NFC West teams have acquired 10 veteran players by trade this offseason. Which one will have the greatest impact in 2010?

Let's define impact first.

Cardinals safety Kerry Rhodes, acquired from the Jets, has the best chance to finish the 2010 season with the most snaps played among players acquired by NFC West teams. He'll start and presumably be an every-down player on defense.

Seahawks running back Leon Washington and 49ers receiver Ted Ginn Jr. have the best chance to make an electrifying play or two, perhaps swinging a game in their team's favor. Washington first must overcome a broken leg. Ginn scored two touchdowns on kickoff returns for the Dolphins last season. He had a 53-yard TD reception last season and a 40-yard scoring run in 2008.

Charlie Whitehurst, the quarterback Seattle acquired from San Diego, could make the greatest impact -- positive or negative -- based on the nature of his position. Early returns suggest Matt Hasselbeck will hold off Whitehurst for the starting job, but injuries have slowed Hasselbeck over the past two seasons. If Hasselbeck is banged up again, the Seahawks will presumably turn to Whitehurst.

A quick look at the veteran players NFC West teams have added and subtracted this offseason:

Arizona: added Rhodes; subtracted receiver Anquan Boldin.

St. Louis: added linebacker Bobby Carpenter and safety Kevin Payne; subtracted tackle Alex Barron and defensive lineman Adam Carriker.

49ers: added Ginn; subtracted quarterback Shaun Hill.

Seahawks: added Whitehurst, Washington, running back LenDale White, defensive end Chris Clemons, defensive tackle Kevin Vickerson and defensive end Robert Henderson; subtracted guard Rob Sims, defensive end Darryl Tapp and quarterback Seneca Wallace.

Seattle has been the busiest NFC West team in the trade market this offseason. I think that is because the Seahawks are the only team in the division with a new coaching staff and new general manager. They wanted to shake up the roster. Read more »

The 49ers put together a Patrick Willis highlight video commemorating his contract extension and I wasn't sure which play stood out as the best.

On one, Willis runs through the Rams' Mike Karney without seeming to notice the 260-pound fullback on his way to tackling running back Steven Jackson.

On another, Willis knocks out Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck with a touchdown-saving shot to the back.

On yet another, Willis delivers a knockout hit on Brad Smith, the Jets receiver who dared come across the middle.

Such plays made the 49ers' decision to extend Willis' contract through 2016 an easy one. Everything about Willis -- specifically the way he has played hurt, relished contact and taken pride in overcoming humble beginnings -- suggests the big payday will only push him harder.

"I'm still going to be the same Patrick, humble and hungry," Willis said during a phone interview Tuesday.

Believe him. Willis knows no other way.

Asked about the hit on Hasselbeck last season, Willis discussed it briefly, then began simmering over the 1-yard touchdown pass the 49ers allowed to Seneca Wallace on the next play.

"It made me so mad," he said. "We had the perfect defense called."

Willis' focus and intensity will not preclude him from playing a smarter game beginning in 2010. Before signing the extension, Willis agreed to take coach Mike Singletary's advice about wearing more pads. Some players have gravitated away from wearing knee pads and thigh pads, as if looking sleek meant more to them protecting their bodies.

The seemingly minor injury Willis suffered from banging his knee on artificial turf last season helped him come around to Singletary's way of thinking. The injury nagged Willis all offseason until doctors performed surgery to remove an angry bursa sac. Willis withdrew from the Pro Bowl.

Singletary had implored Willis to wear thick knee pads when the 49ers play on artificial surfaces.

"But look how you looked when you played," Willis would respond, cringing at visions of a 1980s-era Singletary playing with elbow pads, thick knee pads and thigh pads that appeared suited for a guard.

"But now look at me," Singletary would respond, and Willis had to admit Singletary looked good bouncing around the practice field.

Singletary has held up well enough physically to run through football drills with his son (Matt Singletary is a defensive end at Baylor). Willis, reliant on crutches while he recovered this offseason, has become a believer.

If the extra padding extends his career, the 49ers will have to make room on that highlight reel. They should probably extend it anyway. If forced to reduce his career to a single highlight, Willis pointed to one that didn't make the cut: his weaving 86-yard interception return for a touchdown at Seattle in 2008.

I then reminded him of the play I thought symbolized his career: the time he tracked down Cardinals receiver Sean Morey in overtime after a 62-yard catch-and-run. The 49ers won the game.

"I will never forget that play," Willis said.

Willis' new deal gives him until at least 2016 to come up with a better one. The 49ers have got to like his chances. Read more »

RENTON, Wash. -- Running back Leon Washington has a metal rod in his leg and a fishing rod in his hand.

But there's more to this fish story: Washington, acquired by the Seahawks on Saturday, spoke with reports via conference call shortly before departing on a previously scheduled fishing trip with good friend Chris Baker. The Seahawks acquired Baker earlier this offseason.

"It was kind of weird," Washington said. "I was like, 'Dude, man, we're teammates now.' He told me I would be very pleased about Seattle. Everyone out there is great."

