ESPN NFL

NFL teams rarely select offensive guards among the top overall choices in a given draft.

Mike Pouncey (15th 2011) and Mike Iupati (17th in 2010) were the only projected guards drafted among the top 17 overall selections in the last 10 drafts.

Before that, Steve Hutchinson was on a short list of highly drafted guards as the 17th player chosen in 2001.

So, how seriously would the Seahawks consider selecting a guard, David DeCastro, with the 12th overall choice this year?

Kevin Calabro, Jim Moore and I spent about 10 minutes Monday discussing that and other issues relating to the Seahawks on 710ESPN Seattle (audio here).

History says 12th overall is earlier than teams select guards, but I would not rule out the possibility.

The Seahawks did not value guards at a high level, in theory, when Mike Holmgren and Ted Thompson decided to select Hutchinson. But they obviously thought Hutchinson was good enough to warrant an exception. On a side note, current Seahawks general manager John Schneider was the Seahawks' player personnel director at the time.

Note: The chart shows guards drafted among the top-17 overall picks since 1995. Robert Gallery and other tackles have moved to guard during their NFL careers. The chart shows only those players drafted as guards. Damien Woody, chosen 17th overall by New England in 1999, was a candidate for inclusion. He was drafted as a center, however.

A few thoughts on the Seattle Seahawks' recently announced contract agreements with guard Deuce Lutui, linebacker Barrett Ruud and cornerback Roy Lewis:

• Lutui: The Seahawks wanted a veteran guard at an affordable price after releasing Robert Gallery. They considered Steve Hutchinson, but he signed with Tennessee. Lutui has considerable starting experience with the Arizona Cardinals, but weight issues contributed to his decline into a backup role. Lutui and Seahawks coach Pete Carroll were together at USC. Can the Seahawks get more from Lutui than the Cardinals were getting from him recently?
• Ruud: Ruud, 28, was a longtime starter in Tampa Bay before signing with Tennessee last season. He played nine games for the Titans, starting all of them. But a groin injury forced him onto injured reserve. Seahawks defensive coordinator Gus Bradley was with Tampa Bay when Ruud played for the Buccaneers. Bradley coached linebackers for part of Ruud's tenure there. That connection means the Seahawks should have a good idea what they're getting. Ruud's arrival comes after the Seahawks watched starting middle linebacker David Hawthorne sign with New Orleans. I would expect Seattle to address linebacker in the draft as well.
• Lewis: Lewis returns for what will be his fourth season with the Seahawks. He played in 10 games last season, starting one, and participated in about 40 percent of the defensive snaps overall. Lewis adds depth and familiarity to the secondary.

On a side note, Lutui had worked out for the San Francisco 49ers earlier in free agency. San Francisco continues to look for veteran depth at guard.

Wrapping up (for now, anyway) the first Monday in April:

• The NFC West could be playing musical guards. Arizona already signed former San Francisco 49ers guard/tackle Adam Snyder. Former Cardinals guard Deuce Lutui visited the 49ers last week and met with the Seattle Seahawks on Monday, according to Howard Balzer. The Rams previously met with former 49ers starter Chilo Rachal. The 49ers met with long-ago Cardinals starter Leonard Davis.
• Lutui played for Seahawks coach Pete Carroll at USC. Weight problems have raised questions about his commitment, leading the Cardinals to seek alternatives at right guard. They went with Rex Hadnot last offseason, then added Snyder this offseason. Seattle could use depth at guard after releasing Robert Gallery.
• How would Lutui look in a Seahawks uniform? That might depend on which uniform. The new ones from Nike are expected to feature a tighter fit. That might be welcome news for Kam Chancellor and other statuesque players, but did anyone consult the big guys?
• Quite a few Seahawks observers have sent photos purporting to offer clues regarding the new uniforms set for unveiling Tuesday. Some of them might be right, wrong or close to the real thing. Experience has taught me patience regarding "leaked" uniform photos. I recall seeing similar photos in the past, not all of them accurate. Nike's site was showing preview items for every team but Seattle earlier Monday, further affirming expectations of a full redesign for the Seahawks.
• The Rams have made available a highlight video for the retiring Torry Holt. Holt's diving catch against Green Bay in the playoffs is worth another look.
• The Cardinals have put together a video showing quarterbacks coach John McNulty checking out University of Arizona quarterback Nick Foles' workout. The Cardinals gave McNulty a raise and moved him to quarterbacks coach after blocking Tampa Bay from pursuing him as its offensive coordinator.
• The Rams have the NFL's third-youngest roster after signing Jo-Lonn Dunbar and re-signing Tom Brandstater. Both are relatively young at age 27, but they actually made the revamped Rams slightly older on average. Tampa Bay and Seattle are tied for the youngest roster on average, with the Rams right behind. The 49ers (24th youngest) and Cardinals (25th) are older. Filtering out specialists produces slightly different rankings: Seattle second-youngest, St. Louis third, San Francisco tied for 11th and Arizona 21st.

Until next time, enjoy your Monday evening.

Teams receiving four of the 10 best compensatory draft choices this year have NFC West teams to thank.

