NFC West: Michael Boulware
There's much to consider.
Sean Pamphilon's engrossing piece (R-rated for language) provided context for the damning video he shot revealing Williams' instructions to injure specific San Francisco 49ers players in specific vulnerable places. One of Williams' former players in New Orleans, Malcolm Jenkins, subsequently suggested Pamphilon had exploited for personal gain the access afforded him through Steve Gleason, the former Saints linebacker suffering from ALS.
Both men make understandable points. What we need, I think, is a fuller and more honest discussion of what goes on inside pro football. We need context.
Jack from Charming, Calif., asked during the chat what I took from Williams' pregame speech.
Mostly, I tried to differentiate the normal pregame stuff -- kill the other guys, knock out the QB, etc. -- from the specific instructions to target specific injuries on specific players (for cash in at least one instance). I think the extent to which Williams reveled in this stuff was largely his undoing. There's a reason players aren't excited about disclosing injuries in a lot of cases. They know opponents will target them.
That's what I said in the chat, anyway. Gaining additional context over time will lead to better informed opinions.
Full chat transcript here. Highlights below:
Yvan from Paris asks whether the St. Louis Rams' interest in wide receivers during free agency suggests they're not sold on drafting Oklahoma State's Justin Blackmon.
Mike Sando: Not necessarily. It means the Rams are weak at the position and want to protect themselves to the greatest degree possible as they head toward the draft. They do not want to be in trouble if Blackmon is not there for them at No. 6, or if there is another player they might value more. Let's say they like Blackmon and love another prospect, but they realize receiver is the bigger need. That is a realistic scenario. Diminishing the need before the draft allows the Rams greater flexibility to draft the best player regardless of position. That is what every team wants.
Tommy from Honolulu asks what I think about suggestions the Seattle Seahawks might draft safety Mark Barron in the first round, then move Kam Chancellor to linebacker.
Mike Sando: I think it sounds unlikely. Chancellor is a Pro Bowl safety. He probably has more value there than he would have at linebacker, unless the coaching staff felt strongly about developing a specific hybrid role for him. In that case, I would be intrigued, but still a little skeptical. Why mess with a good thing? I do think it's easier, in theory, to go from defensive back to linebacker than the other way around, as the Michael Boulware experiment seemed to demonstrate years ago.
The_Jagaroth from Arizona asks about mock drafts suggesting the Cardinals could trade down from the 13th overall pick, select Cordy Glenn and recoup a second-round choice along the way.
Mike Sando: That makes some sense. Teams hate going into a draft without a pick in an early round. The scenario you outlined would make sense if the Cardinals felt as though there wasn't an offensive tackle worth taking at No. 13. In that case, they could go to a Plan B. They could trade back, as you suggested, add a guard and then consider their options, possibly moving Adam Snyder to tackle. I'm skeptical of Snyder projecting at tackle for the long term, but Russ Grimm indicated it could be an option.
Ryan from Irvine, Calif., asks how drafting Stanford tight end Coby Fleener could impact the 49ers' offense.
Mike Sando: Wow, talk about formidable three-tight end personnel groupings. Sounds like overkill to me, but if anyone would embrace newfangled personnel groupings, Jim Harbaugh and Greg Roman would be the ones. Imagine Fleener, Vernon Davis and Delanie Walker on the field with Frank Gore and one wide receiver.
By the way, it looks like our Seahawks logos have been updated to reflect the recent redesign. Check it out above. Those who razzed me for having outdated logos in the seconds following the redesign did have an affect. I emailed proofs of the new logos to editors a few minutes earlier than I otherwise might have done.
In the meantime, consider this an appreciation.
Holt was the NFC West wide receiver opponents feared most during the first five or six years following divisional realignment in 2002. He could beat defenses with his speed and then make spectacular, seemingly impossible plays on the ball against coverage.
Terrell Owens left the division following the 2003 season. Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin were still ascending. Holt's teammate in St. Louis, Isaac Bruce, remained formidable, but Holt was increasingly the dominant force.
From 2000 through 2007, Holt strung together eight consecutive seasons with at least 81 receptions and 1,188 yards. That included two 1,600-yard seasons and four others with at least 1,300 yards. He averaged 19.9 yards per reception in 2000 and 106 yards per game in 2003, figures that led the NFL in those seasons.
My previous job as a Seattle Seahawks beat reporter provided a first-hand view for some of Holt's finest moments. His eight catches for 154 yards and three touchdowns against Seattle during a 2006 shootout at the Edward Jones Dome stands out. The Rams trailed 27-21 with three minutes remaining when Leonard Little forced a Maurice Morris fumble. Less than a minute later, Holt's 67-yard touchdown catch had the Rams in the lead.
