson.

Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle says defensive lineman Ray McDonald hopes to re-sign with the 49ers. McDonald: "Before we left, there was a good vibe amongst me and the coaching staff and the GM. They said they liked the way I played and want me back, so I'm just going off that. I want to be back here. I'm comfortable out here."

Also from Branch: The 49ers' players have much to learn offensively despite maximizing their offseason under difficult circumstances.

Clare Farnsworth of seahawks.com offers details on Ralph Goldston's tenure with the team. Goldston, who passed away recently at age 82, spent 14 years with Seattle. Farnsworth: "While the Associated Press story mentioned Goldston being one of the first African Americans to play for the Philadelphia Eagles, there are no details about his post-playing career. He was a scout for the Seahawks for 14 years, arriving in 1975 -- the year before the team played its first game. Goldston came to the Seahawks after serving as offensive backfield coach for the Chicago Bears and remained with the Seahawks through the 1988 season."

Also from Farnsworth: a look back at the 1987 Seahawks. Farnsworth: "Steve Largent was voted the team MVP after a 58-catch, 912-yard, eight-TD season, as well as to his seventh -- and final -- Pro Bowl. The ’87 season also was the 12th -- and final time -- Largent would lead the Seahawks in receptions."

Brock Huard of 710ESPN Seattle says Kevin Kolb isn't worth the risk for the Seahawks.

Khaled Elsayed of Pro Football Focus gives Larry Fitzgerald a slight edge over Andre Johnson as the NFL's best receiver over the past three seasons, counting playoffs, as Darren Urban of azcardinals.com notes. Elsayed: "When the Cardinals made it to the Super Bowl, Fitzgerald was our top ranked receiver after a monstrous year and tremendous post season. He still found himself near the top (seventh) when the Kurt Warner-led Cardinals went to the playoffs, and improved on that with a sixth place finish last year despite some horrible quarterback play. Essentially, whether you’re feeding him caviar or out of the garbage, Fitz is a receiver hungry to make the most of any opportunity. The best hands of any of the top receivers." Fitzgerald's performance through the playoffs does set him apart. I've rated Johnson slightly higher more recently based on his superior speed. Pick your favorite between the two and I'll take the other one without complaint.

The NFC West chat starts up front, on the line. That's where chats are won or lost. This one was no different. We started on the line and moved the chains. Transcript here, highlights below, additional thoughts to follow.

Shane from Los Angeles had a hard time disagreeing with Matt Williamson's chat comments suggesting the Arizona Cardinals could have the NFL's worst offensive line. He thinks a shaky line could make life tough for any quarterback, whether it's Kevin Kolb or Peyton Manning. And he wants to know what the Cardinals have planned to address the line.

Mike Sando: Peyton Manning has flourished without a highly talented (by NFL standards) offensive line. A top quarterback makes a so-so line look good. Kurt Warner did this in Arizona a couple years ago. I question the Cardinals' approach to building their line and think they should be investing more draft choices in that part of their team. However, if they do re-sign Deuce Lutui and Lyle Sendlein, they should not be horrible. They would be counting on Rex Hadnot to step in at guard, most likely. Brandon Keith would have to come back from that injury. This could be a shaky line, but improvement at quarterback would help the line look better.

Steve from San Jose thinks Jim Harbaugh sounds too much like recent 49ers coaches when he talks about establishing a power running game, with the offense running through Frank Gore. He asks whether I can put to rest his fears.

Mike Sando: Yes, Jim Harbaugh does want to lean heavily on a power running game. Brock Huard told me Harbaugh's running game was extraordinarily diversified. So, all run games are not the same. And then we should assume that Harbaugh, as a former quarterback, will have a better feel for the passing game and how to use it in conjunction with the run game. You are right about the overall philosophy, though. It's the execution of that philosophy that will change.

Robert from Dublin, Calif., says he's a long-time Rams fan wondering where the Rams should focus in free agency. He lists free safety, running back and outside linebacker as their top needs.

Mike Sando: Let's throw defensive tackle into the mix as well. That was a position some analysts thought the Rams would address in the first round of the draft. I think it's a position of need. We discussed on the blog Wednesday whether Albert Haynesworth might make sense for them. Brandon Cofield is a more realistic name to keep in mind. He played for Steve Spagnuolo on the Giants and does not have a contract for 2010. The Rams fared well in adding Fred Robbins from the Giants last offseason.

