ESPN NFL

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Power Rankings: Preseason: 14. This week: 25.

2009 Schedule/Results

Where they stand: The Seahawks are 3-5 and third in the NFC West after beating the Rams, Jaguars and Lions (the 49ers are also 3-5, but they hold the tiebreaker based on head-to-head results). Seattle probably needs to beat the Cardinals in Week 10 to consider itself part of the division race. The 49ers and Cardinals have already beaten Seattle. The Seahawks have already lost twice at home. This team is running out of second chances. Losing a tough game at home to the Bears in Week 3 proved costly.

	Steve Dykes/US Presswire
	Linebacker David Hawthorne has proven to be an upgrade for the Seahawks.

Disappointments: The team's inability to shake its recent injury problems devastated Seattle early in the season. The bigger disappointment for the Seahawks might come in the realization that getting key players healthy isn't necessarily going to make a big difference. Some of the problems on offense are easily explained by constant injury-related shuffling on the line, highlighted by Walter Jones' inability to return from knee surgery. That has contributed to underwhelming production in the running game after Seattle adopted more zone-blocking concepts. On defense, the Seahawks were supposed to be better. Linemen Brandon Mebane and Cory Redding enjoyed strong training camps. Neither has stood out much to this point. Defensive end Darryl Tapp has faded some after initially transferring a strong camp into a good start to the season.

Surprises: Linebacker David Hawthorne qualifies as the biggest surprise for Seattle -- by a wide margin. Losing veteran middle linebacker Lofa Tatupu to a season-ending injury would have seemed catastrophic a couple years ago. Hawthorne has arguably provided an upgrade. He has two sacks and two interceptions in his past two games. The energy and intensity he brings stand out. Receiver Nate Burleson has bounced back strong from knee surgery, developing into the Seahawks' most productive receiver. He is the only wide receiver on the team with a reception of 35 yards or longer. To have Burleson leading the team in receptions and receiving yards is somewhat surprising after the team signed T.J. Houshmandzadeh in free agency.

Outlook: This was supposed to be the point in the season when the Seahawks started to get healthy and hit stride. It could happen. Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck gives the Seahawks a chance to compete and win games against quite a few teams. The overall offensive consistency has not been there, however. Sometimes the Seahawks almost appear resigned to their fate, as if beaten down by all the injuries and defeats dating to last season. I haven't sensed an edge to this team. Confidence appears shaky. And with upcoming road games against Arizona and Minnesota, it's likely the Seahawks will fall further from contention.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

The latest in our periodic spin around the NFC West radio dials:

Rams

101ESPN St. Louis: analyst Jim Hanifan

101ESPN St. Louis: reporter Jim Thomas

101ESPN St. Louis: reporter Brian Stull

101ESPN St. Louis: Trey Wingo (on Steven Jackson)

101ESPN St. Louis: center Jason Brown

101ESPN St. Louis: La'Roi Glover

101ESPN St. Louis: tight end Daniel Fells

101ESPN St. Louis: defensive end James Hall

101ESPN St. Louis: guard Mark Setterstrom

101ESPN St. Louis: Steve Spagnuolo (video)

101ESPN St. Louis: Marc Bulger

49ers

KNBR680: Mike Singletary

KNBR680: Dashon Goldson

KNBR680: snapper Brian Jennings

KNBR680: reporter Matt Maiocco

KNBR680: Steve Mariucci

KNBR680: Steve Young


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Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

The latest in our periodic spin around the NFC West radio dials:

Rams

101ESPN St. Louis: reporter Jim Thomas

101ESPN St. Louis: La'Roi Glover

101ESPN St. Louis: Roland Williams

101ESPN St. Louis: Steven Jackson

49ers

KNBR680: reporter Matt Maiocco

KNBR680: coach Mike Singletary

49ers.com: Singletary (video)

Cardinals

XTRA910: safety Adrian Wilson (via sportsradiointerviews.com)

XTRA910: nose tackle Gabe Watson

azcardinals.com: coach Ken Whisenhunt (video)

azcardinals.com: Whisenhunt

Seahawks

710ESPN Seattle: play-by-play announcer Steve Raible

710ESPN Seattle: defensive end Nick Reed

710ESPN Seattle: analyst Brock Huard

KRKO Everett: fullback Owen Schmitt (via sportsradiointerviews.com)

KJR950 Seattle: tackle Kyle Williams

KJR950 Seattle: defensive end Cory Redding

seahawks.com: coach Jim Mora (video)

If you find others, please pass along links.