Safety Michael Boulware had deflected the pass and nearly intercepted it. Holt somehow gathered the ball, a deep heave from Marc Bulger, and ran into the end zone for the go-ahead score.
"Until he caught it, I thought I was catching it," Boulware said at the time. "I'm still kind of ... I can't believe that he caught it."
Holt was a Seahawk killer in those days. He finished his career with 91 receptions for 1,247 yards and eight touchdowns in 16 games against Seattle. But Holt did not discriminate. He lit up Arizona with 101 receptions for 1,417 yards and nine scores in 15 games. Holt had 116 receptions for 1,542 yards and seven touchdowns in 21 games against San Francisco, a team he faced in the NFC West before and after realignment.
Purely by coincidence, I cued up that 2006 Seahawks-Rams game on Tuesday night when my kids asked if they could watch an old game on their DVD player before bedtime.
We watched Holt dominate, at one point catching a 9-yard scoring pass against Marcus Trufant before Trufant could even turn to locate the ball. After a while, my youngest son, 7, asked whether Holt was in the Hall of Fame. The question was premature, as Holt will not be eligible for another five years. But the case for him is a strong one.
Holt had more receptions and receiving yards than any player from 2000 to 2009. He was fifth in receiving touchdowns during that time, a respectable total that suffered because the Rams had other options. He won one Super Bowl and played in another.
The Rams have struggled to replace Holt in recent seasons. They hold the sixth pick in the 2012 draft and could select Oklahoma State receiver Justin Blackmon, if available. Holt, the sixth player chosen in 1999, set the bar high.
Jenni Carlson of the Oklahoman catches up with St. Louis Rams rookie quarterback Sam Bradford. Carlson: "Bradford has become a quick fan favorite in St. Louis. While there is no word of billboards with his face or murals with his name springing up around town just yet — hey, the Cardinals are still kings in St. Louis -- he has clearly given the Rams and their fans reason to hope. That's why he's already been shuttled around town to meet every sponsor, every season-ticket holder and fan possible. Bradford already senses the difference in expectations." Bradford: "Sometimes ... you do pinch yourself and think, 'Wow, this is crazy,' but I know I've been blessed with an extremely great opportunity." Bradford's temperament suggests he'll handle the off-field stuff ably. That's one of the reasons the Rams felt comfortable drafting him with the first overall choice.
Clare Farnsworth of seahawks.com says the team's situation at quarterback isn't what it might seem. Farnsworth: "The situation at quarterback has been misrepresented since the club made the trade to acquire [Charlie] Whitehurst. Hasselbeck remains the starter, and his performance this spring has only cemented that status. He is healthier than he has been in two years and the improvements on the O-line should help insure that remains the case."
Danny O'Neil of the Seattle Times has this to say about Seahawks rookie Earl Thomas: "Earl has got some range out there. My question will be how he physically holds up as he's smaller, but I think that Seattle has a real playmaking ballhawk back there. Who would you say Seattle's last real playmaker at safety was? Michael Boulware in 2004, his rookie year when he had the pick against Minnesota?" Boulware did his damage playing linebacker in the nickel defense. Off the top of my head, Darryl Williams might be the last true playmaking safety the Seahawks employed. They had a chance to sign John Lynch and Rodney Harrison years ago, but concerns over age and injuries led the Seahawks to head in different directions.
Judd Zulgad of the Minneapolis Star Tribune checks in with Cardinals receiver and Minnesota native Larry Fitzgerald for thoughts on Brett Favre and the Vikings. Fitzgerald expects Favre to return. Fitzgerald: "Honestly, if he didn’t comeback I wouldn’t mind. You look at the NFC right now, you think of the Cowboys, you think of the Green Bay Packers, you think of the Minnesota Vikings. Those are the three juggernauts in our conference and if Brett wasn’t back I don’t know." Surely Fitzgerald hasn't forgotten about the team that ended Arizona's 2009 season.
Darren Urban of azcardinals.com looks at Darnell Dockett's ESPN-related schedule for Friday. Dockett squares off against Skip Bayless on ESPN2 before joining the "Scott Van Pelt Show," ESPNEWS, "NFL Live" and "SportsCenter."
Also from Urban: The Cardinals are altering the way they structure some rookie contracts. Urban: "In the past, the first-rounder has always had a longer deal (usually six years), the second-rounder got a four-year deal, and everyone else signed for three seasons (with the team knowing the player would be a restricted free agent at that point and he could be tendered for one year, extended or just let go). Graves said the lower picks will now get four-year deals. It’s the wave of the NFL and few teams are still doing it the way the Cards have been, so the Cardinals are just going to go with the league’s flow."
