ESPN NFL

Before offering his list of five wideouts with the best hands, ESPN's Tim Hasselbeck explains why he thinks San Francisco 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh offered such high praise for Michael Crabtree.

"If you look at the context, Randy Moss joins the team, you spend a fairly high draft pick on a wide receiver," Hasselbeck said. "It's part of massaging the guys on your roster to make them feel appreciated."

Cue the video for Hasselbeck's top five.

Yes, Larry Fitzgerald is on the list.

The Seattle Seahawks will not ask Tarvaris Jackson to replace what Matt Hasselbeck has represented for the past 10 seasons.

That wouldn't be very logical.

If the Seahawks are smart, they'll ask Jackson to compete with Charlie Whitehurst (and others) as the organization searches for its next long-term starter behind center. And that will be the point: searching for the next quarterback.

Jackson, who reached agreement with the Seahawks on a contract that cannot be signed before Friday under league rules, may or may not succeed in the role. He's one option for a team that remains early in the process. Seattle could still draft or otherwise acquire its future quarterback in 2012, making Jackson only one part of this story.

The bottom line, of course, is that Hasselbeck should have finished his career in Seattle. I think he would have finished his career in Seattle if Mike Holmgren, the man responsible for acquiring Hasselbeck in 2001, had remained in a leadership position with the team. Holmgren is long gone, however, and the current leadership team is doing what Holmgren sought to do when he arrived in Seattle back in 1999: move on with an eye toward the horizon.

Back then, Holmgren turned his back on an aging Warren Moon even though Moon had tossed 36 touchdown passes with 24 interceptions while starting 24 of the 25 games he played in Dennis Erickson's final two seasons as head coach. Moon was 42 years old at the time and would start only one more regular-season game, with Kansas City.

Hasselbeck turns 36 in September and should have more of a future than Moon had way back when, but then as now, Seattle didn't have an obviously superior alternative lined up. The team simply wanted to move on.

Seattle did offer a contract to Hasselbeck, but the quarterback wanted a stronger commitment -- something that would give him more security beyond the 2011 season. It's questionable whether Hasselbeck will command such a deal elsewhere. He could wind up taking an underwhelming deal from another team. But if the Seahawks felt more strongly about wanting him back, they could have found a way.

Getting a deal done with Jackson days before the signing period opens tells us Seattle's interest was lukewarm. It's unlikely the rest of the league was lining up for a shot at Jackson.

Hasselbeck will leave Seattle as the arguably the best quarterback in franchise history. Dave Krieg matched Hasselbeck in Pro Bowls and won a higher percentage of his starts, but Hasselbeck helped lead Seattle to its first Super Bowl. Fans will remember him for playing a leading role in the most successful run in franchise history. He's a lock for the team's Ring of Honor and a Seattle sports icon.

Those things didn't guarantee him the starting job after a rough three-year run, of course. Hasselbeck started 35 games over the past three seasons. During that span, the team was 12-23 (.343) when he started and 4-9 (.308) without him in the lineup. He's one of 19 quarterbacks with at least 35 starts over the past three seasons. The other 18 had higher passer ratings during that stretch.

The Seahawks fell apart around Hasselbeck over the last three seasons, a big reason for his struggles. They went into full rebuilding mode with a new coach and new general manager last year. And yet they never took an extended look at Whitehurst even while Hasselbeck struggled through injuries and behind a constantly reconfigured offensive line. I thought that was the Seahawks' biggest failing last season, mitigated by the team's surprise showing in the playoffs and Hasselbeck's stellar performance in the wild-card round.

ESPN analyst Tim Hasselbeck, speaking about his brother on 710ESPN Seattle, said he expected the Seahawks to take criticism until the next quarterback proved to be a superior alternative.

"Strictly as an analyst, it's hard to say that they improved at the quarterback position by deciding to go in a different direction [with Jackson]," Tim Hasselbeck said. "If they signed Kevin Kolb, we are probably having a different conversation. But that is how I see it and how I think a lot of people will see it."

No doubt. Tim Hasselbeck said his brother appreciated hearing directly from coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Schneider when the team told Matt Hasselbeck it was moving in another direction. He also said his brother was disappointed.

