NFC West: Dave Zastudil
The St. Louis Rams' list of unrestricted free agents got a little shorter Thursday when longtime punter Donnie Jones reached an agreement with the Houston Texans.
Jones, 31, was generally outstanding for the Rams during five seasons with the team. He was twice a second-team Associated Press All-Pro selection.
Teammate Steven Jackson has called Jones the one Rams player he thought most deserving of the Pro Bowl.
The Rams have yet to re-sign any of their UFAs, no surprise as they break from the past and generally seek to get younger.
The Rams signed punter Tom Malone this offseason. Malone has spent time with New England, Seattle and San Francisco without playing in a regular-season game.
Dave Zastudil, Brad Maynard, Mat McBriar, Matt Turk and Daniel Sepulveda are among the UFA punters without contracts.
The chart lists the Rams' UFAs and their statuses. Brandon Lloyd and Chris Chamberlain were the only ones to sign elsewhere before Jones reached agreement with the Texans.
I'll be surprised if the Rams' new leadership re-signs more than a couple of the players listed. Most are older players. The Rams currently have the youngest roster in the NFL, slightly younger than those for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Seattle Seahawks.
Jones, 31, was generally outstanding for the Rams during five seasons with the team. He was twice a second-team Associated Press All-Pro selection.
Teammate Steven Jackson has called Jones the one Rams player he thought most deserving of the Pro Bowl.
The Rams have yet to re-sign any of their UFAs, no surprise as they break from the past and generally seek to get younger.
The Rams signed punter Tom Malone this offseason. Malone has spent time with New England, Seattle and San Francisco without playing in a regular-season game.
Dave Zastudil, Brad Maynard, Mat McBriar, Matt Turk and Daniel Sepulveda are among the UFA punters without contracts.
The chart lists the Rams' UFAs and their statuses. Brandon Lloyd and Chris Chamberlain were the only ones to sign elsewhere before Jones reached agreement with the Texans.
I'll be surprised if the Rams' new leadership re-signs more than a couple of the players listed. Most are older players. The Rams currently have the youngest roster in the NFL, slightly younger than those for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Seattle Seahawks.
Michael Robinson's expected re-signing with the Seattle Seahawks would give the team a league-high four re-signings in the unrestricted free-agent market.
Red Bryant, Paul McQuistan and Heath Farwell previously re-signed.
Seattle and the other NFC West teams have added only two UFAs from other teams, however. I've put together UFA scorecards for each team in the division. Ages are in parenthesis. Here goes ...
Seattle Seahawks
UFA unsigned (age): defensive end Raheem Brock (33), defensive lineman Jimmy Wilkerson (31), safety Atari Bigby (30), quarterback Charlie Whitehurst (29), linebacker Leroy Hill (29), linebacker Matt McCoy (29), defensive lineman Anthony Hargrove (28), linebacker David Hawthorne (26), running back Justin Forsett (26), linebacker David Vobora (25)
UFA re-signed: Farwell (30), Robinson (29), McQuistan (28), Bryant (27)
UFA added: none
UFA lost: tight end John Carlson (27)
Franchise player: none
Comment: Forsett has provided value, but the Seahawks will want to add a power back as depth behind Marshawn Lynch, who re-signed before free agency. Mike Tolbert, a free agent from the San Diego Chargers, could be worth a look if the running back market remains soft. Tolbert weighs 243 pounds, has 21 total touchdowns over the past two seasons, and caught 54 passes in 2012. The price would have to be right after Seattle committed to Lynch.
San Francisco 49ers
UFA unsigned: fullback Moran Norris (33), tight end Justin Peelle (33), safety Madieu Williams (30), quarterback Alex Smith (27), receiver Ted Ginn Jr. (26), guard Chilo Rachal (26), safety Reggie Smith (25)
UFA re-signed: cornerback Carlos Rogers (30), linebacker Tavares Gooden (27)
UFA added: none
UFA lost: guard Adam Snyder (30), linebacker Blake Costanzo (27), receiver Josh Morgan (26)
Franchise player: safety Dashon Goldson (27)
Comment: Randy Moss and potential addition Rock Cartwright do not appear in the listings because they were not unrestricted free agents. Re-signing Alex Smith and finding additional receiver help appear to be the top priorities. The 49ers are showing little outward urgency on either front, however.