Brandon from Everett, Wash., asks what I make of Darrell Bevell's call to Matt Hasselbeck when the lockout was briefly lifted.

Mike Sando: That affirmed the Seahawks' interest in bringing back Matt Hasselbeck without revealing what the team would pay for him. It was a nice gesture, but not a surprising one. Bevell and Hasselbeck go back years to Green Bay. They would be a good match. Bevell is the perfect person to reach out to Hasselbeck given their background.

Following up on the Cardinals' offensive line, coach Ken Whisenhunt has said that group was not high on his list of problem areas last season. He indicated the issues were more directly related to the quarterback situation. Arizona also had issues on defense, leading to a coordinator change.

There's a danger in focusing too much blame on Arizona's quarterback troubles, which were obvious. In this case, however, I think getting competent at quarterback will do more for the Cardinals than improving any other area, including the line.

Jae from St. Louis thinks the Rams' need for a defensive tackle should lead them to Albert Haynesworth if the Washington Redskins cut their losses with the disgruntled defensive tackle. The Rams could get him at a discount salary and without trading anything for him, and Haynesworth would have the talent to put their line over the top.

Mike Sando: Haynesworth remains with the Redskins for now, but the NFC East's Dan Graziano was on the right track in reading Jim Haslett's comments as the latest indication Haynesworth does not figure into the team's long-term plans. Haslett, the Redskins' defensive coordinator and former Rams coach, described Haynesworth as obstinate and a general pain in the neck. Graziano has said the Redskins would jump at the chance to trade Haynesworth, but is anyone going to absorb that $5.4 million salary for 2011?

There is no way, under any circumstances, I would acquire that salary. Haynesworth took the payday from Washington and ran straight to the bank. His next NFL employer must sign him to different terms.

Two questions: Would the Redskins release him? Why would the Rams want such a player on their team?

The Redskins had every reason to release Haynesworth last season, but they did not. They have not looked to do any favors for him. Coach Mike Shanahan has used the Haynesworth situation to flex his muscle as the new head coach. He could always decide Haynesworth is no longer worth the trouble, but it seems like he has so far sought to "win" the battle with Haynesworth. No player is going to force his way out of town, in other words. Releasing Haynesworth might qualify as a victory for the player. That is one consideration.

There is no question Haynesworth would fit better in a 4-3 defense such as the one St. Louis is running. Steve Spagnuolo would have a better shot than most at getting more from such a player. He has a strong record as a defensive coach. I would have no problem with a team signing Haynesworth to a low-risk deal without a significant financial commitment. But I also think Haynesworth has proven no team can count on him. The baggage Haynesworth will carry to his next job is problematic. The issues that arose in Washington will arise again at some point in the future.

The Rams know what they want on defense. They have not taken big risks with the types of personalities they've added. Chris Long, Fred Robbins and James Laurinaitis have been steady players. Haynesworth does not fit the mold.

Glen Coffee's sudden retirement from the San Francisco 49ers following only one season came as a shock.

Former NFL prospect Rich Williams had the right idea when he opted out of the 2002 draft and moved on with his life -- without leaving any employer hanging.

It's tough to fault Coffee for giving the NFL a try despite the ambivalence he later said he was feeling all along. The financial stakes were high and making a hasty decision to step away would have damaged any attempts to come back. The way things went, Coffee departed the NFL knowing for sure football was not for him. It was a bad break for the 49ers.

Back to Williams. Allison Glock's piece about him for ESPN The Magazine was one of the better offseason reads I've come across this year.

Williams says he has no regrets about walking away from a football career analysts thought he would begin as a mid-round draft choice. While Julius Peppers, John Henderson, Dwight Freeney, Albert Haynesworth and Charles Grant headlined the 2002 class of defensive linemen, Williams went about becoming a teacher, an evangelist and a competitive strongman.

Williams holds world records for grip strength. According to Glock's story, he lifted a 163-pound anvil by the horn and carried it 60-plus feet -- with one hand.