Washington and Baker were planning to fish for striped bass in the Atlantic off Long Island. They were teammates previously with the Jets.

"It's ironic we're teammates now and fishing together," Washington said.

Washington has been rehabbing from a broken tibia and fibula. Surgeons reinforced the leg with a metal rod that will remain in the leg, Washington said. He hopes to be ready for training camp. Read more »

Just got off the phone with Matt Williamson of Scouts Inc. He also thinks the 49ers' deal for Ted Ginn makes sense:

I'm not sure you could find a better kickoff returner in the draft, and he also still has upside as a receiver. They got a returner who can also play receiver. That is how to look at it. Even if he never sees the field on offense, it's probably a good trade. He is very, very talented. At a minimum, he can run around the edges and get deep. That can open up things for Vernon Davis and the other guys.

Giving up a late-round pick, it's a home run even if Ginn does exactly what he did in Miami. A lot of times these kids who are high picks hit bottom. Bill Parcells didn’t like him. He didn't play tough. He steps out of bounds. He is not a banger. He's a finesse, speed guy. I’m sure Mike Singletary isn't going to love that, either. But maybe you get a change of scenery and say, 'Yeah, maybe I do need to toughen up, lower my shoulder, do those types of things.'

Ginn is a smart kid. He might realize this is his last chance. You step back, change your ways and there are far less expectations.

In Miami, he was a deep threat with Chad Pennington as his primary passer most of the time. Not that Alex Smith is Jay Cutler or anything (in terms of arm strength), but it's not Ginn's fault the quarterback can’t throw the ball 55 yards down the sideline. The 49ers get him for next to nothing and if he is one of the top five returners in the league, which he is, it's a good deal.

Ginn averaged 24.9 yards per kickoff return last season, 13th in the league among players with at least 20 returns. He ranked fifth in kickoff return yards with 1,296. He scored two touchdowns on returns, both against the Jets. Ginn hasn't returned punts regularly since 2007, when he averaged 9.6 yards on 24 returns, with an 87-yarder for a touchdown.

Read more »

Matt Maiocco's take on the 49ers possibly having to trade up from No. 13 for an offensive tackle hits on a significant theme in the 2010 NFL draft.

Seattle might have a shot at only the third-rated tackle -- all the way up at No. 6. That would make it tough for the 49ers and teams picking later in the round to feel as good about their options.

In 2007, the 28th overall choice landed the third-rated tackle, Joe Staley, and the 49ers were happy to draft him. Joe Thomas (third overall to Cleveland), Levi Brown (fifth to Arizona) and Ben Grubbs (28th to San Francisco) were the only other offensive linemen drafted in the first round.

The 49ers' need for a right tackle shouldn't blind them to value. Right tackles are still right tackles, not left tackles or quarterbacks. But finding a good one in the second round could be tougher if a first-round run on the position depletes the pool. Massachusetts' Vladimir Ducasse projects as a possible second-round choice with the size San Francisco might like at the position, but the 49ers aren't picking until 17 choices into the round.

As the chart shows, eight of the 12 playoff teams from last season used starting right tackles drafted in the first two rounds (by other teams in two cases). Brown was the only one chosen in the first half of the first round. The Cardinals drafted him to protect the blind side for left-handed quarterback Matt Leinart, although plans have changed. Brown is moving to left tackle this year, just as Leinart has become the starter following Kurt Warner's retirement.

Read more »

The Redskins, though presumably interested in Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford, probably weren't going to trade into the No. 1 overall draft spot. Their acquisition of quarterback Donovan McNabb means we can forget about it entirely.

Might any other teams be candidates to move into the top spot for what Rams general manager Billy Devaney said would have to be a king's ransom?

The short answer: Probably not.

Any team making such a move would probably have to part with a front-line veteran player as part of a deal rich in draft compensation.

The NFL's draft-value chart says the top pick is worth 3,000 points. I think that's reasonable value relative to lower choices in a year when a quarterback appears good enough to merit No. 1 overall status.

Only four teams other than the Rams -- Tampa Bay, Detroit, Seattle and Kansas City -- have at least 3,000 points in 2010 draft capital. Each of those teams has significant needs throughout its roster and each would have to trade away most of its draft to reach the 3,000-point range (without adding a player or players to the deal).

The Bucs and Lions invested 2009 first-round choices in quarterbacks. The Chiefs acquired Matt Cassel and paid him as a starter. Seattle's acquisition of Charlie Whitehurst would not prevent the team from drafting Bradford if available, but the Seahawks would have to part with both first-round choices and their second-rounder in cobbling together 3,000 points purely on draft choices. Seattle would have no choices in the second, third or fourth rounds.

No team drafting lower than sixth overall has 3,000 points in draft capital. The Saints, Jets, Panthers and Bears have a combined 3,128.3 points in draft choices (with compensatory picks counting as zero because they cannot be traded). Read more »

The Seahawks are the only NFC West team without at least one draft choice in every round this year. They have no third-rounder.

With two first-round choices, however, Seattle might be able to justify getting back into the third round by moving back from the sixth or 14th overall spots.

