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Can Matt Leinart live up to his college hype?

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This is going to be an important offseason for the Arizona Cardinals. There are a lot of questions and the answers to those questions will greatly affect the future of this franchise. Is Kurt Warner retiring? Can Matt Leinart keep this franchise going in the right direction? How can the defense be improved? Below are the areas that I believe need addressing.

1. Tackle

- Jeremy Bridges cannot be counted on and Levi Brown has not developed as expected. So whether Warner returns or not this position needs an influx of talent. I also feel that Coach Whisenhunt would like to put more focus on his running attack, especially if there is a change at the quarterback position.

2. Linebacker

- The Cardinals could lose Carlos Dansby and need upgrades throughout the linebacking core. The draft is a great place to get depth and playmakers at the linebacker position.

3. Quarterback

- This is going to be a very hot topic throughout the offseason. Everyone is awaiting Kurt Warner’s decision and most anticipate that he will retire. So the big question is whether or not Matt Leinart can run this high powered offense. I am willing to bet that most Cardinal fans are not very comfortable handing the keys over to Leinart. While there may be other more pressing needs, a long term answer at the quarterback position has to be the most important.

More photos » Paul Sakuma - AP

Coach Singletary has the 49ers moving in the right direction.

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Coach Singletary has created a buzz in San Francisco 49er territory. This buzz along with 2 first round draft picks has provided a lot of optimism. However, there are still a lot of holes on the roster and hopefully those two first round picks will help. Here is what direction the 49ers should go in with those picks.

1. Offensive Tackle

- Joe Staley is entrenched at the left tackle spot, so the focus will be on solidifying the right side. Adam Snyder is a very versatile back up but that is all the 49ers should count on him for. I believe that around pick 13 we could see our 2nd run on tackles. Think Trent Williams, Bruce Campbell, and Bryan Bulaga. The 49ers could take the risk that one of them falls to pick 16 or 17.

2. Safety

- The 49ers had some issues with their safety play this season. Dashon Goldson is a good special teamer and Michael Lewis is a major liability in the passing game. This position needs to be addressed to keep the development of this defense moving forward. Someone like Earl Thomas or Taylor Mays could be available when the 49ers are picking. Earl Thomas should be around with pick 13 but could be gone by 16/17. This is going to be a tough decision for the 49ers.

3. Cornerback

- The 49ers have struggled against the pass this season. Nate Clements is being paid a lot of money to be a #1 cornerback but he has struggled a little this past season. Shawntee Spencer has shown some promise but maybe more suited for a nickel role. This position needs an influx of talent for depth and competition purposes.

More photos » Elaine Thompson - AP

Injuries have forced Hasselbeck off the field. Is this draft the right time to look for a replacement?

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Win now or rebuild? The management for the Seattle Seahawks seems to be stuck on this question. Back to back poor season should answer the question for them but their actions seem to suggest they want to win now (passing on Sanchez and signing TJ Houshmanzadeh). This draft will be greatly affected by the direction Pete Carroll wants to go. There should be at least 1 quarterback left when they pick at # 6. But does management see quarterback as a top need? Here is the direction I feel the Seahawks should go.

1. Tackle

- Will Walter Jones retire? If I am Pete Carroll I would focus on a tackle either way. Jones is aging and Ray Willis is not a starting caliber tackle. Seattle can hope that Russell Okung falls to them at pick #6 or they could reach for one of the other tackles. Luckily, Seattle also owns the 14th pick where we might see the second run on offensive linemen.

2. Quarterback

- Hasselbeck has been injury prone the last few years which has exposed the weaknesses of Seneca Wallace. Picking in the top 8 the last two years should tell management that they are rebuilding and maybe it’s time to find their future quarterback. Both Jimmy Clausen and Sam Bradford could be available at pick #6.

3. Running back

- Julius Jones has proved that he is nothing more than a complementary back and the same could be said for Justin Forsett. Forsett has shown some promise but the coaches don’t seem to trust him, which is explained by his lack of carries late in the season. The Seahawks offense needs some speed and playmaking ability.

Michael Conroy - AP

Will Jimmy Clausen be throwing touchdown passes in St. Louis?

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Having the #1 overall pick can sometimes be more of a curse than a blessing. The St. Louis Rams face a tough choice with that pick. Do they select a sure fire prospect like Ndamukon Suh or focus on need and select one of the top rated quarterbacks? We often hear about different draft strategies like "drafting for need" and "drafting the best available", what will the Rams do?

1. Quarterback

- Marc Bulger is no longer a NFL starting caliber quarterback and Keith Null never was. It has been proven time and time again that you need a good quarterback to be successful in the NFL. The Rams have a dilemma, is either Sam Bradford or Jimmy Clausen worthy of the #1 overall pick?