"The way it went down was, I had been talking with him throughout the day, trying to get some information to see what was happening," Tim Hasselbeck said. "Matthew has been talking to me about teams that had been contacting him throughout the day. There were a lot of teams. The Seahawks weren't one of those teams. A little before Danny O'Neil had reported it, the Seahawks, in a very classy move, Pete Carroll and John Schneider called Matthew and said, 'Listen, we appreciate what you have done for the organization, but we are going to go in a different direction and signing another quarterback.' "

Jackson is that quarterback, Tim Hasselbeck said, affirming John Clayton's expectations and a report from Dave Mahler of Sports Radio 950 KJR AM. I have since confirmed the Seahawks' agreement with Jackson through a source who said the former Minnesota Vikings quarterback was expected to sign with Seattle on Friday.

Jackson becomes what Jon Kitna was to Moon years ago -- one of the next guys, but not necessarily The Guy.

Highlights and interpretations from Tim Hasselbeck's appearance Tuesday with Brock Huard and Mike Salk on 710ESPN Seattle:

• This discussion focused on Matt Hasselbeck's future with the Seattle Seahawks or elsewhere, with a long look at Kevin Kolb's prospects as a franchise quarterback. Tim Hasselbeck endorsed Kolb as a prospect more likely to become a "very good starter" than to fail. He had no doubt an NFL team could win with Kolb. But he also thought Arizona, not Seattle, would be more likely to invest heavily in Kolb as the future of its franchise. I tend to agree. There's less urgency in Seattle for several reasons, including the fact that coach Pete Carroll is entering only his second season. The team is rebuilding.
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Otto Greule Jr./Getty ImagesQuarterback Matt Hasselbeck's future with the Seahawks remains up in the air.
• Salk has said it's tough to know whether the Seahawks value Kolb highly enough to part with a first-round draft choice (or more) in a trade. That type of commitment would also require rewarding Kolb with a lucrative long-term deal. If Seattle did view Kolb as that type of player, I suspect the team's conversations with Philadelphia would have gained more momentum last offseason.
• This was a fairly dispassionate conversation until Charlie Whitehurst's name came up. "Guys don't have press conferences unless they are expected to be the starter," Tim Hasselbeck said. Press conferences? What was this about? Tim Hasselbeck pointed to the long-forgotten (by most of us) news conference Seattle held announcing Whitehurst's acquisition as evidence the team would not invest heavily in another quarterback, Kolb in particular. Seattle played the news conference more as a means to prove all jobs were open to competition, but it naturally felt more personal to the Hasselbeck camp. I don't get the sense the Seahawks' commitment to Whitehurst is great enough to preclude them from seeking an upgrade. The team did not bet its future on Whitehurst. I'm also not convinced Seattle sees clear upgrades available.
• While Tim Hasselbeck had generally positive things to say about Kolb, he discounted Carson Palmer's level of play and bristled at the idea Seattle would offer Matt Hasselbeck anywhere close to the one-year, $5 million deal Alex Smith is expected to sign with San Francisco. I get it. Matt Hasselbeck is far more accomplished than Smith. He's been to three Pro Bowls and a Super Bowl. Smith has better stats and a better starting record over the past two seasons, however. Hasselbeck should get more -- he was outstanding during the playoffs last season -- but he hasn't been challenging for Pro Bowls recently, either.
• Tim Hasselbeck expressed respect for Kyle Orton while questioning whether Orton would fit well with the offensive scheme Seattle will run under new coordinator Darrell Bevell. Tim Hasselbeck also acknowledged that Matt Hasselbeck would have to learn new terminology if he signed with Tennessee, a team with interest in a veteran bridge to rookie Jake Locker. I don't think the Titans will offer substantially more than Seattle ultimately offers Hasselbeck.
• Matt Hasselbeck has said he wants to re-sign with Seattle. Tim Hasselbeck affirmed that thinking. Matt Hasselbeck has reportedly sought a deal offering security beyond one season. I doubt he could get such a deal from Tennessee given Locker's presence. Minnesota likely wouldn't offer longer-term security with Christian Ponder in the picture. What is the market for Hasselbeck outside Seattle?