Arizona Cardinals
UFA unsigned: defensive lineman Vonnie Holliday (36), kicker Jay Feely (35), long-snapper Mike Leach (35), outside linebacker Clark Haggans (35), outside linebacker Joey Porter (34), offensive lineman Floyd Womack (33), punter Dave Zastudil (33), tackle D'Anthony Batiste (29), safety Sean Considine (29), guard Deuce Lutui (28), safety Hamza Abdullah (28), tackle Brandon Keith (27), receiver Early Doucet (26)
UFA re-signed: none.
UFA added: Snyder (30)
UFA lost: cornerback Richard Marshall (27)
Franchise player: defensive end Calais Campbell (25)
Comment: The Cardinals have been in a tough spot. They would have faced criticism had they declined to pursue Peyton Manning. They could now face criticism for sacrificing the first week of free agency while waiting for Manning. The reality is that Arizona probably wasn't going to be all that aggressive in the market this offseason, anyway. It did hurt losing Marshall to the Miami Dolphins after coordinator Ray Horton called him the Cardinals' defensive MVP.
St. Louis Rams
UFA unsigned: cornerback Al Harris (37), quarterback A.J. Feeley (34), offensive lineman Tony Wragge (32), linebacker Brady Poppinga (32), punter Donnie Jones (31), offensive lineman Adam Goldberg (31), guard Jacob Bell (31), receiver Brandon Lloyd (30), cornerback Rod Hood (30), running back Cadillac Williams (29), defensive tackle Gary Gibson (29), receiver Mark Clayton (29), tackle Mark LeVoir (29), tight end Stephen Spach (29), safety James Butler (29), tight end Billy Bajema (29), quarterback Kellen Clemens (28), running back Jerious Norwood (28), linebacker Bryan Kehl (27), linebacker Chris Chamberlain (26), cornerback Justin King (24)
UFA re-signed: none
UFA added: cornerback Cortland Finnegan (28)
UFA lost: none
Franchise player: none
Comment: The Rams are not looking to re-sign many of their own free agents. They want to turn over the roster, and that is happening in a big way. The team's failure to secure playmaking help for quarterback Sam Bradford stands out as the biggest theme to this point. Finnegan was a welcome addition, but he isn't going to score many touchdowns.
The chart below shows a general overview.
Red Bryant, Paul McQuistan and Heath Farwell previously re-signed.
Seattle and the other NFC West teams have added only two UFAs from other teams, however. I've put together UFA scorecards for each team in the division. Ages are in parenthesis. Here goes ...
Seattle Seahawks
UFA unsigned (age): defensive end Raheem Brock (33), defensive lineman Jimmy Wilkerson (31), safety Atari Bigby (30), quarterback Charlie Whitehurst (29), linebacker Leroy Hill (29), linebacker Matt McCoy (29), defensive lineman Anthony Hargrove (28), linebacker David Hawthorne (26), running back Justin Forsett (26), linebacker David Vobora (25)
UFA re-signed: Farwell (30), Robinson (29), McQuistan (28), Bryant (27)
UFA added: none
UFA lost: tight end John Carlson (27)
Franchise player: none
Comment: Forsett has provided value, but the Seahawks will want to add a power back as depth behind Marshawn Lynch, who re-signed before free agency. Mike Tolbert, a free agent from the San Diego Chargers, could be worth a look if the running back market remains soft. Tolbert weighs 243 pounds, has 21 total touchdowns over the past two seasons, and caught 54 passes in 2012. The price would have to be right after Seattle committed to Lynch.
San Francisco 49ers
UFA unsigned: fullback Moran Norris (33), tight end Justin Peelle (33), safety Madieu Williams (30), quarterback Alex Smith (27), receiver Ted Ginn Jr. (26), guard Chilo Rachal (26), safety Reggie Smith (25)
UFA re-signed: cornerback Carlos Rogers (30), linebacker Tavares Gooden (27)
UFA added: none
UFA lost: guard Adam Snyder (30), linebacker Blake Costanzo (27), receiver Josh Morgan (26)
Franchise player: safety Dashon Goldson (27)
Comment: Randy Moss and potential addition Rock Cartwright do not appear in the listings because they were not unrestricted free agents. Re-signing Alex Smith and finding additional receiver help appear to be the top priorities. The 49ers are showing little outward urgency on either front, however.
