NFC West: Larry Foote
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» 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 Wednesday 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: Biggest needs revisited.
Arizona Cardinals
Losing Karlos Dansby in free agency and not signing Larry Foote left the Cardinals with a need at inside linebacker even though Paris Lenon's addition helped some.
Safety could have been another concern, but the Cardinals acted quickly to replace Antrel Rolle with Kerry Rhodes. The Cardinals also protected themselves on the offensive line by adding guard Rex Hadnot and re-signing tackle Jeremy Bridges. Those moves bought some flexibility in the draft.
The Cardinals aren't picking early enough to seriously consider landing a franchise quarterback, although that could be a position of need even after the team signs a veteran to push Matt Leinart. Leinart's contract balloons in value in 2011.
Arizona still could stand to bolster its defensive line in the draft, particularly at nose tackle.
San Francisco 49ers
The opening weeks of free agency have only confirmed the 49ers' needs on the offensive line. It's important for the team to find a starting right tackle. A starter or at least quality depth at guard would also help.
Offensive tackle was a draft need even before Tony Pashos signed with Cleveland and Barry Sims scheduled a visit with the Redskins. Sims has had value as a swing tackle. Pashos provided more depth even though he was one-dimensional as a right tackle only
Cornerback remains an obvious position for the 49ers to target in the draft. They've relied on older veterans at the position in recent seasons. Nate Clements' long-term future with the team is in some question. The 49ers haven't addressed the position in free agency. The draft awaits.
Finally, the 49ers have been visiting with free-agent linebacker Akin Ayodele. Signing Ayodele would give the team welcome veteran depth at inside linebacker behind Patrick Willis and Takeo Spikes. That type of signing would address a potential draft need.
Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks' needs have become more obvious since the free-agent signing period opened. Deon Grant's release left Jordan Babineaux and Jamar Adams as the only safeties under contract. That's a position the Seahawks need to address, probably in the draft.
Existing needs included offensive tackle, guard, quarterback, defensive end and cornerback.
Seattle could sensibly address the need at guard by signing a veteran free agent such as Ben Hamilton, who has experience in line coach Alex Gibbs' system. The Seahawks' interest in Chargers backup quarterback Charlie Whitehurst could lead to a trade that would address another need.
The team is different but not necessarily better at defensive end after sending Darryl Tapp to the Eagles for Chris Clemons and a 2010 fourth-round choice. Defensive end remains a need as Seattle tries to improve its pass rush.
St. Louis Rams
The Rams' draft scenarios came into clearer focus when the team signed A.J. Feeley as its No. 2 quarterback before adding defensive tackle Fred Robbins.
The moves set up the Rams to select a quarterback first overall if Sam Bradford appeals to them. Feeley could mentor Bradford while Robbins provided needed muscle on defense (the Rams would be bypassing defensive tackles Ndamukong Suh and Gerald McCoy under this scenario).
The Rams haven't upgraded their front-line talent in free agency. Their core draft needs remain. Losing pass-rushers Leonard Little and/or James Hall in free agency would accentuate the immediate need for help in that area. The Saints might have interest in one or both.
Placing the lowest tender on restricted free agent Oshiomogho Atogwe showed the Rams could be willing to part with him. Losing him would create another need along with linebacker. The Rams have shown interest in veteran linebacker Na'il Diggs, but they need more young talent at the position and the draft could help.
» 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 Wednesday 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: Biggest needs revisited.
Arizona Cardinals
Losing Karlos Dansby in free agency and not signing Larry Foote left the Cardinals with a need at inside linebacker even though Paris Lenon's addition helped some.
Safety could have been another concern, but the Cardinals acted quickly to replace Antrel Rolle with Kerry Rhodes. The Cardinals also protected themselves on the offensive line by adding guard Rex Hadnot and re-signing tackle Jeremy Bridges. Those moves bought some flexibility in the draft.
The Cardinals aren't picking early enough to seriously consider landing a franchise quarterback, although that could be a position of need even after the team signs a veteran to push Matt Leinart. Leinart's contract balloons in value in 2011.
Arizona still could stand to bolster its defensive line in the draft, particularly at nose tackle.
San Francisco 49ers
The opening weeks of free agency have only confirmed the 49ers' needs on the offensive line. It's important for the team to find a starting right tackle. A starter or at least quality depth at guard would also help.
Offensive tackle was a draft need even before Tony Pashos signed with Cleveland and Barry Sims scheduled a visit with the Redskins. Sims has had value as a swing tackle. Pashos provided more depth even though he was one-dimensional as a right tackle only
Cornerback remains an obvious position for the 49ers to target in the draft. They've relied on older veterans at the position in recent seasons. Nate Clements' long-term future with the team is in some question. The 49ers haven't addressed the position in free agency. The draft awaits.
Finally, the 49ers have been visiting with free-agent linebacker Akin Ayodele. Signing Ayodele would give the team welcome veteran depth at inside linebacker behind Patrick Willis and Takeo Spikes. That type of signing would address a potential draft need.
Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks' needs have become more obvious since the free-agent signing period opened. Deon Grant's release left Jordan Babineaux and Jamar Adams as the only safeties under contract. That's a position the Seahawks need to address, probably in the draft.
Existing needs included offensive tackle, guard, quarterback, defensive end and cornerback.
Seattle could sensibly address the need at guard by signing a veteran free agent such as Ben Hamilton, who has experience in line coach Alex Gibbs' system. The Seahawks' interest in Chargers backup quarterback Charlie Whitehurst could lead to a trade that would address another need.
The team is different but not necessarily better at defensive end after sending Darryl Tapp to the Eagles for Chris Clemons and a 2010 fourth-round choice. Defensive end remains a need as Seattle tries to improve its pass rush.
St. Louis Rams
The Rams' draft scenarios came into clearer focus when the team signed A.J. Feeley as its No. 2 quarterback before adding defensive tackle Fred Robbins.
The moves set up the Rams to select a quarterback first overall if Sam Bradford appeals to them. Feeley could mentor Bradford while Robbins provided needed muscle on defense (the Rams would be bypassing defensive tackles Ndamukong Suh and Gerald McCoy under this scenario).
The Rams haven't upgraded their front-line talent in free agency. Their core draft needs remain. Losing pass-rushers Leonard Little and/or James Hall in free agency would accentuate the immediate need for help in that area. The Saints might have interest in one or both.
Placing the lowest tender on restricted free agent Oshiomogho Atogwe showed the Rams could be willing to part with him. Losing him would create another need along with linebacker. The Rams have shown interest in veteran linebacker Na'il Diggs, but they need more young talent at the position and the draft could help.
Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says he hasn't heard anything about a potential trade sending Adam Carriker to the Redskins as a 3-4 defensive end in Jim Haslett's defense. Thomas: "I've done some checking, and I can't find any validity to these Carriker/Redskins trade rumors. But that doesn't necessarily mean he has a future here. For the most part, the current regime doesn't seem to be too fond of players who preceded them. Carriker didn't play at all last year and his been bugged by injuries his first two years, so I don't think he would bring much. A late-round pick maybe?"
Also from Thomas: Mark Setterstrom returns for a fifth season with the Rams after signing a one-year deal.
Danny O'Neil of the Seattle Times says the Seahawks reached into defensive coordinator Gus Bradley's past when they signed free-agent linebacker Matt McCoy.
Also from O'Neil: Former Seahawks coach Jim Mora says he will not be coaching at the high school level in 2010, contrary to what a high school coach said recently. O'Neil: "With four children, Mora has had a busy schedule attending all of their events and has volunteered working with lacrosse, baseball and basketball. He also may help with his 11-year-old son's youth football team, but that's more a matter of offering encouragement and equipment assistance."
More from O'Neil: Darryl Tapp says he's happy to have a job.
Eric D. Williams of the Tacoma News Tribune says Tapp was "overjoyed" to be joining a team as good as the Eagles.
Darren Urban of azcardinals.com says Joey Porter isn't the first potential Cardinals linebacker to visit the Redskins. Larry Foote also made the trip to Washington, only to sign with the Steelers. Urban: "What does that mean with Porter and the Cardinals? Well, I don’t pretend to know. The Cards and Porter haven’t agreed to a deal yet, and I find it hard to believe Porter will suddenly drop his price before going to Washington. The Skins, I suppose, will set the market."
Revenge of the Birds' Andrew602 says the Cardinals need help at linebacker. Andrew602: "The front office is making an attempt, but let's be honest with ourselves, the Cardinals linebacking group is not as good as it was eight weeks ago. In all fairness, free agency isn't over and Porter could be wearing a Cardinals jersey sometime soon. The draft is also next month and the Cardinals are undoubtedly going to draft a linebacker with their 1st round pick. When that time comes, maybe we can re-evaluate the group and see where they stand heading into next year."
Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee says the 49ers want to re-sign Barry Sims, and Sims wants to re-sign with the 49ers. But with the Redskins showing interest, Sims will find out what the market bears.
Matt Maiocco of the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat explains how the 49ers view free-agent visitor Akin Ayodele. Maiocco: "The 49ers have been clear with Ayodele that they envision him as a backup to Takeo Spikes and Patrick Willis. Currently, the 49ers have veteran Matt Wilhelm and Scott McKillop, a fifth-round draft pick last year, as the backup inside linebackers."
Also from Maiocco: a free-agent scorecard for the 49ers. He expects Texans guard Chester Pitts to visit Thursday.
Quite a few ties link the Cardinals and Steelers. One difference this week could have been how each organization viewed linebacker Larry Foote's injury situation.
Foote, who signed with Pittsburgh after visiting Arizona, missed time last season with a foot injury.
Foot injuries can be tricky to evaluate. Darren Urban of azcardinals.com alluded to the issue Monday. Reading between the lines, the interpretation of that injury was likely important as the Cardinals decided how hard to push in closing the deal.
Foote, who signed with Pittsburgh after visiting Arizona, missed time last season with a foot injury.
Foot injuries can be tricky to evaluate. Darren Urban of azcardinals.com alluded to the issue Monday. Reading between the lines, the interpretation of that injury was likely important as the Cardinals decided how hard to push in closing the deal.
The Cardinals announced linebacker Paris Lenon's signing Monday after another recent free-agent visitor at the position, Larry Foote, agreed to terms with the Steelers.
LenonLenon, 32, started 10 games for the Rams last season. He becomes the Rams' first unrestricted free agent to sign with another team this offseason. The Cardinals were seeking talent at linebacker after losing Karlos Dansby in free agency.