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

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Falling

Bly

1.Dre' Bly, CB, 49ers. The veteran corner suffered a major humiliation Monday, a day after his post-interception showboating precipitated a fumble during the 49ers' 45-10 home defeat to the Falcons. San Francisco trailed, 35-10, when Bly put his right hand behind his helmet a la Deion Sanders, only to have Falcons receiver Roddy White strip the football from him. "Dre's gonna be Dre," Bly said afterward. The 49ers pretty much called a news conference to say Dre's not gonna be Dre. "I want to come to you all publicly apologize for [Sunday]," Bly said. "My comments were totally inappropriate. I apologize to coach. I am not a selfish guy. I didn't mean to embarrass him, if I did embarrass my team, embarrass the ownership, embarrass the fans. I'm a prideful guy. I like to have fun. It was totally inappropriate. I got caught up in the moment. It was wrong."

Hill

2. Shaun Hill, QB, 49ers. San Francisco's offensive line was arguably more to blame than Hill, but the line's stock was already low. Hill had managed to overcome the line's problems this season in becoming one of the NFL's more efficient quarterbacks in key situations, including third downs and fourth quarters. Hill appeared completely flustered Sunday. He had no answers for what the Falcons were throwing at him. Perhaps taking a cue from his head coach, Hill seemed to lose his composure at times. His final stat line was in JaMarcus Russell territory: 15 of 38 passing for 198 yards and an interception.

Singletary

3. Mike Singletary, 49ers coach. Singletary could seemingly do no wrong during the 49ers' 3-1 start. By his own admission, the performance he turned in Sunday showed Singletary remains a work in progress. He called timeout to rally his defense, only to have the Falcons complete a 31-yard touchdown pass on the next play. Bereft of timeouts later in the half, Singletary could not challenge a questionable call. As the game progressed, Singletary lost his cool to the point that he jawed with Falcons guard Harvey Dahl during the game. It's OK for a head coach to show emotion. Singletary certainly must be true to his personality. He crossed the line in this game and seemed to realize the error of his ways. Singletary owned up to his mistakes and even said the 49ers were outcoached in terms of preparation. Not a good week.

Rising

Hasselbeck

1. Matt Hasselbeck, QB, Seahawks. The Seahawks went from down and almost out to feeling like a leading contender to win the NFC West. The way Hasselbeck played in returning from broken ribs changed everything for Seattle. Hasselbeck showed the fire of a linebacker from the moment he ran out of the tunnel for pregame introductions at Qwest Field. He scrambled freely and popped back up quickly when taken down. Hasselbeck also made all the necessary throws in completing four touchdown passes. Only four quarterbacks have higher ratings this season. Hasselbeck has seven touchdowns -- more than Tom Brady, Philip Rivers, Aaron Rodgers or Kurt Warner -- despite missing 10 quarters to injury.

Rodgers-Cromartie

2. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Cardinals. The precocious second-year cornerback was right last week when he said teams would eventually pay for throwing his way. Rodgers-Cromartie's 49-yard interception return for the winning touchdown with 2:20 remaining against the Texans gave "DRC" a needed boost after a disappointing start to the season. The 2008 first-round choice has Pro Bowl potential. He was suffering through a sophomore slump even before he suffered a broken right index finger during an embarrassing home defeat to the Colts in Week 3. The injury made his interception even more impressive, although teammate Adrian Wilson was right when he put the brakes on comparisons to Cardinals Hall of Famer Larry Wilson, who famously picked off a pass with casts on both wrists.

Curry

3. Aaron Curry, LB, Seahawks. The fourth overall choice in the 2009 draft has played the enforcer role effectively during all three home games. His fumble-forcing sack on Jaguars quarterback David Garrard set up a 26-yard return for teammate Cory Redding. The turnover led to a touchdown that gave Seattle a 27-0 lead on its way to a 41-0 blowout. Curry finished the game with nine tackles, one sack, one forced fumble, one pass defensed and one crushing hit on special teams. Curry brings a menacing attitude to the Seahawks' defense, particularly at home. His performance Sunday provided additional evidence that Curry can be an effective pass-rusher, answering questions raised about him before the draft. Curry has one fumble-forcing sack in each of the Seahawks' last two home games.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

The latest in our periodic spin around the NFC West radio dials:

Rams

101ESPN St. Louis: Coach Steve Spagnuolo (video)

