ESPN NFL

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Power Rankings: Preseason: 14. This week: 25.

2009 Schedule/Results

Where they stand: The Seahawks are 3-5 and third in the NFC West after beating the Rams, Jaguars and Lions (the 49ers are also 3-5, but they hold the tiebreaker based on head-to-head results). Seattle probably needs to beat the Cardinals in Week 10 to consider itself part of the division race. The 49ers and Cardinals have already beaten Seattle. The Seahawks have already lost twice at home. This team is running out of second chances. Losing a tough game at home to the Bears in Week 3 proved costly.

	Steve Dykes/US Presswire
	Linebacker David Hawthorne has proven to be an upgrade for the Seahawks.

Disappointments: The team's inability to shake its recent injury problems devastated Seattle early in the season. The bigger disappointment for the Seahawks might come in the realization that getting key players healthy isn't necessarily going to make a big difference. Some of the problems on offense are easily explained by constant injury-related shuffling on the line, highlighted by Walter Jones' inability to return from knee surgery. That has contributed to underwhelming production in the running game after Seattle adopted more zone-blocking concepts. On defense, the Seahawks were supposed to be better. Linemen Brandon Mebane and Cory Redding enjoyed strong training camps. Neither has stood out much to this point. Defensive end Darryl Tapp has faded some after initially transferring a strong camp into a good start to the season.

Surprises: Linebacker David Hawthorne qualifies as the biggest surprise for Seattle -- by a wide margin. Losing veteran middle linebacker Lofa Tatupu to a season-ending injury would have seemed catastrophic a couple years ago. Hawthorne has arguably provided an upgrade. He has two sacks and two interceptions in his past two games. The energy and intensity he brings stand out. Receiver Nate Burleson has bounced back strong from knee surgery, developing into the Seahawks' most productive receiver. He is the only wide receiver on the team with a reception of 35 yards or longer. To have Burleson leading the team in receptions and receiving yards is somewhat surprising after the team signed T.J. Houshmandzadeh in free agency.

Outlook: This was supposed to be the point in the season when the Seahawks started to get healthy and hit stride. It could happen. Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck gives the Seahawks a chance to compete and win games against quite a few teams. The overall offensive consistency has not been there, however. Sometimes the Seahawks almost appear resigned to their fate, as if beaten down by all the injuries and defeats dating to last season. I haven't sensed an edge to this team. Confidence appears shaky. And with upcoming road games against Arizona and Minnesota, it's likely the Seahawks will fall further from contention.

» NFC Stock Watch: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Falling

Bly

1.Dre' Bly, CB, 49ers. The veteran corner suffered a major humiliation Monday, a day after his post-interception showboating precipitated a fumble during the 49ers' 45-10 home defeat to the Falcons. San Francisco trailed, 35-10, when Bly put his right hand behind his helmet a la Deion Sanders, only to have Falcons receiver Roddy White strip the football from him. "Dre's gonna be Dre," Bly said afterward. The 49ers pretty much called a news conference to say Dre's not gonna be Dre. "I want to come to you all publicly apologize for [Sunday]," Bly said. "My comments were totally inappropriate. I apologize to coach. I am not a selfish guy. I didn't mean to embarrass him, if I did embarrass my team, embarrass the ownership, embarrass the fans. I'm a prideful guy. I like to have fun. It was totally inappropriate. I got caught up in the moment. It was wrong."

Hill

2. Shaun Hill, QB, 49ers. San Francisco's offensive line was arguably more to blame than Hill, but the line's stock was already low. Hill had managed to overcome the line's problems this season in becoming one of the NFL's more efficient quarterbacks in key situations, including third downs and fourth quarters. Hill appeared completely flustered Sunday. He had no answers for what the Falcons were throwing at him. Perhaps taking a cue from his head coach, Hill seemed to lose his composure at times. His final stat line was in JaMarcus Russell territory: 15 of 38 passing for 198 yards and an interception.

Singletary

3. Mike Singletary, 49ers coach. Singletary could seemingly do no wrong during the 49ers' 3-1 start. By his own admission, the performance he turned in Sunday showed Singletary remains a work in progress. He called timeout to rally his defense, only to have the Falcons complete a 31-yard touchdown pass on the next play. Bereft of timeouts later in the half, Singletary could not challenge a questionable call. As the game progressed, Singletary lost his cool to the point that he jawed with Falcons guard Harvey Dahl during the game. It's OK for a head coach to show emotion. Singletary certainly must be true to his personality. He crossed the line in this game and seemed to realize the error of his ways. Singletary owned up to his mistakes and even said the 49ers were outcoached in terms of preparation. Not a good week.

Rising

Hasselbeck

1. Matt Hasselbeck, QB, Seahawks. The Seahawks went from down and almost out to feeling like a leading contender to win the NFC West. The way Hasselbeck played in returning from broken ribs changed everything for Seattle. Hasselbeck showed the fire of a linebacker from the moment he ran out of the tunnel for pregame introductions at Qwest Field. He scrambled freely and popped back up quickly when taken down. Hasselbeck also made all the necessary throws in completing four touchdown passes. Only four quarterbacks have higher ratings this season. Hasselbeck has seven touchdowns -- more than Tom Brady, Philip Rivers, Aaron Rodgers or Kurt Warner -- despite missing 10 quarters to injury.

