ESPN NFL

The Seattle Seahawks and Arizona Cardinals reached out to Peyton Manning's representatives Wednesday in the hours after Indianapolis released the four-time MVP.

Both teams received prominent mention from ESPN's Chris Mortensen in the story appearing on the site overnight.

We know Seattle and Arizona are both interested in Manning. We do not yet know which teams Manning might prefer. And we do not yet know whether Manning will be healthy enough for any of it to matter.

But with free agency set to begin March 13, teams will want clarity sooner rather than later.

Jerry Brewer of the Seattle Times says the Seahawks, with Tarvaris Jackson and Josh Portis under contract at the position, have little choice but to consider Manning. Brewer: "There's no need to overthink it. It's this simple: The Seahawks don't have a quarterback good enough to make them true title contenders, and Manning, even if he returns at 80 percent of his greatness, makes almost any team an instant contender. Most enticing is that, with Manning, the Seahawks could continue their rebuilding and win, too. Signing the quarterback won't dramatically alter any of general manager John Schneider's long-term plans." Noted: There would be some scheme adjustments, but probably not a complete overhaul. Manning could quickly learn the offense. The Seahawks could focus on the portions that Manning likes the most.

Brock Huard of 710ESPN Seattle thinks the Seahawks should appeal to Manning, his former teammate.

Clare Farnsworth of seahawks.com waves goodbye to longtime Seattle cornerback Marcus Trufant.

Dan Bickley of the Arizona Republic says Manning is the quarterback to finish what Kurt Warner started in Arizona. Warner: "As long as he's healthy, I don't think there's any question that Peyton can play at the highest level, do the things he's always done. The question for Arizona is: Are they willing to pull the trigger after what's happened at the quarterback position over the last two years? Are they willing to spend the money it's going to take?" Noted: Another question could be whether the Cardinals can find out enough about Manning's health to make an informed decision before Kevin Kolb is scheduled to earn a $7 million bonus March 17.

Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic checks in with Warner, who vouches for Ken Whisenhunt's flexibility on offense. Warner: "I think it’s very rare. People get to a certain place or certain level because they do things their way. It's tough to put that aside and go, 'OK, I'm willing to put my job on the line for somebody else's stuff."

Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says Manning's situation is likely to affect the Rams. Miklasz: "If Manning goes to Washington, then the Rams almost certainly would lose a potential trade partner. (The Redskins draft 6th overall.) If Manning signs in Miami (8th overall), you can remove them from the list of candidates for the No. 2 slot. On the other hand, if the Redskins can't sign Manning, it seemingly would make the franchise more desperate to trade up for QB Robert Griffin III. Same with Miami or any other team that loses out in the Manning derby."

Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com says the 49ers have offered a contract to Alex Smith, and they are not interested in Manning.

Lowell Cohn of the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat says the 49ers should pursue Manning. Cohn: "They have a championship-caliber defense but their offense is not championship-caliber. They need an offense to complement the defense. It's more than that -- they owe their defense a worthy offense. Smith is holding back the 49ers' offense -- he is their lack and their limit. They need a better quarterback. They have a chance to get a better quarterback. Get Manning."

Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News quotes Tony Dungy on Manning and the 49ers. Dungy: "You put Peyton Manning in that offense and people are going to be scared to play them. There are other teams that fit that same feel, but San Francisco comes to the top of my mind."

Kevin Lynch of the San Francisco Chronicle says the 49ers have good reason for staying out of the Manning race. Lynch: "Smith is a healthy, ascending quarterback, while the 36-year-old Manning is an injured, descending player. The team can’t sign both and the decision to sign Smith just makes much more sense. Yes, Manning is a Hall of Fame player but after spending 14 years in the same offense, Manning would have to adjust to a West Coast system, which is not an easy transition for any player. Additionally, no one knows what kind of player Manning is after three neck surgeries."

Khaled Elsayed of Pro Football Focus lists Seattle's Brandon Mebane and San Francisco's Isaac Sopoaga among the better defenders against the run last season.

INDIANAPOLIS -- Thirteen modern-era NFL players were finalists for enshrinement Saturday in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Only one was named offensive or defensive player of the year during his career.

That was the Seattle Seahawks' Cortez Kennedy. His eight Pro Bowls, all-1990s selection and overall dominance made my job as his presenter quite simple. State the facts and let Kennedy's career do the talking. Picking the final five out of 15 modern-era finalists is always tough, however, because it usually requires leaving off worthy candidates.

The 43 other selectors and I met for more than seven hours before identifying Kennedy, Chris Doleman, Dermontti Dawson, Curtis Martin and Willie Roaf as the class of 2012. Jack Butler made it as a seniors candidate.

