NFC West: Edgerrin James
Statistics can vault a running back into consideration for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
They are not everything in every case, of course, but if you're the the NFL's all-time rushing leader at this point in league history, the case for consideration might not require going much deeper.
As promised, I've broken out where Shaun Alexander and other notable backs from current NFC West franchises stand in relation to 2012 finalists Curtis Martin and Jerome Bettis.
Martin was one of the five players selected for enshrinement. Bettis did not make it this time; he could in the future. It's tempting to evaluate each Hall class as though it reflects a definitive assessment of which players do or do not belong in Canton. But with only five spots for 15 annual modern-era finalists, the process actually plays out over many years.
The best usually candidates get enshrined, and when they do not, they qualify for special consideration by the seniors committee.
Back to the backs. How a runner runs also counts for something. Earl Campbell, one of the most punishing runners in NFL history, earned enshrinement with stats virtually identical to those for Alexander. I was not yet a Hall selector when Campbell was enshrined, but his running style and how it affected his longevity presumably worked in his favor.
Alexander becomes eligible for consideration in 2014.
The chart ranks backs by where they rank on the all-time rushing yardage list. I've also included information for receptions and, in the final column, the number of Pro Bowls and first-team Associated Press All-Pro selections, available on Pro Football Reference. Other factors -- impact as a receiver, postseason success, etc. -- also come into play.
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They are not everything in every case, of course, but if you're the the NFL's all-time rushing leader at this point in league history, the case for consideration might not require going much deeper.
As promised, I've broken out where Shaun Alexander and other notable backs from current NFC West franchises stand in relation to 2012 finalists Curtis Martin and Jerome Bettis.
Martin was one of the five players selected for enshrinement. Bettis did not make it this time; he could in the future. It's tempting to evaluate each Hall class as though it reflects a definitive assessment of which players do or do not belong in Canton. But with only five spots for 15 annual modern-era finalists, the process actually plays out over many years.
The best usually candidates get enshrined, and when they do not, they qualify for special consideration by the seniors committee.
Back to the backs. How a runner runs also counts for something. Earl Campbell, one of the most punishing runners in NFL history, earned enshrinement with stats virtually identical to those for Alexander. I was not yet a Hall selector when Campbell was enshrined, but his running style and how it affected his longevity presumably worked in his favor.
Alexander becomes eligible for consideration in 2014.
The chart ranks backs by where they rank on the all-time rushing yardage list. I've also included information for receptions and, in the final column, the number of Pro Bowls and first-team Associated Press All-Pro selections, available on Pro Football Reference. Other factors -- impact as a receiver, postseason success, etc. -- also come into play.
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INDIANAPOLIS -- Thirteen modern-era NFL players were finalists for enshrinement Saturday in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Only one was named offensive or defensive player of the year during his career.
That was the Seattle Seahawks' Cortez Kennedy. His eight Pro Bowls, all-1990s selection and overall dominance made my job as his presenter quite simple. State the facts and let Kennedy's career do the talking. Picking the final five out of 15 modern-era finalists is always tough, however, because it usually requires leaving off worthy candidates.
The 43 other selectors and I met for more than seven hours before identifying Kennedy, Chris Doleman, Dermontti Dawson, Curtis Martin and Willie Roaf as the class of 2012. Jack Butler made it as a seniors candidate.
A few thoughts on the process and the results:
It's been a whirlwind day. Hall bylaws prevent me from sharing specifics about what was said in the room during the proceedings. The Hall also asked voters not to reveal their votes outright. I voted for five of the six players enshrined on the final cut and supported others. As always, however, reducing to only five in the end required leaving off candidates I hope will make it in the future.
Only one was named offensive or defensive player of the year during his career.
That was the Seattle Seahawks' Cortez Kennedy. His eight Pro Bowls, all-1990s selection and overall dominance made my job as his presenter quite simple. State the facts and let Kennedy's career do the talking. Picking the final five out of 15 modern-era finalists is always tough, however, because it usually requires leaving off worthy candidates.
[+] Enlarge
US PresswireCortez Kennedy's dominant career left little doubt about his Hall of Fame credentials.
US PresswireCortez Kennedy's dominant career left little doubt about his Hall of Fame credentials.A few thoughts on the process and the results:
- This class made it through at a good time. Larry Allen, Michael Strahan, Jonathan Ogden, Warren Sapp, Bryant Young, John Lynch and Steve McNair become eligible for the first time in 2013. Shaun Alexander, Derrick Brooks, Marvin Harrison, Rodney Harrison, Tony Dungy and Mike Holmgren join the list in 2014. Isaac Bruce, Edgerrin James, Walter Jones, Junior Seau, Chris Samuels, Kurt Warner, Ty Law and Orlando Pace are among those eligible beginning in 2015.
- Former St. Louis Rams
and Arizona Cardinals
cornerback Aeneas Williams should feel great about cracking the final 10 in his first year as a finalist. Williams had 55 career interceptions and scored nine touchdowns. He was a big-time playmaker for bad and good teams alike. - The situation at receiver remains a mess and it's not going to get easier with Harrison becoming eligible in a couple years. Voters are having a tough time deciding between Cris Carter and Andre Reed. Both made the final 10 this year. Reed made the final 10 last year as well. Having both crack the final 10 this year made it harder for one of them to break through. Voters were more likely to choose one wideout when forced to pick only five players.
- Former San Francisco 49ers owner Eddie DeBartolo Jr. did not make the reduction from 15 to 10. I think it's tougher for voters to quantify how owners and even coaches -- think Bill Parcells, who missed the cut from 10 to five -- contributed to their teams' success. The discussions for Parcells (55-plus minutes) and DeBartolo (42-plus minutes) were more than twice as long as the discussions for other candidates. Hall bylaws prevented voters from considering the legal troubles and suspension that preceded DeBartolo's exit from the game.
- DeBartolo was a finalist in part because he hired Bill Walsh, promoted a winning culture, cared tremendously for his players and helped win five Super Bowls. He spent this weekend with former 49ers player Freddie Solomon, who is in the final days of a battle with cancer. The 49ers' renewed success this past season also reflected well on DeBartolo, who has become a tremendous resource for current team president Jed York, his nephew.
- Electing one pass-rusher (Doleman, who spent part of his career with the 49ers) to the Hall could give former 49ers and Dallas Cowboys pass-rusher Charles Haley an easier time in the future. But with Strahan joining the conversation in 2013, Haley faces stiff competition again. Former Rams pass-rusher Kevin Greene did not make the final 10 despite 160 career sacks.
It's been a whirlwind day. Hall bylaws prevent me from sharing specifics about what was said in the room during the proceedings. The Hall also asked voters not to reveal their votes outright. I voted for five of the six players enshrined on the final cut and supported others. As always, however, reducing to only five in the end required leaving off candidates I hope will make it in the future.
Four 1,100-yard rushers in one division?
December, 7, 2011
12/07/11
12:07
PM ET
By
Mike Sando | ESPN.com
Passing is generally the key to victory in the NFL.
This helps explain why quarterbacks earn the most money, why teams often draft pass-blocking tackles over top runners and why fullbacks have become endangered.
Teams still value running the ball, of course. Defenses would have an easier time defending quarterbacks if they knew with certainty a run was not coming. And every team seeking support for young or average quarterbacks would be better off with a strong ground game.
NFC West teams fall into this group. Each team in the division is on pace to produce a 1,000-yard runner.
One division has produced four 1,000-yard rushers in a season five times since divisional realignment in 2002. Each NFC West team's leading rusher is on pace for at least 1,100 yards. Only one division, the AFC North in 2010, has produced four players with at least 1,100 yards since realignment.
Frank Gore's yardage production for the 49ers has leveled off in recent weeks. Continued strong defense and increased production from quarterback Alex Smith have helped the team keep winning. Facing two backup quarterbacks -- Arizona's John Skelton and St. Louis' A.J. Feeley -- simultaneously lowered the bar for the 49ers in recent weeks.
I would expect the Seattle Seahawks' Marshawn Lynch to gain the most rushing yardage in Week 14 among NFC West backs. Seattle wants to field a run-first offense, which makes sense this week.
The Rams rank second in most sacks per pass attempt, a threat now that Seattle's best pass protector, Russell Okung, has landed on injured reserve. The Rams are averaging fewer than one offensive touchdown per game. That gives Seattle a good chance to win without taking as many chances through the air. The Rams have allowed more rushing yards than any team in the NFL.
Note: With an assist from Anicra in the comments, I updated the projected totals for Jackson, Lynch and Wells to reflect their participation in only 11 games this season. I had previously divided their rushing totals by total team games (12 apiece), using the average to project totals for the remaining four games.
This helps explain why quarterbacks earn the most money, why teams often draft pass-blocking tackles over top runners and why fullbacks have become endangered.
Teams still value running the ball, of course. Defenses would have an easier time defending quarterbacks if they knew with certainty a run was not coming. And every team seeking support for young or average quarterbacks would be better off with a strong ground game.
NFC West teams fall into this group. Each team in the division is on pace to produce a 1,000-yard runner.
One division has produced four 1,000-yard rushers in a season five times since divisional realignment in 2002. Each NFC West team's leading rusher is on pace for at least 1,100 yards. Only one division, the AFC North in 2010, has produced four players with at least 1,100 yards since realignment.
Frank Gore's yardage production for the 49ers has leveled off in recent weeks. Continued strong defense and increased production from quarterback Alex Smith have helped the team keep winning. Facing two backup quarterbacks -- Arizona's John Skelton and St. Louis' A.J. Feeley -- simultaneously lowered the bar for the 49ers in recent weeks.
I would expect the Seattle Seahawks' Marshawn Lynch to gain the most rushing yardage in Week 14 among NFC West backs. Seattle wants to field a run-first offense, which makes sense this week.
The Rams rank second in most sacks per pass attempt, a threat now that Seattle's best pass protector, Russell Okung, has landed on injured reserve. The Rams are averaging fewer than one offensive touchdown per game. That gives Seattle a good chance to win without taking as many chances through the air. The Rams have allowed more rushing yards than any team in the NFL.