101ESPN St. Louis: Reporter Jim Thomas

101ESPN St. Louis: former player La'Roi Glover

49ers

KNBR680: reporter Matt Maiocco

KNBR680: coach Mike Singletary

Cardinals

XTRA910: safety Adrian Wilson

KTAR620: coach Ken Whisenhunt (via sportsradiointerviews.com)

azcardinals.com: Whisenhunt news conference (video)

Seahawks

710ESPN Seattle: defensive lineman Cory Redding

710ESPN Seattle: coach Jim Mora (highlights)

KJR950: Receivers Deion Branch, Nate Burleson

As always, please leave links to additional audio in the comments section. I'll add items as needed.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Thanks to those who dropped by the NFC West chat Thursday. Full transcript here. Highlights below:

Andrew (Seattle): Crabtree's position seems to defy all logic, if its truly just about money. Do you think he just doesn't want to play for the 49ers? Any news on this front that's new?

Mike Sando: One theory: Crabtree could be trying to get more favorable incentive clauses based on expectations for this passing game under Jimmy Raye. Rookies need to hit incentives to maximize their contracts. A wide receiver could have a hard time reaching generally established incentives in this style of offense. The leading receiver on each of the 12 Raye-coordinated offenses averaged 55 receptions per year. That is not much by NFL standards.

Jerry (Folsom, CA): After game one, grade the Rams' important players (Bulger, Jackson, Smith, O-line in general, Long, Laurinaitis, Atogwe).

Mike Sando: Marc Bulger: only OK, but at least he is playing. The finger didn't seem to prevent him from making throws. Steven Jackson: He will be fine. Jason Smith: Improving, looking much better than he did against the Falcons in preseason. Offensive line in general: a little disappointing in the run game and they need to clean up some protection issues up the middle. The tackles held up pretty well, though. Chris Long: I see occasional flashes, but nothing to suggest he's going to have a big season. James Laurinaitis: Should start for a long time. Oshiomogho Atogwe: Outstanding and fun to watch. All over the place in coverage. Seems to be well suited for the scheme. Tricky to block in the run game.

nick (new york): Sando, when people talk about the Seahawks, they still refer to them as a finesse team. With one of the largest front sevens in the league and the presence of one of the most dominating linemen ever, when will this change? Here in NYC, I get the feeling all we would hear about is how tough these guys were if they played here.

Mike Sando: The Seahawks do have one of the heaviest front sevens in the league. Did you see anything special from Patrick Kerney in the opener? I did not see him making a big difference as a pass rusher. He could need time to get back into a groove. Cory Redding was a major force during training camp practices, but not so much Sunday. Let's see how this defensive front performs over the course of several games and against better offenses and away from Qwest Field.

Shane (Los Angeles, CA): Sand-O! Im not jumping off the Warner bandwagon yet, but I was wondering if there are any rumors of Whiz looking at Leinart. When Leinart was the starter in preseason last year, Whiz said the best QB will play, so Id be shocked if he didnt have the same attitude this year. Also, what is the deal with Warner's hip injury? Is it similar to the one that forced Neil Lommax into retirement?

Mike Sando: Kurt Warner is the quarterback. Ken Whisenhunt would not consider a change this early in the season. Warner would have to perform horribly over multiple weeks, I suspect. The money Arizona committed to Warner makes him the starter. You are onto something in a broader context, though. I'm interested in seeing how quickly Whisenhunt takes the offense toward the Pittsburgh model. We all know Warner isn't comfortable running that style of offense. Moving Beanie Wells into the lineup could help Warner, I think, because Tim Hightower appears less suited to running from one-back sets. If Wells is better from one-back sets -- and I'm pretty confident he would be -- the Cardinals could keep three receivers on the field along with a tight end. Seems to me this is where the offense needs to head.

Just noticed I forgot to answer the question about Warner's hip. The medical people I know said the procedure was routine and Warner should be OK.

Down Dist. Seahawks Personnel Group in Week 1 Ball Carrier Yards Gained 1 10 Base Julius Jones 62 1 10 Base Jones 4 2 10 Base Jones 2 2 10 Base Edgerrin James 2 1 10 Base Jones 1 1 10 Base Jones 1 1 10 Base Jones 0 2 2 Base James 0 2 2 Base Jones -1 Avg. 7.9

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

The highlights showed Seattle's Julius Jones breaking a 62-yard touchdown run against the Rams during a 28-0 victory in Week 1.