That was the word Monday from the world's leading comp-pick guru, AdamJT13, who links specific players to specific comp picks on his blog.

The NFL awards compensatory choices based on net losses in unrestricted free agency, calculated by factors including salary and performance.

According to AdamJT13, the Seattle Seahawks' signing of Sidney Rice last offseason helped the Minnesota Vikings land a fourth-round pick -- 128th overall, the second-highest of the 32 selections awarded Monday.

Oakland received the 129th pick thanks to Seattle's deal with former Raiders tight end Zach Miller. Green Bay landed the 133rd pick for losing Daryn Colledge to Arizona, and Oakland picked up a fifth-rounder (168th overall) for losing Robert Gallery to Seattle.

UFA additions and subtractions this offseason will help determine how comp picks are awarded in 2013.

Arizona has added Adam Snyder and William Gay while losing Richard Marshall and Sean Considine.

San Francisco has added Josh Johnson, Mario Manningham and Rock Cartwright while losing Josh Morgan, Blake Costanzo and Snyder.

Seattle has added Matt Flynn and Jason Jones while losing John Carlson, Charlie Whitehurst and Atari Bigby.

The Rams have added Steve Smith, Quinn Ojinnaka, Kendall Langford, Scott Wells and Cortland Finnegan while losing Brandon Lloyd and Chris Chamberlain.

Lots of little things to cover while waiting for Peyton Manning to choose his next employer:

• The market for Matt Flynn appears flat ... unless the Miami Dolphins are willing to drive up the price for him. ESPN's Adam Schefter expects that to happen, suggesting that the Dolphins realize they're probably not going to land Manning. Flynn is visiting the Seattle Seahawks and now has a visit lined up for Miami. If he gets starting money, expect it to be from the Dolphins.
• Carolina guard Travelle Wharton, Philadelphia receiver Steve Smith, Green Bay center Scott Wells, New York Giants receiver Mario Manningham and Detroit quarteback Shaun Hill were among the free agents visiting with the Rams on Thursday, Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
• The Rams are only getting started. By my accounting, they had a league-low 48 players on their roster Thursday, counting restricted free agents and franchise players. They are the youngest team in the NFL at present, but that will change as they fill out their roster with a mix of veterans and draft choices. Seattle is threatening the Rams to field the NFL's youngest roster after releasing veteran guard Robert Gallery and not signing 34-year-old Steve Hutchinson.
• The Rams and Seahawks appear to be primary suitors for former Tennessee Titans defensive lineman Jason Jones. St. Louis should have the advantage with Jones' former coach in Tennessee, Jeff Fisher, now in St. Louis. The Rams could also offer more playing time, at least as their roster sets up presently.
• Manningham, who spent Thursday visiting San Francisco, was a natural candidate for the 49ers. The team needs a receiver. Manningham is one of the better free agents out there. He also went to Michigan, which never hurts as long as Jim Harbaugh is coaching the 49ers. The first veteran free-agent wideout the 49ers signed during the Harbaugh era also played there. Braylon Edwards was a Michigan man, as was his father. Edwards and Randy Moss are the only veteran free-agent receivers to sign with San Francisco under Harbaugh.
• The receivers with whom San Francisco has visited -- Manningham, Brandon Lloyd and Chaz Schilens -- fit different molds. That makes it tough to say for sure what the 49ers are looking for specifically. The team appears to be in no rush. Manningham left without a deal, no surprise.
• Whether Ted Ginn Jr. leaves in free agency could affect the 49ers' thinking, too. Schilens might fill some of the void left when Josh Morgan, another wideout with good size, left for Washington. Lloyd could make more sense as a downfield threat if Ginn isn't in the 49ers' plans. Manningham has good quickness. Like Lloyd, he's slighter than Morgan or Schilens.
• It's looking like the Arizona Cardinals will bring back tackle Levi Brown, Kent Somers reports. That is good for the Cardinals, who need tackles, but not necessarily bad news for opposing pass-rushers, either.
• Hutchinson's deal with Tennessee is expected to pay him a $6.5 million guarantee. There's some history behind that number. Titans executive Mike Reinfeldt was with the Seahawks when the team lost Hutchinson to Minnesota in 2006. Back then, the Seahawks used the transition tag for Hutchinson, setting his one-year value at $6.391 million. Seattle was offering a $6.5 million average on a long-term deal at the time. Reinfeldt wound up getting Hutchinson for the $6.5 million price, albeit six years later and multiple time zones away. That won't do the Seahawks any good.
• The Cardinals have less than 24 hours before a decision on a $7 million bonus to Kevin Kolb comes due. If Manning doesn't make a decision by then, will he at least tip off the Cardinals if he's leaning toward Denver or Tennessee? That would help, but sometimes the teams themselves are the last ones to know when they're out of the running.

Enjoy your Thursday. I'm sure we're not finished for the day.

Update: Manningham is also visiting the Rams.

The three-year deal guard Steve Hutchinson has accepted in Tennessee raises questions about his motives beyond the obvious financial considerations.

