NFL Nation: Patrick Kerney
In 2007, they threw $10.5 million in bonuses at Deon Grant and also signed another veteran free agent, Brian Russell, to address deficiencies at safety. They threw another $15 million in bonuses at Patrick Kerney to help the pass rush. In 2008, they hired Mike Solari to coach their offensive line and signed veteran left guard Mike Wahle to finally plug the hole Steve Hutchinson left two years earlier. In 2009, the Seahawks responded to chronic injury problems at wide receiver by committing about $15 million in guarantees to T.J. Houshmandzadeh, then trading up in the draft to select receiver Deon Butler.
The offensive line was the biggest problem for Seattle in 2009.
One look at the Seahawks' coaching staff shows the team's renewed commitment to that area. Seattle has three assistant coaches dedicated to its offensive line, more than any team in the division and more than any team I can recall. Alex Gibbs leads a group featuring assistant line coach Art Valero and quality control coach Luke Butkus. Seattle has a separate quality control coach for offense (Dave Canales), with Butkus focusing on the line only.
Falling
1. Nate Burleson, Seahawks WR. Enjoying an impressive season following knee surgery, Burleson predicted a Seahawks victory over the Cardinals. That was the last we heard from him. Burleson finished with zero catches during a 31-20 defeat in Week 10. Seattle tried to find him early in the game, but Cardinals cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie had Burleson blanketed. When the game had concluded, T.J. Houshmandzadeh had caught nine passes for 165 yards, moving him past Burleson for the team lead in receptions and yards. Week 11 would be a good time for Burleson to atone. He'll get a shot at Minnesota, the team he left for Seattle.
2. Darnell Dockett, Cardinals DT. If the film doesn't lie, neither does the high-definition digital video. And it's pretty clear Fox cameras caught Dockett pressing his elbow into Matt Hasselbeck's throat following a second-quarter sack. Dockett denied bad intentions, but Seahawks coach Jim Mora expressed outrage, dragging down Dockett's stock at least temporarily. Dockett defended himself through his Twitter account, saying he would lose no sleep over the matter thanks to his king-sized bed and posh pad. Dockett also suggested stuff happens in football, implying that Mora wouldn't understand because he never played the game. Mora did play at the college level and he's been around the game his whole life.
3. Patrick Kerney, Seahawks DE. I'm a little reluctant to harp on the Seahawks' pass-rush woes against Arizona because we have covered the subject in detail. But Kerney has set a high standard over the years. He had three sacks and five quarterback hits in the Seahawks' most recent victory over the Cardinals (2007). His surprising inability to beat Cardinals tackle Levi Brown stood out as a primary reason for the Seahawks' struggles Sunday. Kerney is earning $4 million in salary this season and the Seahawks are on the hook for more than $9 million in salary proration beyond 2009. They need more from him to regain their footing in the NFC West.
Rising
1. Anquan Boldin, Cardinals WR. Boldin's stock was falling a week ago after he voiced selfish complaints following an impressive Cardinals victory over the Bears. There was nothing selfish about the way he played against Seattle. His 37-yard reception sparked the Cardinals' victory. Boldin finished the game with eight receptions for 105 yards, his first 100-yard receiving game of the season. Arizona, somehow 5-1 without Boldin since the start of last season, needed him against Seattle. Boldin played angry, reaching the ball forward for extra yardage. If the Cardinals do decide to trade Boldin after the season, the value they get in return could hinge on whether Boldin can build upon his strong showing in Week 10.
2. Justin Forsett, Seahawks RB. The Seahawks weren't sure heading into offseason minicamps whether Forsett could adapt his running style for the zone blocking scheme. They liked what they saw during minicamps and they love what they've seen from Forsett this season. Forsett carried 17 times for 123 yards against the Cardinals, taking over most of the snaps after starter Julius Jones suffered a bruised lung. Forsett has answered every question anyone could have raised about him. With Jones expected to miss at least one game, Forsett might now get a chance to prove whether he can hold up as more of an every-down back. His efforts in passing situations -- including a terrific block on Adrian Wilson in blitz pickup -- have been critical for Hasselbeck.