Lenon has played in 4-3 defenses with the Rams, Lions and Packers. He has started 70 games over the last five seasons.
Scouts Inc. made available the following report on Lenon heading into the 2009 season:
If Lenon can play up to that report, the Cardinals could certainly use him -- as could the Rams and quite a few teams, come to think of it.
Lenon has played in 4-3 defenses with the Rams, Lions and Packers. He has started 70 games over the last five seasons.
Scouts Inc. made available the following report on Lenon heading into the 2009 season:
Lenon is coming off his best year as a pro, leading the Lions in tackles with 121. He is a good combination of size, strength and athleticism. He runs well and shows range inside out to the ball. He has the speed and burst to stay active to the ball. He uses his hands well to separate well or work through trash to get to the pile. He is a solid tackler, but can be inconsistent to wrap up in the open field. He is a quick reactor as the play unfolds and fast flows beyond the ball at times. Lenon is an instinctive defender who understands blocking schemes and how to leverage the play, but will lose sight of the ball at times. He has a good feel for route progressions as a pass-defender, but doesn't make many plays on the ball. He has a good feel to time his blitzes up, when attacking the line of scrimmage, but needs to develop additional moves to be more effective in this area. Lenon is a good player who been durable, intelligent and productive.
If Lenon can play up to that report, the Cardinals could certainly use him -- as could the Rams and quite a few teams, come to think of it.
The Cardinals' pursuit of Larry Foote ended Monday when the free-agent linebacker agreed to terms with the Steelers.
The list of available inside linebackers with experience in 3-4 schemes appears weak.
I see none worth strong consideration on the updated list of unrestricted free agents, which I'll make available shortly.
The list of available inside linebackers with experience in 3-4 schemes appears weak.
I see none worth strong consideration on the updated list of unrestricted free agents, which I'll make available shortly.
Terry Foster of the Detroit News says free-agent linebacker Larry Foote could be close to signing with the Steelers after visiting Arizona. Foster: "Foote said there was a slight chance he could still sign with Arizona."
Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette says he expects Foote to sign with the Steelers if he passes a physical examination. Dulac: "Foote met last week with the Washington Redskins, where former Steelers defensive assistant Lou Spanos is the new linebacker coach; and also with the Arizona Cardinals, where he would be reunited with several former Steelers coaches and players, including head coach Ken Whisenhunt and former linebacker mate Clark Haggans. But, in each instance, Foote was allowed to leave without signing a contract, something that is not expected to happen with the Steelers, pending a physical."
Darren Urban of azcardinals.com says adding Charlie Whitehurst wouldn't necessarily prevent the Cardinals from also adding Derek Anderson. Urban: "I can see a scenario where the Cards bring in both Whitehurst and Anderson with Matt Leinart — especially if they aren’t thrilled with the aside-from-Sam-Bradford QBs in this draft. Anderson would almost certainly come in on a short-term deal in that regard. Now, you still have to convince the free agents that it’s a place to be despite other guys who are trying hard to find a place to play. Leinart, Anderson and Whitehurst are all desperately trying to get and stay on the field."
Also from Urban: He wonders whether there might be a medical issue with Foote.
Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch expects newly signed backup center Hank Fraley to compete for a starting job at guard for the Rams.
Also from Thomas: a look at how the Rams might upgrade at receiver. Thomas: "The Rams are in a tough spot when it comes to upgrading at wide receiver. With the limited unrestricted free agent pool due to the uncapped year, there was very little available. Nate Burleson and Antonio Bryant got nice contracts, but they’re not No. 1 receivers or difference makers. Terrell Owens is still out there -- never mind his antics, he’s on the decline and no longer an elite player. Denver’s Brandon Marshall is a restricted free agent, but comes with tons of baggage, and right now the Broncos want a first-round draft pick as compensation. As far as the draft, there are a lot of good receivers, but don’t seem to be many great ones. Finding one that can be a clear upgrade is the challenge."
Mike Berardino of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel says former Rams guard Richie Incognito has a visit lined up with the Dolphins.
Howard Balzer of the St. Louis Globe-Democrat passes along LeCharles Bentley's take on Fraley, noting that the Browns acquired Fraley from Philadelphia after Bentley suffered a serious knee injury. Bentley: "He didn’t look the part, and you wondered how this guy could play at a high level. But he came in just before the season and took command. He’s a hard-working guy, a blue-collar guy. He adds value to a team on the field and in the locker room."
Also from Balzer: NFL owners might have no plans to specifically address the Rams' pending sale at the league meetings beginning March 21.
Turf Show Times' VanRam catches up with Rams defensive end Chris Long, who sums up his progress this way: "The big difference was the just the sacks. I was playing the run well most of the season. I had to pick up my pass rushing a little bit, and there were some things I did getting more comfortable with the scheme, adjusting my game a litle bit and just kind of let it fly once I felt comfortbale with the scheme. I'm not the only one who had the burden of learning a new scheme. But once you master that scheme it was just a great scheme. I feel like a lot of guys improved. I was certainly one of those guys, but there's a long way to go. I think the biggest thing is that I was getting to the quarterback more."
Matt Maiocco of the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat says the 49ers' trade with Detroit involving Shaun Hill was contingent on Hill passing a physical and the 49ers receiving David Carr's signed contract. Maiocco: "Carr received the original contract while on vacation in Cabo San Lucas last week. He is expected to deliver the document when he arrives today in the Bay Area for the 49ers' offseason conditioning program, which begins Monday."
Also from Maiocco: a chat transcript with thoughts on left guard David Baas, among others. Maiocco: "I don't think anyone with the 49ers is sold on David Baas as a long-term answer. And they don't want to give him any kind of lucrative extension. Therefore, they are not averse to having a veteran guard to play a couple years before finding a new guy to plug in there."
Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee suggests the Hill trade might have come together when executives for the Lions and 49ers met at Oklahoma State's recent pro day.
Daniel Brown of the San Jose Mercury News quotes a USC marketing expert as saying 49ers fans should understand recent price hikes on some tickets. Said the expert: "The reality is that some of these fans have had premier seats on the cheap for a long time. That's a very cynical way to say it. But can a fan really be mad that they've had their seats under market value for a number of years?"
Mason Kelly of the Seattle Times says former Seahawks coach Jim Mora plans to help out at Bellevue High School in the Seattle area. Says Bellevue coach Butch Goncharoff: "Jim will be involved. I don't know in what capacity yet. It's great. He's an outstanding guy in whatever capacity we get him, even if it's only for spring ball or summer. It's great to have him around. He's a great resource for us."
Greg Johns of seattlepi.com wonders why the Whitehurst is drawing interest from the Seahawks, among other teams. Johns: "Having never seen Whitehurst throw a pass in the NFL regular season, that's going to be hard for anyone to judge. But it's worth noting that Whitehurst hasn't been able to beat out seven-year NFL backup Volek for the No. 2 job in San Diego, so how he's suddenly become a hot property as a restricted free agent seems a bit curious. Keep it in perspective, though. The debate is whether Whitehurst would be a better addition than a third-round draft pick this April, when the possible mid-round candidates will include the likes of Tony Pike of Cincinnati, Dan LeFevour of Central Michigan or Jonathan Crompton of Tennessee."
Nancy Dooling of the Great Binghamton Press & Sun Bulletin says former Seahawks and Rams linebacker Isaiah Kacyvenski was charged for his role in a large brawl at a casino in Connecticut. Dooling: "Kacyvenski and four others were involved in a large altercation in the retail area of the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Conn., southeast of Hartford, according to state police. He has a court hearing on April 1 in Norwich, Conn."
Tom from Orange County, Calif., writes: Mike, longtime Rams fan. Thanks for the coverage. Trade question for you: What do you think about Adam Carriker and the 33rd pick to Kansas City for Glenn Dorsey? Both players have not lived up to expectations and are playing out of position. Each could use a change of scenery.
Dorsey gives the Rams the potential game-changing tackle that they need, and justifies the Sam Bradford pick at No. 1. Carriker gives Kansas City the end the Chiefs need in the 3-4, and what is turning out to be a very valuable 33rd pick. Thanks for taking the question.
Mike Sando: Good thinking, Tom. I don't know if the Rams would value Dorsey high enough to make that move, but if they thought he could basically be close to Ndamukong Suh or Gerald McCoy, why not? The quick reaction would be to dismiss any such comparisons, claiming Suh and McCoy are much better prospects. But a lot of prospects look better before they line up against NFL players week after week. Dorsey was considered a top-five talent when he entered the draft.
Here is what Scouts Inc. said about Dorsey when he was coming out of college:
Durability concerns were singled out as the primary weakness. Dorsey has played in 31 of 32 games with the Chiefrs, starting 30 of them. The Scouts Inc. report said Dorsey would fit best in a one-gap scheme that would allow him to get upfield and disrupt offenses. The Rams are running that type of scheme. The Chiefs are not. You're right in suggesting that Carriker could fit better at end in a 3-4 scheme. Durability is a big concern with him, but that 33rd overall choice would have to tempt the Chiefs.
Michael From Lynchburg, Va., writes: Why or what is Seattle waiting on? They need running backs, defensive backs, offensive linemen, a wide receiver, but no movement. Is the draft going to be their best bet?
I have been a fan since 1983, and since then I have seen draft pick after draft pick be a bust. Thomas Jones would have been good for us. Chester Taylor could have helped and Brandon Marshall would definitely be an upgrade from Deion Branch and Nate Burleson. I think Darren Sharper or Antrel Rolle would have been good for us, or Anquan Boldin at wide receiver. I would just be happy with some kind of movement.
Mike Sando: It's human nature for fans to crave action once the signing period begins, but a lot of money has been spent foolishly in free agency over the years. The Redskins will be paying a $21 million bonus to Albert Hayensworth shortly and he might not even fit the scheme they are implementing.
It's also human nature for general manager and coach to undervalue the players they inherit. The Seahawks' previous leadership might have been more aggressive in keeping Burleson. I also think former general manager Tim Ruskell would have been more aggressive in free agency. That doesn't mean being aggressive in free agency would have necessarily served the team well, however.
This was a very weak free-agent class packed with aging, declining veterans. As I tweeted Saturday, there were 156 unrestricted free agents left and 139 would be 30 or older come September.
Seattle did finally add a tight end in Chris Baker (not a UFA, but rather a player whose contract was terminated). I thought the Seahawks might have been a little more aggressive in this signing period, given their needs and coach Pete Carroll's desire to improve quickly. But I also realize Carroll and general manager John Schneider want to go young. That's tough to do through free agency when so many of the younger players failed to hit the market as UFAs thanks to the current labor situation.
