Team Notes: NFC South, West

NFC South

Buccaneers: Backup QB Josh Johnson has been the subject of trade rumors that would reunite him with college coach Jim Harbaugh as the 49ers' stopgap starter. Thus far, the rumors have been comprised of little more than obvious dot connecting. … Josh Freeman earned a 2.2 "bad decision rate" in ESPN's K.C. Joyner's metrics, a sign that he's made excellent progress in reading NFL defenses. … LeGarrette Blount topped Pro Football Focus' "Elusive Rating" for running backs in 2010, leading the NFL in forced missed tackles. Blount's current 2.12 ADP is high for a player with no role in the passing game. … The Bucs are expected to re-sign Cadillac Williams rather than bringing in Tiki Barber as Blount's passing-down complement. … Still limping more than four months removed from major reconstructive surgery, Kareem Huggins' NFL future is now in doubt.

Arrelious Benn is "way ahead of schedule" in his recovery from a December torn ACL. While he should be ready for the start of training camp, Benn isn't draftable in standard-sized leagues. … Keep an eye on second-year WR Dez Briscoe as a potential depth-chart climber after posting a 4/65/1 line in the season finale. … Aqib Talib could see extended prison time after allegedly shooting at his sister's boyfriend in March. The Bucs are expected to seriously consider releasing the troubled shutdown corner once the lockout ends.

Falcons: Backup RB Jason Snelling was extended a second-round tender as a four-year veteran. Even if his free agency ends up unrestricted, he's not a good bet to land a starting job on the open market. … The Falcons are expected to move on from injury-prone five-year vet Jerious Norwood. … Wide receiver and tight end will be early-round priorities in this month's draft. With Tony Gonzalez in a steep decline, the Falcons desperately need a second playmaker to pair with Roddy White. Slot receiver Harry Douglas isn't the answer. … Jack-of-all-trades Kerry Meier, considered Brian Finneran's successor, is ahead of schedule in his return from last summer's ACL tear. He won't be a fantasy factor in 2011.

Panther: Auburn's Cam Newton is the current favorite to go to Carolina as the No. 1 overall pick in the draft. Coach Ron Rivera doesn't consider Jimmy Clausen the incumbent starter, and GM Marty Hurney is reportedly the only member of the front office or coaching staff still maintaining faith in last year's second-rounder. … DeAngelo Williams, a five-year veteran, was tendered at the first- and third-round level. If he ends up on the open market as the top back available, it's hard to believe the Panthers will compete with other offers. We see the Dolphins and Redskins as his most likely suitors. … In nine starts with Williams sidelined the past two seasons, Jonathan Stewart has averaged 111.3 yards on 19.8 carries (5.6 yards per attempt). Provided he stays healthy, Stewart would boast top-10 fantasy potential as a feature back. Mike Goodson would likely take over as the passing-down specialist in that scenario.

Unhappy with his quarterback situation, Steve Smith asked owner Jerry Richardson for a trade early last season. New coach Ron Rivera suggested that wish could be granted this offseason, but the lockout complicates matters. With a legit QB, Smith would regain WR1 potential. … Rivera wants new offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski to use Armanti Edwards like he used Josh Cribbs in Cleveland a few years ago. Still plenty raw, Edwards won't have fantasy value in 2011. … Jeremy Shockey was brought in as a key piece in Chud's tight-end friendly offense, though we'd advise steering clear considering the Panthers' QB woes.

Saints: Coach Sean Payton confirmed that Drew Brees played much of the 2010 season with a "low grade" MCL injury. Brees is expected to negotiate a long-term contract once the CBA is finalized, though he's not likely to sign until Peyton Manning sets the market. … Pierre Thomas is expected to be ready for training camp after undergoing an extensive arthroscopic procedure on his ankle. Armed with a new four-year contract, Thomas is a good bet to return to the lead-back role in 2011. His fantasy upside is capped by the presence of power back Chris Ivory, who is making impressive progress in his rehab from Lisfranc surgery. … Reggie Bush is expected to restructure his contract to stay in New Orleans as an offensive role player. He'll be over-drafted in fantasy leagues yet again.

Marques Colston underwent post-season scopes on his knee and his wrist, his fifth and sixth known surgeries since March of 2008. With five knee surgeries under his belt, Colston's Dynasty league outlook is shakier than the typical WR1. … Robert Meachem underwent an ankle procedure of his own, his third surgery in three years as a pro. He's entering a contract year in 2011. … Five-year vet Lance Moore drew a second-round tender, but could end up on the open market pending free agent rules. Reports out of New Orleans suggest Brees will pressure the team to bring Moore back. … Coach Sean Payton confirmed that freakishly talented TE Jimmy Graham's late-season emergence led directly to Jeremy Shockey's release. There's not a better breakout candidate at the position this year.

