NFC West: Zach Miller
The most recent NFC West chat is heading into overtime thanks to Jeff from Seattle.
"I enjoyed it when the chat wrap used questions that weren't answered," Jeff wrote. "Any plans to bring that back to the feature?"
Sometimes there's not time, but this time, there is. It's May 24 and we -- OK, I -- recently ran a weather report, after all. The first section begins with a question about Kellen Winslow, but the answer touches on teams beyond Seattle. It also lets me break out a chart, always a plus.
Robert from Georgia asked whether Kellen Winslow's addition in Seattle will lead the Seahawks to use more personnel groupings with two tight ends.
"The way New England uses Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez is unbelievable," he wrote, "and while I am in no way trying to compare, does the addition of Winslow increase Zach Miller's production? Could Seattle have the second-best two-tight-end set in the NFL?"
That sounds optimistic. I expect the San Francisco 49ers to field the best two-tight end tandem in the division once again. Vernon Davis and Delanie Walker are very good together. Each is faster than his Seattle counterpart, although Winslow has obviously been more productive than Walker as a receiver (with quite a few more opportunities).
I've put together a chart showing how frequently NFC West teams and Winslow's former team, Tampa Bay, used two or more tight ends. John Carlson's injury suppressed the numbers for Seattle. The St. Louis Rams have a new coaching staff, so numbers from last season might not mean as much.
Seattle will use two-plus tight ends more frequently as long as Miller and Winslow are healthy. Winslow amassed 74 percent of his receiving yardage (565 of 763) as the only tight end on the field last season, according to ESPN Stats & Information. That figure mirrored the percentage of snaps when Tampa Bay used fewer than two tight ends, disregarding kneeldowns and spikes.
Miller's receiving numbers were going to climb anyway after he bottomed out at 25 receptions. Winslow has consistently been a 70-catch player. I would expect that figure to fall as he plays alongside another tight end to a degree he did not last season.
There is a chance Winslow will catch more passes than Miller.
Miller will likely be the in-line tight end, meaning he'll be more involved in run blocking. Winslow will be more of an H-back. That is consistent with assistant head coach/offensive line Tom Cable's vision for the offense.
Jacob from Missouri says it's easy to become optimistic while hearing good things from organized team activities and such.
"As a Rams fan, I could really use some optimism, but when is the best time to actually believe all the good things I'm hearing?" he writes.
Mike Sando: It's OK to believe the good things you're hearing now. Just remember to keep it all in perspective. For the Rams, pay close attention to the injury situation. This team was hit hard by injuries last season. It's important for the Rams to get through the offseason without starting to head down the path that led to the training room last season.
We should pay close attention to what the Rams are saying about Jason Smith at right tackle. We should listen for clues about Brian Quick's readiness to contribute right now, not just at some point in the distant future. We should pay attention to the source of information. When Jeff Fisher, a former defensive back, gushes over Janoris Jenkins and indicates he expects immediate contributions, that means something. I'd go ahead and buy into that a little bit.
Jeff from Fowler, Calif., asks whether NaVorro Bowman is the most logical young player to receive a contract extension from the 49ers.
Mike Sando: Yeah, I would think so. Dashon Goldson is operating on the franchise tag, so he could get a new deal as well. But he's been around a little longer. Bowman is younger and quickly became an All-Pro player. The 49ers should not feel pressure to do a deal with him right now, however. Bowman has the 2012 and 2013 seasons remaining on his contract. Waiting another year isn't disrespectful to Bowman. Why not get one more cheap season from Bowman and then reward him accordingly if Bowman backs up his strong 2011 season with another big year?
kualla83 from Phoenix asked whether the Arizona Cardinals' defense should be regarded on par with those from Seattle and San Francisco, even though those defenses were more consistent from start to finish.
"Obviously they have to prove it a little more on the field," he wrote, "but if the second half of last season is any indication of what is to come, I am really excited."
Mike Sando: First off, this question was one I answered in the chat. We had very few Cardinals questions and I answered them. FearTheTweetTweet even complained during the chat, asking whether I'd ever answer another Arizona question. I was looking for them and found only three (out of 140 questions, which was a low number for a chat anyway). So, we get a rerun of an answer.
It's fair to say the Cardinals should be optimistic based on the improvement they saw late in the season. It's fair to say the Cardinals have to prove it over the course of the season, which you indicated to be the case. The 49ers are in a different class defensively right now. Justin Smith and Patrick Willis were the two best defensive players in the division last season. The Cardinals do not have players quite on that level defensively. Now, they do have some very good players. The key variable, in my mind, is what production the team gets from its young outside linebackers. Again, there is reason for optimism there, but also much for the team to prove.
"I enjoyed it when the chat wrap used questions that weren't answered," Jeff wrote. "Any plans to bring that back to the feature?"
Sometimes there's not time, but this time, there is. It's May 24 and we -- OK, I -- recently ran a weather report, after all. The first section begins with a question about Kellen Winslow, but the answer touches on teams beyond Seattle. It also lets me break out a chart, always a plus.
Robert from Georgia asked whether Kellen Winslow's addition in Seattle will lead the Seahawks to use more personnel groupings with two tight ends.
"The way New England uses Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez is unbelievable," he wrote, "and while I am in no way trying to compare, does the addition of Winslow increase Zach Miller's production? Could Seattle have the second-best two-tight-end set in the NFL?"
That sounds optimistic. I expect the San Francisco 49ers to field the best two-tight end tandem in the division once again. Vernon Davis and Delanie Walker are very good together. Each is faster than his Seattle counterpart, although Winslow has obviously been more productive than Walker as a receiver (with quite a few more opportunities).
I've put together a chart showing how frequently NFC West teams and Winslow's former team, Tampa Bay, used two or more tight ends. John Carlson's injury suppressed the numbers for Seattle. The St. Louis Rams have a new coaching staff, so numbers from last season might not mean as much.
Seattle will use two-plus tight ends more frequently as long as Miller and Winslow are healthy. Winslow amassed 74 percent of his receiving yardage (565 of 763) as the only tight end on the field last season, according to ESPN Stats & Information. That figure mirrored the percentage of snaps when Tampa Bay used fewer than two tight ends, disregarding kneeldowns and spikes.
Miller's receiving numbers were going to climb anyway after he bottomed out at 25 receptions. Winslow has consistently been a 70-catch player. I would expect that figure to fall as he plays alongside another tight end to a degree he did not last season.
There is a chance Winslow will catch more passes than Miller.
Miller will likely be the in-line tight end, meaning he'll be more involved in run blocking. Winslow will be more of an H-back. That is consistent with assistant head coach/offensive line Tom Cable's vision for the offense.
Jacob from Missouri says it's easy to become optimistic while hearing good things from organized team activities and such.
"As a Rams fan, I could really use some optimism, but when is the best time to actually believe all the good things I'm hearing?" he writes.
Mike Sando: It's OK to believe the good things you're hearing now. Just remember to keep it all in perspective. For the Rams, pay close attention to the injury situation. This team was hit hard by injuries last season. It's important for the Rams to get through the offseason without starting to head down the path that led to the training room last season.
We should pay close attention to what the Rams are saying about Jason Smith at right tackle. We should listen for clues about Brian Quick's readiness to contribute right now, not just at some point in the distant future. We should pay attention to the source of information. When Jeff Fisher, a former defensive back, gushes over Janoris Jenkins and indicates he expects immediate contributions, that means something. I'd go ahead and buy into that a little bit.
Jeff from Fowler, Calif., asks whether NaVorro Bowman is the most logical young player to receive a contract extension from the 49ers.
Mike Sando: Yeah, I would think so. Dashon Goldson is operating on the franchise tag, so he could get a new deal as well. But he's been around a little longer. Bowman is younger and quickly became an All-Pro player. The 49ers should not feel pressure to do a deal with him right now, however. Bowman has the 2012 and 2013 seasons remaining on his contract. Waiting another year isn't disrespectful to Bowman. Why not get one more cheap season from Bowman and then reward him accordingly if Bowman backs up his strong 2011 season with another big year?
kualla83 from Phoenix asked whether the Arizona Cardinals' defense should be regarded on par with those from Seattle and San Francisco, even though those defenses were more consistent from start to finish.
"Obviously they have to prove it a little more on the field," he wrote, "but if the second half of last season is any indication of what is to come, I am really excited."