The team will probably sign an offensive lineman or two. Ben Hamilton could make sense. He lost his job in Denver largely because the Broncos were changing to a scheme that did not fit him. The Seahawks are adopting the scheme Hamilton ran for years.
The Marshall situation could take time to play out. There's no sense in the Seahawks bidding against themselves. They can afford to wait on that one, probably.
Edward from Tempe writes: Sando, you mentioned in your NFC West Draft Watch that selecting Alan Branch in 2007 was a mistake; he was the first selection in the second round that year. He missed a few games his first year but then played the remainder. He might not be what the Cardinals had hoped, but do you see him more now as a situational position player? I mean, he has shown some signs of life this past year, so maybe not all is lost.
Mike Sando: Drafting Branch didn't give the Cardinals a reliable nose tackle. The pick was a "mistake" from that standpoint. He did show some promise playing defensive end. All is not lost. And when you look at the players drafted immediately after Branch that year -- Paul Posluszny, Arron Sears, Kevin Kolb, Eric Weddle, Zach Miller, Justin Blalock, John Beck, Chris Houston, Tony Ugoh, Drew Stanton -- it's not like all were home runs.
Scott from Maryland writes: Do you think the Niners could trade away their 17th pick this year and first-rounder next year to the Browns for their first-rounder? If the Rams take Sam Bradford, there could be a good chance that Eric Berry falls to the Browns' pick. However, the Browns have so many holes and Mike Holmgren is familiar with the Niners. I think it could benefit both teams.
Mike Sando: Would that be the best use of draft capital for the 49ers, though? They would have no first-rounder in 2011, just to move up 10 spots? I wouldn't give away that future pick.
Joe stationed in Germany writes: Sando, love the blog. One of the best sources of info on the net. Please keep up the great work. With the Colts releasing Ryan Lilja, can the 49ers maybe use him? I know we really need an offensive tackle, but seems they are in need of depth and talent on the offensive line over all. I Think Lilja has proved the injury is better after a full season of starting and he has experience. My only concern is that the Colts were not a running team, but he has got to be a good pass protector. That and I was hoping for something better than David Carr for us in the free agency. Just some thoughts. What do you think?
Mike Sando: Thanks for the support, Joe, and your service. Lilja doesn't fit the 49ers' profile for offensive linemen because he's a smaller guy, listed at about 290 pounds. I just don't see him fitting what they want. At quarterback, the 49ers decided to trade what they knew -- Shaun Hill -- for a bit of a wild card in Carr. I understand their desire to shake up the position. They had tried Hill and decided he wouldn't be the starter. Could they have done better than Carr? I'm with you a little bit. Not expecting very good things from him.
Cal from Daly City, Calif., writes: What are the NFL rules on signing multiple restricted free agents? if a team wanted to, could they sign two RFAs, both with a first-round tender attached? If so, how do they work out the draft picks involved?
Mike Sando: A team could sign more than one RFA only if it had its own first-round choice and a better first-round choice available as compensation.
Blazzinhawk from Spokane, Wash., writes: Why not trade Deion Branch and the 14th to denver for Brandon Marshall and a third-rounder? Sounds good to me.
Mike Sando: My initial thoughts also focused on a way for Seattle to recoup a third-round choice, given that the team does not own one. Your proposal would allow the Broncos to get back their own first-rounder as well. Your proposal assumes the Broncos would do such a deal. I think Seattle might be waiting to see if the price is lower.
Eri from Los Angeles writes: What would you say percentage-wise is the Rams' chances of landing Michael Vick? And why do I hear Donovan McNabb as an option for the Rams as well?
Mike Sando: Looks like the Vick-to-St. Louis chatter has gone away. I wonder if the pending ownership change has diminished the team's interest. On McNabb, I still do not believe Andy Reid wants to trade him.
Jerry from Mishawaka, Ind., writes: Mike, I've read that Denver is not negotiating with any team to trade Brandon Marshall. If that's the case, then Seattle should find a team from the 12 to 23 range to trade the sixth overall pick to for that team's first-round pick and a second- or third-round pick, depending on the value of that team's first-round pick.
Then sign Marshall to an offer sheet. Denver gets the pick it wants for him, Seattle comes out on top with Marshall and the Seahawks don't have to pay the cash for a sixth overall player, plus Seattle still has three picks in the first three rounds , and the team that got that sixth pick could get a player to replace what they lost.
Green Bay comes to mind in this scenario becaause most GMs like to work out trades with their former teams. Also, Green Bay could use the sixth overall pick to draft a defensive end to replace Kampan. What are your thoughts?
Mike Sando: The effort is appreciated, but there would be a few problems with such a scenario. One, rules require teams to possess their own pick or a better pick in the relevant round before signing a restricted free agent. Two, most teams would rather pick 12th through 23rd instead of sixth. Third, Green Bay in particular wouldn't want to move up that high, in my view. Their general manager, Ted Thompson, seems to prefer moving back to add picks (the Packers have drafted a league-high 51 players since Thompson took over in 2005).
Michael from Midland, Texas writes: Hey Sando, As an avid 49ers fan in the heart of Cowboys country, I just want to thank you for your solid coverage of the 9ers. I just wanted to bounce some ideas off of you in terms of draft/free agent acquisitions.
By my way of thinking, the 49ers have three key needs to make them a playoff contender: right Tackle, inside linebacker to pair with Patrick Willis and a cornerback to start opposite Shawntae Spencer. I know a lot of talking is being made of finding a dynamic return man, but I consider that more of a luxury than an absolute need.
Anyway, enough preamble. My actual question is, what do you think are the chances of the 49ers emerging from the first two rounds of the draft with some combo of Trent Williams/Bruce Campbell/Mike Iupati, Eric Berry/Taylor Mays and Devin McCourty/Kareem Jackson?
Also, do you know if the 49ers are taking any looks at Larry Foote or Pisa Tinoisamoa? Seems like either of those guys would be a good fit at will linebacker for the 49ers and we could probably get them relatively cheap.
Mike Sando: Thanks for the support. Good questions, too. Would Foote be better than Takeo Spikes at this point? That could be a consideration. Tinoisamoa seems too small to fit in a 3-4 defense. He goes about 230 pounds.
I could see Williams and possibly even Iupati. Berry would seemingly be gone by the time the 49ers selected. Mays could be there, but I'm not sure where teams are going to value him. He seems like a higher-risk player, but the measurables could appeal from a pure personnel standpoint.
The corners you mentioned sound promising. Jackson would be the bigger of the two, and that could be important to the 49ers. San Francisco is past due to draft a cornerback somewhere relatively early. General manager Scot McCloughan's teams haven't drafted a cornerback in the first two rounds since 2003 (Marcus Trufant, when McCloughan was with Seattle).
Don't forget about quarterback as a potential need, too. Alex Smith and David Carr aren't exactly perennial Pro Bowl players.
Mike from Seattle writes: Hey Mike, just wanted to say keep up the good work and I really appreciate on how quickly you update your stuff. Well, I have a quick question that you can clear up for me. I thought Mike Holmgren was hired to be the president of football operations, and he retained the current coaching staff. I was just curious why he made a trade for Seneca Wallace, unless he wants him at Wildcat. I was just wondering why there are articles that was written that Holmgren wanted Seneca because he knows the offense.
Mike Sando: I keep forgetting that Holmgren isn't coaching the team and I have a feeling I'm not the only one. Holmgren is a coach at heart. I even asked him at the combine how in the world he would be able to watch another coach run practice. He joked about having hired two security guards to restrain him in case his instincts take over and he feels the urge to run out there and blow a whistle.
Holmgren does want the Browns to run his offense. His offensive coordinator in Seattle, Gil Haskell, is already onboard in Cleveland. One of his other trusted offensive coaches, Keith Gilbertson, is also there. None of us should be surprised if Holmgren is coaching the team in another year or two.
Ryan from Puyallup, Wash., writes: Hey Sando, here's a kicker question for ya. Are the Cardinals planning on moving on from Neil Rackers? he's a free agent and I figured the cardinals would have resigned him. Minus the playoffs, where I belive his groin injury was still affecting him, he is a really good, reliable kicker. You think that they are just planning on drafting a kicker in the late rounds?
Mike Sando: The Cardinals would probably go in another direction if Rackers demanded a lucrative deal. Coach Ken Whisenhunt was clearly not happy with Rackers' injury situation in the playoffs, indicating he thought Rackers was healthier than Rackers wound up being. Re-signing Rackers does not appear to be a priority, although I think he could come back for the right price.
Dorsey gives the Rams the potential game-changing tackle that they need, and justifies the Sam Bradford pick at No. 1. Carriker gives Kansas City the end the Chiefs need in the 3-4, and what is turning out to be a very valuable 33rd pick. Thanks for taking the question.
Mike Sando: Good thinking, Tom. I don't know if the Rams would value Dorsey high enough to make that move, but if they thought he could basically be close to Ndamukong Suh or Gerald McCoy, why not? The quick reaction would be to dismiss any such comparisons, claiming Suh and McCoy are much better prospects. But a lot of prospects look better before they line up against NFL players week after week. Dorsey was considered a top-five talent when he entered the draft.
Here is what Scouts Inc. said about Dorsey when he was coming out of college:
"A squatty defensive tackle prospect with a thick build and very good quickness. Anticipates the snap well, explodes out of his stance and generally will win one-on-one battles with his initial burst. He plays with a non-stop motor. Stays active, using swim and rip moves to get off of blocks when necessary. Displays good upper-body power and the ability to knock linemen back on their heels with initial pop. Does a fine job of locating the ball once he's in the backfield and flashes good change-of-direction skills for his position. A powerful tackler when he can line up a hit. Also does a better job of taking on blocks in the run game than he gets credit for. He can be washed out by some bigger OL, but generally does a good job of staying low and holding his ground when asked to."
Durability concerns were singled out as the primary weakness. Dorsey has played in 31 of 32 games with the Chiefrs, starting 30 of them. The Scouts Inc. report said Dorsey would fit best in a one-gap scheme that would allow him to get upfield and disrupt offenses. The Rams are running that type of scheme. The Chiefs are not. You're right in suggesting that Carriker could fit better at end in a 3-4 scheme. Durability is a big concern with him, but that 33rd overall choice would have to tempt the Chiefs.
Michael From Lynchburg, Va., writes: Why or what is Seattle waiting on? They need running backs, defensive backs, offensive linemen, a wide receiver, but no movement. Is the draft going to be their best bet?