Note: With an assist from Anicra in the comments, I updated the projected totals for Jackson, Lynch and Wells to reflect their participation in only 11 games this season. I had previously divided their rushing totals by total team games (12 apiece), using the average to project totals for the remaining four games.
Mailbag: If the Rams held top pick in draft
October, 8, 2011
10/08/11
10:45
AM ET
By
Mike Sando | ESPN.com
In one month's time, we've gone from discussing the St. Louis Rams' playoff prospects to how they might handle the first pick in the 2012 NFL draft.
The chances suddenly appear very real. The Rams are 0-4 heading into their bye week. Their top receiver and top three cornerbacks are out for the season. Their remaining receivers lead the NFL in dropped passes. Their offensive line and defensive front seven aren't meeting expectations. Their quarterback is on pace to absorb 72 sacks, three shy of the NFL record.
Amid those troubling indicators, the Rams visit Green Bay and Dallas before returning home for a game against New Orleans. They then play two more games on the road before a four-game stretch of NFC West matchups. They have a road game against Pittsburgh later in the year.
Six division games in the final nine weeks still might save the Rams, but if the Arizona Cardinals could go 1-5 against the NFC West in 2010, which they did, the Rams in their current state could finish in that range.
To the point: The Rams already have 2010 No. 1 overall choice Sam Bradford on their roster. They're not in the market for a quarterback. They would have some thinking to do if sitting atop the 2012 draft with Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck available.
Let's get this conversation going.
Matt from Tucson, Ariz., asks whether the Seattle Seahawks would move to acquire the first pick from St. Louis.
Mike Sando: Yes, the Seahawks would certainly consider that type of move for a quarterback, in my view. I just do not see the Rams helping a division rival land a franchise quarterback. Instead, if the Rams traded the pick, I would look for them to deal it to an AFC team located far, far away. Miami?
Tim from Olympia, Wash., asks whether the Rams would consider trading Bradford if they entered the 2012 draft in position to draft Andrew Luck.
Mike Sando: Interesting concept. I question whether that would work very well from a salary-cap standpoint. I do not think the Rams' current leadership would consider making that move. If new leadership were in place, anything could be possible. But an organization cannot casually consider trading its franchise quarterback without risking its relationship with that player. The team would have to know for certain it could get a deal done.
William from Bloomington, Ind., isn't ready to give up on the Rams just yet given their second-half schedule, but he wonders what the team could expect the top pick to fetch. He notes that the Atlanta Falcons gave up quite a bit in moving up to the sixth pick in 2011.
Mike Sando: The Falcons paid such a high price because they were moving up from so far down in the draft order (27th overall). Any team moving up for Luck would likely be doing so from nearer the top of the order. Still, the price would have to be high. Multiple teams could be bidding, as well.
San Diego, having whiffed on Ryan Leaf in 1998, traded the first pick of the 2001 draft to Atlanta for the fifth pick, the 67th pick, a second-rounder the next year and receiver Tim Dwight. The Falcons then took Michael Vick. Rams general manager Billy Devaney had already left the Chargers when that deal went down.
The Cleveland Browns picked first overall in 2000, one season after making quarterback Tim Couch the top pick. That was an odd situation, however, because the 2000 draft featured no quarterbacks taken before Chad Pennington at No. 18. The Browns took defensive end Courtney Brown first overall.
The Indianapolis Colts picked fourth overall in 1999, a year after they took Peyton Manning first overall. Quarterbacks went 1-2-3 before the Colts made Edgerrin James the fourth player taken in that 2000 class.
Rob from Augusta, Ga., asks whether Josh McDaniels' hiring in St. Louis has done more harm than good because the personnel was acquired for another system. He thought a conservative, West Coast system helped the Rams compete in 2010, and he fears the team will need years to build its roster for McDaniels' more aggressive approach. He also thinks it's clear the Rams needed to pursue a top-flight receiver more aggressively.
Mike Sando: The Rams did not want to change coordinators. Pat Shurmur's departure forced the Rams to make a choice. They could promote continuity by hiring someone familiar with the system Shurmur was running. Or, they could search for the best candidate they could find, regardless of system. They chose the latter approach with an eye toward the longer term because they thought McDaniels was an excellent candidate.
This was before the lockout, at a time when teams did not know how the offseason would unfold. The Rams' thinking seemed sound at the time. In retrospect, I don't think the offense would be dramatically better had the team gone with someone else at coordinator. Injuries have played a significant role in the Rams' struggles.
Your thinking at wide receiver makes sense. The Rams were among the few who thought they were OK at the position in terms of top-end talent. McDaniels had gotten good production from Brandon Lloyd in Denver, counter to outside expectations, so there was some thought he might coax similar production from players already on the Rams' roster. While Danny Amendola was the one receiver he could least afford to lose, it's fair to say the Rams failed to sufficiently protect themselves at a position decimated by injuries in 2010.
Mackay from Pleasant Grove, Utah, thought the Arizona Cardinals failed to use play-action passes against the New York Giants even though Beanie Wells was on his way to a 27-carry, 138-yard performance. He would expect play-action passes to help Kevin Kolb, but wonders whether lack of success has steered the Cardinals away from using that tactic.
Mike Sando: It's a little early in the season to draw conclusions from the Cardinals' use of play-action passes. This is an area to monitor as the season progresses.
Kolb completed 4 of 7 passes for 78 yards and one interception against the Giants on play-action passes, according to ESPN Stats & Information. He has completed 12 of 22 passes for 231 yards with one touchdown, one interception and two sacks on play-action plays this season. Twenty-four quarterbacks have more play-action attempts than Kolb this season. Fourteen quarterbacks have at least 30 attempts.
Kolb ranks 24th in Total QBR (52.9) and NFL passer rating (87.5) on play-action passes this season. His yards per attempt on these throws, 10.5, ranks fifth in the league behind Matt Stafford, Matt Schaub, Aaron Rodgers, Tony Romo and Chad Henne. But four of those players (all but Henne) are completing at least 75 percent of these passes. Kolb is at 54.5 percent, which ranks 26th among the 32 quarterbacks with more than 10 such attempts.
Colin from Santa Rosa, Calif., agrees that San Francisco 49ers linebacker NaVorro Bowman has stood out this season, but he says this doesn't reflect poorly on teammate Patrick Willis. "It doesn't seem like Willis has stepped back at all," he writes. "Takeo Spikes isn't there eating up blocks, so Willis is having to take on more of that duty, and offenses are targeting Willis with more resources anyway, freeing up Bowman."
Mike Sando: One question would be to what degree the 49ers' new defense in combination with Bowman's abilities has affected what the team asks from its inside linebackers. I appreciate your points and will explore this subject in greater detail as the season progresses.
Terrell from San Francisco likes what he sees from the 49ers' front seven, but he thinks the team needs a playmaking safety to pair with Willis, giving San Francisco something along the lines of what Baltimore has enjoyed with Ray Lewis and Ed Reed working together.
Mike Sando: The 49ers had a chance to add a playmaking safety in the 2010 draft, but they traded up for right tackle Anthony Davis instead of drafting free safety Earl Thomas. The 49ers then used their second-round choice for safety Taylor Mays. I see absolutely no way to justify those decisions based on what we've seen from those players so far.
The 49ers' efforts to upgrade their offensive line by drafting Davis and guard Mike Iupati made sense in theory, but Davis hasn't become nearly the player Thomas has become, and Mays lasted only one season with the team. Worse, the 49ers will have to play against Thomas twice a season for years to come.
The chances suddenly appear very real. The Rams are 0-4 heading into their bye week. Their top receiver and top three cornerbacks are out for the season. Their remaining receivers lead the NFL in dropped passes. Their offensive line and defensive front seven aren't meeting expectations. Their quarterback is on pace to absorb 72 sacks, three shy of the NFL record.
Amid those troubling indicators, the Rams visit Green Bay and Dallas before returning home for a game against New Orleans. They then play two more games on the road before a four-game stretch of NFC West matchups. They have a road game against Pittsburgh later in the year.
Six division games in the final nine weeks still might save the Rams, but if the Arizona Cardinals could go 1-5 against the NFC West in 2010, which they did, the Rams in their current state could finish in that range.
To the point: The Rams already have 2010 No. 1 overall choice Sam Bradford on their roster. They're not in the market for a quarterback. They would have some thinking to do if sitting atop the 2012 draft with Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck available.
Let's get this conversation going.
Matt from Tucson, Ariz., asks whether the Seattle Seahawks would move to acquire the first pick from St. Louis.
Mike Sando: Yes, the Seahawks would certainly consider that type of move for a quarterback, in my view. I just do not see the Rams helping a division rival land a franchise quarterback. Instead, if the Rams traded the pick, I would look for them to deal it to an AFC team located far, far away. Miami?
Tim from Olympia, Wash., asks whether the Rams would consider trading Bradford if they entered the 2012 draft in position to draft Andrew Luck.
Mike Sando: Interesting concept. I question whether that would work very well from a salary-cap standpoint. I do not think the Rams' current leadership would consider making that move. If new leadership were in place, anything could be possible. But an organization cannot casually consider trading its franchise quarterback without risking its relationship with that player. The team would have to know for certain it could get a deal done.
William from Bloomington, Ind., isn't ready to give up on the Rams just yet given their second-half schedule, but he wonders what the team could expect the top pick to fetch. He notes that the Atlanta Falcons gave up quite a bit in moving up to the sixth pick in 2011.
Mike Sando: The Falcons paid such a high price because they were moving up from so far down in the draft order (27th overall). Any team moving up for Luck would likely be doing so from nearer the top of the order. Still, the price would have to be high. Multiple teams could be bidding, as well.