Mike Sando: First off, this question was one I answered in the chat. We had very few Cardinals questions and I answered them. FearTheTweetTweet even complained during the chat, asking whether I'd ever answer another Arizona question. I was looking for them and found only three (out of 140 questions, which was a low number for a chat anyway). So, we get a rerun of an answer.
It's fair to say the Cardinals should be optimistic based on the improvement they saw late in the season. It's fair to say the Cardinals have to prove it over the course of the season, which you indicated to be the case. The 49ers are in a different class defensively right now. Justin Smith and Patrick Willis were the two best defensive players in the division last season. The Cardinals do not have players quite on that level defensively. Now, they do have some very good players. The key variable, in my mind, is what production the team gets from its young outside linebackers. Again, there is reason for optimism there, but also much for the team to prove.
JohnnyP from St. Louis, Mo., wants to see NFC West awards patterned after the major NFL awards: MVP, offensive and defensive players of the year, top rookies, etc.
Mike Sando: We've done all-division teams since 2008 and I'll reproduce the choices here.
What we should do, I think, is make projections for the coming season.
It's a little early to have a great feel for the rookies, but I think we'll likely see one of the receivers make an impact.
Brian Quick of the St. Louis Rams is my early choice on the suspicion Sam Bradford enjoys a bounce-back season. The team doesn't necessarily have an established No. 1 option even though Danny Amendola is returning from injury. Perhaps that gives Quick an immediate opportunity. That could change as we learn more, of course.
Michael Floyd of the Arizona Cardinals is an obvious contender. How many passes will come his way given Larry Fitzgerald's presence and established third-down options elsewhere? I'm less certain where the San Francisco 49ers' A.J. Jenkins will fit into an offense with Vernon Davis, Michael Crabtree and, potentially, Randy Moss.
Defensively, Bruce Irvin will have sack opportunities for the Seattle Seahawks. Janoris Jenkins could have opportunities to pick off passes and factor in the Rams' return game. Those are two players to watch right away. The Rams' run defense figures to improve with Michael Brockers on the line, but he won't have as many chances for stats.
Let's revisit this one in a separate item.
First, I'll dust off the all-division teams since 2008, beginning with the offensive choices.
Defensive choices are next. Note that I went with four defensive ends in 2011, my attempt to include the best defensive linemen.
The specialists featured 49ers punter Andy Lee, who cashed in with a six-year contract Wednesday.
Moving along to other subjects ...
Richard from Tucson, Ariz., thinks the NFL's push for players to wear knee and thigh pads beginning in 2013 stems in part from injuries such as the one Kevin Kolb suffered last season.
Mike Sando: The San Francisco 49ers' Ahmad Brooks did not appear to be wearing kneepads when his knee accidentally struck Kolb's helmet during a scramble for the football. I went back and watched the play a few more times to be sure. Would kneepads have spared Kolb from the concussion he suffered? That's not something anyone can determine with any certainty.
The injury San Francisco's Delanie Walker suffered at Seattle two weeks later also comes to mind. Seahawks linebacker Leroy Hill was wearing thigh pads. He did not appear to be wearing knee pads when his knee accidentally struck Walker in the side of the helmet, breaking Walker's jaw. Again, it's tough to say if padding would have made any difference for Walker.
Requiring knee and helmet pads seems like a logical move even in the absence of evidence proving additional pads would reduce concussions. The league is working with Nike to develop padding players consider more comfortable. I'd like to know whether these sleeker pads will provide as much protection for those on the receiving end of blows like the ones Kolb and Walker absorbed.
Miles from Seattle questions asks whether the salaries for Zach Miller and Kellen Winslow would force them into competition for a single roster spot at tight end.
Mike Sando: Miller is scheduled to earn $6 million in base salary. His contract is scheduled to count $7 million against the salary cap this year. Winslow has a $3.3 million salary. His contract could count up to $4.8 million. Indeed, that's a hefty chunk of money tied up in two tight ends, but Seattle has the salary cap room to absorb the charges comfortably.
The five-year deal Miller signed before the 2011 looks more like a three-year contract for practical purposes. Miller's base salary rises to $6.8 million in 2013, with another $3 million due in a roster bonus. His cap number spikes to $11 million. Those numbers appear steep even for a top tight end.
A.J. from Mendham, N.J., thinks the recent item criticizing Stephen Ross was overkill.
"I don't think the Dolphins were sold on Matt Flynn," he writes. "Jim Harbaugh wanted to stay in Northern California much more than he was uncomfortable with Miami's owner. Jeff Fisher would have taken the Miami job had he been granted total personnel control."
Mike Sando: That's a fair criticism. I'm finished with Ross and suspect he'll be OK, but the way he runs the franchise has benefited teams in the NFC West, in my view. Wait, I thought I was finished with Ross. OK, now I'm finished.
Mike Sando: We've done all-division teams since 2008 and I'll reproduce the choices here.
What we should do, I think, is make projections for the coming season.
It's a little early to have a great feel for the rookies, but I think we'll likely see one of the receivers make an impact.
Brian Quick of the St. Louis Rams is my early choice on the suspicion Sam Bradford enjoys a bounce-back season. The team doesn't necessarily have an established No. 1 option even though Danny Amendola is returning from injury. Perhaps that gives Quick an immediate opportunity. That could change as we learn more, of course.
Michael Floyd of the Arizona Cardinals is an obvious contender. How many passes will come his way given Larry Fitzgerald's presence and established third-down options elsewhere? I'm less certain where the San Francisco 49ers' A.J. Jenkins will fit into an offense with Vernon Davis, Michael Crabtree and, potentially, Randy Moss.
Defensively, Bruce Irvin will have sack opportunities for the Seattle Seahawks. Janoris Jenkins could have opportunities to pick off passes and factor in the Rams' return game. Those are two players to watch right away. The Rams' run defense figures to improve with Michael Brockers on the line, but he won't have as many chances for stats.
Let's revisit this one in a separate item.
First, I'll dust off the all-division teams since 2008, beginning with the offensive choices.
Defensive choices are next. Note that I went with four defensive ends in 2011, my attempt to include the best defensive linemen.
The specialists featured 49ers punter Andy Lee, who cashed in with a six-year contract Wednesday.
Moving along to other subjects ...
Richard from Tucson, Ariz., thinks the NFL's push for players to wear knee and thigh pads beginning in 2013 stems in part from injuries such as the one Kevin Kolb suffered last season.
Mike Sando: The San Francisco 49ers' Ahmad Brooks did not appear to be wearing kneepads when his knee accidentally struck Kolb's helmet during a scramble for the football. I went back and watched the play a few more times to be sure. Would kneepads have spared Kolb from the concussion he suffered? That's not something anyone can determine with any certainty.
The injury San Francisco's Delanie Walker suffered at Seattle two weeks later also comes to mind. Seahawks linebacker Leroy Hill was wearing thigh pads. He did not appear to be wearing knee pads when his knee accidentally struck Walker in the side of the helmet, breaking Walker's jaw. Again, it's tough to say if padding would have made any difference for Walker.
Requiring knee and helmet pads seems like a logical move even in the absence of evidence proving additional pads would reduce concussions. The league is working with Nike to develop padding players consider more comfortable. I'd like to know whether these sleeker pads will provide as much protection for those on the receiving end of blows like the ones Kolb and Walker absorbed.
Miles from Seattle questions asks whether the salaries for Zach Miller and Kellen Winslow would force them into competition for a single roster spot at tight end.
Mike Sando: Miller is scheduled to earn $6 million in base salary. His contract is scheduled to count $7 million against the salary cap this year. Winslow has a $3.3 million salary. His contract could count up to $4.8 million. Indeed, that's a hefty chunk of money tied up in two tight ends, but Seattle has the salary cap room to absorb the charges comfortably.
The five-year deal Miller signed before the 2011 looks more like a three-year contract for practical purposes. Miller's base salary rises to $6.8 million in 2013, with another $3 million due in a roster bonus. His cap number spikes to $11 million. Those numbers appear steep even for a top tight end.
A.J. from Mendham, N.J., thinks the recent item criticizing Stephen Ross was overkill.
"I don't think the Dolphins were sold on Matt Flynn," he writes. "Jim Harbaugh wanted to stay in Northern California much more than he was uncomfortable with Miami's owner. Jeff Fisher would have taken the Miami job had he been granted total personnel control."