I have been a fan since 1983, and since then I have seen draft pick after draft pick be a bust. Thomas Jones would have been good for us. Chester Taylor could have helped and Brandon Marshall would definitely be an upgrade from Deion Branch and Nate Burleson. I think Darren Sharper or Antrel Rolle would have been good for us, or Anquan Boldin at wide receiver. I would just be happy with some kind of movement.
Mike Sando: It's human nature for fans to crave action once the signing period begins, but a lot of money has been spent foolishly in free agency over the years. The Redskins will be paying a $21 million bonus to Albert Hayensworth shortly and he might not even fit the scheme they are implementing.
It's also human nature for general manager and coach to undervalue the players they inherit. The Seahawks' previous leadership might have been more aggressive in keeping Burleson. I also think former general manager Tim Ruskell would have been more aggressive in free agency. That doesn't mean being aggressive in free agency would have necessarily served the team well, however.
This was a very weak free-agent class packed with aging, declining veterans. As I tweeted Saturday, there were 156 unrestricted free agents left and 139 would be 30 or older come September.
Seattle did finally add a tight end in Chris Baker (not a UFA, but rather a player whose contract was terminated). I thought the Seahawks might have been a little more aggressive in this signing period, given their needs and coach Pete Carroll's desire to improve quickly. But I also realize Carroll and general manager John Schneider want to go young. That's tough to do through free agency when so many of the younger players failed to hit the market as UFAs thanks to the current labor situation.
The team will probably sign an offensive lineman or two. Ben Hamilton could make sense. He lost his job in Denver largely because the Broncos were changing to a scheme that did not fit him. The Seahawks are adopting the scheme Hamilton ran for years.
The Marshall situation could take time to play out. There's no sense in the Seahawks bidding against themselves. They can afford to wait on that one, probably.
Edward from Tempe writes: Sando, you mentioned in your NFC West Draft Watch that selecting Alan Branch in 2007 was a mistake; he was the first selection in the second round that year. He missed a few games his first year but then played the remainder. He might not be what the Cardinals had hoped, but do you see him more now as a situational position player? I mean, he has shown some signs of life this past year, so maybe not all is lost.
Mike Sando: Drafting Branch didn't give the Cardinals a reliable nose tackle. The pick was a "mistake" from that standpoint. He did show some promise playing defensive end. All is not lost. And when you look at the players drafted immediately after Branch that year -- Paul Posluszny, Arron Sears, Kevin Kolb, Eric Weddle, Zach Miller, Justin Blalock, John Beck, Chris Houston, Tony Ugoh, Drew Stanton -- it's not like all were home runs.
Scott from Maryland writes: Do you think the Niners could trade away their 17th pick this year and first-rounder next year to the Browns for their first-rounder? If the Rams take Sam Bradford, there could be a good chance that Eric Berry falls to the Browns' pick. However, the Browns have so many holes and Mike Holmgren is familiar with the Niners. I think it could benefit both teams.
Mike Sando: Would that be the best use of draft capital for the 49ers, though? They would have no first-rounder in 2011, just to move up 10 spots? I wouldn't give away that future pick.
Joe stationed in Germany writes: Sando, love the blog. One of the best sources of info on the net. Please keep up the great work. With the Colts releasing Ryan Lilja, can the 49ers maybe use him? I know we really need an offensive tackle, but seems they are in need of depth and talent on the offensive line over all. I Think Lilja has proved the injury is better after a full season of starting and he has experience. My only concern is that the Colts were not a running team, but he has got to be a good pass protector. That and I was hoping for something better than David Carr for us in the free agency. Just some thoughts. What do you think?
Mike Sando: Thanks for the support, Joe, and your service. Lilja doesn't fit the 49ers' profile for offensive linemen because he's a smaller guy, listed at about 290 pounds. I just don't see him fitting what they want. At quarterback, the 49ers decided to trade what they knew -- Shaun Hill -- for a bit of a wild card in Carr. I understand their desire to shake up the position. They had tried Hill and decided he wouldn't be the starter. Could they have done better than Carr? I'm with you a little bit. Not expecting very good things from him.
Cal from Daly City, Calif., writes: What are the NFL rules on signing multiple restricted free agents? if a team wanted to, could they sign two RFAs, both with a first-round tender attached? If so, how do they work out the draft picks involved?
Mike Sando: A team could sign more than one RFA only if it had its own first-round choice and a better first-round choice available as compensation.
Blazzinhawk from Spokane, Wash., writes: Why not trade Deion Branch and the 14th to denver for Brandon Marshall and a third-rounder? Sounds good to me.
Mike Sando: My initial thoughts also focused on a way for Seattle to recoup a third-round choice, given that the team does not own one. Your proposal would allow the Broncos to get back their own first-rounder as well. Your proposal assumes the Broncos would do such a deal. I think Seattle might be waiting to see if the price is lower.
Eri from Los Angeles writes: What would you say percentage-wise is the Rams' chances of landing Michael Vick? And why do I hear Donovan McNabb as an option for the Rams as well?
Mike Sando: Looks like the Vick-to-St. Louis chatter has gone away. I wonder if the pending ownership change has diminished the team's interest. On McNabb, I still do not believe Andy Reid wants to trade him.
Jerry from Mishawaka, Ind., writes: Mike, I've read that Denver is not negotiating with any team to trade Brandon Marshall. If that's the case, then Seattle should find a team from the 12 to 23 range to trade the sixth overall pick to for that team's first-round pick and a second- or third-round pick, depending on the value of that team's first-round pick.
Then sign Marshall to an offer sheet. Denver gets the pick it wants for him, Seattle comes out on top with Marshall and the Seahawks don't have to pay the cash for a sixth overall player, plus Seattle still has three picks in the first three rounds , and the team that got that sixth pick could get a player to replace what they lost.
Green Bay comes to mind in this scenario becaause most GMs like to work out trades with their former teams. Also, Green Bay could use the sixth overall pick to draft a defensive end to replace Kampan. What are your thoughts?
Mike Sando: The effort is appreciated, but there would be a few problems with such a scenario. One, rules require teams to possess their own pick or a better pick in the relevant round before signing a restricted free agent. Two, most teams would rather pick 12th through 23rd instead of sixth. Third, Green Bay in particular wouldn't want to move up that high, in my view. Their general manager, Ted Thompson, seems to prefer moving back to add picks (the Packers have drafted a league-high 51 players since Thompson took over in 2005).
Michael from Midland, Texas writes: Hey Sando, As an avid 49ers fan in the heart of Cowboys country, I just want to thank you for your solid coverage of the 9ers. I just wanted to bounce some ideas off of you in terms of draft/free agent acquisitions.
By my way of thinking, the 49ers have three key needs to make them a playoff contender: right Tackle, inside linebacker to pair with Patrick Willis and a cornerback to start opposite Shawntae Spencer. I know a lot of talking is being made of finding a dynamic return man, but I consider that more of a luxury than an absolute need.
Anyway, enough preamble. My actual question is, what do you think are the chances of the 49ers emerging from the first two rounds of the draft with some combo of Trent Williams/Bruce Campbell/Mike Iupati, Eric Berry/Taylor Mays and Devin McCourty/Kareem Jackson?
Also, do you know if the 49ers are taking any looks at Larry Foote or Pisa Tinoisamoa? Seems like either of those guys would be a good fit at will linebacker for the 49ers and we could probably get them relatively cheap.
Mike Sando: Thanks for the support. Good questions, too. Would Foote be better than Takeo Spikes at this point? That could be a consideration. Tinoisamoa seems too small to fit in a 3-4 defense. He goes about 230 pounds.
I could see Williams and possibly even Iupati. Berry would seemingly be gone by the time the 49ers selected. Mays could be there, but I'm not sure where teams are going to value him. He seems like a higher-risk player, but the measurables could appeal from a pure personnel standpoint.
The corners you mentioned sound promising. Jackson would be the bigger of the two, and that could be important to the 49ers. San Francisco is past due to draft a cornerback somewhere relatively early. General manager Scot McCloughan's teams haven't drafted a cornerback in the first two rounds since 2003 (Marcus Trufant, when McCloughan was with Seattle).
Don't forget about quarterback as a potential need, too. Alex Smith and David Carr aren't exactly perennial Pro Bowl players.
Mike from Seattle writes: Hey Mike, just wanted to say keep up the good work and I really appreciate on how quickly you update your stuff. Well, I have a quick question that you can clear up for me. I thought Mike Holmgren was hired to be the president of football operations, and he retained the current coaching staff. I was just curious why he made a trade for Seneca Wallace, unless he wants him at Wildcat. I was just wondering why there are articles that was written that Holmgren wanted Seneca because he knows the offense.
Mike Sando: I keep forgetting that Holmgren isn't coaching the team and I have a feeling I'm not the only one. Holmgren is a coach at heart. I even asked him at the combine how in the world he would be able to watch another coach run practice. He joked about having hired two security guards to restrain him in case his instincts take over and he feels the urge to run out there and blow a whistle.
Holmgren does want the Browns to run his offense. His offensive coordinator in Seattle, Gil Haskell, is already onboard in Cleveland. One of his other trusted offensive coaches, Keith Gilbertson, is also there. None of us should be surprised if Holmgren is coaching the team in another year or two.
Ryan from Puyallup, Wash., writes: Hey Sando, here's a kicker question for ya. Are the Cardinals planning on moving on from Neil Rackers? he's a free agent and I figured the cardinals would have resigned him. Minus the playoffs, where I belive his groin injury was still affecting him, he is a really good, reliable kicker. You think that they are just planning on drafting a kicker in the late rounds?
Mike Sando: The Cardinals would probably go in another direction if Rackers demanded a lucrative deal. Coach Ken Whisenhunt was clearly not happy with Rackers' injury situation in the playoffs, indicating he thought Rackers was healthier than Rackers wound up being. Re-signing Rackers does not appear to be a priority, although I think he could come back for the right price.
Mike from Costa Mesa, Calif., writes: Sando, I don't think anyone who is not a long-time Cardinals fan realizes just how different the postseason is with Ken Whisenhunt at the helm. Even with all the losses of personnel, I am mostly sanguine about the fallout, confident that Whisenhunt knows what he is doing and that the team next year -- with the probable exception of the QB position -- will be an improvement on last year. I for one have NEVER felt this way about the Cardinals in the offseason, and it is literally mind-boggling to even contemplate. For the first time, when I think to myself 'typical Cardinals', that is an expressions of optimism rather than one of despair and resignation.