Rodgers-Cromartie

2. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Cardinals. The precocious second-year cornerback was right last week when he said teams would eventually pay for throwing his way. Rodgers-Cromartie's 49-yard interception return for the winning touchdown with 2:20 remaining against the Texans gave "DRC" a needed boost after a disappointing start to the season. The 2008 first-round choice has Pro Bowl potential. He was suffering through a sophomore slump even before he suffered a broken right index finger during an embarrassing home defeat to the Colts in Week 3. The injury made his interception even more impressive, although teammate Adrian Wilson was right when he put the brakes on comparisons to Cardinals Hall of Famer Larry Wilson, who famously picked off a pass with casts on both wrists.

Curry

3. Aaron Curry, LB, Seahawks. The fourth overall choice in the 2009 draft has played the enforcer role effectively during all three home games. His fumble-forcing sack on Jaguars quarterback David Garrard set up a 26-yard return for teammate Cory Redding. The turnover led to a touchdown that gave Seattle a 27-0 lead on its way to a 41-0 blowout. Curry finished the game with nine tackles, one sack, one forced fumble, one pass defensed and one crushing hit on special teams. Curry brings a menacing attitude to the Seahawks' defense, particularly at home. His performance Sunday provided additional evidence that Curry can be an effective pass-rusher, answering questions raised about him before the draft. Curry has one fumble-forcing sack in each of the Seahawks' last two home games.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

The Cardinals, 49ers and Rams have played their exhibition openers, leaving only the Seahawks among NFC West teams on the Saturday night viewing schedule.

A few things I'll be watching for once their game against the Chargers kicks off at 10 p.m. ET on NFL Network:

• Zone blocking: The Seahawks' have overhauled their blocking scheme. Let's see how well each player seems to fit in a zone scheme. Does the line produce cut-back lanes for Julius Jones, T.J. Duckett and Justin Forsett? How well does the scheme seem to fit those backs? Speaking of backs, is Owen Schmitt going to remain the starting fullback?
• Quarterback health: Matt Hasselbeck hasn't taken punishment in a game since his back imploded last season. The Chargers have the potential to pressure him, particularly against a Seahawks line without Walter Jones. How will Hasselbeck hold up?
• Aaron Curry: The fourth overall choice in the draft will start at strongside linebacker. The Seahawks also plan to try him at defensive end as they figure out how well he rushes the passer. One game won't necessarily tell us much, but the Seahawks are obviously very much interested in finding out what Curry can do.
• Young receivers. Teams tend to like their depth until that depth has to play. That was the case when the Seahawks ran out of receivers last season. They liked Jordan Kent and Courtney Taylor as role players, not front-line contributors. Seattle's top four at the position appear set heading into 2009 (T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Deion Branch, Nate Burleson and Deon Butler). Ben Obomanu seems likely to stick for what might be one of the final two spots. What about Taylor, Kent, Logan Payne, etc.?
• Brandon Mebane. The Seahawks think he can be effective as an up-the-field defensive tackle. The team has been very excited about this move. Let's see if Mebane shows early signs of making it work. He's a good player. Is this the position for him?
• The safeties. Jordan Babineaux needs to play well in the preseason to seriously challenge veteran Brian Russell as the starting free safety. I didn't see evidence in camp that Babineaux was making a strong run. Can Babineaux live up to his "Big Play Babs" reputation as a free safety, or only as a role player off the bench?

I'll also be interested to see how much Patrick Kerney and Cory Redding will play. Both are hugely important players for Seattle. Both have also rested some during camp as they try to avoid injuries and prepare themselves for the regular season. How they play in an exhibition opener might not mean much.

	Steve Dykes/US Presswire
	Seahawks camp has a new feel now that Jim Mora is running the show.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

RENTON, Wash. -- Training camp for the Seattle Seahawks is dramatically different now that Jim Mora has taken over for Mike Holmgren as head coach.

The offense is no longer swimming downstream.

Holmgren stressed perfect execution, scripting the defensive schemes to fit what he expected -- hoped, even -- to see from an opponent. The offense was his baby and Holmgren fumed whenever it struggled through a practice. He would order a play repeated until the offense got it right.

Camp Confidential: NFC West • Cardinals: Mon., Aug. 3 • 49ers: Wed., Aug. 5 • Seahawks: Mon., Aug. 10 • Rams: Thurs., Aug.13 • Training camp index

Camp Mora offers no such perks.

"It's two schools of thought," quarterback Matt Hasselbeck said.

The Holmgren school emphasized mastering the offensive system, with less regard for what the opponent might do. Holmgren figured the opposing defense would come up with some surprises from time to time, but practice reps were too scarce to dwell on them in training camp.

"Let's make them perfect, let's be fast, let's get off the field," Hasselbeck said in summarizing the old way.

Mora and offensive coordinator Greg Knapp would rather see the offense face those problems in camp, allowing the staff to fix them before the regular season. They won't script defensive looks to facilitate offensive execution until closer to the season.

Camp Mora also places far more emphasis on game situations, even obscure ones. The team recently practiced third-and-10 running plays against a nickel defense.

"We practiced fourth-and-20 the other day," Hasselbeck said. "Fourth-and-20? What do we got for fourth-and-20? The funny thing is, I think we converted it."