A few thoughts on the process and the results:

• This class made it through at a good time. Larry Allen, Michael Strahan, Jonathan Ogden, Warren Sapp, Bryant Young, John Lynch and Steve McNair become eligible for the first time in 2013. Shaun Alexander, Derrick Brooks, Marvin Harrison, Rodney Harrison, Tony Dungy and Mike Holmgren join the list in 2014. Isaac Bruce, Edgerrin James, Walter Jones, Junior Seau, Chris Samuels, Kurt Warner, Ty Law and Orlando Pace are among those eligible beginning in 2015.
• Former St. Louis Rams
  and Arizona Cardinals
  cornerback Aeneas Williams should feel great about cracking the final 10 in his first year as a finalist. Williams had 55 career interceptions and scored nine touchdowns. He was a big-time playmaker for bad and good teams alike.
• The situation at receiver remains a mess and it's not going to get easier with Harrison becoming eligible in a couple years. Voters are having a tough time deciding between Cris Carter and Andre Reed. Both made the final 10 this year. Reed made the final 10 last year as well. Having both crack the final 10 this year made it harder for one of them to break through. Voters were more likely to choose one wideout when forced to pick only five players.
• Former San Francisco 49ers owner Eddie DeBartolo Jr. did not make the reduction from 15 to 10. I think it's tougher for voters to quantify how owners and even coaches -- think Bill Parcells, who missed the cut from 10 to five -- contributed to their teams' success. The discussions for Parcells (55-plus minutes) and DeBartolo (42-plus minutes) were more than twice as long as the discussions for other candidates. Hall bylaws prevented voters from considering the legal troubles and suspension that preceded DeBartolo's exit from the game.
• DeBartolo was a finalist in part because he hired Bill Walsh, promoted a winning culture, cared tremendously for his players and helped win five Super Bowls. He spent this weekend with former 49ers player Freddie Solomon, who is in the final days of a battle with cancer. The 49ers' renewed success this past season also reflected well on DeBartolo, who has become a tremendous resource for current team president Jed York, his nephew.
• Electing one pass-rusher (Doleman, who spent part of his career with the 49ers) to the Hall could give former 49ers and Dallas Cowboys pass-rusher Charles Haley an easier time in the future. But with Strahan joining the conversation in 2013, Haley faces stiff competition again. Former Rams pass-rusher Kevin Greene did not make the final 10 despite 160 career sacks.

It's been a whirlwind day. Hall bylaws prevent me from sharing specifics about what was said in the room during the proceedings. The Hall also asked voters not to reveal their votes outright. I voted for five of the six players enshrined on the final cut and supported others. As always, however, reducing to only five in the end required leaving off candidates I hope will make it in the future.

A few thoughts on the San Diego Union-Tribune report connecting ESPN's Jon Gruden to the St. Louis Rams:

• 

  Gruden
  ESPN issued a statement saying Gruden remains committed to "Monday Night Football" for many years to come. Of course, people sometimes change their minds, particularly when vast sums of cash are involved. Stan Kroenke, the Rams' owner, has vast sums of cash to offer. He also has a young franchise quarterback and a power running back suited for the offense Gruden has run in the past.
• Landing Gruden would be a great get for the Rams. Critics will correctly note that Gruden won in Tampa Bay largely with Tony Dungy's players. The bottom line, though, is that he won. Gruden also won in Oakland, something no one had done since Art Shell's run as coach there. Gruden's track record would give the Rams welcome profile in St. Louis and beyond. His offense bears similarities to the one Sam Bradford and the Rams ran in 2010, so that would help in the short term.
• Gruden and Kevin Demoff, the Rams' executive vice president of football operations/chief operating officer, worked together in Tampa Bay from 2005-08. That gives Gruden a direct connection to the Rams' current power structure. Demoff's father, longtime agent Marvin Demoff, represents another potential coaching candidate, Jeff Fisher. There's another name to keep in mind if the Rams change coaches.
• There is no opening in St. Louis just yet. Steve Spagnuolo's run as head coach could be ending, but no decision has been announced. Kroenke has been called "Silent Stan" because he doesn't volunteer information freely. It is possible, perhaps even likely, that those informing reporters on these matters are connecting dots more than they are relaying hard facts.
• The Union-Tribune report suggests Chargers general manager A.J. Smith would land in the same capacity with the Rams, and that Smith would be the key to bringing Gruden to St. Louis. This paints Smith in a flattering light. It suggests the Chargers might want to think twice before letting such a power broker slip away. I am not sure what would make Smith the key to landing Gruden. Kevin Acee notes that Gruden and former Raiders/Bucs executive Bruce Allen are close friends.
• Smith has been a polarizing figure, especially with players. Does his personality lend itself to connecting with a rightfully skeptical fan base in St. Louis? It wouldn't really matter if Gruden were head coach. Gruden would be the face of the franchise in that case. His personality would set the tone for the organization. Smith would remain in the background. His track record in personnel is mixed. The Chargers have enjoyed a run of relative success in recent seasons, but they'll be watching their former quarterback, Drew Brees, in the upcoming playoffs.
• Acee's story mentioned Spagnuolo as a possible candidate to become defensive coordinator in Philadelphia if the Rams make a change. That makes sense on multiple levels. Spagnuolo has coached under Andy Reid previously and would, at least in theory, be a candidate to replace him at some point down the line.

That's it for now. I just finished discussing this and other NFC West matters with Bernie Miklasz on our weekly conversation via 101ESPN St. Louis. I'll post that audio in a bit.

David White of the San Francisco Chronicle wonders whether Mike Singletary will keep his job as head coach if the 49ers lose to the Broncos in Week 8. White: "The 49ers have a bye next week, which is the traditional time for terrible NFL teams to make coaching changes. The 49ers tried to use the bye-week timing two years ago, but Mike Nolan caught wind of the coup and forced the 49ers to act one game earlier than they wanted. According to a team source, York would not fire Singletary because he thought there was a better coach on the staff. Rather, it would be a statement to the fan base that a 1-7 start to a season is not acceptable behavior."

Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com looks at Frank Gore's slight reduction in playing time, with Anthony Dixon and Brian Westbrook under consideration for more reps. Maiocco: "Westbrook will probably be the undisputed backup on Sunday against the Denver Broncos, as Dixon sustained a hamstring strain in the fourth quarter and might not be available for action until after the bye week."