Mike Sando: I hear you on Whisenhunt. He's really sharp and capable. He does project the feeling he's in control and things will be OK. And I do think the organization has a shot to do good things over the long term. Whisenhunt does know what he is doing. That is why I won't read too much into it if the Cardinals struggle some in 2010, a transitional season at quarterback.
Whisenhunt has generally fielded a well-coached team despite working at a disadvantage from a resources standpoint (the other teams in the division have 20-plus coaches apiece, compared to 16 for Arizona). Your confidence in him is justified. It still takes players, though, and quarterbacks in particular. If the Cardinals drop off this season, Whisenhunt won't be the reason (on a side note, it's also easy to forget that Matt Leinart played pretty well and nearly won the one game he started last season, losing to the Titans only when Tennessee put together a 99-yard drive to end the game).
Jess from Idaho Falls, Idaho, writes: I am just wondering why you are such a critic toward the Niners. It is pretty easy to see that they are the frontrunner in the West and as far as signing Carr, it is a great move. He has never been protected and I think he has a shot at starting. All we need is to draft a good tackle and this team is set to win the division, hands down.
Mike Sando: The easy thing to do would be to anoint the 49ers based on Kurt Warner's retirement. I don't think it's that simple. The 49ers appear to have a good chance to win the division. But if the Cardinals are nervous about going into a season with Leinart at quarterback, how should the 49ers feel going into a season with Alex Smith and David Carr as their top options? A little skepticism is a good thing.
Stu from Los Angeles writes: Hey Mike, with so many pressing needs (secondary, WR, offensive line etc.), am I the only one thinking that the Seahawks are beginning to fall behind quickly in the free-agent market? Also, with all the focus on Brandon Marshall, have we lost sight of other important needs?
Mike Sando: I thought Seattle might be a little more aggressive in the market, for sure. But I also realize this is a horrible market because more than 200 players failed to become unrestricted free agents once rules governing an uncapped year changed the requirements. Pete Carroll wants to go young. The vast majority of available UFAs are in their 30s, with a large number 35 or older. Those guys are available for a reason in most cases.
Stan from Burlington, Vt., writes: Yo Sando, lifelong Niners fan from the Northeast. David Carr. How similar will Jimmy Raye's offensive system be to other systems he has run in the past? I personally love this move by the Niners as I am not sold on Alex Smith. I also have the pleasure of watching the Giants on a consistent basis. And I'll tell you what, the few snaps I've seen Carr take, I was impressed. He throws with a lot more zip and confidence than Smith. Love your work.
Mike Sando: Thanks, Stan. They 49ers' decision to sign David Carr at Shaun Hill's expense shows the team felt Hill had maxed out. I think the 49ers were right about that, too. The question is whether Carr makes them better. We know Carr makes them more talented. The tradeoff appealed to the 49ers.
Chris Palmer was the Texans' offensive coordinator when Carr broke into the league. Palmer had run-and-shoot roots with the Oilers teams of the early 1990s. He also has roots in the Bill Parcells coaching tree. I don't know how much overlap there would be between the offenses Carr has run and the one the 49ers are running under Jimmy Raye. That is something I'll find out. Off the top of my head, I do think there would be more similarities than if the 49ers were running, say, a West Coast-based offense (the offenses Palmer has installed were numbers-based, whereas West Coast systems are color-coded).
Brandon from Phoenix writes: Hey, Mike, really enjoy your work. You do a great job on the NFC West. Question for you. Where does Mel Kiper have the Cards going in the first round? I'm torn on either a defensive tackle or linebacker, depending on if we get Joey Porter and/or Larry Foote maybe. They do need a young defensive tackle, run stuffer, hole clogger for the 3-4. Is the LB depth strong enough to pass on taking one in the first round?
Mike Sando: Adding Porter and/or Foote would provide some flexibility heading into the draft. We covered ground on this subject recently when noting that Kiper had the Cardinals selecting linebacker Jerry Hughes. Kiper previously had Arizona selecting Tennessee nose tackle Dan Williams, but Williams wasn't available at No. 26 in Kiper's updated mock.
Jay from Mount Vernon, Wash., writes: Hey Mike, all the talk about changing the overtime rules seems to ignore an obvious point in my mind. Why not just play a 7-minute timed overtime period? I've never liked how overtime is so different from the end of the fourth quarter in a close game where the 2-minute drill is a huge factor. As it is, overtime is anti-climactic most of the time with teams taking the air out of the ball and playing for a field goal.
The frantic pace of the end game is one of the reasons the NFL is so great. Why doesn't anybody else think just an extra half-quarter for overtime is a good idea? P.S., just say NO to McNabb in Seattle. (And Clausen and Bradford for that matter). Build up the OL and DL!
Mike Sando: Interesting thought. Seven minutes would still be plenty of time for a team to take the air out of the ball and play for a field goal, though. I'm guessing most overtime games don't last that long.
Nils from Lincoln, Neb., writes: As I understand it, part of the complaint is that kicking off from the 30 means an average starting point of the 35, which means a short field to a field goal. Why not just move the kickoff spot back to the 35 or 40 in OT? You maintain the drama of sudden death, but you force the team to drive 65 yards to get a field goal.
Mike Sando: Indeed, overtime did become more predictable after the NFL moved kickoffs back to facilitate returns. Former San Francisco Chronicle reporter Ira Miller advocated this years ago and drove home the point in a recent note to Lowell Cohn. His case sounds compelling.
Trevor from Edmonds, Wash., writes: Hey Sando, thanks for reading. Wanted to know your thoughts on the Rams offering Oshiomogho Atogwe the lowest possible tender and what his options are going to be as a restricted free agent. I know his play tailed off a little last year, but this is still a young/playmaking safety. As a Seahawk fan whose team needs a young/playmaking safety and who has seen Atogwe play really well against Seattle in the past, it seems to make too much sense to use a low-round pick to go get him. Is there something I'm missing?
Mike Sando: You're correct about Atogwe playing well against Seattle. I thought he played very well at Qwest Field in the opener last season. The only thing you're missing right now is the fact that the Rams could match any offer Seattle made. The Rams will have to up their offer to nearly $7 million if they want to retain Atogwe's rights past June 1. Perhaps the Rams work out a trade before then. Perhaps teams with interest in Atogwe will wait to see if the Rams let him go.
Michael from Los Angeles writes: Hey Sando, if the Cardinals were going to draft an outside linebacker as many analysts think, what are the chances, if any, we pick up Taylor Mays if he falls to us? He has ridiculous speed and is big enough to be a linebacker, and as a USC student, I have come to realize he isn't a great safety, just a great athlete. Give me some hope.
Mike Sando: I can't endorse that sort of move. It's just far too risky using an early choice for a safety and then trying to convert him to linebacker. Seattle tried something similar with Michael Boulware, a very talented athlete, and it just never worked. Boulware was a college linebacker. The Seahawks moved him to safety. Boulware showed promise as a nickel linebacker early in his career. He just never became a consistent, confident safety.
Rich from San Francisco writes: Hey Mike, love the blog (it's gotten me back to regularly checking espn.com). Anyway, there's been a lot of talk about the Niners having to improve their line, and I agree that we need to upgrade, especially at right tackle. But Barry Sims filled in admirably for Joe Staley last season and Tony Pashos was a solid run blocker. Pashos is gone, and Sims remains unsigned. If the line is such a priority, why aren't the niners focusing on getting some of their more reliable blockers back? Personally, I would feel a lot better about our chances next season with Sims on the roster. He's a great backup and could provide our new rookie a safety net. What do you think?
Mike Sando: Barry Sims had to be a very pleasant surprise for the 49ers last season. He stayed healthier and that made a big difference. I would agree that the 49ers would be better bringing him back as insurance. Tony Pashos was pretty one-dimensional because he couldn't easily swing from right to left tackle. Joe Staley said he really valued what Pashos brought to the team. I respect that, but never did I get the sense that Pashos would have been a solid option if left on the field for long stretches. That was just my feel. The 49ers should be able to upgrade their talent on the line through the draft. They are also thrilled to have Mike Solari coaching the line -- not only for what he brings to the position, but also for his background with Raye in Kansas City.
Tim from Springfield, Mo., writes: So, with Brady Quinn possibly on the trading block, what are the possibilities of trading Marc Bulger for him? He's still a young QB that could learn from A.J. Feeley, but with NFL experience that could potentially get started right away.
Mike Sando: Bulger's salary makes him virtually impossible to trade because the acquiring team would assume his $8.5 million salary. Bulger would have to be willing to reduce that number. He would probably be better off declining such a request, at which point the Rams would likely release him, allowing Bulger to pursue work on his terms, should he decide to keep playing.
Scott from Bremerton, Wash., writes: Sando, doesn't trading Seneca Wallace when we are in the midst of trying to shore up our receiving corps seem like a gross misappropriation of resources? If you are so willing to pull the plug on Seneca and ship him off, why wouldn't you first try to put him on the field as a playmaker? Seneca has had some success catching passes, and has always been talked about as a special-teams candidate to return kicks. Why not keep him and utilize him in that role? His salary is tiny, and a conditional seventh-rounder seems like almost 0 compensation.
Mike Sando: I will agree that the compensation is almost the same as releasing him. Wallace was a good receiver and returner -- for a quarterback. Would he have become good at those things relative to players who have filled those roles on a full-time basis for years? Hard to say. Wallace is definitely athletic enough.
Mike Sando: I hear you on Whisenhunt. He's really sharp and capable. He does project the feeling he's in control and things will be OK. And I do think the organization has a shot to do good things over the long term. Whisenhunt does know what he is doing. That is why I won't read too much into it if the Cardinals struggle some in 2010, a transitional season at quarterback.
Whisenhunt has generally fielded a well-coached team despite working at a disadvantage from a resources standpoint (the other teams in the division have 20-plus coaches apiece, compared to 16 for Arizona). Your confidence in him is justified. It still takes players, though, and quarterbacks in particular. If the Cardinals drop off this season, Whisenhunt won't be the reason (on a side note, it's also easy to forget that Matt Leinart played pretty well and nearly won the one game he started last season, losing to the Titans only when Tennessee put together a 99-yard drive to end the game).
Jess from Idaho Falls, Idaho, writes: I am just wondering why you are such a critic toward the Niners. It is pretty easy to see that they are the frontrunner in the West and as far as signing Carr, it is a great move. He has never been protected and I think he has a shot at starting. All we need is to draft a good tackle and this team is set to win the division, hands down.