Might Hutchinson know something about the quarterback situation there? His agent, Tom Condon, also represents Peyton Manning. A chance to play with Manning could appeal, but Hutchinson also has strong personal ties to Matt Hasselbeck, who would remain with the Titans if Manning did not sign with them.

It is also possible that the Titans paid a premium for Hutchinson, because they knew it might enhance their chances with Manning. Hutchinson, 34, is a seven-time Pro Bowl guard.

The Seattle Seahawks brought in Hutchinson for a visit Wednesday. They have an opening at left guard after releasing Robert Gallery, who would have earned $6.5 million in 2012. They released Gallery without knowing whether Hutchinson would sign with them. That indicates they did not value Gallery at his price, independent of who they might get to replace him.

Stay tuned on this one. We need to find out whether Hutchinson's decision to sign with the Titans carries additional meaning.

NFC West subtractions trumped additions on the second day of NFL free agency.

Robert Gallery's release from the Seattle Seahawks and Richard Marshall's departure from the Arizona Cardinals were the big stories. Quarterbacks should come into focus soon. Peyton Manning's long-awaited decision, Kevin Kolb's scheduled bonus, Matt Flynn's visit to Seattle, and Alex Smith's as-yet-unsigned contract come to mind.

One lingering question is whether the St. Louis Rams can find an impact wide receiver in free agency or by trade.

Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch has the latest: "They were involved with Robert Meachem, and as surprised as anyone when he ended up signing with San Diego and not Buffalo. They were in on the Pierre Garcon sweepstakes, but bowed out when the price topped $8 million a year. Garcon ended up with Washington in a five-year deal that averaged $8.5 million a year. They also were in the mix with Josh Morgan (who signed with Washington), and apparently Harry Douglas (who re-signed with Atlanta) as well. By Wednesday evening, the shelves were basically picked clean with Brandon Lloyd, Mario Manningham, Eddie Royal and a couple of older wideouts (such as Deion Branch) the only notable remaining wide receivers." Noted: Using the franchise tag for Lloyd would have set his value at around $9.5 million, higher than the annual average the team declined to pay Garcon.

Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch takes a deeper look at the wideout situation. Miklasz: "The Rams have pretty much neglected the position since Holt and Bruce began to fade. ... The new regime at Rams Park shouldn't be blamed for the mistakes made in the past. Fisher and GM Les Snead have to be given time to set a course, and the trade with Washington was a great start. The Finnegan signing made perfect sense. But if the organization remains ambivalent over the WR position, it wouldn't make sense, given the $50 million in guaranteed money the Rams have invested in Bradford. At some point, you have to get him a couple of wide receivers that can consistently outrun defenders, get open, and catch the ball. An impact player."

Danny O'Neil of the Seattle Times sets modest expectations for Flynn's visit Thursday. O'Neil: "He's still a largely inexperienced quarterback, and there's a very real question of just how much the Seahawks will offer a quarterback with two career starts. Is Seattle convinced enough of Flynn's potential to offer a deal that is significantly more than the two-year, $8 million contract that Seattle has used as its baseline for a quarterback it sees as a potential starter down the road? ... A year ago, Seattle wasn't willing to make the kind of financial commitment that Kevin Kolb got from Arizona or part with the draft picks it would have taken to acquire him, and Kolb had more experience than Flynn."

Steve Wyche of NFL.com expects Vikings tight end Visanthe Shiancoe to visit the Seahawks after Seattle lost tight end John Carlson to the Vikings. Noted: Shiancoe's former offensive coordinator, Darrell Bevell, has the same job in Seattle now. The fit could be right.

Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic has this to say about the Cardinals' deal with 49ers offensive lineman Adam Snyder: "The Cardinals talked to Snyder about playing right guard, but his position will be determined later. ... The 6-foot-6-inch, 325-pound Snyder was drafted in the third round by the 49ers in 2005. He played in 107 games, started 69, including at both tackle positions and both guard positions. Snyder, 30, played a few snaps at center this season."

Also from Somers: Arizona will miss Marshall. Somers: "Marshall would have competed with Greg Toler, A.J. Jefferson and perhaps others for a starting job. He would have been an integral part of passing packages, either as a nickel corner or safety. His ability to play safety in the absence of Kerry Rhodes was a key factor in the Cardinals' success over the second half of the season. For that, coordinator Ray Horton called Marshall his most valuable player."

Clark Judge of CBSSports.com says 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh has shown no fear this offseason by signing Randy Moss and Perrish Cox. Judge: "Both are talented, and both have histories that back off teams that could be ... should be ... interested, which means both have warnings attached. But that's where Harbaugh comes in. He's as confident as he is competent, never shrinking from a test as a player or coach. So he takes over a Stanford program when people said it was destined for mediocrity ... and he takes it to the Top 10. And he takes over the 49ers when Miami seemed a better -- and more lucrative -- option, and takes them to the NFC Championship Game. Harbaugh knows what he wants, and what he wants now is someone, anyone, to help a group of wide receivers who combined for one catch and 3 yards in the conference title contest. So he takes on Moss when critics say it won't work, and asks why not."

Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle looks at contract lengths for the 49ers' defensive starters. Branch: "It’s not hard to see them keeping one of the league’s most dominant defenses intact again in 2013. Of this season’s 11 projected starters, nine are under contract for the next two seasons. The exceptions: nose tackle Isaac Sopoaga and franchise-tagged safety Dashon Goldson, who has until July 16 to work out a long-term deal."

NFC West thoughts as NFL free agency runs through its second day:

• The Seattle Seahawks' free-agent visit with Steve Hutchinson calls attention to the team's situation at left guard. Robert Gallery's $5 million salary and $1.5 million bonus represent a steep price. If the Seahawks are going to pay $6.5 million for a left guard in 2012, Hutchinson would appear to be the better value. Re-signing Paul McQuistan for depth at guard and tackle could also make sense. Update: The Seahawks have announced Gallery's release and McQuistan's re-signing.
• Free-agent quarterback Chad Henne canceled his visit to the Seahawks after reaching an agreement on a contract with Jacksonville. Seattle still plans to meet with Matt Flynn, but the team has proven it will show restraint at the position when dealing with unproven prospects. That was the case last offseason when Seattle resisted acquiring Kevin Kolb. Flynn fits into a similar category.
• The San Francisco 49ers continue to consider a long list of options at wide receiver. Brandon Lloyd, Chaz Schilens and Mario Manningham are possibilities. Eddie Royal could become an option as well, Matt Barrows reports. The 49ers obviously hope to cover themselves at the position in free agency, taking off pressure to target any one position early in the draft.
• Former 49ers guard/tackle/center Adam Snyder gives the Cardinals improved depth on their offensive line. Losing him can be a positive for the 49ers if it forces them to seek an upgrade at the position. Veteran players such as Snyder are easy to coach. Sometimes teams get comfortable with them at the expense of upgrading. The 49ers came out OK last offseason after losing center David Baas to the Giants.
• The Seahawks and St. Louis Rams both have interest in former Tennessee Titans defensive lineman Jason Jones. Jones struggled at defensive end last season. He would play tackle with the Rams or Seahawks. St. Louis has the greater need. Seattle could use Jones as depth behind Red Bryant and as an inside pass-rusher.
• Seahawks linebacker David Hawthorne plans to visit New Orleans. The Saints should know him well. Hawthorne had a combined 21 tackles and one interception against New Orleans in two games during the 2010 season (one in postseason). He faced the Rams six times when new Saints defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo was head coach in St. Louis. Hawthorne is an NFL success story as an undrafted free-agent-turned-starter. Seattle needs help at linebacker whether or not Hawthorne returns. K.J. Wright can move from the strong side to the middle if needed.
• The Cardinals remain largely in a holding pattern while awaiting a decision from Peyton Manning. Other veteran free-agent quarterbacks are signing deals around the league. That's no big deal for Arizona if the Cardinals are comfortable paying a $7 million bonus to keep Kolb. But if Manning signs elsewhere and Arizona wants to sign a cheaper alternative to Kolb, the pickings could be slim. Matt Hasselbeck comes to mind if Manning lands in Tennessee.
• The Rams' interest in former Houston Texans tackle Eric Winston has led to a potential visit.

Thanks for coming along.

Steve Hutchinson is paying a free-agent visit to the Seattle Seahawks on Wednesday.

We can file this one under things once considered less likely than, say, Mike Holmgren hiring former front-office nemesis Tim Ruskell as his general manager in Cleveland.

Hutchinson's disputed departure from the Seahawks to the Minnesota Vikings following their 2005 Super Bowl season remains a painful chapter in team history.

But with new leadership in the front office and beyond, there is no one left in Seattle with any direct connection to Hutchinson's messy exit. Hutchinson remains close to some long-time employees, and his former offensive coordinator in Minnesota, Darrell Bevell, is now the Seahawks' offensive coordinator.

Ruskell was team president and general manager when the Seahawks named Hutchinson their transition player, unwittingly opening the door for Hutchinson's agent to conspire with the Vikings on a "poison-pill" contract offer that, for practical purposes, prevented Seattle from keeping him. The situation widened divisions in the Seahawks' front office, and hard feelings persisted for years.

That is ancient history now. Hutchinson, 34, was arguably the best guard in franchise history, earning Pro Bowl honors in each of his final three seasons with the team. He went to four more Pro Bowls with the Vikings, most recently following the 2009 season. Injuries limited him some over the past two seasons, but he still made 14 starts last season.

The Vikings had a youth movement and salary-cap concerns in mind when they released Hutchinson. A seven-time All-Pro selection by the Associated Press, Hutchinson visited the Tennessee Titans before coming to Seattle. The Seahawks already have veteran Robert Gallery at left guard, and 2011 first-round pick James Carpenter is a candidate to play that position after recovering from knee surgery.

Gallery has a $5 million base salary for 2012. He is also set to earn a $1.5 million roster bonus. Hutchinson had been scheduled to earn $7 million from the Vikings in 2012, the final year of the seven-year, $49 million deal he signed six years ago.