Taylor Price of 49ers.com checks in from London, where the 49ers arrived to face Denver in Week 9.

Eric Branch of the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat says Singletary thinks the team is faring well in most categories except for playing smart.

Daniel Brown of the San Jose Mercury News says 49ers quarterback Alex Smith remains sore and has not slept much since suffering a shoulder injury Sunday.

Clare Farnsworth of seahawks.com says the team could get Brandon Mebane and Kelly Jennings back from injuries Thursday. Mebane has missed the last two games with a calf injury. Jennings has missed most of the last two games with a hamstring injury.

Danny O'Neil of the Seattle Times takes a look back at the Seahawks' performance against Arizona in Week 7 to see what we've learned about the team. On Golden Tate: "Six games into his rookie season, the second-round draft pick has caught the same number of passes (eight) as Brandon Stokley, who has been with the team less than a month. He did play some receiver in Sunday's game, but you're forgiven if you didn't notice. He was targeted once, and didn't catch the ball that one time it was thrown to him. His 52-yard catch in Week 2 at Denver remains Seattle's longest play from scrimmage in six games, but in a season when so many rookies have already contributed, Tate has been a disappointment." It can be tough trusting a rookie to play from the slot or handle any responsibilities for which he hasn't practiced significantly, partly explaining why Ben Obomanu took over once an injury sidelined Stokley.

Also from O'Neil: Avoiding mistakes is enough for Matt Hasselbeck to succeed in Seattle's offense.

John Boyle of the Everett Herald says Tony Dungy's colleagues on NBC nearly laughed the former coach off the set when Dungy called Seattle the best team in the NFC pending results of the Monday night game involving the New York Giants. The Seahawks like Dungy, too. They offered him a job as team president before hiring Pete Carroll as head coach.

Bob McManaman of the Arizona Republic says Max Hall will remain the Cardinals' starting quarterback if he's healthy enough to play. Hall suffered a concussion Sunday. Coach Ken Whisenhunt: "We'll obviously know more about that on Wednesday. But the league has procedures for this now and the doctors will evaluate him and they'll make the right decision based on how he does his baseline tests and how he does his cognitive tests. ... We'll go based on what they see in evaluating him."

Also from McManaman: Beanie Wells could be close to replacing Tim Hightower in the Cardinals' lineup after Hightower lost another fumble. The Cardinals like Hightower, but these miscues give them every reason to push Wells into a more prominent role. It just makes sense.

Darren Urban of azcardinals.com checks in with Arizona players regarding Raheem Morris' comments about the Cardinals' Week 8 opponent, Tampa Bay, being the best team in the NFC. Darnell Dockett: "You really can’t tell who the best team is until February when the Super Bowl comes. That’s the best team, who represents the NFC. You just hope your words don’t come back to bite you when you say stuff like that. We’re going to stay humble and that’s our main focus."

Also from Urban: Whisenhunt defends Hall by saying it's important to remember the quarterback is a rookie.

Bill Coats of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch checks in with Rams players following news that Steven Jackson underwent surgery to repair a broken finger. Tackle Jason Smith: "Everybody on the team is important, but Steven Jackson's a leader. Everybody knows he's a very important piece of this puzzle."

Also from Coats: Rams cornerback Ron Bartell, already hurting, now has an injured shoulder as well.

Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo downplayed the reasons for the team's defeat at Tampa Bay. Thomas: "I told the guys in there, don't be 'deep-thinking' this thing. Should we have won the game 17-12, we would've won it because we would've made one or two plays somewhere in there. That's how close it came down to, and there wouldn't be as (many) questions."

Nick Wagoner of stlouisrams.com says Spagnuolo stands by his decision to use timeouts late in the first half against Tampa Bay. The Bucs wound up getting the ball back and scoring a field goal before halftime. Spagnuolo: "I just felt like 17-3, I felt good about our offense getting the ball back. Again, this is confidence in the defense now. I never expected that third-and-(16) that they would get that third-and-(16). I wanted to leave as much time on the clock as we could for the offense. They got the first down and they were off and running." The rest of us get to have it both ways on this one. If the Rams had gotten the ball back and scored, we'd be praising Spagnuolo for showing faith in a young team. Once the move did not work out, it's easy to say Spagnuolo should have played it safe.

Also from Wagoner: The Rams have high expectations.

Dave Boling of the Tacoma News Tribune singles out Russell Okung's matchup with Julius Peppers as potentially pivotal for Seattle. Okung's thoughts on the matter remain unknown because the Seahawks' offensive linemen refuse to grant interviews. Guard Ben Hamilton discourages teammates on the line from speaking publicly, issuing fines when quotes appear from a lineman. NFL policy prevents such behavior, stating, "It is not permissible for any group of players to boycott the media. ... Violations of the above procedures will be considered conduct detrimental to the league and will be subject to disciplinary action by the commissioner." In 2009, the league levied a $10,000 fine against Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald for leaving a game without fulfilling media obligations. NFL policy will ultimately apply to the Seattle line, of course.

Clare Farnsworth of seahawks.com says Marshawn Lynch spent part of his bye week watching his younger brother rush for 260 yards during a high school game in Sacramento.

Also from Farnsworth: Deon Butler says he doesn't need to do anything spectacular while replacing Deion Branch in the Seahawks' starting lineup.