Sam Whiting of the San Francisco Chronicle checks in with 49ers legend Joe Montana, who has this to say about the inconveniences of fame: "Some people have no respect whether you are with your family or not. That's the hardest part. I was shopping in a grocery store in Seattle looking for stuff for (son) Nicholas. This guy kept following me with his cell phone video on. The lady comes up and says, 'Can I have a picture?' I said, 'I don't do pictures anymore.' If you're out to dinner, one is never enough. The same person will shoot 10 while you're eating. I sign autographs. It's getting a little bit easier because I'm getting older, and a lot of the younger people are like, 'Who's that?' You will be walking through an airport, and you get, 'Aren't you Joe Namath?' " What would you do if you ran into Montana at the market?
Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com takes a look at various 49ers camp battles. Maiocco: "I don't believe Ahmad Brooks is ready to be an every-down player at outside linebacker over Manny Lawson. But if Brooks cuts down on the mental errors and shows great improvement in pass coverage during training camp, he'll get his chance." Brooks has earned a shot at more playing time, but there's also a chance he'll be less effective outside his previous role. The 49ers might be best off seeing how he fares in his previous role over the course of a full season.
Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee thinks undrafted rookie Scott Long has a chance to earn a spot on the 49ers' practice squad. Barrows: "If I had to make a prediction now, I'd say the 49ers will keep five receivers on their active roster and another youngster on the practice squad. (Remember, Dominique Zeigler doesn't have any more practice-squad eligibility). Long was battling the flu during the team's rookie minicamp in May, and he had a hard time getting reps in June. Like any undrafted free agent, he needs to take advantage of those precious opportunities when training camp practices begin August 2."
Also from Barrows: using special-teams lineups to help determine which backups are most likely to earn roster spots.
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.
Flashback to Seattle's last victory at Arizona
Shaun Alexander carried 23 times for 173 yards and two touchdowns during a 33-19 Seattle victory at Sun Devil Stadium. The Seahawks, headed to Super Bowl XL after that season, picked off Kurt Warner three times and sacked him four times.
A couple things about these teams have changed since that game. I had some fun sifting through those 2005 rosters.
Players no longer with Seattle
Offense (20): Bobby Engram, Steve Hutchinson, Robbie Tobeck, Chris Gray, Joe Jurevicius, Jerheme Urban, Mack Strong, Shaun Alexander, D.J. Hackett, Maurice Morris, Leonard Weaver, Floyd Womack, Ryan Hannam, Jerramy Stevens, Peter Warrick, David Greene, Wayne Hunter, Darrell Jackson, Itula Mili, Josh Scobey.
Defense (18): Bryce Fisher, Chuck Darby, Marcus Tubbs, Grant Wistrom, Jamie Sharper, Kelly Herndon, Michael Boulware, Marquand Manual, Jimmy Williams, John Howell, Niko Koutouvides, Kevin Bentley, Isaiah Kacyvenski, Joe Tafoya, Rocky Bernard, Etric Pruitt, Rodney Bailey, Andre Dyson.
Specialists (3): Josh Brown, Tom Rouen, J.P. Darche.
Players still with SeattleOffense (6): Walter Jones (injured reserve), Sean Locklear, Matt Hasselbeck, Seneca Wallace, Chris Spencer, Ray Willis.
Defense (6): Jordan Babineaux, Craig Terrill, D.D. Lewis, Lofa Tatupu (IR), Leroy Hill, Marcus Trufant.
Players no longer with Arizona
Offense (23): Bryant Johnson, Leonard Davis, Nick Leckey, Alex Stepanovich, Oliver Ross, Eric Edwards, Marcel Shipp, Adam Bergen, J.J. Arrington, Josh McCown, John Navarre, Reggie Newhouse, LeRon McCoy, Fred Wakefield, James Jackson, Obafemi Ayanbadejo, Harold Morrow, Jarrod Baxter, Adam Haayer, J.J. Moses, Elton Brown, Teyo Johnson, Reggie Swinton.
Defense (16): Langston Moore, Ross Kolodziej, James Darling, Robert Tate, Robert Griffith, David Macklin, Antonio Cochran, Darryl Blackstock, Orlando Huff, Eric Green, Antonio Smith, Lamont Reid, Quentin Harris, Isaac Keys, Lance Mitchell, Aaron Francisco.
Specialists (2): Scott Player, Nathan Hodel.
Players still with ArizonaOffense (5): Reggie Wells, Larry Fitzgerald, Kurt Warner, Jeremy Bridges, Anquan Boldin.