San Diego, having whiffed on Ryan Leaf in 1998, traded the first pick of the 2001 draft to Atlanta for the fifth pick, the 67th pick, a second-rounder the next year and receiver Tim Dwight. The Falcons then took Michael Vick. Rams general manager Billy Devaney had already left the Chargers when that deal went down.
The Cleveland Browns picked first overall in 2000, one season after making quarterback Tim Couch the top pick. That was an odd situation, however, because the 2000 draft featured no quarterbacks taken before Chad Pennington at No. 18. The Browns took defensive end Courtney Brown first overall.
The Indianapolis Colts picked fourth overall in 1999, a year after they took Peyton Manning first overall. Quarterbacks went 1-2-3 before the Colts made Edgerrin James the fourth player taken in that 2000 class.
Rob from Augusta, Ga., asks whether Josh McDaniels' hiring in St. Louis has done more harm than good because the personnel was acquired for another system. He thought a conservative, West Coast system helped the Rams compete in 2010, and he fears the team will need years to build its roster for McDaniels' more aggressive approach. He also thinks it's clear the Rams needed to pursue a top-flight receiver more aggressively.
Mike Sando: The Rams did not want to change coordinators. Pat Shurmur's departure forced the Rams to make a choice. They could promote continuity by hiring someone familiar with the system Shurmur was running. Or, they could search for the best candidate they could find, regardless of system. They chose the latter approach with an eye toward the longer term because they thought McDaniels was an excellent candidate.
This was before the lockout, at a time when teams did not know how the offseason would unfold. The Rams' thinking seemed sound at the time. In retrospect, I don't think the offense would be dramatically better had the team gone with someone else at coordinator. Injuries have played a significant role in the Rams' struggles.
Your thinking at wide receiver makes sense. The Rams were among the few who thought they were OK at the position in terms of top-end talent. McDaniels had gotten good production from Brandon Lloyd in Denver, counter to outside expectations, so there was some thought he might coax similar production from players already on the Rams' roster. While Danny Amendola was the one receiver he could least afford to lose, it's fair to say the Rams failed to sufficiently protect themselves at a position decimated by injuries in 2010.
Mackay from Pleasant Grove, Utah, thought the Arizona Cardinals failed to use play-action passes against the New York Giants even though Beanie Wells was on his way to a 27-carry, 138-yard performance. He would expect play-action passes to help Kevin Kolb, but wonders whether lack of success has steered the Cardinals away from using that tactic.
Mike Sando: It's a little early in the season to draw conclusions from the Cardinals' use of play-action passes. This is an area to monitor as the season progresses.
Kolb completed 4 of 7 passes for 78 yards and one interception against the Giants on play-action passes, according to ESPN Stats & Information. He has completed 12 of 22 passes for 231 yards with one touchdown, one interception and two sacks on play-action plays this season. Twenty-four quarterbacks have more play-action attempts than Kolb this season. Fourteen quarterbacks have at least 30 attempts.
Kolb ranks 24th in Total QBR (52.9) and NFL passer rating (87.5) on play-action passes this season. His yards per attempt on these throws, 10.5, ranks fifth in the league behind Matt Stafford, Matt Schaub, Aaron Rodgers, Tony Romo and Chad Henne. But four of those players (all but Henne) are completing at least 75 percent of these passes. Kolb is at 54.5 percent, which ranks 26th among the 32 quarterbacks with more than 10 such attempts.
Colin from Santa Rosa, Calif., agrees that San Francisco 49ers linebacker NaVorro Bowman has stood out this season, but he says this doesn't reflect poorly on teammate Patrick Willis. "It doesn't seem like Willis has stepped back at all," he writes. "Takeo Spikes isn't there eating up blocks, so Willis is having to take on more of that duty, and offenses are targeting Willis with more resources anyway, freeing up Bowman."
Mike Sando: One question would be to what degree the 49ers' new defense in combination with Bowman's abilities has affected what the team asks from its inside linebackers. I appreciate your points and will explore this subject in greater detail as the season progresses.
Terrell from San Francisco likes what he sees from the 49ers' front seven, but he thinks the team needs a playmaking safety to pair with Willis, giving San Francisco something along the lines of what Baltimore has enjoyed with Ray Lewis and Ed Reed working together.
Mike Sando: The 49ers had a chance to add a playmaking safety in the 2010 draft, but they traded up for right tackle Anthony Davis instead of drafting free safety Earl Thomas. The 49ers then used their second-round choice for safety Taylor Mays. I see absolutely no way to justify those decisions based on what we've seen from those players so far.
The 49ers' efforts to upgrade their offensive line by drafting Davis and guard Mike Iupati made sense in theory, but Davis hasn't become nearly the player Thomas has become, and Mays lasted only one season with the team. Worse, the 49ers will have to play against Thomas twice a season for years to come.
Christian Petersen/Getty ImagesSigning Kevin Kolb signals that the Cardinals are ready to bounce back after a transition season.Kevin Kolb's arrival from Philadelphia gives the Arizona Cardinals renewed hope at quarterback and clear direction following Kurt Warner's retirement.
It provides a fresh start after a forgettable 2010 transition season for Arizona.
So much has changed for the Cardinals since their Super Bowl appearance following the 2008 season. Other rosters around the league have turned over since then, of course, but not every team was coming off a Super Bowl appearance.
Quite a few teams have sought change. For the Cardinals, it just happened.
Warner's departure, while easily the biggest change, was far from the only one. Between five and eight starters from that Super Bowl game project as starters in 2011, depending upon how many of the team's unrestricted free agents re-sign.
When Steve Breaston left the Cardinals for Kansas City this week, drawing attention to the cumulative effect of Arizona's roster upheaval, a Seahawks fan drew parallels between Seattle's post-Super Bowl decline and the Cardinals' plight last season.
"Don't misunderstand," Ricky Frey wrote on my Facebook wall, "I'm a Hawks fan, but it seems eerily familiar to watch this happen and know what happened to Holmgren/Mora. Writing on the wall?"
Not if Kolb has anything to say about it. Acquiring a relatively young, potentially ascending quarterback puts Arizona in position to avoid the decline Seattle experienced as a Matt Hasselbeck struggled with injuries while the roster around him withered away. The NFC West remains in transition overall, and the Cardinals know it.
"It’s obviously winnable, but it’s funny to think that everybody thinks you can just step in and win it," Kolb told reporters Friday. "You’re talking about NFL football teams here. I know last year 7-9 is what won it, but it doesn’t matter. ... The door is open, we know, and we’ll be ready to kick it in when it’s time, but it’s not going to be an easy task."
Larry Fitzgerald, Levi Brown, Darnell Dockett, Adrian Wilson and the recently re-signed Lyle Sendlein started for Arizona in the Super Bowl and remain starters in 2011. Another starter from that Super Bowl game, Gerald Hayes, was released this week. Three more are becoming unrestricted free agents: Deuce Lutui, Bryan Robinson and Gabe Watson.
Six Arizona starters from that game are retired or did not play last season: Mike Gandy, Warner, Edgerrin James, Terrelle Smith, Chike Okeafor and Monty Beisel. Seven more play for other teams: Reggie Wells, Leonard Pope, Anquan Boldin, Antonio Smith, Karlos Dansby, Antrel Rolle and the recently traded Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.
Some were role players. Others were tougher to replace.
Breaston was a backup on that team, but he played extensively as the third receiver and finished the season with more than 1,000 yards.
Kolb's addition headlined a flurry of transactions the Cardinals announced Thursday and Friday.
Sendlein, safety Hamza Abdullah, cornerback Michael Adams, tackle D'Anthony Batiste, center Ben Claxton, punter Ben Graham, fullback Reagan Maui'a and tight end Stephen Spach re-signed.
Five draft choices have signed. Guard Daryn Colledge, defensive end Nick Eason, tight end Jeff King, receiver Chansi Stuckey and linebacker Stewart Bradley have signed as free agents from other teams.
Re-signing Sendlein while adding Kolb, Colledge and Bradley suggests the 2011 team is still coming together, not necessarily falling apart.
The St. Louis Rams were the only NFC West team without a quarterback need in the 2011 NFL draft.
They held the 14th overall choice, but with four quarterbacks taken among the first 12 picks, St. Louis got more value from the selection. How much more value?
If we exclude quarterbacks from the drafting equation, as the Rams did in this draft, the team got No. 10 overall value from the 14th pick. The difference in value between the 10th and 14th picks -- 200 points on the widely circulated draft-value chart -- equates to the 78th overall choice.
The Rams happened to hold the 78th pick this year. They used it for Boise State receiver Austin Pettis.
This draft featured more quarterbacks selected among the 12 choices than any since 1999, when there were five. The Rams were already set at quarterback that year. They held the sixth overall choice and got heightened value when Cleveland, Philadelphia and Cincinnati selected quarterbacks with the first three picks. The Rams selected receiver Torry Holt -- the sixth overall choice, but only the third non-quarterback.
After quarterbacks went 1-2-3 in 1999, the teams drafting next "settled" for Edgerrin James, Ricky Williams, Holt and Champ Bailey. The next two players taken, David Boston and Chris Claiborne, never met expectations. Overall, however, teams searching for non-quarterbacks stood to benefit.
The Rams are hoping first-round choice Robert Quinn fits into that group with James, Williams, Holt and Bailey.
They held the 14th overall choice, but with four quarterbacks taken among the first 12 picks, St. Louis got more value from the selection. How much more value?
If we exclude quarterbacks from the drafting equation, as the Rams did in this draft, the team got No. 10 overall value from the 14th pick. The difference in value between the 10th and 14th picks -- 200 points on the widely circulated draft-value chart -- equates to the 78th overall choice.
The Rams happened to hold the 78th pick this year. They used it for Boise State receiver Austin Pettis.
This draft featured more quarterbacks selected among the 12 choices than any since 1999, when there were five. The Rams were already set at quarterback that year. They held the sixth overall choice and got heightened value when Cleveland, Philadelphia and Cincinnati selected quarterbacks with the first three picks. The Rams selected receiver Torry Holt -- the sixth overall choice, but only the third non-quarterback.