3. Brandon Gibson, Rams WR. A backup's job is to be ready when called upon, and Gibson certainly held up his end after the Rams lost Keenan Burton to a season-ending knee injury Sunday. The rookie receiver caught seven passes for 93 yards against the Saints. Rams general manager Billy Devaney took some heat, including here, when linebacker Will Witherspoon, the player St. Louis traded for Gibson, scored a touchdown in his first game with the Eagles. The trade looks good right now because injuries continue to strike the position. The Rams have had nine receivers on their 53-man roster this season. Gibson will get plenty of chances to develop over the final seven games as long as he avoids joining Burton and fellow Rams wideouts Laurent Robinson and Brooks Foster on injured reserve.
Five nuggets of knowledge about Week 10:
Jackson rested and ready. There's no way the Rams can beat the undefeated Saints, right? A healthy and rested Steven Jackson gives them a chance to keep Drew Brees off the field for long stretches. The Saints' last three opponents averaged 160 yards rushing per game. Jackson is averaging better than 100 yards rushing per game since a rough outing at Seattle in Week 1. He has to like his chances. The Rams' offensive line has been gaining momentum in recent weeks, even with right guard Richie Incognito unavailable. Fullback Mike Karney has gotten into more of a rhythm with Jackson. I'll be surprised if the Rams win the game, but not if Jackson tears up the Saints' defense in defeat.
Protecting the nest. The Cardinals' 1-3 record at University of Phoenix Stadium probably bothers coach Ken Whisenhunt more than anything else this season. Arizona has become a competitive team and a playoff team. Connecting with fans in the desert will always be a challenge. Losing at home does not help. Only the Rams, Bucs, Chiefs and Browns have worse home records than the Cardinals this season. With a 4-0 road record, the Cardinals could easily finish this season with double-digit victories -- if only they could start winning again at home. My sense is that Arizona has learned its lesson at home. If falling behind 28-7 to the Panthers didn't get their attention a couple of weeks ago, perhaps nothing will.
About that Seattle defense. Cornerback Marcus Trufant and defensive end Patrick Kerney are healthy. Rookie linebacker Aaron Curry has eight games of experience. New middle linebacker David Hawthorne has shown himself to be a playmaker. The Seattle defense has no excuses, in other words. This group had high hopes entering the season. The Seahawks have allowed 1,172 yards in three road games, an average of 391 yards per game. Keep an eye on defensive tackle Brandon Mebane. The Seahawks expected him to become a more disruptive up-the-field player after tweaking his role in Jim Mora's new defense. The results have not been there consistently enough to this point. He has one sack in seven games, down from 5.5 in 16 games last season.
Cardinals putting it on the line. Seahawks coach Jim Mora probably cries every time he reads about how the Cardinals have started the same five offensive linemen for 28 consecutive games, counting playoffs. The streak could be in jeopardy this week because Mike Gandy, the Cardinals' starting left tackle, has missed practice time while battling an injury to his midsection. Gandy managed to finish Arizona's 41-21 victory at Chicago, but he struggled late in the game. Gandy is not a great tackle, but maintaining continuity on the line has been a priority for the Cardinals. Jeremy Bridges has started 39 NFL games, including 11 with Arizona in 2004 and 2005. But as the Seahawks have learned this season, instability at that position can dramatically affect an offense.
Cards' victory shows how far Seattle has fallen
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| AP Photo/Elaine Thompson | |
| The Cardinals sacked Seattle's Matt Hasselbeck five times on Sunday. |
Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando
SEATTLE -- Beating the Seattle Seahawks isn't what it used to be for the Arizona Cardinals.
You could even call it routine.
The Cardinals are 4-1 against Seattle since Ken Whisenhunt became head coach. They've won three straight against the Seahawks and five of the last six meetings between the teams dating to the Dennis Green era.
So, while there was much for the Cardinals to like about their 27-3 domination Sunday at Qwest Field -- as complete a game as the Cardinals have played in recent memory -- we already knew Arizona could play at an elite level for any particular game. The playoff run last season demonstrated that profoundly.
