NFC West: Jerheme Urban
The list of available unrestricted free-agent receivers continues to dwindle.
The St. Louis Rams aren't going to find the playmaking help they covet on a list featuring Plaxico Burress, T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Patrick Crayton, Rashied Davis, Deion Branch, Jerheme Urban, Bryant Johnson, Roy Williams, Greg Camarillo, Jerricho Cotchery, Mark Clayton, Roscoe Parrish, Michael Clayton, Courtney Roby, Michael Spurlock, David Anderson, Legedu Naanee, Devin Aromashodu, Donnie Avery, Maurice Stovall, Andre Caldwell, Ted Ginn Jr., Steve Smith (Philly version), Jerome Simpson and Devin Thomas.
Roger Hensley of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch asked colleagues how the Rams will address the issue. Jim Thomas: "There’s not much left at the position in free agency. The wide receiver shelves were cleaned out quickly, so barring a trade of some kind -- which seems unlikely -- the Rams are almost limited to getting help via the draft. And at No. 6 overall, there’s no guarantee that Justin Blackmon of Oklahoma State will be available. So yes, the team is in a bit of a predicament at wide receiver."
Also from Thomas, regarding Mike Wallace: "He has a first-round tender. And you can only use your original first-round pick as compensation. The Rams no longer have their original first-round pick after trading down with Washington. So they can't acquire Wallace through the regular process of restricted free agency. Now, the Rams could always offer less in a sign-and-trade situation. But why would the Steelers want less than a first-rounder? They put the tender on him in an attempt to keep him." Noted: The Rams could, in theory, offer the sixth overall pick, but that would be a steep price to pay.
Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch thinks the Rams should steer clear of Tim Tebow.
Howard Balzer of 101ESPN St. Louis says the Rams' search for a backup quarterback continues in the absence of attractive options.
Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com quotes 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh regarding Harbaugh's relationship with Alex Smith: "It's been good -- strong relationship, as always. It's a very strong relationship."
Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee has this to say about the situation with Smith: "It's unclear if Smith agrees with Harbaugh that they are as tight as they've ever been. The team's offer did not exactly mesh with Harbaugh's statements of devotion during and after the season. While it's all but certain Smith will be the 49ers' quarterback this season, it also leaves an opening for backup Colin Kaepernick to take over before the three years are complete. Kaepernick has been a regular at the 49ers' training facility this offseason."
Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle says the 49ers have ruled out Tebow, according to CEO Jed York.
Darren Urban of azcardinals.com says Early Doucet's re-signing means the Cardinals will return their top receivers from last season. Urban: "Doucet set career-highs in 2011 with 54 receptions, 689 yards and five touchdowns in his fourth NFL season, playing in 16 games for the first time. He came up with a pair of long touchdown catches against Carolina (70 yards) and San Francisco (60 yards) and scored on a game-winning screen pass in Philadelphia."
Also from Urban: The Cardinals have little salary-cap room, and there are tradeoffs associated with gaining flexibility.
Brady Henderson of 710ESPN Seattle quotes Seahawks coach Pete Carroll as saying Peyton Manning reached out to the Seahawks while figuring out which team to join. Carroll: "He had contacted me about wanting to talk about coming here. By the time we got down to where we had our chance he had already set his sights on going in the direction wound up going, with Denver."
Danny O'Neil of the Seattle Times looks at the market for free-agent linebacker David Hawthorne. O'Neil: "Hawthorne has led Seattle in tackles each of the past three years, but right now, the market for free-agent linebackers looks to be a little softer than some expected." Noted: Looks like we're approaching that period where players reset their expectations before taking deals for less than they had hoped.
Clare Farnsworth of seahawks.com puts together an overview of free agency from the Seahawks' perspective.
The St. Louis Rams aren't going to find the playmaking help they covet on a list featuring Plaxico Burress, T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Patrick Crayton, Rashied Davis, Deion Branch, Jerheme Urban, Bryant Johnson, Roy Williams, Greg Camarillo, Jerricho Cotchery, Mark Clayton, Roscoe Parrish, Michael Clayton, Courtney Roby, Michael Spurlock, David Anderson, Legedu Naanee, Devin Aromashodu, Donnie Avery, Maurice Stovall, Andre Caldwell, Ted Ginn Jr., Steve Smith (Philly version), Jerome Simpson and Devin Thomas.
Roger Hensley of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch asked colleagues how the Rams will address the issue. Jim Thomas: "There’s not much left at the position in free agency. The wide receiver shelves were cleaned out quickly, so barring a trade of some kind -- which seems unlikely -- the Rams are almost limited to getting help via the draft. And at No. 6 overall, there’s no guarantee that Justin Blackmon of Oklahoma State will be available. So yes, the team is in a bit of a predicament at wide receiver."
Also from Thomas, regarding Mike Wallace: "He has a first-round tender. And you can only use your original first-round pick as compensation. The Rams no longer have their original first-round pick after trading down with Washington. So they can't acquire Wallace through the regular process of restricted free agency. Now, the Rams could always offer less in a sign-and-trade situation. But why would the Steelers want less than a first-rounder? They put the tender on him in an attempt to keep him." Noted: The Rams could, in theory, offer the sixth overall pick, but that would be a steep price to pay.
Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch thinks the Rams should steer clear of Tim Tebow.
Howard Balzer of 101ESPN St. Louis says the Rams' search for a backup quarterback continues in the absence of attractive options.
Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com quotes 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh regarding Harbaugh's relationship with Alex Smith: "It's been good -- strong relationship, as always. It's a very strong relationship."
Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee has this to say about the situation with Smith: "It's unclear if Smith agrees with Harbaugh that they are as tight as they've ever been. The team's offer did not exactly mesh with Harbaugh's statements of devotion during and after the season. While it's all but certain Smith will be the 49ers' quarterback this season, it also leaves an opening for backup Colin Kaepernick to take over before the three years are complete. Kaepernick has been a regular at the 49ers' training facility this offseason."
Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle says the 49ers have ruled out Tebow, according to CEO Jed York.
Darren Urban of azcardinals.com says Early Doucet's re-signing means the Cardinals will return their top receivers from last season. Urban: "Doucet set career-highs in 2011 with 54 receptions, 689 yards and five touchdowns in his fourth NFL season, playing in 16 games for the first time. He came up with a pair of long touchdown catches against Carolina (70 yards) and San Francisco (60 yards) and scored on a game-winning screen pass in Philadelphia."
Also from Urban: The Cardinals have little salary-cap room, and there are tradeoffs associated with gaining flexibility.
Brady Henderson of 710ESPN Seattle quotes Seahawks coach Pete Carroll as saying Peyton Manning reached out to the Seahawks while figuring out which team to join. Carroll: "He had contacted me about wanting to talk about coming here. By the time we got down to where we had our chance he had already set his sights on going in the direction wound up going, with Denver."
Danny O'Neil of the Seattle Times looks at the market for free-agent linebacker David Hawthorne. O'Neil: "Hawthorne has led Seattle in tackles each of the past three years, but right now, the market for free-agent linebackers looks to be a little softer than some expected." Noted: Looks like we're approaching that period where players reset their expectations before taking deals for less than they had hoped.
Clare Farnsworth of seahawks.com puts together an overview of free agency from the Seahawks' perspective.
Sifting through the rubble at wide receiver
March, 15, 2012
Mar 15
11:43
PM ET
By
Mike Sando | ESPN.com
Wide receivers Vincent Jackson, Pierre Garcon, Reggie Wayne, Robert Meachem, Eddie Royal, Laurent Robinson, Josh Morgan, Eric Weems and Harry Douglas have found new homes after hitting the NFL's free-agent market.
Franchise tags essentially removed from consideration Dwayne Bowe, Wes Welker and DeSean Jackson.
Others, such as Marques Colston, re-signed before free agency.
Teams still searching for help at the position -- that would be pretty much everyone but Seattle in the NFC West -- are left with a picked-over group of free agents.
Jerome Simpson, Plaxico Burress, Brandon Lloyd, Legedu Naanee, Devin Aromashodu, Roy Williams, Mario Manningham and Early Doucet are the only ones remaining to have played at least half of their team's offensive snaps during the 2011 season.
As the chart shows, Burress was particularly effective in the red zone for the New York Jets. He converted first downs 38 times in 45 receptions for the third-highest percentage among wide receivers with at least 40 receptions, according to ESPN Stats & Information.
Burress is also up there in age. He's among 12 available wideouts already in their 30s: Hines Ward (36), Burress (34), T.J. Houshmandzadeh (34), Kevin Curtis (33), Patrick Crayton (32), Deion Branch (32), Rashied Davis (32), Donte Stallworth (31), Jerheme Urban (31), Bryant Johnson (31), Lloyd (30) and Williams (30).
Of them, Lloyd has visited the San Francisco 49ers.
Nine more are 29 years old: Greg Camarillo, Keary Colbert, Mark Clayton, Jerricho Cotchery, Roscoe Parrish, Michael Clayton, Courtney Roby, Michael Spurlock and Braylon Edwards.
Still interested?
OK, let's check out 18 others, all younger than 29: David Anderson, Legedu Naanee, Devin Aroshamodu, Donnie Avery, Anthony Gonzalez, Maurice Stovall, Derek Hagan, Mike Sims-Walker, Ted Ginn Jr., Andre Caldwell, Steve Smith, Doucet, Brett Swain, Chaz Schilens, Simpson, Manningham, Devin Thomas and Kevin Ogletree.
