NFC West: Stan Kroenke
The St. Louis Rams' stadium situation dominated my weekly discussion with Bernie Miklasz on Tuesday.
We're both taking a big-picture view of the proceedings with an emphasis on process. Neither of us sees reason for panic among Rams fans at this early stage of the proceedings. Much can happen between now and March 2015, which is the earliest point at which the Rams could seek to leave St. Louis in a worst-case scenario.
I do think Rams owner Stan Kroenke could allay fears to some degree by expressing a heartfelt desire to keep the team in St. Louis. "Heartfelt" isn't really his style in public, unfortunately. He's more apt to come off as shrewd and calculating. Some of that could be by design. He doesn't want to get trapped into making promises when he's not certain what will happen in the future. And, to be fair, the city of St. Louis also could do more to indicate a heartfelt desire to keep the Rams. That was one of the points Bernie made.
"If you get a dialogue going, I'm reasonably confident that the NFL would chip into this, Stan Kroenke would chip into this," Miklasz said. "But if you're not willing to have that dialogue, you've left the NFL and you've left Stan Kroenke with no way to open the door."
We're both taking a big-picture view of the proceedings with an emphasis on process. Neither of us sees reason for panic among Rams fans at this early stage of the proceedings. Much can happen between now and March 2015, which is the earliest point at which the Rams could seek to leave St. Louis in a worst-case scenario.
I do think Rams owner Stan Kroenke could allay fears to some degree by expressing a heartfelt desire to keep the team in St. Louis. "Heartfelt" isn't really his style in public, unfortunately. He's more apt to come off as shrewd and calculating. Some of that could be by design. He doesn't want to get trapped into making promises when he's not certain what will happen in the future. And, to be fair, the city of St. Louis also could do more to indicate a heartfelt desire to keep the Rams. That was one of the points Bernie made.
"If you get a dialogue going, I'm reasonably confident that the NFL would chip into this, Stan Kroenke would chip into this," Miklasz said. "But if you're not willing to have that dialogue, you've left the NFL and you've left Stan Kroenke with no way to open the door."
St. Louis Rams owner Stan Kroenke doesn't say much publicly. He generally doesn't convey emotions.
As a result, we're left to wonder to what degree he wants the Rams to remain in St. Louis.
Bryan Burwell of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch thinks the Rams' proposed stadium renovations indicate Kroenke is serious about keeping the team in town. Burwell: "Look very carefully at the plan. It is not an over-the-top, ostentatious, football-only counteroffer that attempts to thrust the Dome to the very top of the National Football League's most extravagant stadiums. It's not an outrageous plan that feels like the sort of crazy counteroffer whose sole intent is to blow up the entire process, thus allowing Kroenke to scoot off to Los Angeles as quickly as possible. What the Rams have put in front of us is a design whose intent is to make the Edward Jones Dome something that works for all of St. Louis, not just the football team." Noted: I also thought the Rams' proposal seemed reasonable under the circumstances. It's all part of a process that will continue, most likely, with arbitration beginning June 15. That arbitration would be binding for the Rams if the stadium authority accepted the arbiter's proposal. The Rams' lease would then extend through 2025. Otherwise, the Rams would go year-to-year on their lease beginning in March 2015.
Jason Cole of Yahoo! Sports says Pete Carroll, like Tom Landry decades ago, seems to think competition at quarterback can be a healthy thing. Roger Staubach: "Coach Landry thought the quarterback just went in and executed the play the way everybody else does what they're supposed to do. He didn't understand that quarterback was different. It took him awhile to get that. … It got to the point where I really didn't care if it was me or not and I think Craig (Morton) felt the same. Yeah, you want to play, but both of us just wanted a decision." Noted: The Seahawks are not yet to that point, in my view. Matt Flynn owns two regular-season starts. Russell Wilson has never played in even an exhibition game. Tarvaris Jackson has the look of a journeyman at the position. Committing to one of them wholeheartedly at this point would be premature.
Brock Huard of 710ESPN Seattle came away impressed after watching Wilson's first practice with the team. Huard: "My first minicamp practice was spent just trying to call the play correctly. Wilson's first practice consisted of team, seven-on-seven, routes versus air and individual drills where it was difficult to find a misguided pass. Sure, he had a few passes tipped at the line and in the secondary, but his completion percentage was north of 80, and this is with guys he didn't even know by name. It would be fun to compare Wilson's initial camp with his draft-day peers: Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III, Ryan Tannehill, Brandon Weeden, Brock Osweiler & Co. While Tannehill, like Wilson, has a background in his current offensive system, I can't imagine any of the rookie passers making more of an impression than Russell.
Danny O'Neil of the Seattle Times offers thoughts on the Seahawks' recently concluded rookie camp. On Bruce Irvin: "The first day of practice was a little bit of a challenge in his conditioning, but even then, you saw bursts of that speed off the edge as he jetted around Alex Barron. Yes, Barron has been out of the league for a year, but we're also talking about a former first-round pick of a tackle. Irvin might not start right away, but he's going to have a role as a pass rusher right off the bat, and he showed this weekend he has the speed to make the most of it." Noted: That's good news for the Seahawks. I watched the first day of practice and thought Barron's length and experience created challenges Irvin would not have faced had he gone against rookies instead.
Clare Farnsworth of seahawks.com runs a photo showing Carroll as a college player, with the third-year Seahawks coach recalling how he found out no NFL team had drafted him back in 1973.
Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee offers thoughts on LaMichael James' upbringing in a tough neighborhood. Barrows: "I could just have easily written about the Texarkana neighborhood in which he grew up. James, in fact, credits both his grandmother and his home town with forging him into the man and the player he is today. That neighborhood is on the Texas side of town and is known as Beverly. James described it as a virtual war zone. ... I talked to one of his coaches and asked him if he thought James was embellishing a bit. No, he said, Beverly was that bad. His sister, Tasha, who is 16 years his senior and who is extremely protective of her little brother, wanted him to get as far away from Texarkana as he could."
Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle puts into perspective A.J. Jenkins' conditioning. Branch: "To those up in arms, I invite you to travel back to early June when Smith, the No. 7 overall pick, arrived at San Jose State during the lockout for his first workout with veteran teammates such as Justin Smith, Isaac Sopoaga, Ray McDonald and Parys Haralson. How'd that go for Aldon? Well, Sopoaga was still laughing about the rookie’s performance a week after he debuted."
Darren Urban of azcardinals.com checks in from the Cardinals' annual golf tournament. Urban: "There are serious golfers, like coach Ken Whisenhunt and kicker Jay Feely, some middle-of-the-road guys who all seemed to hit good shots when the cameras were around (at least, that’s what they were telling us) and other guys who you should be careful to be around when they are taking a shot (Um, Beanie, about that swing …)."
As a result, we're left to wonder to what degree he wants the Rams to remain in St. Louis.
Bryan Burwell of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch thinks the Rams' proposed stadium renovations indicate Kroenke is serious about keeping the team in town. Burwell: "Look very carefully at the plan. It is not an over-the-top, ostentatious, football-only counteroffer that attempts to thrust the Dome to the very top of the National Football League's most extravagant stadiums. It's not an outrageous plan that feels like the sort of crazy counteroffer whose sole intent is to blow up the entire process, thus allowing Kroenke to scoot off to Los Angeles as quickly as possible. What the Rams have put in front of us is a design whose intent is to make the Edward Jones Dome something that works for all of St. Louis, not just the football team." Noted: I also thought the Rams' proposal seemed reasonable under the circumstances. It's all part of a process that will continue, most likely, with arbitration beginning June 15. That arbitration would be binding for the Rams if the stadium authority accepted the arbiter's proposal. The Rams' lease would then extend through 2025. Otherwise, the Rams would go year-to-year on their lease beginning in March 2015.
Jason Cole of Yahoo! Sports says Pete Carroll, like Tom Landry decades ago, seems to think competition at quarterback can be a healthy thing. Roger Staubach: "Coach Landry thought the quarterback just went in and executed the play the way everybody else does what they're supposed to do. He didn't understand that quarterback was different. It took him awhile to get that. … It got to the point where I really didn't care if it was me or not and I think Craig (Morton) felt the same. Yeah, you want to play, but both of us just wanted a decision." Noted: The Seahawks are not yet to that point, in my view. Matt Flynn owns two regular-season starts. Russell Wilson has never played in even an exhibition game. Tarvaris Jackson has the look of a journeyman at the position. Committing to one of them wholeheartedly at this point would be premature.
Brock Huard of 710ESPN Seattle came away impressed after watching Wilson's first practice with the team. Huard: "My first minicamp practice was spent just trying to call the play correctly. Wilson's first practice consisted of team, seven-on-seven, routes versus air and individual drills where it was difficult to find a misguided pass. Sure, he had a few passes tipped at the line and in the secondary, but his completion percentage was north of 80, and this is with guys he didn't even know by name. It would be fun to compare Wilson's initial camp with his draft-day peers: Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III, Ryan Tannehill, Brandon Weeden, Brock Osweiler & Co. While Tannehill, like Wilson, has a background in his current offensive system, I can't imagine any of the rookie passers making more of an impression than Russell.
Danny O'Neil of the Seattle Times offers thoughts on the Seahawks' recently concluded rookie camp. On Bruce Irvin: "The first day of practice was a little bit of a challenge in his conditioning, but even then, you saw bursts of that speed off the edge as he jetted around Alex Barron. Yes, Barron has been out of the league for a year, but we're also talking about a former first-round pick of a tackle. Irvin might not start right away, but he's going to have a role as a pass rusher right off the bat, and he showed this weekend he has the speed to make the most of it." Noted: That's good news for the Seahawks. I watched the first day of practice and thought Barron's length and experience created challenges Irvin would not have faced had he gone against rookies instead.
Clare Farnsworth of seahawks.com runs a photo showing Carroll as a college player, with the third-year Seahawks coach recalling how he found out no NFL team had drafted him back in 1973.
Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee offers thoughts on LaMichael James' upbringing in a tough neighborhood. Barrows: "I could just have easily written about the Texarkana neighborhood in which he grew up. James, in fact, credits both his grandmother and his home town with forging him into the man and the player he is today. That neighborhood is on the Texas side of town and is known as Beverly. James described it as a virtual war zone. ... I talked to one of his coaches and asked him if he thought James was embellishing a bit. No, he said, Beverly was that bad. His sister, Tasha, who is 16 years his senior and who is extremely protective of her little brother, wanted him to get as far away from Texarkana as he could."
Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle puts into perspective A.J. Jenkins' conditioning. Branch: "To those up in arms, I invite you to travel back to early June when Smith, the No. 7 overall pick, arrived at San Jose State during the lockout for his first workout with veteran teammates such as Justin Smith, Isaac Sopoaga, Ray McDonald and Parys Haralson. How'd that go for Aldon? Well, Sopoaga was still laughing about the rookie’s performance a week after he debuted."
Darren Urban of azcardinals.com checks in from the Cardinals' annual golf tournament. Urban: "There are serious golfers, like coach Ken Whisenhunt and kicker Jay Feely, some middle-of-the-road guys who all seemed to hit good shots when the cameras were around (at least, that’s what they were telling us) and other guys who you should be careful to be around when they are taking a shot (Um, Beanie, about that swing …)."