Mike Sando: That's a fair criticism. I'm finished with Ross and suspect he'll be OK, but the way he runs the franchise has benefited teams in the NFC West, in my view. Wait, I thought I was finished with Ross. OK, now I'm finished.
Two of the most highly drafted tight ends in NFL history now call the NFC West home.
Vernon Davis, meet Kellen Winslow.
Both were chosen sixth overall, Winslow in 2004 and Davis two years later. They are the only tight ends chosen among the top 10 selections over the past 16 drafts.
One big difference: Davis is established as an elite contributor for the San Francisco 49ers, while Winslow comes to the Seattle Seahawks on a year-to-year basis.
Winslow's contract carries a $3.3 million base salary for 2012. It also includes a $550,000 roster bonus and $500,000 workouts bonus this year. The deal runs through 2014, but Winslow will have to produce this season to secure his future in Seattle.
Tampa Bay saved $4.8 million in cap room by trading Winslow. The Seahawks had more than enough cap space to absorb Winslow's salary and any associated bonuses, if applicable.
Kellen Winslow set season highs in 2010 with seven receptions for 98 yards and two touchdowns during a 38-15 victory over the Seattle Seahawks.
Winslow caught 10 passes for 83 yards against the other NFC West teams that season.
What, exactly, are the Seahawks getting in Winslow, acquired Monday night from Tampa Bay for a conditional draft choice in 2013?
Brock Huard of 710ESPN Seattle expects Winslow to become the H-back in Tom Cable's offense, allowing Zach Miller to focus on his duties as an in-line tight end. Huard: "Tom Cable has talked about the eight- and even nine-man box counts opposing defenses threw at the Hawks a year ago. Putting two tight ends like Miller and Winslow on the field will force the defense's hand. Play base defense and Winslow is a mismatch; play nickel defense and expect Beast Mode to run off of Miller and set up the play-action pass." Noted: Winslow's bad knee is also worth our consideration here. The knee has kept Winslow off the practice field. Seattle will have to manage the injury throughout training camp and the regular season. Winslow has managed to produce anyway. He has missed no games over the past three seasons.
Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic outlines five areas to watch for the Cardinals over the next month. Somers on the quarterbacks: "There is competition between Kevin Kolb and John Skelton for the starting job. Rich Bartel and rookie Ryan Lindley could be competing for a roster spot. Position meetings can sometimes be like an old one-room schoolhouse. One student, say a 10-year veteran, is ready for calculus. Another, say a rookie, is learning multiplication tables. That's not the case with this group. The Cardinals four quarterbacks aren't exactly at the same level, but it's close. There is no 10-year veteran in the room who has been there, done that."
Stu Durando of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch explains why the Rams had little trouble landing undrafted free-agent safety Matt Daniels. For one, the Rams had only three safeties on their roster at the time. Daniels: "That was the reason I came here. It's the biggest opportunity to actually make a roster and make an impact. It wasn't about money or getting a big signing bonus or going to the team that's predicted to win the Super Bowl. The reason you come here is the opportunity to play and help a team win and go to a Super Bowl."
Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee takes a closer look at the 49ers' receiving targets from last season. Barrows: "Everyone's percentage, aside from Vernon Davis', went down as the season progressed, perhaps because of the weather or the caliber of opponent or both. Davis also was the only pass catcher who had any success in the playoffs. He caught 10 of the 15 passes that went his way (for 292 yards and four touchdowns). The rest of the group combined to catch 10 of the 33 passes that went their way against the Saints and Giants. Michael Crabtree caught five of 16 passes thrown in his direction; Williams caught two of the 10 passes on which he was targeted."
Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News offers a look at the 49ers' locker-room layout.
Winslow caught 10 passes for 83 yards against the other NFC West teams that season.
What, exactly, are the Seahawks getting in Winslow, acquired Monday night from Tampa Bay for a conditional draft choice in 2013?
Brock Huard of 710ESPN Seattle expects Winslow to become the H-back in Tom Cable's offense, allowing Zach Miller to focus on his duties as an in-line tight end. Huard: "Tom Cable has talked about the eight- and even nine-man box counts opposing defenses threw at the Hawks a year ago. Putting two tight ends like Miller and Winslow on the field will force the defense's hand. Play base defense and Winslow is a mismatch; play nickel defense and expect Beast Mode to run off of Miller and set up the play-action pass." Noted: Winslow's bad knee is also worth our consideration here. The knee has kept Winslow off the practice field. Seattle will have to manage the injury throughout training camp and the regular season. Winslow has managed to produce anyway. He has missed no games over the past three seasons.
Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic outlines five areas to watch for the Cardinals over the next month. Somers on the quarterbacks: "There is competition between Kevin Kolb and John Skelton for the starting job. Rich Bartel and rookie Ryan Lindley could be competing for a roster spot. Position meetings can sometimes be like an old one-room schoolhouse. One student, say a 10-year veteran, is ready for calculus. Another, say a rookie, is learning multiplication tables. That's not the case with this group. The Cardinals four quarterbacks aren't exactly at the same level, but it's close. There is no 10-year veteran in the room who has been there, done that."
Stu Durando of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch explains why the Rams had little trouble landing undrafted free-agent safety Matt Daniels. For one, the Rams had only three safeties on their roster at the time. Daniels: "That was the reason I came here. It's the biggest opportunity to actually make a roster and make an impact. It wasn't about money or getting a big signing bonus or going to the team that's predicted to win the Super Bowl. The reason you come here is the opportunity to play and help a team win and go to a Super Bowl."
Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee takes a closer look at the 49ers' receiving targets from last season. Barrows: "Everyone's percentage, aside from Vernon Davis', went down as the season progressed, perhaps because of the weather or the caliber of opponent or both. Davis also was the only pass catcher who had any success in the playoffs. He caught 10 of the 15 passes that went his way (for 292 yards and four touchdowns). The rest of the group combined to catch 10 of the 33 passes that went their way against the Saints and Giants. Michael Crabtree caught five of 16 passes thrown in his direction; Williams caught two of the 10 passes on which he was targeted."
Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News offers a look at the 49ers' locker-room layout.
The Seattle Seahawks have added two tight ends over the past 10 months with Pro Bowls on their resumes.
Neither move appeared to be a high priority at the time. Both have the potential to make the team better.
Zach Miller, signed in free agency from Oakland as training camps were beginning last summer, has company at the position after Seattle acquired Kellen Winslow from Tampa Bay in a trade Monday night.
Winslow's salary seemed like the biggest potential obstacle to him joining Seattle. The marriage otherwise seemed to make sense given that Seattle had not moved to replace John Carlson, who signed with Minnesota in free agency. We can now rule out Visanthe Shiancoe, 32, as a free-agent option for Seattle.
Winslow, the sixth player chosen in the 2004 draft, is an upgrade over Carlson from a talent standpoint. Questions about Winslow's knees and attitude have persisted over the years, but Winslow hasn't missed a game over the last three seasons. He hasn't incurred the off-field issues that marked the early portion of his career.
Tampa Bay is starting over under a new coaching staff. Winslow didn't fit into the new program. Seattle is two-plus years into coach Pete Carroll's tenure with the team. The Seahawks have twice gone 7-9. Now, with quarterbacks Matt Flynn and Russell Wilson newly aboard, Seattle is looking to take the next step.
Winslow finished last season with 75 receptions. He has reached at least 75 receptions four times in the last six seasons. No tight end in Seahawks history has approached that total for a season. That was supposed to change with Miller's addition last season, but he mostly made his mark as a blocker.
The Seahawks said they sent a 2013 conditional draft choice to Tampa Bay for Winslow. The team does have ample cap room to absorb the $4.8 million salary, should it remain in place. The conditional choice is a seventh-rounder that can upgrade to a sixth-rounder.
"He is too fast and athletic for linebackers to cover and too big for defensive backs to match up against," the Scouts Inc. report
on Winslow reads in part. "He has a wide receiving radius with soft, sure hands that allow him to make tough catches. He is a willing and physical blocker but lacks the size and strength to do much more than get in the way when blocking inside."
Update: I initially misread Pat Yasinskas' item on Winslow's salary. Parting with Winslow saves the Bucs' $4.8 million. That is not necessarily what he'll cost Seattle against the cap. Winslow was scheduled to earn $3.3 million in base salary. He has a $550,000 roster bonus and a $500,000 workout bonus.