Expectations for a new labor deal include the potential for a three-day window during which teams could try to sign their own free agents. Such a window could prove critical in making sure there's time to let cooler heads prevail should negotiations become emotional.

I have a hard time envisioning Hasselbeck relocating his family at this stage of his career as long as the Seahawks make an honest offer while treating Hasselbeck with the respect he has earned over the past decade.

Matt Hasselbeck became a trending topic during the 2011 NFL draft without saying a word.

The longtime Seattle Seahawks quarterback continues to keep a low profile. He hasn't granted interviews since speaking with his hometown newspaper a couple of weeks before the draft. The things he said then -- that he wants to return to the team and he understands why there was no deal before the lockout -- were the opposite of inflammatory.

With a lockout in place, there shouldn't be much buzz.

Strong words from ESPN analyst and former Hasselbeck teammate Trent Dilfer changed the dynamics. Dilfer flatly told draft viewers that Hasselbeck would not return to Seattle in 2011.

It was time to reassess. Did Dilfer have inside information based on his association with Hasselbeck? The two shared NFL meeting rooms years ago. They share the same agent, still.

Or, was Dilfer merely stating his opinion based on any number of factors, including the idea that another team -- say, Tennessee or Washington -- could target Hasselbeck?

My money is on the latter, but lingering perceptions can easily masquerade as reality.

I've held back in analyzing the situation because I wanted to do some digging first. Perhaps there had been some sort of behind-the-scenes development that would hasten Hasselbeck's departure once the free-agent signing period opened down the line.

If anything, the opposite appears to be true.

First, the Seahawks did nothing during the draft to diminish Hasselbeck's value to them. They did not select a quarterback in the early rounds. In fact, the team has yet to draft a quarterback in any round since coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Schneider took over the team in early 2010.

Second, the Seahawks' new offensive coordinator, Darrell Bevell, reached out to Hasselbeck and reiterated the team's interest in him during the brief window when teams were allowed contact with players over the weekend. Bevell seems to be about as by-the-book as they come. I highly doubt he'd reach out in that manner if it were all a lie.

Third, some of the prime landing spots for Hasselbeck outside Seattle appear less prime now. Minnesota used the 12th overall choice for Christian Ponder. San Francisco drafted Colin Kaepernick and laid the groundwork for re-signing Alex Smith. Arizona could still be an option, though I don't think Hasselbeck fits the Cardinals' downfield passing game very well.

But Dilfer could still be right.

Tennessee drafted Jake Locker eighth overall and might still be drawn to Hasselbeck as a mentor; Titans general manager Mike Reinfeldt and multiple members of his front office worked for the Seahawks during Hasselbeck's prime years.

The Seahawks could head in another direction as well. They could make a play for Kevin Kolb or another quarterback with more years remaining than Hasselbeck has left at age 35.

Hasselbeck's run in Seattle could end after 10 seasons for a variety of plausible reasons. It's just that there seems to be nothing new boiling beneath the surface.

A few things to consider when seeking clarity for a muddled situation:

• The lockout works both ways. The longer the lockout runs, the more convenient Hasselbeck becomes for the Seahawks in 2011. He's familiar with the passing game Bevell is bringing to Seattle. I also think the lockout could affect Hasselbeck's return negatively. Long-term strategic thinking can harden during extended periods without coach-player interaction. The Seahawks' long-range plans do not include Hasselbeck. Everyone understands that. Perhaps making the break now becomes easier if the lockout keeps the relationship on hold for too long. Schneider hasn't hidden his desire to make the Seahawks younger.
• Whitehurst is a factor. The Seahawks have taken considerable criticism for their move to acquire quarterback Charlie Whitehurst. Initial reports suggested the San Diego Chargers took advantage of the Seahawks during negotiations. Subsequent reports have focused on the price Seattle paid for a quarterback who remains a nonfactor. When Seattle failed to draft a quarterback over the weekend, Carroll pointed to the 2011 third-round choice that was part of the Whitehurst deal as evidence the team had addressed the position. Carroll also praised Whitehurst to a degree he had not done when Hasselbeck was entrenched as the starter. These are the sorts of things teams say when laying the groundwork for change. If Hasselbeck did eventually leave, at least Carroll's praise for Whitehurst would already be part of the public record.
• Drama complicates matters. Dilfer's comments created only the latest buzz. Earlier this offseason, ESPN analyst Tim Hasselbeck stood up for his brother and made pointed comments during a Seattle radio interview. Tim Hasselbeck took shots at Marc Bulger and Carson Palmer, dismissing both as viable alternatives to Matt Hasselbeck. Strong comments from people with ties to Hasselbeck can leave the impression Hasselbeck is at least tacitly signing off on them, even if he is not. The effect can be corrosive with a lockout preventing direct communication. Could it affect whether the Seahawks come back with an offer as strong as the one they made previously?