Mike Sando: The easy thing to do would be to anoint the 49ers based on Kurt Warner's retirement. I don't think it's that simple. The 49ers appear to have a good chance to win the division. But if the Cardinals are nervous about going into a season with Leinart at quarterback, how should the 49ers feel going into a season with Alex Smith and David Carr as their top options? A little skepticism is a good thing.
Stu from Los Angeles writes: Hey Mike, with so many pressing needs (secondary, WR, offensive line etc.), am I the only one thinking that the Seahawks are beginning to fall behind quickly in the free-agent market? Also, with all the focus on Brandon Marshall, have we lost sight of other important needs?
Mike Sando: I thought Seattle might be a little more aggressive in the market, for sure. But I also realize this is a horrible market because more than 200 players failed to become unrestricted free agents once rules governing an uncapped year changed the requirements. Pete Carroll wants to go young. The vast majority of available UFAs are in their 30s, with a large number 35 or older. Those guys are available for a reason in most cases.
Stan from Burlington, Vt., writes: Yo Sando, lifelong Niners fan from the Northeast. David Carr. How similar will Jimmy Raye's offensive system be to other systems he has run in the past? I personally love this move by the Niners as I am not sold on Alex Smith. I also have the pleasure of watching the Giants on a consistent basis. And I'll tell you what, the few snaps I've seen Carr take, I was impressed. He throws with a lot more zip and confidence than Smith. Love your work.
Mike Sando: Thanks, Stan. They 49ers' decision to sign David Carr at Shaun Hill's expense shows the team felt Hill had maxed out. I think the 49ers were right about that, too. The question is whether Carr makes them better. We know Carr makes them more talented. The tradeoff appealed to the 49ers.
Chris Palmer was the Texans' offensive coordinator when Carr broke into the league. Palmer had run-and-shoot roots with the Oilers teams of the early 1990s. He also has roots in the Bill Parcells coaching tree. I don't know how much overlap there would be between the offenses Carr has run and the one the 49ers are running under Jimmy Raye. That is something I'll find out. Off the top of my head, I do think there would be more similarities than if the 49ers were running, say, a West Coast-based offense (the offenses Palmer has installed were numbers-based, whereas West Coast systems are color-coded).
Brandon from Phoenix writes: Hey, Mike, really enjoy your work. You do a great job on the NFC West. Question for you. Where does Mel Kiper have the Cards going in the first round? I'm torn on either a defensive tackle or linebacker, depending on if we get Joey Porter and/or Larry Foote maybe. They do need a young defensive tackle, run stuffer, hole clogger for the 3-4. Is the LB depth strong enough to pass on taking one in the first round?
Mike Sando: Adding Porter and/or Foote would provide some flexibility heading into the draft. We covered ground on this subject recently when noting that Kiper had the Cardinals selecting linebacker Jerry Hughes. Kiper previously had Arizona selecting Tennessee nose tackle Dan Williams, but Williams wasn't available at No. 26 in Kiper's updated mock.
Jay from Mount Vernon, Wash., writes: Hey Mike, all the talk about changing the overtime rules seems to ignore an obvious point in my mind. Why not just play a 7-minute timed overtime period? I've never liked how overtime is so different from the end of the fourth quarter in a close game where the 2-minute drill is a huge factor. As it is, overtime is anti-climactic most of the time with teams taking the air out of the ball and playing for a field goal.
The frantic pace of the end game is one of the reasons the NFL is so great. Why doesn't anybody else think just an extra half-quarter for overtime is a good idea? P.S., just say NO to McNabb in Seattle. (And Clausen and Bradford for that matter). Build up the OL and DL!
Mike Sando: Interesting thought. Seven minutes would still be plenty of time for a team to take the air out of the ball and play for a field goal, though. I'm guessing most overtime games don't last that long.
Nils from Lincoln, Neb., writes: As I understand it, part of the complaint is that kicking off from the 30 means an average starting point of the 35, which means a short field to a field goal. Why not just move the kickoff spot back to the 35 or 40 in OT? You maintain the drama of sudden death, but you force the team to drive 65 yards to get a field goal.
Mike Sando: Indeed, overtime did become more predictable after the NFL moved kickoffs back to facilitate returns. Former San Francisco Chronicle reporter Ira Miller advocated this years ago and drove home the point in a recent note to Lowell Cohn. His case sounds compelling.
Trevor from Edmonds, Wash., writes: Hey Sando, thanks for reading. Wanted to know your thoughts on the Rams offering Oshiomogho Atogwe the lowest possible tender and what his options are going to be as a restricted free agent. I know his play tailed off a little last year, but this is still a young/playmaking safety. As a Seahawk fan whose team needs a young/playmaking safety and who has seen Atogwe play really well against Seattle in the past, it seems to make too much sense to use a low-round pick to go get him. Is there something I'm missing?
Mike Sando: You're correct about Atogwe playing well against Seattle. I thought he played very well at Qwest Field in the opener last season. The only thing you're missing right now is the fact that the Rams could match any offer Seattle made. The Rams will have to up their offer to nearly $7 million if they want to retain Atogwe's rights past June 1. Perhaps the Rams work out a trade before then. Perhaps teams with interest in Atogwe will wait to see if the Rams let him go.
Michael from Los Angeles writes: Hey Sando, if the Cardinals were going to draft an outside linebacker as many analysts think, what are the chances, if any, we pick up Taylor Mays if he falls to us? He has ridiculous speed and is big enough to be a linebacker, and as a USC student, I have come to realize he isn't a great safety, just a great athlete. Give me some hope.
Mike Sando: I can't endorse that sort of move. It's just far too risky using an early choice for a safety and then trying to convert him to linebacker. Seattle tried something similar with Michael Boulware, a very talented athlete, and it just never worked. Boulware was a college linebacker. The Seahawks moved him to safety. Boulware showed promise as a nickel linebacker early in his career. He just never became a consistent, confident safety.
Rich from San Francisco writes: Hey Mike, love the blog (it's gotten me back to regularly checking espn.com). Anyway, there's been a lot of talk about the Niners having to improve their line, and I agree that we need to upgrade, especially at right tackle. But Barry Sims filled in admirably for Joe Staley last season and Tony Pashos was a solid run blocker. Pashos is gone, and Sims remains unsigned. If the line is such a priority, why aren't the niners focusing on getting some of their more reliable blockers back? Personally, I would feel a lot better about our chances next season with Sims on the roster. He's a great backup and could provide our new rookie a safety net. What do you think?
Mike Sando: Barry Sims had to be a very pleasant surprise for the 49ers last season. He stayed healthier and that made a big difference. I would agree that the 49ers would be better bringing him back as insurance. Tony Pashos was pretty one-dimensional because he couldn't easily swing from right to left tackle. Joe Staley said he really valued what Pashos brought to the team. I respect that, but never did I get the sense that Pashos would have been a solid option if left on the field for long stretches. That was just my feel. The 49ers should be able to upgrade their talent on the line through the draft. They are also thrilled to have Mike Solari coaching the line -- not only for what he brings to the position, but also for his background with Raye in Kansas City.
Tim from Springfield, Mo., writes: So, with Brady Quinn possibly on the trading block, what are the possibilities of trading Marc Bulger for him? He's still a young QB that could learn from A.J. Feeley, but with NFL experience that could potentially get started right away.
Mike Sando: Bulger's salary makes him virtually impossible to trade because the acquiring team would assume his $8.5 million salary. Bulger would have to be willing to reduce that number. He would probably be better off declining such a request, at which point the Rams would likely release him, allowing Bulger to pursue work on his terms, should he decide to keep playing.
Scott from Bremerton, Wash., writes: Sando, doesn't trading Seneca Wallace when we are in the midst of trying to shore up our receiving corps seem like a gross misappropriation of resources? If you are so willing to pull the plug on Seneca and ship him off, why wouldn't you first try to put him on the field as a playmaker? Seneca has had some success catching passes, and has always been talked about as a special-teams candidate to return kicks. Why not keep him and utilize him in that role? His salary is tiny, and a conditional seventh-rounder seems like almost 0 compensation.
Mike Sando: I will agree that the compensation is almost the same as releasing him. Wallace was a good receiver and returner -- for a quarterback. Would he have become good at those things relative to players who have filled those roles on a full-time basis for years? Hard to say. Wallace is definitely athletic enough.
Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says the Rams should draft Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford. Miklasz: "Bradford has accuracy, he's a winner, he scored high on the intelligence test and by all accounts is a high-character individual. If his shoulder is good to go -- and every indication is that it will be -- then he's worthy of the top pick. Especially for a team that does not have a quarterback. And before anyone has another anxiety attack, let me add this: Yes, the Rams need receivers and a better offensive line. I know that. I also know it would be silly to hurl an overexposed Bradford into a shark tank. The wiser approach would be to gradually ease him in. But the Rams wouldn't be drafting Bradford with 2010 in mind; we're talking about a long-term franchise piece here. This is about the big picture. And it's another reason you keep Steven Jackson; a strong running game will help protect a kid quarterback."
Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says the Rams re-signed tight end Daniel Fells after declining to tender him as a restricted free agent.
Also from Thomas: "If Bradford checks out medically, and throws the heck out of the ball during his pro day in Norman, Okla. on March 25, it makes all the sense in the world to draft him at No. 1 overall. And I write this as a guy who absolutely loves what Ndamukong Suh can do on the football field."
Howard Balzer of the St. Louis Globe-Democrat offers Rams-related thoughts, including this one: "The debate over whether the Rams should select quarterback Sam Bradford or defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh will rage over the next six weeks, but let’s spare the hyperbole that claims Suh is a once-in-a-generation player and that he is a sure thing. There are no sure things in projecting college players to the NFL, and the reality is that high-picked defensive tackles have just as bad or even worse a track record in the NFL than quarterbacks."
Danny O'Neil of the Seattle Times sizes up the Seahawks' quarterback situation after Seneca Wallace's trade to the Browns. O'Neil: "Seattle is in the midst of its first significant shake-up in the pocket since 2005, when backup Trent Dilfer was traded to Cleveland. For the past five years, Matt Hasselbeck and Wallace have been the top two rungs in Seattle's quarterback hierarchy."
Clare Farnsworth of seahawks.com says Pete Carroll, John Schneider and a full cast of Seahawks personnel people attended the University of Washington pro day. Farnsworth: "The Seahawks are the local NFL team and there is that connection between Huskies coach Steve Sarkisian, who left USC for the UW last year, and Carroll, who left USC for the Seahawks this year.