The earlier item on Vernon Davis led regular blog commenter EDTGO to recall a now-quaint 2011 item about Davis bracing for competition from NFC West rivals at the position.
That led me to produce this chart, which compares Davis' production last season (counting playoffs) to combined regular-season totals for all tight ends from the 49ers' division rivals.
We see that Davis finished with more than twice as many touchdowns and twice as many long plays (40-plus yards) as Jeff King, Todd Heap, Rob Housler, Jim Dray, Zach Miller, Anthony McCoy, Cameron Morrah, Lance Kendricks, Billy Bajema, Michael Hoomanawanui and Stephen Spach.
We'll continue this conversation in the not-too-distant future. First, off to the NFC West chat.
That led me to produce this chart, which compares Davis' production last season (counting playoffs) to combined regular-season totals for all tight ends from the 49ers' division rivals.
We see that Davis finished with more than twice as many touchdowns and twice as many long plays (40-plus yards) as Jeff King, Todd Heap, Rob Housler, Jim Dray, Zach Miller, Anthony McCoy, Cameron Morrah, Lance Kendricks, Billy Bajema, Michael Hoomanawanui and Stephen Spach.
We'll continue this conversation in the not-too-distant future. First, off to the NFC West chat.
Eight of John Clayton's 10 best tight ends have one thing in common: a Pro Bowl quarterback.
Vernon Davis, ranked fifth, was an exception.
We hear quite a bit about tight ends taking pressure off quarterbacks, but it's tough for any tight end to produce at an elite level without a high-producing quarterback. Zach Miller might have landed on this list a year ago, but his production fell sharply with Seattle last season -- more a reflection of quarterbacks and the offense than of Miller.
Davis' 26 touchdown receptions since 2009 rank second only to Rob Gronkowski (27) among NFL tight ends. He has always had a strong rapport with Alex Smith.
Davis' playoff production sets him apart from most tight ends. He had 10 receptions for 292 yards and four touchdowns in two postseason games.
Vernon Davis, ranked fifth, was an exception.
We hear quite a bit about tight ends taking pressure off quarterbacks, but it's tough for any tight end to produce at an elite level without a high-producing quarterback. Zach Miller might have landed on this list a year ago, but his production fell sharply with Seattle last season -- more a reflection of quarterbacks and the offense than of Miller.
Davis' 26 touchdown receptions since 2009 rank second only to Rob Gronkowski (27) among NFL tight ends. He has always had a strong rapport with Alex Smith.
Davis' playoff production sets him apart from most tight ends. He had 10 receptions for 292 yards and four touchdowns in two postseason games.
A look at the Seattle Seahawks' offseason to this point ...
What went right: The Seahawks signed quarterback Matt Flynn in free agency without paying an exorbitant price. That made it easier to justify using a third-round choice for quarterback Russell Wilson. ... Re-signing Marshawn Lynch before free agency and Red Bryant during free agency was critical. Lynch is the focal point of the offense. His running style became inseparable from the Seahawks' identity on offense. Bryant was the most important defensive player against the run and a leader in the locker room. ... Highly valued offensive line coach Tom Cable returned to the team after some speculation that a college program such as UCLA might consider him as head coach. ... Free-agent defensive tackle Jason Jones chose Seattle over St. Louis at a reasonable price, making it easier for the Seahawks to part with Anthony Hargrove, who subsequently incurred an eight-game suspension. ... The linebacker market was soft enough for Seattle to bring back Leroy Hill without overpaying.
What went wrong: The Seahawks tried and failed to get Peyton Manning's attention this offseason. ... Tight end John Carlson was determined to leave in free agency and able to find a lucrative contract in Minnesota. That combination made keeping Carlson unrealistic for Seattle, creating a need where none existed previously. Seattle might be left to wait out former Vikings starter Visanthe Shiancoe in free agency as the team seeks a viable partner for Zach Miller in its two-tight end personnel groupings. ... Middle linebacker David Hawthorne wasn't willing to return for the contract Seattle was offering, putting more immediate pressure on the team to draft and develop a player at the position. ... The injury rehabs for tackle James Carpenter and cornerback Walter Thurmond raise questions about whether either will be ready for the upcoming season. ... Steve Hutchinson found a richer deal in Tennessee after initially appearing likely to sign with Seattle on the relative cheap.
The bottom line: The quarterback situation is different. There is more promise at the position. The status quo wasn't very appealing. From that standpoint, the offseason represented a step forward.
Your turn: Any significant omissions here?
What went right: The Seahawks signed quarterback Matt Flynn in free agency without paying an exorbitant price. That made it easier to justify using a third-round choice for quarterback Russell Wilson. ... Re-signing Marshawn Lynch before free agency and Red Bryant during free agency was critical. Lynch is the focal point of the offense. His running style became inseparable from the Seahawks' identity on offense. Bryant was the most important defensive player against the run and a leader in the locker room. ... Highly valued offensive line coach Tom Cable returned to the team after some speculation that a college program such as UCLA might consider him as head coach. ... Free-agent defensive tackle Jason Jones chose Seattle over St. Louis at a reasonable price, making it easier for the Seahawks to part with Anthony Hargrove, who subsequently incurred an eight-game suspension. ... The linebacker market was soft enough for Seattle to bring back Leroy Hill without overpaying.
What went wrong: The Seahawks tried and failed to get Peyton Manning's attention this offseason. ... Tight end John Carlson was determined to leave in free agency and able to find a lucrative contract in Minnesota. That combination made keeping Carlson unrealistic for Seattle, creating a need where none existed previously. Seattle might be left to wait out former Vikings starter Visanthe Shiancoe in free agency as the team seeks a viable partner for Zach Miller in its two-tight end personnel groupings. ... Middle linebacker David Hawthorne wasn't willing to return for the contract Seattle was offering, putting more immediate pressure on the team to draft and develop a player at the position. ... The injury rehabs for tackle James Carpenter and cornerback Walter Thurmond raise questions about whether either will be ready for the upcoming season. ... Steve Hutchinson found a richer deal in Tennessee after initially appearing likely to sign with Seattle on the relative cheap.
The bottom line: The quarterback situation is different. There is more promise at the position. The status quo wasn't very appealing. From that standpoint, the offseason represented a step forward.
Your turn: Any significant omissions here?
A word for those curious about comment functionality on the blog lately: Changes made to some of the commenting infrastructure could require users to log out and then log back into ESPN.com. This did not resolve the issue for me, and I've passed along the word.
Update: Issue resolved. Looks like we're fully operational. Thanks for hanging in there.
Now, back to the NFC West mailbag.
JohnBloodletter from right here asks about the Arizona Cardinals' secondary and, specifically, what to expect from Patrick Peterson in his second season. He asks about the Cardinals' third-round corner, how the safeties are holding up and how important the secondary will be to the team's overall success.
Mike Sando: Expect Pro Bowl-caliber play from Peterson. His defensive coordinator, Ray Horton, is a former NFL cornerback and should know exactly how to bring along such a highly talented player. Peterson works hard and wants to be great, by all accounts. There should be no limitations for him. He should take a big jump forward given the advantages he'll have in terms of experience and offseason preparation time.
The NFC West sent multiple corners to the Pro Bowl last season (Carlos Rogers, Brandon Browner). Peterson should be the best of the group from a talent standpoint.
I did think the secondary would have benefited from the right pass-rusher, had the Cardinals chosen to go in that direction early in the draft. But the sack numbers in Arizona were already good. I just thought a more dominant presence at outside linebacker would have further unlocked this defense.
File this away: Arizona was the only team to select zero front-seven players in the 2012 draft.
The third-round corner, Jamell Fleming, will presumably contribute on special teams right away, with a chance to earn playing time in multiple roles on defense. Kevin Weidl of Scouts Inc. mentioned Fleming as a later-round possibility for Arizona back in March.
Horton, speaking to reporters in Arizona during the draft, said Fleming's smarts were appealing. The team plans to try Fleming in some of the roles Richard Marshall played previously.
"I'm going to try him at the nickel, I'm going to try him at the corner, I'm going to try him at the safety," Horton said. "He'll get the opportunity to show me what he can do. If you don’t have this kind of depth going against the Green Bay Packers, who are on the schedule and running five wides, New England with the big tight ends, with New Orleans and the Hall of Fame game with the big tight ends -- if you can’t play more than one thing, you are kind of forcing yourself to the way of the fullback, which is a kind of an extinct position right now."