Danny O'Neil of the Seattle Times says Ben Hamilton remains the Seahawks' starting left guard, although Chester Pitts could play in a backup role Sunday. Can Pitts practice extensively two days in a row without knee trouble?

Also from O'Neil: thoughts on Seattle's matchup against Peppers. O'Neil: "In Okung's debut in St. Louis, he was beaten once by a spin move from James Hall and then failed to recognize a zone blitz that resulted in Matt Hasselbeck getting hit cleanly from behind by Rams linebacker David Vobora."

Greg Johns of seattlepi.com says Lynch feels rejuvenated playing for a new team. Lynch: "Everybody is excited to see what I'm going to do and I'm also excited to see what I"m going to do myself. So it's a pretty intense time for me."

Also from Johns: Butler says the Seahawks' receiver meetings are quieter without Nate Burleson, T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Branch.

John Morgan of Field Gulls offers a "C" grade for the Seahawks' cornerbacks through four games. The safeties get a "B" grade.

Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic does not expect the Cardinals to show interest in Shawne Merriman once San Diego releases the former standout pass-rusher. Somers: "The Cardinals have a need for depth at outside linebacker. While Merriman is a recognizable name, it's doubtful the Cardinals will bring someone with a injury history in to back up to 33-year-old linebackers, Clark Haggans and Joey Porter."

Also from Somers: The Cardinals' defense was more sound against New Orleans than it had been previously. Defensive coordinator Bill Davis: "I just saw us take a big step forward in playing the defense together. I'm excited as hell about the guys we have and the growth we're making. But we got off a rough start, and there are growing pains. We have to make sure we're better this week than we were this week. That's the only goal we have."

Darren Urban of azcardinals.com says younger players will get some extra work during Arizona's bye week.

Also from Urban: The Cardinals respond to rookie quarterback Max Hall. Running back Jason Wright: "There are certain people, when they walk into a room, they could be the newest person there, but when they speak, they speak in a certain way and they come across with a certain air, and you are going to listen, even if they are the brand-new guy. Even if they are completely dead wrong in what they are saying, you still say afterward, 'Hmm. What about that guy?' Whatever ‘it’ is, he’s got it. He’s probably like that in the rest of life too. I expect he’s been that way his whole life. That’s what guys are talking about. It’s more a personality trait than it is having really earned his stripes."

Bill Coats of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says Danario Alexander's emotions are running high as his first NFL game approaches. Alexander: "I'll be highly emotional. I've been through a lot throughout this whole summer, with the surgery, missing the draft. ... I want to come out and produce for this organization. I sat at home for a long time before the Rams gave me the call."

Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch sizes up Sam Bradford against the blitz and says he doesn't expect Alexander to play a significant role against San Diego.

Steve Korte of the Belleville News-Democrat says Alexander expects to play some on special teams.

Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says the Rams are treating the Chargers as a 5-0 team, not a 2-3 team, based on where San Diego ranks in major statistical categories. Thomas: "Even without disgruntled and unsigned Vincent Jackson at wide receiver, Philip Rivers is putting up epic passing numbers. Only four QBs in NFL history have thrown for more yards in the first five games of a season than Rivers (who has 1,759)."

Nick Wagoner of stlouisrams.com says Danny Amendola's role has grown with Mark Clayton on injured reserve. Amendola caught a career-high 12 passes Sunday.

Howard Balzer of scout.com says the Rams' blowout defeat on the road in Week 5 was nothing out of the ordinary for NFC West teams. Balzer: "Overall, the Rams have been outscored 60-20, the Cardinals 95-34, the 49ers 78-30 and the Seahawks 51-17. That’s a combined score of 284-101."

Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com says Shaun Hill is thankful to be playing for the Lions instead of for the 49ers. Hill: "It’s a mess out there (with the 49ers). I'm just very happy that I'm here right now."

Also from Maiocco: Time is running out for Mike Singletary and Alex Smith.

More from Maiocco: The 49ers' run defense has faltered as opponents have put more focus on handling Patrick Willis.

Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee says Willis' tackle totals have fallen.

Also from Barrows: The 49ers think some breaks have gone against them. They hope those breaks even out. Singletary: "Sometimes the way the ball bounces makes you wonder. It's pretty crazy the way the ball bounced in these first five games."

Eric Branch of the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat says David Carr can relate to the booing Smith has received lately, but the biggest challenge can be for a quarterback's family members in the stands.

Also from Branch: Turnovers are piling up for the 49ers.

Tim Kawakami of the San Jose Mercury News thinks 49ers president Jed York works behind the scenes to undermine the team's head coaches even while praising them publicly. Kawakami: "It’s not hard to figure any of it out. It’s your typical York intrigue–declare total support, in a bizarre, amateur way, and simultaneously plot against the coach who displeases you. That way, Jed and his courtiers think they have it both ways: If Singletary fails, they fire him and they have the national media explaining why it’s not their fault. And if Singletary rallies the 49ers to the playoffs, they can say, 'See, we knew he’d do it all along. And we said so.' "

Daniel Brown of the San Jose Mercury News looks at issues dragging down the 49ers.

David White of the San Francisco Chronicle says Tony Dungy has advice for Singletary.

INDIANAPOLIS -- Cardinals owner Bill Bidwill is raking in the awards this offseason.

Earlier in the week, Sports Faith International made him one of four inductees to the Sports Faith Hall of Fame, joining Brian Piccolo, Gale Sayers, Dominoes Pizza founder and former Detroit Tigers owner Tom Monaghan and John Gagliardi, college football's all-time leader in coaching victories.