Defense (6): Chike Okeafor, Darnell Dockett, Bernard Berry, Karlos Dansby, Adrian Wilson, Antrel Rolle.
Specialists (1): Neil Rackers.
Note: Thanks to spaumi10 for noticing that Aaron Francisco and Lance Mitchell were initially listed on offense. There was a little cutting and pasting involved with this entry. Missed those two. Thanks!Around the NFC West: Trufant vs. Fitzgerald
Clare Farnsworth of seahawks.com checks in with coach Jim Mora regarding cornerback Marcus Trufant, who did not play during Seattle's 27-3 defeat to the Cardinals earlier in the season. The last time Trufant played against Arizona, Larry Fitzgerald caught five passes for 130 yards and two touchdowns. Kurt Warner threw four touchdown passes in that game, a 34-21 Cardinals victory in Week 17 last season. Trufant applied pretty good coverage in that game, as I recall. Fitzgerald was simply on top of his game and rounding into playoff form.
Also from Farnsworth: why the Seahawks gave a game ball to Julius Jones earlier in the week. Offensive coordinator Greg Knapp: 'Some people always reflect to just his run statistics. Well, this is a team sport, so it takes 11 guys to do that and he can’t control all the variables. But he ran hard, he was assignment perfect on protections, did a great job picking up the blitzes they brought and then was a big facet for Matt (Hasselbeck) getting success in the pass game."
Rod Mar of seahawks.com offers a photo collage from the Seahawks' victory over the Lions.
Danny O'Neil of the Seattle Times says pressuring Warner is the key to containing Fitzgerald. Arizona handled pressure better against the Bears than against previous opponents. Warner averaged 7.8 yards per attempt with three touchdowns, no sacks and a 125.4 rating when Chicago brought five or more pass-rushers Sunday. He had averaged 5.9 yards per attempt with three interceptions, six sacks and a 61.3 rating when the Cardinals' previous seven opponents brought five or more rushers, according to ESPN Stats & Information.
Eric D. Williams of the Tacoma News Tribune says Sean Locklear participated fully in practice Wednesday, working with the first-team offense at left tackle. That tells me he has a very good chance to start Sunday.
Also from Williams: Seahawks coach Jim Mora says the team faces a heightened sense of urgency heading to Arizona -- sort of. Mora: "There's a tremendous sense of urgency to win this game. A tremendous sense of urgency, just like there was a tremendous sense of urgency to win last game, and we’ve got to continue to prepare with that mindset. We’ve got to realize the significance of our situation, and I believe we do."
Ryan Divish of the Tacoma News Tribune offers more on Locklear. How Locklear feels Thursday will be key.
John Morgan of Field Gulls compares David Hawthorne to Lofa Tatupu, noting where Hawthorne must improve to close the gap between the two players. Morgan: "If you're the right age, you probably remember thinking Michael Boulware was a superstar safety in the waiting. He had that (Jordan) Babineaux knack to be where the action was. In two seasons he had nine interceptions, three forced fumbles, three sacks and a touchdown return. His play was noticeable, electric, and terrible. Boulware couldn't read a route or defend play action. He was around tips but not in throwing lanes, he was a good blitzer, but absent in deep cover. Seattle never mustered much of a pass defense with Boulware and when Ruskell deigned to remake the secondary, Boulware was shipped out, benched by the Texans and then run out of the league."
Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic points to turnovers as the source of the Cardinals' struggles at home this season. Beanie Wells and Tim Hightower have not fumbled in a while. Are they due, or have they turned a corner? Did I just jinx them? Somers: "Turnover margin usually determines the outcome of games, and that's especially true of (Ken) Whisenhunt's teams. In his three seasons, the Cardinals are 18-0 when they have fewer turnovers than opponents and 6-2 when they are even. They are 1-17 when they have more turnovers than opponents."
Also from Somers: The Cardinals will probably need an NFL extension to sell out their game against Seattle, thereby avoiding a local television blackout.
Darren Urban of azcardinals.com says the Cardinals are hoping to build upon their 182-yard rushing performance at Chicago. Arizona moved up to No. 31 in rushing yards per game. The Chargers rank last.
Also from Urban: Anquan Boldin says he is injury-free.
Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says the Rams commemorated Veterans Day with a post-practice prayer session. Safety Oshiomogho Atogwe: "I think it's important to honor the men and the women who protect our freedom -- our earthly freedoms on a daily basis. We definitely said a prayer for them and just gave 'em thanks." Defensive end Leonard Little's brother is serving in Afghanistan. Center Jason Brown and linebacker James Laurinaitis both have brothers who served in Iraq.