As for Coffee? His agent, Todd Crannell, said Coffee has worked toward his degree at Alabama, channeled his competitive energy into boxing and followed his brother's career as a running back at South Carolina.

"Glen played four years in high school, four in college and one in the NFL -- enough to know if he likes it," Crannell said. "If someone worked at McDonald's for nine years and wanted to quit, no one would wonder why. The money in the NFL is different, obviously, but money has no value to Glen. The NFL is such a brand that it's hard for people to understand when someone just does not like it."

» NFC Draft Watch: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South

Each Thursday leading up to the NFL draft (April 28-30), the ESPN.com NFL blog network will take a division-by-division look at key aspects of the draft. Today's topic: biggest team needs.

Arizona Cardinals

Quarterback stands out as the most obvious need for the Cardinals after Arizona suffered through a rough 2010 season with Derek Anderson, Max Hall and John Skelton under center. Acquiring a veteran passer in free agency or trade would clear the way for Arizona to focus on other areas in the draft. But if the labor impasse continues through April, the Cardinals will face more pressure to find one in the draft.

Beyond quarterback, the Cardinals need fresh talent at outside linebacker to improve their pass rush and perimeter run defense. They need help at offensive tackle, where Levi Brown hasn’t played to his status as the fifth player drafted in 2007. Their starting interior offensive linemen are without contracts for 2011, so that area is another concern.

Arizona does not have a starting-caliber tight end. Inside linebacker is another position needing attention.

San Francisco 49ers

Quarterback, cornerback and outside linebacker rank among primary needs for a team that has invested five first-round picks in its offense since 2006, including three over the past two drafts.

David Carr is the only quarterback under contract to the 49ers for 2011. Starting cornerback Nate Clements will not return under his current contract. Will Alex Smith come back for another year?

While San Francisco’s front seven has been strong, the team hasn’t had a player reach double digits in sacks since Andre Carter had 12.5 in 2002. That was also the last time the 49ers posted a winning record. New defensive coordinator Vic Fangio likes to build around a pass-rusher and a cover corner.

Nose tackle could become another concern. Starter Aubrayo Franklin played last season as a franchise player. The balloon payment Washington paid to Albert Haynesworth pumped up the projected franchise value for defensive tackles, making it prohibitive for the 49ers to name Franklin their franchise player for a second consecutive season, should the designation exist in a new labor agreement.

St. Louis Rams

The Rams are set at quarterback and picking late enough in the first round -- 14th overall -- to let the draft come to them. They’re in position to benefit when a highly ranked player falls unexpectedly. They should not feel pressured to reach for a position even though they do have needs.

It’s important for the team to arm Sam Bradford with a more dynamic outside receiving threat. Injuries severely weakened the position last season. Front-line talent was lacking at the position even when most of the Rams’ wideouts were healthy.

Defensive tackle and outside linebacker jump out as two additional primary needs. Finding a defensive end to develop behind James Hall would also make sense. Landing a right guard in the draft would solidify the offensive line while letting 2010 starter Adam Goldberg back up multiple positions. The team also needs safety help after letting Oshiomogho Atogwe leave. Finding a change-of-pace back to supplement Steven Jackson's contributions might count as a luxury.

Seattle Seahawks

Quarterback will be a primary need if the Seahawks fail to re-sign Matt Hasselbeck. The position needs to be stocked for the long term even if Hasselbeck does come back for an 11th season with the team.

Restocking the offensive line must take priority no matter what happens at quarterback. The Seahawks’ running game has disappeared in recent seasons, putting too much pressure on the rest of the offense. Drafting left tackle Russell Okung sixth overall a year ago was a start. Seattle needs to find answers at both guard spots and probably right tackle (assuming Max Unger returns from injury and takes over at center, as expected). Adding Robert Gallery in free agency could take off some pressure in the draft. Gallery played under Seattle's new line coach, Tom Cable, in Oakland.

The cornerback situation needs attention. Marcus Trufant’s salary jumps significantly, raising questions about how the team will view him coming off an inconsistent season. Another corner Seattle chose in the first round, Kelly Jennings, is without a contract and lacks the size Seattle prefers at the position.