(Read full post)

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Arizona Cardinals

Division Camp Previews • Tuesday: NFC North | AFC North • Wednesday: NFC East | AFC East • Thursday: NFC South | AFC South • Friday: NFC West | AFC West MORE • Camp battles: AFC | NFC • Schedule: Training camp dates

Training camp site: Northern Arizona University (Flagstaff, Ariz.)

Campfires: Coach Ken Whisenhunt isn't afraid to make first-round draft choices earn their starting jobs. He benched Matt Leinart coming out of camp last season, then made talented rookie Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie wait until near midseason before becoming a full-time starter. The trend could continue this summer as rookie first-round choice Beanie Wells practices with the Cardinals for the first time.

Wells projects as the long-term replacement for Edgerrin James at running back, but Ohio State's late graduation prevented him from participating in minicamps and organized team activities. That means the adjustment period for Wells could take a little longer. Expect Tim Hightower to enter camp as the tentative starter.

Meanwhile, the situation at tight end remains a mystery. Arizona is carrying six tight ends on its roster, one behind the league high. Ben Patrick, the player coaches have tried to develop as a player versatile enough to help as a receiver and blocker, faces a four-game suspension to start the season. That could open the door for Anthony Becht, Leonard Pope or Stephen Spach to seize the starting job. I don't see a clear favorite, particularly with Patrick serving a suspension and Spach coming off knee surgery.

	Jeff Mills/Icon SMI
	Will Beanie Wells be able to avoid the injuries that plagued him in college?

Camp will be a downer if ... Wells doesn't immediately prove he can avoid the long list of injuries that affected him in college. Arizona needs a more dynamic runner to run its offense the way Whisenhunt and offensive line coach/running game coordinator Russ Grimm want to run it. Wells has the physical ability to provide that missing element. Can he stay on the field and will he fight through some of the ailments that await every running back in the NFL?

The preferred scenario would include Wells breaking a few long runs during the preseason, setting up the play-action passing game that worked so well for Arizona when the team showed more balance in the playoffs last season.

Camp will be a success if ... the reconfigured coaching staff takes control of the team and helps Arizona build on the momentum from its Super Bowl season.

Whisenhunt has stressed continuity during the first two years of his tenure. He kept the same five starters on the offensive line even though right guard Deuce Lutui had penalty problems and center Lyle Sendlein sometimes struggled while playing through a shoulder injury. While the approach worked, continuity wasn't an option for the coaching staff once the Chiefs hired offensive coordinator Todd Haley head coach.

Whisenhunt's decision to fire quarterbacks coach Jeff Rutledge and defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast shook up the staff considerably more.

Warner will miss the rapport he enjoyed with Haley. The two appeared inseparable at times and the relationship seemed to benefit Warner on the field. Can the newly configured staff fill the void or otherwise find ways to keep Warner and the offense rolling?

Money men: Key players Karlos Dansby, Anquan Boldin and Darnell Dockett want lucrative long-term deals.

Franchise player rules will force Dansby to wait, and he should be content "settling" for a one-year franchise deal worth nearly $9.7 million. The volatile Dockett has also committed to letting his play do the talking, a good sign for the team.

While Boldin put aside his concerns to produce last season, his situation bears monitoring. Another year without a new contract probably equates to a higher frustration level. Boldin, generally the consummate pro, might have a harder time dealing with the situation -- particularly if the team fails to meet expectations.

---

San Francisco 49ers
Training camp site: 49ers headquarters (Santa Clara, Calif.)

	Kyle Terada/US Presswire
	Can Shaun Hill distinguish himself to claim the starting QB job?

Campfires: The 49ers have quite a few position battles for a team that finished strong and feels good about its chances for contending within the division.

The quarterback race will rightfully command the most attention. Coach Mike Singletary said the players will know whether Shaun Hill or Alex Smith should be the starter, at which point Singletary will merely affirm what they know. That means Smith's status as the No. 1 overall draft choice in 2005 will not afford him any advantage in the competition. Hill's 7-3 record as the 49ers' starter over the last two seasons gives him the edge.

On defense, Dashon Goldson would have to flop or suffer another injury for the older and less athletic Mark Roman to take back his job at free safety. Dre Bly has the edge over Tarell Brown at right corner. Kentwan Balmer, the 49ers' first-round choice in 2008, could push for a starting job at left defensive end.

Camp will be a downer if ... both quarterbacks flounder and veteran Damon Huard appears to be the best option. Unlikely? Perhaps. But the scenario isn't as laughable as it should be. Neither Hill nor Smith distinguished himself during the competition a year ago. Even if Mike Martz was playing favorites when he installed J.T. O'Sullivan as the starter, the fact remains that O'Sullivan enjoyed the strongest preseason of the three.

The new offensive system should better suit Hill in particular, and the 49ers have declared this quarterback race a two-man affair, ruling out Huard as a contender. Still, after years of backing up Trent Green, Tom Brady and Dan Marino, Huard wound up starting three of the first five games in Kansas City last season when the unaccomplished Brodie Croyle and Tyler Thigpen were his primary competitors.

Camp will be a success if ... Hill validates his 7-3 record as the 49ers' starter, right tackle Marvel Smith makes it through training camp healthy and the push toward a full-time 3-4 defense validates Parys Haralson and Manny Lawson as promising pass-rushers.