Miles from Seattle asks whether the Seattle Seahawks might be wise to sign a veteran stopgap wide receiver, or would they be OK sticking with their current group.
Mike Sando: I'd stick with the current group. Drafting a receiver would have made sense if that receiver were a special player. There was no sense in drafting another receiver indistinguishable from the group. There would likewise be no advantage to signing a veteran stopgap in free agency.
We might revisit that stance if Sidney Rice doesn't rebound from the two shoulder surgeries he underwent this offseason. But with Rice back and the team also expecting more in the receiving game from tight end Zach Miller, I'd be inclined to give the younger players a shot.
Golden Tate finished strong last season. He had no dropped passes. He has a chance to take a big step forward now that he's been in the offense for a year.
Doug Baldwin is already a good slot receiver and top option on third down.
Ricardo Lockette flashed ability late last season and has a chance to become a dynamic threat down the field (two catches for 105 yards in the final two games last season).
Kris Durham is back from injury and projects as a potential replacement for Mike Williams. He's a big receiver. Ben Obomanu is still an option. Deon Butler will get another chance.
I'd rather give snaps to some of the younger prospects than lean on a stopgap veteran unnecessarily.
Bryan from Philadelphia liked the recent piece examining where draft analysts -- all of us -- might have erred in making projections this year.
Mike Sando: The key will be to remember the errors of our ways.
We're still getting a feel for how the San Francisco 49ers will operate with Jim Harbaugh and general manager Trent Baalke, how the Seattle Seahawks will operate with Pete Carroll and GM John Schneider, and how the St. Louis Rams will operate with Jeff Fisher and GM Les Snead.
The one NFC West pick I got right in our ESPN Blogger Mock 2.0 -- Michael Floyd to Arizona at No. 13 -- was for the team in the division with the longest-tenured head coach and general manager. That was also the easiest pick to forecast given that St. Louis and Seattle traded out of their spots.
Matt from Santa Cruz, Calif., recently came away impressed after listening to San Francisco 49ers rookie LaMichael James on KNBR radio. He wondered why James remained available in the second round. "Sounds like a really good kid, and he was a beast (and super fast) in college," Matt writes.
Mike Sando: I can think of a few reasons.
James is a change-of-pace back with limited size and questionable blocking ability. That limits his snaps in a conventional offense, diminishing his value. Teams around the NFL are valuing the passing game in general, knocking down the value for runners in general and one-dimensional ones in particular. James also came into the draft with a couple off-field concerns, one relating to a domestic incident and others to NCAA violations.
James was the fifth running back drafted, behind Trent Richardson, Doug Martin, David Wilson and Isaiah Pead. Pead and James were the first change-of-pace backs selected. They were the only second-round backs selected.
The 49ers had a better feel for James because their staff coached against him in the Pac-12.
"I've seen all the things he can do and lost games to his team, in large degree because of his efforts," 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh told reporters. "We felt like we knew this player. All of the background information, people that we've talked to, the tape we've watched. His reputation as a person and as a football player, is very near impeccable."
That last comment from Harbaugh will be one to file away given the off-field concerns mentioned by others.
abiRam from Simi Valley, Calif., asked before the draft about whether the St. Louis Rams should seek to acquire Mike Wallace from the Pittsburgh Steelers. The question was worth a followup, I thought, after the Rams waited until the second round to draft a wide receiver.
Mike Sando: The Steelers want to keep Wallace. I don't anticipate a trade. Wallace is doing what he can to increase his leverage, threatening to stay away until the last minute. That is typical under the circumstances.
The Rams do have four first-round selections over the next two drafts. They could dangle one or both of those picks to make an offer for Wallace, but this is probably fantastical thinking. I'll admit, the idea has appeal from a Rams perspective. Imagine injecting Wallace into the offense with slot receiver Danny Amendola and second-round pick Brian Quick. Sam Bradford would have to love that combination. But it's just not likely.
The Rams would have to overpay in draft compensation to pry away Wallace from the Steelers while Pittsburgh is trying to contend for a championship. The Rams would also have to fork over a huge contract to Wallace, disrupting their salary structure. The team's cap outlook is outstanding right now because the Rams have so many draft choices to use at a time when the rookie wage scale is depressing salaries for early draft choices.
As tempting as it might be to overpay in an effort to get better right now, that might not be the best move -- even if the Steelers were willing to let him go.
Update: Issue resolved. Looks like we're fully operational. Thanks for hanging in there.
Now, back to the NFC West mailbag.
JohnBloodletter from right here asks about the Arizona Cardinals' secondary and, specifically, what to expect from Patrick Peterson in his second season. He asks about the Cardinals' third-round corner, how the safeties are holding up and how important the secondary will be to the team's overall success.
Mike Sando: Expect Pro Bowl-caliber play from Peterson. His defensive coordinator, Ray Horton, is a former NFL cornerback and should know exactly how to bring along such a highly talented player. Peterson works hard and wants to be great, by all accounts. There should be no limitations for him. He should take a big jump forward given the advantages he'll have in terms of experience and offseason preparation time.
The NFC West sent multiple corners to the Pro Bowl last season (Carlos Rogers, Brandon Browner). Peterson should be the best of the group from a talent standpoint.
I did think the secondary would have benefited from the right pass-rusher, had the Cardinals chosen to go in that direction early in the draft. But the sack numbers in Arizona were already good. I just thought a more dominant presence at outside linebacker would have further unlocked this defense.
File this away: Arizona was the only team to select zero front-seven players in the 2012 draft.
The third-round corner, Jamell Fleming, will presumably contribute on special teams right away, with a chance to earn playing time in multiple roles on defense. Kevin Weidl of Scouts Inc. mentioned Fleming as a later-round possibility
for Arizona back in March.
Horton, speaking to reporters in Arizona during the draft, said Fleming's smarts were appealing. The team plans to try Fleming in some of the roles Richard Marshall played previously.
"I'm going to try him at the nickel, I'm going to try him at the corner, I'm going to try him at the safety," Horton said. "He'll get the opportunity to show me what he can do. If you don’t have this kind of depth going against the Green Bay Packers, who are on the schedule and running five wides, New England with the big tight ends, with New Orleans and the Hall of Fame game with the big tight ends -- if you can’t play more than one thing, you are kind of forcing yourself to the way of the fullback, which is a kind of an extinct position right now."
Miles from Seattle asks whether the Seattle Seahawks might be wise to sign a veteran stopgap wide receiver, or would they be OK sticking with their current group.
Mike Sando: I'd stick with the current group. Drafting a receiver would have made sense if that receiver were a special player. There was no sense in drafting another receiver indistinguishable from the group. There would likewise be no advantage to signing a veteran stopgap in free agency.
We might revisit that stance if Sidney Rice doesn't rebound from the two shoulder surgeries he underwent this offseason. But with Rice back and the team also expecting more in the receiving game from tight end Zach Miller, I'd be inclined to give the younger players a shot.
Golden Tate finished strong last season. He had no dropped passes. He has a chance to take a big step forward now that he's been in the offense for a year.
Doug Baldwin is already a good slot receiver and top option on third down.
Ricardo Lockette flashed ability late last season and has a chance to become a dynamic threat down the field (two catches for 105 yards in the final two games last season).
Kris Durham is back from injury and projects as a potential replacement for Mike Williams. He's a big receiver. Ben Obomanu is still an option. Deon Butler will get another chance.
I'd rather give snaps to some of the younger prospects than lean on a stopgap veteran unnecessarily.
Bryan from Philadelphia liked the recent piece examining where draft analysts -- all of us -- might have erred in making projections this year.
Mike Sando: The key will be to remember the errors of our ways.
We're still getting a feel for how the San Francisco 49ers will operate with Jim Harbaugh and general manager Trent Baalke, how the Seattle Seahawks will operate with Pete Carroll and GM John Schneider, and how the St. Louis Rams will operate with Jeff Fisher and GM Les Snead.
The one NFC West pick I got right in our ESPN Blogger Mock 2.0 -- Michael Floyd to Arizona at No. 13 -- was for the team in the division with the longest-tenured head coach and general manager. That was also the easiest pick to forecast given that St. Louis and Seattle traded out of their spots.