Bidwill was named Thursday as winner of the Fritz Pollard Alliance's Paul "Tank" Younger Award for promoting "diversity and equality of job opportunity in the coaching, front office and scouting staffs" of NFL teams.

Past winners include Dan Rooney, Rick Smith, Ozzie Newsome, James Harris, Bill Walsh, Tony Dungy, Frank Gilliam and Bobby Mitchell.

"When you look back over the years, going back to his time in St. Louis, Mr. Bidwill has a long history of hiring minorities to administrative and authoritative positions," Fritz Pollard Alliance chairman John Wooten said in a news release. "He has really helped level the playing field and that is what this award is all about."

The Fritz Pollard Alliance plans to present the award to Bidwill at the NFL combine Friday.

Filed while flying across the Idaho-Washington border on the way back from Super Bowl XLIV ...

Mike from Lake Charles, La., writes: Hey Mike, I was wondering which QB you "trust more" now? To make that statement (and your Super Bowl pick) based on that criteria, you were oblivious to what actually happened during the course of the entire season. Brees set an all-time NFL passer completion % record, Saints scored the most points, Brees had more touchdown passes and less interceptions than Manning, all the while playing tougher competition. Your prediction seems SILLY now. What do you think about that?

Mike Sando: I think you should have sent me this before the game. Hindsight is easy! No doubt, though, the Saints played great. I was most impressed with the fact that every coaching move they made seemed to pay off or at least not backfire. Peyton Manning had seven fourth-quarter comeback victories during the regular season while going 14-0 in the games the Colts tried to win. That was more impressive than what Drew Brees did, in my view, and the vast majority of MVP voters agreed.

---

Jimmy from Toronto writes: Why do you lead with negative slander? You should consider what legacy you will leave as a journalist. Why is a retired coach being criticized for stating his opinion.You are not even stating an opinion. You are writing articles about other people's opinions, which is the lowest form of reporting (not journalism). How about you write an article about the great things Dungy has done? I also urge you to try to measure up to his greatness; at least try.

Mike Sando: Whether Tony Dungy is great has nothing to do with the fact that he made a bold and unusual prediction before the game, and was spectacularly wrong. Writing what other people said about the matter is far from slander or the lowest form of anything. It's one angle among many following Super Bowl XLIV.

---

Doug from Cleveland writes: Manning proved again why he is the greatest big-game choker in NFL history. An MVP with a QB rating of less than 90 in the Super Bowl just does not cut it. OF course, six times one-and-done in the playoffs doesn't either!!! It's time all the media bobble heads stopped making excuses for him. Regarding Dungy, that also shows again he just has no clue. Remember his famous "no chance" comment regarding the Cowboys vs New Orleans and his playoff record is not exactly one to be really proud of.

Mike Sando: I'm not sure about Manning being bad in the clutch. He did have those seven fourth-quarter comeback victories during the regular season, an NFL record. And he did win a Super Bowl. And he has won quite a few playoff games. It is true, though, that his postseason performances have not measured up to his regular-season success. Could be because the opposition is tougher, too.

---

Nick from Waterloo, Iowa writes: Hey Mike, always been an avid reader. I have two questions. What do you think are the chance the 49ers have of signing Donte' Stallworth? I think with Coach Singletary at the helm, Donte will be well grounded, plus with Donte being from Sacramento, it will be a great local boost. Also, what is a futures contract in the NFL? I see it alot these days, but have no idea what it is.

Mike Sando: The 49ers are pretty strong at wide receiver. I see no need for them to pursue Stallworth. Just my opinion. On your second question, teams sign players to future contracts when they are putting together their 80-man rosters for the next season. Those players do not count against 53-man limits. Then, when the roster sizes expand to 80 players, these players come off what the league calls a "reserve/future" list. It's a reserve list, not an active list.

---

Edward from Tempe, Ariz., writes: Sando, it is obvious that the Cardinals need to make some changes (most notably a pass-rusher and linebackers) but what concerns me most is the lack of talent in the backfield. We have Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, but the rest of our DBs were picked on and pretty much torched the entire season. With the draft coming rather quickly, do you see the Cardinals possibly picking up a talented DB within the first 2-3 rounds of the draft or maybe in free-agency?

Mike Sando: Antrel Rolle's situation is another factor. He could be finished in Arizona, depending on whether the team can work out a new contract with him. Three-fourths of the starting secondary did get named to the Pro Bowl (Rodgers-Cromartie, Adrian Wilson and Rolle). I think they need to upgrade the pass rush primarily. That will help out the Cardinals on the back end.

---

Josh from Richmond, Calif., writes: I keep hearing (and reading) rumors about Reggie Bush possibly landing with the 49ers or Seahawks. Is this a real possibility, or just wishful thinking? Why would Bush leave New Orleans anyway?

Mike Sando: Bush has an $8 million salary in 2010. The question is whether the Saints will pay that salary to him. If they cut him, he could become available. If Bush hits the market, I do think the Seahawks would have interest. They don't have great talent at running back, and Pete Carroll coached Bush at USC. Bush is also only 24 years old (though he has had serious knee surgery). Seems to me the Saints should find a way to keep him.

MIAMI -- Tony Dungy wasn't the only one who thought the Indianapolis Colts would blow out the New Orleans Saints in Super Bowl XLIV.

"I did too," Colts tackle Ryan Diem said Sunday night.