Re-signing Hasselbeck makes sense on a few levels. Hasselbeck knows Bevell's offense. The Seahawks are recommitting to the ground game and remaking their offensive line, which would benefit Hasselbeck. Carroll and Hasselbeck got along well last season. Seattle remains in rebuilding mode, making it tougher to justify trading significant 2012 draft capital for an unproven quarterback such as Kolb.

There are also reasons to consider moving on. Carroll wants to emphasize the running game. Schneider was with Green Bay when the team turned away from Brett Favre without apology.

"I think Kolb gets you two more wins than Hasselbeck does next year," Matt Williamson of Scouts Inc. said. "He has more playmaking ability. Maybe there are more misreads, but the arrow is going up on Kolb and clearly we have seen the best of Hasselbeck. But if you sign Hasselbeck, the plan has to be, 'We need to get a quarterback in the next draft unless Whitehurst unexpectedly lights it up.'"

Tim Hasselbeck's recently concluded appearance on 710ESPN Seattle generated rich fodder while Tim's brother, Matt, heads toward a possible lockout without a contract.

The familial bond runs strong. Tim, an ESPN analyst and retired NFL quarterback, might have let his emotions get the best of him when he downplayed other quarterbacks as viable options for Seattle while defending his brother.

"Marc Bulger retired two years ago," Tim Hasselbeck said at one point. "He just doesn't know it."

Tim Hasselbeck also defied anyone to tell him Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer would stand as an upgrade to Matt Hasselbeck in Seattle.

"Show me the tape," he said.

Tim Hasselbeck also predicted his brother would test free agency, a likely scenario with the collective bargaining agreement scheduled to expire later Thursday.

I'll have more thoughts on Matt Hasselbeck's situation following the ongoing NFC West chat. I'd like to discuss the bottom line: how much Hasselbeck should reasonably command on a new contract.

Quarterback Sam Bradford faces a difficult short-term adjustment while transitioning to a new offensive system under coordinator Josh McDaniels.

I think he'll handle it well and show progress in his second NFL season.

Easy for me to say.

ESPN's Tim Hasselbeck learned at least five offensive systems during his six-year career as a backup quarterback. Asked whether McDaniels would help make Bradford into a top-tier quarterback, Hasselbeck said he anticipates a tough transition for Bradford in 2011.

"I think eventually he will be a top-tier quarterback," Hasselbeck said. "I've got to tell you, though, I am not in love with the idea of Sam Bradford having to learn a brand-new system that is very different from what Pat Shurmur was doing in St. Louis. To me, I think we are going to see a big step back."

That would stand as a significant disappointment for the Rams. I tend to think quarterbacks worry about such things on a personal level with less regard for the bigger picture. And the bigger picture says Bradford's career trajectory remains on track, most likely.

The San Francisco 49ers' Alex Smith finished his rookie season with one touchdown pass and 11 interceptions. The 49ers' coordinator at the time, Mike McCarthy, then left to become Green Bay's head coach. Smith learned a new system under Norv Turner the next season, finishing 2006 with 16 touchdowns and 16 interceptions.

Smith had nowhere to go but up following his rough rookie season. He was also less talented than Bradford appears to be. Bradford will struggle some because he's a young quarterback, but he fared quite well after learning a new system last season.

ESPN's Tim Hasselbeck takes a closer look at St. Louis Rams quarterback Sam Bradford heading into Week 17, explaining why he thinks Bradford will come out victorious against Seattle at Qwest Field.

According to Hasselbeck, the Rams are keeping their offense simple, a key for Bradford. But Bradford has also proved to be more athletic than Hasselbeck expected, and he's faring well despite playing with what Hasselbeck sees as possibly the worst receiving corps in the NFL.