A look at the St. Louis Rams' offseason to this point ...
What went right: The Rams beat out the Miami Dolphins for coach Jeff Fisher and then hired the first general manager's candidate they interviewed, Les Snead. That seemed like a good way to open the offseason. ... The Rams found a willing trade partner and good value for the second overall choice in the 2012 draft. That was critical for their future once the team quickly determined Sam Bradford would remain the franchise quarterback. ... Cornerback Cortland Finnegan, the player St. Louis targeted most strongly in free agency, signed with the team quickly. ... Adding Pro Bowl center Scott Wells from Green Bay should give the offensive line needed leadership and personality. Wells will also make Bradford's job easier, in theory, by handling protection calls. ... The Rams addressed their weak run defense by adding Kendall Langford in free agency and Michael Brockers in the draft. ... St. Louis went from one of the oldest teams to one of the youngest, the logical way to go when rebuilding.
What went wrong: The NFL suspended newly-hired defensive coordinator Gregg Williams for the 2012 season and possibly beyond. The team was counting on Williams to instill the defensive swagger that led Williams astray in New Orleans. ... The Rams emerged from free agency and the draft without clear answers at outside linebacker, a position of obvious need. ... Owner Stan Kroenke has been unable or unwilling to allay fears the team is angling to leverage its way out of its stadium lease. The stadium issue continues to hang over the team, making it tougher, in theory, for fans to buy in fully. ... Moving one home game to London might help the Rams score points with the NFL and in global branding circles, but any coach will tell you eight home games are better than seven. ... Adding an elite offensive playmaker with the sixth overall pick would have been ideal for Bradford, but the Rams didn't see the value.
The bottom line: The Rams had more needs than they could reasonably fill in one offseason. They began to address quite a few of them, however, and they have the draft capital to continue the process over the next two seasons. We'll find out in a hurry how well Snead and the personnel department can draft in the first couple rounds.
Your turn: Any significant omissions here?
What went right: The Rams beat out the Miami Dolphins for coach Jeff Fisher and then hired the first general manager's candidate they interviewed, Les Snead. That seemed like a good way to open the offseason. ... The Rams found a willing trade partner and good value for the second overall choice in the 2012 draft. That was critical for their future once the team quickly determined Sam Bradford would remain the franchise quarterback. ... Cornerback Cortland Finnegan, the player St. Louis targeted most strongly in free agency, signed with the team quickly. ... Adding Pro Bowl center Scott Wells from Green Bay should give the offensive line needed leadership and personality. Wells will also make Bradford's job easier, in theory, by handling protection calls. ... The Rams addressed their weak run defense by adding Kendall Langford in free agency and Michael Brockers in the draft. ... St. Louis went from one of the oldest teams to one of the youngest, the logical way to go when rebuilding.
What went wrong: The NFL suspended newly-hired defensive coordinator Gregg Williams for the 2012 season and possibly beyond. The team was counting on Williams to instill the defensive swagger that led Williams astray in New Orleans. ... The Rams emerged from free agency and the draft without clear answers at outside linebacker, a position of obvious need. ... Owner Stan Kroenke has been unable or unwilling to allay fears the team is angling to leverage its way out of its stadium lease. The stadium issue continues to hang over the team, making it tougher, in theory, for fans to buy in fully. ... Moving one home game to London might help the Rams score points with the NFL and in global branding circles, but any coach will tell you eight home games are better than seven. ... Adding an elite offensive playmaker with the sixth overall pick would have been ideal for Bradford, but the Rams didn't see the value.
The bottom line: The Rams had more needs than they could reasonably fill in one offseason. They began to address quite a few of them, however, and they have the draft capital to continue the process over the next two seasons. We'll find out in a hurry how well Snead and the personnel department can draft in the first couple rounds.
Your turn: Any significant omissions here?
Drafting front-line NFL starters in the second round isn't always easy.
The Arizona Cardinals have had their share of successes (Calais Campbell, Daryl Washington, Karlos Dansby and Deuce Lutui) in recent years. They've also suffered some disappointments (Cody Brown, Alan Branch).
Retaining Campbell on a long-term deal was important for quite a few reasons, especially with Dansby playing well elsewhere, Branch enjoying success for a division rival and Lutui threatening to do the same.
Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic put Campbell's new five-year deal in perspective. Somers: "By removing the franchise tag from Campbell and restructuring his contract, the Cardinals freed up money to explore free-agency options and possibly re-sign some of their free agents, such as outside linebacker Clark Haggans and defensive lineman Vonnie Holliday. It should should help them sign some of their picks from last month's draft, including first-rounder Michael Floyd. Just as important, the signing means Campbell won't follow the footsteps of former Cardinals linebacker Karlos Dansby. Several attempts to sign him to a multi-year extension failed, and Dansby, one of the team's key contributors, left via free agency and signed with Miami."
Darren Urban of azcardinals.com sees a pattern: "The last four players the Cardinals kept saying publicly they would soon be extending -- Adrian Wilson, Darnell Dockett, Larry Fitzgerald and now Campbell -- all got their extensions. Something to remember when analyzing what the team says about future players."
Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News says Randy Moss and Michael Crabtree are becoming fast friends. Donte Whitner: "They have a great relationship. Whenever you're doing something where you need a partner, they're always together."
Also from Inman: Alex Smith consulted with a pitching coach this offseason.
Kevin Lynch of the San Francisco Chronicle says Moss could be the key to San Francisco's season.
Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle says Alex Boone is embracing a chance to play right guard.
Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com previews the 49ers' rookie camp. Maiocco: "LaMichael James will be ineligible to return to the work at the 49ers practice facility until after Oregon's graduation ceremony on June 15. Stanford, Northwestern and Wisconsin also have late graduations."
Clare Farnsworth of seahawks.com says Bobby Wagner is the latest in a long line of second-round linebackers with a shot at starting for the team. The others: Lofa Tatupu, Dave Wyman, Keith Butler, Terry Beeson and Terry Wooden. Scout Eric Stokes: "First and foremost, he’s a big-time upgrade athletically. His speed and his range are going to be very impressive and you’re getting a guy that’s really physical. It’s going to be a natural adjustment to middle linebacker."
Dave Boling of the Tacoma News Tribune offers first impressions after watching the Seahawks during a 45-minute workout. Boling: "The new No. 72 is the surprisingly svelte guard Deuce Lutui, whom you may recall from the days when he was stretching out Arizona Cardinals jerseys. Lutui failed the physical last year with Cincinnati and returned to Arizona as a backup. Although said to have been topping out in the 400-pound range, he’s listed at a believable 338 now, having slimmed down by adopting some vegan concepts in his diet. That’s good news for an offensive line that finished the season without three injured high draft picks -- Russell Okung, James Carpenter and John Moffitt. Okung and Moffitt have recovered well enough to be active in drills going against bags, while Carpenter is on the hoof but mostly watching."
Bryan Burwell of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says Rams fans shouldn't be too alarmed over the team's stadium lease situation. He says team owner Stan Kroenke has incentive to keep the requested stadium upgrades within a reasonable price range. Burwell: "The best way for Kroenke to maximize the G-4 loan is if the final Dome proposal mandates that his share of the financial burden for renovation not exceed $150 million and that the total cost of the project costs between $200 million and $400 million. ... The thing that works for everyone is making sure that the Rams stay right here. After seeing what it cost the good folks of Minneapolis to keep the Vikings, suddenly $400 million doesn't sound so bad."
The Arizona Cardinals have had their share of successes (Calais Campbell, Daryl Washington, Karlos Dansby and Deuce Lutui) in recent years. They've also suffered some disappointments (Cody Brown, Alan Branch).
Retaining Campbell on a long-term deal was important for quite a few reasons, especially with Dansby playing well elsewhere, Branch enjoying success for a division rival and Lutui threatening to do the same.
Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic put Campbell's new five-year deal in perspective. Somers: "By removing the franchise tag from Campbell and restructuring his contract, the Cardinals freed up money to explore free-agency options and possibly re-sign some of their free agents, such as outside linebacker Clark Haggans and defensive lineman Vonnie Holliday. It should should help them sign some of their picks from last month's draft, including first-rounder Michael Floyd. Just as important, the signing means Campbell won't follow the footsteps of former Cardinals linebacker Karlos Dansby. Several attempts to sign him to a multi-year extension failed, and Dansby, one of the team's key contributors, left via free agency and signed with Miami."
Darren Urban of azcardinals.com sees a pattern: "The last four players the Cardinals kept saying publicly they would soon be extending -- Adrian Wilson, Darnell Dockett, Larry Fitzgerald and now Campbell -- all got their extensions. Something to remember when analyzing what the team says about future players."
Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News says Randy Moss and Michael Crabtree are becoming fast friends. Donte Whitner: "They have a great relationship. Whenever you're doing something where you need a partner, they're always together."
Also from Inman: Alex Smith consulted with a pitching coach this offseason.
Kevin Lynch of the San Francisco Chronicle says Moss could be the key to San Francisco's season.
Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle says Alex Boone is embracing a chance to play right guard.
Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com previews the 49ers' rookie camp. Maiocco: "LaMichael James will be ineligible to return to the work at the 49ers practice facility until after Oregon's graduation ceremony on June 15. Stanford, Northwestern and Wisconsin also have late graduations."
Clare Farnsworth of seahawks.com says Bobby Wagner is the latest in a long line of second-round linebackers with a shot at starting for the team. The others: Lofa Tatupu, Dave Wyman, Keith Butler, Terry Beeson and Terry Wooden. Scout Eric Stokes: "First and foremost, he’s a big-time upgrade athletically. His speed and his range are going to be very impressive and you’re getting a guy that’s really physical. It’s going to be a natural adjustment to middle linebacker."
Dave Boling of the Tacoma News Tribune offers first impressions after watching the Seahawks during a 45-minute workout. Boling: "The new No. 72 is the surprisingly svelte guard Deuce Lutui, whom you may recall from the days when he was stretching out Arizona Cardinals jerseys. Lutui failed the physical last year with Cincinnati and returned to Arizona as a backup. Although said to have been topping out in the 400-pound range, he’s listed at a believable 338 now, having slimmed down by adopting some vegan concepts in his diet. That’s good news for an offensive line that finished the season without three injured high draft picks -- Russell Okung, James Carpenter and John Moffitt. Okung and Moffitt have recovered well enough to be active in drills going against bags, while Carpenter is on the hoof but mostly watching."
Bryan Burwell of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says Rams fans shouldn't be too alarmed over the team's stadium lease situation. He says team owner Stan Kroenke has incentive to keep the requested stadium upgrades within a reasonable price range. Burwell: "The best way for Kroenke to maximize the G-4 loan is if the final Dome proposal mandates that his share of the financial burden for renovation not exceed $150 million and that the total cost of the project costs between $200 million and $400 million. ... The thing that works for everyone is making sure that the Rams stay right here. After seeing what it cost the good folks of Minneapolis to keep the Vikings, suddenly $400 million doesn't sound so bad."