Also from Thomas and colleagues: Did the Rams make the right choice when they selected Jason Smith in the first round? Check back in a couple of years.
Bill Coats of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says Rams cornerback Ron Bartell has been fighting through a thigh injury. Bartell: "I'm not all the way there, but this is the best I've felt in some weeks now. I feel like it's starting to come around. We've got another shot this weekend, and hopefully I can play a little bit better and we can play better as a team and get a win."
Steve Korte of the Belleville News-Democrat notes that Laurinaitis' grandfather served in World War II.
Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee passes along quarterback-related comments from former 49ers offensive coordinator Mike Martz. Martz: "I think that Shaun Hill is a winner, but I think that he has some limitations in terms of getting the ball down the field. You love him -- he's everything you want in the locker room as far as leadership qualities. Alex, when I was there, was injured. And he was very inaccurate in practice, he missed some throws. He didn't have the arm strength he has right now. Certainly when you look at him against Houston, he looks like a different player to me. So, I think you have to hold off and really analyze the last eight games before you come to that conclusion. But at this point, you have to say, no. The other thing I would say ... those receivers he has now. Those three or four receivers with the tight end -- Vernon having a Pro Bowl year -- there are plenty of pieces for him to really take off and have an excellent year."
Also from Barrows: Coach Mike Singletary spoke to Davis regarding the comments Davis made about the Bears' defense.
More from Barrows: Frank Gore rushed seven times for 40 yards out of the shotgun formation Sunday.
Matt Maiocco of the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat says it is "highly doubtful" Davis' comments will mean anything once the Bears and 49ers kick off. Maiocco: "Quarterbacks Shaun Hill and Alex Smith sat at their lockers Wednesday afternoon comparing notes on Davis’ words. Both said they did not pay much attention to Davis’ remarks. Linebacker Takeo Spikes said the defense will go out in tonight’s game to do its part and 'have Vernon’s back.' "
Also from Maiocco: Isaac Bruce will not play against the Bears.
Lowell Cohn of the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat wonders what Singletary offers beyond a powerful voice. Cohn: "Above everything else, Singletary is a motivator. He seems to define his job as the necessity to motivate others. He has a powerful personality and he tries to impose that personality on his coaches and players, and he tries to win games by the sheer force of his will. This would be a worthy enterprise if it actually worked. But personality and will do not win football games as Singletary’s four-game losing streak should tell him and us. Singletary is coaching professional athletes, grown-up men who rarely need the old rah-rah speech. Those went out with the Gipper rant. Professional athletes need to learn specific techniques for each game. If they have a head coach who’s always resorting to the voice and the stare and the motivational rigmarole, they tune him out and grow bored and wonder what else he has to offer."
Kevin Lynch of Niner Insider says the Bears-49ers game offers intrigue even though both teams are mediocre.
Recalling Bierria, safety turned murder suspect
Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando
About 60 friends and family members shuttled to the Superdome to see native son Terreal Bierria make his first NFL start there for the Seahawks in the 2004 opener.
Bierria led the team in tackles that day with nine. He forced a fumble during the Seahawks' 21-7 victory.
Bierria had held off second-round choice Michael Boulware for the starting job that year, leading Mike Holmgren to praise him thusly:
"We drafted Boulware to be the strong safety and Terreal fought for his spot and had a great camp. I think that's a wonderful statement by a young player that he accepted the challenge and he didn't just say, 'There is a high draft pick and they've already made up their mind.' "
Those were my recollections upon hearing the news that authorities in Louisiana had charged Bierria with first-degree murder an alleged drug deal gone bad. I found the story and accompanying police photo chilling. What a sad story.
Earlier: Jemele Hill profile on Bierria.
Mailbag: Realistic expectations for Cardinals
Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando
Clint from Mesa, Ariz., writes: As a Cards fan of over 20 years, I admittedly have spent the last few months wondering if 2008-2009 was an aberration or not. I'm a logical person and I truly believe this time that the Cards have turned the corner.
Here's why:
- The new physical training program that John Lott runs is putting guys in a position to not wear down late, not get injured, and be able to beat opponents off the ball, especially late in the season.
- The fact that Ken Whisenhunt will play who deserves to play and not just lean on his stars helps share the burden. Examples: a rejuvenated Edgerrin James and a dominant Darnell Dockett in the playoffs.
- Lastly, there's just a sense of unquestionable trust and authority around the coaching staff with this regime that hasn't been here with any coaching staff I can remember. Even the local media seems to give the staff some wiggle room when it comes to questioning decisions.