Hitting on all three of those might be asking a bit much, but getting two of them right might be enough, particularly if the 49ers feel good about the quarterback situation.

On the receiving end: It's a little surprising to see the 49ers emerge with their deepest group of receivers in years after committing to Singletary's smashmouth approach. The change to Singletary and offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye was all about making smarter use of the players general manager Scot McCloughan and former coach Mike Nolan had acquired in recent years.

That meant -- and still means -- forging an identity in the ground game. Yet, while receivers Michael Crabtree, Isaac Bruce, Brandon Jones and Josh Morgan will not be battling Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin for Pro Bowl berths this season, they do give the 49ers better potential than they've enjoyed recently.

Singletary's smashmouth roots should not and likely will not dissuade the 49ers from making frequent use of those receivers.

---

Seattle Seahawks

	Kirby Lee/Image of Sport/US Presswire
	The Seahawks must get Matt Hasselbeck through training camp unscathed.

Training camp site: Seahawks headquarters (Renton, Wash.)

Campfires: The Seahawks weren't going to pretend that first-round choice Aaron Curry would have to prove himself in camp to earn a starting job. They put the fourth overall choice in the lineup from the beginning. No suspense there.

Most positions in Seattle appear settled. The situation at receiver should produce intrigue with Nate Burleson, Deion Branch and rookie burner Deon Butler fighting to get on the field with T.J. Houshmandzadeh and tight end John Carlson. Injuries will probably help sort out the situation. Burleson is returning from ACL surgery. Branch is entering his first full season since undergoing his own ACL procedure.

Don't be surprised if rookie second-round choice Max Unger pushes for playing time somewhere in the interior of the offensive line. He projects as the long-term starter at center if Chris Spencer plays out his contract and leaves following this season.
If Spencer holds the job, Unger figures to find his way onto the field in one of the guard spots, perhaps this year.

Camp will be a downer if  ... quarterback Matt Hasselbeck's back injury flares up at any point along the way. Hasselbeck and the Seahawks say the quarterback has long since overcome the problems that helped limit him to seven starts last season. They didn't know the extent of the problem a year ago when they assured fans that Hasselbeck would be fine for the regular season. The issue is under control now, they say, but the very nature of back injuries should raise at least some concern heading into a pivotal season for the organization. 

Camp will be a success if ... Hasselbeck, left tackle Walter Jones and defensive end Patrick Kerney put to rest concerns about their long-term health. Beyond the obvious injury storylines, this camp becomes a success for Seattle if Curry validates coach Jim Mora's opinion that the linebacker's pass-rushing abilities are indeed far stronger than anticipated on draft day.

Seattle badly needs to restore its pass rush to better compete against the Cardinals' passing game in a broader effort to overtake Arizona in the division. Kerney is the key, but the Seahawks are also counting on pressure from other sources: Brandon Mebane, Cory Redding, Lawrence Jackson, Darryl Tapp and possibly Leroy Hill. Significant pass-rush help from Curry would offset Julian Peterson's departure while making it easier for the Seahawks to justify having drafted a linebacker fourth overall.

Learning curve: By all accounts, the two years Mora spent in the background watching Mike Holmgren operate should leave him better prepared to handle his second head-coaching job. The way Holmgren handled everything from players to the media differed quite a bit from the more freewheeling approach Mora displayed with the Falcons.

Lessons learned? Yes, but it will be interesting to see how the Seahawks' leadership -- operating without Holmgren for the first time since 1998 -- will respond under pressure if things go wrong early.

---

St. Louis Rams
Training camp site: Rams Park (Earth City, Mo.)

	G. Newman Lowrance/Getty Images)
	Will Marc Bulger be able to regain his old form behind a revamped offensive line?

Campfires: The Rams need to figure out what they have at receiver, linebacker and left cornerback after overhauling their roster.

Torry Holt, Orlando Pace, Drew Bennett, Trent Green, Anthony Becht, Corey Chavous, Pisa Tinoisamoa, Brian Leonard, Gary Stills, Jason Craft, Ricky Manning, Fakhir Brown, La'Roi Glover, Dane Looker, Travis Minor, Dante Hall, Nick Leckey and Brett Romberg were among the former starters and role players cast aside in the makeover.

None was irreplaceable. Getting rid of them was the easy part. Identifying and developing adequate replacements will take time.

Camp will be a downer if ... top draft choices Jason Smith and James Laurinaitis aren't ready to contribute right away. Coach Steve Spagnuolo has taken it slowly with both rookies, but he likely will not have that luxury once the regular season gets going. Smith and Laurinaitis probably must play and play well for the Rams to avoid trouble.

Laurinaitis' development is critical because the Rams appear so thin at linebacker after releasing Tinoisamoa. Even if Laurinaitis plays well, the Rams' depth at linebacker could betray them. 

Camp will be a success if ... quarterback Marc Bulger finds comfort behind an upgraded offensive line. Bulger can be a highly accurate passer when opposing defensive linemen aren't pounding the confidence out of him. The player who topped 4,300 yards passing with 24 touchdowns and eight interceptions three years ago hasn't resembled even remotely the scared soul seen under center for the Rams too often over the last two seasons.

The Rams' should start to regain some swagger on the line with 320-pounder Jason Brown taking over at center and the personably intense Smith at tackle. Right guard Richie Incognito won't be the only starter with some snarl, in other words. That should help provide improved protection for Bulger and leadership for the offense.