The Saints' 31-17 victory proved quite a few people wrong, most notably Dungy, who should have known better than to suggest Peyton Manning would breeze through the Saints' defense on his way to a second Super Bowl title.

"I think they're going to be so far ahead," the former Colts coach had told the New York Times, "that people are going to say, 'Oh, ho-hum, he played a good game, they won by two scores, the Colts won their second championship.' "

The comments created a ripple, but Dungy mostly got a free pass while Gregg Williams, the Saints' less stately defensive coordinator, took heat for suggesting the New Orleans defense would rough up Manning with "remember-me" hits.

Dungy's prediction read more like something from Rex Ryan at an MMA event than anything befitting the man NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has anointed as league ambassador. The prediction was so strong, so unflinching, so seeming inconsistent with Dungy's usual form that I figured he had to be right. Certainly Dungy wouldn't speak out so strongly if the Saints were the better team.

"I don't think it's going to be close," Dungy had said.

The Colts were going to win in a blowout.

"A blowout?" Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma said. "Well, it didn't happen."

The Saints needed overtime to beat the Vikings in the NFC Championship game even though Minnesota suffered from five turnovers, critical penalties and questionable coaching decisions. Logic said the Colts would never suffer so many mistakes. But logic would also fail to explain what the Saints were feeling. From their perspective, this was the only just outcome after the organization stuck it out in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina.

Manning and the Colts were a great team, perhaps even the better team on paper, but the Saints felt they were playing for a greater purpose.

"They are really hard to prepare for," Saints linebacker Scott Fujita said of the Colts, "but the Saints were on a mission and for us it was about much more than just football -- much more than just football.

"I think you could see the stadium, we must have had Colts fans outnumbered six, seven to one. Throughout the city all week, the black and gold just poured into Miami to take over the city. I'm getting text messages all week from friends in the U.K., friends in Italy, saying the whole football world is behind us. This is bigger than just the game. The Saints are the world's team."

The Saints defied convention with an onside kick to open the second half. They went for it on fourth down when a field goal would have been the politically safe call. Cornerback Tracy Porter jumped the route for the interception he returned 74 yards for the clinching touchdown with 3:12 remaining.

We could view these high-stakes gambles as the Saints' acknowledgment that taking chances was their only hope against Manning, but that would be missing the mark. The Saints bet big on themselves and won.

"We have been the best team in the NFC," safety Roman Harper said. "We knew nobody was going to give it to us. We have to go out there and take it. Nobody picked us, nobody believed in us but us and ourselves and our locker room and our city and our families. We went out and proved everybody wrong today."

Starting with Tony Dungy.

NWCards from Mukilteo, Wash., writes: Sando, what will the Cards do with the $11.5M they saved with the Kurt Warner retirement? How does it affect the free-agent situation? Do they get to sign a free agent with the same dollar value to replace him? Of course, this is the Bidwills we're talking about here. They may just want to keep the $11.5M.

Mike Sando: Warner is retiring. He is not leaving as an unrestricted free agent. Therefore, the Cardinals do not get the benefits associated with losing a player in free agency (in terms of a compensatory draft choice and considerations related to being one of the final eight playoff teams).

Arizona definitely saves the $4 million Warner would have earned in base salary for 2010. Warner forfeited that money by retiring. The other $7.5 million to which you refer represents the second half of the $15 million that counted as the "signing bonus" he received upon signing the deal.

The bonus was set up like most large signing bonuses. The team scheduled the bonus in two payments of $7.5 million, one last year and one this offseason. It was pretty much a given that Warner would not receive the second payment if he retired after one season. He retired before receiving the second payment of $7.5 million, and obviously the Cardinals aren't going to pay it now. Teams set up large bonus payments this way so they're not left trying to recoup money after a player walks away.

Back to your point. The Cardinals will have $11.5 million in their pockets that they would have paid to Warner had he kept playing. This should help their short-term cash flow, but I also think they will not spend the money just because they have it. Warner was worth the money. Not everyone else is worth the money.

The NFL is heading into an uncertain labor situation. Teams will be less excited about committing big money on long-term contracts. I would not expect the Cardinals to rush out and find ways to spend that money. If you blame that solely on the Cardinals' ownership, you're probably overlooking the fact that a lot of teams will proceed that way.

---

Dylan from Washington, D.C., writes: Hey Mike, I love the blog and I read it every day. I know a lot of readers have said it before, bus as a 49ers fan, it is hard to get quality info out east. My question is of course a draft question. I know the 49ers need a right tackle, a safety and a big-play/return man. I have read a lot of mock drafts saying they go tackle and safety in the first round, but I was thinking a different line and was wondering what you thought of it.

I read the scouting reports on Myron Rolle, and I liked him in college, and I was wondering if the 49ers would consider holding off until the second round and pick up Rolle to eventually replace Lewis at strong safety so that they can draft someone like C.J. Spiller with 13 and the best offensive tackle available with 16?

Mike Sando: Thanks for the support. I would take no issue with the 49ers waiting until after the first round to take a safety. I could even see them waiting until after the first round to take an offensive lineman, although they do need to find their next right tackle.

Safety generally is not a premium position. If you take one in the first round, that safety should be a dynamic talent, not just an OK starter. Very few safeties affect the game enough to justify picking one that early.

The perceived need at running back is a bit odd because the team has Frank Gore and 2009 third-rounder Glen Coffee already on the roster, while Michael Robinson is another running back commanding a roster spot. Is that really the position where the 49ers need to find their return guy? Or might the team be wiser using an earlier pick on a cornerback prospect who could help on returns before developing into a starter? I'm not sure I know the answer. It does seem as though the 49ers could use a change-of-pace running back.