All of that really seems to be the formula for continued success and all are components I've never seen here. What are your thoughts?
Mike Sando: I think you raise good points, but that doesn't mean you should be surprised or even disappointed if the Cardinals fail to advance deep into the playoffs this season. Arizona could conceivably have a better team this season and still fall short of the Super Bowl.
In other words, we should not necessarily view last season as an aberration even if the Cardinals fail to meet your expectations in 2009. Lots of things must happen for a team to enjoy a special season. Ken Whisenhunt knows this and I think that helps explain why he had a hard time getting over the Super Bowl defeat. He knows how hard it is to reach that game.
The point about John Lott holds up to a degree. He was the strength coach in 2007 when Matt Leinart lasted five games, Chike Okeafor missed the entire season and the injuries affected the Cardinals to a more significant degree. I wouldn't blame Lott for those injuries any more than I would give him full credit for the team's unusual health in 2008. Players are going to suffer injuries even if a team's strength coach is doing a fantastic job.
GWperformer from Graham, Wash., writes: Hi Sando, I appreciate your coverage of the NFC West. I would like your insight on the Hawks' safety situation. I, like many a Hawk fan, cringe at the thought of seeing Brian Russell back in the starting lineup. Is there a chance that Jamar Adams could take over at strong safety, allowing Grant to move to free safety? Could Adams or Courtney Greene be an option at free safety? Or is it possible that Russell isn't as bad as he seemed last year, and could benefit from a new defensive coordinator and defensive system?
Mike Sando: Thanks, GW. I think the harsh criticism directed toward Russell is overdone. I tend to cringe when people overanalyze play in the secondary without knowing each player's responsibilities within a certain call.
If Russell were truly as bad as his harshest critics would have us believe, I think he would be out of the league. As it is, no one on the roster has even beaten him out.
If I were the Seahawks, I would much rather have Russell in the secondary than Michael Boulware and sometimes even Ken Hamlin, based on the big plays Seattle allowed on known busted coverages when those two were playing together.
Let's see how the defense functions under the new staff before making definitive judgments. Quite a few Seattle players struggled last season.
Mailbag: Cardinals' draft classes stepped up
Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando
Rick from Charleston, West Virginia, writes: Hey Mike! As I'm seeing all these 2009 NFL Draft grades immediately hitting the presses, I'm reminded of what I heard a long time ago -- not sure who gets the credit -- you cannot judge a draft for 5 years. With that in mind, I went back and looked at each NFC West team's first 5 picks in the 2004 Draft.
Maybe you could post this and get some reader feedback. The numbers in parenthesis are the round, followed by overall pick:
Seattle
Marcus Tubbs, DT, Texas (1,23)
Michael Boulware, SS, Florida St (2,53)
Sean Locklear, G, NC State (3,84)
Niko Koutouvides, LB, Purdue (4,116)
D.J. Hackett, WR, Colorado (5,157)
San Francisco
Rashaun Woods, WR, Oklahoma St (1,31)
Justin Smiley, G, Alabama (2,46)
Shawntae Spencer, CB, Pitt (2,58)
Derrick Hamilton, WR, Clemson (3,77)
Isaac Sopoaga, DT, Hawaii (4,104)
St. Louis
Steven Jackson, RB, Oregon St (1,24)
Anthony Hargrove, DE, Ga Tech (3,91)
Brandon Chillar, LB, UCLA (4,130)
Jason Shivers, S, Arizona St (5,158)
Jeff Smoker, QB, Michigan St (6,201)
Arizona
Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Pitt (1,3)
Karlos Dansby, LB, Auburn (2,33)
Darnell Dockett, DT, Florida St (3,64)
Alex Stepanovich, C, Ohio St (4,100)
Antonio Smith, DE, Oklahoma St (5,135)
My two initial impressions were that:
- The Cardinals had a GREAT draft. You could argue they hit a home run on 4 of their first five picks, and a grand slam on their #1 (Fitz.) Of course, they were picking high, and you would expect the #3 overall pick to be an impact player 5 years in. By all accounts, though, this would probably measure up quite well against ANY NFL team's draft over the last five years.
- The Rams seem to have done themselves a disservice by trading their 2nd, 4th, and 6th round picks (Chillar and Smoker were both compensatory selections.) They made a great first-round pick (Jackson) but by trading away a couple of picks, their 5th selection (201 overall) was a whopping 66 picks lower than the Cardinals (135).
Mike Sando: Good work, Rick. I was playing around with some related information over the weekend. I went through the Pro Football Reference database and collected 2008 starting information for every player in the league. I then singled out draft choices still playing for their original teams, adding up how many starts they made for their teams in 2008. The totals would not reflect players released since last season, but I thought that was a minor issue and something I could work around with a little more time.