Fantasy spin: Running back Steven Jackson should not hurt for opportunities now that the Rams have landed a 320-pound center (Brown, free agent from the Ravens) and a 258-pound fullback (Mike Karney, late of the Saints). The Rams will try to develop their young receivers, but rarely should any of them represent a more formidable option than Jackson. And if he gets some luck with injuries, look out.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

RENTON, Wash. -- Emptying the notebook after watching the Seahawks practice on a bright, sunny day at their lakefront facility:

• Tight end John Carlson stands out right away. Defensive backs are bouncing off him after he catches the ball and turns upfield. Carlson makes overhead catches appear routine even with a defender trailing him closely. Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck said the staff is using Carlson extensively across multiple packages, including on third down. There were times last season when Carlson inexplicably -- to me, anyway -- came off the field in those situations.
  
• Aaron Curry covers Carlson better than anyone, but coach Jim Mora singled out the rookie linebacker's pass-rush skills as a pleasant surprise so far this offseason. Mora issued the usual disclaimer about how it's tough to fully evaluate when players aren't wearing pads. But he said the pass-rush aspect was something they did not see from him in college because Wake Forest didn't ask him to do it much.
• T.J. Houshmandzadeh doesn't dazzle in practice. I suspect he's a master of maximizing situations during games to get open and make contested catches.
• Oregon basketball coach Ernie Kent watched practice. His son, Jordan, faces increased competition for a roster spot at receiver. Jordan appears stronger than in past seasons, but he'll need to produce in exhibition games to earn a roster spot if Seattle remains reasonably healthy at the position.
• Receiver Deion Branch and defensive lineman Cory Redding returned to practice after rehabbing injuries. Branch said he has no pain in his surgically repaired knee.
• Seneca Wallace still throws a better deep ball than anyone on the team. He found Mike Hass for a long touchdown up the left sideline against Marquis Floyd. Wallace also found Deon Butler for a long gain despite tight coverage from Josh Wilson.
• Logan Payne is practicing at full speed and without a knee brace. The receiver suffered a serious knee injury early last season.
• Who is the backup tight end again? Carlson looks terrific, but I'm not sure the Seahawks can run their passing game as intended if something happens to him.
• Lawrence Jackson, Darryl Tapp and Baraka Atkins have impressed coaches this offseason. Mora said he has seen "flashes" from each player and it's time for them to step up their games. I mentioned Jackson and Tapp when asking the question. Mora answered quickly and added Atkins' name to his answer.
• Kevin Hobbs makes aggressive plays on the ball. He broke up a high pass to Houshmandzadeh early in practice, leaving the veteran receiver with obvious discomfort in his left hand. Houshmandzadeh kept practicing. Later, Hobbs picked off a pass from Wallace over the middle. Wallace took responsibility for the turnover.
• Hasselbeck explained one big difference in practices since Mora replaced Mike Holmgren. The change to a defensive coach has led to much more emphasis on playing hard to the whistle and trying to force turnovers. Holmgren put more emphasis on the offense playing with precision and never letting the football hit the ground.

The Seahawks are back on the field Thursday and Friday. Their first training camp practice is expected to be held Aug. 1, although the team has not announced a schedule.

	ESPN.com illustration
	Which is going to be the stronger team next season: the Seahawks or the Bengals?

By ESPN.com's James Walker and Matt Williamson

Every season there is a sleeper team that comes out of nowhere and does major damage in the NFL. For the most recent example, look no further than the 2008 Arizona Cardinals, who were moments away from winning Super Bowl XLIII.

But picking this year's underdog in May could be a very difficult task.

That is why we recruited ESPN.com AFC North blogger James Walker and Matt Williamson of Scouts Inc. to provide their sleeper picks for 2009  -- the Cincinnati Bengals and Seattle Seahawks, respectively -- who could most resemble last year's Cardinals.

Let's debate.

What makes the Bengals and Seahawks sleeper candidates for 2009?

James Walker: First of all, a sleeper is a team that very few people feel has a chance -- and the Bengals are certainly in that category. With one winning season since 1990, the Bengals have fallen off just about everyone's radar.

But when examining the Bengals closely, you notice they have two things that make for a dangerous club: a great quarterback and an improving defense.

Carson Palmer is still one of the league's top quarterbacks when healthy. In 2008, a season-ending elbow injury cut his campaign short and the Bengals quickly went in the tank with an 0-8 start and a 4-11-1 finish. Before that, he threw for more than 8,000 yards combined the two previous seasons.

Also, Cincinnati's defense is sneaky good. The Bengals finished No. 12 in the NFL defensively in 2008 during a season when the offense couldn't stay on the field or score points. Consider new additions such as defensive tackle Tank Johnson, rookie linebacker Rey Maualuga and veteran safety Roy Williams, and Cincinnati's D has the potential to crack the top 10 for the first time since 2001.

A No. 22-ranked strength-of-schedule doesn't hurt the Bengals, either.

Matt Williamson: Few teams were crushed by injuries like the Seahawks in 2008. The Seahawks won't be snakebitten like that in 2009. Also, overtaking Arizona to win the NFC West doesn't seem all that daunting a task. But, probably most importantly, I think that the Seahawks' passing game and defense should be vastly improved.