Minnesota Vikings fans can finally exhale after their team secured funding for a new stadium.
Next up in the stadium game: the St. Louis Rams.
Pull up a chair. This could take a while.
The Vikings needed years to get the job done. Rams owner Stan Kroenke isn't one to rush. He waited til the last minute before exercising his option to purchase a majority stake in the team. He has resisted showing any cards in the Rams' push for an improved stadium situation. And there is a process to follow, anyway.
The Rams' lease requires the St. Louis stadium authority to provide a first-tier facility by 2015. The Edward Jones Dome is not close to first tier by NFL standards. It's debatable whether a re-design could meet the Rams' likely demands without the project becoming cost-prohibitive.
In the meantime, the Rams have rejected the stadium authority's offer as a matter of course. The stadium authority is expected to reject the Rams' counter proposal. Once that happens, an arbitrator will begin deciding what constitutes a reasonable upgrade. That process, scheduled to begin June 15 and conclude before 2013, would produce a compromise proposal for the city to accept or reject.
If the city accepts, the Rams would be bound to the proposal, keeping in place their lease through 2025. If the city rejects the arbitrator's proposal, the Rams would be free to consider their options in St. Louis or elsewhere beginning in March 2015.
The price tag for new stadiums is around $1 billion. Spending $900 million on upgrades would make no sense. What about $800 million or $700 million or $600 million? Where is the cutoff and where would the money come from? These are not minor details.
The Kansas City Chiefs upgraded Arrowhead Stadium for $375 million, with the Hunt family's ownership covering $125 million of that total. Upgrading the Edward Jones Dome to the Rams' liking could cost more. There's a roof to consider, and also the time factor. The Chiefs' upgrades took place five years ago.
Also, the Hunts' connection to Kansas City was strong and emotional. The Chiefs weren't going anywhere, realistically, but the Rams' roots in Missouri aren't as deep. And if St. Louis rejects what an arbitrator considers reasonable, the Rams will be one step closer to the door.
We'll have a marginally better idea where the St. Louis situation stands once officials release upgrade proposals Monday in compliance with public-records laws. Those proposals probably will not include detailed cost projections. We'll be left to project.
Stadium games usually reduce to how far a citizenry will go to keep its team from bolting. It's tough to envision Rams fans stepping up the way Vikings fans did in Minnesota, not after the Rams posted a 15-65 record over the past five seasons. Have the Rams built up enough equity to win hundreds of millions in public funding?
Kroenke is more likely to wait than to beg. This could take a while.
Next up in the stadium game: the St. Louis Rams.
Pull up a chair. This could take a while.
The Vikings needed years to get the job done. Rams owner Stan Kroenke isn't one to rush. He waited til the last minute before exercising his option to purchase a majority stake in the team. He has resisted showing any cards in the Rams' push for an improved stadium situation. And there is a process to follow, anyway.
The Rams' lease requires the St. Louis stadium authority to provide a first-tier facility by 2015. The Edward Jones Dome is not close to first tier by NFL standards. It's debatable whether a re-design could meet the Rams' likely demands without the project becoming cost-prohibitive.
In the meantime, the Rams have rejected the stadium authority's offer as a matter of course. The stadium authority is expected to reject the Rams' counter proposal. Once that happens, an arbitrator will begin deciding what constitutes a reasonable upgrade. That process, scheduled to begin June 15 and conclude before 2013, would produce a compromise proposal for the city to accept or reject.
If the city accepts, the Rams would be bound to the proposal, keeping in place their lease through 2025. If the city rejects the arbitrator's proposal, the Rams would be free to consider their options in St. Louis or elsewhere beginning in March 2015.
The price tag for new stadiums is around $1 billion. Spending $900 million on upgrades would make no sense. What about $800 million or $700 million or $600 million? Where is the cutoff and where would the money come from? These are not minor details.
The Kansas City Chiefs upgraded Arrowhead Stadium for $375 million, with the Hunt family's ownership covering $125 million of that total. Upgrading the Edward Jones Dome to the Rams' liking could cost more. There's a roof to consider, and also the time factor. The Chiefs' upgrades took place five years ago.
Also, the Hunts' connection to Kansas City was strong and emotional. The Chiefs weren't going anywhere, realistically, but the Rams' roots in Missouri aren't as deep. And if St. Louis rejects what an arbitrator considers reasonable, the Rams will be one step closer to the door.
We'll have a marginally better idea where the St. Louis situation stands once officials release upgrade proposals Monday in compliance with public-records laws. Those proposals probably will not include detailed cost projections. We'll be left to project.
Stadium games usually reduce to how far a citizenry will go to keep its team from bolting. It's tough to envision Rams fans stepping up the way Vikings fans did in Minnesota, not after the Rams posted a 15-65 record over the past five seasons. Have the Rams built up enough equity to win hundreds of millions in public funding?
Kroenke is more likely to wait than to beg. This could take a while.
Public-records laws are forcing into the open proposals between the St. Louis Rams and the local stadium authority.
That is great news for Rams fans.
The May 14 release date means fans will soon discover how serious both sides have been about keeping the Rams in St. Louis.
If remaining in St. Louis is a top priority for the Rams, proposals made by the team will show owner Stan Kroenke pursuing reasonable upgrades to the Edward Jones Dome. Ideally, these upgrades would focus at least as much on upgrading the fan experience as upgrading Kroenke's profit margin.
If the Rams are more interested in leveraging their position, the proposals will show the team making more extravagant demands centering around luxury suites and other revenue-producing initiatives.
Of primary interest: to what extent each side's proposals shift the financial burden onto others.
Kroenke is a businessman. There are no laws requiring him to make staying in St. Louis a top priority. He's free to leverage the situation. Likewise, there are no laws requiring fans to purchase tickets or otherwise embrace the product if they feel as though ownership is playing the leverage game in an effort to break its lease and eventually relocate.
The stadium authority has until 2015 to bring the Edward Jones Dome into compliance as a "top-tier" NFL stadium or else the Rams can break their lease.
Note: Thanks to @nickthegrip85 for tipping me off to this story while I was preoccupied with another entry.
That is great news for Rams fans.
The May 14 release date means fans will soon discover how serious both sides have been about keeping the Rams in St. Louis.
If remaining in St. Louis is a top priority for the Rams, proposals made by the team will show owner Stan Kroenke pursuing reasonable upgrades to the Edward Jones Dome. Ideally, these upgrades would focus at least as much on upgrading the fan experience as upgrading Kroenke's profit margin.
If the Rams are more interested in leveraging their position, the proposals will show the team making more extravagant demands centering around luxury suites and other revenue-producing initiatives.
Of primary interest: to what extent each side's proposals shift the financial burden onto others.
Kroenke is a businessman. There are no laws requiring him to make staying in St. Louis a top priority. He's free to leverage the situation. Likewise, there are no laws requiring fans to purchase tickets or otherwise embrace the product if they feel as though ownership is playing the leverage game in an effort to break its lease and eventually relocate.
The stadium authority has until 2015 to bring the Edward Jones Dome into compliance as a "top-tier" NFL stadium or else the Rams can break their lease.
Note: Thanks to @nickthegrip85 for tipping me off to this story while I was preoccupied with another entry.
If you can't own the Rams, beat 'em to WR
April, 26, 2012
Apr 26
7:58
PM ET
By
Mike Sando | ESPN.com
Shahid Khan appeared close to purchasing the St. Louis Rams, only to have minority owner Stan Kroenke exercise his option to become majority owner.
Khan, who purchased the Jacksonville Jaguars instead, wants to trade ahead of the Rams for a shot at Oklahoma State receiver Justin Blackmon, ESPN's Chris Mortensen reports.
The Rams pick sixth and need a No. 1 receiver. It's unclear whether they're set on selecting Blackmon, but he would be a logical consideration for them -- unless Khan and the Jaguars move up from No. 7 to get Blackmon first.
The draft is minutes away from beginning, so we'll have answers soon.
Khan, who purchased the Jacksonville Jaguars instead, wants to trade ahead of the Rams for a shot at Oklahoma State receiver Justin Blackmon, ESPN's Chris Mortensen reports.
The Rams pick sixth and need a No. 1 receiver. It's unclear whether they're set on selecting Blackmon, but he would be a logical consideration for them -- unless Khan and the Jaguars move up from No. 7 to get Blackmon first.
The draft is minutes away from beginning, so we'll have answers soon.
Rebuilding a franchise takes longer than the first few weeks of free agency.
The St. Louis Rams provide a good case in point. They've been aggressive in free agency and even more aggressive in leveraging the second overall draft choice into additional picks.
But with rights to only 55 players and zero depth at some positions, notably linebacker, the process is only beginning.
Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says new Rams general manager Les Snead understands the challenge. Snead acknowledges the linebacker situation and jokes about needing to play lots of dime defense under the current circumstances. But he also says there's plenty of time before the season. Rams owner Stan Kroenke: "I think Les fits our model, just like Jeff (Fisher) fit our model. Once we had a strong head coach in place, then we started looking for a certain type of individual (at general manager). We felt really good about Les, and so far Les has done a great job. He brings a lot of energy, a lot of intelligence and considerable background to the job."
Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com passes along comments from Carlos Rogers regarding the 49ers' offseason to this point. Rogers: "I was happy, just to get more weapons on the offensive side, receivers, and get depth at that position. ... I wasn't happy about losing Josh (Morgan), I thought he was a pretty good receiver and then he got hurt. But just to add those guys -- guys that just got off a Super Bowl team and we faced twice last year . . . adding some more help for (Michael) Crabtree and getting Ted (Ginn) back. Getting Moss back -- I just hope we get half of his ability. And just his name is a threat out there. That's a guy you're not going to single-cover."
Also from Maiocco: a look at the 49ers' offseason to date.
Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee gives the 49ers high marks.
Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle says 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh joked about his own status when asked about Moss' workout with the team.
Danny O'Neil of the Seattle Times thinks the Seahawks' new logo, to be unveiled Tuesday, will feature a gray stripe. O'Neil: "A Seahawks logo featuring what appeared to be a gray lower stripe behind the bird's head appeared on two recent segments on the NFL's television network. It was reminiscent of the silver stripe that was part of the franchise's original logo. That logo was changed in 2002 when the franchise changed uniforms. That's when the Seahawks went from silver helmets to blue, and the logo was altered to include two blue stripes behind the bird's head. This year, the Seahawks are one of two teams expected to change their logos. The Carolina Panthers were the other, and they have already released the image of their new logo."
Eric D. Williams of the Tacoma News Tribune thinks Ryan Tannehill would be a "perfect" fit for the Seahawks' offensive scheme. Williams: "Seattle head coach Pete Carroll, general manager John Schneider and offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell were at he school’s indoor facility in College Station, Texas along with representatives from 21 other teams to watch Tannehill throw for the first time since suffering a broken foot during a workout in January. It’s an interesting development considering the Seahawks just locked up Flynn to a three-year, $26 million deal as the team’s potential franchise quarterback of the future." Noted: Tarvaris Jackson is entering the final year of his contract. The team has high hopes for Flynn, but does not yet know whether he'll become the answer at quarterback. While Flynn's deal can max out at $26 million, the base value is closer to $6.6 million per year.
Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic says the Cardinals paid a $7 million signing bonus to Levi Brown as part of the tackle's new contract. Somers: "At mid-season, the Cardinals were undecided about re-signing Brown. The fifth overall pick in 2007, he had not played up to expectations. But that changed in the second half of last season. Always a solid run blocker, Brown's pass protection improved. The Cardinals were faced with a shallow of pool of talent in free agency, and they decided it didn't make sense for them to let Brown go. Brown never wanted to leave, so the two sides came to agreement on a five-year deal." Noted: The Cardinals paid $12 million in signing bonuses to Brown and Adam Snyder this offseason. That exceeds what I would have expected a team to play for those players.
Also from Somers: a look at contracts for Jay Feely and Mike Leach.
The St. Louis Rams provide a good case in point. They've been aggressive in free agency and even more aggressive in leveraging the second overall draft choice into additional picks.
But with rights to only 55 players and zero depth at some positions, notably linebacker, the process is only beginning.
Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says new Rams general manager Les Snead understands the challenge. Snead acknowledges the linebacker situation and jokes about needing to play lots of dime defense under the current circumstances. But he also says there's plenty of time before the season. Rams owner Stan Kroenke: "I think Les fits our model, just like Jeff (Fisher) fit our model. Once we had a strong head coach in place, then we started looking for a certain type of individual (at general manager). We felt really good about Les, and so far Les has done a great job. He brings a lot of energy, a lot of intelligence and considerable background to the job."
Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com passes along comments from Carlos Rogers regarding the 49ers' offseason to this point. Rogers: "I was happy, just to get more weapons on the offensive side, receivers, and get depth at that position. ... I wasn't happy about losing Josh (Morgan), I thought he was a pretty good receiver and then he got hurt. But just to add those guys -- guys that just got off a Super Bowl team and we faced twice last year . . . adding some more help for (Michael) Crabtree and getting Ted (Ginn) back. Getting Moss back -- I just hope we get half of his ability. And just his name is a threat out there. That's a guy you're not going to single-cover."
Also from Maiocco: a look at the 49ers' offseason to date.
Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee gives the 49ers high marks.
Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle says 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh joked about his own status when asked about Moss' workout with the team.
Danny O'Neil of the Seattle Times thinks the Seahawks' new logo, to be unveiled Tuesday, will feature a gray stripe. O'Neil: "A Seahawks logo featuring what appeared to be a gray lower stripe behind the bird's head appeared on two recent segments on the NFL's television network. It was reminiscent of the silver stripe that was part of the franchise's original logo. That logo was changed in 2002 when the franchise changed uniforms. That's when the Seahawks went from silver helmets to blue, and the logo was altered to include two blue stripes behind the bird's head. This year, the Seahawks are one of two teams expected to change their logos. The Carolina Panthers were the other, and they have already released the image of their new logo."
Eric D. Williams of the Tacoma News Tribune thinks Ryan Tannehill would be a "perfect" fit for the Seahawks' offensive scheme. Williams: "Seattle head coach Pete Carroll, general manager John Schneider and offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell were at he school’s indoor facility in College Station, Texas along with representatives from 21 other teams to watch Tannehill throw for the first time since suffering a broken foot during a workout in January. It’s an interesting development considering the Seahawks just locked up Flynn to a three-year, $26 million deal as the team’s potential franchise quarterback of the future." Noted: Tarvaris Jackson is entering the final year of his contract. The team has high hopes for Flynn, but does not yet know whether he'll become the answer at quarterback. While Flynn's deal can max out at $26 million, the base value is closer to $6.6 million per year.
Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic says the Cardinals paid a $7 million signing bonus to Levi Brown as part of the tackle's new contract. Somers: "At mid-season, the Cardinals were undecided about re-signing Brown. The fifth overall pick in 2007, he had not played up to expectations. But that changed in the second half of last season. Always a solid run blocker, Brown's pass protection improved. The Cardinals were faced with a shallow of pool of talent in free agency, and they decided it didn't make sense for them to let Brown go. Brown never wanted to leave, so the two sides came to agreement on a five-year deal." Noted: The Cardinals paid $12 million in signing bonuses to Brown and Adam Snyder this offseason. That exceeds what I would have expected a team to play for those players.
Also from Somers: a look at contracts for Jay Feely and Mike Leach.
NFL players won on the lifestyle front in their most recent labor negotiations.
They succeeded in pushing back an offseason that had encroached on their recovery time as teams sought competitive advantages through year-round preparation.
Those victories have come at a price in some situations, however. This would be a perfect time for St. Louis Rams quarterback Sam Bradford and other young quarterbacks to spend time with their coaching staffs, but rules prevent that from happening until deep into April. Even Bradford's rehab from an ankle injury became a solo endeavor at times.
Is that what is best for Bradford's career? Is that the path he would choose if given a choice in the matter? It's still only March 29, so perhaps Bradford and other young quarterbacks still have plenty of time. It just seems counter-productive for an outright ban to prevent players from getting in the work some of them would surely welcome.
Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says Bradford recovered from his ankle injury about a month ago, according to coach Jeff Fisher. Fisher: "Now had it been during the season, they probably would've taken a different approach to the rehab. But they felt the best thing for him was to just shut it down. My understanding is that as part of his rehab, he has been doing his drops and sets, and throwing some balls. But we're not permitted to be a part of that."
Also from Thomas: The timing of the NFL's announcement regarding the bounty-related punishments put the Rams and Saints in a difficult spot, perhaps by design. Thomas: "Factor in also the date -- March 2 -- when the NFL released the findings of its investigation. League bylaws prohibit teams from seeking permission to interview a coach under contract with another team after March 1. ... As a result, if Fisher wants to hire a Williams replacement this season, it has to be someone currently out of the league, severely limiting the pool of potential candidates."
Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch offers thoughts on Rams owner Stan Kroenke's failed bid to purchase the Los Angeles Dodgers. Miklasz: "Kroenke can still try to move the Rams. Unless he can make a deal to extend the lease at the Edward Jones Dome, Stan the Businessman almost certainly will have an escape clause to leave St. Louis after the 2014 season. ... I'm still among the seven or eight people in St. Louis who believe Kroenke will stay. As one NFL owner told me recently, Kroenke still has one of the best lease arrangements in the NFL. So what's the problem? Kroenke is a cold guy, but he isn't a bad guy. Stan just can't help himself; tough negotiations, and the art of the deal, excite him. So he'll push hard to get the necessary stadium improvements here." Noted: Kroenke is most likely going to want a new stadium, not a refurbished Edward Jones Dome. That is the likely end game. The dome's design is outdated.
Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle looks into Brandon Jacobs' reputation as a soft runner. Jerry Rice: "I like Brandon Jacobs, but I feel like Brandon Jacobs is a little bit soft. He can’t get away from a defender. This guy is 265 and it upsets me when I see him get tackled by a guy that’s like 190 or 200 pounds."
Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee says Pro Football Weekly draft analyst Nolan Nawrocki thinks the 49ers can find a receiver after the first round. Nawrocki: "You can find them anywhere throughout this draft, so I don't know if they should reach for one that early."
Clare Farnsworth of seahawks.com checks in with former center Blair Bush, now 55 and a financial analyst. Farnsworth: "Bush anchored the Seahawks’ line from 1983-88, starting 78 games on teams that averaged 9.5 victories, played in the AFC Championship game (1983), won the team’s first division title (1988) and advanced to the playoffs four times (1983, 1984, 1987 and 1988)."
Danny O'Neil of the Seattle Times links to a photo gallery from the movie set where Marshawn Lynch is working this week. O'Neil: "Lee Majors is in it. So is Edward Furlong, aka the young John Conner from 'T2' who is not so young anymore. And then there's Lynch, whose role is detailed as 'Massive Goon.' He's a security guard for the bad guy, and while he does have a line, the script also calls for him to get aced during a bank robbery before he even gets in the building."
Brock Huard of 710ESPN Seattle sees the Seahawks addressing linebacker and pass-rusher early in the draft. Huard: "Todd McShay's latest mock draft would be a dream scenario with a prototypical pass-rusher with the length and strength Carroll desires in UNC's Quinton Coples, and the rare burst and acceleration at linebacker with Cal's Mychal Kendricks. However, the mock draft script could be flipped with the draft's most dynamic and instinctive linebacker at No. 12 with Luke Kuechly going first, and at No. 43 a pass-rusher such as USC's Nick Perry or Marshall's Vinny Curry."
Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic quotes Ken Whisenhunt and analyst Daryl Johnston on the Cardinals' quarterback situation. Johnston on whether Kevin Kolb or John Skelton is the best choice: "Kevin Kolb. You have the financial commitment to him. The big thing that happened to Kevin last year is the fact that he didn’t have the offseason to work in, and it was a big change from his style of offense from Philadelphia to Arizona. So he struggled at times. You look at John Skelton did and you look at the record and you say, 'How can you pick Kevin Kolb? [Skelton] has a better win-loss record and football is all about winning.' They won with fewer points per game with a higher turnover ratio, so there are some other things that go there."
Darren Urban of azcardinals.com checks in with Larry Fitzgerald, who is working with Anquan Boldin to fight the effects of drought and famine in Ethiopia. Fitzgerald: "There are so many needs here, basic ones to us back home. Just having clean drinking water or having water at all, (which is) something we never even think about at home. You turn the faucet on and you get clean drinkable water. (Here there is) no water for the livestock who plow the fields for vegetables and food. It’s an ugly cycle."
They succeeded in pushing back an offseason that had encroached on their recovery time as teams sought competitive advantages through year-round preparation.
Those victories have come at a price in some situations, however. This would be a perfect time for St. Louis Rams quarterback Sam Bradford and other young quarterbacks to spend time with their coaching staffs, but rules prevent that from happening until deep into April. Even Bradford's rehab from an ankle injury became a solo endeavor at times.
Is that what is best for Bradford's career? Is that the path he would choose if given a choice in the matter? It's still only March 29, so perhaps Bradford and other young quarterbacks still have plenty of time. It just seems counter-productive for an outright ban to prevent players from getting in the work some of them would surely welcome.
Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says Bradford recovered from his ankle injury about a month ago, according to coach Jeff Fisher. Fisher: "Now had it been during the season, they probably would've taken a different approach to the rehab. But they felt the best thing for him was to just shut it down. My understanding is that as part of his rehab, he has been doing his drops and sets, and throwing some balls. But we're not permitted to be a part of that."
Also from Thomas: The timing of the NFL's announcement regarding the bounty-related punishments put the Rams and Saints in a difficult spot, perhaps by design. Thomas: "Factor in also the date -- March 2 -- when the NFL released the findings of its investigation. League bylaws prohibit teams from seeking permission to interview a coach under contract with another team after March 1. ... As a result, if Fisher wants to hire a Williams replacement this season, it has to be someone currently out of the league, severely limiting the pool of potential candidates."
Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch offers thoughts on Rams owner Stan Kroenke's failed bid to purchase the Los Angeles Dodgers. Miklasz: "Kroenke can still try to move the Rams. Unless he can make a deal to extend the lease at the Edward Jones Dome, Stan the Businessman almost certainly will have an escape clause to leave St. Louis after the 2014 season. ... I'm still among the seven or eight people in St. Louis who believe Kroenke will stay. As one NFL owner told me recently, Kroenke still has one of the best lease arrangements in the NFL. So what's the problem? Kroenke is a cold guy, but he isn't a bad guy. Stan just can't help himself; tough negotiations, and the art of the deal, excite him. So he'll push hard to get the necessary stadium improvements here." Noted: Kroenke is most likely going to want a new stadium, not a refurbished Edward Jones Dome. That is the likely end game. The dome's design is outdated.
Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle looks into Brandon Jacobs' reputation as a soft runner. Jerry Rice: "I like Brandon Jacobs, but I feel like Brandon Jacobs is a little bit soft. He can’t get away from a defender. This guy is 265 and it upsets me when I see him get tackled by a guy that’s like 190 or 200 pounds."
Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee says Pro Football Weekly draft analyst Nolan Nawrocki thinks the 49ers can find a receiver after the first round. Nawrocki: "You can find them anywhere throughout this draft, so I don't know if they should reach for one that early."
Clare Farnsworth of seahawks.com checks in with former center Blair Bush, now 55 and a financial analyst. Farnsworth: "Bush anchored the Seahawks’ line from 1983-88, starting 78 games on teams that averaged 9.5 victories, played in the AFC Championship game (1983), won the team’s first division title (1988) and advanced to the playoffs four times (1983, 1984, 1987 and 1988)."
Danny O'Neil of the Seattle Times links to a photo gallery from the movie set where Marshawn Lynch is working this week. O'Neil: "Lee Majors is in it. So is Edward Furlong, aka the young John Conner from 'T2' who is not so young anymore. And then there's Lynch, whose role is detailed as 'Massive Goon.' He's a security guard for the bad guy, and while he does have a line, the script also calls for him to get aced during a bank robbery before he even gets in the building."
Brock Huard of 710ESPN Seattle sees the Seahawks addressing linebacker and pass-rusher early in the draft. Huard: "Todd McShay's latest mock draft would be a dream scenario with a prototypical pass-rusher with the length and strength Carroll desires in UNC's Quinton Coples, and the rare burst and acceleration at linebacker with Cal's Mychal Kendricks. However, the mock draft script could be flipped with the draft's most dynamic and instinctive linebacker at No. 12 with Luke Kuechly going first, and at No. 43 a pass-rusher such as USC's Nick Perry or Marshall's Vinny Curry."
Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic quotes Ken Whisenhunt and analyst Daryl Johnston on the Cardinals' quarterback situation. Johnston on whether Kevin Kolb or John Skelton is the best choice: "Kevin Kolb. You have the financial commitment to him. The big thing that happened to Kevin last year is the fact that he didn’t have the offseason to work in, and it was a big change from his style of offense from Philadelphia to Arizona. So he struggled at times. You look at John Skelton did and you look at the record and you say, 'How can you pick Kevin Kolb? [Skelton] has a better win-loss record and football is all about winning.' They won with fewer points per game with a higher turnover ratio, so there are some other things that go there."
Darren Urban of azcardinals.com checks in with Larry Fitzgerald, who is working with Anquan Boldin to fight the effects of drought and famine in Ethiopia. Fitzgerald: "There are so many needs here, basic ones to us back home. Just having clean drinking water or having water at all, (which is) something we never even think about at home. You turn the faucet on and you get clean drinkable water. (Here there is) no water for the livestock who plow the fields for vegetables and food. It’s an ugly cycle."
St. Louis Rams owner Stan Kroenke will not have one foot in the Los Angeles market while negotiating for an improved stadium situation.
That was the net effect when Kroenke's bid to purchase the Los Angeles Dodgers fell short Tuesday night. The group led by Lakers legend Magic Johnson prevailed with a bid for $2.15 billion. Kroenke had been one of three finalists.
Tony Jackson and Dave McMenamin of ESPNLosAngeles.com have the details. Noted: Owning the Rams and the Dodgers would have put Kroenke at odds with the NFL's policy on cross-ownership. While moving the Rams to Los Angeles would have averted any conflict, it's not likely Kroenke could have made such a move anytime soon. But perceptions matter, and having Kroenke own the Dodgers would only strengthen long-held fears the Rams might move back to California.
Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says Kroenke "bristled" when asked how involved he was in the Edward Jones Dome lease situation. Kroenke: "I’m the owner of the team. Unless you haven’t noticed, I've been involved 20 years. I've put a lot of my life, not just my personal (finances) at risk for this enterprise. And that might be something good to mention sometimes."
Brady Henderson of 710ESPN Seattle says incumbent quarterback Tarvaris Jackson is looking forward to competing with newcomer Matt Flynn for the Seahawks' starting job. Fullback Michael Robinson: "He was excited. He said, 'Mike, you know, this always happens to me and I'm ready for it to bring the best out of me.' "
Clare Farnsworth of seahawks.com checks in with former right tackle Steve August, who has this to say about his favorite moment as a player: "It would have to be beating the Dolphins in Miami in 1983 (in a divisional playoff game). And then winning the week before in the Kingdome (against the Broncos) in the first-ever playoff game. That was pretty awesome. But coming back from Miami, the fan support at the airport was just unbelievable. So I’d say experiencing that first playoff run for the Seahawks."
Danny O'Neil of the Seattle Times explains the Seahawks' thinking at linebacker: "I'm going to say given the results we've seen with the players this team has grabbed, whether it's K.J. Wright or Malcolm Smith (if he stays healthy), that LB might be a position where they can 'find' guys rather than pay a premium."
Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic takes a round-by-round look at the best draft choices in Cardinals history since the team came to Arizona for the 1988 season. Somers on the third round: "Cornerback Aeneas Williams (1991) -- Another easy one, even though the Cardinals have had some decent luck in this round. But Williams likely will be the first Hall of Famer in the team's Arizona history. Runner up -- Safety Adrian Wilson (2001). A fixture in the starting lineup since 2002, Wilson is coming off one of his best seasons. This was not an easy choice because end Darnell Dockett (2004) is pretty good, too. Linebacker Gerald Hayes (2003) and receiver Ricky Proehl (1990) had productive careers."
Darren Urban of azcardinals.com says restricted free agent Greg Toler is eager to bounce back from a knee injury. Toler recently signed his one-year qualifying offer.
Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com says the 49ers' workout with former Cardinals guard Deuce Lutui was the latest indication San Francisco is looking for a low-cost fallback for second-year guard Daniel Kilgore. Maiocco: "Lutui, a second-round pick of the Cardinals in 2006, has appeared in 93 games with 72 career starts. In July, Lutui (listed at 6-foot-4, 338 pounds) signed with the Cincinnati Bengals as a free agent but did not pass the physical, reportedly showing up overweight. The Cardinals re-signed Lutui, who spent last season backing up right guard Rex Hadnot." Noted: Lutui is plenty talented. He can be a good starting guard. Lutui has not been consistent enough in his approach to stay in the lineup, however, and his relative lack of versatility makes him less valuable as a backup. That is why the Cardinals preferred to sign Adam Snyder from the 49ers.
Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle says durability is a key for the 49ers' defense. Branch, upon discovering that the team's defensive starters missed a combined eight games last season: "It was the continuation of a trend. In 2010, the 49ers’ defensive starters missed two games due to injury. In 2009, they missed 11. In 2008, they missed three games. Yes, Justin Smith isn’t the defense’s only iron man. Nose guard Isaac Sopoaga, for example, has missed two games since 2005. Linebacker Parys Harlson has started 56 of the Niners’ past 57 games. Safety Dashon Goldson has started 46 of 48 games since 2009 and linebacker Patrick Willis started 75 of his first 76 career games prior to last year’s hamstring injury."
Around the NFC West: Catching up to 49ers
March, 27, 2012
Mar 27
9:40
AM ET
By
Mike Sando | ESPN.com
Changing coaching staffs heading into a lockout was supposed to set back the San Francisco 49ers last season.
Instead, the team won nine of its first 10 games, finished 13-3 and came within an overtime defeat of reaching the Super Bowl.
Having a full offseason should help the 49ers prepare even better for 2012, but opponents should also have a better idea what to expect from coach Jim Harbaugh and staff.
We might have seen this taking place as the 2011 season progressed. The 49ers' division opponents fared considerably better in rematches against the 49ers than when facing them for the first time. But with all three rematches played away from Candlestick Park, venue also came into play as a key factor. The New York Giants were the only other team to face San Francisco twice last season, losing the first meeting before winning the second one. Both were close games at Candlestick.
This will be a storyline to monitor for the upcoming season.
Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com expects general improvement from the 49ers on offense, except at running back, where he expects a "slight dip, based on another year of wear and tear on Frank Gore, who turns 29 in May and has been the team's every-down back for six seasons."
Also from Maiocco: setting expectations for the 49ers on defense. Maiocco on the cornerback situation: "Carlos Rogers and Tarell Brown are back as the starters, with Chris Culliver and Tramaine Brock as the backups. It's difficult to believe that Rogers, as an eighth-year player, can be much better than he was a year ago. But Brown, Culliver and Brock should improve with a full offseason of work."
Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle notes that the 49ers have 20 starters under contract beyond the 2012 season. Branch: "NaVorro Bowman will be a free agent after the 2013 season. I’m guessing the 49ers, as they did with Patrick Willis and Vernon Davis, will attempt to work out a long-term deal with Bowman before he hits free agency. Bowman will earn base salaries of $540,000 and $570,000 in 2012 and 2013, respectively."
Nick Eaton of seattlepi.com says Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch has a role in an upcoming movie featuring Lee Majors, Gary Busey, Margot Kidder and Edward Furlong. Eaton: "Lynch will be playing 'mob security guard' -- officially credited as a 'goon' -- in a film called 'Matt’s Chance' from local production house Mirror Images. Lynch will be in Seattle this week for a three-day shoot at the iMusic club in Lower Queen Anne, said Nate Riley, producer and marketing director for Mirror Images."
Eric D. Williams of the Tacoma News Tribune had this to say during a recent chat: "I believe Pete Carroll when he says there will be open competition, but I think it will be structured in such a way that Matt Flynn has the upper hand, both in practice and in games. They will do their best to make sure that Flynn looks good. You can't pay him $8 million in guaranteed salary this season and let him hold a clipboard. That makes no sense. They have two years to figure out if he's the franchise quarterback of the future, and the only way that happens is to see how he plays on the field."
Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic says the Cardinals have met expectations for a mostly quiet offseason. Coach Ken Whisenhunt, speaking right after the season: "You don't anticipate a lot of changes. We have a lot of young players and you're going to be together."
Brian McIntyre of Mac's Football Blog spells out details of Daryn Colledge's contract restructuring. The team converted base salary to signing bonus, pushing some of the cap charge into future years.
Peter King of Sports Illustrated shares contents from a letter NFL commissioner Roger Goodell sent to St. Louis Rams defensive coordinator Gregg Williams regarding reinstatement from a bounty-related suspension that will last at least one season. King: "Sounds like if Williams makes some come-clean speeches to high school and college football teams around the country at the NFL's behest, he'll be back in the game in 2013 -- assuming the Rams will still employ him. That's likely, but not certain."
Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch asks whether Williams can effectively transition away from what has been his identity in the NFL. Miklasz: "Williams has built his career on cultivating an aggressive, attacking and violent mindset within his defense. ... Having been domesticated and deprogrammed, will Williams be able to motivate players the same as he did before? Can a formerly hard-edged coach still get the same results if he dramatically softens those edges? Legit questions." Noted: Williams has never done contrition well. This transition would seem to be problematic.
Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch provides the latest on Rams owner Stan Kroenke's attempt to purchase the Los Angeles Dodgers. Thomas: "Owning the Los Angeles Dodgers and the St. Louis Rams would violate cross-ownership rules. But if Kroenke should move the Rams to LA, he would be in compliance with cross-ownership rules because the Dodgers and the Rams would be in the same market. And this, obviously makes Rams fans even more antsy about the future of the team in St. Louis given the current stadium lease situation at the Edward Jones Dome."
Instead, the team won nine of its first 10 games, finished 13-3 and came within an overtime defeat of reaching the Super Bowl.
Having a full offseason should help the 49ers prepare even better for 2012, but opponents should also have a better idea what to expect from coach Jim Harbaugh and staff.
We might have seen this taking place as the 2011 season progressed. The 49ers' division opponents fared considerably better in rematches against the 49ers than when facing them for the first time. But with all three rematches played away from Candlestick Park, venue also came into play as a key factor. The New York Giants were the only other team to face San Francisco twice last season, losing the first meeting before winning the second one. Both were close games at Candlestick.
This will be a storyline to monitor for the upcoming season.
Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com expects general improvement from the 49ers on offense, except at running back, where he expects a "slight dip, based on another year of wear and tear on Frank Gore, who turns 29 in May and has been the team's every-down back for six seasons."
Also from Maiocco: setting expectations for the 49ers on defense. Maiocco on the cornerback situation: "Carlos Rogers and Tarell Brown are back as the starters, with Chris Culliver and Tramaine Brock as the backups. It's difficult to believe that Rogers, as an eighth-year player, can be much better than he was a year ago. But Brown, Culliver and Brock should improve with a full offseason of work."
Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle notes that the 49ers have 20 starters under contract beyond the 2012 season. Branch: "NaVorro Bowman will be a free agent after the 2013 season. I’m guessing the 49ers, as they did with Patrick Willis and Vernon Davis, will attempt to work out a long-term deal with Bowman before he hits free agency. Bowman will earn base salaries of $540,000 and $570,000 in 2012 and 2013, respectively."
Nick Eaton of seattlepi.com says Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch has a role in an upcoming movie featuring Lee Majors, Gary Busey, Margot Kidder and Edward Furlong. Eaton: "Lynch will be playing 'mob security guard' -- officially credited as a 'goon' -- in a film called 'Matt’s Chance' from local production house Mirror Images. Lynch will be in Seattle this week for a three-day shoot at the iMusic club in Lower Queen Anne, said Nate Riley, producer and marketing director for Mirror Images."
Eric D. Williams of the Tacoma News Tribune had this to say during a recent chat: "I believe Pete Carroll when he says there will be open competition, but I think it will be structured in such a way that Matt Flynn has the upper hand, both in practice and in games. They will do their best to make sure that Flynn looks good. You can't pay him $8 million in guaranteed salary this season and let him hold a clipboard. That makes no sense. They have two years to figure out if he's the franchise quarterback of the future, and the only way that happens is to see how he plays on the field."
Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic says the Cardinals have met expectations for a mostly quiet offseason. Coach Ken Whisenhunt, speaking right after the season: "You don't anticipate a lot of changes. We have a lot of young players and you're going to be together."
Brian McIntyre of Mac's Football Blog spells out details of Daryn Colledge's contract restructuring. The team converted base salary to signing bonus, pushing some of the cap charge into future years.
Peter King of Sports Illustrated shares contents from a letter NFL commissioner Roger Goodell sent to St. Louis Rams defensive coordinator Gregg Williams regarding reinstatement from a bounty-related suspension that will last at least one season. King: "Sounds like if Williams makes some come-clean speeches to high school and college football teams around the country at the NFL's behest, he'll be back in the game in 2013 -- assuming the Rams will still employ him. That's likely, but not certain."
Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch asks whether Williams can effectively transition away from what has been his identity in the NFL. Miklasz: "Williams has built his career on cultivating an aggressive, attacking and violent mindset within his defense. ... Having been domesticated and deprogrammed, will Williams be able to motivate players the same as he did before? Can a formerly hard-edged coach still get the same results if he dramatically softens those edges? Legit questions." Noted: Williams has never done contrition well. This transition would seem to be problematic.
Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch provides the latest on Rams owner Stan Kroenke's attempt to purchase the Los Angeles Dodgers. Thomas: "Owning the Los Angeles Dodgers and the St. Louis Rams would violate cross-ownership rules. But if Kroenke should move the Rams to LA, he would be in compliance with cross-ownership rules because the Dodgers and the Rams would be in the same market. And this, obviously makes Rams fans even more antsy about the future of the team in St. Louis given the current stadium lease situation at the Edward Jones Dome."
The Arizona Cardinals' pursuit of Peyton Manning once appeared quite promising.
That is no longer the case.
Tennessee and Denver are the favorites.
"Everyone else a longshot," ESPN's Adam Schefter said.
Manning appears to be taking a deliberate approach even as the Cardinals face a Friday deadline to decide whether Kevin Kolb receives a $7 million bonus. Will the deadline affect Manning's timetable in any way?
"He'll be courteous in communication," ESPN's Chris Mortensen said, "but no."
Oh, and one more thing: Manning plans to work out for the Broncos, Mortensen reports.
Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic says it's still tough to say how the Manning situation will play out. Somers: "Though keeping Kolb would be a gamble, so would signing Manning, even though he is a four-time MVP and has been selected to 11 Pro Bowls. Manning missed last season because of a neck condition that reportedly required four procedures to fix. The strength in his right arm was affected, and it's unknown when, or if, it will return. ... No one outside Manning's family seems to know for sure what he's thinking. The Dolphins were pegged as a favorite at first, then supposedly eliminated. The Broncos were given a courtesy interview, then became the leader. The Cardinals were in the mix until the Broncos and Titans emerged as favorites. Or was it the Broncos and Dolphins? All the above scenarios have been reported."
Also from Somers: The Cardinals are bringing back Levi Brown.
Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says new Rams cornerback Cortland Finnegan attributes his personality to his mother, who spent two decades in the Army. Finnegan: "It may be my Irish side. I don't know. My mom's a little feisty. If you ever get the chance to meet her, she's got about 400 tattoos and she's just a wild woman. She's military background, so I think just her wild side is sort of part of what it's all about for me."
Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch explains why he thinks Rams owner Stan Kroenke wanted to purchase the Dodgers. Miklasz: "Kroenke's goal has been to buy the team and use the Dodgers as a hub for his own regional sports network in Southern California. Such a network would likely mean enormous profits for Kroenke, or the person that controls the Dodgers. Did you think Stan has offered more than $1 billion for the Dodgers because Matt Kemp is his favorite player or that he wants to hang out with Clayton Kershaw? Please. No, this was another money-making venture. Nothing wrong with that; but let's just be honest about the nature of Kroenke's interest. It isn't because he wanted to buy some peanuts and Cracker Jack."
Matthew Hathaway of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says the Edward Jones Dome is keeping its name.
Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com breaks down Carlos Rogers' new deal with the 49ers. Maiocco: "Rogers counts $5.5 million against the 49ers' 2012 cap after signing a four-year, $29.3 million contract that includes a $5 million signing bonus. Rogers' deal includes a 2012 base salary of $3.9 million, along with annual $100,000 workout bonuses and up to $250,000 yearly in roster bonuses. Rogers' base salaries increase to $5.5 million in 2013, $6.25 million in 2014, and $7.25 million in 2015. The deal contains another $2 million total in possible incentives."
Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee passes along thoughts from (former?) 49ers return specialist Ted Ginn Jr., who suggests the 49ers would have gone to the Super Bowl had he been healthy. Ginn is now seeking an expanded role as a wide receiver. Barrows: "The irony is that he had opportunities to be a receiver last season with the 49ers. Injuries to Michael Crabtree (early), Josh Morgan (middle) and Braylon Edward's release (late) meant that Ginn was the de facto No. 2 receiver for much of the season. He played 351 offensive snaps in 2011, 34.2 percent of the total snaps." Noted: I could see another team luring away Ginn by telling him what he wants to hear, but I'm skeptical over whether Ginn would in fact play significantly more on offense.
Lowell Cohn of the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat advises Alex Smith to re-sign with the 49ers.
Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle says adding Rock Cartwright could help the 49ers' special teams after Blake Costanzo signed with Chicago.
Danny O'Neil of the Seattle Times says the Seahawks have kept a low profile in free agency largely because they like their roster. O'Neil: "Even the interest Seattle has shown in Packers quarterback Matt Flynn, who visited this week, has been more tepid than some expected. The Seahawks' attention this year, not to mention many millions of dollars, has been spent re-signing players. No one thinks Seattle has arrived. There is a need at quarterback and a desire to improve the pass rush. But the Seahawks aren't just trying to amass talent, they're also trying to preserve it."
Eric D. Williams of the Tacoma News Tribune cites a tweet from Michael Robinson as evidence the fullback will re-sign with the Seahawks.
Clare Farnsworth of seahawks.com says the team has gone through 12 potential replacements at left guard since losing Steve Hutchinson in free agency following the 2005 season.
That is no longer the case.
Tennessee and Denver are the favorites.
"Everyone else a longshot," ESPN's Adam Schefter said.
Manning appears to be taking a deliberate approach even as the Cardinals face a Friday deadline to decide whether Kevin Kolb receives a $7 million bonus. Will the deadline affect Manning's timetable in any way?
"He'll be courteous in communication," ESPN's Chris Mortensen said, "but no."
Oh, and one more thing: Manning plans to work out for the Broncos, Mortensen reports.
Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic says it's still tough to say how the Manning situation will play out. Somers: "Though keeping Kolb would be a gamble, so would signing Manning, even though he is a four-time MVP and has been selected to 11 Pro Bowls. Manning missed last season because of a neck condition that reportedly required four procedures to fix. The strength in his right arm was affected, and it's unknown when, or if, it will return. ... No one outside Manning's family seems to know for sure what he's thinking. The Dolphins were pegged as a favorite at first, then supposedly eliminated. The Broncos were given a courtesy interview, then became the leader. The Cardinals were in the mix until the Broncos and Titans emerged as favorites. Or was it the Broncos and Dolphins? All the above scenarios have been reported."
Also from Somers: The Cardinals are bringing back Levi Brown.
Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says new Rams cornerback Cortland Finnegan attributes his personality to his mother, who spent two decades in the Army. Finnegan: "It may be my Irish side. I don't know. My mom's a little feisty. If you ever get the chance to meet her, she's got about 400 tattoos and she's just a wild woman. She's military background, so I think just her wild side is sort of part of what it's all about for me."
Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch explains why he thinks Rams owner Stan Kroenke wanted to purchase the Dodgers. Miklasz: "Kroenke's goal has been to buy the team and use the Dodgers as a hub for his own regional sports network in Southern California. Such a network would likely mean enormous profits for Kroenke, or the person that controls the Dodgers. Did you think Stan has offered more than $1 billion for the Dodgers because Matt Kemp is his favorite player or that he wants to hang out with Clayton Kershaw? Please. No, this was another money-making venture. Nothing wrong with that; but let's just be honest about the nature of Kroenke's interest. It isn't because he wanted to buy some peanuts and Cracker Jack."
Matthew Hathaway of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says the Edward Jones Dome is keeping its name.
Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com breaks down Carlos Rogers' new deal with the 49ers. Maiocco: "Rogers counts $5.5 million against the 49ers' 2012 cap after signing a four-year, $29.3 million contract that includes a $5 million signing bonus. Rogers' deal includes a 2012 base salary of $3.9 million, along with annual $100,000 workout bonuses and up to $250,000 yearly in roster bonuses. Rogers' base salaries increase to $5.5 million in 2013, $6.25 million in 2014, and $7.25 million in 2015. The deal contains another $2 million total in possible incentives."
Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee passes along thoughts from (former?) 49ers return specialist Ted Ginn Jr., who suggests the 49ers would have gone to the Super Bowl had he been healthy. Ginn is now seeking an expanded role as a wide receiver. Barrows: "The irony is that he had opportunities to be a receiver last season with the 49ers. Injuries to Michael Crabtree (early), Josh Morgan (middle) and Braylon Edward's release (late) meant that Ginn was the de facto No. 2 receiver for much of the season. He played 351 offensive snaps in 2011, 34.2 percent of the total snaps." Noted: I could see another team luring away Ginn by telling him what he wants to hear, but I'm skeptical over whether Ginn would in fact play significantly more on offense.
Lowell Cohn of the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat advises Alex Smith to re-sign with the 49ers.
Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle says adding Rock Cartwright could help the 49ers' special teams after Blake Costanzo signed with Chicago.
Danny O'Neil of the Seattle Times says the Seahawks have kept a low profile in free agency largely because they like their roster. O'Neil: "Even the interest Seattle has shown in Packers quarterback Matt Flynn, who visited this week, has been more tepid than some expected. The Seahawks' attention this year, not to mention many millions of dollars, has been spent re-signing players. No one thinks Seattle has arrived. There is a need at quarterback and a desire to improve the pass rush. But the Seahawks aren't just trying to amass talent, they're also trying to preserve it."
Eric D. Williams of the Tacoma News Tribune cites a tweet from Michael Robinson as evidence the fullback will re-sign with the Seahawks.
Clare Farnsworth of seahawks.com says the team has gone through 12 potential replacements at left guard since losing Steve Hutchinson in free agency following the 2005 season.
The Seattle Seahawks owned the NFC West for years because their owner, Paul Allen, was so clearly superior to his peers in the division.
It was Allen who pushed through a stadium referendum precipitating his purchase of the team in the late 1990s. It was Allen's ownership that enabled the team to hire Mike Holmgren in 1999, another watershed moment for the franchise.
Those two owner-driven events set up the team for seven division titles during a 12-year period, including five in a row beginning in 2003.
Visions of Allen's Seahawks squirming while Peyton Manning visited the Arizona Cardinals over the weekend might not mean much if Manning signs outside the NFC West or agrees to visit Seattle after all. But with Arizona holding a clear edge over the Seahawks at this point in the process, the shrinking ownership gap in the division is worth our attention.
Allen hasn't necessarily slipped even though his fortune, once estimated to exceed $30 billion, has reportedly shrunk to less than half that amount. He remains the wealthiest NFL owner by a wide margin. He helped finance a state-of-the-art waterfront facility that opened in 2008. He gives football decision makers wide latitude and ample resources.
But with the Cardinals' Michael Bidwill and the San Francisco 49ers' Jed York securing new stadiums and winning division titles recently, the Seahawks' competitors have gained ground. Stan Kroenke's ascent in St. Louis has brightened the Rams' outlook as well.
For Arizona, getting Manning to visit was nice. Getting him to sign with the team would more emphatically validate the the Cardinals' progress as an organization.
Bidwill, like York, has a familial reputation to live down.
"(Bidwill) is hugely aware of our fan base and how his dad is viewed," a team source told ESPN's Chris Mortensen and Adam Schefter over the weekend. "He came to work with this team to get the stadium built. It took him a long time to get that done, but he did. He is a driven young owner that wants to totally change this franchise's image."
Winning back-to-back division titles while making a Super Bowl appearance affirmed Bidwill's long-held stance that stadium revenue would change how the team could operate. But the Cardinals' 13-19 record over the past two seasons has lent credence to the idea that the team basically lucked into Kurt Warner's career revival.
Beating out John Elway and others for Manning would be another game-changer, comparable to the day Seattle landed Holmgren and, to an extent, when the 49ers secured Jim Harbaugh. Holmgren and Harbaugh were the hottest coaching candidates at the time. Manning, though coming off neck surgeries that might still threaten his career, outranks both in NFL history.
The Cardinals need him. They bet big on Kevin Kolb last offseason, and are running a fat deficit on the investment, with few promising signs. John Clayton's recent report about the team losing confidence in Kolb sounded ominous. Coach Ken Whisenhunt might still need to win the bet on Kolb, but the cost of losing it would disappear if Manning signed with the team.
Finding a quarterback requires taking chances. Manning would be the safest bet in NFL history without the neck surgeries. He still appears to be a safer gamble than putting down another $7 million to continue the relationship with Kolb, a payment that comes due at week's end. Paying Kolb in the absence of Manning would not necessarily prevent John Skelton from winning the starting job.
A year ago, the Kolb experiment gave the Cardinals an opportunity to find out whether Whisenhunt could identify and develop quarterbacks. To what degree had he shaped Ben Roethlisberger in Pittsburgh and, later, Warner in Arizona? That question becomes far less relevant if the Cardinals can close a deal with Manning.
Bidwill's father made a run at Joe Montana in 1993. This time, the Cardinals appear to have a legitimate chance. Times have changed, but by how much? Manning's decision will provide one measure.
It was Allen who pushed through a stadium referendum precipitating his purchase of the team in the late 1990s. It was Allen's ownership that enabled the team to hire Mike Holmgren in 1999, another watershed moment for the franchise.
[+] Enlarge
Kyle Terada/US PresswireLanding QB Peyton Manning would be a huge victory for Cardinals president Michael Bidwill, front, and coach Ken Whisenhunt.
Kyle Terada/US PresswireLanding QB Peyton Manning would be a huge victory for Cardinals president Michael Bidwill, front, and coach Ken Whisenhunt.Visions of Allen's Seahawks squirming while Peyton Manning visited the Arizona Cardinals over the weekend might not mean much if Manning signs outside the NFC West or agrees to visit Seattle after all. But with Arizona holding a clear edge over the Seahawks at this point in the process, the shrinking ownership gap in the division is worth our attention.
Allen hasn't necessarily slipped even though his fortune, once estimated to exceed $30 billion, has reportedly shrunk to less than half that amount. He remains the wealthiest NFL owner by a wide margin. He helped finance a state-of-the-art waterfront facility that opened in 2008. He gives football decision makers wide latitude and ample resources.
But with the Cardinals' Michael Bidwill and the San Francisco 49ers' Jed York securing new stadiums and winning division titles recently, the Seahawks' competitors have gained ground. Stan Kroenke's ascent in St. Louis has brightened the Rams' outlook as well.
For Arizona, getting Manning to visit was nice. Getting him to sign with the team would more emphatically validate the the Cardinals' progress as an organization.
Bidwill, like York, has a familial reputation to live down.
"(Bidwill) is hugely aware of our fan base and how his dad is viewed," a team source told ESPN's Chris Mortensen and Adam Schefter over the weekend. "He came to work with this team to get the stadium built. It took him a long time to get that done, but he did. He is a driven young owner that wants to totally change this franchise's image."
Winning back-to-back division titles while making a Super Bowl appearance affirmed Bidwill's long-held stance that stadium revenue would change how the team could operate. But the Cardinals' 13-19 record over the past two seasons has lent credence to the idea that the team basically lucked into Kurt Warner's career revival.
Beating out John Elway and others for Manning would be another game-changer, comparable to the day Seattle landed Holmgren and, to an extent, when the 49ers secured Jim Harbaugh. Holmgren and Harbaugh were the hottest coaching candidates at the time. Manning, though coming off neck surgeries that might still threaten his career, outranks both in NFL history.
The Cardinals need him. They bet big on Kevin Kolb last offseason, and are running a fat deficit on the investment, with few promising signs. John Clayton's recent report about the team losing confidence in Kolb sounded ominous. Coach Ken Whisenhunt might still need to win the bet on Kolb, but the cost of losing it would disappear if Manning signed with the team.
Finding a quarterback requires taking chances. Manning would be the safest bet in NFL history without the neck surgeries. He still appears to be a safer gamble than putting down another $7 million to continue the relationship with Kolb, a payment that comes due at week's end. Paying Kolb in the absence of Manning would not necessarily prevent John Skelton from winning the starting job.
A year ago, the Kolb experiment gave the Cardinals an opportunity to find out whether Whisenhunt could identify and develop quarterbacks. To what degree had he shaped Ben Roethlisberger in Pittsburgh and, later, Warner in Arizona? That question becomes far less relevant if the Cardinals can close a deal with Manning.
Bidwill's father made a run at Joe Montana in 1993. This time, the Cardinals appear to have a legitimate chance. Times have changed, but by how much? Manning's decision will provide one measure.
Around the NFC West: On Rams' GM search
February, 10, 2012
Feb 10
8:53
AM ET
By
Mike Sando | ESPN.com
The St. Louis Rams continue to operate without a general manager or much apparent urgency to hire one right away.
That should tell us something about the relative importance -- or unimportance -- of the role for the team at this stage of the offseason.
The Rams are not looking for someone to shake up the organization. They hired coach Jeff Fisher to do that. What they want from a GM, it appears, is the right fit with their higher-profile head coach. Organizational structure was critical to Fisher and the No. 1 reason he chose the Rams over the Miami Dolphins.
Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch wonders what is taking so long. Miklasz: "Are some of the candidates shying away from the Rams because they sense that Fisher will have final say, and that the GM chair doesn't come equipped with any real authority? This isn't a shot at Fisher; after all, Stan Kroenke went all-in on him financially and brought the coach in here to be the lead football man. That said, we have been through this before, watching a coach trying to do too much in the overall running of the football operation and frankly, I don't want to see the Rams go there again. Fisher says he doesn't want to be that guy, that coaching is his priority." Noted: Fisher has never shown any inclination he wants to be a coach/GM type. The fact that he is participating in the hiring of a GM suggests he'll have significant control of the roster. The Rams have not stated clearly for the public exactly where Fisher's responsibilities end. The league defines a GM as "an individual who has (1) the authority over all personnel decisions related to the signing of free agents, the selection of players in the college draft, trades, terminations, and related decisions, and (2) the responsibility for coordinating other football activities with the head coach." If the Rams are hiring that type of GM, making the move by March 1 could be important. If they wait past that date, they might have to wait past the draft to pull personnel people away from their current teams, according to the NFL's anti-tampering policy.