Adam Schefter of ESPN says former Seahawks and Cardinals receiver Jerheme Urban has signed with the Chiefs, reuniting Urban with former Cardinals offensive coordinator Todd Haley.
Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic says the Cardinals' haven't committed to Matt Leinart as their starter. He lists Derek Anderson, Marc Bulger, Charlie Whitehurst, Jake Delhomme and Brian St. Pierre as possible competitors for the job. Somers on Bulger: "He's still on the Rams' roster but they are expected to release him, probably after the draft. The timing is tricky for the Cardinals, who would miss out on some other candidates by waiting. Bulger has a lot of experience and is a good guy who wouldn't cause problems in the locker room. But he has taken a pounding over the past few years." There were rumblings during the season that Bulger might retire, but we haven't heard much on that front recently. If Bulger did decide to stop playing, he would be best off to wait until the Rams release him. Otherwise, he might have to pay back bonus money.
Also from Somers: Anthony Becht re-signs, while Larry Foote and Joey Porter are visiting this week.
Darren Urban of azcardinals.com says Arizona should be pretty much set at tight end after re-signing Anthony Becht and Stephen Spach.
Also from Urban: Adrian Wilson doesn't think the Giants have the best safety tandem in the league, apparently.
Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee says the 49ers might have only casual interest in running backs Leon Washington and Justin Fargas.
Matt Maiocco of the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat says 49ers coach Mike Singletary is taking an active role in scouting. Meanwhile, the Redskins are showing some interest in swing tackle Barry Sims. Maiocco: "The Redskins, who brought in offensive tackle Tony Pashos for a free-agent visit last week, are showing interest in unrestricted free agent Barry Sims. Pashos signed with the Browns, while Sims remains a free agent. The Redskins' offensive line coach is Chris Foerster, who held the same job with the 49ers last year. Sims does not appear to be in a hurry to sign. He's just waiting to see where his best opportunity emerges. The 49ers have expressed an interest in bringing him back -- at the right price.
Dave Boling of the Tacoma News Tribune says the Seahawks should not acquire Brandon Marshall from the Broncos. Boling: "Aside from being a distracting malcontent with the Denver Broncos, Marshall’s history of arrests includes disorderly conduct, drunken driving, and, most alarmingly, a number of incidents of alleged domestic violence … with two different women. I don’t care how talented this guy is, or how badly the Seahawks need a receiver, or how many of the charges against him have been dropped, this much involvement with domestic-violence charges should be an absolute non-negotiable deal-breaker from the start." I'm guessing the Seahawks' division opponents also hope Seattle doesn't add Marshall, albeit for reasons limited only to on-field production.
Clare Farnsworth of seahawks.com says Seattle traded more than a backup quarterback when dealing Seneca Wallace to the Browns. Farnsworth: "A gifted athlete, Wallace also was used sparingly last season as a situational runner, receiver and passer in a version of the Wildcat offense that was dubbed the SeneCat. He completed 78 of 120 passes for 700 yards, with three touchdowns and two interceptions; had 16 carries for 2 yards; and caught two passes for 29 yards."
Danny O'Neil of the Seattle Times recalls Wallace's finest moment in Seattle. O'Neil: "As a Seahawk, Wallace will best be remembered for the 28-yard pass he caught at Qwest Field early in the NFC Championship Game four years ago. As a Brown, Wallace will have the chance to be part of a rebuilding process under (Mike) Holmgren, the coach who oversaw his development with the Seahawks."
Also from O'Neil: a partial list of NFL trades involving restricted and franchise free agents, including the one that sent Joey Galloway to the Cowboys for draft choices that became Shaun Alexander and Koren Robinson.
Greg Johns of seattlepi.com says the Seahawks could go in any number of directions at quarterback after trading Wallace. Johns: "It surely increases the likelihood of the team drafting a quarterback at some point this April. The Seahawks have lined up an individual workout with Florida quarterback Tim Tebow, but they'll have numerous options there or could pursue a veteran backup in free agency. Chad Pennington just re-signed with Miami, so the list of potentially available veterans include the likes of Kyle Boller, Rex Grossman, Jon Kitna and Chris Redman."
Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic says Kerry Rhodes is looking forward to a fresh start with the Cardinals. Meanwhile, Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt downplayed concerns about the talent drain in Arizona so far this offseason. Whisenhunt: "This off-season or this free-agency period started just this past week. We still have five months ahead of us before we ever take the field in Flagstaff (for training camp). There are a lot of things that can happen between now and then. I think it's tough to make judgments this early on the preseason."
Also from Somers: Cardinals secondary coach Donnie Henderson shares the thoughts he had when the Jets drafted Rhodes. Henderson: "I can remember him being on the board, and I thought at one time he had the potential to be a first or second-round draft pick. We were excited to get him (in the fourth round). He started as a rookie in our scheme, either at the free or the strong. They were interchangeable at that time. We utilized him in different positions, brought him off the corner a lot blitzing, let him cover the tight end a lot, the third receiver sometimes, the back."
Darren Urban of azcardinals.com passes along reports suggesting the Cardinals could visit with Rex Hadnot, Nick Eason and Wade Smith, plus Joey Porter and Larry Foote.
Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says the Rams signed defensive tackle Fred Robbins while two of their free-agent defensive ends, Leonard Little and James Hall, planned to visit the Saints. Thomas: "Little arrives in New Orleans on Wednesday and departs Thursday morning. Hall arrives Thursday, so he and Little may just miss each other in Louisiana. The Saints released defensive end Charles Grant, so they have at least one opening on their line. Joe Vitt, the Saints' linebackers coach and assistant head coach, knows Little well from spending the 2004 and '05 seasons on Mike Martz's staff in St. Louis."
Howard Balzer of the St. Louis Globe-Democrat says Robbins' connections with Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo played a significant role in the veteran defensive tackle's decision to sign with St. Louis. Robbins: "Throughout my career I played both nose tackle and three-technique. I played both the left side and right side and I think that’s the different options I can bring to the table. That’s what helped us when he was with us in New York. We had guys that could play multiple positions."
Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee says Shaun Hill's agent took the high road when asked about the 49ers' decision to sign David Carr. Barrows: "The truth is that Hill isn't holding any cards. He's under contract at a modest figure -- $1.5 million -- and the 49ers are under no obligation to release him. What likely will happen is that the 49ers will see if Hill has any trade value before letting him get to the open market. The 49ers have not said what they plan to do with Hill, perhaps because they have not officially signed David Carr yet. He's only agreed to terms on a two-year deal."
Matt Maiocco of the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat says Hill plans to attend the 49ers' offseason conditioning program when it begins next week.
Tim Kawakami of the San Jose Mercury News says the 49ers' pursuit of David Carr shows the team wasn't satisfied with its situation at quarterback.
Ray Ratto of the San Francisco Chronicle wasn't impressed when the 49ers added Carr. Ratto: "After a day of seemingly meaningless jousting, the 49ers and Carr agreed to a deal Sunday that dooms Shaun Hill but in no other way makes San Francisco materially better. Now that he's signed, Carr becomes nothing more than the new Hill, only Alex Smith is an easier hurdle to clear than Eli Manning was for Carr last year." I think perceptions would be significantly different if, all else being equal, Hill were once a No. 1 overall draft choice and Carr had entered the league as an undrafted free agent. Carr's failures are defined by expectations for him and not so much by how he has actually played.
Acquiring Kerry Rhodes after losing Antrel Rolle showed the Cardinals could quickly rebound from a disappointing development.
But they still probably downgraded the position, a trend this offseason (Rolle, Karlos Dansby, Anquan Boldin, Kurt Warner).
"I dont get the the Cardinals plan," Dmyth12 wrote in the comments section of this item. "Get rid of Dansby a young elite player to possibly bring in two 30-plus players in (Larry) Foote and (Joey) Porter. Let Rolle walk for an older Rhodes. It seems they are working against themselves."
Rhodes and Rolle are both 27, so the age difference isn't an issue. But the points you raised lined up with comments from Matt Williamson of Scouts Inc. during our conversation Monday morning. Porter, 32, and Foote, 29, were expected to visit the Cardinals this week.
"I guess Porter could sort of be a bridge player until (younger guys) are ready," Williamson said. "He is inspirational and well-liked by teammates. He could have some leadership skills. But he is not nearly the player he was. I thought his play was just above average even when he had all those sacks a couple years ago. He played against some bad tackles. But if you are the Cardinals, you have to stop the bleeding. At least he brings in something that helps."
Foote played well for the Lions last season, but he wasn't a fit in their defense. He would fit better in a 3-4.
"Dansby to Foote would be a big dropoff," Williamson said. "You go from Rolle to Rhodes, that is a drop-off. I liked Rolle a lot because everything was in front of him still. He has only been a free safety for a couple years now. He spends offseasons with Ed Reed and is very conscientious about becoming a great player. Rhodes is a finesse player and still an above-average starting safety who at times can look better than he is, but is not a banger, not an elite cover guy and it's going to be a little tougher to do things you want to do with Adrian Wilson. I would rather have Rolle."
The Cardinals can come out of this OK if they develop linebackers Will Davis and Cody Brown into quality players. Davis showed quite a bit of promise last season. Brown, a second-round choice in 2009, is starting over after a wrist injury wiped out his rookie season.
Of course, the Cardinals do not play a game this week. They have time to improve their roster. It's too early to write them off, particularly in the current NFC West.
But they still probably downgraded the position, a trend this offseason (Rolle, Karlos Dansby, Anquan Boldin, Kurt Warner).
"I dont get the the Cardinals plan," Dmyth12 wrote in the comments section of this item. "Get rid of Dansby a young elite player to possibly bring in two 30-plus players in (Larry) Foote and (Joey) Porter. Let Rolle walk for an older Rhodes. It seems they are working against themselves."
Rhodes and Rolle are both 27, so the age difference isn't an issue. But the points you raised lined up with comments from Matt Williamson of Scouts Inc. during our conversation Monday morning. Porter, 32, and Foote, 29, were expected to visit the Cardinals this week.
"I guess Porter could sort of be a bridge player until (younger guys) are ready," Williamson said. "He is inspirational and well-liked by teammates. He could have some leadership skills. But he is not nearly the player he was. I thought his play was just above average even when he had all those sacks a couple years ago. He played against some bad tackles. But if you are the Cardinals, you have to stop the bleeding. At least he brings in something that helps."
Foote played well for the Lions last season, but he wasn't a fit in their defense. He would fit better in a 3-4.