NFC South

Buccaneers: Backup QB Josh Johnson has been the subject of trade rumors that would reunite him with college coach Jim Harbaugh as the 49ers' stopgap starter. Thus far, the rumors have been comprised of little more than obvious dot connecting. … Josh Freeman earned a 2.2 "bad decision rate" in ESPN's K.C. Joyner's metrics, a sign that he's made excellent progress in reading NFL defenses. … LeGarrette Blount topped Pro Football Focus' "Elusive Rating" for running backs in 2010, leading the NFL in forced missed tackles. Blount's current 2.12 ADP is high for a player with no role in the passing game. … The Bucs are expected to re-sign Cadillac Williams rather than bringing in Tiki Barber as Blount's passing-down complement. … Still limping more than four months removed from major reconstructive surgery, Kareem Huggins' NFL future is now in doubt.

Arrelious Benn is "way ahead of schedule" in his recovery from a December torn ACL. While he should be ready for the start of training camp, Benn isn't draftable in standard-sized leagues. … Keep an eye on second-year WR Dez Briscoe as a potential depth-chart climber after posting a 4/65/1 line in the season finale. … Aqib Talib could see extended prison time after allegedly shooting at his sister's boyfriend in March. The Bucs are expected to seriously consider releasing the troubled shutdown corner once the lockout ends.

Falcons: Backup RB Jason Snelling was extended a second-round tender as a four-year veteran. Even if his free agency ends up unrestricted, he's not a good bet to land a starting job on the open market. … The Falcons are expected to move on from injury-prone five-year vet Jerious Norwood. … Wide receiver and tight end will be early-round priorities in this month's draft. With Tony Gonzalez in a steep decline, the Falcons desperately need a second playmaker to pair with Roddy White. Slot receiver Harry Douglas isn't the answer. … Jack-of-all-trades Kerry Meier, considered Brian Finneran's successor, is ahead of schedule in his return from last summer's ACL tear. He won't be a fantasy factor in 2011.

Panther: Auburn's Cam Newton is the current favorite to go to Carolina as the No. 1 overall pick in the draft. Coach Ron Rivera doesn't consider Jimmy Clausen the incumbent starter, and GM Marty Hurney is reportedly the only member of the front office or coaching staff still maintaining faith in last year's second-rounder. … DeAngelo Williams, a five-year veteran, was tendered at the first- and third-round level. If he ends up on the open market as the top back available, it's hard to believe the Panthers will compete with other offers. We see the Dolphins and Redskins as his most likely suitors. … In nine starts with Williams sidelined the past two seasons, Jonathan Stewart has averaged 111.3 yards on 19.8 carries (5.6 yards per attempt). Provided he stays healthy, Stewart would boast top-10 fantasy potential as a feature back. Mike Goodson would likely take over as the passing-down specialist in that scenario.

Unhappy with his quarterback situation, Steve Smith asked owner Jerry Richardson for a trade early last season. New coach Ron Rivera suggested that wish could be granted this offseason, but the lockout complicates matters. With a legit QB, Smith would regain WR1 potential. … Rivera wants new offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski to use Armanti Edwards like he used Josh Cribbs in Cleveland a few years ago. Still plenty raw, Edwards won't have fantasy value in 2011. … Jeremy Shockey was brought in as a key piece in Chud's tight-end friendly offense, though we'd advise steering clear considering the Panthers' QB woes.

Saints: Coach Sean Payton confirmed that Drew Brees played much of the 2010 season with a "low grade" MCL injury. Brees is expected to negotiate a long-term contract once the CBA is finalized, though he's not likely to sign until Peyton Manning sets the market. … Pierre Thomas is expected to be ready for training camp after undergoing an extensive arthroscopic procedure on his ankle. Armed with a new four-year contract, Thomas is a good bet to return to the lead-back role in 2011. His fantasy upside is capped by the presence of power back Chris Ivory, who is making impressive progress in his rehab from Lisfranc surgery. … Reggie Bush is expected to restructure his contract to stay in New Orleans as an offensive role player. He'll be over-drafted in fantasy leagues yet again.

Marques Colston underwent post-season scopes on his knee and his wrist, his fifth and sixth known surgeries since March of 2008. With five knee surgeries under his belt, Colston's Dynasty league outlook is shakier than the typical WR1. … Robert Meachem underwent an ankle procedure of his own, his third surgery in three years as a pro. He's entering a contract year in 2011. … Five-year vet Lance Moore drew a second-round tender, but could end up on the open market pending free agent rules. Reports out of New Orleans suggest Brees will pressure the team to bring Moore back. … Coach Sean Payton confirmed that freakishly talented TE Jimmy Graham's late-season emergence led directly to Jeremy Shockey's release. There's not a better breakout candidate at the position this year.