As promised, a look at the franchise and transition tags in relation to the NFC West in 2011:

• [+] Enlarge
  Bob Donnan/US PresswireThe 49ers used the franchise tag on Aubrayo Franklin in 2010.
  The NFL says the tags remain in place to help teams restrict potential free agents, but the league also says there won't be free agency without a labor agreement. The NFL Players Association says the tag will not matter without an agreement. Both sides could be right. Teams planning to use the tag lose nothing by designating franchise and transition players just in case.
• The collective bargaining agreement says teams can designate franchise and transition players beginning 22 days before the new league year. That period began Thursday. The period closes at 4 p.m. ET on Feb. 24, identified as the eighth day preceding the first day of the new league year.
• The collective bargaining agreement requires the league to provide the NFLPA with information to calculate franchise and transition values by position "no later than February 1 of each League Year during the term of this Agreement." The agreement does not expire until March 4.
• The NFLPA usually provides these franchise and transition values to reporters as part of a broader information packet during Super Bowl week. The information packet did not include those figures this year.
• The San Francisco 49ers named nose tackle Aubrayo Franklin their franchise player last season. Doing so again would guarantee him 120 percent of his 2010 salary or the average of the five highest salaries at defensive tackle, whichever is greater. Albert Haynesworth's inflated 2010 salary drove up the average enough to make franchising Franklin seem impractical. The 49ers would have to offer him nearly double the $7 million he received last season.
• The high price for defensive tackles makes it very difficult to envision the Seattle Seahawks using the franchise tag for Brandon Mebane. The team previously used the tag for kicker Olindo Mare. His contract is expiring again.
• The 49ers wouldn't have to lay out nearly as much if they chose to use the franchise tag for safety Dashon Goldson. I've heard nothing to indicate the 49ers plan to go that route. The team has a new coaching staff, so it's difficult to know how San Francisco values certain players.
• The St. Louis Rams' Oshiomogho Atogwe does not become eligible for the franchise tag if the Rams release him to avoid paying an $8 million bonus due Feb. 21.
• The franchise tag for linebackers could again fall around $10 million. It's tough to envision the 49ers paying that much for Manny Lawson.
• The Arizona Cardinals presumably would not use the franchise tag for receiver Steve Breaston. They value him, but using the tag for Breaston would move his salary past the $10 million average for teammate Larry Fitzgerald.

I've reached out to the NFL and NFLPA for additional information. In the meantime, Brian McIntyre's projections could be helpful.

Jae from St. Louis writes: Why in every mock draft that I've seen, the Rams are picking in the twenties? If I'm not mistaken, it goes by record and then strength of schedule. As I see it, the Rams would be picking in the mid-teens in the 2011 draft even if they make the playoffs.

What would think of this move? The Rams trade for Albert Haynesworth, get him back into a 4-3 defense, draft a receiver in the first round and an outside linebacker in the second, or vice versa.

I think that would be an excellent move on the Rams' part, fulfilling their need at receiver, outside linebacker and defensive tackle. I would prefer if they went with an outside linebacker in the first, but depending on who is available -- say, Julio Jones or Justin Blackmon -- you should go with one of those guys to go along side Danario Alexander.

I'm thinking if he can stay healthy, then he will end up being the No. 1 or No. 2 receiver on the team. What are your thoughts on all of this?

Mike Sando: The NFL changed its draft-order criteria to make sure playoff teams drafted after non-playoff teams. The Rams would draft 21st or later as a wild-card team.

I like the way you're thinking in terms of the trade-offs teams make when looking to patch their rosters. The Rams cannot realistically fix all their problems in one draft. They've found some building blocks, including the quarterback, but they have significant holes elsewhere. And so it makes sense for them to consider acquiring certain veterans.

I'm not a big fan of Haynesworth at this point because he's a conditional player. He plays on his own terms. I would have seen more logic behind renting a Randy Moss for the stretch run -- with an ability to release him painlessly -- than investing anything long term in a higher-risk player such as Haynesworth. If the Rams were confident they could make it work, yeah, he'd make them better on paper. But is he the right type of guy?

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GeoMak from Laveen, Ariz., writes: "Specifically, they cannot engage their players in shouting matches during games". Good God, Mike. Ever watch Lombardi? Parcells? Ditka? Among many others? Really. That comment is laughable.