That run was very much an aberration among the Seahawks' nine rushing plays from their base offense featuring two backs, two receivers and one tight end. Aberrations count, of course, but the other eight base run plays netted 9 yards total. The chart breaks them out by runner.

Julius Jones, Edgerrin James and Justin Forsett averaged a more evenly distributed 4.7 yards per attempt with three receivers on the field. Their 10 rushes from these personnel groups gained 8, 7, 6, 6, 6, 6, 4, 2, 1 and 1 yards.

I'll be surprised if Seattle runs the ball consistently well from its base offense against the 49ers in Week 2, although the 49ers' 3-4 scheme shouldn't present additional problems. Seattle's zone blocking tendencies require relatively few adjustments against 3-4 defenses. The Seahawks also tuned up against 3-4 teams during preseason and they know the 49ers well.

• Download: This Excel file features a sortable Seahawks offensive play-by-play sheet complete with my observations on select plays, plus a second sheet summarizing production across personnel groups. Alternate download link here.

Among the other things I noticed in watching this game a couple times:


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Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Rams Personnel Group in Week 1 Carries Yards Per Carry Pass Attempts Yards Per Attempt Base 9 2.9 7 5.0 1RB-1TE 6 5.0 22 6.2 2RB-2TE 1 10.0 1 0.0 1RB-2TE 1 9.0 4 4.8 3TE 1 2.0 1 0.0 2RB-0TE 0 0.0 1 0.0 4WR 0 0.0 0 0.0 Totals 18 4.3 36 5.3

The Rams know they need to run their offense through running back Steven Jackson, but how should they make that happen?

Sticking with their base offense means pairing Jackson with fullback Mike Karney. Jackson was thrilled when the Rams signed Karney because he knew the potential benefits in the run game.

Putting Karney on the field with Jackson usually comes at the expense of second tight end Daniel Fells, however, and Fells has the athleticism to become an occasional receiving option. The Rams need all the receiving options they can get and Karney isn't going to help in that area.

Against Seattle, the Rams ran the ball nine times from their base offense -- two backs, two receivers, one tight end -- and averaged 2.9 yards per attempt. They gained 9 yards on their only carry with one back (Jackson) and two tight ends (Randy McMichael and Fells). They gained 10 yards on their lone rushing attempt with two backs (Jackson, Karney) and two tight ends. They gained 2 yards and the first down on their lone rushing attempt with three tight ends.

• Download: This Excel file features a sortable Rams offensive play-by-play sheet complete with my observations on select plays, plus a second sheet summarizing production across personnel groups. Alternate download link here.

I'll be watching to see how the Rams run the ball across their various personnel groups. They signed Karney to pound the ball. Will they be better running the ball with Karney on the field? We don't have near enough evidence at this point. Just something to consider. One way or another, they need to run the ball effectively.

A few other things I noticed about the Rams in Week 1:


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Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic says Cardinals receiver Anquan Boldin gave a fiery speech imploring teammates to clean up mistakes. Somers: "The performance prompted Boldin to make an impassioned postgame speech about the need to pay attention to detail. Boldin remained irritable about the subject on Wednesday, refusing to blame injuries, including his sore hamstring, for the Cardinals' lack of offensive production."

Also from Somers: says the Cardinals' Larry Fitzgerald faces frequent double coverage and must adjust.

More from Somers: The Cardinals plan to be cautious with Steve Breaston in practice after a knee injury sidelined the receiver in Week 1.

More still from Somers: Lance Long's departure suggests the Cardinals expect more from their injured receivers in Week 2.

Greg Johns of seattlepi.com profiles Aaron Curry following the rookie's spirited Seahawks debut. Full of bravado on game day, Curry said he'll show respect for 49ers coach Mike Singletary. Curry: "It would be cool to see Mike Singletary at the grocery store. It's going to be amazing. It'll be hard to actually make eye contact with him because he has that stare, but I'll take a peek over there now and then."

Also from Johns: The Seahawks aren't sure where Sean Locklear will play on the offensive line once Walter Jones returns from knee surgery. Jones participated in some individual drills Wednesday.

Eric D. Williams of the Tacoma News Tribune says word is getting out that Seahawks tight end John Carlson can play. Carlson: "I love playing with Matt [Hasselbeck]. He’s such a smart player, and he does little things that the typical fan doesn’t realize that really helps the offense. Things like snap count, cadence, checking plays at the line of scrimmage. He had a couple run checks that got guys big yards. He does that on the fly. He’s a great player, and I learn a lot from him."