After quarterbacks went 1-2-3 in 1999, the teams drafting next "settled" for Edgerrin James, Ricky Williams, Holt and Champ Bailey. The next two players taken, David Boston and Chris Claiborne, never met expectations. Overall, however, teams searching for non-quarterbacks stood to benefit.
The Rams are hoping first-round choice Robert Quinn fits into that group with James, Williams, Holt and Bailey.
Following up: Four high picks in focus
February, 28, 2011
2/28/11
12:15
PM ET
By
Mike Sando | ESPN.com
Following up an earlier item, a look at four relatively recent NFC West draft picks, one per team and each highly drafted, under scrutiny heading toward 2011:
Three of the four remain under contract and likely to return this season. The labor situation is limiting teams' options, anyway.
- Levi Brown, LT, Cardinals. Arizona made Brown the fifth player chosen in the 2007 draft. The Cardinals could have drafted Adrian Peterson, but with a young Matt Leinart under center and Edgerrin James already in the backfield, they sought to upgrade their line. Brown has been durable, but not consistent or productive relative to his draft status. That's a surprise given Russ Grimm's presence coaching the line.
- Donnie Avery, WR, St. Louis Rams. Avery makes the list in part because the Rams have already cut ties with several high draft choices, notably Alex Barron, Adam Carriker and Tye Hill. Health is the issue for Avery. The wideout missed only one game in his first two seasons, but he played hurt and his production sometimes suffered. A knee injury incurred during the 2010 exhibition season landed Avery on injured reserve. He needs some better luck on the injury front.
- Manny Lawson, OLB, San Francisco 49ers. With all eyes on quarterback Alex Smith, let's consider Lawson, the 49ers' 2006 first-round choice. He has been a dominant special-teams player, but the 49ers expected more than 14.5 sacks over five seasons when they drafted him. Lawson is a free agent and the 49ers have a new coaching staff, so his future with the team is in question.
- Aaron Curry, LB, Seattle Seahawks. Curry was considered the "safest" choice in the 2009 draft, but no one appears safe from scrutiny as the team's new leadership remakes the roster. Curry's status as the fourth player chosen in the 2009 draft raises the stakes. The 2011 season is huge for him.
Three of the four remain under contract and likely to return this season. The labor situation is limiting teams' options, anyway.
2005 re-draft gives 49ers you know who
January, 25, 2011
1/25/11
12:37
PM ET
By
Mike Sando | ESPN.com
A few thoughts on Mel Kiper's 2005 NFL re-draft, covering the first round and available to Insider subscribers:
1. San Francisco 49ers
Actual pick: Alex Smith, QB, Utah
Kiper re-draft pick: Aaron Rodgers
My thoughts: The question, of course, is to what extent Rodgers would have transcended the bad luck and dysfunction that framed Smith's career with the 49ers. Rodgers benefited from having a few years to learn the pro game before taking over for Brett Favre. Rodgers walked into a far more talented offense than the one that helped drag down Smith early in his career. The disparity between Smith and Rodgers has to do with more than circumstances, however. Rodgers has been better across the board. I think his personality would have helped him fare better than Smith has fared. Matt Cassel, the second quarterback selected in Kiper's re-draft, lacks the physical skills Rodgers possesses. I think he might have become another Smith if the 49ers had selected him. The 49ers would have been just fine selecting DeMarcus Ware, the second player chosen in Kiper's re-draft.
8. Arizona Cardinals
Actual pick: Antrel Rolle, CB, Miami
Kiper re-draft pick: Jay Ratliff, NT, Auburn.
My thoughts: Rolle converted to safety and earned Pro Bowl recognition before leaving Arizona in free agency. He wasn't good enough over the course of his time with the Cardinals to justify the early choice, however. Ratliff would have upgraded the Cardinals' defense. Arizona wouldn't have leaned so heavily on veteran nose tackle Bryan Robinson, who has played too many snaps. I might have sent Frank Gore to the Cardinals on a re-draft, however (Gore went 17th in Kiper's version). Taking away Gore from the 49ers and sending him to Arizona would have headed off the Edgerrin James signing while weakening a division rival. Having Gore and Kurt Warner in the same backfield would have upgraded an offense that already had outstanding weapons in Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin.
19. St. Louis Rams
Actual pick: Alex Barron, T, Florida St.
Kiper re-draft pick: Logan Mankins, G, Fresno St.
My thoughts: Mankins would have provided needed toughness and leadership. Barron's tenure became a yellow blur thanks to all the penalties he incurred. Darren Sproles was available in Kiper's re-draft and he would have given the Rams an scary one-two punch at running back, but building along the offensive line would have made more sense. Mankins became a Pro Bowl guard. The Rams wound up selecting guards Richie Incognito and Claude Terrell in this draft. Incognito lacked self-control and flamed out of St. Louis. Off-field issues drove Terrell out of the league. Selecting Mankins early would have averted the mistake on Barron while sending the team in another direction in the later rounds.
26. Seattle Seahawks
Actual pick: Chris Spencer, C, Mississippi
Kiper re-draft pick: Barrett Ruud, LB, Nebraska
My thoughts: The Seahawks got more immediate help at linebacker by selecting Lofa Tatupu in the second round and Leroy Hill in the third. Seattle would not have reached the Super Bowl following the 2005 season without Tatupu bringing together the defense, in my view. Ruud did not start as a rookie. Tatupu went 15th overall to Kansas City in Kiper's re-draft. Some of the other players I would have sent to Seattle in the 26th spot were also gone in the re-draft. Given how Super Bowl XL turned out, the Seahawks could have used another safety. The team liked safety-turned-linebacker Thomas Davis that year. Nick Collins and Oshiomogho Atogwe were gone on a re-draft.
1. San Francisco 49ers
Actual pick: Alex Smith, QB, Utah
Kiper re-draft pick: Aaron Rodgers
My thoughts: The question, of course, is to what extent Rodgers would have transcended the bad luck and dysfunction that framed Smith's career with the 49ers. Rodgers benefited from having a few years to learn the pro game before taking over for Brett Favre. Rodgers walked into a far more talented offense than the one that helped drag down Smith early in his career. The disparity between Smith and Rodgers has to do with more than circumstances, however. Rodgers has been better across the board. I think his personality would have helped him fare better than Smith has fared. Matt Cassel, the second quarterback selected in Kiper's re-draft, lacks the physical skills Rodgers possesses. I think he might have become another Smith if the 49ers had selected him. The 49ers would have been just fine selecting DeMarcus Ware, the second player chosen in Kiper's re-draft.
8. Arizona Cardinals
Actual pick: Antrel Rolle, CB, Miami
Kiper re-draft pick: Jay Ratliff, NT, Auburn.
My thoughts: Rolle converted to safety and earned Pro Bowl recognition before leaving Arizona in free agency. He wasn't good enough over the course of his time with the Cardinals to justify the early choice, however. Ratliff would have upgraded the Cardinals' defense. Arizona wouldn't have leaned so heavily on veteran nose tackle Bryan Robinson, who has played too many snaps. I might have sent Frank Gore to the Cardinals on a re-draft, however (Gore went 17th in Kiper's version). Taking away Gore from the 49ers and sending him to Arizona would have headed off the Edgerrin James signing while weakening a division rival. Having Gore and Kurt Warner in the same backfield would have upgraded an offense that already had outstanding weapons in Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin.
19. St. Louis Rams
Actual pick: Alex Barron, T, Florida St.
Kiper re-draft pick: Logan Mankins, G, Fresno St.
My thoughts: Mankins would have provided needed toughness and leadership. Barron's tenure became a yellow blur thanks to all the penalties he incurred. Darren Sproles was available in Kiper's re-draft and he would have given the Rams an scary one-two punch at running back, but building along the offensive line would have made more sense. Mankins became a Pro Bowl guard. The Rams wound up selecting guards Richie Incognito and Claude Terrell in this draft. Incognito lacked self-control and flamed out of St. Louis. Off-field issues drove Terrell out of the league. Selecting Mankins early would have averted the mistake on Barron while sending the team in another direction in the later rounds.
26. Seattle Seahawks
Actual pick: Chris Spencer, C, Mississippi
Kiper re-draft pick: Barrett Ruud, LB, Nebraska
My thoughts: The Seahawks got more immediate help at linebacker by selecting Lofa Tatupu in the second round and Leroy Hill in the third. Seattle would not have reached the Super Bowl following the 2005 season without Tatupu bringing together the defense, in my view. Ruud did not start as a rookie. Tatupu went 15th overall to Kansas City in Kiper's re-draft. Some of the other players I would have sent to Seattle in the 26th spot were also gone in the re-draft. Given how Super Bowl XL turned out, the Seahawks could have used another safety. The team liked safety-turned-linebacker Thomas Davis that year. Nick Collins and Oshiomogho Atogwe were gone on a re-draft.
Mailbag: 49ers' talent vastly overrated?
October, 16, 2010
10/16/10
11:30
AM ET
By
Mike Sando | ESPN.com
Marc from Arizona writes: This is what we have heard all season, that the 49ers have a lot of talent, but they keep shooting themselves in the foot. I would like to know what they mean by this. What talent are they talking about and how is it recognized? And, I suppose, what is the NFL's definition of talent? Because most talented people I know don't shoot themselves in the foot. They have actual results that make me recognize and go, "Hmmm that person is talented."
Mike Sando: Fair question. Talent alone doesn't win games. Teams still need maturity, seasoning, smarts, coordination, coaching, etc. And any team with unsteady quarterback play will have a hard time realizing its potential.
The 49ers have had enough talent to amass more than 400 yards against New Orleans. They had enough talent to lead the Atlanta Falcons in the Georgia Dome in the final minutes. They had enough talent to pick off Matt Ryan late in that game. Largely the same team had enough talent to be leading a very good Minnesota team in the final seconds at the Metrodome last season. Largely the same team had enough talent to be leading the eventual AFC champion Indianapolis Colts in the fourth quarter last season.