The findings backed up what you are saying. Members of the Cardinals' 2004 draft class still with the team combined for 68 regular-season starts last season. The rest of the league averaged 16 combined starts for members of their 2004 draft classes still with their original teams. San Diego ranked second with 45. The Rams had zero.
Members of the Cardinals' 2003 draft class still with the team combined for 69 regular-season starts last season, another league high. The rest of the league averaged 15 combined starts.
In fact, the Cardinals' 2003 through 2008 draft classes averaged a league-high 42 regular-season starts for their original teams last season (again, not counting any players released since last season). The rest of the league averaged a combined 25 starts last season.
This is something I'll break out in greater detail once I have time to do some more tinkering.
Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando
The Seahawks have not drafted a safety since Tim Ruskell arrived as general manager before the 2005 season. Ruskell's teams have drafted only one safety -- Etric Pruitt, by the Falcons with the 186th pick in 2004 -- over the last six drafts.
Why the apparent aversion to the position on draft day? The Seahawks already had two second-round choices, Ken Hamlin and Michael Boulware, at the position when ownership hired Ruskell. And when Ruskell decided to replace them, he used free agency, signing current starters Deon Grant and Brian Russell.
Seattle could seemingly use a prospect to challenge Russell for playing time at the position. Where might the Seahawks look for one?
Since 1992, when Ruskell became college scouting director for Tampa Bay, his teams have generally valued safeties after the second round and often from less prominent conferences. Four of the seven safeties Ruskell's teams have drafted in the first four rounds since 1992 were from teams currently affiliated with the MAC, SWAC and Mountain West.
The chart shows every safety Ruskell's teams have drafted since 1992, sorted by how early his teams drafted each player.
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Rams' last victory over Seahawks ancient history
Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando
Seattle takes a seven-game winning streak over the Rams to St. Louis for a Week 15 game that will again demonstrate how far these teams have fallen.
The last time the Rams defeated the Seahawks was also the last time the Rams won a playoff game. The date was Jan. 8, 2005. Qwest Field was the setting. Bobby Engram's inability to catch a fourth-down pass from Matt Hasselbeck in the final minute stands as the enduring memory from the Rams' 27-20 victory.
Almost four years seems like forever given how quickly things change in the NFL. When the teams met in that January 2005 playoff game:
- The Seahawks had yet to hire Tim Ruskell as team president.
- Mike Martz was the Rams' head coach.
- The Rams' offensive starters included Tom Nutten, Andy McCollum, Adam Timmerman, Blaine Saipaia, Brandon Manumaleuna, Isaac Bruce, Kevin Curtis and Marshall Faulk.
- The Rams' defensive starters included Bryce Fisher, Ryan Pickett, Jimmy Kennedy, Tony Hargrove, Randy Thomas, Tommy Polley, Jerametrius Butler, Travis Fisher, Adam Archuleta and Antuan Edwards.
- Jerry Rice started at receiver for the Seahawks.
- The Seahawks' defensive starters included Chike Okeafor, Cedric Woodard, Brandon Mitchell, Isaiah Kacyvenski, Niko Koutouvides, Chad Brown, Ken Lucas, Michael Boulware and Ken Hamlin.
- The only current starters for either team who started that game were Torry Holt, Marc Bulger and Pisa Tinoisamoa for the Rams, and Hasselbeck, Engram, Walter Jones, Rocky Bernard and Marcus Trufant for the Seahawks.
- The teams combined for 809 total yards and 46 first downs
Mailbag: Cardinals after Kurt Warner?
Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando
Ryan from Greeley, Colo., writes: Hey Mike, thanks a bunch for your great posts on the NFC West. I love my Cardinals, and until now, there's never enough coverage on them unless they're doing good. That being said, what do the Cardinals have to look forward to as far as the QB situation goes? Now, I don't think Leinart has gotten his fair shake, but is he really the answer in the coming years? What does life after Warner look like? Thanks!
Mike Sando: Thanks, Ryan. The team would have a hard time going with anyone other than Warner next season if the Cardinals were to win the division this season.
Some of the scouting people I know do like Matt Leinart and think he can become a good quarterback. I would just ride Warner as long as feasible and then give Leinart a try. I think the Cardinals will need to strengthen their running game in preparing for the Leinart era. Warner is better suited for throwing it around without as much support from the ground game.