NFC West:

49ers: Coach Jim Harbaugh has repeatedly talked up free agent Alex Smith, presumably as a fallback option in case the lockout drags on through the summer. The Niners are a lead-pipe lock to draft an early-round QB unless they manage to pry Kevin Kolb away from the Eagles. Candidates for the Week 1 gig resemble a Hollywood Squares panel at this point. … Frank Gore (hip fracture) has already been fully cleared to resume football activities. New coach Jim Harbaugh and GM Trent Baalke have both stated that Gore will continue to be a workhorse in the final year of his contract. He remains a top-10 fantasy pick. … Harbaugh made it clear that Anthony Dixon will be Gore's primary backup. Brian Westbrook won't return to San Fran.

49ers quarterbacks produced a 113.8 passer rating when targeting Vernon Davis in 2010 compared to 85.3 to Josh Morgan and 64.8 to Michael Crabtree. We wouldn't count on a breakout season for Crabtree unless he sees a major QB upgrade. … K Joe Kedney is expected to face competition for his job this summer.

Cardinals: The Cardinals are expected to give strong consideration to Mizzou QB Blaine Gabbert if he's still around at No. 5 overall. A better way to appease Larry Fitzgerald would be to import a veteran upgrade, and Arizona has been heavily linked to both Kevin Kolb and Marc Bulger. It should be clear that John Skelton isn't the answer after failing to complete even 50 percent of his passes in a late-season trial run. … The coaching staff attributes Beanie Wells' disappointing 2010 season to a September torn meniscus that plagued him throughout the year. A fully recovered Wells would be a strong bounce-back candidate. We'll be tracking training camp reports closely to see if he's recaptured his rookie-year form. We still prefer Wells to the more pedestrian Tim Hightower if both backs are healthy.

The front office remains confident that Fitzgerald will sign a new deal to remain in the desert. Fitz wields plenty of leverage, as the Cards will have to shell out $23 million to franchise tag him in 2012. … Four-year vet Steve Breaston drew a first-round tender offer. The Cardinals aren't expected to compete with other offers if he makes it to the open market. Early Doucet and Andre Roberts would see increased snaps should Breaston sign elsewhere.

Rams: Sam Bradford will return to a shotgun-heavy offense similar to the one he ran in college with pass-happy coordinator Josh McDaniels taking over. Even with offseason practices in danger of being lost, Bradford's fantasy arrow is pointing up. … The Rams are expected to draft a change-of-pace back this month, with a successor to Steven Jackson possibly on the docket for the 2012 draft. While the offense should see continued improvement, S-Jax's 3.38 YPC from Week 12 on is a red flag. It's not a bad idea to shop Jackson around in Dynasty and keeper leagues after he finished in the bottom quarter of metrics compiled Pro Football Focus as well as Football Outsiders.

Brittle breakout candidate Danario Alexander has had no issues with his troublesome left knee this offseason. His fantasy outlook could take a hit if the Rams manage to nab Alabama's Julio Jones at No. 14 overall, as many suspect. GM Billy Devaney will be in the market for a free agent addition if Jones escapes his grasp. … Donnie Avery is right on schedule in his return from ACL surgery. Like the rest of the receiver corps, Avery will be an injury risk in 2011. … Perennial fantasy tease Laurent Robinson is expected to be on the roster bubble this summer. … The Rams tight ends are undraftable in McDaniels' tight-end unfriendly offense.

Seahawks: Matt Hasselbeck was "miles" away from signing a new deal before the CBA deadline, and it now looks like Seattle will go in a different direction at QB. If the Seahawks don't manage to land Kevin Kolb, there's a good chance Charlie Whitehurst will open the season as the starter with an early-round pick waiting in the wings. … Leon Washington signed a four-year, $12.5 million contract to return as the explosive kick-return specialist. He's the clear third wheel in the backfield behind Marshawn Lynch and Justin Forsett.

Starting receivers Mike Williams and Ben Obomanu also signed long-term deals. Obomanu didn't get starter's money, and Williams' contract isn't worth the paper its printed on if he doesn't show up in shape after the lockout. … Deon Butler is no lock to make the Week 1 roster after suffering a double fracture in his right leg late last season. … Coach Pete Carroll still has high hopes for Golden Tate, but it's clear that talent will be imported at the position this offseason. The depth chart is in flux leading up to the draft. … K Olindo Mare intends to give Seattle a "hometown discount" once free agency kicks off.

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