I don't think anyone would say the 49ers accomplished those things by outcoaching their opponents or playing over their heads. Their players tend to possess quite a few of the "measurables" scouts value. Those attributes can put teams in position to win, but it takes more than that to win consistently.
For the sake of comparison and because you're from Arizona, go through the Cardinals' roster and tell me how many of their players would definitely start for the 49ers, position by position, based on talent. Larry Fitzgerald, Steve Breaston and Deuce Lutui would start for the 49ers based on talent, in my view. Darnell Dockett, Adrian Wilson, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and possibly Kerry Rhodes would start for the 49ers based on talent. How many others? There might be a few, but I think the 49ers' raw talent would hold up OK in most cases, and even better when held up against talent from other teams in this division.
Darryl from Ft. Riley, Kan., writes: If A.J. Green or Jonathan Baldwin were available, would you agree with the Rams taking a wide receiver is the first round? I would think that they would do it seeing that we need a true No. 1 receiver. However, I just can't see the Rams taking one of these guys. Right now, I think we should draft based on best player available. Besides, we can get a receiver further on in the draft.
Mike Sando: It's critical for the Rams to invest in weapons for Bradford. I'd be fine with them drafting a receiver or running back early. Coaches such as Mike Holmgren and Andy Reid have also demonstrated that offenses put together in the Rams' mold can succeed without top-tier talent at receiver. That is fine, but we also know top-tier talent beats lesser talent. The more talent they can put around Bradford, the better chance Bradford will have to make the Rams a championship contender.
Take a look at the Colts' draft strategy since selecting Peyton Manning first overall. Indy could have focused on building its defense, figuring Manning would make the offense better without significant reinforcements. Instead, the Colts have drafted three running backs, two wide receivers and a tight end with the 10 first-round choices they've used since the Manning selection. They drafted Edgerrin James, Reggie Wayne, Dallas Clark, Joseph Addai, Anthony Gonzalez and Donald Brown even though their defense needed more help most of those years. They also selected Dwight Freeney, and the Rams will need to add that type of pass-rush talent if the opportunity presents itself. Overall, though, they're wise if they build up the offense around Bradford.
Mister2 from San Jose writes: Why are people going so crazy about the Niners' issues? They very easily could be 3-2 (like the Colts, Giants, Packers) with correction of only one thing -- turnovers. Not talent, not QB skill, not playmakers, not coaching -- just holding on to the ball. Isn't there any way to call out the media crazies that want to blame one person, or one coach without really giving the issues any thought? Can't we all just be a little more mature?
Mike Sando: Turnovers have played a large role. Do they happen independent of other factors? Are they random? Or do teams with, say, protection issues tend to throw interceptions against pressure? It's a combination of factors. Throw in a tough early schedule, volatile and inexperienced leadership, issues getting plays into the huddle, etc., and bad things are going to happen.
Tres from Washington, D.C., writes: Sando, come on, man. The end of your article on the Seahawks' offensive line is over-the-top petty. I understand the media has a job to do, and the Alex Gibbs-taught silence is kind of sophomoric, but really? You'd alluded to feeling jilted by them in an earlier blog post, but I let it pass; those last comments are just trifling. How much did you have to dig til you found the magic post-2002 holding call numbers? The work you do is good, and I understand why you need to skew toward the rest of the NFC West after covering the Seahawks for so long, but sometimes it comes across as just bitter.I wish you all the best, but that was just uncalled for.
Mike Sando: The piece sought to make two points. One, perspectives from offensive linemen enrich the game. Two, if players as accomplished as Steve Hutchinson can follow NFL rules for media cooperation, other players shouldn't have any trouble doing so. In hindsight, the piece might have been better had the final sentence simply read, "Hey, if an all-time great such as Hutchinson can follow the rules, what makes these guys any different?" or something to that effect. I purposely included that penalty information at the end, not earlier, because I didn't want it to be the thrust of the piece. For some, though, it didn't matter.
This issue was different than most I cover because I have an obvious vested interest in the matter (I am treasurer of the Professional Football Writers of America, which has worked with the league to shape the media policy). I was sensitive to how people might react based on the self-serving nature of my viewpoint, but perhaps I was not sensitive enough. It's a discussion worth having and one I engaged through the comments section of that item. I'm the first to admit I can improve.
As far as the penalty information, that took five minutes of my time.
Every week I do an item on penalties in the division. ESPN Stats & Information has made available a file with every penalty called in every game since 2001. Some of the information from 2001 is incomplete, so I often sort the file to exclude that year. Also, Ben Hamilton and Chester Pitts made their NFL debuts in 2002. Back to the penalty file. I've set up pivot tables making it easy to filter penalties by team, position, penalty type, etc. I filter them in those ways every week. Offensive holding is a penalty I follow because the league has changed how it calls those penalties and that can affect scoring. I was surprised to see Hamilton and Pitts rank among the top two for most holding penalties since 2002, but I knew Hutchinson almost never incurred penalties. The goal was to illustrate contrast.
The NFL and the Seahawks stand firmly behind the policy these players were violating. Player contracts include clauses requiring compliance. I'm happy to see coach Pete Carroll enforce the rules.
Josh from El Paso, Ill., writes: Hi Mike, I have Justin Forsett on my fantasy football team, and I'm debating two things: One, do I start Forsett, and two, should I start anybody against the Bears' defense? With Marshawn Lynch coming aboard, I'm almost certain that Lynch will get carries, thus hurting Forsett's value, but what are your thoughts? Thanks!
Mike Sando: I would steer away from starting Seattle players at this point. If you are a Seattle fan, you'll be thrilled if they produce at a high level and that will offset any disappointment you might have from not having them in your lineup. But if you start them and the Seahawks' offense continues to struggle on the road, you might be kicking yourself.
Andy from Auckland, New Zealand writes: Hi Mike, longtime reader, first-time questioner. How much difference do you think Donovan McNabb would have made to this 49ers team and how much of their problems be down to Alex Smith? Would Mcnabb have had the same troubles with communication to the sidelines that Smith has or thrown giveaway INTs? I think there's an argument to be made that despite all of the well-documented issues that Smith has had to face, he should now be showing much more than he is.
Mike Sando: McNabb is better than Smith, which means the 49ers would be better with him at quarterback, in my view. I don't think we need to complicate the analysis much. Now, would McNabb struggle with some of the issues that have hurt Smith? Sure, but I think he would be better equipped to overcome them.
Garrett from Junction City, Kan., writes: Hey Mike, Seattle seems like it's one of those cities that has a hard time bringing in "big" free-agent players for whatever reasons -- being a smaller media market or location. I have two questions. First, do you agree with that assesment? Second, do you think with Pete Carroll there, that might increase their chances in the future to get some "big" name guys in? I do know that some of it depends on if he has success at this level, but I would like your opinion because you're the expert and I like your blog. I read it every day. You're fair and look at things from all sides. Well, thanks!
Mike Sando: Thanks, Garrett. I believe money ultimately talks in a high percent of these situations, but geography plays a role when other factors are relatively equal. There's no question in my mind the head coach can help to attract or repel marquee free agents. Everything I've learned about Carroll tells me he's the type of coach veteran players would appreciate. He believes in positive thinking, so he is not a screamer. He structures training camp in a way that prevents players from burning out. He's a laid-back guy. Those things have to appeal when veteran players seek new homes. Every case will be different, though, and some players will not want to move so far away from families on the East Coast or in the South.
Ron from Oklahoma City writes: Don't you think it's a little unfair that Sam Bradford is getting criticism for his performance Sunday? Every throw was into an incredibly tight window, and made while under pressure. When watching the Rams, you never see receivers running wide open in the middle of the field like you do for, say, Dallas.
Mike Sando: It could be unfair. It also probably reflects the respect Bradford has earned. People are already holding him to a high standard. The interceptions he threw came relatively late in the game. Bradford did drive the Rams down the field earlier. It's not his fault Mark Clayton got hurt and Danny Amendola fumbled inside the 10 when the game was still close.
Mike from Costa Mesa, Calif., writes: Sando, admit it, if it had been known before the season started that Matt Leinart would be replaced as starter after the second exhibition game, that his replacement would only last four regular-season games and that an undrafted rookie would be the Cardinals' starting quarterback in Week 5, no way would you have guessed that Arizona's record going into the bye week would be 3-2. They may be doing it with mirrors, but somehow Ken Whisenhunt has gotten his team still believing and somehow pulling off what seems to me to be one of the most under-reported stories of this NFL season. Given all the challenges due to retirements, free-agent losses, etc., do you agree that if the Cardinals end up winning their division this year and getting into the playoffs for the third straight season, Whisenhunt is the hands-down coach of the year?
Mike Sando: At 6-10? At 7-9? No on both fronts. If the Cardinals have a winning record, the case becomes a lot stronger. Either way, the weakness of this division will give people an out when deciding how much praise to throw Whisenhunt's way.
We should also realize that Arizona is a 32-yard Sebastian Janikowski field goal away from being 2-3. The victory over New Orleans was impressive even though there wasn't much sustainable about becoming the second team in NFL history to score 30-plus points without a rushing or passing touchdown.
Whisenhunt becomes coach-of-the-year material if Max Hall develops into a promising starter this season while leading the Cardinals to 9-7 or better. I feel safer framing it that way than using what the Cardinals have accomplished to this point as the basis for his candidacy.
Mike Sando: Fair question. Talent alone doesn't win games. Teams still need maturity, seasoning, smarts, coordination, coaching, etc. And any team with unsteady quarterback play will have a hard time realizing its potential.
The 49ers have had enough talent to amass more than 400 yards against New Orleans. They had enough talent to lead the Atlanta Falcons in the Georgia Dome in the final minutes. They had enough talent to pick off Matt Ryan late in that game. Largely the same team had enough talent to be leading a very good Minnesota team in the final seconds at the Metrodome last season. Largely the same team had enough talent to be leading the eventual AFC champion Indianapolis Colts in the fourth quarter last season.