Kevin from Turnersville, N.J., writes: Hey Mike, two years ago we saw the emergence of Frank Gore as one of the top backs in the league, though there was one problem, he fumbled too much. Especially on the goal line. I live right outside of Philadelphia and I can't stand the Eagles but when Gore fumbled at the goal line against them 2 years ago, I was so frustrated because after the game I realized that had he scored, they could've pulled that one out.
He's cut down on the fumbles but sometimes he still puts the ball on the ground. My question is, what has Gore done to improve on his ball carrying? How much does it frustrate him knowing that he is one of the most passionate players in the league? Also, Mike Singletary is highly respected among the league. Mike Smith is also highly thought of. Other coaches respect him and his players respect him. In my view, that's the most important thing of being a coach, getting your players to respect you.
So with that in mind, what do you think of Singletary being promoted to head coach after Nolan is fired? What do you think its effect on the team would be? I see the effects of a coaching change in St. Louis last week so how do you think the team would respond?
Mike Sando: Frank Gore has fumbled once for every 64.5 touches this season. He fumbled once every 78.25 touches last season. So, he is fumbling more frequently, strange as that sounds.
Fumbles lost is the number that has improved for Gore, from one every 71 touches as a rookie to one per 74.6 in his second season, one per 104.3 in his third season and one per 129 this season.
The hand injury Gore suffered going into last season didn't help on that front. Overall, we haven't seen wild swings in fumbles per touch from Gore.
As for identifying potential future head coaches, the 49ers seem to need someone with a proven record of winning as a head coach. The organization could use the credibility such a coach would bring, in my view.
On a short-term basis, the 49ers might also respond well to a change. But I'm not sure a new coach would prevent the offense from suffering fourth-quarter turnovers.
Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando
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The premise: The Seahawks' defense, like most in the NFC West, has struggled this season.
A closer look: The chart shows the last 10 defensive players Seattle drafted in the first three rounds.
The facts: Seattle has fared relatively well drafting for defense. Six of the 10 are starters and two have played in Pro Bowls. Two others, Josh Wilson and Darryl Tapp, play extensively. The other two -- Marcus Tubbs and Michael Boulware -- were starters before leaving the team. Injuries derailed Tubbs. Boulware started strong before struggling.
The future: The Seahawks' defensive picks should form the core of a capable unit, but the defensive struggles this season are raising questions.
Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando
The Seahawks' exhibition game at Minnesota tonight provides a proving ground for several Seattle players. I'll take a look at some of them here:
- Owen Schmitt. The rookie fullback might always have fan appeal as a crazed special-teamer, but now would be a good time for him to emerge as a prospect on offense. An assistant coach for another team told me after the draft that he questioned whether Schmitt possessed the lateral movement needed to block in this offense. Something to keep in mind as we evaluate whether Schmitt is a suitable backup for Leonard Weaver.
- Lawrence Jackson. The rookie first-round choice has a shot at winning the starting job at right defensive end. These exhibition games will tell the Seahawks whether Jackson is ready to make that jump right away. Darryl Tapp is the incumbent starter.
- Jordan Kent. Injuries at receiver should produce additional opportunities for Kent. He needs to make the decision at receiver more difficult. Kent dropped two passes in practice Wednesday.
- Kyle Williams. The Seahawks keep about nine offensive linemen on average. Williams might be the ninth or 10th guy at present. But with Floyd Womack recovering from yet another injury, Williams has an opportunity to earn a spot.
- Jason Babin. Remember him? Seattle acquired Babin from the Texans in the Michael Boulware trade. Babin was a first-round pick. He has flashed ability at times during camp. He'll have opportunities for sacks working against less talented offensive linemen. Can he capitalize?
- David Hawthorne. I was probably premature in listing Hawthorne among the linebackers "looking safe" in a recent analysis, but Will Herring's injury situation does put Hawthorne on more solid footing. Let's see what Hawthorne brings on special teams.
- C.J. Wallace. The safety earned a roster spot in an upset last summer. Jamar Adams is trying to duplicate the feat, perhaps at Wallace's expense. Now is the time for Wallace to remind the Seahawks why they kept him. Adams, meanwhile, can lobby for keeping a ninth defensive back, one more than Seattle usually carries.
- Tyler Schmitt and the specialists. The kickers are hard to miss, but let's watch to see how Schmitt handles long-snapping duties. The position has been a problem for Seattle over the last year or so, affecting other aspects of special teams. Seattle drafted Schmitt to change that, but even one bad snap would set the wrong tone.
- Charlie Frye. The Seahawks' third quarterback figures to play extensively this exhibition season. The better he plays, the better Seattle will feel about using No. 2 quarterback Seneca Wallace as a receiver in some situations or as depth dictates.
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.