This outcome told us more about Seattle in the short term, namely that last season wasn't necessarily an aberration. Blame injuries if you'd like, but whatever the reason, Seattle is 6-16 in its last 22 games.
If the Mike Holmgren era in Seattle passed quietly last season with a Week 17 defeat at Arizona, this latest defeat to the Cardinals seemed to push it several years deeper into the memory banks.
"I've seen crazy things happen in this league," Seahawks coach Jim Mora said, grasping a bit, "and so we're going to keep fighting, we're going to keep battling, we're going to keep searching for consistency, searching to get better and we'll see where this thing ends up."
A 7-9 finish might be optimistic. Seattle is 2-4 and facing road games against Dallas, Arizona and Minnesota during the first month after the upcoming bye. A 3-7 mark could be a realistic record for Seattle heading into a Week 12 road game against the St. Louis Rams.
"We're an inconsistent football team, particularly on offense," Mora said. "We all know the reasons for that."
Seattle was down to its fourth-string left guard and fourth-string left tackle Sunday. Whisenhunt acknowledged as much in his opening remarks, but as Holmgren often said when injuries became a problem, nobody cares.
"I guess they are making excuses, saying Walter Jones is out and [Sean] Locklear and all those guys," Cardinals defensive end Darnell Dockett said. "At the end of the day, man, you've got to come play on Sundays. Whoever they put out there, they've got to play. We played with guys hurt, even myself. … We're not going to make no excuses because they have backup offensive linemen. They get on the field, they get whooped. It's like that."
Jones, defensive end Patrick Kerney, linebacker Lofa Tatupu and quarterback Matt Hasselbeck stood most prominently among Seattle icons from the 2007 team that made the organization's most recent playoff appearance.
Where are they now?
Jones hasn't played all season and it's unclear if he'll recover enough from two knee surgeries to help the Seahawks. It's no stretch to think this could be his final NFL season.
Kerney had two sacks against Levi Brown, the man most responsible for getting Kerney to the Pro Bowl two years ago, before he aggravated a groin injury. Kerney could not finish the game. He'll be 33 in December and his salary will climb past $5 million next season.
Tatupu, the defensive addition most responsible for the Seahawks' Super Bowl run four years ago, suffered a season-ending torn pectoral muscle trying to tackle Larry Fitzgerald. He'll need surgery.
Hasselbeck's immediate future is clearer after the Cardinals sacked him five times and punished him into survival mode.
"I know Matt Hasselbeck is going to be soaking in the ice tub," said Cardinals linebacker Chike Okeafor, credited with one sack and two of the nine hits on Hasselbeck.
Hasselbeck was at his best during a 41-0 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars one week ago. The Cardinals kept him off the field until only 3:07 remained in the first quarter. Kurt Warner completed every one of his passes during a 15-play, 80-yard touchdown drive to open the game. Whisenhunt's decision to try a pooch kickoff seemed to catch the Seahawks unprepared, although Mora said the team reviewed that situation Saturday morning. Arizona recovered and scored its second touchdown 71 seconds later.
The score was 14-0 and the worst was yet to come for Seattle.
Once the Cardinals allowed Hasselbeck onto the field, they beat him up. Adrian Wilson tagged Hasselbeck on the Seahawks' first play. Calais Campbell sacked Hasselbeck and forced a fumble on the Seahawks' third play.
Hasselbeck earned the Cardinals' respect for his ability to take punishment.
"That is a tough quarterback," Dockett said. "We wanted to get to him early and we did and he stood in there. I take my hat off to him. I think by the third quarter, he started bailing up out of there real fast and at some point, I was thinking he wasn't even looking for the receiver. He was just taking off with the ball."
Dockett stopped himself and searched for the right words, as if trying to avoid saying anything too inflammatory.
"I don't think he likes playing us," he said.
The Seahawks had to like their chances coming into the game if they could only find a way to protect Hasselbeck. They had shut out their previous home opponents 69-0 when Hasselbeck started. Rookie linebacker Aaron Curry and the defense had punished opponents at home, even during a defeat to the Bears in Week 3.