Mike Sando: No doubt, those coaches' styles worked really well when head coaches held the hammer in NFL locker rooms. Mike Singletary called out players left and right, then got fired while all those players (most of them, anyway) kept their jobs. Lombardi was chewing out players 40 years ago. Circumstances are different now. Lombardi might have adapted.

Coaches will still yell at players, of course, but that approach should not define the way they interact. Singletary approached the job with a linebacker's mentality. A different approach would have served him better in the current era. He needed a changeup pitch, so to speak, but instead he knew only one way.

Singletary might have made for an excellent coach ... in 1962.

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Matt from Seattle writes: Do you get grief from your colleagues about covering the NFC West this year? Please don't get on the radio and say anything is possible in the playoffs with Seattle. This is a bad team that is going in the wrong direction, or in the right direction if you think they need to rebuild. Do I get excited about an NFC West championship? No.

Mike Sando: I get far more questions about whether I get grief from colleagues than I get actual grief from colleagues. That is because none of us derives professional enjoyment from final scores. We would all like to cover competitive teams, of course. I suspect we're all too busy to worry about how the other divisions are stacking up. But if an NFC West team loses by 30 in the wild-card round, I do expect to get some "nice division" comments.

As for the Seahawks, they are already rebuilding. They went into this season with an NFL-low number of players back from last season. They tore it up. We can debate whether the Seahawks made the right moves or whether such a dramatic overhaul went too far, but there should be no debating what is actually happening.

The question was whether the Seahawks could remain competitive while rebuilding. At times this season, it appeared they could. But their overall fragility has caught up to them over time. They are now playing like the team I expected to see all season.

Coaches and management should benefit from the experience in the long term because they'll have a much better idea as to the specific additions that could help the team resemble the group that won at Chicago and showed positive signs in a few other games.

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Shane from Los Angeles, Calif., writes: Sand-O! I have no league median to gauge this against, but I ran some numbers based on the raw data. Turns out more than half of the Cardinals' points this season have come from the defense or special teams (giving extra points and two-point conversions to the unit that scored the accompanying touchdown).

Not sure what you could extrapolate from this data, but I thought it was interesting enough to send to you. Happy Holidays!

Mike Sando: Great stuff. On the one hand, it's a credit to the Cardinals that they've managed to manufacture so many points in unconventional ways. On the other hand, it's troubling to think that a team with playoff aspirations would score so few points on offense.

I've done the math roughly and you're on the right track. The offense did recover a couple fumbles in the end zone, one by Levi Brown and another by Steve Breaston. The Cardinals have scored nine rushing touchdowns and nine passing touchdowns. They have 12 return touchdowns, counting those recoveries. They have 24 field goals.

At the very least, the Cardinals have scored 10 touchdowns on defense and special teams, plus 24 field goals. They converted once on a two-point conversion following an offensive touchdown. They have made all 28 extra-point attempts. They have 282 points.

We could break it down this way: 10 return touchdowns and 10 extra points add up to 70 points. Twenty-four field goals add up to 72 points. This would give the defense and special teams 142 points out of 282 total points, or 50.4 percent.

Washington Redskins defensive coordinator Jim Haslett knows better than most what St. Louis Rams running back Steven Jackson can accomplish from three-receiver personnel on second-and-long.

Haslett was the Rams' interim head coach when Jackson gashed the Dallas Cowboys for an 18-yard gain under those circumstances two seasons ago. That game marked the Rams' most recent home victory -- until Jackson's 42-yard touchdown run on second-and-14 helped St. Louis defeat the Redskins 30-16 in Week 3.

The play showcased Jackson's ability and, if you looked closely enough, what it takes to turn a short or medium gain into a momentum altering big play.

Jackson had lost 4 yards on the previous play, so this was a likely passing situation. The Rams set up the touchdown with two wide receivers left, one right, Jackson nearly 8 yards deep in the backfield and Daniel Fells, the tight end, in a three-point stance next to right tackle Jason Smith. The Redskins countered with only six defenders in the box.

Jackson took the handoff and ran off tackle to the right. Fells turned Redskins linebacker Brian Orakpo to the inside. Smith turned Redskins linebacker Rocky McIntosh to the outside. Mark Clayton, the wide receiver on the right side, impeded cornerback DeAngelo Hall near the line of scrimmage. Left guard Adam Goldberg let linebacker Andre Carter knife into the backfield, shoving Carter hard enough to prevent him from getting back into the play.