I don't think anyone would say the 49ers accomplished those things by outcoaching their opponents or playing over their heads. Their players tend to possess quite a few of the "measurables" scouts value. Those attributes can put teams in position to win, but it takes more than that to win consistently.
For the sake of comparison and because you're from Arizona, go through the Cardinals' roster and tell me how many of their players would definitely start for the 49ers, position by position, based on talent. Larry Fitzgerald, Steve Breaston and Deuce Lutui would start for the 49ers based on talent, in my view. Darnell Dockett, Adrian Wilson, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and possibly Kerry Rhodes would start for the 49ers based on talent. How many others? There might be a few, but I think the 49ers' raw talent would hold up OK in most cases, and even better when held up against talent from other teams in this division.
Darryl from Ft. Riley, Kan., writes: If A.J. Green or Jonathan Baldwin were available, would you agree with the Rams taking a wide receiver is the first round? I would think that they would do it seeing that we need a true No. 1 receiver. However, I just can't see the Rams taking one of these guys. Right now, I think we should draft based on best player available. Besides, we can get a receiver further on in the draft.
Mike Sando: It's critical for the Rams to invest in weapons for Bradford. I'd be fine with them drafting a receiver or running back early. Coaches such as Mike Holmgren and Andy Reid have also demonstrated that offenses put together in the Rams' mold can succeed without top-tier talent at receiver. That is fine, but we also know top-tier talent beats lesser talent. The more talent they can put around Bradford, the better chance Bradford will have to make the Rams a championship contender.
Take a look at the Colts' draft strategy since selecting Peyton Manning first overall. Indy could have focused on building its defense, figuring Manning would make the offense better without significant reinforcements. Instead, the Colts have drafted three running backs, two wide receivers and a tight end with the 10 first-round choices they've used since the Manning selection. They drafted Edgerrin James, Reggie Wayne, Dallas Clark, Joseph Addai, Anthony Gonzalez and Donald Brown even though their defense needed more help most of those years. They also selected Dwight Freeney, and the Rams will need to add that type of pass-rush talent if the opportunity presents itself. Overall, though, they're wise if they build up the offense around Bradford.
Mister2 from San Jose writes: Why are people going so crazy about the Niners' issues? They very easily could be 3-2 (like the Colts, Giants, Packers) with correction of only one thing -- turnovers. Not talent, not QB skill, not playmakers, not coaching -- just holding on to the ball. Isn't there any way to call out the media crazies that want to blame one person, or one coach without really giving the issues any thought? Can't we all just be a little more mature?
Mike Sando: Turnovers have played a large role. Do they happen independent of other factors? Are they random? Or do teams with, say, protection issues tend to throw interceptions against pressure? It's a combination of factors. Throw in a tough early schedule, volatile and inexperienced leadership, issues getting plays into the huddle, etc., and bad things are going to happen.
Tres from Washington, D.C., writes: Sando, come on, man. The end of your article on the Seahawks' offensive line is over-the-top petty. I understand the media has a job to do, and the Alex Gibbs-taught silence is kind of sophomoric, but really? You'd alluded to feeling jilted by them in an earlier blog post, but I let it pass; those last comments are just trifling. How much did you have to dig til you found the magic post-2002 holding call numbers? The work you do is good, and I understand why you need to skew toward the rest of the NFC West after covering the Seahawks for so long, but sometimes it comes across as just bitter.I wish you all the best, but that was just uncalled for.
Mike Sando: The piece sought to make two points. One, perspectives from offensive linemen enrich the game. Two, if players as accomplished as Steve Hutchinson can follow NFL rules for media cooperation, other players shouldn't have any trouble doing so. In hindsight, the piece might have been better had the final sentence simply read, "Hey, if an all-time great such as Hutchinson can follow the rules, what makes these guys any different?" or something to that effect. I purposely included that penalty information at the end, not earlier, because I didn't want it to be the thrust of the piece. For some, though, it didn't matter.
This issue was different than most I cover because I have an obvious vested interest in the matter (I am treasurer of the Professional Football Writers of America, which has worked with the league to shape the media policy). I was sensitive to how people might react based on the self-serving nature of my viewpoint, but perhaps I was not sensitive enough. It's a discussion worth having and one I engaged through the comments section of that item. I'm the first to admit I can improve.
As far as the penalty information, that took five minutes of my time.
Every week I do an item on penalties in the division. ESPN Stats & Information has made available a file with every penalty called in every game since 2001. Some of the information from 2001 is incomplete, so I often sort the file to exclude that year. Also, Ben Hamilton and Chester Pitts made their NFL debuts in 2002. Back to the penalty file. I've set up pivot tables making it easy to filter penalties by team, position, penalty type, etc. I filter them in those ways every week. Offensive holding is a penalty I follow because the league has changed how it calls those penalties and that can affect scoring. I was surprised to see Hamilton and Pitts rank among the top two for most holding penalties since 2002, but I knew Hutchinson almost never incurred penalties. The goal was to illustrate contrast.
The NFL and the Seahawks stand firmly behind the policy these players were violating. Player contracts include clauses requiring compliance. I'm happy to see coach Pete Carroll enforce the rules.
Josh from El Paso, Ill., writes: Hi Mike, I have Justin Forsett on my fantasy football team, and I'm debating two things: One, do I start Forsett, and two, should I start anybody against the Bears' defense? With Marshawn Lynch coming aboard, I'm almost certain that Lynch will get carries, thus hurting Forsett's value, but what are your thoughts? Thanks!
Mike Sando: I would steer away from starting Seattle players at this point. If you are a Seattle fan, you'll be thrilled if they produce at a high level and that will offset any disappointment you might have from not having them in your lineup. But if you start them and the Seahawks' offense continues to struggle on the road, you might be kicking yourself.
Andy from Auckland, New Zealand writes: Hi Mike, longtime reader, first-time questioner. How much difference do you think Donovan McNabb would have made to this 49ers team and how much of their problems be down to Alex Smith? Would Mcnabb have had the same troubles with communication to the sidelines that Smith has or thrown giveaway INTs? I think there's an argument to be made that despite all of the well-documented issues that Smith has had to face, he should now be showing much more than he is.
Mike Sando: McNabb is better than Smith, which means the 49ers would be better with him at quarterback, in my view. I don't think we need to complicate the analysis much. Now, would McNabb struggle with some of the issues that have hurt Smith? Sure, but I think he would be better equipped to overcome them.
Garrett from Junction City, Kan., writes: Hey Mike, Seattle seems like it's one of those cities that has a hard time bringing in "big" free-agent players for whatever reasons -- being a smaller media market or location. I have two questions. First, do you agree with that assesment? Second, do you think with Pete Carroll there, that might increase their chances in the future to get some "big" name guys in? I do know that some of it depends on if he has success at this level, but I would like your opinion because you're the expert and I like your blog. I read it every day. You're fair and look at things from all sides. Well, thanks!
Mike Sando: Thanks, Garrett. I believe money ultimately talks in a high percent of these situations, but geography plays a role when other factors are relatively equal. There's no question in my mind the head coach can help to attract or repel marquee free agents. Everything I've learned about Carroll tells me he's the type of coach veteran players would appreciate. He believes in positive thinking, so he is not a screamer. He structures training camp in a way that prevents players from burning out. He's a laid-back guy. Those things have to appeal when veteran players seek new homes. Every case will be different, though, and some players will not want to move so far away from families on the East Coast or in the South.
Ron from Oklahoma City writes: Don't you think it's a little unfair that Sam Bradford is getting criticism for his performance Sunday? Every throw was into an incredibly tight window, and made while under pressure. When watching the Rams, you never see receivers running wide open in the middle of the field like you do for, say, Dallas.
Mike Sando: It could be unfair. It also probably reflects the respect Bradford has earned. People are already holding him to a high standard. The interceptions he threw came relatively late in the game. Bradford did drive the Rams down the field earlier. It's not his fault Mark Clayton got hurt and Danny Amendola fumbled inside the 10 when the game was still close.
Mike from Costa Mesa, Calif., writes: Sando, admit it, if it had been known before the season started that Matt Leinart would be replaced as starter after the second exhibition game, that his replacement would only last four regular-season games and that an undrafted rookie would be the Cardinals' starting quarterback in Week 5, no way would you have guessed that Arizona's record going into the bye week would be 3-2. They may be doing it with mirrors, but somehow Ken Whisenhunt has gotten his team still believing and somehow pulling off what seems to me to be one of the most under-reported stories of this NFL season. Given all the challenges due to retirements, free-agent losses, etc., do you agree that if the Cardinals end up winning their division this year and getting into the playoffs for the third straight season, Whisenhunt is the hands-down coach of the year?
Mike Sando: At 6-10? At 7-9? No on both fronts. If the Cardinals have a winning record, the case becomes a lot stronger. Either way, the weakness of this division will give people an out when deciding how much praise to throw Whisenhunt's way.
We should also realize that Arizona is a 32-yard Sebastian Janikowski field goal away from being 2-3. The victory over New Orleans was impressive even though there wasn't much sustainable about becoming the second team in NFL history to score 30-plus points without a rushing or passing touchdown.
Whisenhunt becomes coach-of-the-year material if Max Hall develops into a promising starter this season while leading the Cardinals to 9-7 or better. I feel safer framing it that way than using what the Cardinals have accomplished to this point as the basis for his candidacy.
Jesper from Denmark took over the NFC West blog Tuesday with his dispassionate dissection of the St. Louis Rams.
Are the Rams really any better?
The question generated discussion on the blog and on my Facebook wall, with some Rams fans taking offense.
Four hours after the item posted, Doug from Yelm, Wash., hit my inbox with a corresponding 700-word dissection of the Seattle Seahawks. I've known Doug for years. Our kids used to play together. Our families get together around the Fourth of July. He's a huge Seahawks fan, but also a realist.