Schilens visited Arizona and San Francisco. Manningham visited the 49ers and the St. Louis Rams.
I've also broken down the available wideouts by drafted round:
Only a handful of the available receivers project as starters. None would qualify as an outright game-breaker.
The Rams in particular need playmakers, but in looking at what is available, how many would qualify as dramatically better than what they already have? Austin Pettis, Brandon Gibson, Danario Alexander, Dominique Curry, Greg Salas and restricted free agent Danny Amendola are their current wideouts.
Franchise tags essentially removed from consideration Dwayne Bowe, Wes Welker and DeSean Jackson.
Others, such as Marques Colston, re-signed before free agency.
Teams still searching for help at the position -- that would be pretty much everyone but Seattle in the NFC West -- are left with a picked-over group of free agents.
Jerome Simpson, Plaxico Burress, Brandon Lloyd, Legedu Naanee, Devin Aromashodu, Roy Williams, Mario Manningham and Early Doucet are the only ones remaining to have played at least half of their team's offensive snaps during the 2011 season.
As the chart shows, Burress was particularly effective in the red zone for the New York Jets. He converted first downs 38 times in 45 receptions for the third-highest percentage among wide receivers with at least 40 receptions, according to ESPN Stats & Information.
Burress is also up there in age. He's among 12 available wideouts already in their 30s: Hines Ward (36), Burress (34), T.J. Houshmandzadeh (34), Kevin Curtis (33), Patrick Crayton (32), Deion Branch (32), Rashied Davis (32), Donte Stallworth (31), Jerheme Urban (31), Bryant Johnson (31), Lloyd (30) and Williams (30).
Of them, Lloyd has visited the San Francisco 49ers.
Nine more are 29 years old: Greg Camarillo, Keary Colbert, Mark Clayton, Jerricho Cotchery, Roscoe Parrish, Michael Clayton, Courtney Roby, Michael Spurlock and Braylon Edwards.
Still interested?
OK, let's check out 18 others, all younger than 29: David Anderson, Legedu Naanee, Devin Aroshamodu, Donnie Avery, Anthony Gonzalez, Maurice Stovall, Derek Hagan, Mike Sims-Walker, Ted Ginn Jr., Andre Caldwell, Steve Smith, Doucet, Brett Swain, Chaz Schilens, Simpson, Manningham, Devin Thomas and Kevin Ogletree.
Schilens visited Arizona and San Francisco. Manningham visited the 49ers and the St. Louis Rams.
I've also broken down the available wideouts by drafted round:
- First: Williams, Burress, Ginn, Stallworth, both Claytons, Johnson, Gonzalez and Edwards
- Second: Avery, Thomas, Simpson, Smith, Parrish, Branch, Colbert
- Third: Roby, Doucet, Hagan, Stovall, Manningham, Caldwell, Curtis, Sims-Walker, Ward
- Fourth: Cotchery, Lloyd
- Fifth: Legedu Naanee
- Sixth: none
- Seventh: Houshmandzadeh, Crayton, Schilens, Aromashodu, Anderson, Swain
- Undrafted: Davis, Urban, Camarillo, Spurlock, Ogletree
Only a handful of the available receivers project as starters. None would qualify as an outright game-breaker.
The Rams in particular need playmakers, but in looking at what is available, how many would qualify as dramatically better than what they already have? Austin Pettis, Brandon Gibson, Danario Alexander, Dominique Curry, Greg Salas and restricted free agent Danny Amendola are their current wideouts.
Larry Fitzgerald running away from field
March, 15, 2011
3/15/11
10:48
AM ET
By
Mike Sando | ESPN.com
Our weekly positional power rankings shift to running backs this week.
Paul Kuharsky will have the main piece on the AFC South blog later Tuesday.
In the meantime, I wanted to offer another item on the receiver rankings that came out last week.
Larry Fitzgerald finished second to Andre Johnson in that poll, but he has no serious competition in the NFC West.
The chart ranks NFC West wide receivers by regular-season receptions since 2008, based on totals available at Pro Football Reference. The totals reflect only those catches made while playing for teams in the division. Anquan Boldin's receptions with Baltimore would not count, for example.
Fitzgerald (three) and Boldin (one) are the only receivers to earn Pro Bowl honors while playing for an NFC West team during the three-year period in question.
The San Francisco 49ers last had a Pro Bowl wideout in 2003 (Terrell Owens). The St. Louis Rams had one in 2007 (Torry Holt). The Seattle Seahawks haven't had one since Brian Blades in 1989. Receiver Alex Bannister made it as a special-teamer in 2003.
Paul Kuharsky will have the main piece on the AFC South blog later Tuesday.
In the meantime, I wanted to offer another item on the receiver rankings that came out last week.
Larry Fitzgerald finished second to Andre Johnson in that poll, but he has no serious competition in the NFC West.
The chart ranks NFC West wide receivers by regular-season receptions since 2008, based on totals available at Pro Football Reference. The totals reflect only those catches made while playing for teams in the division. Anquan Boldin's receptions with Baltimore would not count, for example.
Fitzgerald (three) and Boldin (one) are the only receivers to earn Pro Bowl honors while playing for an NFC West team during the three-year period in question.
The San Francisco 49ers last had a Pro Bowl wideout in 2003 (Terrell Owens). The St. Louis Rams had one in 2007 (Torry Holt). The Seattle Seahawks haven't had one since Brian Blades in 1989. Receiver Alex Bannister made it as a special-teamer in 2003.
Whisenhunt: Roster turnover took its toll
February, 4, 2011
2/04/11
7:21
PM ET
By
Mike Sando | ESPN.com
DALLAS -- The Arizona Cardinals experienced more roster turnover than most from 2009 to 2010.
They felt it, too.
Arizona finished with a 5-11 record largely because quarterback Kurt Warner retired. The team hoped it had enough veteran strength throughout its roster to keep the Cardinals competitive. A favorable schedule and division in transition made it seem possible.
Looking back, the roster turnover played a leading role in the Cardinals' fall, coach Ken Whisenhunt said from the Super Bowl media center Friday.
"What you lose more than anything is that equity buildup that you have had for a couple years," Whisenhunt said.
Specifically, Whisenhunt said the Cardinals too often couldn't draw on shared experiences -- say, adjustment that worked against an opponent the previous season.
"Even though you have a Kerry Rhodes, you have Paris Lenon, you have guys you are comfortable with that are good players in the league, they don't know what you have gone through to get to that point," Whisenhunt said. "To have those guys step up and say, 'Listen, we are not practicing the right way, we are not making these plays like we should be,' you don't have that history with them. You can get away with that if it is one or two, but if you have five or six -- especially if they are good football players -- that is hard to overcome."
The Cardinals parted with a long list of players featuring Warner, Anquan Boldin, Karlos Dansby, Antrel Rolle, Bryant McFadden, Bertrand Berry, Chike Okeafor, Mike Gandy, Reggie Wells, Neil Rackers, Anthony Becht, Sean Morey, Jerheme Urban, Matt Leinart, Ralph Brown, Monty Beisel and Dan Kreider.
"You can never go in and say, 'Gosh, woe is me because we lost those guys,' because you are counting on the other guys to step in and you always want to be positive," Whisenhunt said. "But you have to recognize it's a pretty big blow to lose [key] guys."
Whisenhunt called the situation a "perfect storm" with Warner retiring, key players hitting the market and the NFL heading toward an uncertain labor situation.
"There is no operating plan for what you do or how you do it," he said. "It doesn't really matter at this point. You just have to move forward."
Quite a few younger players gained more experience than anticipated. That could help Arizona build back some of that equity Whisenhunt said was missing. But so much comes back to the quarterback situation. An upgrade at that position would cover for imperfections elsewhere on the roster.
They felt it, too.
Arizona finished with a 5-11 record largely because quarterback Kurt Warner retired. The team hoped it had enough veteran strength throughout its roster to keep the Cardinals competitive. A favorable schedule and division in transition made it seem possible.
Looking back, the roster turnover played a leading role in the Cardinals' fall, coach Ken Whisenhunt said from the Super Bowl media center Friday.
"What you lose more than anything is that equity buildup that you have had for a couple years," Whisenhunt said.
Specifically, Whisenhunt said the Cardinals too often couldn't draw on shared experiences -- say, adjustment that worked against an opponent the previous season.
"Even though you have a Kerry Rhodes, you have Paris Lenon, you have guys you are comfortable with that are good players in the league, they don't know what you have gone through to get to that point," Whisenhunt said. "To have those guys step up and say, 'Listen, we are not practicing the right way, we are not making these plays like we should be,' you don't have that history with them. You can get away with that if it is one or two, but if you have five or six -- especially if they are good football players -- that is hard to overcome."
The Cardinals parted with a long list of players featuring Warner, Anquan Boldin, Karlos Dansby, Antrel Rolle, Bryant McFadden, Bertrand Berry, Chike Okeafor, Mike Gandy, Reggie Wells, Neil Rackers, Anthony Becht, Sean Morey, Jerheme Urban, Matt Leinart, Ralph Brown, Monty Beisel and Dan Kreider.