Curry managed a couple of strong tackles early in the game, but Cardinals left tackle Mike Gandy slammed the rookie out of the way during Beanie Wells' 12-yard run to the Seattle 2 on Arizona's opening drive. Curry's helmet popped off as Gandy made his block and Wells knifed into the secondary. The Cardinals' offense was more physical than the Seahawks' defense on that drive, in the Seahawks' house, and that was significant.
By game's end, the Seahawks had set a franchise single-game low with 14 yards rushing. They failed to convert any of their 11 third-down opportunities.
"Some weeks we play well, some weeks we don't," Hasselbeck said. "You don't know which team is going to show up."
Mora blamed Seattle's offense while pointing to other factors, including how the team was learning new systems on both sides of the ball. Those factors didn't stop Seattle from shutting out the Rams (28-0) and Jaguars (41-0).
"I think what you're seeing on defense is some consistency in the lineup finally and you're seeing us improve on defense," Mora said.
Not so much.
Warner completed 20 of his first 23 passes before Seattle picked off a Hail Mary gift as the first half ended. Warner completed 32 of 41 passes for 276 yards and two touchdowns. Fitzgerald caught 13 passes for 100 yards. His per-catch average suffered from a 2-yard touchdown reception, but Steve Breaston picked up the slack with seven receptions for 77 yards. The Cardinals converted 8 of 16 times on third down, scoring touchdowns twice in three red zone trips.
"I understand they are banged up a little bit," Whisenhunt said, "but for us to go 11 minutes to start the game with the drive to touchdown and for the defense to play the way it did, especially here, which has been a tough place to play, I am very proud of our team and excited that we are improving and we are playing better football."
Plenty of time remains to find out how far the Cardinals, now 3-2, can go. With the Seahawks, there's a growing sense we already know.
"We're going to not focus on the playoffs right now," Mora said. "We're going to focus on getting better and more consistent as a football team."
Dockett was already looking ahead to the New York Giants in Week 7.
"I honestly feel they are a much better team," he said. "No disrespect to Seattle, but the Giants are one of the top teams in the league and we are going to have our work cut out for us."
Rapid Reaction: Cardinals 27, Seahawks 3
SEATTLE -- Arizona looked very much like the NFC West favorite while playing a complete game for the first time this season.
Seattle appeared overmatched.
The Cardinals led 14-0 before the Seattle offense took possession for the first time with 3:07 remaining in the first quarter. And once the Seahawks' offense did have the ball, Arizona's defense dominated. The Cardinals dominated on both lines of scrimmage.
No team figures to run away with the division for a while, but I think Arizona has the potential to do so later in the season.
The Cardinals matched the 49ers with a 3-2 record atop the NFC West. While the 49ers hold an early tiebreaker lead, Arizona has so much greater potential for improvement on offense. Beanie Wells got more touches Sunday, and the Cardinals' offensive line held up in protection despite a tough environment.
Seattle is off in Week 7. The Cardinals visit the Giants. The 49ers visit the Texans. Seattle could actually gain ground during its bye week.
Do not be fooled, however. The Seahawks have significant injury issues and they haven't beaten a good team this season. They will not suddenly get healthy and regain their pre-2008 form. Lofa Tatupu, Patrick Kerney and Kelly Jennings suffered injuries Sunday. The bye week will provide a reprieve, but the Seahawks face an uphill fight with a 2-4 record, two losses at home and four road trips in their first five games after the bye.
SEATTLE -- Defensive end Patrick Kerney will not return after suffering a groin injury, the Seahawks announced.
Kerney was having some success against Cardinals right tackle Levi Brown, but not in a way that was threatening to affect the outcome.
The ability of Kerney, Walter Jones and Matt Hasselbeck to stay healthy this season was a key variable. All have missed games. Their futures are now measured week to week.
» NFC Stock Watch: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South
Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando
Falling
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2. 49ers guards. Consider it a bad sign for David Baas and Chilo Rachal when the head coach expressed serious concerns about the offensive line, all while praising both tackles and the center. Lineup changes could be a possibility. The remedial nature of the 49ers' offense has too often been used to suggest the team lacks confidence in quarterback Shaun Hill. It's clear offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye lacks confidence in the offensive line's ability to pass protect. The thought of Hill dropping back in a spread passing attack might not appeal to Raye under any circumstances. It certainly doesn't appeal under the current ones.