Clare Farnsworth of seahawks.com says receiver Doug Baldwin is putting in extra work to improve upon what stands as a breakout rookie season. Farnsworth: "While his receptions (51), receiving yards (788) and touchdown catches (four) ranked fourth, fourth and sixth among the rookie receivers in the league, he was first in third-down receptions (25), shared the lead in receptions of 20-plus yards (19) and was second in receiving first downs (40) and percentage of receptions that produced first downs (.784, 40 of 51)." Baldwin: "In all actuality, if you look at the numbers they’re real average for wide receivers in the NFL, and that’s not what I want to be known for. Regardless of me being undrafted, that’s not what I want my legacy to be."
Also from Farnsworth: a look at the Seahawks' offseason schedule.
Eric D. Williams of the Tacoma News Tribune offers thoughts from Baldwin during a chat. Baldwin on his favorite receivers: "Andre Reed from the Buffalo Bills is my all-time favorite. Today I watch a lot of Steve Smith and Wes Welker as well as Brandon Marshall."
Brock Huard of 710ESPN Seattle says the Seahawks should value Red Bryant over alternatives.
Darren Urban of azcardinals.com checks in with Cardinals defensive coordinator Ray Horton, who has grand plans. Horton: "One of the things burning inside of me is, as a player I have won a Super Bowl, as an (assistant) coach I have won a Super Bowl, I’d like to win one as a coordinator and I’d like to win one as a head coach. No one has ever done that. I think it will happen. My only regret is we didn’t win an NCAA championship (when he played at Washington). We were close."
Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee provides a construction update from 49ers headquarters. Barrows: "Right now the work has been knocking down walls, ripping up parking lots and chopping down trees in an effort to make that area level. In the back of the building where the practice fields are located, there also have been changes. The hill -- dubbed Mt. Pain -- that Mike Singletary built in 2009 has been removed. It went unused in Jim Harbaugh's first season as head coach and was in the way of the new road to the facility."
Kevin Lynch of the San Francisco Chronicle says the construction isn't stopping regular team business. Lynch: "Running backs coach Tom Rathman, Starbucks beverage in hand, also headed in to break down film on potential free agents. Even the disappointment of the title game loss still lingers, the pulse of this team is still very much alive, even while the facility undergoes a heart transplant of sorts."
Taylor Price of 49ers.com looks back at the team's season on special teams.
Tim Kawakami of the San Jose Mercury News sets the scene with Jim Harbaugh and Alex Smith on the golf course. Kawakami: "It was yet another sign -- literal and metaphoric -- of the undeniable bond between Smith and Harbaugh, and the adrenaline boost the 49ers’ rise has given the Bay Area. Throughout the long round, Smith was the dutiful caddie, carefully raking the sand traps after Harbaugh blasted out and methodically searching through the dunes and trees whenever Harbaugh knocked tee shots deep into trouble. Smith didn’t read the greens for Harbaugh’s putts, but the two were talking and laughing the entire round."
Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle says 49ers safety Dashon Goldson would be "shocked" if he did not return to the team in 2012, according to remarks Goldson made during a radio interview.
That should tell us something about the relative importance -- or unimportance -- of the role for the team at this stage of the offseason.
The Rams are not looking for someone to shake up the organization. They hired coach Jeff Fisher to do that. What they want from a GM, it appears, is the right fit with their higher-profile head coach. Organizational structure was critical to Fisher and the No. 1 reason he chose the Rams over the Miami Dolphins.
Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch wonders what is taking so long. Miklasz: "Are some of the candidates shying away from the Rams because they sense that Fisher will have final say, and that the GM chair doesn't come equipped with any real authority? This isn't a shot at Fisher; after all, Stan Kroenke went all-in on him financially and brought the coach in here to be the lead football man. That said, we have been through this before, watching a coach trying to do too much in the overall running of the football operation and frankly, I don't want to see the Rams go there again. Fisher says he doesn't want to be that guy, that coaching is his priority." Noted: Fisher has never shown any inclination he wants to be a coach/GM type. The fact that he is participating in the hiring of a GM suggests he'll have significant control of the roster. The Rams have not stated clearly for the public exactly where Fisher's responsibilities end. The league defines a GM as "an individual who has (1) the authority over all personnel decisions related to the signing of free agents, the selection of players in the college draft, trades, terminations, and related decisions, and (2) the responsibility for coordinating other football activities with the head coach." If the Rams are hiring that type of GM, making the move by March 1 could be important. If they wait past that date, they might have to wait past the draft to pull personnel people away from their current teams, according to the NFL's anti-tampering policy.
Clare Farnsworth of seahawks.com says receiver Doug Baldwin is putting in extra work to improve upon what stands as a breakout rookie season. Farnsworth: "While his receptions (51), receiving yards (788) and touchdown catches (four) ranked fourth, fourth and sixth among the rookie receivers in the league, he was first in third-down receptions (25), shared the lead in receptions of 20-plus yards (19) and was second in receiving first downs (40) and percentage of receptions that produced first downs (.784, 40 of 51)." Baldwin: "In all actuality, if you look at the numbers they’re real average for wide receivers in the NFL, and that’s not what I want to be known for. Regardless of me being undrafted, that’s not what I want my legacy to be."
Also from Farnsworth: a look at the Seahawks' offseason schedule.
Eric D. Williams of the Tacoma News Tribune offers thoughts from Baldwin during a chat. Baldwin on his favorite receivers: "Andre Reed from the Buffalo Bills is my all-time favorite. Today I watch a lot of Steve Smith and Wes Welker as well as Brandon Marshall."
Brock Huard of 710ESPN Seattle says the Seahawks should value Red Bryant over alternatives.
Darren Urban of azcardinals.com checks in with Cardinals defensive coordinator Ray Horton, who has grand plans. Horton: "One of the things burning inside of me is, as a player I have won a Super Bowl, as an (assistant) coach I have won a Super Bowl, I’d like to win one as a coordinator and I’d like to win one as a head coach. No one has ever done that. I think it will happen. My only regret is we didn’t win an NCAA championship (when he played at Washington). We were close."
Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee provides a construction update from 49ers headquarters. Barrows: "Right now the work has been knocking down walls, ripping up parking lots and chopping down trees in an effort to make that area level. In the back of the building where the practice fields are located, there also have been changes. The hill -- dubbed Mt. Pain -- that Mike Singletary built in 2009 has been removed. It went unused in Jim Harbaugh's first season as head coach and was in the way of the new road to the facility."
Kevin Lynch of the San Francisco Chronicle says the construction isn't stopping regular team business. Lynch: "Running backs coach Tom Rathman, Starbucks beverage in hand, also headed in to break down film on potential free agents. Even the disappointment of the title game loss still lingers, the pulse of this team is still very much alive, even while the facility undergoes a heart transplant of sorts."
Taylor Price of 49ers.com looks back at the team's season on special teams.
Tim Kawakami of the San Jose Mercury News sets the scene with Jim Harbaugh and Alex Smith on the golf course. Kawakami: "It was yet another sign -- literal and metaphoric -- of the undeniable bond between Smith and Harbaugh, and the adrenaline boost the 49ers’ rise has given the Bay Area. Throughout the long round, Smith was the dutiful caddie, carefully raking the sand traps after Harbaugh blasted out and methodically searching through the dunes and trees whenever Harbaugh knocked tee shots deep into trouble. Smith didn’t read the greens for Harbaugh’s putts, but the two were talking and laughing the entire round."
Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle says 49ers safety Dashon Goldson would be "shocked" if he did not return to the team in 2012, according to remarks Goldson made during a radio interview.
INDIANAPOLIS -- If Rams owner Stan Kroenke wasn't going to cut the St. Louis stadium authority any slack, neither was NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.
They simply aren't going to profess their love for St. Louis while trying to leverage stadium improvements under a lease that could expire following the 2014 season.
Goodell, speaking at his annual Super Bowl news conference Friday, followed the impersonal tack Kroenke set during the news conference to announce Jeff Fisher as head coach last month. Both recited the facts when asked about keeping the Rams in St. Louis.
"We want to keep our franchises where they are, so we'd love to have the St. Louis Rams stay in St. Louis," Goodell said.
Well, then. The NFL wants the Rams to stay in St. Louis not necessarily for St. Louis, but because it wants its teams to stay put in general.
"There are lease issues that are going through the process," Goodell continued. "They were articulated very clearly in the lease. Both parties are engaging in that, and their having that dialogue will allow that process to play out, and at that point in time (it) will be more clear about what the issues are and what we need to do to resolve them."
The stadium authority got itself into this mess, he essentially said, so now it must deal with the consequences. And in the end, we'll find out whether St. Louis can pony up adequately.
This was a sweet deal from the beginning for the Rams, and the price of doing business for the city.
Goodell, asked whether upgrading the Edward Jones Dome to the NFL's standards was realistic in a mid-level market, went back to reciting the facts.
"Well, that’s what they agreed to, both the representatives of St. Louis and the team, when the team relocated back into the St. Louis market in the mid-'90s," he said.
As much as St. Louis-based Rams fans might want their team's ownership and the league to offer more convincing assurances, it's apparently not going to happen as long as leverage is at stake. That doesn't necessarily mean the Rams are bent on leaving town. But they will work for the best deal they can get, wherever it might be.
They simply aren't going to profess their love for St. Louis while trying to leverage stadium improvements under a lease that could expire following the 2014 season.
Goodell, speaking at his annual Super Bowl news conference Friday, followed the impersonal tack Kroenke set during the news conference to announce Jeff Fisher as head coach last month. Both recited the facts when asked about keeping the Rams in St. Louis.
"We want to keep our franchises where they are, so we'd love to have the St. Louis Rams stay in St. Louis," Goodell said.
Well, then. The NFL wants the Rams to stay in St. Louis not necessarily for St. Louis, but because it wants its teams to stay put in general.
"There are lease issues that are going through the process," Goodell continued. "They were articulated very clearly in the lease. Both parties are engaging in that, and their having that dialogue will allow that process to play out, and at that point in time (it) will be more clear about what the issues are and what we need to do to resolve them."
The stadium authority got itself into this mess, he essentially said, so now it must deal with the consequences. And in the end, we'll find out whether St. Louis can pony up adequately.
This was a sweet deal from the beginning for the Rams, and the price of doing business for the city.
Goodell, asked whether upgrading the Edward Jones Dome to the NFL's standards was realistic in a mid-level market, went back to reciting the facts.
"Well, that’s what they agreed to, both the representatives of St. Louis and the team, when the team relocated back into the St. Louis market in the mid-'90s," he said.
As much as St. Louis-based Rams fans might want their team's ownership and the league to offer more convincing assurances, it's apparently not going to happen as long as leverage is at stake. That doesn't necessarily mean the Rams are bent on leaving town. But they will work for the best deal they can get, wherever it might be.
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.