"You can never go in and say, 'Gosh, woe is me because we lost those guys,' because you are counting on the other guys to step in and you always want to be positive," Whisenhunt said. "But you have to recognize it's a pretty big blow to lose [key] guys."
Whisenhunt called the situation a "perfect storm" with Warner retiring, key players hitting the market and the NFL heading toward an uncertain labor situation.
"There is no operating plan for what you do or how you do it," he said. "It doesn't really matter at this point. You just have to move forward."
Quite a few younger players gained more experience than anticipated. That could help Arizona build back some of that equity Whisenhunt said was missing. But so much comes back to the quarterback situation. An upgrade at that position would cover for imperfections elsewhere on the roster.
Roster turnover is a leading topic for discussion in Seattle following the release of T.J. Houshmandzadeh in particular.
I've addressed the subject in depth across the division -- first May 26 and again July 30 -- and it's worth another look now that teams have reduced to 53 players for the regular season.
This time, I'm going to break down the changes by position, listing players no longer on the active roster at each main position group (with new players in parenthesis). Departures outnumber replacements because some players finished last season on injured reserve, meaning they were not part of the 53-man roster.
Some players no longer on the active roster remain with the team (they could be suspended, deemed physically unable to perform or part of the practice squad).
St. Louis Rams (34 off roster)
Defensive back: Eric Bassey, Quincy Butler, Danny Gorrer, Clinton Hart, Cordelius Parks, David Roach, Jonathan Wade (added Kevin Dockery, Jerome Murphy, Darian Stewart)
Defensive line: Victor Adeyanju, Adam Carriker, Leger Douzable, Leonard Little, LaJuan Ramsey, James Wyche (added Jermelle Cudjo, Fred Robbins, George Selvie, Eugene Sims)
Linebacker: K.C. Asiodu, Paris Lenon (added Na'il Diggs, Josh Hull)
Offensive line: Roger Allen, Alex Barron, Ryan McKee, Mark Setterstrom, Phillip Trautwein, Eric Young (added Renardo Foster, Hank Fraley, Rodger Saffold)
Quarterback: Kyle Boller, Marc Bulger, Keith Null, Mike Reilly (added Sam Bradford, A.J. Feeley, Thaddeus Lewis)
Running back: Samkon Gado, Chris Ogbonnaya (added Keith Toston)
Special teams: Ryan Neill
Tight end: Randy McMichael (added Mike Hoomanawanui, Fendi Onobun)
Wide receiver: Donnie Avery, Keenan Burton, Brooks Foster, Jordan Kent, Ruvell Martin (added Mark Clayton, Dominique Curry, Mardy Gilyard)
Seattle Seahawks (33 off roster)
Defensive back: Jamar Adams, Deon Grant, Ken Lucas, Josh Wilson (added Kam Chancellor, Kennard Cox, Nate Ness, Earl Thomas, Walter Thurmond)
Defensive line: Lawrence Jackson, Patrick Kerney, Cory Redding, Nick Reed, Darryl Tapp, Craig Terrill (added Kentwan Balmer, Raheem Brock, Chris Clemons, Dexter Davis, Junior Siavii, E.J. Wilson)
Linebacker: Leroy Hill, Lance Laury, D.D. Lewis (added Matt McCoy; note that Hill is suspended for the first regular-season game)
Offensive line: Trevor Canfield, Brandon Frye, Walter Jones, Damion McIntosh, Rob Sims, Steve Vallos, Ray Willis, Mansfield Wrotto (added Stacy Andrews, Evan Dietrich-Smith, Ben Hamilton, Russell Okung, Chester Pitts, Tyler Polumbus)
Quarterback: Mike Teel, Seneca Wallace (added Charlie Whitehurst)
Running back: Justin Griffith, Louis Rankin, Tyler Roehl, Owen Schmitt (added Quinton Ganther, Michael Robinson, Leon Washington)
Special teams: Kevin Houser, Jeff Robinson (added Clint Gresham)
Tight end: John Owens (added Chris Baker, Anthony McCoy)
Wide receiver: Nate Burleson, T.J. Houshmandzadeh (added Golden Tate, Mike Williams)
Arizona Cardinals (24 off roster)
Defensive backs: Ralph Brown, Bryant McFadden, Antrel Rolle (added A.J. Jefferson, Trumaine McBride, Brandon McDonald, Kerry Rhodes)
Defensive line: Jason Banks (added Dan Williams)
Linebacker: Monty Beisel, Bertrand Berry, Cody Brown, Karlos Dansby, Gerald Hayes, Chike Okeafor, Pago Togafau (added Paris Lenon, Cyril Obiozor, Joey Porter, Daryl Washington; Hayes can return from the physically unable to perform list after six games)
Offensive line: Mike Gandy, Herman Johnson, Reggie Wells (added Alan Faneca, Rex Hadnot)
Quarterback: Matt Leinart, Brian St. Pierre, Kurt Warner (added Derek Anderson, Max Hall, John Skelton)
Running back: Justin Green, Dan Kreider (added Jerome Johnson)
Special teams: Neil Rackers (added Jay Feely)
Tight end: Anthony Becht (added Jim Dray)
Wide receiver: Anquan Boldin, Sean Morey, Jerheme Urban (added Andre Roberts, Stephen Williams)
San Francisco 49ers (24 off roster)
Defensive backs: Dre' Bly, Walt Harris, Marcus Hudson, Mark Roman (added Phillip Adams, Tramaine Brock, William James, Taylor Mays)
Defensive line: Kentwan Balmer, Derek Walker
Linebacker: Scott McKillop, Jeff Ulbrich, Matt Wilhelm (added NaVorro Bowman, Travis LaBoy)
Offensive line: Tony Pashos, Chris Patrick, Cody Wallace (added Alex Boone, Anthony Davis, Mike Iupati)
Quarterback: Nate Davis, Shaun Hill (added David Carr, Troy Smith)
Running back: Thomas Clayton, Glen Coffee, Brit Miller, Michael Robinson (added Anthony Dixon, Brian Westbrook)
Special teams: Shane Andrus, Ricky Schmitt
Wide receiver: Arnaz Battle, Isaac Bruce, Jason Hill, Brandon Jones (added Ted Ginn Jr., Kyle Williams, Dominique Zeigler)
The first chart shows how many players are back -- at least for now -- from Week 17 rosters and injured reserve lists. Seattle has the fewest number back with 26.
The second chart shows how many players each team has shed since Week 17 last season. This counts players who were on injured reserve. Teams with lots of players on injured reserve had more players to lose.
I've addressed the subject in depth across the division -- first May 26 and again July 30 -- and it's worth another look now that teams have reduced to 53 players for the regular season.
This time, I'm going to break down the changes by position, listing players no longer on the active roster at each main position group (with new players in parenthesis). Departures outnumber replacements because some players finished last season on injured reserve, meaning they were not part of the 53-man roster.
Some players no longer on the active roster remain with the team (they could be suspended, deemed physically unable to perform or part of the practice squad).