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Rising
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What to watch in Seahawks' exhibition opener
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?
Camp Confidential: Seahawks' new priorities
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| 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.
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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."
Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. -- Thought I'd pass along a few thoughts after scanning the division following the first day of full-squad practices for the Rams, Seahawks and Cardinals:
- Reporters in St. Louis were razzing coach Steve Spagnuolo for running an easier first day than anticipated. Players were in shorts and shells. Spagnuolo promised a tough camp, but that doesn't mean he'll stage a slugfest every day.
- The atmosphere at Cardinals camp in Flagstaff is far more lively than in past seasons. Coach Ken Whisenhunt said he remembered maybe 80 fans showing up for his first camp practice two years ago. There were at least a couple thousand this time. I had trouble hearing defensive coordinator Bill Davis following the afternoon practice because fans were chanting Larry Fitzgerald's name as the all-world receiver approached. Great atmosphere.
- Seahawks left tackle Walter Jones appeared lean and moved well in his first practice back from knee surgery, according to reporters I spoke with following practice. Patrick Kerney and Deion Branch also looked good. One day doesn't mean a whole lot, but those are encouraging signs. On the flip side, Marcus Trufant's back trouble might be minor, but missing the first day of practice following an extended layoff caught my attention.
- The 49ers won't practice until Saturday. Players are expecting lots of fully padded practices. We'll see if coach Mike Singletary follows through. Injuries will happen either way, but if Singletary runs an overly physical camp and the team loses key players, the coach will shoulder blame, fairly or not.
NFC West injury analysis with Stephania Bell
Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando
NFL training camps bring hope and anxiety as teams worry about injuries altering the trajectories of their seasons.
If Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck aggravates the disc problem in his back, then what? Even rival teams' fans acknowledged Hasselbeck's health as a key variable in the division when I asked which NFC injuries scared them the most.
"Hasselbeck and the overall health of Seattle's o-line have to be No. 1," DWRinAZ wrote.
49ers fan redng0ld singled out San Francisco right tackle Marvel Smith's back situation as pivotal in the division. "If he stays healthy," redng0ld wrote, "we got ourselves a Pro Bowl-caliber RT. If not, we got Adam Snyder, who is not much more than a versatile backup."
"Has to be Steven Jackson," Rams fan Casey Schneider wrote. "'Spags' [Rams head coach Steve Spagnuolo] is committed to the run and we don't have a lot of depth behind Jackson."
"Why is Kurt Warner not being mentioned here?" joe_cool585 asked.
He's on the list, Joe.
As promised, ESPN injury expert Stephania Bell has delivered. We spent more than an hour on the phone Tuesday analyzing key injury situations in the division. Her experience as a physical therapist, board-certified orthopedic clinical specialist and certified strength and conditioning coach helped establish more clearly defined expectations.
And now, on to the injury analysis, grouped by team:Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando
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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.
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| 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.)
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| 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.
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| 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.)
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| 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.
Where the Seahawks can find pass-rush help
Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando
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Seahawks strength coach Mike Clark singled out Brandon Mebane as one of the players he can't keep from coming into the weight room, even when it's time for a rest. 710 ESPN Seattle has the audio about halfway through this hour-long block.
Keep an eye on Mebane this summer. He's a key part of what the Seahawks want to do defensively. The team has turned him into more of an up-the-field defensive tackle. That should give him an opportunity to get more sacks as the Seahawks implement more of the Tampa principles that helped free up Warren Sapp. If Mebane develops as planned, perhaps Seattle could even use him at end in the 3-3 defense Eric Williams addressed earlier in the day.
Clark on Mebane: "Some [players] you have to kidnap to get them out of here. You laugh, but I am dead serious. I've got one of those I was having a discussion with today. ... He just needs a break but he is so excited about it -- somebody we have talked about, Brandon Mebane."
Defensive tackles generally aren't known as workout warriors. Expect a leaner version of Mebane when the Seahawks open training camp. Clark also mentioned guard Mike Wahle, guard Rob Sims and defensive Patrick Kerney among his most diligent workers.