2. Cornerback

- There are issues at every level of this defense but the cornerback position has to be the weakest, or the least addressed. Adding a top flight cornerback can help stimulate the pass rush and maybe allow some safety help for the weaker cornerback.

3. Wide Receiver

- Donnie Avery and Brandon Gibson show some promise but if you’re thinking about adding a new quarterback you have to give him so weapons to play with. I am sure Steven Jackson wouldn’t mind having someone that can pull a safety out of the box, providing more running room.

 2008 Draft:

1 (28) Lawrence Jackson, DE  STARTER
	Well, maybe not a for sure starter, but he did start 14 games for the Hawks, starting nine at one end before being benched and subsequently coming back in and starting five more as an injury replacement at the other end.  If Jackson could be said to have a problem, it would be that he can't seem to generate any rush yet, though he flashes some tremendous explosiveness, and thus isn't starter quality material.  On the other hand, he is progressing nicely, which is standard issue for even the really good Dlinemen.  He certainly won't be going anywhere anytime soon.
2 (38) John Carlson, TE  STARTER
	As a rotational and package starter on the end of hte line, Carlson has impressed.  Probably the best pick of the 2008 draft for Seattle, he was also the highest rated TE.  Seattle had to trade their third rounder to move up and get him, but knowing they needed help at tackle, with none available in the draft, they did the next best thing in picking up an end blocker (who works hard at getting better) and quick outlet for the QB.
4 (121) Red Bryant, DT  Backup
	Bryant's less than stellar college career followed him to Seattle where injuries sidelined him too often.  Seattle looks to be trying to establish some depth in the rotation, despite losing linemate Rocky Bernard, and the worry is that any depth added could potentially bury Bryant amongst the backups for good.
5 (163), Owen Schmitt, FB  Backup
	Seattle refused to throw Schmitt into the mess that was 2008, probably because his pass blocking wasn't yet significantly better than Leonard Weaver's.  That won't be an option in 2009, and Seattle needs to findout whether the top rated blocking FB in the draft has what it takes to start.
6 (189) Tyler Schmitt, LS  Backup
	When a guy is drafted specifically to be a longsnapper, even if it is with a 6th round pick, it is a serious blow when they can't contribute.  After going to IR before the season, Schmitt didn't miss out on much, and his stock isn't likely hurt in Seattle.
7 (223) Justin Forsett, RB  Backup
	Another player with a lot of potential who was never given a chance to do anything in 2008.  With the 'hawks moving to a likely committee system int eh backfield, there is a good chance that 2009 could be Forsett's chance to get a lot of carries.
7 (235) Brandon Coutu, K  Backup
	The more of Ruskell's drafts I analyze, the less I understand what he is trying to accomplish.  Coutu wasn't able to win the starting job as a rookie, yet was retained on a roster that was decimated with injuries.  It is likely he goes into 2010 trying to win the starting job again, but I have to wonder what happens if he once again isn't up to tthe task...  Do they give him a raise?

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 2008 Draft:

1 (2) Chris Long, DE  STARTER
	While Long's production may not be where many would like to see it, it is generally regarded as acceptable for  defensive linemen to take a little time to develop, and in Chris' case, he does all the little things to make you comfortable with giving him that leeway.  Reportedly a hard studier and film-room buff, he is a solid guy in practice and hustles on the field.  The feeling, and it seems pretty accurate, is that he is well on his way to being a consistent, and possibly stellar, player.
2 (33) Donnie Avery, WR  STARTER
	Avery contributed immediately to the team, posting good numbers for a rookie WR and flashing some terrific instincts, body control and hands.  The Rams liked his efforts enough to name him their rookie of the year, and he has a bright future ahead of him as the team improves around him
3 (65) John Greco, OT  Backup
	Greco came along slowly, but was moved ahead of G Incognito on the depth chart at the end of the season, where he was adequate.  WIth Incognito likely to attempt an "attitude-readjustment" there will likely be a battle in camp for the starting RG spot.  While Greco could win the spot in a darkhorse role, Cogs is certainly capable of hanging on to it, and Greco may end up learning to backup the C and LG in order to capitalize on his roster spot, and better position himself for an inevitable move into the starting lineup someday.
4 (107) Justin King, CB  Backup
	Sidelined by an injury in training camp, he looks to be healthy and ready to return.  He will need to catch the coaches eye all over agian, but he was on his way to doing that once ,and he has the confidence to repeat it.
4 (128) Keenan Burton, WR  Backup
	Burton found himself in and out of the lineup with injuries and inconsistent play, but flashed the ability to play a possession role in a more spread out offense.  Unfortunately, if he doesn't get more durable, playing over the middle will drop his value out of sight, and the Rams won't be willing to hang onto him.
5 (157) Roy Schuening, OG  Backup
	A promising prospect who is being developed very carefully by the Rams.  May compete for a backup spot, but could likely end up on the practice squad in 09, with redundant interior depth ahead of him.  He got off to a rough start, and the season finished with him not getting in on the "talent scouting" where the team played a lot of their depth in the final games, but in between reporst from the front office for him were favorable, so he seems to be doing the little things behind the scenes.
7 (228) Chris Chamberlain, SS/OLB  Backup
	After spending the season inactive he was able to get on the field towards the year, but didn't turn any heads while getting reps at OLB.  his coverage skills appear to be solid, and he could provide key depth at the SAM position going forward.
7 (252) David Vobora, ILB  Backup
	Vobora didn't impress with plenty of playing time.  He might be best suited to a move outside, as he is a tad undersized, but the Rams will likely try to upgrade the middle,a nd he will end up ahving his work cut out for him to keep a job.