St. Louis Rams (34 off roster)
Defensive back: Eric Bassey, Quincy Butler, Danny Gorrer, Clinton Hart, Cordelius Parks, David Roach, Jonathan Wade (added Kevin Dockery, Jerome Murphy, Darian Stewart)
Defensive line: Victor Adeyanju, Adam Carriker, Leger Douzable, Leonard Little, LaJuan Ramsey, James Wyche (added Jermelle Cudjo, Fred Robbins, George Selvie, Eugene Sims)
Linebacker: K.C. Asiodu, Paris Lenon (added Na'il Diggs, Josh Hull)
Offensive line: Roger Allen, Alex Barron, Ryan McKee, Mark Setterstrom, Phillip Trautwein, Eric Young (added Renardo Foster, Hank Fraley, Rodger Saffold)
Quarterback: Kyle Boller, Marc Bulger, Keith Null, Mike Reilly (added Sam Bradford, A.J. Feeley, Thaddeus Lewis)
Running back: Samkon Gado, Chris Ogbonnaya (added Keith Toston)
Special teams: Ryan Neill
Tight end: Randy McMichael (added Mike Hoomanawanui, Fendi Onobun)
Wide receiver: Donnie Avery, Keenan Burton, Brooks Foster, Jordan Kent, Ruvell Martin (added Mark Clayton, Dominique Curry, Mardy Gilyard)
Seattle Seahawks (33 off roster)
Defensive back: Jamar Adams, Deon Grant, Ken Lucas, Josh Wilson (added Kam Chancellor, Kennard Cox, Nate Ness, Earl Thomas, Walter Thurmond)
Defensive line: Lawrence Jackson, Patrick Kerney, Cory Redding, Nick Reed, Darryl Tapp, Craig Terrill (added Kentwan Balmer, Raheem Brock, Chris Clemons, Dexter Davis, Junior Siavii, E.J. Wilson)
Linebacker: Leroy Hill, Lance Laury, D.D. Lewis (added Matt McCoy; note that Hill is suspended for the first regular-season game)
Offensive line: Trevor Canfield, Brandon Frye, Walter Jones, Damion McIntosh, Rob Sims, Steve Vallos, Ray Willis, Mansfield Wrotto (added Stacy Andrews, Evan Dietrich-Smith, Ben Hamilton, Russell Okung, Chester Pitts, Tyler Polumbus)
Quarterback: Mike Teel, Seneca Wallace (added Charlie Whitehurst)
Running back: Justin Griffith, Louis Rankin, Tyler Roehl, Owen Schmitt (added Quinton Ganther, Michael Robinson, Leon Washington)
Special teams: Kevin Houser, Jeff Robinson (added Clint Gresham)
Tight end: John Owens (added Chris Baker, Anthony McCoy)
Wide receiver: Nate Burleson, T.J. Houshmandzadeh (added Golden Tate, Mike Williams)
Arizona Cardinals (24 off roster)
Defensive backs: Ralph Brown, Bryant McFadden, Antrel Rolle (added A.J. Jefferson, Trumaine McBride, Brandon McDonald, Kerry Rhodes)
Defensive line: Jason Banks (added Dan Williams)
Linebacker: Monty Beisel, Bertrand Berry, Cody Brown, Karlos Dansby, Gerald Hayes, Chike Okeafor, Pago Togafau (added Paris Lenon, Cyril Obiozor, Joey Porter, Daryl Washington; Hayes can return from the physically unable to perform list after six games)
Offensive line: Mike Gandy, Herman Johnson, Reggie Wells (added Alan Faneca, Rex Hadnot)
Quarterback: Matt Leinart, Brian St. Pierre, Kurt Warner (added Derek Anderson, Max Hall, John Skelton)
Running back: Justin Green, Dan Kreider (added Jerome Johnson)
Special teams: Neil Rackers (added Jay Feely)
Tight end: Anthony Becht (added Jim Dray)
Wide receiver: Anquan Boldin, Sean Morey, Jerheme Urban (added Andre Roberts, Stephen Williams)
San Francisco 49ers (24 off roster)
Defensive backs: Dre' Bly, Walt Harris, Marcus Hudson, Mark Roman (added Phillip Adams, Tramaine Brock, William James, Taylor Mays)
Defensive line: Kentwan Balmer, Derek Walker
Linebacker: Scott McKillop, Jeff Ulbrich, Matt Wilhelm (added NaVorro Bowman, Travis LaBoy)
Offensive line: Tony Pashos, Chris Patrick, Cody Wallace (added Alex Boone, Anthony Davis, Mike Iupati)
Quarterback: Nate Davis, Shaun Hill (added David Carr, Troy Smith)
Running back: Thomas Clayton, Glen Coffee, Brit Miller, Michael Robinson (added Anthony Dixon, Brian Westbrook)
Special teams: Shane Andrus, Ricky Schmitt
Wide receiver: Arnaz Battle, Isaac Bruce, Jason Hill, Brandon Jones (added Ted Ginn Jr., Kyle Williams, Dominique Zeigler)
The first chart shows how many players are back -- at least for now -- from Week 17 rosters and injured reserve lists. Seattle has the fewest number back with 26.
The second chart shows how many players each team has shed since Week 17 last season. This counts players who were on injured reserve. Teams with lots of players on injured reserve had more players to lose.
Another look at NFC West roster turnover
July, 30, 2010
7/30/10
10:56
AM ET
By
Mike Sando | ESPN.com
Count the Seattle Seahawks, St. Louis Rams and Arizona Cardinals are among NFL teams returning only one quarterback from their 2009 Week 17 rosters (counting players who were on injured reserve).
The Cleveland Browns and Denver Broncos are others.
It gets more interesting for Arizona. The Cardinals are one of three teams with fewer than four wide receivers returning from the final week of last season. The Washington Redskins and Philadelphia Eagles also have three.
Of course, it helps when Larry Fitzgerald is one of them. But with so much focus on Kurt Warner's retirement, the Cardinals turnover at receiver sometimes escapes attention. Anquan Boldin, Jerheme Urban and Sean Morey have all been part of the rotation in recent seasons. All are gone.
In revisiting the June 4 item charting roster turnover across the league, I tweaked the parameters to break down the numbers by position. It's easier to see where teams have blown up their rosters.
For example, the New England Patriots are the only team in the league with no tight ends returning (one of their castoffs, Chris Baker, landed in the NFC West with Seattle). The St. Louis Rams and Tampa Bay Bucs are the only teams with fewer than five linebackers returning (each has four).
The chart shows how many players at each position remain on NFC West rosters from Week 17 last season (again, counting players who were on injured reserve at that time). The Seahawks have the fewest players returning with 39. The Cardinals have the second-fewest with 40. The rest of the league has 48.8 players returning on average.
The Cleveland Browns and Denver Broncos are others.
It gets more interesting for Arizona. The Cardinals are one of three teams with fewer than four wide receivers returning from the final week of last season. The Washington Redskins and Philadelphia Eagles also have three.
Of course, it helps when Larry Fitzgerald is one of them. But with so much focus on Kurt Warner's retirement, the Cardinals turnover at receiver sometimes escapes attention. Anquan Boldin, Jerheme Urban and Sean Morey have all been part of the rotation in recent seasons. All are gone.
In revisiting the June 4 item charting roster turnover across the league, I tweaked the parameters to break down the numbers by position. It's easier to see where teams have blown up their rosters.
For example, the New England Patriots are the only team in the league with no tight ends returning (one of their castoffs, Chris Baker, landed in the NFC West with Seattle). The St. Louis Rams and Tampa Bay Bucs are the only teams with fewer than five linebackers returning (each has four).
The chart shows how many players at each position remain on NFC West rosters from Week 17 last season (again, counting players who were on injured reserve at that time). The Seahawks have the fewest players returning with 39. The Cardinals have the second-fewest with 40. The rest of the league has 48.8 players returning on average.
Bad teams aren't the only ones churning their rosters during the offseason.
The defending NFC West champion Arizona Cardinals have parted with 15 of the 53 players on their Week 17 roster from last season. Only the rebuilding Seahawks have parted with more -- 16 -- among division teams this offseason. The Rams have parted with 11. The 49ers, seeking continuity as they try to build on an 8-8 season, have parted with only three.
The first chart shows how many Week 17 starters and backups have returned to each NFC West team.
The second chart shows how many Week 17 starters and backups have left each NFC West team.
I'll first list the players by team.
Seattle (16): receiver Nate Burleson, quarterback Seneca Wallace, linebacker Lance Laury, defensive end Cory Redding, guard Trevor Canfield, quarterback Mike Teel, tackle Damion McIntosh, linebacker D.D. Lewis, snapper Jeff Robinson, fullback Justin Griffith, cornerback Ken Lucas, safety Deon Grant, defensive end Darryl Tapp, guard Rob Sims, tight end John Owens and defensive end Patrick Kerney.
Arizona (15): linebacker Pago Togafau, safety Antrel Rolle, receiver Jerheme Urban, receiver Sean Morey, kicker Neil Rackers, linebacker Bertrand Berry, fullback Dan Kreider, cornerback Ralph Brown, quarterback Brian St. Pierre, defensive end Jason Banks, receiver Anquan Boldin, linebacker Karlos Dansby, quarterback Kurt Warner, cornerback Bryant McFadden and linebacker Chike Okeafor. Note that Rolle did not start in Week 17.
St. Louis (11): defensive tackle LaJuan Ramsey, cornerback Jonathan Wade, receiver Ruvell Martin, quarterback Mike Reilly, defensive end Leonard Little, safety Clinton Hart, snapper Ryan Neill, running back Samkon Gado, linebacker Paris Lenon, tackle Alex Barron and tight end Randy McMichael.
San Francisco (5): receiver Arnaz Battle, cornerback Marcus Hudson, quarterback Shaun Hill, safety Mark Roman and cornerback Dre Bly.
The third chart shows what happened to players who were on injured reserve in Week 17.
I'll first list by team the players who were on IR but are no longer with their teams.
San Francisco (5): tackle Tony Pashos, punter Ricky Schmitt, linebacker Jeff Ulbrich, cornerback Walt Harris and running back Thomas Clayton.
Seattle (4): running back Tyler Roehl, tackle Walter Jones, snapper Kevin Houser and tackle Brandon Frye.
St. Louis (3): quarterback Marc Bulger, defensive tackle Adam Carriker and safety Eric Bassey.
Arizona (2): tackle Mike Gandy and fullback Justin Green.
The defending NFC West champion Arizona Cardinals have parted with 15 of the 53 players on their Week 17 roster from last season. Only the rebuilding Seahawks have parted with more -- 16 -- among division teams this offseason. The Rams have parted with 11. The 49ers, seeking continuity as they try to build on an 8-8 season, have parted with only three.
The first chart shows how many Week 17 starters and backups have returned to each NFC West team.
The second chart shows how many Week 17 starters and backups have left each NFC West team.
I'll first list the players by team.
Seattle (16): receiver Nate Burleson, quarterback Seneca Wallace, linebacker Lance Laury, defensive end Cory Redding, guard Trevor Canfield, quarterback Mike Teel, tackle Damion McIntosh, linebacker D.D. Lewis, snapper Jeff Robinson, fullback Justin Griffith, cornerback Ken Lucas, safety Deon Grant, defensive end Darryl Tapp, guard Rob Sims, tight end John Owens and defensive end Patrick Kerney.
Arizona (15): linebacker Pago Togafau, safety Antrel Rolle, receiver Jerheme Urban, receiver Sean Morey, kicker Neil Rackers, linebacker Bertrand Berry, fullback Dan Kreider, cornerback Ralph Brown, quarterback Brian St. Pierre, defensive end Jason Banks, receiver Anquan Boldin, linebacker Karlos Dansby, quarterback Kurt Warner, cornerback Bryant McFadden and linebacker Chike Okeafor. Note that Rolle did not start in Week 17.