Arizona Cardinals
UFA unsigned: defensive lineman Vonnie Holliday (36), kicker Jay Feely (35), long-snapper Mike Leach (35), outside linebacker Clark Haggans (35), outside linebacker Joey Porter (34), offensive lineman Floyd Womack (33), punter Dave Zastudil (33), tackle D'Anthony Batiste (29), safety Sean Considine (29), guard Deuce Lutui (28), safety Hamza Abdullah (28), tackle Brandon Keith (27), receiver Early Doucet (26)
UFA re-signed: none.
UFA added: Snyder (30)
UFA lost: cornerback Richard Marshall (27)
Franchise player: defensive end Calais Campbell (25)
Comment: The Cardinals have been in a tough spot. They would have faced criticism had they declined to pursue Peyton Manning. They could now face criticism for sacrificing the first week of free agency while waiting for Manning. The reality is that Arizona probably wasn't going to be all that aggressive in the market this offseason, anyway. It did hurt losing Marshall to the Miami Dolphins after coordinator Ray Horton called him the Cardinals' defensive MVP.
St. Louis Rams
UFA unsigned: cornerback Al Harris (37), quarterback A.J. Feeley (34), offensive lineman Tony Wragge (32), linebacker Brady Poppinga (32), punter Donnie Jones (31), offensive lineman Adam Goldberg (31), guard Jacob Bell (31), receiver Brandon Lloyd (30), cornerback Rod Hood (30), running back Cadillac Williams (29), defensive tackle Gary Gibson (29), receiver Mark Clayton (29), tackle Mark LeVoir (29), tight end Stephen Spach (29), safety James Butler (29), tight end Billy Bajema (29), quarterback Kellen Clemens (28), running back Jerious Norwood (28), linebacker Bryan Kehl (27), linebacker Chris Chamberlain (26), cornerback Justin King (24)
UFA re-signed: none
UFA added: cornerback Cortland Finnegan (28)
UFA lost: none
Franchise player: none
Comment: The Rams are not looking to re-sign many of their own free agents. They want to turn over the roster, and that is happening in a big way. The team's failure to secure playmaking help for quarterback Sam Bradford stands out as the biggest theme to this point. Finnegan was a welcome addition, but he isn't going to score many touchdowns.
The chart below shows a general overview.
First look at Cardinals' 2012 free agents
February, 7, 2012
Feb 7
4:26
PM ET
By
Mike Sando | ESPN.com
We're still a month away from NFL free agency, but with the Super Bowl behind us, we'll start sizing up players without contracts for 2012.
Expanding upon Brian McIntyre's lists, I've plugged in offensive and defensive snap-count numbers for NFC West free agents, courtesy of ESPN Stats & Information.
The charts below cover the Arizona Cardinals' free agents. The final column shows what each player's previous contract averaged annually.
Re-signing defensive end Calais Campbell will be a top priority. I don't see the Cardinals letting him get away. They moved on from Antonio Smith a few years ago, but they did so with Campbell ready to take over. They would have a hard time replacing Campbell.
Cornerback Richard Marshall proved valuable on a one-year deal. Early Doucet was a primary threat on third down.
Overall, though, the Cardinals have a relatively modest group of unrestricted free agents.
Safety Sean Considine played extensively on special teams. I've listed him with the offensive and defensive UFAs, however.
The Cardinals' key specialists are without contracts. The team has turned over those positions in recent seasons.
The Cardinals can keep their restricted free agents, listed below, by making one-year qualifying offers to them, then matching any outside offers.
Expanding upon Brian McIntyre's lists, I've plugged in offensive and defensive snap-count numbers for NFC West free agents, courtesy of ESPN Stats & Information.
The charts below cover the Arizona Cardinals' free agents. The final column shows what each player's previous contract averaged annually.