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 2008 Draft:

1 (16) Domonique-Rodgers-Cromartie, CB  STARTER
	Cromartie definitley lived up to his first rounb billing, first stepping into the starter role, and then stepping onto the biggest stage inthe NFL in the SuperBowl.  While he still has some parts of his game he could work on, he showed the ability to be not just the top rookie for the Cards, or a top player on the team, but one of the best in the NFL.
2 (50) Calais Campell, DE  Backup
	Campell made maximum use of limited reps, by being both a  playmaker on special teams and in rare defensive snaps.  By staying healthy and productive, he looks to have earned a chance to start at DE in the new 3-4 look.
3 (81) Early Doucet, WR  Backup
	A groin strain put him behind the eightball early in Arizona, and he barely managed to see the field at all, being deactivated msot of the time.  However, with the superior depth at WR, Arizona may be hoping to keep him around, since he proveds the reliable sure handed play that can be effective coming cold off the bench.
4 (116) Keeny Iwebema, DE  Backup
	Not quite the upside of Campbell, Iwebama didn't get the chance to impress on STs, but still managed to produce ont eh Dline in relief duty to injured starters at DE and DT.  His size and strength make him a versatile complement to the 3-4 line, and he will likely be a solid backup there.
5 (149) Tim Hightower, RB  STARTER
	THough he may end up being part of a committee at RB for the Cards, Hightower proved that he is part of their starting offensive packages.  After a redhot start he definitely cooled off after being named the starter, but all signs point toward a solid player with a bright future in Arizona.  With Edge likely on his way out, it is only a question of how Arizona is able to replace him, in dealing with where Hightower ranks against the other runners.
6 (185) Chris Harrington, DE  Backup
	After earning a spot on the practice squad harrington was poached by the Bengals.
7 (225) Brandon Keith, OT  Backup
	He hasn't been given much of a look, but the Cardinal's line caught some grief in 2008 and he might be looked at as an upgrade for the running game.

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 2008 Draft:

1 (29) Kentwan Balmer, DT  Backup
	Not exactly a hot start for the rookie, collecting almost as many kick returns as he had tackles, all on special teams.  With the anticipated switch to a 3-4 the Niners are just hoping he has the ability to move over to DE.  It will probably be a suitable move that gets him on the field, as he has the length and ability to take on blockers and force double teams.
2 (39) Chilo Rachal, OG  STARTER
	With  the advent of new Head Coach Mike Singletary, Rachal went from benchwarmer to starter.  He appears to have the starting guard spot locked down, and shows the athleticism to be moved out on the edge if needed, should the Niners find themselves in a good position to target Guards in the draft.
3 (75) Reggie Smith, CB  Backup
	The latest addition of the highly targeted CB spot for the niners.  Smith saw action on special teams, but where it gets interesting for him is his experience as a SS.  While he doesn't quite have the range to drop all the way back as a FS, he certainly has the versatility to give the Niners optional looks and packages in their secondary.  No doubt he will be around for awhile, as an intriguing set of possibilities.
4 (107) Cody Wallace, C  Backup
	Wallace will get some time to develop on the bench, as C Eric Heitmann recieved a contract extension to go along with arguably his best year as the Niner's center.  Wallace is solid depth, and should be ready to step in if there wre to be interior line injuries.
6 (171) Josh Morgan, WR  Backup
	Morgan should get an opportunity to compete for first team reps, after a rookie season that started out with a lot of promise during the pre-season, but hit the brakes after a staph infection and then a groin injury sidelined him.  He has good size/strength, and could be a playmaker if he can build up some solid connections with whomever ends up QBing the niners.
7 (214) Larry Grant, OLB  Backup/Rams
	Was poached early from San Francisco's practice squad, and now serves as an inexperiencd strongside backup for the Rams.

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