St. Louis (11): defensive tackle LaJuan Ramsey, cornerback Jonathan Wade, receiver Ruvell Martin, quarterback Mike Reilly, defensive end Leonard Little, safety Clinton Hart, snapper Ryan Neill, running back Samkon Gado, linebacker Paris Lenon, tackle Alex Barron and tight end Randy McMichael.
San Francisco (5): receiver Arnaz Battle, cornerback Marcus Hudson, quarterback Shaun Hill, safety Mark Roman and cornerback Dre Bly.
The third chart shows what happened to players who were on injured reserve in Week 17.
I'll first list by team the players who were on IR but are no longer with their teams.
San Francisco (5): tackle Tony Pashos, punter Ricky Schmitt, linebacker Jeff Ulbrich, cornerback Walt Harris and running back Thomas Clayton.
Seattle (4): running back Tyler Roehl, tackle Walter Jones, snapper Kevin Houser and tackle Brandon Frye.
St. Louis (3): quarterback Marc Bulger, defensive tackle Adam Carriker and safety Eric Bassey.
Arizona (2): tackle Mike Gandy and fullback Justin Green.
» NFC On the Radar: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South
A player, coach or issue that should be on your radar as training camp approaches.
AP Photo/Elaine ThompsonFormer first-rounder Mike Williams was out of the NFL last year, but he finally appears serious about his career.Every team in the division is making some sort of transition at wide receiver. The position will be one to watch all summer.
A player, coach or issue that should be on your radar as training camp approaches.
AP Photo/Elaine ThompsonFormer first-rounder Mike Williams was out of the NFL last year, but he finally appears serious about his career.- Arizona: The Cardinals have parted with Anquan Boldin, Sean Morey and Jerheme Urban. Rookie third-round choice Andre Roberts hasn't gotten much attention to this point and the Cardinals shouldn't need much from him in the short term as long as Larry Fitzgerald, Steve Breaston and Early Doucet are healthy. Still, this group has undergone an offseason transformation.
- San Francisco: Michael Crabtree performed well as a rookie even after missing minicamps and training camp. Getting him on the field all summer will help Crabtree, quarterback Alex Smith and the offense. The 49ers will also be curious to see whether Ted Ginn Jr. can contribute anything to their offense. Isaac Bruce will retire and Brandon Jones will try to prove there's a place for him in the rotation.
- Seattle: Mike Williams, a bust as the 10th player drafted in 2005, is finally in shape and serious about his career. The Seahawks can't be sure he'll continue on this trajectory, which explains why coach Pete Carroll isn't getting too excited just yet. But every indication suggests Williams could emerge as an effective player under his former college coach. Williams always had the talent. He lacked the dedication to keep himself in shape and approach the game seriously. The Seahawks also parted with Nate Burleson and drafted Notre Dame's Golden Tate as part of a positional overhaul.
- St. Louis: Graduation rules prevent fourth-round choice Mardy Gilyard from practicing with the Rams until well into June, so the team will have to wait until training camp before getting a better read on what Gilyard might offer the offense. Might he become a difference-maker right away? The Rams face multiple other questions at the position and most relate to injuries. Donnie Avery, Laurent Robinson and Keenan Burton have had a hard time staying healthy.
» NFC Under-The-Radar: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South
» Draft Watch: Biggest needs (2/17) | Busts/gems (2/24) | Schemes, themes (3/3) | Recent history (3/10) | Needs revisited (3/17) | Under-the-radar needs (3/26) | History in that spot (3/31) | Draft approach (4/7) | Decision-makers (4/14) | Dream scenario/Plan B (4/21)
Each week leading up to the NFL draft (April 22-24), the ESPN.com blog network will take a division-by-division look at key aspects of the draft. Today’s topic: Under the radar needs.
Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals haven't had to address the receiver position in years and they're still strong at the top with Larry Fitzgerald and Steve Breaston. But with Anquan Boldin and Jerheme Urban elsewhere, the depth isn't what it used to be. Early Doucet should continue to develop. Sean Morey has yet to re-sign and he doesn't factor into the mix at receiver much anyway.
The special teams could be in transition as well. Morey has been a mainstay, but he has had concussion problems and could be nearing the end, even if he returns. Kicker Neil Rackers and safety Matt Ware also have yet to re-sign. Both could return, but there are no guarantees. Drafting LaRod Stephens-Howling last year gave the Cardinals an elite young special-teamer. Another one wouldn't hurt.
The Cardinals also could use a third-string quarterback in case Brian St. Pierre doesn't return or factor into their plans.
San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers never did find a backup blocking tight end last season. They released 2009 sixth-round pick Bear Pascoe, then went with only two tight ends on the active roster. Vernon Davis always has been an excellent blocker. He has become a dynamic downfield threat in the passing game. Delanie Walker fits the H-back mold. Adding another blocking tight end to pair with Davis situationally might help.
The situation at running back should be settled with Frank Gore and 2009 third-round choice Glen Coffee on the roster, but the 49ers could be in the market for a change-of-pace back with value as a return specialist. This one isn't necessarily under the radar -- the C.J. Spiller talk has been in high gear for weeks -- but running back is not a primary need.
Seattle Seahawks
Coach Pete Carroll pointed to Charlie Whitehurst's combination of size and athleticism as drawing points after Seattle acquired the quarterback from San Diego.
That could affect third-string quarterback Mike Teel, a sixth-round choice of the Seahawks' previous leadership. One scouting report on Teel read, "Lacks the mobility to consistently make plays outside the pocket." It's something to keep in mind as the Seahawks fill out their roster at quarterback behind Matt Hasselbeck and Whitehurst.
The situation at receiver also bears watching. Adding Brandon Marshall by trade would solve the problem. But with Nate Burleson leaving for the Lions, Seattle doesn't have much to offer at the position beyond 32-year-old T.J. Houshmandzadeh. Overpriced Deion Branch and unproven Deon Butler are next on the depth chart.
St. Louis Rams
The Rams have needs everywhere and I'm not sure how many are truly under the radar. But here goes.
Safety shouldn't be a serious need with Oshiomogho Atogwe around, but the draft could come and go without resolution to Atogwe's status. The Rams must bump their offer to Atogwe from $1.226 million into the $7 million range by June 1 to keep his rights.
Backup running back is another lower-profile area the Rams could stand to address. Steven Jackson wore down late last season.
» Draft Watch: Biggest needs (2/17) | Busts/gems (2/24) | Schemes, themes (3/3) | Recent history (3/10) | Needs revisited (3/17) | Under-the-radar needs (3/26) | History in that spot (3/31) | Draft approach (4/7) | Decision-makers (4/14) | Dream scenario/Plan B (4/21)
Each week leading up to the NFL draft (April 22-24), the ESPN.com blog network will take a division-by-division look at key aspects of the draft. Today’s topic: Under the radar needs.
Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals haven't had to address the receiver position in years and they're still strong at the top with Larry Fitzgerald and Steve Breaston. But with Anquan Boldin and Jerheme Urban elsewhere, the depth isn't what it used to be. Early Doucet should continue to develop. Sean Morey has yet to re-sign and he doesn't factor into the mix at receiver much anyway.
The special teams could be in transition as well. Morey has been a mainstay, but he has had concussion problems and could be nearing the end, even if he returns. Kicker Neil Rackers and safety Matt Ware also have yet to re-sign. Both could return, but there are no guarantees. Drafting LaRod Stephens-Howling last year gave the Cardinals an elite young special-teamer. Another one wouldn't hurt.
The Cardinals also could use a third-string quarterback in case Brian St. Pierre doesn't return or factor into their plans.
San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers never did find a backup blocking tight end last season. They released 2009 sixth-round pick Bear Pascoe, then went with only two tight ends on the active roster. Vernon Davis always has been an excellent blocker. He has become a dynamic downfield threat in the passing game. Delanie Walker fits the H-back mold. Adding another blocking tight end to pair with Davis situationally might help.
The situation at running back should be settled with Frank Gore and 2009 third-round choice Glen Coffee on the roster, but the 49ers could be in the market for a change-of-pace back with value as a return specialist. This one isn't necessarily under the radar -- the C.J. Spiller talk has been in high gear for weeks -- but running back is not a primary need.
Seattle Seahawks
Coach Pete Carroll pointed to Charlie Whitehurst's combination of size and athleticism as drawing points after Seattle acquired the quarterback from San Diego.
That could affect third-string quarterback Mike Teel, a sixth-round choice of the Seahawks' previous leadership. One scouting report on Teel read, "Lacks the mobility to consistently make plays outside the pocket." It's something to keep in mind as the Seahawks fill out their roster at quarterback behind Matt Hasselbeck and Whitehurst.
The situation at receiver also bears watching. Adding Brandon Marshall by trade would solve the problem. But with Nate Burleson leaving for the Lions, Seattle doesn't have much to offer at the position beyond 32-year-old T.J. Houshmandzadeh. Overpriced Deion Branch and unproven Deon Butler are next on the depth chart.
St. Louis Rams
The Rams have needs everywhere and I'm not sure how many are truly under the radar. But here goes.