Clare Farnsworth of seahawks.com says the Seahawks plan to use Seneca Wallace, one of the more athletic quarterbacks in NFL history.

Also from Farnsworth: notes from practice Wednesday.

Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch revisits Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo's history against the Redskins, pointing to his teams' 14-6 record against them over a 10-year period.

Also from Thomas: The Rams have interest in former Eagles receiver Hank Baskett, but it appeared as though they would not sign him.

Bill Coats of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch checks in with Rams newcomers Ruvell Martin and Paris Lenon. Coats: "Along with a scattering of his football gear, also sitting in front of Paris Lenon's locker after practice Wednesday at Rams Park was a large, blue, unpacked suitcase. It even had an airline bag tag attached, with 'STL' stamped as the destination."

Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch thinks the Rams should have run the ball more frequently against the Seahawks. By my accounting, the Seahawks put eight defenders in the box four times, allowing 5.3 yards per attempt on these rushes. They allowed 4.0 yards per attempt on 14 rushes with fewer than eight in the box. The Rams had a 10-yard run against and eight-man box.

Taylor Price of 49ers.com says the 49ers plan to stick with the ground game. Also, center Eric Heitmann sizes up Seattle's defensive line this way: "Brandon Mebane is a very good, stout player. And he's actually very active for a big guy. Cory Redding, their new lineman, I've played him a couple times when he was with Detroit. He's a very good player, who is very active off the snap. He’s a good pass rusher and someone who we’re going to have to focus on."

John Crumpacker of the San Francisco Chronicle says the 49ers plan to keep running the ball even though they're averaging 30.2 inches per carry. Not bad, not bad.

Gwen Knapp of the San Francisco Chronicle says 49ers pass-rusher Parys Haralson deserved the more than $200,000 in league-awarded performance bonus he received after last season.

Matt Maiocco of the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat says 49ers tight end Vernon Davis plans to avoid the fate he suffered the last time Seattle visited Candlestick Park. Maiocco: "Last time the 49ers played the Seahawks, TE Vernon Davis got an unnecessary roughness penalty, and Singletary banished him to locker room. It was safety Brian Russell who provoked Davis into the penalty last year. Russell is no longer on the Seahawks, but he expects to hear a lot of chirping on Sunday. Davis says, 'I'm sure they're going to try to do something to ... try to get me to go back to the locker room. But it ain't happening.' "

Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee provides an injury update for the 49ers. Justin Smith received a day off, but he's expected back Thursday.

Also from Barrows: With Michael Crabtree still unsigned, Seahawks first-round choice Aaron Curry says he needed little time to catch up after missing the first eight days of training camp.

More from Barrows: Davis elaborates on his mindset, while guard Chilo Rachal admits to accidentally blocking teammate Isaac Bruce in Week 1.

Dan Brown of the San Jose Mercury News says Singletary keeps taking jabs at the 49ers' offensive line following a rough outing in Arizona. Sounds like motivational tactics.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Greg from Seattle writes: Hey Mike, I enjoyed your piece on Crabtree. Any plans to delve into the issues Deion Sanders' statements raised for the league? Sorry to keep harping on this, but I don't see how the league can just brush this off. Deion's statements were not just inappropriate, but indicated cheating had occurred. The league needs to either find out if something happened and punish the teams responsible, or chastise Sanders.

Mike Sando: The 49ers should press the issue if they feel as though tampering occurred. Instead, they denied a key component of Sanders' statement, the part about two teams supposedly contacting the 49ers about a possible trade.

To review, Sanders said on NFL Network, "There have been two teams that have contacted the San Francisco 49ers desiring a trade and who will pay this kid and he knows that."

Any team interested in trading for Michael Crabtree would also be willing to pay Crabtree. That much is a given. The deadline for trading Crabtree this season passed Aug. 14. Why, then, would any teams be calling the 49ers about a possible trade after that date? Why would teams be telling Crabtree they would be willing to pay him if those same teams could not immediately acquire him?

The 49ers are not helpless in this situation. If they feel as though tampering has occurred, they should present evidence to the league and push for an investigation.

---

Sergio from San Jose writes: Can you please give the 49ers the number to the Broncos? Let's trade problems and see if Brandon Marshsall wants to play here. Unlike Michael Crabtree, at least he's a proven receiver.

Mike Sando: The 49ers cannot trade rights to Crabtree until the spring. That would temper the Broncos' interest, to say the least.


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