Tim Hasselbeck's conversation with Bob Stelton of 101ESPN St. Louis counts as a must-listen for those seeking insights on Sam Bradford and, more tellingly, what's happening with Tim's brother in Seattle.

Matt Hasselbeck is coming off a rough game against San Francisco, fueling questions about his future beyond this season. Even after Bradford and the St. Louis Rams suffered through a tough game against New Orleans on Sunday, it was difficult to argue against Bradford as the top quarterback in the division (even though Alex Smith has better stats).

"Yeah, I do agree with that," Tim Hasselbeck told Stelton. "It has evolved to that. ... If I am a player in the NFC West, I am looking at it saying I think Sam Bradford is going to dominate the NFC West for a long time."

Tim Hasselbeck's thoughts on his older brother included the following nuggets:

• With the possible exception of Mike Williams, Matt Hasselbeck is probably the best offensive player on the roster. He has never been in that position previously and he's never been good enough to carry an offense. These were frank comments from Tim Hasselbeck, but 100 percent accurate. We're seeing some limitations on Matt Hasselbeck in terms of making those around him better. Give him the right supporting cast and he can take your team a long way. But he isn't going to carry a team.
• Matt Hasselbeck would have no trouble finding a starting job elsewhere. Tim Hasselbeck said several teams feel good about their overall talent and think they could add a "point guard" at quarterback to make the offense work. Tim Hasselbeck mentioned Arizona specifically.
• Matt Hasselbeck wants to remain in Seattle. That's no surprise. He's enjoyed some good years in Seattle. His family is established in the area. Moving wouldn't be fun. If the Seahawks do decide to move on at the position, I could see Hasselbeck finding work within the division. He could stay on the West Coast and possibly benefit from playing against defenses he knows well.

Seattle fans in particular should appreciate this interview.

ESPN analyst Tim Hasselbeck says quarterback Max Hall's intelligence has stood out to the Arizona Cardinals' coaches.

Can Hall lead the Cardinals to an NFC West title? Hasselbeck, a former Cardinals backup, suggested the team will not ask too much from Hall. He also said the Cardinals wanted Hall to start a game at home before taking on Seattle and other opponents on the road. The team plays road games against Seattle, Minnesota and Kansas City over the next five games.

One question I have about Hall heading into Week 6: How much will the Cardinals abandon their three- and especially four-receiver tendencies playing in a hostile environment? Also, can the Cardinals run the ball well enough against Seattle's second-ranked run defense to take pressure off Hall and also the offensive line in pass protection?

ESPN's Mike & Mike retold a classic story Friday about Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck and his ESPN analyst brother, Tim, facing off in a fantasy football league.

The two were so competitive last season that Tim, knowing Matt was starting himself in Week 2 last season, made an on-air wish that Matt would suffer an injury. Tim was joking, of course, but Hasselbeck did suffer a painful rib injury that game, affecting his season.

I'm guessing Tim will hold off making any similar quips this season. Perhaps he could settle for a poor individual performance from his brother in a Seahawks victory.

Mike & Mike also touched on the 2010 Seahawks. Good stuff here.

The latest in our periodic spin around the NFC West radio dials:

Rams

101ESPN St. Louis: center Jason Brown
101ESPN St. Louis: ESPN's Chris Mortensen on Brian Westbrook
101ESPN St. Louis: Rick Venturi
101ESPN St. Louis: linebacker James Laurinaitis
101ESPN St. Louis: running back Chris Ogbonnaya
101ESPN St. Louis: coach Steve Spagnuolo

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49ers

KNBR680 San Francisco: columnist Lowell Cohn
KNBR680 San Francisco: coach Mike Singletary