The Seahawks had just 35 sacks last season, but I expect that number to increase dramatically in 2009. It's possible the Seattle defense could record at least 45 sacks, as it did in 2007. The reason why is simple: This is a much-improved front seven. With the drafting of Aaron Curry, Seattle nabbed someone who is quite possibly the best and most NFL-ready defensive player from this past class. Now, there are few sets of starting linebackers in Seattle's class. But the Seahawks had a talented group of linebackers a year ago.

Where they are most improved is on the defensive line. Cory Redding is an up-and-down player, but he is versatile and could thrive in his new environment, especially in a rotational role. Colin Cole is more of a plugger in the middle than Redding, but that was an aspect that Seattle was lacking last year. It is imperative in allowing middle linebacker Lofa Tatupu to stay protected and attack ball carriers more freely.

Also in the middle, Brandon Mebane very well could take another step forward and another space eater, Red Bryant, could emerge in his second season. The defensive end situation also should be vastly improved. Lawrence Jackson, a 2008 first-round selection, could take a substantial step forward. His presence should help prevent Daryll Tapp from wearing down. Keeping with the theme of the Seahawks returning to health, defensive end Patrick Kerney also should log more playing time in 2009. He missed the last nine games of the 2008 season. 

While all of these projected leaps might not occur, all the Seahawks need is a few of them to materialize. The linebackers are exceptional and an improved front four will decrease the pressure on the secondary and allow the linebackers to make plenty of big plays.

	Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images
	Seneca Wallace's future in Seattle may be dim with the return of Matt Hasselbeck.

How stable is the quarterback situation for each team?

Matt Williamson: Matt Hasselbeck missed quite a bit of time last year with a back injury. By all accounts, including from Hasselbeck himself, his back is doing very well. He is expected to be at full strength when the season arrives. However, the back ailment is worrisome and Hasselbeck's age doesn't help alleviate concerns. With the fourth overall selection in the draft, Seattle passed on a chance to pick USC quarterback Mark Sanchez in favor of selecting Curry. Clearly, the Seahawks are in win-now mode and also feel confident that Hasselbeck's back will not be a problem this season. 

The Seahawks seem much better set at the most important position on the field now. No offense to Seneca Wallace -- who substituted for Hasselbeck much of last season -- but there isn't a quarterback of the future presently on the roster and the backup situation is tenuous at best.

The Seahawks will go as far as Hasselbeck can take them and needless to say, in my opinion, that is much further than they went last season. He is surrounded with a now-exceptional group of pass catchers. The signing of T.J. Houshmandzadeh should be a steadying force in this regard and will open room up for Seattle's other receivers. Houshmandzadeh has caught at least 90 p
asses in each of the last three seasons. As a rookie, tight end John Carlson was the Seahawks' best pass catcher and should only improve in his second season -- especially with Houshmandzadeh in the fold. The chance that Deion Branch and Nate Burleson face as many injury problems in 2009 is slim, but still possible, given their history. But drafting Deon Butler looks like a prudent move; he's a dangerous slot option with rare speed. Hasselbeck could have a big season passing. 

James Walker: Similar to Hasselbeck, Cincinnati's quarterback situation is as stable as Palmer's throwing elbow. So it is certainly a topic for debate.

Palmer, who didn't have off-season surgery, says he feels 100 percent. Yet the team has him on a pitch count during off-season workouts, which means there is at least some level of concern and caution internally from the team's perspective.

Throwing is fine, Palmer says, but his elbow will not be tested truly until it gets hit a few times. I doubt even Palmer knows for sure how well his arm will respond to the physical punishment from defensive linemen and linebackers.

Similar to last season, if Palmer goes down Cincinnati's season is over. But this is why the Bengals' offensive line is so important.

They drafted offensive tackle Andre Smith No. 6 overall to make sure Palmer doesn't have another season-ending injury. Talent-wise, Smith is one of the best players in this year's draft. But it will be important for the coaching staff to push Smith and get the best out of him. Cincinnati is going to pay Smith a contract in the range of $50 million, most likely to protect Palmer's blind side.

(Read full post)

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Daniel Brown of the San Jose Mercury News checks in with some of the 49ers' undrafted free agents. Offensive lineman Alex Boone said not getting drafted was a humbling experience that showed him how actions have consequences. Brown: "Boone, a mammoth (6-foot-7, 328 pounds) tackle out of Ohio State, was arrested after being subdued with a Taser in what law enforcement officials say was a drunken tirade. The Orange County sheriff's office told the Associated Press in February that Boone was jumping car hoods, yanking on a tow-truck cable and trying to break a window when he was arrested. Boone was taken to a hospital and then to a jail medical ward."

The 49ers' Web site says the team has signed former Nicholls State kicker Alex Romero.

Also from 49ers.com: A transcript from coach Mike Singletary's latest session with reporters. Singletary isn't leaving the quarterback race to coordinator Jimmy Raye and quarterbacks coach Mike Johnson. Singletary: "Every day we talk about, 'What do you see? What's happening? What were the conversations?' Because for me, it's that quarterback that when he steps in that huddle, magic happens. There's something that wakes up everybody."

Ray Ratto of the San Francisco Chronicle says the last few months are a blur to new 49ers running back Glen Coffee. Ratto: "[Frank] Gore is at the stage of his own career where teams start wondering about the amount of tread left on the tires, no matter how much is actually there, and 812 carries and 157 receptions in three years suggests that the 49ers needed to get serious about either lightening Gore's load or finding potential future replacements."

