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NFC West offseason: Several key 49ers may be set free
By Lorenzo Reyes, USA TODAY
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sport...draft-cardinals-rams-49ers-seahawks/22980675/
Now that the 2014 NFL season is over, it's time to take a look into preparations for the 2015 season with the NFL scouting combine less than two weeks away in Indianapolis. This is one in a series of team-by-team looks at the needs of each NFC team. Other NFC divisions will be posted throughout the day.
ST. LOUIS RAMS
For the second consecutive year, QB Sam Bradford suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament, ultimately dooming the Rams' season. Coach Jeff Fisher has had moderate success reinforcing an already strong defense. But after going 6-10, next year may be the time for Fisher to show marked improvement after three sub-.500 seasons.
Contract issues: The biggest question involves Bradford. He was the final No. 1 draft pick under the previous collective bargaining agreement, which gave him his massive contract. It expires at the end of next season, which means the team has to decide whether Bradford can still be the franchise quarterback. Based on his injury history, the team may take a wait-and-see approach or try to renegotiate his deal to more team-friendly terms. Backup QB Shaun Hill, WR Kenny Britt and TE Lance Kendricks are the Rams' most notable free agents.
Draft pickings: St. Louis is in a good spot with the 10th overall selection in the draft's first round. Cornerback and receiver are potential areas of need, but the Rams could also end up taking a quarterback if they decide to lay the groundwork for life after Bradford.
ARIZONA CARDINALS
For a large chunk of the regular season, they looked like one of the best teams in the league. But debilitating injuries to QBs Carson Palmer and Drew Stanton — not to mention the loss of several key defenders — were too tough to overcome even though Arizona finished with an 11-5 record. But as long as Palmer is good to go to start the 2015 season, the Cardinals should be a playoff contender under Bruce Arians for the next few years in the tough NFC West.
Contract issues: The Cardinals have a few key contributors that will hit the market. NT Dan Williams, CB Antonio Cromartie and ILB Larry Foote, all defensive starters, are set to be free agents. Depending on the asking price, retaining those valuable pieces could go a long way toward keeping the Cardinals competitive.
Draft pickings: The Cardinals need help at linebacker, defensive line and — depending on Cromartie's future — could wind up needing another corner, too. With the 24th selection in the first round, it's safe to expect them to try to pluck a starter at one of those positions.
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
Even though Jim Harbaugh was one of the best coaches in the NFL over the last four seasons, taking the 49ers to three consecutive NFC Championship Games from 2011 to 2013 and one Super Bowl appearance, the front office simply couldn't work through its friction with the coaching staff. So Harbaugh departed for Michigan on the heels of a disappointing 8-8 season. Now former D-line coach Jim Tomsula is charged with getting the 49ers back to the playoffs.
Contract issues: The defense is still talented, but the offense could face a bit of a retooling under the new coaching staff. WR Michael Crabtree, RB Frank Gore and LG Mike Iupati are all free agents who have been instrumental to the Niners' success in the past few seasons. Gore is aging, and San Francisco has a couple of talented replacements in Carlos Hyde and Kendall Hunter, so the team's all-time leading rusher may be expendable.
Draft pickings: Perhaps no team in search of a head coach this offseason could offer as much talent to lead as the 49ers. And, thanks to the No. 15 selection in the draft, San Francisco should add another premium player. Offensive and defensive line as well as wideout are areas that could use reinforcement. But GM Trent Baalke usually takes the top player on his board and isn't afraid to grab a player recovering from a major injury sooner than other teams might.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
A brutally disappointing finish to the Super Bowl will make this offseason seem even longer for the Seahawks. Still, this team should have plenty of confidence entering 2015. The roster is still young, talented and possesses the championship fiber many other franchises lack.
Contract issues: In order to stay among the NFL's elite, the Seahawks have a couple of major deals to work out. QB Russell Wilson is still playing under his rookie deal, which won't expire until the end of the 2015 season. But it's in Seattle's best interest to lock Wilson up with a long-term deal that he's clearly already earned. The Seahawks must also figure out what to do with RB Marshawn Lynch, who is entering the final year of his contract. He's one of the NFL's most productive backs and a vital piece of the locker room, factors that seem likely to trump previous rumors that Lynch was on his way out. Like Wilson, LB Bobby Wagner is in line for an extension if the team can address his contract a year early. CB Byron Maxwell is the club's top free agent.
Draft pickings: The Seahawks could go in a number of directions. The play of WR Chris Matthews in the Super Bowl was a nice story, but the Seahawks may still need to address the position. Corner will be another strong consideration if Maxwell leaves, especially with Richard Sherman and Jeremy Lane facing major offseason surgery.