"Jesper from Denmark graced the NFC West mailbag with a position-by-position evaluation of the Rams," Doug wrote. "It would be nice to have the same type of fan-expert breakdown of all the NFC West teams."
And so our Seahawks discussion began.
[+] Enlarge
Juliann Tallino/US PresswireMatt Hasselbeck hasn't played in all 16 regular-season games since the 2007 season.
Juliann Tallino/US PresswireMatt Hasselbeck hasn't played in all 16 regular-season games since the 2007 season.Doug: Matt Hasselbeck suffered another injury last season on the goal line in San Francisco. He was decent without being spectacular. We can expect more of the same. Charlie Whitehurst won’t be asked to carry this team unless things go south quickly. Verdict: worse.
Sando: There were times in our Rams evaluation when we acknowledged improved depth without saying a position would improve from a talent standpoint. I think we can apply that thinking here. Seattle has strengthened its depth behind Hasselbeck by acquiring Whitehurst and third-stringer J.P. Losman. I wouldn't say Seattle is worse at the position. As long as Hasselbeck is healthy -- and at this point Doug is probably looking at his watch -- the Seahawks will be better at quarterback.
Running back
Doug: This position provides the biggest question mark for the Seahawks. The starter right now is mostly likely Justin Forsett. Julius Jones' role is undefined. Leon Washington has a chance to improve this area if he’s healthy. Verdict: worse.
Mike Sando: This position looks like a wash to me. The team had Edgerrin James and T.J. Duckett early last season. Both are long gone. Forsett appears to be ascending. Jones is decent at running, receiving and blocking. Washington is the wild card. Teams avoided running backs through most of the draft and I can't blame Seattle for addressing other areas. I'll be looking to see if Quinton Ganther becomes a factor on some level. Seattle has to be hoping its Mike Shanahan-style offense can produce Shanahan-style results in the running game without an elite back on the roster.
Wide receiver
Doug: T.J. Houshmandzadeh is really a No. 2-type receiver and Deion Branch has papier-mache joints. Deon Butler, Mike Williams and Ben Obomanu have potential but somebody needs to break out. Golden Tate could make this a much improved area. Verdict: Better, barely.
Sando: Tate looked great this offseason, but I'm usually skeptical about rookie receivers making strong contributions. It's probably not a good sign when Williams is a key X factor, but if he reports to training camp in shape, the Seahawks could be onto something. Nate Burleson was the only key departure from this group. I'd say Seattle is slightly worse here unless Branch or Williams comes through.
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Steve Dykes/US PresswireThe Seahawks improved the depth behind starter John Carlson.
Steve Dykes/US PresswireThe Seahawks improved the depth behind starter John Carlson.Doug: John Carlson is in his prime and should produce at an even higher level. Cameron Morrah proved to be a solid backup and a good blocking tight end. Verdict: Same.
Sando: Don't forget about Chris Baker and Anthony McCoy, Doug. This is one position where I think the Seahawks have done a nice job upgrading. John Owens is gone and that should help the quarterbacks' completion percentage. The Seahawks will use two tight ends quite a bit. Baker and McCoy should upgrade the depth behind Carlson.
Offensive line
Doug: This was the biggest problem for Seattle last year. Russell Okung solidifies the left tackle spot and even as a rookie he will be better than the patchwork situation last year. Ben Hamilton is a proven starter with a firm grasp of the zone blocking scheme. Verdict: better.
Sando: We're on the same page with Okung. Even if Okung is average, he'll be better than what the Seahawks had at the position after about Week 6 last season. I'm expecting better here, no question.
Offense overall
Doug: This will be the second year in a row the Seahawks try to adopt a new system. Last year, the offense (and Hasselbeck in particular) didn’t buy into the coach’s vision. The whole offense feels like a question mark this year -- Hasselbeck’s successor on the sideline, a mix of veterans and young guys, and a bad running game that was not addressed in the offseason. Verdict: worse.
Sando: It'll come down to health at quarterback, same as last season. We'll also find out whether Hasselbeck can fit into this offensive scheme comfortably. The new staff values mobility at quarterback and Hasselbeck, though not slow, isn't all that fast, either. Offensive coordinator Jeremy Bates looks like more of an up-and-comer than his predecessor, and with an improved line, Seattle should be better on offense.
Defensive end
Doug: Patrick Kerney’s retirement was way overblown. The need for a pass rush has been there since Kerney was last effective, way back in 2007. Chris Clemons and Lawrence Jackson are not going to set the world on fire. Verdict: worse.
Sando: Carroll sounds sold on Red Bryant at one end spot, though obviously not in a pass-rushing capacity. I'm a little skeptical, but we'll see. Adding Clemons for Darryl Tapp will not make a huge difference. This group looks about the same, minus the false hope that Kerney would revive his career. The Seahawks still do not know where they're going to get their pass rush.
Defensive tackle
Doug: Colin Cole, Brandon Mebane and Craig Terrill are good, but I’m not expecting to see them in the Pro Bowl. Verdict: same.
Sando: I wonder whether Terrill will earn a roster spot this season. You didn't mention Kevin Vickerson, acquired from Tennessee. I'm not seeing a huge change here, either.
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Jonathan Ferrey/Getty ImagesLofa Tatupu missed more than half of the 2009 season due to injuries.
Jonathan Ferrey/Getty ImagesLofa Tatupu missed more than half of the 2009 season due to injuries.Doug: A strength for the Seahawks and their deepest position. Lofa Tatupu, Leroy Hill and Aaron Curry are All-Pro level linebackers. David Hawthorne might be the best non-starting linebacker in the NFL. Verdict: better.
Sando: When was the last time those three linebackers played anywhere near an elite level? It's been a couple years for Tatupu. Hill has been on the cusp, but he has not really delivered. And Curry hasn't proved himself in the NFL. Hawthorne is a good backup. I'll agree that this group should improve. Tatupu is back from injury. Hill and Curry have lots to prove. Hawthorne has much to gain. Injuries are still a concern. Tatupu, Hill and Curry played together less than one full game last season. It gets old hearing about how great Seattle is at the position. Time to produce.
Cornerback
Doug: After returning from injury, Marcus Trufant was flat-out embarrassed at times last season. Kelly Jennings is not a shutdown corner. Walter Thurmond will be called on early in the season and he may still be suffering from a knee injury. Verdict: worse.
Sando: Trufant should be healthier and more comfortable this season and that will upgrade the position. You did not mention Josh Wilson, a good player and better corner than Jennings, who isn't bad. Ken Lucas is gone, but I do not see a huge drop-off from last season. Remember, too, that rookie safety Earl Thomas is a coverage player.
Safety
Doug: By all accounts, Earl Thomas is a stud and he immediately upgrades the Seahawks at safety. Kam Chancellor is a big, physical safety who should contribute right away. Jordan Babineaux and Lawyer Milloy add versatility and depth, but not much play making. Verdict: better, only because of Thomas.
Sando: Thomas does upgrade this group. The team should get more from Milloy this season. I could even see him starting and providing a veteran presence -- someone Carroll can trust to do the right thing. Milloy was the only member of the secondary to provide true toughness last season, I thought. He is old, but also old-school.
Defense overall
Doug: The Seahawks' defense was the only thing that kept them in the games they were competitive in last season. If they can get a pass rush from the outside, either at linebacker or defensive end, they will be much better. Verdict: better.
Sando: Seattle's defense needs more points on the board, so the progress the Seahawks make on offense will be a key variable here, too. I question where this team will get its pass rush, but the team will have a hard time being worse in that department. I'll agree that the defense should be improved with Trufant healthier, Tatupu back, Thomas at safety and Curry taking a step forward.
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AP Photo/Elaine ThompsonPete Carroll was brought in to replace Jim Mora, who only lasted one season in Seattle.
AP Photo/Elaine ThompsonPete Carroll was brought in to replace Jim Mora, who only lasted one season in Seattle.Doug: This team gave up on Jim Mora last year. He called guys out (remember the Olindo Mare incident?) and constantly pleaded with the team to give a better effort. They never bought it. Carroll brings in a lot of recent success from the college ranks, plus enough NFL experience to know what he’s getting into. Verdict: better.
Sando: Carroll will benefit from a better climate in the front office and improved organizational stability. I also think his temperament is better suited for weathering tough times. He'll be more consistent that way and the team will respond more favorably. Bates' addition intrigues me. As noted, I sense he could be an up-and-coming assistant.
Schedule
Doug: Last season featured three road games in a row, Thanksgiving in Dallas and a road game against Green Bay in December. The schedule is better this season with four of the final six games at home and only three games kicking off at 10 a.m. PT. Verdict: better.
Sando: The schedule is tougher early in the season and an 0-3 start against the San Francisco 49ers (home), Denver Broncos (road) and San Diego Chargers (home) is certainly possible. Seattle has to like the schedule later in the season, though. Finishing at home against the Rams was a plus.
Final thoughts
Doug: Carroll brings an energetic, hopeful attitude, but it comes at a price because the Seahawks will be under their third head coach in as many seasons. This team needed a shakeup and new scheming, but results won’t happen overnight. They will be more competitive. I just don’t see how they can make the playoffs. Verdict: better (7-9).
Sando: Six or seven victories seem reasonable and it's a huge step forward if the team can get to 8-8. I expect the Seahawks to handle adversity better than they did last season. That should prevent them from falling off a cliff the way they did in 2009. It's also fair to wonder whether Hasselbeck can stay healthy and whether the team can rush the passer. Problems in those two areas could doom Seattle to another disappointing season.
Orlando Pace's release from the Bears and possible retirement sets up a potentially star-studded Hall of Fame ballot in 2015.
Quite a few of those eligible for the first time could have strong NFC West ties.
Kurt Warner, Isaac Bruce, Torry Holt, Pace, Walter Jones and Edgerrin James all could be eligible that year for the first time if 2009 was their last season. Another name to consider: Junior Seau. And let's not forget about Brett Favre, if he retires.