Matt Maiocco of the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat says Alex Smith and Shaun Hill took all the quarterback reps on the first day of the post-draft camp. Maiocco also runs a depth chart showing new names in prominent roles because not all veterans are in attendance.

Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic traces the link between contractual unhappiness and hamstring soreness. Anquan Boldin and Darnell Dockett demonstrate the theory. Coach Ken Whisenhunt: "Hey, we know what's going on, so I'm really not going to have much to say about that."

Also from Somers: Quarterback Kurt Warner took part in practice despite undergoing hip surgery recently.

More from Somers: Karlos Dansby says he's focused on football, not a new contract.

Darren Urban of azcardinals.com says Boldin thinks the Cardinals didn't legitimately try to trade him in recent weeks. "I never give up hope [about being traded]," Boldin said. Can earning $2.75 million in salary from the NFC champs be that much of a hardship?

Scott Bordow of the East Valley Tribune says the Cardinals' success last season is no match for economics. Bordow: "Yes, the flotilla of warm feelings that carried the Cardinals to the Super Bowl has washed up on shore. Once again, it's all about the money. Boldin and Dockett want their existing contracts renegotiated and they're going to refuse to do their chores until they get what they want."

Revenge of the Birds' Hawkwind says the Cardinals are taking a flier on Oliver Ross even though the offensive tackle hasn't played since 2006. Ross is one of three veterans participating in camp on a tryout basis. Former Rams tight end Dominique Byrd is also there.

Greg Johns of seattlepi.com says Seahawks rookie receiver Deon Butler make a positive first impression at minicamp.

Also from Johns: First-round Seahawks linebacker Aaron Curry estimates he has spent 10 to 15 hours "staring" at his playbook. Said fellow linebacker Leroy Hill: "He's smart. A lot of the questions that [linebackers coach Zerick Rollins] was asking him in meetings, he was picking up just like that. I'm like, 'Man, I didn't even know that yet.' On the field, he's running with the first team and fitting right in. I think it's going to be fun to watch and play with him."

Clare Farnsworth of Seahawks.com takes a big-picture view of the Seahawks' first post-draft practice. Farnsworth: "Hill was huffing and puffing a bit after his first on-field action since Week 13 last season, as he missed the final four games with a neck injury. But he also showed the traits that made retaining his services a priority for the Seahawks. On one play, Hill was all over a pass into the flat to running back Justin Forsett. Later, on a running play, Hill got to the back before the back could get anywhere near the line of scrimmage."

Mary Beth King of Seahawks.com opens the mailbag. She says the Seahawks like their current situation at running back.

Danny O'Neil of the Seattle Times lists players who did not practice with the Seahawks on Friday: CB Kelly Jennings (shoulder), FB Justin Griffith (knee), LB D.D. Lewis (knee), G Mike Wahle (shoulder), T Walter Jones (knee), WR Deion Branch (knee), DL Cory Redding and DE Patrick Kerney (shoulder).

Also from O'Neil: A camp overview. 

Eric D. Williams of the Tacoma News Tribune says Curry fit in well on his first day of camp and did not appear out of place running with the starters.

Michael Steffes of Seahawk Addicts looks at the "upside" and "downside" of the Seahawks' various moves this offseason.

Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch explores Rams rookie running back Chris Ogbannaya's background. Ogbannaya's father grew up in Nigeria and moved to the United States in 1976. Ogbannaya: "He was lucky enough to get sponsored by a family in South Carolina who ended up being my godparents. Self-made man. Went to Clemson University. Went to medical school after that."

Bill Coats of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says the Rams are counting on newly acquired receiver Laurent Robinson to contribute. Injuries slowed Robinson with the Falcons last season.

Steve Korte of the Belleville News-Democrat says Steven Jackson likes the Rams' offseason additions. Jackson: "They've also made decisions in the draft and free agency to help me out. That's the biggest thing. You just don't want to throw it all on one guy, and don't give him anything to work with. I think in free agency and the draft, the things that needed to be addressed were addressed."

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

John Crumpacker of the San Francisco Chronicle looks at some of the 49ers' predraft visitors, noting that Aaron Maybin is the only top pass-rush specialist known to have visited. Crumpacker thinks Ole Miss tackle Michael Oher will be available when the 49ers pick at No. 10.

Matt Maiocco of the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat isn't sure if Kentwan Balmer will become a good player, but the 49ers' first-round draft choice does seem to work hard. Balmer played about 18 percent of the snaps for the 49ers last seaon, according to a scout I know.

Also from Maiocco: Would the 49ers add a third quarterback to their competition for the starting job in 2009? Mark Sanchez visited team headquarters recently.

Kevin Lynch of Niner Insider thinks B.J. Raji will go fourth to Seattle or fifth to Cleveland, assuming the Boston College defensive tackle did not test positive for drugs at the combine, as some reports have suggested. I don't see Raji as a likely candidate for Seattle after the team added Cory Redding and Colin Cole, but he would give them an interior defensive lineman to push the pocket.

Florida Danny of Niners Nation takes a look back at how the 49ers drafted under Carmen Policy from 1994 to 1998. An overemphasis on free agency at the expense of the draft might have contributed to the 49ers' eventual fall, he reasons.

Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic says Cardinals nose tackle Alan Branch is at a career crossroads after a disappointing start to his career. Branch: "Last year I really didn't understand how much the weight was important to the coaches. Last year, I thought even if I was a little overweight, even if I played well, it wouldn't matter. But what Coach Whisenhunt told me was not coming in at the weight he wanted proved that he couldn't fully trust me."

Darren Urban of azcardinals.com looks back at Larry Fitzgerald's run through the playoffs. Fitzgerald: "The whole experience, those five weeks, man, the practices leading up to the game, it was just amazing. Simply amazing."

Matt Pawlikowski of the Lancaster Intelligencer Journal says Dan Kreider is happy to enhance the Pittsburgh flavor on the Cardinals' roster. Pawlikowski: "Kreider says he is not sure how much time he will see on the field considering the Cardinals have Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin and Steve Breaston. But [Ken] Whisenhunt has said he wants to run the ball more, so the Manheim Central graduate might figure prominently in 2009."

John Morgan of Field Gulls sizes up Oklahoma receiver Juaquin Iglesias as a potential choice for Seattle with the 68th overall choice in the draft. Morgan: "I'm a sucker for good route runners, and Iglesias is a good route runner. I'm gaga for players with poor timed speed that excelled at speed-dependent skills like rushing and returning. Iglesias was a top twenty return man his first two seasons, peaking at 28.48 yards per return in 2007, but saw his return production drop as his receiving production improved."

Danny O'Neil of the Seattle Times checks in with new Seahawks offensive coordinator Greg Knapp, who worked closely with Matt Hasselbeck in adapting the team's new offense.

Nick Wagoner of stlouisrams.com previews receivers available in the NFL draft. The Rams could certainly use one. Wagoner: "One year after taking two wideouts in the first four rounds, the Rams will again be on the hunt for help catching the ball in this year's draft. ... Armed with the No. 2 selection in the draft, the Rams have showed at least some interest in Texas Tech's Michael Crabtree and Mizzou's Jeremy Maclin. ... Perhaps more likely, though, is the possibility that the Rams would use a second or third round choice on a receiver."

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Rob Staton of Seahawks Draft Blog thinks Seattle would jump at the chance to draft Knowshon Moreno if the team were drafting in the 10th to 20th range. Staton: "Can they justify taking him fourth overall? Probably not. Adding a $60M running back to play as part of a three-pronged attack involving Julius Jones and T.J. Duckett could be too expensive."

Eric Williams of the Tacoma News Tribune thinks the Seahawks will choose between Eugene Monroe and Michael Crabtree with the fourth overall choice. He doesn't think quarterback Matthew Stafford will be available. The more I think about what the Seahawks might do at No. 4, the less sure I become. In theory, the team could be more likely to consider an offensive tackle after acquiring Cory Redding and signing T.J. Houshmandzadeh.

Also from Williams: The Seahawks put Aaron Curry through a private workout.

Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic provides a transcript for some of Ken Whisenhunt's comments during the NFC coaches' breakfast Wednesday at the NFL owners' meeting. On Matt Leinart: "My discussions with Matt, especially since we've re-signed Kurt [Warner], have been very positive, very mature. Matt expressed to me how much he learned this past season and how much he improved. I think it's unrealistic to think one quarterback in this league is going to last a whole year. In my discussions with Matt, we've talked about that. I believe that having played with Kurt last year and having seen Kurt play at the level he did, certainly helped Matt learn what it takes to be successful in this league."

Darren Urban of azcardinals.com quotes Sean Morey as saying he's in favor of rules outlawing blocking wedges from NFL games. Morey: "It's an exciting part of football, but it's always put people's health at risk because you are always forced to hit people with your head. You also have to consider with less guys in the wedge, there will be more double teams and more 'earhole' blocks. So it will still be a violent aspect. It is difficult to make kickoffs a safe part of the game. But it's a step in the right direction." 

Also from Urban: Will the Cardinals open the regular season at home against the 49ers?

49ers scout Ethan Waugh updates which pro days he has attended. Waugh: "The pro days are more than just timing 40-yard dashes and measuring broad jumps. It is one more opportunity to talk to the player face to face and get a feel for his personality and demeanor. Additionally, it is one more chance to talk to the coaches, strength staff and training staff to clear up any gray areas."

Matt Maiocco of the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat sizes up the 49ers' needs heading toward the draft. Maiocco: "Regardless of whether Marvel Smith signs, the 49ers should not pass on an offensive tackle ... if they're convinced he is the best player on the board." Totally agree. I would expect the 49ers to sign Smith to a short-term deal and still look hard at tackle.

Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says the Rams are "99 percent" focused on the draft, though they could sign some lower-tier free agents in the coming week. Thomas: "It would be unrealistic to think that the Rams can address all of their needs in one draft. There are too many holes to fill: Offensive tackle, wide receiver, middle linebacker, defensive tackle, backup running back and cornerback come to mind. But at least the Rams scratched a few positions off their wish list by placing the franchise tag on free safety Oshiomogho Atogwe; re-signing cornerback Ron Bartell and guard-tackle Adam Goldberg; and adding center Jason Brown (Baltimore), strong safety James Butler (New York Giants), and fullback Mike Karney (New Orleans) in free agency."