Jackson cut back to his left at the 35, making safety Kenny Moore miss. Moore had launched his body at Jackson instead of trying to wrap him up (Jackson's 245-pound frame poses an injury risk to defensive backs). Moore missed Jackson and chopped down teammate Vonnie Holliday back at the 37. Jackson was at the 33 by then. Receiver Brandon Gibson hustled from the far left side past the right hash, where he decked cornerback Phillip Buchanan.

Center Jason Brown and left guard Jacob Bell had shoved nose tackle Albert Haynesworth off the line, with Brown peeling off to prevent linebacker London Fletcher from making the tackle near the 30. Hayesworth had made his way back into the play near the 28, but left tackle Rodger Saffold was waiting for him. Buchanan, having been shoved by Gibson, flew into Haynesworth's legs just as Saffold arrived. Haynesworth stood no chance.

Receiver Danny Amendola, working from the left slot, hustled across the formation and back in search of someone to block. He wasn't needed in the end. Jackson outran safety LaRon Landry to the end zone.

Injury note: Jackson suffered a strained groin during the game. The Rams described his status as day-to-day.

» NFC Final Word: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South

Five nuggets of knowledge about Week 2:

Long time coming. Chris Long's development into a solid -- and potentially better than solid -- defensive lineman has been a process. We didn't see much from Long during his early days as a rookie in camp two years ago. For a while, Long seemed to struggle living up to expectations. Things began to change last season, when Long had more sacks (5) than Terrell Suggs, Julian Peterson, Shawne Merriman, Albert Haynesworth, Richard Seymour or Aaron Kampman. Long had clearly made strides, becoming a potential pass-rush sleeper for 2010. Long asserted himself more during training camp this summer. The Cardinals had trouble blocking Long in Week 1. I'm expecting Long to break through with a sack or two against the Oakland Raiders in Week 2. The Raiders have had issues on their offensive line. Long has downplayed his first game in Oakland, where his father began a Hall of Fame career, but the timing seems right for Long to find the quarterback.

Derek Anderson in perspective. The Arizona Cardinals' trip to Atlanta marks homecomings for coach Ken Whisenhunt and defensive lineman Darnell Dockett. The challenge is clear. Arizona finds itself on the wrong end of another team's home opener for the second week in a row, this time against a better opponent. Quarterback Derek Anderson probably needs to show more consistent accuracy for the Cardinals to defeat the Falcons in the Georgia Dome. The rest of us could also use a little more accuracy at times. For as erratic as Anderson appeared when throwing eight consecutive incomplete passes in Week 1, his 85.1 passer rating for the game was better than eight of the 17 regular-season and postseason ratings posted by a certain now-retired Cardinals quarterback last season. Kurt Warner posted nine ratings between 100.8 and 154.1 last season. His ratings in the remaining eight games ranged between 44.9 and 79.2. Anderson might never play like Warner when Warner was hot. He could potentially be more consistent from game to game. At the very least, we shouldn't measure him against the very best Warner offered without giving at least some consideration to those other eight games.

The Jeremy Bates Show. Alex Gibbs' abrupt departure as the Seattle Seahawks' offensive line coach one week before the season left me thinking the team's offensive line might suffer an implosion reminiscent of 2009, particularly with rookie left tackle Russell Okung sidelined by injury. That might still happen, but it seems less likely after Bates, the Seahawks' offensive coordinator, put together such a successful plan against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 1. Protection issues weren't an overriding problem. As much as the Seahawks respected and valued Gibbs, they've shrugged off his departure as if they weren't counting on him to be around that long anyway. Meanwhile, quarterback Matt Hasselbeck keeps crediting Bates by name when answering questions about the offense. In retrospect, Bates was the most important hire coach Pete Carroll made for his offensive staff. The early results appear promising. Bates, a coaching grinder known to sleep in the office, presumably will have a good plan for Denver, his former employer (the Broncos wanted to keep Bates after firing Mike Shanahan, but it wasn't an ideal fit for Bates once the team hired Josh McDaniels).