Matt from Santa Cruz, Calif., recently came away impressed after listening to San Francisco 49ers rookie LaMichael James on KNBR radio. He wondered why James remained available in the second round. "Sounds like a really good kid, and he was a beast (and super fast) in college," Matt writes.
Mike Sando: I can think of a few reasons.
James is a change-of-pace back with limited size and questionable blocking ability. That limits his snaps in a conventional offense, diminishing his value. Teams around the NFL are valuing the passing game in general, knocking down the value for runners in general and one-dimensional ones in particular. James also came into the draft with a couple off-field concerns, one relating to a domestic incident and others to NCAA violations.
James was the fifth running back drafted, behind Trent Richardson, Doug Martin, David Wilson and Isaiah Pead. Pead and James were the first change-of-pace backs selected. They were the only second-round backs selected.
The 49ers had a better feel for James because their staff coached against him in the Pac-12.
"I've seen all the things he can do and lost games to his team, in large degree because of his efforts," 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh told reporters. "We felt like we knew this player. All of the background information, people that we've talked to, the tape we've watched. His reputation as a person and as a football player, is very near impeccable."
That last comment from Harbaugh will be one to file away given the off-field concerns mentioned by others.
abiRam from Simi Valley, Calif., asked before the draft about whether the St. Louis Rams should seek to acquire Mike Wallace from the Pittsburgh Steelers. The question was worth a followup, I thought, after the Rams waited until the second round to draft a wide receiver.
Mike Sando: The Steelers want to keep Wallace. I don't anticipate a trade. Wallace is doing what he can to increase his leverage, threatening to stay away until the last minute. That is typical under the circumstances.
The Rams do have four first-round selections over the next two drafts. They could dangle one or both of those picks to make an offer for Wallace, but this is probably fantastical thinking. I'll admit, the idea has appeal from a Rams perspective. Imagine injecting Wallace into the offense with slot receiver Danny Amendola and second-round pick Brian Quick. Sam Bradford would have to love that combination. But it's just not likely.
The Rams would have to overpay in draft compensation to pry away Wallace from the Steelers while Pittsburgh is trying to contend for a championship. The Rams would also have to fork over a huge contract to Wallace, disrupting their salary structure. The team's cap outlook is outstanding right now because the Rams have so many draft choices to use at a time when the rookie wage scale is depressing salaries for early draft choices.
As tempting as it might be to overpay in an effort to get better right now, that might not be the best move -- even if the Steelers were willing to let him go.
The Arizona Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers used early draft choices for players they hope will make big plays on offense.
Both teams have offensive-minded head coaches.
The Seattle Seahawks and St. Louis Rams used early draft choices for players they hope will fortify their defenses.
Both teams have defensive-minded head coaches.
Coincidence? Perhaps, but whatever the reason for the differing approaches, the tack these teams took continues to generate discussion.
Steve Kelley of the Seattle Times says the Seahawks' emphasis on defense comes as teams with the best offenses win games. Kelley: "The Green Bay Packers had the worst defense in the league. They lost once. The New England Patriots were the second-worst defense. They went to the Super Bowl. With the exception of the Baltimore Ravens, who have decided they don't need wide receivers to win division titles, the teams with the most productive, most dynamic, most dizzying offenses won the most games." Noted: Seattle has made offense more of a focus in free agency. The team signed quarterback Matt Flynn from Green Bay. A year earlier, the Seahawks signed receiver Sidney Rice and tight end Zach Miller to lucrative contracts. The year before that, Seattle acquired running back Marshawn Lynch from Buffalo. Also, the Seahawks used an NFL-high 80 percent of their first-, second- and third-round draft choices for offensive players over the 2010 and 2011 drafts, the first two under coach Pete Carroll.
Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic says the Cardinals went with a wide receiver in the first round largely because they wanted more game-changing plays on offense. Somers: "The Cardinals' selections also reflected their views on how the NFL game has changed. They selected Floyd in the first round because they think he has the ability to make big plays. That's more important in today's game, coach Ken Whisenhunt said, because moving the kickoff up last year resulted in more touchbacks. Being able to quickly flip field position is important. Floyd is expected to help do that." Noted: The Cardinals, like the Seahawks, will be relying heavily on a veteran quarterback acquired from another team. Kevin Kolb showed a few signs of promise early in the season, including when he took a huge hit at Washington while delivering a deep pass to Larry Fitzgerald. As far as the draft, Arizona had used three of its previous four first-round choices for defense, selecting Patrick Peterson (2011), Dan Williams (2010) and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (2008).
Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch took note of the trend in St. Louis, where the Rams used early picks for a defensive lineman (Michael Brockers) and a cornerback (Janoris Jenkins). Miklasz: "On the surface, [GM Les] Snead and [coach Jeff] Fisher have done little so far to secure immediate, impact help for quarterback Sam Bradford. With five of the first 65 selections overall, the Rams addressed the offense by drafting a small-college wide receiver (Brian Quick) from Appalachian State and a third-down back (Isaiah Pead) from Cincinnati. That's it. Only one probable but relatively unpolished offensive starter (Quick), and no offensive linemen to protect the quarterback. Of their five selections in the first three rounds, three were spent on defense. The Rams took a less urgent approach in attaching an IV to a sickly offense that's averaged an embarrassing 14.4 points over the past five seasons in going 15-65. Wow."
Lowell Cohn of the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat says the 49ers' decision to draft a receiver (A.J. Jenkins) and running back (LaMichael James) in the first two rounds shows the team wants to close some of the gap between its so-so offense and dominating defense. Cohn: "In free agency, the Niners got two speedy receivers to stretch the field -- Randy (Is He in the Mood to Play?) Moss and Mario Manningham. They already had two swift, strong intermediate route runners -- Vernon Davis and Delanie Walker. And they drafted two players to go underneath the coverage. They would be wideout A.J. Jenkins, a strange first-round choice until you realize the Niners brought him in to give Smith an option on third down. Jenkins loves the underneath crossing route, and he presumably can stretch the field, too. In the second round, they took fast, elusive, Oregon running back LaMichael James, who may be better at catching passes coming out of the backfield than actually running -- he’s small for the NFL. And they already have Frank Gore and they got free-agent Brandon Jacobs as a big short-yardage back. In the third round, they even took Joe Looney, a guard, to upgrade Smith’s protection."
Both teams have offensive-minded head coaches.
The Seattle Seahawks and St. Louis Rams used early draft choices for players they hope will fortify their defenses.
Both teams have defensive-minded head coaches.
Coincidence? Perhaps, but whatever the reason for the differing approaches, the tack these teams took continues to generate discussion.
Steve Kelley of the Seattle Times says the Seahawks' emphasis on defense comes as teams with the best offenses win games. Kelley: "The Green Bay Packers had the worst defense in the league. They lost once. The New England Patriots were the second-worst defense. They went to the Super Bowl. With the exception of the Baltimore Ravens, who have decided they don't need wide receivers to win division titles, the teams with the most productive, most dynamic, most dizzying offenses won the most games." Noted: Seattle has made offense more of a focus in free agency. The team signed quarterback Matt Flynn from Green Bay. A year earlier, the Seahawks signed receiver Sidney Rice and tight end Zach Miller to lucrative contracts. The year before that, Seattle acquired running back Marshawn Lynch from Buffalo. Also, the Seahawks used an NFL-high 80 percent of their first-, second- and third-round draft choices for offensive players over the 2010 and 2011 drafts, the first two under coach Pete Carroll.
Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic says the Cardinals went with a wide receiver in the first round largely because they wanted more game-changing plays on offense. Somers: "The Cardinals' selections also reflected their views on how the NFL game has changed. They selected Floyd in the first round because they think he has the ability to make big plays. That's more important in today's game, coach Ken Whisenhunt said, because moving the kickoff up last year resulted in more touchbacks. Being able to quickly flip field position is important. Floyd is expected to help do that." Noted: The Cardinals, like the Seahawks, will be relying heavily on a veteran quarterback acquired from another team. Kevin Kolb showed a few signs of promise early in the season, including when he took a huge hit at Washington while delivering a deep pass to Larry Fitzgerald. As far as the draft, Arizona had used three of its previous four first-round choices for defense, selecting Patrick Peterson (2011), Dan Williams (2010) and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (2008).
Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch took note of the trend in St. Louis, where the Rams used early picks for a defensive lineman (Michael Brockers) and a cornerback (Janoris Jenkins). Miklasz: "On the surface, [GM Les] Snead and [coach Jeff] Fisher have done little so far to secure immediate, impact help for quarterback Sam Bradford. With five of the first 65 selections overall, the Rams addressed the offense by drafting a small-college wide receiver (Brian Quick) from Appalachian State and a third-down back (Isaiah Pead) from Cincinnati. That's it. Only one probable but relatively unpolished offensive starter (Quick), and no offensive linemen to protect the quarterback. Of their five selections in the first three rounds, three were spent on defense. The Rams took a less urgent approach in attaching an IV to a sickly offense that's averaged an embarrassing 14.4 points over the past five seasons in going 15-65. Wow."
Lowell Cohn of the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat says the 49ers' decision to draft a receiver (A.J. Jenkins) and running back (LaMichael James) in the first two rounds shows the team wants to close some of the gap between its so-so offense and dominating defense. Cohn: "In free agency, the Niners got two speedy receivers to stretch the field -- Randy (Is He in the Mood to Play?) Moss and Mario Manningham. They already had two swift, strong intermediate route runners -- Vernon Davis and Delanie Walker. And they drafted two players to go underneath the coverage. They would be wideout A.J. Jenkins, a strange first-round choice until you realize the Niners brought him in to give Smith an option on third down. Jenkins loves the underneath crossing route, and he presumably can stretch the field, too. In the second round, they took fast, elusive, Oregon running back LaMichael James, who may be better at catching passes coming out of the backfield than actually running -- he’s small for the NFL. And they already have Frank Gore and they got free-agent Brandon Jacobs as a big short-yardage back. In the third round, they even took Joe Looney, a guard, to upgrade Smith’s protection."
Following up on tight ends, the Seattle Seahawks still have an opening for one after losing John Carlson to the Minnesota Vikings in free agency.
Visanthe Shiancoe visited Seattle and would presumably fit the offense after playing for Seahawks coordinator Darrell Bevell in Minnesota. So far, however, the Seahawks have focused on adding veteran depth at other positions, including defensive tackle (Jason Jones), linebacker (Barrett Ruud) and guard (Deuce Lutui).
Age is a primary consideration; Shiancoe turns 32 in June and the Seahawks, owners of the NFL's third-youngest roster, generally want to build with younger players. They have no players older than 30 and only one projected starter is older than 29 (Chris Clemons).
But the Seahawks also could use help at tight end, where Zach Miller's backups include Cameron Morrah, Anthony McCoy and John Nalbone.
The chart, from ESPN Stats & Information, shows the Seahawks' tight ends ranking 28th or worse last season in receptions, receiving yards, touchdowns and percentage of passes dropped. Carlson missed the season with a shoulder injury, affecting depth.
Miller fared well as a blocker. His prospects as a receiver figure to improve with better play from the offensive line and quarterback. Miller, signed from the Raiders after training camps had opened, also went into last season with very little time to learn the Seahawks' playbook or get accustomed to their personnel. That will change in 2012.
Schiancoe, despite age concerns, has never missed a game in nine NFL seasons.
Visanthe Shiancoe visited Seattle and would presumably fit the offense after playing for Seahawks coordinator Darrell Bevell in Minnesota. So far, however, the Seahawks have focused on adding veteran depth at other positions, including defensive tackle (Jason Jones), linebacker (Barrett Ruud) and guard (Deuce Lutui).
Age is a primary consideration; Shiancoe turns 32 in June and the Seahawks, owners of the NFL's third-youngest roster, generally want to build with younger players. They have no players older than 30 and only one projected starter is older than 29 (Chris Clemons).
But the Seahawks also could use help at tight end, where Zach Miller's backups include Cameron Morrah, Anthony McCoy and John Nalbone.
The chart, from ESPN Stats & Information, shows the Seahawks' tight ends ranking 28th or worse last season in receptions, receiving yards, touchdowns and percentage of passes dropped. Carlson missed the season with a shoulder injury, affecting depth.
Miller fared well as a blocker. His prospects as a receiver figure to improve with better play from the offensive line and quarterback. Miller, signed from the Raiders after training camps had opened, also went into last season with very little time to learn the Seahawks' playbook or get accustomed to their personnel. That will change in 2012.
Schiancoe, despite age concerns, has never missed a game in nine NFL seasons.
Seven NFL tight ends finished last season with at least 75 receptions. Six had at least seven touchdown receptions. Seven had at least two receptions of 40-plus yards.
But none of them played for NFC West teams, an upset.
Tight end was one position where teams in the division appeared set. The San Francisco 49ers had Vernon Davis and Delanie Walker. The Seattle Seahawks acquired Zach Miller to pair with John Carlson. The Arizona Cardinals signed veterans Todd Heap and Jeff King. They also drafted Rob Housler in the third round. The St. Louis Rams used a second-round choice for Lance Kendricks.
While New England's Rob Gronkowski and New Orleans' Jimmy Graham were putting up numbers usually associated with elite wide receivers, Davis was the only NFC West tight end with more than 28 receptions, 352 yards or three touchdowns. Tight ends for the Rams and Seahawks failed to score even one touchdown.
These are all things to consider when evaluating whether NFC West teams might have interest in the top-rated tight end in the 2012 NFL draft. Stanford's Coby Fleener led FBS tight ends with 10 touchdowns last season, with seven of them coming on passes traveling at least 15 yards past the line of scrimmage, according to ESPN Stats & Information.
While the 49ers are the best-equipped team in the division at tight end, two factors make Fleener an intriguing consideration for them. Fleener played for 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman at Stanford. Also, the 49ers are drafting late enough in the first round (30th overall) to make Fleener a potentially strong value selection if he remains available at that point in the draft.
Mel Kiper Jr. projected Fleener to the New York Giants at No. 32. Todd McShay had Fleener going to the Indianapolis Colts at No. 34. Other analysts have Fleener off the board earlier, with NFL Draft Scout's Rob Rang sending the tight end to Cleveland at No. 22.
Seattle (12th) and Arizona (13th) pick earlier than analysts are projecting Fleener to go, assuming neither trades down in the round. The 49ers (30th) and Rams (33rd, 39th) hold choices nearer the lower projections for Fleener. Seattle picks 43rd.
Every team in the division could use another receiving weapon.
The first chart compares Fleener's production on longer passes to production for his teammates on the same types of throws. He was by far the most effective weapon for quarterback Andrew Luck.
The second chart compares Fleener's production to that of other leading college tight ends on passes thrown down the middle of the field, defined as between the hash marks. Fleener averaged 23.8 yards per reception on these throws last season.
Since 2008, 62.8 percent of all targets to NFL tight ends have been inside the yard-line numbers, according to ESPN Stats & Information. Rules changes have made the middle of the field a safer place for receivers and tight ends to operate. Fleener will have value to teams looking to exploit that area of the field.
But none of them played for NFC West teams, an upset.
Tight end was one position where teams in the division appeared set. The San Francisco 49ers had Vernon Davis and Delanie Walker. The Seattle Seahawks acquired Zach Miller to pair with John Carlson. The Arizona Cardinals signed veterans Todd Heap and Jeff King. They also drafted Rob Housler in the third round. The St. Louis Rams used a second-round choice for Lance Kendricks.
While New England's Rob Gronkowski and New Orleans' Jimmy Graham were putting up numbers usually associated with elite wide receivers, Davis was the only NFC West tight end with more than 28 receptions, 352 yards or three touchdowns. Tight ends for the Rams and Seahawks failed to score even one touchdown.
These are all things to consider when evaluating whether NFC West teams might have interest in the top-rated tight end in the 2012 NFL draft. Stanford's Coby Fleener led FBS tight ends with 10 touchdowns last season, with seven of them coming on passes traveling at least 15 yards past the line of scrimmage, according to ESPN Stats & Information.
While the 49ers are the best-equipped team in the division at tight end, two factors make Fleener an intriguing consideration for them. Fleener played for 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman at Stanford. Also, the 49ers are drafting late enough in the first round (30th overall) to make Fleener a potentially strong value selection if he remains available at that point in the draft.
Mel Kiper Jr. projected Fleener to the New York Giants at No. 32. Todd McShay had Fleener going to the Indianapolis Colts at No. 34. Other analysts have Fleener off the board earlier, with NFL Draft Scout's Rob Rang sending the tight end to Cleveland at No. 22.