Around the NFC West: Burleson trains in Arizona
Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando
Eric D. Williams of the Tacoma News Tribune says Nate Burleson is headed to Arizona for a month-long workout program at Athletes Performance. Burleson, who is from Seattle: "I want to go into this last year in the best shape of my career. And I know if I'm out here I might have some distractions. I might be tempted to travel or be tempted to vacate. But if I'm in Arizona and I'm working out five times a week, twice a day, I'm not going to be tempted to go anywhere because it's what I have to do."
Also from Williams: Seahawks offensive coordinator Greg Knapp says he believes a team has to "platoon the [running] backs" to keep them fresh. Not that the Seahawks have a runner established enough to command nearly all the carries.
Gregg Bell of the Associated Press quotes Seahawks cornerback Kelly Jennings as saying he's "not sure" about his role for the upcoming season. Ken Lucas is starting ahead of him. Jennings: "Beginning of last season, I definitely didn't play the way I had hoped to. Now that the change has been made, it's more competition. It kind of helps me heighten my senses and know I've got to really bear down and show what I can do."
Danny O'Neil of the Seattle Times says the Seahawks expect Walter Jones, Patrick Kerney and all their rehabbing players to practice when training camp opens.
Also from O'Neil: Seahawks receiver Deon Butler runs in Aaron Curry's shadow when the two hang out away from the field. Butler: "People think I'm like his homeboy from Fayetteville. ... They're like, 'You play football?' "
More from O'Neil: a look at tight ends, fullbacks and linebackers battling in practice. John Carlson continues to impress. O'Neil: "Carlson made a ridiculous catch while being defended by linebacker Leroy Hill. It was a diving catch, in which Carlson deadened and controlled the ball with one hand -- his left hand no less -- before cradling it with two arms. Earlier in the drill, Carlson got by rookie linebacker Aaron Curry and turned on the jets."
Samuel Lam of examiner.com checks in with quarterback Alex Smith and linebacker Patrick Willis of the 49ers. Willis on life under defensive coordinator Greg Manusky: "I think our whole approach to how we work, how we execute with attention to detail is a lot different than it has been. We have a little bit more freedom to do our thing. Before it was a little bit of this and a little bit of that. It's his third year now as defensive coordinator and with time we get better. We have a lot of guys that want to do well and want to be one of the best defenses in the league, if not the best."
Demetric Evans of the 49ers blogs about his golf game and how he wanted the Nuggets to reach the NBA Finals so he could see Chauncey Billups play.
Kevin Lynch of Niner Insider quotes Mike Martz on NFL Network. Martz offers pointers to Alex Smith while using the word "subpar" to describe some of the 49ers' receivers last season.
Tom FitzGerald of the San Francisco Chronicle says it's tough to know which quarterback is leading the 49ers' competition.
Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee says the 49ers' new offense isn't a boring one. Barrows: "I can report that the O is not nearly as bland as initially thought. The 49ers have worked on four-receiver package this past week. There are lots of passes between 20 and 40 yards. There's even a dash of razzle dazzle thrown in. And most important, they're making progress." It's the play calling that tends to determine whether an offense is daring, boring or somewhere in between.
Tim Klutsarits of examiner.com offers an appreciation for retiring former Rams quarterback Trent Green. Klutsarits: "What will go underrated in Green's career was his sense of confidence that he gave to the teams he played for. I heard Kurt Warner in an interview on WXOS less than a week ago say that Trent was more important to that Super Bowl Championship season than people give him credit for. He had that offense up and humming and had installed the belief that they were going to be a dominant offense long before Warner took over."
Darren Urban of azcardinals.com expects little Cardinals news in the coming weeks, although he does point to a report about Luke Palko, brother of Tyler, joining the team as a scout. Luke Palko had been interning as a scout with the Steelers.
Also from Urban: The Cardinals have signed both seventh-round choices. He notes that the Cardinals will have to release a player each time they sign another choice as they comply with the 80-man roster limit.
Revenge of the Birds' Hawkwind sizes up the Cardinals' situation at cornerback. It's an improved situation.
Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando
The assignment sounded simple enough: Identify and elaborate upon a veteran NFC West player "on the hot seat" this season.
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The hard part was settling on just one.
I chose 49ers quarterback Alex Smith, with Rams quarterback Marc Bulger earning honorable mention, even though other candidates also seemed worthy.
The stakes are always highest for quarterbacks.
Smith is probably feeling less heat after accepting a reduced contract and the reduced expectations that came with it, but his career is unmistakably at a crossroads. That's a big deal for the first player chosen in the 2005 NFL draft.
Smith is one of 21 players remaining on the 49ers' roster from the most recent regular-season game he played, a 24-0 defeat to Seattle on Nov. 12, 2007. While the 49ers promised Smith a chance to battle Shaun Hill for the starting job in return for Smith accepting a significant pay reduction, they won't wait forever.
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The agenda for Smith, still only 25, should include the following priorities:
- Getting healthy. Smith still isn't 100 percent following shoulder surgery. He should be much closer to full strength by training camp.
- Staying healthy. Smith described his most recent shoulder injury as "freaky" because nothing seemed to cause it. Injuries suffered for no apparent reason fail to inspire confidence in future health.
- Asserting himself. The college scouting reports described Smith as a terrific leader by words and actions. Smith is smart, amiable and a sympathetic figure. Those traits aren't enough. Perhaps a return to health will help Smith assert himself in other ways. He'll have to step forward to win over the team and coach Mike Singletary.
- Having fun. Smith is newly married and sounds at peace with his personal situation. He likes the new attitude Singletary has brought. Football needs to be fun for him and others need to see that he is having fun.
Smith will have gone 671 days between regular-season starts if he beats out Hill for the No. 1 job heading into the 2009 opener. The future is now for Smith.
Bulger, trying to bounce back after three poor seasons, was arguably more qualified than Smith for the NFC West veteran's hot seat. Two main reasons:
- New blood: The Rams have remade their front office and coaching staff since Bulger signed his current deal before the 2007 season, with Chip Rosenbloom taking over for his late mother as principle owner. Fewer people in the organization have a stake in whether Bulger succeeds.
- Old money. Bulger's inflated salary -- $6.5 million this season and $24 million over the next three -- carries inflated expectations. Salary-cap ramifications made releasing Bulger nearly prohibitive in 2009, but less so after the season.
Additional hot-seat candidates from the NFC West, arranged by team:
Arizona
- Alan Branch, nose tackle. Second-round choice has shown little in first two seasons.
- Matt Leinart, quarterback. The Cardinals gave raises to fellow quarterbacks Kurt Warner and Brian St. Pierre, even offering St. Pierre a chance to compete with Leinart for the No. 2 job.
- Deuce Lutui, right guard. The Cardinals weren't always happy with Lutui last season.
- Mark Roman, free safety. The 49ers have already benched him and let him seek trade opportunities. There were no takers.
- Arnaz
Battle, receiver. Will the 49ers have a roster spot for him? Prospects could be dim if the team keeps five receivers instead of six.
Seattle
- Patrick Kerney, defensive end. He is coming off another shoulder surgery while carrying a massive contract into his third season with the team.
- Kelly Jennings, cornerback. Adding Ken Lucas affirmed where Jennings stands, particularly while he recovers from a shoulder injury.
- Chris Spencer, center. First-round pick enters the final year of his contract with rookie second-rounder Max Unger onboard as a potential successor.
- Deion Branch, receiver. Adding T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Deon Butler gave the Seahawks options. Branch needs to justify his contract this season.
- Nate Burleson, receiver. Burleson is more affordable than Branch, but he is also coming off knee surgery.
- Tye Hill, cornerback. Has yet to play like the 15th player chosen in his draft class (2006).
- Alex Barron, tackle. How he performs in 2009 will determine whether Barron finds riches in free agency after the season.
- Joe Klopfenstein, tight end. Hasn't lived up to second-round draft status.
- Jacob Bell, guard. The Rams invested heavily in him last offseason. Time to see some results.
- Everyone predating the current staff. The Rams are remaking their roster. Tis better to be a newcomer than a holdover in St. Louis.