"Dansby to Foote would be a big dropoff," Williamson said. "You go from Rolle to Rhodes, that is a drop-off. I liked Rolle a lot because everything was in front of him still. He has only been a free safety for a couple years now. He spends offseasons with Ed Reed and is very conscientious about becoming a great player. Rhodes is a finesse player and still an above-average starting safety who at times can look better than he is, but is not a banger, not an elite cover guy and it's going to be a little tougher to do things you want to do with Adrian Wilson. I would rather have Rolle."
The Cardinals can come out of this OK if they develop linebackers Will Davis and Cody Brown into quality players. Davis showed quite a bit of promise last season. Brown, a second-round choice in 2009, is starting over after a wrist injury wiped out his rookie season.
Of course, the Cardinals do not play a game this week. They have time to improve their roster. It's too early to write them off, particularly in the current NFC West.
The moves teams make in free agency can be predictable based on personal connections.
- The Cardinals hired Donnie Henderson to coach their secondary. When Antrel Rolle signed with the Giants, the Cardinals quickly acquired Kerry Rhodes from the Jets. Who was the Jets' defensive coordinator when the team drafted Rhodes in 2005? Henderson.
- The Rams hired Pat Shurmur as their offensive coordinator before last season. When the Rams sought a veteran quarterback this offseason, the team signed A.J. Feeley. Who was the Eagles' quarterbacks coach when Feeley was a backup in Philadelphia? Shurmur.
- The 49ers watched free agent Arnaz Battle leave in recent days. Battle joined recently fired 49ers special-teams coach Al Everest with the Steelers.
- The Seahawks spent Saturday visiting with Broncos restricted free agent Brandon Marshall. Their new offensive coordinator, Jeremy Bates, coached Marshall previously in Denver.
So many of these moves are somewhat predictable if we pay close enough attention to the connections. St. Louis made another reconnection Monday when they signed defensive tackle Fred Robbins, who played for Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo when both were with the Giants. The Cardinals reportedly have interest in linebackers Joey Porter and Larry Foote, who played for the Steelers when Arizona's Ken Whisenhunt was a coach for Pittsburgh. On and on it goes.
It makes sense for teams to seek players they know will fit their systems. I also think teams can value familiarity too much. Sometimes it's easier for a coach to plug in a known part than to put in the work needed to develop a younger or more talented player.
Dave Boling of the Tacoma News Tribune takes an in-depth look at Seahawks coach Pete Carroll through the eyes of policemen and others outside the NFL. Boling: "Carroll used his position and visibility to create a nonprofit organization, A Better L.A., that helped involve corporate and monied entities. It brought together government and law-enforcement agencies, and helped support and fund the critical liaisons with the community. He began showing up in the neighborhoods in the middle of the night for face-to-face talks with gang members. And the most important thing … he didn’t make a splash and run. He committed."
Eric D. Williams of the Tacoma News Tribune says the Seahawks' courtship of Brandon Marshall could take time.
Danny O'Neil of the Seattle Times passes along a quote from a Bengals beat reporter shooting down Cincinnati's alleged interest in Marshall as a smokescreen. Agreed.
Also from O'Neil: a look at players who have visited, are scheduled to visit or are reportedly scheduled to visit the Seahawks. Marshall, Dwan Edwards, Tyler Brayton, Ben Watson, Ben Hamilton, Chris Baker, Mike Bell and William James make the list.
John Morgan of Field Gulls says the Seahawks should play it cool on the Marshall front in an effort to drive down the price. That is exactly what will happen, in my view.
Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says the Rams could complete a deal with free-agent defensive tackle Fred Robbins by Monday, according to Robbins' agent.
Also from Thomas: Former Rams cornerback Jonathan Wade is scheduled to visit the Lions.
Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says the Rams' methodical approach to free agency is a tough sell for a skeptical fan base. Miklasz: "The Rams are stuck in a strange and unenviable spot right now. The franchise doesn't have an owner. Oh, Chip Rosenbloom and sister Lucia Rodriguez technically maintain ownership, but they're on the way out after having sold majority control to Shahid Khan. But Khan still must gain league approval before taking over and the process might take two months or more. So the team is in transition, in between bosses. And it's awkward."
Howard Balzer of the St. Louis Globe-Democrat quotes Rams general manager Billy Devaney on Marc Bulger, Richie Incognito and Matt Ware. The Rams have no plans to sign Incognito or Ware, contrary to rumors. Devaney on Bulger: "I don't care what anybody says [about Bulger]. This is a helluva kid. He’s a pro’s pro and understands everything. We told him as soon as there’s clarity and we have a feel for how this will play out, he’ll be the first person to know. It could be anything, and he understands that. Our position right now is that he’s still a member of the Rams and if that ever changes we’ll be up front with Marc."
Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee says 49ers quarterback Shaun Hill is "considering his options" after the team signed David Carr. Those options are limited because the 49ers control his rights.
Tim Kawakami of the San Jose Mercury News says Alex Smith has lost every quarterback competition in which he has participated since joining the 49ers. What does that mean now that Carr is on board? Kawakami: "I would also guess that Scot McCloughan, Mike Singletary and Jimmy Raye are looking to add a little spice to the QB spot in training camp, with Carr getting a shot to unseat Alex Smith if possible. (Carr might not have come here unless he thought he had a real shot at the No. 1 spot.) But remember, Smith isn’t too good in summer-camp battles."
Daniel Brown of the San Jose Mercury News says 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis, initially critical of the team's interest in Carr, tweeted nice things about the quarterback once Carr signed. Damage control.
Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic recaps Anquan Boldin's career with the Cardinals. Larry Fitzgerald: "I'm going to miss him. Understatement of the day. Big part of what we were able to accomplish here, a dear friend, but I'm happy for him and his family."
Also from Somers: a look at a wild few days for the Cardinals, with thoughts on the contract clauses that have given the team trouble recently. Somers: "Owner Bill Bidwill was against voidable clauses, a commonly used contract element throughout the NFL. Bidwill has since dropped his objections to voidable years, and the trade for (Kerry) Rhodes brought some fans in off the ledge. But the Cardinals could face the same problem next year. Quarterback Matt Leinart, now the starter, was drafted a year after (Antrel) Rolle. Leinart's salary is due to increase nearly $5 million in 2010, to $7.36 million, and he's due a $5.5 million roster bonus. The Cardinals will have to make a decision about his future early in 2011."
More from Somers: Joey Porter and Larry Foote would be interesting additions if Arizona decided to sign either linebacker. Both played with current Cardinals linebacker Clark Haggans in Pittsburgh.
Adding veteran safety Kerry Rhodes from the Jets should help the Cardinals rebound at least somewhat from Antrel Rolle's departure Friday.
RhodesRhodes and Rolle are the same age (27). Both have been very durable. Both have been productive.
Scouts Inc. offers this analysis on Rhodes: "Rhodes has size, athletic skills and functional play strength. He has deceptive speed and physical toughness. He shows good speed and quickness as a blitzer. He has been a very physical and productive player coming off the edge in zone dogs. He has good closing speed underneath. He takes good angles when supporting the run but can be inconsistent in this phase of the game."
The Cardinals already have a strong run-defending safety in Adrian Wilson. This looks like a good rebound move by Arizona.
And if they can land former Steelers and Lions linebacker Larry Foote to replace Karlos Dansby, the Cardinals could be in reasonably good shape given events of the last day or so.
Scouts Inc. offers this analysis on Rhodes: "Rhodes has size, athletic skills and functional play strength. He has deceptive speed and physical toughness. He shows good speed and quickness as a blitzer. He has been a very physical and productive player coming off the edge in zone dogs. He has good closing speed underneath. He takes good angles when supporting the run but can be inconsistent in this phase of the game."
The Cardinals already have a strong run-defending safety in Adrian Wilson. This looks like a good rebound move by Arizona.
And if they can land former Steelers and Lions linebacker Larry Foote to replace Karlos Dansby, the Cardinals could be in reasonably good shape given events of the last day or so.
Thanks to those who kept the latest NFC West chat moving. Transcript here. Highlights below:
One other thought on Peppers: The Seahawks should have a good feel for him after hiring Panthers scout Trent Kirchner as their assistant director of pro personnel.
Derrik (Phoenix): Sando, if the Cards could get an extra third-round pick for Anquan Boldin, should they try to go after Kirk Morrison and give up that extra pick, or do you think Larry Foote could do just as good as Morrison. Thanks.
Mike Sando: I would much rather have the third-round choice and Foote than no third-round choice and Morrison. Foote would fit the 3-4 mold in Arizona. Foote was with the Steelers when Ken Whisenhunt was there, so that would be another potential bonus. Foote would know what the Cardinals are trying to accomplish scheme-wise. I think he also has some leadership skills that could be valuable.
Cosby (Stanton,CA): Mike, Seattle has no pass rush and its putting a lot of strain on the secondary. Don't you think maybe Paul Allen should spend the BIG money to get Peppers to become a Seahawk? Thanks.
Mike Sando: It's always fun telling other people how to spend lots of money. I do think the Seahawks should consider that type of move. I also will not be surprised if they do get involved with Peppers. That's the sort of move a team makes when it wants to quickly make up for recent draft failures. Peppers is expected to command $12 million to $13 million per year. That's not much more than the team was planning to pay (combined) for Deion Branch and Patrick Kerney. Cut those two, sign Peppers and you're instantly a better team even if Peppers isn't the most reliable bet.
Andre (Maple Grove MN): Why are the 49ers trying to work out a long term deal with Aubrayo Franklin? He has one great year, and most players in their contract year tend to overacheive.
Mike Sando: The 49ers might be trying to work out a long term deal, but how hard are they trying? I think they might agree with you more than you think. Otherwise they might have signed him long term. They were going to franchise him all along. This move lets them evaluate him for another season and then decide on the smartest course. The labor situation might have more clarity by then as well.
Kyle (Tempe,AZ): Who is the most likely team to trade one of their draft picks in the NFC West? There is a lot of talk surrounding the Rams and the 49ers and Seahawks. Each have two in the first round.
Mike Sando: The Rams have the 33rd pick, which is in the second round, so they have only one first-rounder. But you're right about the NFC West holding lots of picks early. I think we're likely to see trades. The Rams could have a hard time moving the first overall choice, but I think that 33rd choice will have value as teams regroup between the first and second days.
One other thought on Peppers: The Seahawks should have a good feel for him after hiring Panthers scout Trent Kirchner as their assistant director of pro personnel.
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.