We have seen highly productive wide receivers wait for enshrinement. Jones, Pace and Warner would probably have the best chance among the NFC West crop, but it's difficult to know how these Hall of Fame discussions might play out. I was a voter this year for the first time and can say minds change within that room based on the research presented and the discussions that ensue.
Quite a few of those eligible for the first time could have strong NFC West ties.
Kurt Warner, Isaac Bruce, Torry Holt, Pace, Walter Jones and Edgerrin James all could be eligible that year for the first time if 2009 was their last season. Another name to consider: Junior Seau. And let's not forget about Brett Favre, if he retires.
We have seen highly productive wide receivers wait for enshrinement. Jones, Pace and Warner would probably have the best chance among the NFC West crop, but it's difficult to know how these Hall of Fame discussions might play out. I was a voter this year for the first time and can say minds change within that room based on the research presented and the discussions that ensue.
Jamal Lewis, LaDainian Tomlinson and Brian Westbrook had one thing in common when their teams released them this offseason.
Each was 30 years old.
Edgerrin James was 30 when the Cardinals released him last offseason. Shaun Alexander was 30 when the Seahawks released him.
No current halfbacks in the NFC West are older than 28. Fullbacks Dan Kreider (33 next month) and Moran Norris (31) are the division's only 30-something running backs. Another fullback, Seattle's Justin Griffith, turns 30 in July.
Seattle's Julius Jones (28) is the oldest halfback in the division. Frank Gore and Steven Jackson are 26. Justin Forsett is 24, Tim Hightower 23 and Beanie Wells 21.
Each was 30 years old.
Edgerrin James was 30 when the Cardinals released him last offseason. Shaun Alexander was 30 when the Seahawks released him.
No current halfbacks in the NFC West are older than 28. Fullbacks Dan Kreider (33 next month) and Moran Norris (31) are the division's only 30-something running backs. Another fullback, Seattle's Justin Griffith, turns 30 in July.
Seattle's Julius Jones (28) is the oldest halfback in the division. Frank Gore and Steven Jackson are 26. Justin Forsett is 24, Tim Hightower 23 and Beanie Wells 21.
Karen Crouse of The New York Times says former Rams defensive end Anthony Hargrove has found sobriety and personal redemption with the Saints. Hargrove's mother died when he was 9 and Hargrove eventually turned to drugs, attempting suicide by overdose while with the Rams. Hargrove: "When I was homeless and living in shelters, to me that was the best part of my life. Because when I was with my mother, even though we were getting kicked out of shelters and living on the streets, you couldn’t tell me I wasn’t in a loving situation. My mom lit up my world."
Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says Dave Checketts' potential Rams ownership group isn't trying to lowball Chip Rosenbloom and Lucia Rodriquez.
Sean Jensen of the Chicago Sun-Times checks in with recently retired Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner for a primer on what Bears quarterback Jay Cutler should expect from new Chicago offensive coordinator Mike Martz. Warner was much different as a quarterback. Warner: ''It was so much about anticipation. 'When I've watched Jay -- not that it's a bad thing -- but he looks like a guy who relies more on his physical gifts, and he watches things develop and buys some time. 'I wonder how that's going to mix. I'm not saying he can't anticipate, but I just haven't seen that when I've watched him. He may throw some things later than I would, because of his arm strength and his ability to move.''
The Denver Post says former Rams and Broncos defensive back Billy Jenkins has pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide. Jenkins played for the Rams' 1999 Super Bowl team.
Paola Boivin of the Arizona Republic expects Cardinals defensive lineman Darnell Dockett to provide good entertainment value while working as a Super Bowl correspondent with the Ravens' Ray Rice and the Redskins' Chris Cooley. Boivin: "Their work will be presented on a variety of social networking platforms, including Twitter, Facebook and the new OCNN site (motorola.com/ocnn)."
Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic sizes up the Cardinals' tight ends on his way to the Super Bowl. Somers: "Ben Patrick remains the team's best all-around tight end, but the team needs to get a full season out of him in 2010. He's been hampered by injuries and a suspension. Patrick is developing but he needs a breakout season. The same could be said of Stephen Spach, who played last year after undergoing reconstructive knee surgery. It's often said that athletes need a full year to recover, and that appears to be true in Spach's case. He made great progress in just being able to play in 2009, and should be that much better in 2010, provided he doesn't have a setback."
Matt Maiocco of the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat expects the 49ers to receive one compensatory draft choice. Maiocco: "That would give the 49ers nine picks in the draft. The 49ers have their own selection in each of the seven rounds of the draft, in addition to the Panthers' pick in the first round. Compensatory picks cannot be traded. The NFL typically announces the compensatory selections in mid- to late-March." The announcement comes during the league's annual spring meetings.
Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee looks at college players the 49ers might consider drafting in the first couple rounds. On Iowa tackle Bryan Bulaga: "Mike Singletary desperately wants to beef up his offensive line, which wasn't able to deliver his vision for offense in 2009. Bulaga is big, agile and improved markedly as he recovered from a thyroid issue this past season. Like Joe Staley, he'd be able to player either left or right tackle."
Kevin Lynch of Niner Insider says the 49ers might benefit from adding another coverage safety, the better to match up with some of the speed receivers who burned the team in 2009.
John Crumpacker of the San Francisco Chronicle says Dashon Goldson's decision to switch agents suggests the 49ers safety wants to upgrade his contract in a big way.
Brian McIntyre of scout.com sizes up the Seahawks' situation at running back. The team has done a poor job managing that position. McIntyre: "Seattle's current group of running backs are a prime example of former general manager Tim Ruskell’s flawed approach to roster building. Instead of drafting young, hungry ball-carriers, Ruskell ignored them on draft day (Forsett, a seventh-round pick in 2008, was the only running back Ruskell drafted), bought high on Shaun Alexander ($15.1M guaranteed after his MVP season), and when that didn’t work, threw more free agent dollars at Jones, T.J. Duckett, and Edgerrin James. Despite a shortage of offensive play-makers, Ruskell’s coup de grace may have been allowing Leonard Weaver to leave via free agency."
John Morgan of Field Gulls says Darryl Tapp deserves to start at defensive end for the Seahawks as the team looks to upgrade its pass rush. New coach Pete Carroll did sound intrigued by Tapp after breaking down video from last season.
NFC West spin on 2000s All-Decade team
January, 31, 2010
1/31/10
7:17
PM ET
By
Mike Sando | ESPN.com
MIAMI -- Shaun Alexander, Walter Jones, Steve Hutchinson, Orlando Pace, Larry Allen, Torry Holt, La'Roi Glover, Edgerrin James, Terrell Owens and Brian Moorman made the NFL's All-Decade team for the first decade of the 2000s.
The NFL just announced the team at the Pro Bowl.
The players I listed all spent time with NFC West teams during the decade. Some of the players -- Moorman, for example -- spent short periods of time in the division. Others were mainstays. Another, Kevin Mawae, played for Seattle before 2000 (when the Seahawks were in the AFC West).
For more, join the Pro Bowl conversation here.
The NFL just announced the team at the Pro Bowl.
The players I listed all spent time with NFC West teams during the decade. Some of the players -- Moorman, for example -- spent short periods of time in the division. Others were mainstays. Another, Kevin Mawae, played for Seattle before 2000 (when the Seahawks were in the AFC West).
For more, join the Pro Bowl conversation here.
Shaun Alexander stands above all others as the NFC West's most productive runner during the first decade of the 2000s.
Marshall Faulk's career spanned the 1990s and 2000s, affecting his standing.
I used Pro Football reference to produce rushing totals for all NFC West players since 2000 (Cardinals, Rams, 49ers, Seahawks). Four players had at least 5,000 yards. None had even 3,000 for the Cardinals.
In fact, Alexander scored more rushing touchdowns during the decade -- 100 -- than all Cardinals players combined.
According to this Pro Football Reference list, Arizona players combined for 99 rushing touchdowns during the decade. I verified that information through official league stats. The Cardinals had two rushing touchdowns in 2005. Alexander had 27.
Tim Hightower's 18 rushing touchdowns led Arizona during the decade. Also on the list: Edgerrin James (16), Emmitt Smith (11), Marcel Shipp (11), Thomas Jones (9), Michael Pittman (9), Beanie Wells (7), Obafemi Ayanbadejo (3), Josh McCown (3), J.J. Arrington (3), Matt Leinart (2), Jeff Blake (2), Jake Plummer (2), Kurt Warner (1), Anquan Boldin (1) and Troy Hambrick (1).
I'll have to remember that as one piece of evidence to consider when the time comes to discuss Alexander's case for the Hall of Fame.
Marshall Faulk's career spanned the 1990s and 2000s, affecting his standing.
I used Pro Football reference to produce rushing totals for all NFC West players since 2000 (Cardinals, Rams, 49ers, Seahawks). Four players had at least 5,000 yards. None had even 3,000 for the Cardinals.
In fact, Alexander scored more rushing touchdowns during the decade -- 100 -- than all Cardinals players combined.
According to this Pro Football Reference list, Arizona players combined for 99 rushing touchdowns during the decade. I verified that information through official league stats. The Cardinals had two rushing touchdowns in 2005. Alexander had 27.
Tim Hightower's 18 rushing touchdowns led Arizona during the decade. Also on the list: Edgerrin James (16), Emmitt Smith (11), Marcel Shipp (11), Thomas Jones (9), Michael Pittman (9), Beanie Wells (7), Obafemi Ayanbadejo (3), Josh McCown (3), J.J. Arrington (3), Matt Leinart (2), Jeff Blake (2), Jake Plummer (2), Kurt Warner (1), Anquan Boldin (1) and Troy Hambrick (1).
I'll have to remember that as one piece of evidence to consider when the time comes to discuss Alexander's case for the Hall of Fame.
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Mike Sando
Sando joined ESPN.com in 2007 after nine seasons covering the Seattle Seahawks for the Tacoma (Wash.) News Tribune. He lives in the Seattle-Tacoma area with his wife and two sons.