Sam Bradford's first career victory. The Rams believe in Bradford, and they should. He's shown the starting job isn't too big for him. Now the Rams need to win a game with him. The Raiders aren't a particularly good team. They couldn't stop Vince Young from completing 76.5 percent of his passes with two touchdowns and a 142.8 rating. Like Young, Bradford benefits from having a top running back on his side. Steven Jackson is hungry. Coach Steve Spagnuolo and the Rams lamented missed opportunities following their 17-13 defeat against Arizona in the opener. Losing to the Raiders would count as another one.

Breaker-breaker one-Nine(r). The 49ers' communication problems are getting lots of attention, as they should. Any team should be able to communicate plays from its coordinator to the quarterback without inducing panic. Let's not lose sight of the fact that San Francisco lost its opener because the team didn't block, tackle, throw, catch and cover well enough. I'm expecting better from the 49ers against the Super Bowl champions on Monday night. Largely the same 49ers team led the Minnesota Vikings and Indianapolis Colts on the road in the fourth quarter last season. Vernon Davis and Patrick Willis are cashing fatter checks after signing long-term extensions during the offseason. Safety Dashon Goldson wants one, too. Alex Smith is playing for his career this season. Time for those guys to produce.

Hall of Famer Jerry Rice joined ESPN's Mike & Mike to discuss his impending enshrinement, Terrell Owens' future in Cincinnati and the Albert Haynesworth situation in Washington. Cue the audio

Rice, asked about how he'll feel if anyone breaks his records, delivered my favorite quote of the interview: "I believe records are meant to be broken. If anyone should break a record that I have, I'll be the first to congratulate them. But you're going to have to work your butts off to come close. If they are willing to pay that price, then I think they really deserve it."

Chris Mortensen of ESPN weighs in on the Cardinals after stopping at practice Monday. This quote from Ken Whisenhunt caught my attention: "With the Steelers, you lost a Rod Woodson at safety and a Carnell Lake stepped up … . You'd lose a Joey Porter but you find a James Harrison. If you're a good football team, you go through those transitions and keep going. Look, when Anquan Boldin was hurt, Steve Breaston stepped in and we kept winning. Now it's time for some young guys like [defensive end] Calais Campbell, [cornerback] Greg Toler, [wide receiver] Early Doucet, [running backs] Beanie Wells and Tim Hightower to step their games up." The Cardinals have done a good job developing young players. They'll need to do so on a larger scale this season.

Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic says this 2010 training camp is critical for Cardinals defenders Alan Branch, Gabe Watson and Rashad Johnson. Somers on Branch: "Branch has been the biggest disappointment. The Cardinals traded a fourth-round pick in 2007 in order to move up to select Branch 33rd overall. Yet, he never has started a game and played in only four in 2008. He was listed at 338 pounds in the media guide but often was considerably heavier. This off-season, however, he took his conditioning seriously. He's at 320 pounds, the lightest he has been since he played at Michigan." Branch took a step forward last season and it paid off in a few games, notably against the Minnesota Vikings. Branch appears to have taken another step forward heading into 2010.

Also from Somers: a quick look at rookie tight end Jim Dray.

More from Somers: notes from the Cardinals' practices, including news that first-round choice Dan Williams had agreed to terms and was expected to practice Tuesday afternoon.

Darren Urban of azcardinals.com says Cardinals rookie receiver Andre Roberts suffered through a rough day Monday. Roberts: "With the playbook and plays, I think I am doing pretty good, pretty consistent and not making many mental errors. But I am inconsistent catching the ball right now. … I think I have pretty good hands. I just think it is a loss of concentration. I have to get better."

Also from Urban: Coach Ken Whisenhunt was OK with Darnell Dockett calling out teammate Kerry Rhodes via Twitter this offseason. Urban: "Whisenhunt said he didn’t have a problem when Darnell Dockett called out Kerry Rhodes on Twitter this summer about making sure Rhodes was working and not lounging around. Whiz said Dockett didn’t cross the line. Told Rhodes would rather have not had it out to the public, Whiz cracked, 'There are a lot of things I wish people would keep off the internet.' "

Dockett, via Twitter, volunteers to take Albert Haynesworth's conditioning test barefoot with shades and a headband for $3 million. He'd pass it, too.