---

Tim from Orlando, Fla., writes: The Rams are bad now, but historically they are far from inept. Since 1974, the Rams have played in nine conference title games and three Super Bowls.

Mike Sando: I wondered if someone would take issue with my use of the word "inept" to describe the state of the Rams and Cardinals before Kurt Warner arrived. The Rams had posted nine consecutive losing seasons before Warner and the 1999 team produced a 13-3 record. That is pretty inept.

The Cardinals' situation might bear revisiting. Warner was actually 3-12 as a their starter over a two-year period before things began to change under Ken Whisenhunt in 2007. I had associated the revival more with the 2008 season, when Whisenhunt committed to Warner as the starter.

---

IdahoVandalHawk from Bend, Ore., writes: Hey Mike, maybe this is a stupid question, but why do you think the "head coach in waiting" idea worked so well for Jim Caldwell and the Colts and so poorly for Jim Mora and the Seahawks?

Many fans and members of the media felt that the Holmgren-to-Mora transition was doomed from the start. When Caldwell was named the successor to Tony Dungy a year before Dungy retired, did we hear any complaints from Indianapolis? Obviously, having Peyton Manning on your team can't hurt, but it can't be all Peyton, can it? Your thoughts? Thanks.

Mike Sando: It can be 50 percent or 75 percent Manning, and that is a huge difference. We also need to consider the personalities of the people involved, and the football leadership of both organizations.

Mike Holmgren made it known over time that he wasn't all that excited about the team naming Mora as his successor. It wasn't that Holmgren had anything against Mora. He just would have preferred if the whole transitional thing hadn't been announced. He also didn't like it when people made it seem like he was a big backer of the plan, when in reality that move was largely a Tim Ruskell production.

For the Colts, Dungy was very much behind the decision to elevate Caldwell. Dungy also doesn't seem to let his ego factor into these personal interactions as much as the people in Seattle allowed egos to affect the dynamics. That is another big difference.

Also, the Colts have a very strong football operations man in president Bill Polian. The Colts have drafted very well under Polian even though they routinely pick later than most teams (Manning helps make those picks look better, but still, the bottom line is the same).

Taking those factors into account helps explain why things worked so well for the Colts. Remove any one of those factors -- particularly the talent that leads to winning, which makes everything OK -- and things can break down quickly.

One thought per NFC West team now that I'm back home from the Packers-Cardinals game ...

• Arizona: Neil Rackers' missed field goal, Larry Fitzgerald's lost fumble and Fitzgerald's botched timeout would be very big stories right now if the Cardinals had lost the game. Victories provide good cover for teaching moments in the NFL. Arizona should emerge wiser from this one.
• Seattle: The Seahawks plan to introduce new coach Pete Carroll at a news conference Tuesday. CEO Tod Leiweke has some reassuring to do, I think, after recent organizational stumbles. Leiweke has to account for the failed Mike Holmgren courtship and Jim Mora's firing. News that the team made a run at Tony Dungy will also draw interest even though Dungy's hiring was a long shot at best.
• San Francisco: Joe Flacco's 34-yard passing performance for Baltimore was enough to beat the Patriots in the wild-card round, but this is still increasingly a quarterback's league. The 49ers know this and that is one reason they have not committed to Alex Smith unconditionally.
• St. Louis: The NFL draft begins 100 days from Tuesday. I suspect the Rams will have a new starting quarterback by then, probably the best veteran they can find.

The wheels are spinning fast after Seattle fired coach Jim Mora.

ESPN's John Clayton says the Seahawks have shown interest in Vikings defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier.

Chris Mortensen has identified USC coach Pete Carroll as the top candidate.

• Update: Mortensen reports that Frazier has declined the Seahawks' request. This item has been updated to condense the section dealing with Frazier's possible candidacy.

The Seahawks could use a bold move right about now. It's been a couple rough seasons for the organization.

Frazier's name has come up in previous head coaching searches around the NFL. His connection to former Colts coach Tony Dungy interested me because another former Dungy associate, Ruston Webster, happens to be the Seahawks' interim general manager.

How good would the Seahawks look if they could somehow land Dungy in an advisory role, lending immediate credibility, with Webster as GM and Frazier as head coach? It's an idea that requires some connecting of the dots. I've had no indication from anyone that such an arrangement has been considered, would be considered or would even be practical.

Do you fire Mora to hire Frazier? Is that an obvious upgrade?

Carroll is a much bigger name. He's energetic and he's dynamic. He would fit with Leiweke, for sure.

Would he be the right choice? I recently watched an NFL Network show featuring former NFL head coaches who should have stayed at the college level. Former Seahawks coach Dennis Erickson was one of the men featured. Carroll was another.

The program showed locker room footage of Carroll giving sappy rah-rah speeches, with former players saying the NFL was no place for him.

Much time has passed since Carroll left the Patriots after the 1999 season. He would go into his next NFL job a wiser man for the experience.

Should be an interesting next week or so in the NFC West.