It's not clear whether the Seahawks will pursue Hutchinson aggressively. The fact that they're meeting with him at all should help heal old wounds, at least.

Two moves making NFL headlines Saturday recall the Seattle Seahawks' finest season.

Lofa Tatupu's contract agreement with Atlanta came just as Minnesota was releasing seven-time All-Pro guard Steve Hutchinson. Both players earned Pro Bowl honors with Seattle when the team made its lone Super Bowl appearance following the 2005 season.

Tatupu's health was a primary factor in his absence from the NFL last season. Knee and concussion problems slowed the linebacker during his time with Seattle, affecting his play and leading the Seahawks to release him before the 2011 season.

Hutchinson was in his prime when the Seahawks lost him to the Vikings six years ago in one of the more dubious episodes in team history. The team hoped using the transition tag on Hutchinson following the 2005 season would spur the sides to a long-term agreement. Instead, Hutchinson's agent, Tom Condon, worked with the Vikings to craft a contract the Seahawks could not match without guaranteeing all $49 million of the deal. The so-called poison pills inserted into that contract stirred controversy and hard feelings while exposing the Seahawks to harsh criticism, even though few foresaw the poison-pill route as a threat.

I'm not sure what Hutchinson envisions for his future, but he is 34 years old and could presumably play a couple more years. Rejoining the Seahawks seems unlikely even though the team has new leadership since Hutchinson left on unpleasant terms. Robert Gallery is the projected starter at left guard, and 2011 first-round pick James Carpenter could project for the role. Hutchinson did play for current Seahawks offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell and with two current offensive starters, Tarvaris Jackson and Sidney Rice.

Hutchinson has played left guard his entire career. If he were a right guard, the San Francisco 49ers or Arizona Cardinals could certainly use his toughness, talent and veteran presence. I actually think the Rams could use a Hutchinson type, but would he want to join a rebuilding team at this stage of his career? That seems doubtful. The Rams might prefer to move forward with younger players, anyway.

Whatever path Hutchinson takes from here, he will go down in Seahawks history as one of the greatest linemen the team ever employed. He and perennial Pro Bowl left tackle Walter Jones comprised one of the all-time great left sides in league history. As the chart shows, Shaun Alexander averaged 1,500 yards rushing and 19.6 total touchdowns per season when Jones and Hutchinson were together from 2001 through 2005, with the only dip coming when Hutchinson missed 12 games to injury in 2002.

INDIANAPOLIS -- The St. Louis Rams have not given up on 2009 first-round draft choice Jason Smith.

Their new coach, Jeff Fisher, and new general manager, Les Snead, said during the NFL scouting combine that they hoped to bring back Smith following three disappointing seasons.

The strategy makes sense if Smith agrees to reduce his scheduled $10 million salary. The team might as well find out whether new line coach Paul Boudreau can help salvage some return on a massive investment. Better luck with injuries might help Smith more than anything. The concussion he suffered against Dallas came on a freak play when Smith was making a tackle following a turnover.

For the Rams, there's no sense in making tackle a bigger need by dumping Smith prematurely. Publicly declaring interest in Smith sets a positive tone for expected negotiations on a new deal.

Smith has started 26 of 48 games for the Rams, the third-lowest total for three seasons among players drafted second overall from 1990-2009.

The chart ranks three-year start totals for players drafted second overall since 1998, beginning with Ryan Leaf. The final column shows total starts each player has made for his original team.

Every team in the NFC West had issues at wide receiver during the 2011 season.

Arizona's Andre Roberts produced intermittently as a full-time starter.

St. Louis lost Danny Amendola in the season opener, suffered additional injuries and then acquired Brandon Lloyd.

Seattle's Sidney Rice had injury problems and wound up on injured reserve, while Mike Williams got lost in the shuffle.

The San Francisco 49ers lost Josh Morgan early and Ted Ginn Jr. late, impacting their prospects in the NFC Championship Game. The 49ers' receiver issues continue to weigh heavily on fans' minds. That was clear during the latest NFC West chat, available in full here and excerpted below:

Jason from New York thinks the 49ers were a big-play receiver away from reaching the Super Bowl. He asks whether the team would go after a receiver such as DeSean Jackson or Vincent Jackson.

Mike Sando: I do not see the 49ers upsetting order in their locker room by overpaying for a marquee wide receiver who, by definition, would be leaving the team that knew him the best. While it is tempting to say a team is one player away from the Super Bowl, the reality is that each season is different. Josh Morgan's injury wound up hurting quite a bit. Next season, the team could be weaker in another area, also due to injury. There is no question the 49ers need another receiver. I just think they'll go about it with some restraint, not with an over-the-top signing. Acquiring Ted Ginn Jr. was one of the first moves Trent Baalke made as acting general manager. That was a mid-level, non-flashy move.

Josh from Illinois asked about Patrick Peterson's chances for becoming a Darrelle Revis-type corner for Arizona.

