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Sporting News, The, March 4, 2005

ARIZONA CARDINALS

MOVING ON: Four starters might depart as free agents, but only CB Renaldo Hill would be hard to replace. TE Freddie Jones never became a consistent part of the passing game and isn't a good blocker. The team probably will seek an improvement through the draft. MLB Ronald McKinnon was a solid starter for most of his nine seasons but played less of a role in 2004. Gerald Hayes, a third-round pick in 2003, is ready to replace him. RG Cameron Spikes started for most of the past two years, but the club won't make a big effort to keep him. ACTION PLAN: Coach Dennis Green believes in signing several players for the money it would take to land one big free agent. the club has room under the salary cap, although it would like to reserve money to rework WR Anquan Boldin's contract. The team needs a running beck and could pursue the Jets' LaMont Jordan. It wants to bring in a veteran, such as Bills QB Drew Bledsoe, to compete against Josh McCown. It also needs help at guard; the Colts' Rick DeMulling and the Vikings' David Dixon would fit well. The defensive line could use some size and strength inside. Vikings DT Chris Hoven (6-2, 296) supposedly has slipped, but he might be revitalized under Green, his former coach. The club should re-sign some of its own free agents, such as LE Peppi Zellner. Hill is steady and was valuable last season because of injuries to CB Duane Starks. The club is thin at corner, so re-signing Hill should be a priority. Injury-plagued backup DE Kyle Vanden Bosch played better late last season, but the team won't offer him much. If he leaves, the Cardinals could draft an end.--Kent Somers

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

MOVING ON: WR Cedrick Wilson and S Ronnie Heard didn't show enough playmaking ability to warrant big checks and will be replaced, most likely in the draft. Wilson is a serviceable slot receiver. Heard is more suited to backup duty. Backup C Brock Gutierrez likely will leave. Given starting C Jeremy Newberry's back and knee woes, the team must replace Gutierrez with a solid backup. K Todd Peterson has revived his reputation as an accurate veteran, and re-signing him is the key to maintaining consistency on special teams. But he could be a hot commodity in a market lacking proven kickers. ACTION PLAN: The team has avoided making a big splash in the free-agent market since the late '90s, but this spring will be different. Restocking the offense is a must. Deciding what to do at quarterback is a priority considering Tim Rattoy's injuries, and the team could use its No. 1 overall pick on Cal QB Aaron Rodgers. Finding linemen to protect the quarterback is just as vital--the club allowed 52 sacks last season. LT Kwame Harris and RG Justin Smiley are high-priced youngsters who are sure to return, but possibly at different spots. The team also needs veterans to play alongside them. The team lacks a playmaker at receiver, so the 49ers could bid for high-profile free agents such as Jerry Porter, Plaxico Burress, T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Joey Galloway. RB Kevan Barlow's job likely is safe, but he needs a stronger backup to push him. Upgrades are needed at several spots on defense, and a beefy nose tackle such as the Bills' Pat Williams might fit well in the planned move to a 3-4 defense.--Cam Inman

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

MOVING ON: The club hasn't pursued free-agent RB Shaun Alexander with much vigor. It lacks a proven replacement and might need to draft a running back early if Alexander leaves. MLB Orlando Huff (6-2, 246) is physical but mistake-prone and likely won't return. Seattle might miss the soft hands of starting TE Itula Mill, 31, but with two younger tight ends on the team (Jerramy Stevens and Ryan Hannam), Mill might find more money elsewhere. Freeagent C Robbie Tobeck and RG Chris Gray will be 35 this year. The team likely will keep Tobeck because he would be harder to replace. Off-field issues cloud the futures of WR Koren Robinson and RT Chris Terry, and Terry has an inflated cap number. ACTION PLAN: Re-signing LT Walter Jones was a huge first step toward building on consecutive playoff appearances. The team needs to re-sign free-agent QB Matt Hasselbeck next. Look for Seattle to re-sign RG/RT Floyd Womack, LE Chike Okeafor and CB Ken Lucas, three rising players. Beefing up the defensive front seven is a priority. Denver is trying to trade DL Trevor Pryce, who has had injury problems, but Pryce might make sense for the Seahawks considering he played for coordinator Ray Rhodes in Denver. Linebacker is a huge priority and will be addressed in the free-agent market and draft. Veteran LBs Anthony Simmons and Chad Brown haven't been able to stay healthy. Panthers OLB Mark fields possesses the speed Rhodes seems to covet. The team needs another starting-caliber receiver as insurance for the troubled Robinson. Signing Oakland's Jerry Porter or trading for Randy Moss for a reasonable price would make sense.--Mike Sando

ST. LOUIS RAMS

MOVING ON: SLB Tommy Polley has been a productive starter for most of the past four seasons. But he also has been inconsistent, and the team seems committed to having Brandon Chillar step into Polley's spot. Pass rushers always are at a premium in the free-agent market, and RE Bryce Fishers late-season surge basically priced him out of the Rams' range. Anthony Hargrove, who is raw but promising, will take his place. FS Aeneas Williams is expected to retire, and either Adam Archuleta or Antuan Edwards, whom the club is trying to re-sign, will man the position in '05. ACTION PLAN: Linebacker became an even greater need when the team decided to switch OLB Pisa Tinoisamoa to strong safety. With Polley not expected back, the Rams now need two new starters. Middle linebacker is a particular priority because the team plans to switch Robert Thomas to the weak side. The team is looking for more size and striking power in the middle. Jeremiah Trotter, Ed Hartwell, Antonio Pierce and Kendrell Bell are options. Right tackle also is a big need. Scott Tercero and Blaine Saipaia played decently there last year, but the Rams will consider adding a veteran to the mix. Fred Miller (Titans) could be a possibility if he's a cap casualty. The team is considering moving DT Damione Lewis to end to help on run defense. Such a move would mean another tackle would be needed to beef up the defensive line rotation, but it's unlikely the Rams would want to pay more than a moderate price for a free agent at the position. If Edwards is re-signed, safety becomes less of a priority area.--Jim Thomas