Safety shouldn't be a serious need with Oshiomogho Atogwe around, but the draft could come and go without resolution to Atogwe's status. The Rams must bump their offer to Atogwe from $1.226 million into the $7 million range by June 1 to keep his rights.
Backup running back is another lower-profile area the Rams could stand to address. Steven Jackson wore down late last season.
Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch quotes Colts owner Jim Irsay as saying Shahid Khan's bid to purchase the Rams could be headed for approval. Irsay: "I think indications are that (Khan's) strength of wealth is there. His background and those sort of things are really positive. It's not something that we've got our final reports on, but all indications are that it's trending in a positive direction for him." Thomas also checks in with part-owner Stan Kroenke, who isn't saying how he'll proceed. Thomas: "In reality, Kroenke probably has only two options: maintain his 40 percent share or sell it. Because in pretty strong language Monday, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell indicated that the league wasn't inclined to bend its cross-ownership rules to allow Kroenke to match (Shahid) Khan's offer." Kroenke also owns the Denver Nuggets and Colorado Avalanche.
Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch estimates there's a 20 percent chance Marc Bulger could return to the Rams in 2010. Miklasz: "Unless something unexpected develops, the Rams will draft Sam Bradford and they have A.J. Feeley to serve as an interim QB while they get the rookie ready to play. And what would be the point of keeping Bulger -- who makes big money -- around as a highly expensive third quarterback? That doesn’t seem to make a lot of sense. If the Rams back away from Bradford AND decline to draft a QB in the 2nd or 3rd round -- a QB that figures in their short-term plans -- then I could see them revisiting the idea of keeping Bulger. But that is unlikely." I can't see Bulger returning.
Howard Balzer of the St. Louis Globe-Democrat provides a general Rams update, noting that the team did not work out Sam Bradford or give him a physical examination during a recent meeting with him in Florida.
Danny O'Neil of the Seattle Times lists the Seahawks' additions and subtractions to this point in free agency. O'Neil on Cory Redding: "Redding lost his starting job after three games. He got his first sack in the 10th game. But when coach Pete Carroll was hired, Redding was one [of] the players he mentioned in radio interviews as a lineman the team was hoping to find an effective role for. And to be fair, Redding was one of the most impactful players on the defense over the final month of the season. Coincidence or contract? You be the judge on that one."
John Morgan of Field Gulls isn't expecting much from new Seahawks quarterback Charlie Whitehurst. Morgan: "A team can wager a lot or a little on a low-value asset. It can see Whitehurst for what he is, a backup quarterback with some warts and some potential not unlike Brady Quinn or Derek Anderson, or it can lock onto one player, forego negotiations and pay the sticker price for his services. Seattle did the latter." I think the Seahawks settled for Whitehurst after determining they did not like Seneca Wallace, could not get Kevin Kolb for a reasonable price and did not feel comfortable with the quarterbacks most likely to be available in the draft. That doesn't seem like the best way to find a quarterback. The question then becomes whether the Seahawks paid too much for what they're getting.
Darren Urban of azcardinals.com isn't sure where the Cardinals go from here in free agency. He thinks Sean Morey wants to return to the team despite making a free-agent visit to Seattle. I think there's a decent chance Morey winds up with the Seahawks. It's looking like Arizona will be overhauling much of its receiving corps. Anquan Boldin and Jerheme Urban are already gone. Morey was more of a special-teamer, but he counted as a receiver on game days when the Cardinals configured their 45-man roster. Taking him out of the mix could give Arizona three new receivers on game days who weren't part of the regular rotation when the 2010 season opened. Early Doucet supplanted Urban during the season. Also from Urban: "Veterans who are waiting now for bigger potential deals probably aren’t going to get them, and historically it’s even harder to get a decent deal after the draft because teams have filled up their holes with new talent that can be home-grown. What happens to Mike Gandy or Chike Okeafor, for instance (other than that they won’t be in Arizona)?"
Gwen Knapp of the San Francisco Chronicle says the 49ers need to hire another general manager after parting with Scot McCloughan. Knapp: "There are NFL teams that can afford to be creative and defy the standard structure of a front office. The 49ers are absolutely, categorically, definitively not one of them. They have a team president and head coach with less than three years' experience between them, a roster that has not been properly updated this offseason and a seven-year absence from the playoffs."
Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee provides an overview of Jed York's comments regarding Scot McCloughan's departure as general manager. Barrows: "York said that he has yet to decide on the structure of the team's front office moving forward, and that he wasn't sure whether he would have a general manager in the future. He said those decisions would be made after the draft. He was resolute, however, in stating that neither he nor his top lieutenant, Paraag Marathe, would become the team's general manager."
Matt Maiocco of the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat passes along York's commitment to Alex Smith as the starting quarterback. York sounded a lot like McCloughan. York: "I think it's great this is the first time he's had continuity at the offensive coordinator. When you have some weapons around him with Crab (Michael Crabtree) with Vernon (Davis) with Frank (Gore), I think Alex is poised to have a good season for us. And (we're) more excited that Alex is our starting quarterback."
Lowell Cohn of the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat says York's comments raised more questions. Cohn: "If the Niners don't have a GM what will they have?"
Daniel Brown of the San Jose Mercury News says McCloughan would have kept his job absent personal issues, according to York.
NFC West teams continue to reshape their rosters.
I've kept pace with the changes and made available my latest 26-column, steroid-enhanced rosters. Download here.
The Cardinals' quarterback count includes Kurt Warner because Arizona hasn't removed him from its roster (a formality).
Some have asked about Arizona's situation at receiver. The team is carrying only five wideouts. Onrea Jones and Ed Gant are two of them. With Anquan Boldin and Jerheme Urban gone, the Cardinals do need to find a fourth receiver. Perhaps they'll draft one. Sean Morey visited Seattle this week.
Some of the information on these rosters is incomplete. I haven't updated starters. I haven't updated all jersey numbers for new players or recently re-signed players.
There's plenty of functionality built into this file. You can rearrange the information to your liking through the pivot table on the first worksheet. I've got it set up to show the information in the chart below (players on the active roster, plus restricted free agents).
I've kept pace with the changes and made available my latest 26-column, steroid-enhanced rosters. Download here.
The Cardinals' quarterback count includes Kurt Warner because Arizona hasn't removed him from its roster (a formality).
Some have asked about Arizona's situation at receiver. The team is carrying only five wideouts. Onrea Jones and Ed Gant are two of them. With Anquan Boldin and Jerheme Urban gone, the Cardinals do need to find a fourth receiver. Perhaps they'll draft one. Sean Morey visited Seattle this week.
Some of the information on these rosters is incomplete. I haven't updated starters. I haven't updated all jersey numbers for new players or recently re-signed players.
There's plenty of functionality built into this file. You can rearrange the information to your liking through the pivot table on the first worksheet. I've got it set up to show the information in the chart below (players on the active roster, plus restricted free agents).
Arizona Cardinals
Unrestricted free agents: TE Anthony Becht, LB Monty Beisel, LB Bertrand Berry (retired), LT Jeremy Bridges, CB Ralph Brown, LB Karlos Dansby, LT Mike Gandy, FB Dan Kreider, WR Sean Morey, LB Chike Okeafor, K Neil Rackers, NT Bryan Robinson, QB Brian St. Pierre, S Matt Ware.
Restricted free agents: SS Hamza Abdullah, WR Steve Breaston, G Ben Claxton, FB Justin Green, LG Deuce Lutui, TE Ben Patrick, C Lyle Sendlein, TE Stephen Spach, WR Jerheme Urban, NT Gabe Watson.
Franchise player: none
What to expect: The Cardinals generally do not pursue marquee free agents from other teams. That trend figures to continue. The Cardinals have too many of their own free agents to re-sign for them to worry about chasing other teams' castoffs. We might see Arizona plug the roster with a few lower-tier free agents. They had success doing that last offseason, particularly with Becht at tight end. Dansby leads the list of 2009 starters expected to depart. Arizona is reportedly interested in quarterback David Carr.
St. Louis Rams
Unrestricted free agents: QB Kyle Boller, DE James Hall, SS Clinton Hart, LB Paris Lenon, DE Leonard Little, LS Chris Massey, TE Randy McMichael.
Restricted free agents: S Eric Bassey, S Craig Dahl, TE Daniel Fells, LS Ryan Neill, DT Clifton Ryan, CB Jonathan Wade, DE Victory Adeyanju, FS Oshiomogho Atogwe, T Alex Barron, RB Sam Gado, DT Gary Gibson, WR Ruvell Martin, G Mark Setterstrom.
Franchise player: none
What to expect: The Rams could be in the market for a veteran quarterback such as Chad Pennington. Beyond quarterback, coach Steve Spagnuolo said the Rams could use a little more seasoning in the form of veteran role players. The Rams will remain a young team, but they could add some experience. The team parted with players fitting that profile last offseason, but most had inflated salaries. The ones St. Louis adds this year figure to carry lower price tags in most cases. The Rams have said they want Little and Hall back. McMichael figures to be gone.
Seattle Seahawks
Unrestricted free agents: WR Nate Burleson, FB Justin Griffith, LS Kevin Houser, LB D.D. Lewis, CB Ken Lucas, T Damion McIntosh, S Lawyer Milloy, DE Cory Redding, LS Jeff Robinson.