Re-signing defensive end Calais Campbell will be a top priority. I don't see the Cardinals letting him get away. They moved on from Antonio Smith a few years ago, but they did so with Campbell ready to take over. They would have a hard time replacing Campbell.
Cornerback Richard Marshall proved valuable on a one-year deal. Early Doucet was a primary threat on third down.
Overall, though, the Cardinals have a relatively modest group of unrestricted free agents.
Safety Sean Considine played extensively on special teams. I've listed him with the offensive and defensive UFAs, however.
The Cardinals' key specialists are without contracts. The team has turned over those positions in recent seasons.
The Cardinals can keep their restricted free agents, listed below, by making one-year qualifying offers to them, then matching any outside offers.
NFC West: Injury situations that matter
October, 5, 2011
10/05/11
5:42
PM ET
By
Mike Sando | ESPN.com
Arizona: Beanie Wells' emphatic return from a hamstring injury last week signals he's ready to carry the offense if necessary. That affects every aspect of the offense for Arizona. LaRod Stephens-Howling's has not yet returned kickoffs since returning from a hand injury. His replacement, A.J. Jefferson, has averaged 29.0 yards per return. The team re-signed veteran punter Ben Graham as insurance in case Dave Zastudil's sore knee prevents him from playing. Graham's familiarity with the Cardinals and experience as Jay Feely's holder on field goals made him a natural choice in a pinch. Right tackle Brandon Keith's knee injury could press Jeremy Bridges into the lineup. Bridges has played pretty well when needed, including last week, but his shall-we-say exuberance puts him at risk for penalties.
St. Louis: The Rams have no game this week, but they do have new injury concerns. Top cornerback Bradley Fletcher is undergoing an MRI after injuring his knee during a practice collision with Mike Sims-Walker. Top receiver Danny Amendola had hoped to return from a dislocated elbow after the bye, but reports suggest he could be finished for the season. Mark Clayton is eligible to come off the physically unable to perform list following the sixth game, but the Rams would seemingly have to consider tapping the trade market if Amendola does miss the season. The bye should provide needed relief for James Hall (back), Sam Bradford (hip) and Steven Jackson (quadriceps), among others. Even defensive coordinator Ken Flajole needs the rest after pulling a groin muscle while administering practice drills Wednesday. Update: Fletcher is out for the season with a torn ACL, a devastating setback for the Rams. They have little quality and no depth at corner heading into games against Green Bay, Dallas and New Orleans.
San Francisco: Frank Gore, like the Cardinals' Wells, put to rest injury concerns with his performance in Week 4. Gore told reporters his ankle feels much better this week. The 49ers are getting healthier for the most part. They've welcomed back free safety Dashon Goldson and receiver Michael Crabtree in recent weeks, and both are contributing. Safety Donte Whitner's hip injury is not keeping him from practicing. Receiver Braylon Edwards isn't expected back from knee surgery until closer to midseason, but with Crabtree producing against Philadelphia, the 49ers should be OK at the position. Defensive linemen Ian Williams and Demarcus Dobbs are candidates to fill the roster spot created when backup defensive end Will Tukuafu went on injured reserve this week. Dobbs in particular impressed during preseason. The 49ers will be fine up front as long as their starters are healthy. Update: The 49ers subsequently listed nose tackle Isaac Sopoaga (infection) and cornerback Shawntae Spencer (toe) on their injury report. Losing Sopoaga would be significant.
Seattle: The Seahawks' injury list contains little drama this week. Linebacker Matt McCoy's season-ending knee injury affects the nickel defense and special teams. Seattle brought back former Rams linebacker David Vobora for depth. Injury concerns at linebacker make it tough, in my view, for the team to part with Aaron Curry even though it's obvious Curry no longer fits prominently into the team's long-term plans. Strong safety Kam Chancellor remains sidelined by a quadriceps injury. He did not practice Wednesday and his status for Week 5 is unclear. The team's run defense suffers without him, but not terribly so. Receiver Mike Williams left the Atlanta game with a concussion and is not yet practicing. Sidney Rice's return, Doug Baldwin's emergence and Golden Tate's behind-the-scenes improvement puts the team in better position to play without Williams if necessary.
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