Mike Sando: Patrick Peterson is well on his way to becoming an elite corner. I don't know about becoming another Darrelle Revis, but he should become a Pro Bowl-caliber cornerback in the next two seasons, based on what we've seen so far. He stepped in as a starter after having no meaningful offseason. There were some growing pains, but he played with confidence, he played aggressively and he improved. He's so dynamic with the ball in his hands. Seems like he needs to get more interceptions.

Will from Tallahassee asks whether Brandon Lloyd should re-sign with the Rams or follow Josh McDaniels to New England.

Mike Sando: Brandon Lloyd should definitely try to follow Josh McDaniels to New England. He would then be in a system that is optimum for him, with Tom Brady as the quarterback. That is more appealing than anything awaiting Lloyd in St. Louis. And I do think it's not clear whether Lloyd can return the same value in another system. There is reasonable doubt on that front. Put him in the Patriots' offense and he could make a tremendous impact.

Austin from Seattle thinks the Seahawks might be better off solidifying their offensive line by drafting a guard instead of following Mel Kiper's projected selection of a defensive end.

Mike Sando: I would rather have a defensive end. Breno Giacomini played well enough to project as the starting right tackle. The team could bring back James Carpenter from that injury, let him have some extra time on the PUP list, then consider easing him into the lineup at guard based on need. Perhaps he would be ready to replace Robert Gallery at that point, depending on Gallery's health. Longer term, a left side with Carpenter and Russell Okung could be nasty. And then Carpenter could kick to right tackle in a pinch if needed.

Marques Colston and Dwayne Bowe are among those headlining a strong crop of potential free-agent wide receivers this year. Teams have struggled to recoup value for high-priced veteran receiver acquisitions. Perhaps this year will offer some success stories.

Five things I noticed about the San Francisco 49ers during their most recent game, a 19-17 road victory over the Seattle Seahawks:

• About that run defense. Pro Bowl defensive end Justin Smith attracts significant attention from opposing offenses. He's one reason rookie Aldon Smith has collected 14 sacks. I was surprised to see the Seahawks drive Smith four yards off the ball and put him on the ground less than a minute into the game. The Seahawks went at him with left guard Robert Gallery and left tackle Paul McQuistan, but there was probably more to the story. Smith suffered a leg injury on this play and left the game for a bit. The 49ers were already without Pro Bowl inside linebacker Patrick Willis. Subtracting Willis and diminishing Smith hurt San Francisco's efforts to contain Marshawn Lynch. Willis' replacement, Larry Grant, missed a tackle when Lynch ended the 49ers' 15-game streak without allowing a rushing touchdown.
• Matador along sideline. Not sure what cornerback Tarell Brown was thinking on the Seahawks' touchdown pass to Doug Baldwin early in the game. Seattle receiver Golden Tate blocked Brown well, but Brown disengaged and had a shot at Baldwin along the sideline. Brown stepped away from contact and then sidestepped teammate Dashon Goldson, who was in pursuit. That left Baldwin with room to outrun Grant.
• Delanie Walker the steamroller. The 49ers' tight end cleared out two Seahawks emphatically to help enable Alex Smith's first-quarter scramble around the left side. Walker caught strong safety Kam Chancellor off-balance and shoved him to the ground. He then sprinted ahead and threw free safety Earl Thomas onto his side. Smith picked up seven yards.
• The longer passes are coming. Alex Smith's 41-yard strike to Michael Crabtree set up the winning field goal, but it wasn't the only attempts at longer passes. The 49ers got Crabtree and tight end Vernon Davis open for passes that traveled about 30 yards in the air past the line of scrimmage. Crabtree and Davis did not make the catches, but these plays were open.
• Another defining drive on the road. Not just the game-winner, either. The way San Francisco opened the second half showed how far the team has come across many fronts. Trailing 10-3 at halftime and fortunate the deficit was not larger, the 49ers came out aggressively. Smith found Crabtree for a 27-yard gain on the first play. Smith's growing improvisational skills showed up when the snap from Jonathan Goodwin eluded him. Smith gathered the ball off the bounce and scrambled near the first-down marker, a critical gain. The team then trusted Smith on fourth-and-2. Smith rewarded the decision with another improvisational play, this one a rollout and pass to Davis along the sideline. And when the 49ers needed their running game in the red zone, Frank Gore scored behind a right side featuring both offensive tackles, fullback Bruce Miller and even nose tackle Isaac Sopoaga.

Five things I noticed while watching the Seattle Seahawks' most recent game, a 19-17 home defeat to the San Francisco 49ers in Week 16:

• No idea how that deep ball succeeded. The 49ers had to like their chances on the Seahawks' second offensive play. Their Pro Bowl defensive end, Justin Smith, beat left guard Robert Gallery to the inside and was bearing down on quarterback Tarvaris Jackson right away. The 49ers had two about-to-be-minted Pro Bowlers, cornerback Carlos Rogers and free safety Dashon Goldson, shadowing an undrafted rookie receiver making his regular-season NFL debut. There is simply no way Jackson-to-Lockette should beat three Pro Bowlers for a 44-yard gain. Jackson gets credit for hanging tough and delivering the ball just as Smith was about to blast him. Lockette gets credit for catching a ball Rogers contested well. This was exactly the type of play Seattle needed early against a tough defense.
• Leroy Hill's knee packs a punch. Hill was pursuing Frank Gore when his right knee inadvertently struck the left side of tight end Delanie Walker's helmet while Walker sat on the turf after missing a block on linebacker K.J. Wright. Fox microphones captured the grotesque sound of a collision that left Walker with a broken jaw. The impact launched Walker's helmet four yards downfield.
• Weak excuse for busted goal-line play. Jackson wound up scrambling for no gain on third-and-goal from the 1 with 1:41 left in the first half. Coach Pete Carroll said some Seattle players thought the play was dead because left tackle Paul McQuistan jumped early. There was no penalty, however, and the Seahawks appeared confused after the snap. Fullback Michael Robinson hardly moved. Jackson slowed and decided against handing off to Marshawn Lynch. McQuistan had barely moved a half-tick before the snap. This was not a blatant false start. The Seahawks should be coached to play through a whistle in that situation. Settling for a field goal in a game the team lost by two points wound up being the difference in the game. This wasn't the first time Seattle botched a critical red zone possession right before halftime.
• Anthony Hargrove was lucky to avoid injury. The 49ers' Kendall Hunter broke into the secondary on a third-and-1 run from a shotgun formation right before halftime. Hargrove, the Seahawks' defensive tackle, had a chance to make the tackle at the line of scrimmage, but 49ers right tackle Anthony Davis chopped him down at the legs from behind. The block forced Hargove's body into a contorted position. He appeared vulnerable to injury on the play. Hunter broke out for a 24-yard gain. This game was packed with physical confrontations that threatened to violate rules or obliterated them entirely, which leads to the next item.
• The penalty that was not called. Seahawks right tackle Breno Giacomini gets on opponents' nerves with his trash talk and aggressiveness, both at practice and in games. Against Washington in Week 12, Giacomini drew a roughness penalty when he threw himself into a pile after the play. Against the 49ers, officials flagged Giacomini for illegal use of the hands. Later in the game, however, Giacomini was on the receiving end of a blatant blow to the face that drew no penalty. He and 49ers linebacker Ahmad Brooks were tangling during and after the play. Both players and Brooks in particular appeared to have their hands on or near the opponent's facemask. Giacomini delivered one last shove as the play was ending. Brooks retaliated by swinging the palm of his right hand into Giacomini's face, driving back Giacomini's head violently. A penalty in that situation would have moved Seattle to the 49ers' 37-yard line with 1:25 remaining. The team would have run the ball to set up a field goal. Instead, Jackson scrambled and the 49ers forced him to fumble.

The "five observations" files are back following a one-week holiday. I was out of town following Week 15 and did not produce them for those games.

News that rookie receiver Austin Pettis had been suspended for using performance-enhancing drugs delivered more bad news for the St. Louis Rams' 2011 draft class.

With Pettis out through the first two games in 2011, the Rams have only two of their own rookie draft choice on their 53-man roster.

First-round choice Robert Quinn and second-rounder Lance Kendricks remain active for the Rams from a group that included Pettis (suspended), Greg Salas (injured reserve), Jermale Hines (released, now with Indianapolis), Mikhail Baker (released), Jabara Williams (released, now with Chicago) and Jonathan Nelson (released, now with Carolina).

Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch offered details on what the suspension means for Pettis. Thomas: "Pettis is eligible to participate in all offseason and preseason practices and games following the conclusion of this season. But regardless of whether there's a head-coaching change or not, missing the first two contests of the 2012 season will put him behind the other wideouts on the depth chart and in his quest for playing time."

Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch said Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo and general manager Billy Devaney do not deserve much sympathy. Miklasz: "In a league of parity and close games, the Rams have been outscored 1,110 to 630 overall in Spags' time as head coach, with an average loss of 16 points. This team isn't competitive. Here's the odd thing: The more the Rams lose, the more we seem inclined to make excuses on their behalf or attempt to rationalize their failures. We've become enablers. And I'm not bashing the fans; the media is at fault as much as anyone. ... This isn't high school football. Spagnuolo was hired to win football games. If a coach can't win games, he's fired. He could be a saint or a sinner, but he needs to be a winner. Besides, Spagnuolo has fired trainers, an equipment manager and other employees at Rams Park. A big part of his job is terminating players. It's nothing personal. So why are we so sensitive about Spagnuolo's future?"

Clare Farnsworth of seahawks.com says Paul McQuistan's use across the Seahawks' offensive line tells a story. Farnsworth: "The trials and tribulations of the Seahawks’ injury-ravaged offensive line can he traced by following McQuistan’s progression from being a backup; to starting at left guard; to returning to his backup role; to starting at right guard; to starting at left tackle. McQuistan stepped in at left guard because Robert Gallery was out with a groin injury. He moved in at right guard after rookie John Moffitt went down with a season-ending knee injury. He slid over to left tackle when Russell Okung needed season-ending surgery to repair a torn pectoral."

Also from Farnsworth: Tarvaris Jackson has stepped up his game in second halves recently.