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

Rams

101ESPN St. Louis: broadcaster Kevin Harlan

101ESPN St. Louis: executive Kevin Demoff

101ESPN St. Louis: Steve Spagnuolo

101ESPN St. Louis: Tony Dungy

101ESPN St. Louis: guard Richie Incognito

101ESPN St. Louis: analyst Jim Hanifan

101ESPN St. Louis: draft analyst Rob Rang

101ESPN St. Louis: running back Steven Jackson

49ers

KNBR680: reporter Matt Maiocco

KNBR680: reporter Matt Barrows

KNBR680: coach Mike Singletary

KNBR680: Ronnie Lott



KNBR680: Steve Young

Cardinals

XTRA910: safety Adrian Wilson

azcardinals.com: Cardinals Underground

Seahawks

710ESPN Seattle: coach Jim Mora

710ESPN Seattle: Robbie Tobeck

KJR950 Seattle: columnist Steve Kelley

KJR950: Seahawks Round Table

KJR950: linebacker David Hawthorne

If you find others, please pass along links.

The NFL has tapped former coach Tony Dungy to speak with Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner and other veteran players regarding "policies, programs and issues" affecting players on and off the field.

Issues include player health, player safety, personal conduct, game rules, game procedures, career transition and player development.

The league listed Warner, Broncos safety Brian Dawkins and Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis among the players Dungy planned to target in leading a new NFL Player Advisory Forum.

"Dungy will organize the meetings, identify the player attendees and develop a list of topics for discussion," the NFL said in a news release. "Commissioner [Roger] Goodell will attend the meetings and the NFL Players Association has been invited to send a representative. Dungy also will serve as a resource to the NFL Player Development staff and the team Player Development Directors."

The league also provided this comment from Warner: "For the NFL to remain as successful as it is today, this type of open communication between the players and commissioner’s office is crucial. To have someone as respected and accomplished as Coach Dungy leading the effort is tremendous. His integrity and credibility are unmatched and everyone involved will be better off because of his involvement."

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Ant from San Francisco writes: Sando, such a huge and understandable focus has been placed on the QBs throughout the playoffs but I noticed a familiar trend for all four teams still playing: they have great QBs on defense, their safeties. Reed, Polamula, Dawkins and Wilson are in the top five of play-making, turnover causing and experienced safeties in the NFL, along with Bob Sanders.

They're also all joined by athletic lesser named counterparts at the other safety spot. Having watched S.F. all year I can that when your safeties make zero game changing plays it costs a decent team perhaps two wins.

It stood out that the Carolina & San Diego safeties were slow in coverage and nonexistent in run support; the Tennessee safeties allowed two big pass plays right in front of them that could've been INTs and NY's made no plays of consequence. The QB battles in these playoffs have not been as one-sided as years past so perhaps this has been one of those small difference makers that turns a match up toward the lower seed. After all, other than health winning in the playoffs is all about match ups.

Mike Sando: Great observation. Other teams have won Super Bowls without great safeties. I think a strong pass rush can cover for the positions in the secondary. But the evidence you brought holds up very well in looking at the current playoff teams. One question: Were you wearing a Mark Roman jersey when you wrote this mailbag submission?

(Read full post)

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic says the Eagles' blitz schemes will test the Cardinals. Offensive coordinator Todd Haley on Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Johnson: "He develops a smart defense. All the players on that defense understand what he's trying to get done with each call. You don't always see that everywhere, but with him, you see it. He's a pain to play against, for that reason." 

Also from Somers, with Bob McManaman: Bertrand Berry appreciates the Cardinals' success after enduring four losing seasons with the team.

Paola Boivin of the Arizona Republic says Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald remains a bit of a mystery, choosing to keep a low profile.

The East Valley Tribune carries a 2005 story from the Philadelphia Daily News explaining how the Eagles once planned a move to Phoenix.

Clare Farnsworth of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer says Jim Mora sounded like a political visionary in addressing reporters during Mora's first news conference as the Seahawks' head coach.

Also from Farnsworth: Mora heeds advice from Monte Kiffin in hiring Gus Bradley as defensive coordinator.

Danny O'Neil of the Seattle Times explains what Mora plans to do differently in his second stint as an NFL head coach.

Also from O'Neil: A quick look at changes to the Seahawks' coaching staff.

Jerry Brewer of the Seattle Times emerged from Mora's news conference convinced the Seahawks hired the right man. Brewer: "He was free, unrestrained, raw at times, as he talked about family, football and learning from mistakes. And yet, though he revealed himself with incomparable energy, he rarely stammered. He managed to be smooth and real at once, a levelheaded crowd pleaser."

Eric Williams of the Tacoma News Tribune says Mora showed respect for Mike Holmgren while remaining true to his own style and personality.

John McGrath of the Tacoma News Tribune says there's no denying the energy and passion Mora brings to the job.

Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch draws comparisons between Rams coaching candidate Leslie Frazier and outgoing Colts coach Tony Dungy. Thomas: "But Dungy is not Frazier's only coaching influence. As a cornerback for the Chicago Bears a quarter-century ago, Frazier played for one of the game's most successful and most colorful defensive coordinators in Buddy Ryan. Ryan's flamboyant personality didn't rub off on Frazier, but Ryan's flexibility and willingness to listen to his players did."

Bryan Burwell of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch has praise for the Rams' coaching search, even if conducting interviews in Los Angeles might not sit well with everyone.

Steve Korte of the Belleville News-Democrat says the Rams appear most likely to hire a defensive head coach.

Niners scout Todd Brunner checks in from East-West Shrine week, where Iowa cornerback Bradley Fletcher is among those enjoying a strong week.

Taylor Price of 49ers.com says Allen Rossum hopes to re-sign with the team.

John Crumpacker of the San Francisco Chronicle checks in with Vantz Singletary, nephew of the head coach and new 49ers assistant.