The trade chart values the 14th pick at 1,100 points, about the same as the 28th and 40th picks combined. San Diego owns both of those choices, the latter acquired from Seattle in the Charlie Whitehurst trade.

The chart values the sixth pick at 1,600 points. Moving back into the No. 10 range might recoup a third-round choice, according to the chart.

A quick look at teams without 2010 draft choices in specific rounds:

• First round: Panthers, Bears.
• Second round: Jaguars, Titans, Falcons, Bears.
• Third round: Seahawks, Redskins, Patriots, Ravens, Jets.
• Fourth round: Ravens.
• Fifth round: Cowboys, Eagles, Cardinals, Panthers, Broncos, Saints, Patriots, Dolphins.
• Sixth round: Colts, Redskins, Raiders, Lions, Chargers, Chiefs.
• Seventh round: Jaguars, Browns, Ravens, Falcons, Chiefs.

The Eagles have two seventh-rounders, but both are compensatory picks, so they cannot be traded. Read more »

The Seahawks' housecleaning continued Tuesday with the team's decision to trade once-promising defensive end Darryl Tapp to the Eagles for a 2010 fourth-round choice and Chris Clemons.

Tapp started five games last season and 32 games over the last three seasons. Clemons, also a defensive end, has started three games with three NFL teams, but none in his two seasons with Philadelphia. Clemons played special teams last season and was a role player on defense. Clemons should get a chance to play more on defense for Seattle.

The NFL lists Clemons at 240 pounds, small for a traditional defensive end. It's possible Clemons could become a candidate for the "Elephant" role in Pete Carroll's defense.

"He has natural pass-rush skills and shows counter moves when the tackle is able to anticipate his first move," Clemons' Scouts Inc. report reads. "However, if the tackle manages to get a good fit with his hands, Clemons can get engulfed by the big tackles around the league."

Adding a fourth-round pick does give Seattle needed draft ammunition. The team doesn't have a third-round choice. Seattle might also need picks to make deals for Brandon Marshall and/or Charlie Whitehurst, depending upon how much the Seahawks value those players.

Tapp's depature makes Kelly Jennings the only member of Seattle's 2006 draft class still under contract. Guard Rob Sims and receiver Ben Obomanu are restricted free agents. Jennings' future with the team could be in question based on his performance to this point and the Seahawks' known preference for bigger cornerbacks.

This can be a good deal for Seattle if the Seahawks view Clemons as a player on par with Tapp and better suited for their defense. This is considered a strong draft and picks are precious. The fourth-round choice Seattle received was a pick Philadelphia acquired from the Jets. Read more »

This is about the time in free agency when we start hearing more about the restricted market.

It's generally not much of a market. As Pro Football Weekly noted, only 62 RFAs have changed teams over the past 17 years.

Perhaps this offseason will be different in the NFC West.

The Seahawks and Cardinals have interest in Chargers RFA Charlie Whitehurst. Seattle has also visited with Broncos RFA Brandon Marshall. Rams RFA Oshiomogho Atogwe could hit the market without restrictions if St. Louis doesn't increase its one-year offer to him from $1.226 million to nearly $7 million by June 1.

In sizing up the RFA market, I noticed that 16 of the first 32 players chosen in the 2005 NFL draft are RFAs. All but three of them -- Braylon Edwards, Travis Johnson and Fabian Washington -- remain with their original teams.

The chart ranks them by draft order while showing RFA tender levels for each. Of the 16, only the Rams' Alex Barron and the Chargers' Johnson were tendered at less than a first-round level.

Read more »

NFL teams hardly make a move without tapping into some sort of connection.

The Seahawks' agreement with Patriots castoff Chris Baker fits the profile. Baker, 30, and Seahawks offensive coordinator Jeremy Bates were together with the Jets in 2005. Baker averaged a career-high 14.9 yards per catch that season. He caught 14 passes for 142 yards and two touchdowns with New England last season. The Patriots terminated his contract.

The Seahawks also showed interest in former Patriots tight end Ben Watson, but he signed with Cleveland instead. This deal with Baker made Seattle the latest NFC West team to seek depth at tight end. The Rams brought back Daniel Fells. The Cardinals brought back Anthony Becht and Stephen Spach. The 49ers visited with Becht.

Scouts Inc. on Baker: Baker is a short, thickly built tight end who isn't a powerful blocker at the point of attack, but has enough athleticism to be an effective target in the passing game. He has good foot agility, quickness and balance to be an effective short and intermediate route-runner. He has improved as a route-runner by using his body to get separation. He has good, reliable hands to extend and make receptions away from his body. Baker doesn't have great burst or speed to stretch deep seams and he can be a liability as a run-blocker at the point of attack or anchoring versus bull rushers off the edge. He has developed into a solid football player, but is somewhat one-dimensional because he is primarily used as a receiving tight end and wall-off type blocker.

It's possible the Seahawks disagree with that assessment. If not, the team is getting another receiving tight end to go with John Carlson. John Owens, Cameron Morrah and Jason Pociask are also on the roster at tight end for Seattle. Read more »