By Lorenzo Reyes, USA TODAY
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sport...draft-cardinals-rams-49ers-seahawks/22980675/
Now that the 2014 NFL season is over, it's time to take a look into preparations for the 2015 season with the NFL scouting combine less than two weeks away in Indianapolis. This is one in a series of team-by-team looks at the needs of each NFC team. Other NFC divisions will be posted throughout the day.
ST. LOUIS RAMS
For the second consecutive year, QB Sam Bradford suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament, ultimately dooming the Rams' season. Coach Jeff Fisher has had moderate success reinforcing an already strong defense. But after going 6-10, next year may be the time for Fisher to show marked improvement after three sub-.500 seasons.
Contract issues: The biggest question involves Bradford. He was the final No. 1 draft pick under the previous collective bargaining agreement, which gave him his massive contract. It expires at the end of next season, which means the team has to decide whether Bradford can still be the franchise quarterback. Based on his injury history, the team may take a wait-and-see approach or try to renegotiate his deal to more team-friendly terms. Backup QB Shaun Hill, WR Kenny Britt and TE Lance Kendricks are the Rams' most notable free agents.
Draft pickings: St. Louis is in a good spot with the 10th overall selection in the draft's first round. Cornerback and receiver are potential areas of need, but the Rams could also end up taking a quarterback if they decide to lay the groundwork for life after Bradford.
ARIZONA CARDINALS
For a large chunk of the regular season, they looked like one of the best teams in the league. But debilitating injuries to QBs Carson Palmer and Drew Stanton — not to mention the loss of several key defenders — were too tough to overcome even though Arizona finished with an 11-5 record. But as long as Palmer is good to go to start the 2015 season, the Cardinals should be a playoff contender under Bruce Arians for the next few years in the tough NFC West.
Contract issues: The Cardinals have a few key contributors that will hit the market. NT Dan Williams, CB Antonio Cromartie and ILB Larry Foote, all defensive starters, are set to be free agents. Depending on the asking price, retaining those valuable pieces could go a long way toward keeping the Cardinals competitive.
Draft pickings: The Cardinals need help at linebacker, defensive line and — depending on Cromartie's future — could wind up needing another corner, too. With the 24th selection in the first round, it's safe to expect them to try to pluck a starter at one of those positions.
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
Even though Jim Harbaugh was one of the best coaches in the NFL over the last four seasons, taking the 49ers to three consecutive NFC Championship Games from 2011 to 2013 and one Super Bowl appearance, the front office simply couldn't work through its friction with the coaching staff. So Harbaugh departed for Michigan on the heels of a disappointing 8-8 season. Now former D-line coach Jim Tomsula is charged with getting the 49ers back to the playoffs.
Contract issues: The defense is still talented, but the offense could face a bit of a retooling under the new coaching staff. WR Michael Crabtree, RB Frank Gore and LG Mike Iupati are all free agents who have been instrumental to the Niners' success in the past few seasons. Gore is aging, and San Francisco has a couple of talented replacements in Carlos Hyde and Kendall Hunter, so the team's all-time leading rusher may be expendable.
Draft pickings: Perhaps no team in search of a head coach this offseason could offer as much talent to lead as the 49ers. And, thanks to the No. 15 selection in the draft, San Francisco should add another premium player. Offensive and defensive line as well as wideout are areas that could use reinforcement. But GM Trent Baalke usually takes the top player on his board and isn't afraid to grab a player recovering from a major injury sooner than other teams might.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
A brutally disappointing finish to the Super Bowl will make this offseason seem even longer for the Seahawks. Still, this team should have plenty of confidence entering 2015. The roster is still young, talented and possesses the championship fiber many other franchises lack.
Contract issues: In order to stay among the NFL's elite, the Seahawks have a couple of major deals to work out. QB Russell Wilson is still playing under his rookie deal, which won't expire until the end of the 2015 season. But it's in Seattle's best interest to lock Wilson up with a long-term deal that he's clearly already earned. The Seahawks must also figure out what to do with RB Marshawn Lynch, who is entering the final year of his contract. He's one of the NFL's most productive backs and a vital piece of the locker room, factors that seem likely to trump previous rumors that Lynch was on his way out. Like Wilson, LB Bobby Wagner is in line for an extension if the team can address his contract a year early. CB Byron Maxwell is the club's top free agent.
Draft pickings: The Seahawks could go in a number of directions. The play of WR Chris Matthews in the Super Bowl was a nice story, but the Seahawks may still need to address the position. Corner will be another strong consideration if Maxwell leaves, especially with Richard Sherman and Jeremy Lane facing major offseason surgery.