Restricted free agents: T Brandon Frye, WR Ben Obomanu, LB Lance Laury, G Rob Sims, G Chris Spencer, DE Darryl Tapp.
Franchise player: K Olindo Mare
What to expect: The Seahawks are a little difficult to figure. Their owner has the money to bankroll aggressive spending if Seattle chooses to go that route. Coach Pete Carroll surely realizes the team could use talent upgrades. The new general manager, John Schneider, comes from the Ted Thompson school of personnel. Thompson's aversion for free agency is well established, although Schneider has characterized himself as slightly more aggressive. The problem, of course, is finding good players on the market. Burleson will hit the market. He could return if the price is right. Carroll has said nice things about Redding, who should be affordable.
San Francisco 49ers
Unrestricted free agents: WR Arnaz Battle, CB Dre Bly, CB Walt Harris, T Tony Pashos, FS Mark Roman, T Barry Sims, LB Jeff Ulbrich (retired), LB Matt Wilhelm.
Restricted free agents: LG David Baas, LB Ahmad Brooks, CB Marcus Hudson.
Franchise player: NT Aubrayo Franklin
What to expect: The 49ers have largely turned their back on free agency now that they feel better about their roster. I would expect the team to lay low again when the signing period begins late Thursday night on the West Coast.
Unrestricted free agents: TE Anthony Becht, LB Monty Beisel, LB Bertrand Berry (retired), LT Jeremy Bridges, CB Ralph Brown, LB Karlos Dansby, LT Mike Gandy, FB Dan Kreider, WR Sean Morey, LB Chike Okeafor, K Neil Rackers, NT Bryan Robinson, QB Brian St. Pierre, S Matt Ware.
Restricted free agents: SS Hamza Abdullah, WR Steve Breaston, G Ben Claxton, FB Justin Green, LG Deuce Lutui, TE Ben Patrick, C Lyle Sendlein, TE Stephen Spach, WR Jerheme Urban, NT Gabe Watson.
Franchise player: none
What to expect: The Cardinals generally do not pursue marquee free agents from other teams. That trend figures to continue. The Cardinals have too many of their own free agents to re-sign for them to worry about chasing other teams' castoffs. We might see Arizona plug the roster with a few lower-tier free agents. They had success doing that last offseason, particularly with Becht at tight end. Dansby leads the list of 2009 starters expected to depart. Arizona is reportedly interested in quarterback David Carr.
St. Louis Rams
Unrestricted free agents: QB Kyle Boller, DE James Hall, SS Clinton Hart, LB Paris Lenon, DE Leonard Little, LS Chris Massey, TE Randy McMichael.
Restricted free agents: S Eric Bassey, S Craig Dahl, TE Daniel Fells, LS Ryan Neill, DT Clifton Ryan, CB Jonathan Wade, DE Victory Adeyanju, FS Oshiomogho Atogwe, T Alex Barron, RB Sam Gado, DT Gary Gibson, WR Ruvell Martin, G Mark Setterstrom.
Franchise player: none
What to expect: The Rams could be in the market for a veteran quarterback such as Chad Pennington. Beyond quarterback, coach Steve Spagnuolo said the Rams could use a little more seasoning in the form of veteran role players. The Rams will remain a young team, but they could add some experience. The team parted with players fitting that profile last offseason, but most had inflated salaries. The ones St. Louis adds this year figure to carry lower price tags in most cases. The Rams have said they want Little and Hall back. McMichael figures to be gone.
Seattle Seahawks
Unrestricted free agents: WR Nate Burleson, FB Justin Griffith, LS Kevin Houser, LB D.D. Lewis, CB Ken Lucas, T Damion McIntosh, S Lawyer Milloy, DE Cory Redding, LS Jeff Robinson.
Restricted free agents: T Brandon Frye, WR Ben Obomanu, LB Lance Laury, G Rob Sims, G Chris Spencer, DE Darryl Tapp.
Franchise player: K Olindo Mare
What to expect: The Seahawks are a little difficult to figure. Their owner has the money to bankroll aggressive spending if Seattle chooses to go that route. Coach Pete Carroll surely realizes the team could use talent upgrades. The new general manager, John Schneider, comes from the Ted Thompson school of personnel. Thompson's aversion for free agency is well established, although Schneider has characterized himself as slightly more aggressive. The problem, of course, is finding good players on the market. Burleson will hit the market. He could return if the price is right. Carroll has said nice things about Redding, who should be affordable.
San Francisco 49ers
Unrestricted free agents: WR Arnaz Battle, CB Dre Bly, CB Walt Harris, T Tony Pashos, FS Mark Roman, T Barry Sims, LB Jeff Ulbrich (retired), LB Matt Wilhelm.
Restricted free agents: LG David Baas, LB Ahmad Brooks, CB Marcus Hudson.
Franchise player: NT Aubrayo Franklin
What to expect: The 49ers have largely turned their back on free agency now that they feel better about their roster. I would expect the team to lay low again when the signing period begins late Thursday night on the West Coast.
Albert Breer of the Boston Globe checks in with a few familiar names, including Robert Kraft and Steve Sidwell, regarding Pete Carroll's chances for success in Seattle. They think Carroll has a better chance now than he had with the Patriots because the coach will have more control over personnel. Kraft: "I think that's fair. That experience was very helpful for me, because I saw the dissension that could be there between personnel and coaching: 'Well, the coach isn’t playing the guy right' or 'He didn’t get me the right personnel.' Every situation is different. The one thing I learned is I wanted to minimize division from within. I don’t think when Pete was here the organization was as supportive of him as it could’ve been to allow him to function in an ideal manner. Sometimes you meet special people, but it’s just not at the right time of your life."
Danny O'Neil of the Seattle Times looks at the differences between pro and college coaching, with an eye toward what it means for Carroll. Lofa Tatupu: "The man can coach, bottom line. That's pretty much what I'm going to leave it at."
Also from O'Neil: Kippy Brown is reportedly leaving the University of Tennessee to coach the Seahawks' receivers.
Greg Johns of seattlepi.com passes along Carroll's comments confirming Gus Bradley's retention as defensive coordinator in Seattle. Carroll will be heavily involved in the defense. Like Bradley, Carroll worked previously with Monte Kiffin. With Jerry Gray expected to coach the secondary and Alex Gibbs onboard as offensive line coach, Carroll appears to be putting together a strong staff.
Dave Boling of the Tacoma News Tribune says Gibbs' hiring is critical for the Seahawks. Boling: "Yes, Carroll was the high-profile hire, drawing more national attention than just about anybody the Seahawks could have named. And the acquisition of the general manager -- probably this week -- will go a long way to determining how the team goes about elevating its level of talent. But the hiring of Gibbs as offensive line coach (along with the title of assistant head coach), does two things: 1) It makes a statement about ownership’s commitment to upgrading the staff, and 2) It makes this team immeasurably tougher."
Paola Boivin of the Arizona Republic counts the reasons for Kurt Warner to return in 2010. Warner on his thought process last offseason: "A few days after [the season] was over and I was away from it, I missed the game already, and I was excited about going back and playing. If I'm still thinking about it a few days after the season, then it's not out of my system yet."
Odeen Domingo and Bob McManaman of the Arizona Republic say the Cardinals' Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie might have suffered ligament damage to his knee Saturday.
Also from Domingo: Karlos Dansby says leaving the Cardinals as a free agent would be difficult. Dansby: "I've been here since we played at Sun Devil (Stadium). We were at Sun Devil in 107-degree games at night. It was tough, man. But we fought through it. If I have to leave, that's the way the game goes. I've seen a lot of people come, a lot of people go. I've been around for a while. That's how this business goes. Wed' like to have everybody back and come back strong, try to make another run at it. But unfortunately, it might not pan out like that."
Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic says the Cardinals view their season as a success, even though they lost before reaching their goals. Coach Ken Whisenhunt: "There are a lot of teams that would switch with us. We are one of the top eight teams in the league. I consider it a successful season for us. Based on what I read or what I hear, we can improve in all areas; we did a lot of things wrong this year. So hopefully we can clean those up and get better. I think that is what the next weeks, months [are for], our process of evaluating our team. Nothing is ever perfect. We did a lot of things well; we did a lot of things not so well."
Also from Somers: Notes and thoughts from the Cardinals-Saints game, including how Jerheme Urban's fumble could affect his future with the team. I had the same thought.
Darren Urban of azcardinals.com looks at the role injuries played in the Cardinals' ultimate demise.
Also from Urban: Cardinals players aren't sure how much the roster will change next season.
Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says Warner has every reason to retire. Thirty-one NFL teams surely agree. Miklasz: "There's nothing left for Warner to gain, but he has much to lose. Kurt and wife Brenda have seven children at home. As Warner told me in an interview earlier this year, he wants to be healthy and vibrant and immersed in their lives."
Also from Miklasz: Michael Vick would bring pizzazz to the Rams. Miklasz: "The Rams need a starting quarterback. The Rams need a lot of things, as evidenced by their 6-42 record and last-place NFL ranking in points scored over the last three seasons. So yes, there is a fit. And there are some obvious connections in play here. Rams GM Billy Devaney was part of the Atlanta organization during Vick's career there and visited Vick in prison. Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo and offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur are former assistants to Eagles coach Andy Reid and they trust his judgment. If Reid recommends Vick, Spagnuolo will listen." Vick's price would define the risks associated with acquiring him. The Rams should not invest their future in Vick, but if they can get him at a reasonable price and they feel as though he isn't a significant risk for off-field embarrassment, the move would be easier to justify.
Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee says Warner's retirement would certainly help the 49ers' push to win the NFC West title. Barrows: "If Warner retires, you'd have to consider the 49ers the favorites in the NFC West. Seattle, after all, is overhauling its coaching staff and front office. The Rams are where the 49ers were four years ago. Of course, the offseason could bring other, not-as-pleasant surprises that would change the division dynamic, such as Donovan McNabb winding up in Arizona or Seattle." The way Matt Leinart played in relief this season suggests the Cardinals would have a hard time maintaining their success on offense, at least in its current form. Leinart had multiple changes to look good, but he rarely did. The scoring drive Leinart led at Tennessee was probably the high point for him during the 2009 season.
Cardinals run out of players, answers
January, 16, 2010
1/16/10
11:03
PM ET
By
Mike Sando | ESPN.com
Ronald Martinez/Getty ImagesKurt Warner was briefly knocked out of the game during the first half in Arizona's loss to New Orleans.They were no match for the New Orleans Saints.
This 45-14 defeat in the NFC divisional playoff round shouldn't take long to digest or dissect.
Quite a few of the Cardinals' problems were beyond their control. Losing safety Antrel Rolle and cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie to early injuries put Arizona in a nearly impossible predicament against Drew Brees and the NFL's highest-scoring offense in 2009.
This was the second week in a row Arizona faced a dynamic quarterback, a reflection of life in the NFC this postseason.
And the atmosphere in the Superdome would have put any offense at a severe disadvantage.
The only way the Cardinals could have kept this game close with Greg Toler at corner and Hamza Abdullah at safety was to control the clock by leaning on a bruising ground game. Inside linebacker Gerald Hayes was already out. Nose tackle Gabe Watson suffered a knee injury.
Trailing 28-14 with 6:48 left before halftime, Arizona needed to attack the Saints' suspect run defense with Tim Hightower and Beanie Wells. Closing the half with a clock-eating touchdown drive was their only chance.
Instead, the Cardinals got cute and it cost them. Facing second-and-6 from their own 32, they spread the field with four wide receivers for only the second time in a 14-play span. Pressure affected quarterback Kurt Warner. A quick flip pass didn't fool Saints defensive end Will Smith. Smith tipped the ball to himself and headed upfield.
Warner took a crushing hit trying to make the tackle. The glassy look in his eyes suggested another concussion. It's a mystery how Warner avoided one. Chest and rib injuries knocked him from the game for the rest of the half. The Cardinals trailed 35-14 by the time Warner recovered enough to reenter the game.
Season over.
"It just wasn't our day today," Rolle said.
Warner's postseason brilliance makes it tough to criticize any Arizona plan to lean on the quarterback. But the Cardinals' ground game after the first offensive play amounted mostly to cute little inside handoffs from passing formations, not tone-setters with two tight ends like the one that sprung Hightower's 70-yard scoring run on the game's first play.
Warner vs. 5-or-More Pass Rushers
New Orleans sent at least five pass rushers on 12 of Warner's 27 pass plays (44.4 percent) compared to just 21 percent by the Packers last week.
| Category | vs. GB | vs. NO |
|---|---|---|
| Comp.-Att. | 6-7 | 6-11 |
| Yards | 69 | 61 |
| Yards/Att. | 9.9 | 5.5 |
| Passer Rtg. | 147.3 | 32.8 |
| * Warner: 94.8 rating vs 5-or-more rushers in regular season | ||
Warner had thrown an interception six plays before Wells' scoring run, a turnover negated only when officials flagged Saints linebacker Scott Shanle for roughing the passer. The Superdome crowd, as loud as any I can recall hearing this season, was giving the Saints' pass-rushers an advantage off the ball.
Arizona passed on five of its first six second-down plays, situations that presented opportunities to slow down the game with Wells and Hightower. The single run was a give-up play on second-and-long. The interception negated by Shanle's penalty came on another second-down throw.
Did the Cardinals do enough to set the tone on the ground?
"I don't have an answer for you on that," Warner said. "We just weren't able to establish much down the stretch to get back in the game."
Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt has had the right answers more often than not. Arizona has improved its record every season under him.
One late-season move had negative consequences Sunday.
Asking receiver Anquan Boldin to play one more series against Green Bay in Week 17 looked bad when Boldin suffered ankle and knee injuries that would prevent him from playing again this season. The decision to leave Boldin on the field in that meaningless game looked even worse when receiver Jerheme Urban -- active only because Boldin could not play -- fumbled following a 28-yard gain on the Cardinals' second possession Saturday.
The turnover was a killer for Arizona.
"You can't do that," Whisenhunt said. "Not in this situation against that team, against that offense."
No doubt.
A stronger commitment to the ground game might have helped Arizona, but it wasn't going to change the eventual outcome. The Saints were just better. Brees, like the Cowboys' Tony Romo, has been too good for postseason success to elude him forever.
"Are the Saints that much better than us?" Darnell Dockett asked. "Today they were, and you have to hand it to them."
The Cardinals needed to force turnovers to win. They had no realistic shot at doing that once Rolle and Rodgers-Cromartie left the game. Rodgers-Cromartie had four interceptions over the last three full games he played before Saturday. Rolle picked off four passes in the Cardinals' first nine games this season, but injuries bothered him down the stretch.
Good health was the difference for Arizona during its Super Bowl run last season.
The 2009 Cardinals ran out of players. They also forgot how to tackle, allowing 90 points in two playoff games, an unacceptable total.
Whisenhunt and the Cardinals must figure out two things this offseason.
They need to determine whether their late-season defensive collapse had more to do with injuries and the opponents they faced or anything related to scheme or front-line personnel. And then they need to convince Warner to return for one more run at a championship.
"I have lots of ideas in my head, but what I need to do now is just get away," Warner said.
When Warner assesses his options, he'll see a team that can go all the way with a few upgrades and better luck with injuries. This was no way for anyone to go out.
Rapid Reaction: Saints 45, Cardinals 14
January, 16, 2010
1/16/10
7:35
PM ET
By
Mike Sando | ESPN.com
NEW ORLEANS -- The Cardinals were outmanned on defense and sloppy on offense.
Their offensive approach also seemed questionable when Arizona failed to more fully explore holes in the Saints' run defense when the score was still close enough for the Cardinals to stick with their game plan.
Not that it probably mattered. The Saints were the better team. The Cardinals needed a near-perfect performance. They weren't even close to delivering.
The fumble receiver Jerheme Urban lost on the Cardinals' second offensive play squandered the momentum Arizona built with Tim Hightower's 70-yard touchdown run on the first play from scrimmage.
Turnovers are important for every team, but especially so for Arizona. The Cardinals entered the game with a 22-1 record under Ken Whisenhunt when they won the turnover battle. They were 2-19 when they lost it and 7-2 when finishing even in turnovers.
Arizona is now 2-20 under Whisenhunt when suffering more turnovers than the opposition.
The Cardinals were fortunate to get out of the Superdome with quarterback Kurt Warner still able to function, albeit at less than full strength after suffering a chest injury.
The Saints exploited the Cardinals' age at outside linebacker and depth in the secondary. Arizona couldn't get pressure and couldn't cover even before injuries sidelined cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and safety Antrel Rolle. Without Rodgers-Cromartie and Rolle to worry about, Saints quarterback Drew Brees had an easier time picking on cornerback Bryant McFadden. Arizona's defense also continued to suffer from poor tackling.
The Cardinals go into this offseason facing important questions. Warner's thoughts on retirement will be pivotal. On defense, they allowed 45 points in each of their two playoff games. That is unacceptable even against great quarterbacks.
Their offensive approach also seemed questionable when Arizona failed to more fully explore holes in the Saints' run defense when the score was still close enough for the Cardinals to stick with their game plan.
Not that it probably mattered. The Saints were the better team. The Cardinals needed a near-perfect performance. They weren't even close to delivering.
The fumble receiver Jerheme Urban lost on the Cardinals' second offensive play squandered the momentum Arizona built with Tim Hightower's 70-yard touchdown run on the first play from scrimmage.
Turnovers are important for every team, but especially so for Arizona. The Cardinals entered the game with a 22-1 record under Ken Whisenhunt when they won the turnover battle. They were 2-19 when they lost it and 7-2 when finishing even in turnovers.
Arizona is now 2-20 under Whisenhunt when suffering more turnovers than the opposition.
The Cardinals were fortunate to get out of the Superdome with quarterback Kurt Warner still able to function, albeit at less than full strength after suffering a chest injury.
The Saints exploited the Cardinals' age at outside linebacker and depth in the secondary. Arizona couldn't get pressure and couldn't cover even before injuries sidelined cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and safety Antrel Rolle. Without Rodgers-Cromartie and Rolle to worry about, Saints quarterback Drew Brees had an easier time picking on cornerback Bryant McFadden. Arizona's defense also continued to suffer from poor tackling.
The Cardinals go into this offseason facing important questions. Warner's thoughts on retirement will be pivotal. On defense, they allowed 45 points in each of their two playoff games. That is unacceptable even against great quarterbacks.
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.