Danny O'Neil of the Seattle Times says injuries haven't stopped the Seahawks' offensive line from succeeding.

Eric D. Williams of the Tacoma News Tribune checks in with 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh, who laments not drafting receiver Doug Baldwin. Baldwin and cornerback Richard Sherman are two Seattle players with roots on Harbaugh's former Stanford teams. Harbaugh: "Yeah, I’m kicking myself for not doing that. And at the same time I’m really, really happy for Doug. I’ve watched him this whole year whenever we’re watching crossover tape. Or I’ve sometimes put on the tape, just to watch him and Richard. And I’ve seen him really grow the whole season."

Also from Williams: Marshawn Lynch has become the Seahawks' face.

Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic updates the Cardinals' quarterback situation heading into Week 16. Sounds like John Skelton might get another start over Kevin Kolb, who remains limited following a concussion. Somers: "On Monday, Whisenhunt said the fairest way to prepare one of the quarterbacks was to give him most of the work in practice. Judging by Wednesday's events, that appears to be Skelton. Kolb was listed as limited in practice, while Skelton is healthy. The Cardinals are 5-1 in games Skelton has either started or taken the majority of the snaps. Skelton has a tendency to start slowly and finish strongly. In four of Skelton's past eight games, the Cardinals have made game-winning drives in the fourth quarter."

Also from Somers, with Jim Gintonio: Deuce Lutui professes to be a changed man after nearly landing with the Cincinnati Bengals during the offseason. Lutui: "Where I was and where I'm at now, I could have seen it as frustration or I could have seen it as a problem or stated it as an opportunity. I've taken it as an opportunity. I've taken all the help that I can get. I've stuck in with John Lott (strength and conditioning coach), really a credit to him in helping me get in the best shape that I can. ... I also worked with my head, off the field, and went in with a mental coach. I've got a mental coach that's helped me elevate my game and alter the way I think for the next offseason, and so I've put a lot in my mind and body this year.""

Darren Urban of azcardinals.com has this to say about the quarterback situation in Arizona: "The way the defense has been performing for the Cards would help any quarterback. Skelton has had plenty of rough patches, but Whisenhunt acknowledged he’d rather have a quarterback that can finish than one who starts fast and fades. Skelton, whose beginnings to games have been almost as unimpressive as his finishes impressive, certainly falls into that category."

Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee says Braylon Edwards is anxious to get back on the field for the 49ers. Tight end Vernon Davis tweeted words of support to Edwards, who has struggled and was not active Monday night. Davis: "Just the look on his face is he wants to be out there bad. But I don't know the reason he's not. That's up to the coaches and him and Ferg (head trainer Jeff Ferguson) and the trainers. ... Just saying kind words like that keeps a guy like that level-headed and keeps him hungry and keeps him ready to go at any time. And I just felt that upon my spirit to lay that out there. And he is -- he's a guy that I'm grateful to have on the team. He's a true playmaker, and if given the opportunity I'm sure he'll take advantage of it."

Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com has this to say about Justin Smith in his defensive player review from Week 15: "Started at right defensive end and had an outstanding all-around game. He had three tackles, a quarterback hurry and a fumble recovery, but he also set up Aldon Smith for a couple of sacks ... Left guard Trai Essex held him for a 10-yard penalty to wipe out a 6-yard gain in the second quarter ... Fought through left side of Steelers line and Rashard Mendenhall to pressure Ben Roethlisberger into second-quarter incompletion. ... Recovered fourth-quarter fumble that directly led to 49ers touchdown ... Generously gave himself up to tie up Essex so that Aldon Smith could record a 6-yard sack ... Justin Smith did the same thing on the next series, resulting in another Aldon Smith sack."

Also from Maiocco: an offensive player review. On Frank Gore: "Dropped a pass out of the backfield on the first drive ... Missed Cameron Heyward in blitz pickup as Smith was rushed into incompletion on first drive ... Dropped another pass on third-and-7, though it was unlikely he would've picked up first down with defensive lineman Brett Keisel standing between him and the sticks ... Called for chop block on defensive lineman Ziggy Hood, as center Jonathan Goodwin had his left hand on Hood as Gore went low to block Hood. Did not play the final nine minutes after scoring on 5-yard TD."

Grant Cohn of the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat passes along Steve Young's thoughts on Aldon Smith, expressed recently on KNBR radio. Young compared Smith to a young Charles Haley. Young: "I’ve got to be honest with you. I’ve got to apologize to Aldon Smith because I hadn’t really seen him in person all year. And I apologize, because I had no idea how great he really was until I saw him in person. And that’s what matters. Hearing about it, watching it on TV and then seeing in person -- all different visceral relationships you have with something, and it matters. So around the league when everyone watched the 49ers kind of beat up on Ben Roethlisberger, don’t let him score, call a couple big touchdown drives, and they hear about the defense, they’ve watched Aldon Smith play and (laughs) whoever doesn’t think these guys are for real is kidding themselves."

Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News examines Andy Lee's contributions to the 49ers. Lee was the NFC's player of the week for special teams.