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Cardinals

XTRA910 Phoenix: coach Ken Whisenhunt
XTRA910 Phoenix: guard Alan Faneca
XTRA910 Phoenix: nose tackle Gabe Watson
XTRA910 Phoenix: kicker Jay Feely
XTRA910 Phoenix: quarterback Matt Leinart
XTRA910 Phoenix: reporter Kent Somers
XTRA910 Phoenix: receiver Larry Fitzgerald
KTAR620 Phoenix: receiver Stephen Williams
KTAR620 Phoenix: former kicker Neil Rackers
KTAR620 Phoenix: defensive coordinator Bill Davis
KTAR620 Phoenix: Hall of Famer Russ Grimm
KTAR620 Phoenix: quarterbacks coach Chris Miller
KTAR620 Phoenix: quarterback Max Hall
KTAR620 Phoenix: guard Rex Hadnot

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Seahawks

KJR950 Seattle: tight end Anthony McCoy
KJR950 Seattle: defensive end Nick Reed
KJR950 Seattle: defensive tackle Craig Terrill
KJR950 Seattle: former coach Jim Mora
KJR950 Seattle: columnist Dave Boling
KJR950 Seattle: running back Julius Jones
KJR950 Seattle: receiver Mike Williams
KJR950 Seattle: receiver Deion Branch
101ESPN Seattle: ESPN's John Clayton
101ESPN Seattle: ESPN's Tim Hasselbeck
101ESPN Seattle: linebacker Aaron Curry
101ESPN Seattle: defensive line coach Dan Quinn

Didn't see much new on the 49ers at this time.

Matt Hasselbeck takes Chris Mortensen on a tour of the Seahawks' facilities.

The latest in our periodic spin around the NFC West radio dials:

Rams

XTRA910: fullback Mike Karney

101ESPN St. Louis: receiver Brandon Gibson

101ESPN St. Louis: defensive end Chris Long

101ESPN St. Louis: analyst Jim Hanifan

101ESPN St. Louis: running back Steven Jackson

101ESPN St. Louis: general manager Billy Devaney

49ers

KNBR680: center Eric Heitmann

KNBR680: nose tackle Aubrayo Franklin

KNBR680: snapper Brian Jennings

KNBR680: Carmen Policy

KNBR680: Mike Singletary

KNBR680: Ronnie Lott

KNBR680: reporter Matt Maiocco

49ers.com: Singletary video

(Read full post)

ESPN analyst Tim Hasselbeck stood up for his brother by calling out Cardinals defensive tackle Darnell Dockett regarding Elbowgate.

"Let me tell you something, that was a dirty, cheap shot move by Darnell Dockett," Tim Hasselbeck told 710ESPN Seattle. "I don't care what he wants to say now. I've been on teams with good guys, and I've been on teams with bad guys -- bad guy. And, what he did was flat-out dirty and I hope the league fines him, and I hope they fine him heavily, because I think he deserves it."

Tim Hasselbeck played with Dockett on the Cardinals in 2007. I'm guessing they won't be paired at the next Cardinals alumni golf outing.

Seriously, though, the "bad guy" label is a serious charge. I'm eagerly awaiting Dockett's reply to this one. Follow his Twitter account here.

By the way: Thanks to doubledink for alerting me to this interview.

Update: Dockett speaks on the matter, though not about Tim Hasselbeck's comments.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck thinks it's ridiculous to count out Seattle after a 2-4 start.

Hasselbeck's brother, Tim, apparently needs convincing. The former NFL backup and current ESPN analyst had this to say when speaking with Brock Huard and Mike Salk on 710ESPN Seattle:

"When there's some adversity, I don't know how mentally tough that football team is. Like I said, they got off to a rough start, it's 17-0, they had a turnover on their own end, Lofa [Tatupu] tears his pec, [Patrick] Kerney comes out of the game. I don't know that the guys look at that and say, 'OK, Lofa's out, everyone else needs to step up and play a little bit better, you know. OK, Patrick's out, everyone else needs to step up and play a little bit better.' You know, it's more like 'Aw, man. We just lost two of our best defensive players, what are we gonna do?' I just wasn't impressed with the effort I saw in a big game for that football team."

Coach Jim Mora would surely take issue with that characterization. He thought the defense played better as the game progressed. Tim Hasselbeck's opinions are his own, of course, but the rest of us are free to assume he has at least spoken with his brother about such things. If Matt Hasselbeck made a case to the contrary, his brother wasn't buying it.

Tim Hasselbeck made a few other points during this conversation, at one point holding up the Broncos as a team that has played very well despite changing systems and personnel.