Seattle (12th) and Arizona (13th) pick earlier than analysts are projecting Fleener to go, assuming neither trades down in the round. The 49ers (30th) and Rams (33rd, 39th) hold choices nearer the lower projections for Fleener. Seattle picks 43rd.
Every team in the division could use another receiving weapon.
The first chart compares Fleener's production on longer passes to production for his teammates on the same types of throws. He was by far the most effective weapon for quarterback Andrew Luck.
The second chart compares Fleener's production to that of other leading college tight ends on passes thrown down the middle of the field, defined as between the hash marks. Fleener averaged 23.8 yards per reception on these throws last season.
Since 2008, 62.8 percent of all targets to NFL tight ends have been inside the yard-line numbers, according to ESPN Stats & Information. Rules changes have made the middle of the field a safer place for receivers and tight ends to operate. Fleener will have value to teams looking to exploit that area of the field.
Teams receiving four of the 10 best compensatory draft choices this year have NFC West teams to thank.
That was the word Monday from the world's leading comp-pick guru, AdamJT13, who links specific players to specific comp picks on his blog.
The NFL awards compensatory choices based on net losses in unrestricted free agency, calculated by factors including salary and performance.
According to AdamJT13, the Seattle Seahawks' signing of Sidney Rice last offseason helped the Minnesota Vikings land a fourth-round pick -- 128th overall, the second-highest of the 32 selections awarded Monday.
Oakland received the 129th pick thanks to Seattle's deal with former Raiders tight end Zach Miller. Green Bay landed the 133rd pick for losing Daryn Colledge to Arizona, and Oakland picked up a fifth-rounder (168th overall) for losing Robert Gallery to Seattle.
UFA additions and subtractions this offseason will help determine how comp picks are awarded in 2013.
Arizona has added Adam Snyder and William Gay while losing Richard Marshall and Sean Considine.
San Francisco has added Josh Johnson, Mario Manningham and Rock Cartwright while losing Josh Morgan, Blake Costanzo and Snyder.
Seattle has added Matt Flynn and Jason Jones while losing John Carlson, Charlie Whitehurst and Atari Bigby.
The Rams have added Steve Smith, Quinn Ojinnaka, Kendall Langford, Scott Wells and Cortland Finnegan while losing Brandon Lloyd and Chris Chamberlain.
That was the word Monday from the world's leading comp-pick guru, AdamJT13, who links specific players to specific comp picks on his blog.
The NFL awards compensatory choices based on net losses in unrestricted free agency, calculated by factors including salary and performance.
According to AdamJT13, the Seattle Seahawks' signing of Sidney Rice last offseason helped the Minnesota Vikings land a fourth-round pick -- 128th overall, the second-highest of the 32 selections awarded Monday.
Oakland received the 129th pick thanks to Seattle's deal with former Raiders tight end Zach Miller. Green Bay landed the 133rd pick for losing Daryn Colledge to Arizona, and Oakland picked up a fifth-rounder (168th overall) for losing Robert Gallery to Seattle.
UFA additions and subtractions this offseason will help determine how comp picks are awarded in 2013.
Arizona has added Adam Snyder and William Gay while losing Richard Marshall and Sean Considine.
San Francisco has added Josh Johnson, Mario Manningham and Rock Cartwright while losing Josh Morgan, Blake Costanzo and Snyder.
Seattle has added Matt Flynn and Jason Jones while losing John Carlson, Charlie Whitehurst and Atari Bigby.
The Rams have added Steve Smith, Quinn Ojinnaka, Kendall Langford, Scott Wells and Cortland Finnegan while losing Brandon Lloyd and Chris Chamberlain.
Tight end John Carlson's five-year contract agreement with the Minnesota Vikings leaves Seattle with three remaining draft choices from the Mike Holmgren era.
CarlsonRed Bryant, Brandon Mebane and Ben Obomanu are the survivors.
The NFC North now outranks the NFC West in players entering the NFL as draft choices under Holmgren: Rob Sims and Lawrence Jackson in Detroit, Mansfield Wrotto and Chris Spencer in Chicago, and now Carlson in Minnesota.
Seattle drafted all of those players when Tim Ruskell was making the Seahawks' personnel decisions as the general manager. Carlson was the one Holmgren was most responsible for drafting. He pushed hard for Carlson because he badly wanted a versatile tight end for his offense.
Carlson set a franchise single-season receiving record with 55 catches as a rookie in 2008. Injuries, quarterback issues, roster atrophy and coaching turnover affected Carlson and the offense in subsequent seasons.
The Seahawks' current leadership was not opposed to bringing back Carlson, but the team's decision to pay $6.8 million per season to Zach Miller last offseason redefined where Carlson stood on the roster. There was less room for Carlson to become the player Holmgren envisioned when Seattle made Carlson a second-round draft choice.
The NFC North now outranks the NFC West in players entering the NFL as draft choices under Holmgren: Rob Sims and Lawrence Jackson in Detroit, Mansfield Wrotto and Chris Spencer in Chicago, and now Carlson in Minnesota.
Seattle drafted all of those players when Tim Ruskell was making the Seahawks' personnel decisions as the general manager. Carlson was the one Holmgren was most responsible for drafting. He pushed hard for Carlson because he badly wanted a versatile tight end for his offense.
Carlson set a franchise single-season receiving record with 55 catches as a rookie in 2008. Injuries, quarterback issues, roster atrophy and coaching turnover affected Carlson and the offense in subsequent seasons.
The Seahawks' current leadership was not opposed to bringing back Carlson, but the team's decision to pay $6.8 million per season to Zach Miller last offseason redefined where Carlson stood on the roster. There was less room for Carlson to become the player Holmgren envisioned when Seattle made Carlson a second-round draft choice.
Grass could appear greener to John Carlson
March, 13, 2012
Mar 13
5:51
PM ET
By
Mike Sando | ESPN.com
John Carlson came to work one day last summer to discover the Seattle Seahawks were forking over big bucks for another tight end.
The situation went from bad to worse for Carlson when he suffered a season-ending shoulder injury requiring surgery. After sitting out the 2011 season and recovering, Carlson has lined up a visit with the Kansas City Chiefs, Bill Williamson notes on the AFC West blog.
Carlson, 27, illustrates the costs of quarterback and scheme instability.
The Seahawks used a 2008 second-round choice for him because their coach at the time, Mike Holmgren, thought Carlson could provide long-sought production at the position. The Seahawks have gone from Gil Haskell to Greg Knapp to Jeremy Bates to Darrell Bevell at offensive coordinator since that time. They have shifted away from quarterback Matt Hasselbeck and just about everyone else Holmgren brought to Seattle.
Carlson's production as a receiver suffered. He went from 55 receptions as a rookie to 51 the following year to 31 in 2010. The Seahawks have said they value him, but the money they gave Zach Miller last offseason told everyone which tight end Seattle valued the most.
Miller went from averaging about 60 receptions per season in Oakland to a 25-catch year with Seattle in 2011. He was strong as a blocker, but the drop in receiving production showed Carlson had company among Seattle tight ends struggling to produce in the passing game recently.
The situation went from bad to worse for Carlson when he suffered a season-ending shoulder injury requiring surgery. After sitting out the 2011 season and recovering, Carlson has lined up a visit with the Kansas City Chiefs, Bill Williamson notes on the AFC West blog.
Carlson, 27, illustrates the costs of quarterback and scheme instability.
The Seahawks used a 2008 second-round choice for him because their coach at the time, Mike Holmgren, thought Carlson could provide long-sought production at the position. The Seahawks have gone from Gil Haskell to Greg Knapp to Jeremy Bates to Darrell Bevell at offensive coordinator since that time. They have shifted away from quarterback Matt Hasselbeck and just about everyone else Holmgren brought to Seattle.
Carlson's production as a receiver suffered. He went from 55 receptions as a rookie to 51 the following year to 31 in 2010. The Seahawks have said they value him, but the money they gave Zach Miller last offseason told everyone which tight end Seattle valued the most.
Miller went from averaging about 60 receptions per season in Oakland to a 25-catch year with Seattle in 2011. He was strong as a blocker, but the drop in receiving production showed Carlson had company among Seattle tight ends struggling to produce in the passing game recently.
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.
