<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><u>Arizona Cardinals</u></span>Left tackle: With the imminent departure of offensive tackle Leonard Davis, the Cardinals will have a huge void on the offensive line. Even with Davis, the offensive line played poorly throughout the 2006 season. Free-agent acquisition Oliver Ross has not lived up to expectations and has since been relegated to backup duties. There must be critical attention paid to solidifying the offensive line in 2007.Cornerback: The Cardinals have a good Cover 2 cornerback in Antrel Rolle, but have struggled to find a quality veteran to play opposite Rolle. Eric Green has not developed into the player the Cardinals had hoped he would be and fellow veteran cornerback David Macklin has been a disappointment in shutting down players due to his lack of size. The Cardinals need an athletic, shutdown cornerback who will allow them to be more creative in their defensive schemes and attacks.Free safety: With veteran Robert Griffith at the end of his career, the Cardinals do not have a front-line player to be a force and a leader on defense. Griffith lacked the range needed to help in the Cardinals' Cover 2 scheme. Backup Aaron Francisco is an aggressive player and may be a quick fix for the Cardinals, but they lack quality depth at such an important position.Tight end: Although the Cardinals drafted standout tight end Leonard Pope in 2005 (second round), they have not gotten second-round play out of him. Pope is a tall player who struggles in the run game because he cannot get adequate leverage. The Cardinals need a tight end to help with the development of the young and talented Pope.Defensive tackle: Although the Cardinals signed defensive tackle Kendrick Clancy before the 2006 season and extended the contract of defensive tackle Darnell Dockett, the Cardinals still need more presence inside at the defensive tackle position. The Cardinals drafted defensive tackles Gabe Watson and Jonathan Lewis in 2006. Although both are good role players, neither has the experience needed from a veteran depth standpoint.<span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><u>St. Louis Rams</u></span>Defensive tackle: The Rams need a lot of help on their interior defensive line. Veteran La'Roi Glover still shows good quickness and pass-rush ability, but teammate Jimmy Kennedy does not play with the same quickness and tenacity. A quick defensive tackle would help complement the aggressive defensive scheme of coordinator Jim Haslett by slowing down the opponent's run game.Linebacker: Speed was the emphasis in the Mike Martz/Dick Vermeil eras, but the Rams have seemingly lost a step in this area in recent years. There is considerable need for younger, faster linebackers who can run from sideline to sideline. Pisa Tinoisamoa has been riddled with injuries over the past two seasons and teammate Brandon Chillar struggles in open space against quicker players. The addition of middle linebacker Will Witherspoon has given the Rams some relief inside, but a bigger, stronger middle linebacker would help the Rams inside and allow Witherspoon to return to his natural weakside linebacker position.Quarterback: With Marc Bulger entering his seventh year with the Rams, there is growing concern for a quality backup and a candidate for quarterback of the future. Bulger had a great year in 2006, but injuries happen at a moment's notice and the Rams will need a quality quarterback to step in and make plays if Bulger goes down.Guard: The Rams struggled inside at the guard position last season. With right guard Adam Timmerman entering his 13th season, St. Louis needs start thinking about a replacement. This position is critical in slowing down the pass rush up the middle and helping to create a pocket for the quarterback.Offensive tackle: The Rams are in need of a solid offensive tackle. With two first-round players in Orlando Pace and Alex Barron, the Rams seem to be solid in the starting lineup. However, the Rams do not have a quality offensive tackle they can rely on should injuries continue to persist as they did throughout the 2006 season.<span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><u>San Francisco 49ers</u></span>Defensive end: The 49ers' leader in sacks last year was linebacker Brandon Moore, who had 6. The lack of a true pass rusher was extremely detrimental to the defensive progress of the 49ers. The 49ers need someone who can take pressure off the defensive backs and make it hard for opposing teams to get into a rhythm in the passing game. With so much talent in the division at wide receiver, the 49ers need better balance on defense.Right tackle: Kwame Harris has not lived up to first-round expectations since being drafted in 2003. The 49ers are in need of a right tackle who will give them more balance in their run game, which is primarily left-handed behind left tackle Jonas Jennings and left guard Larry Allen. A quality right tackle will also help the confidence of quarterback Alex Smith, allowing him time to go through his progressions with ease and confidence.Defensive tackle: A quality defensive tackle is needed to help pressure the pocket on passing downs and fortify the 49ers' run defense. San Francisco has struggled for the past two seasons to implement the 3-4 scheme. They need a dominant run-stopper inside to help in the two-gap scheme and prevent offensive linemen from getting a jump off the line of scrimmage. This will allow linebackers to fill run lanes and make plays. Isaac Sopoaga and Marques Douglas are adequate, but the 49ers need stronger players at the point of attack.Cornerback: The 49ers do not have a true cover cornerback who can shut down one side of the field. With veteran Walt Harris at the back end of his career, a true cover cornerback will give the 49ers a defensive threat who will cause matchup problems for opposing offenses. Shawntae Spencer has size and athletic ability, but is not known for his speed and has struggled with hamstring and ankle injuries throughout his career.Linebacker: If the 49ers are to finally implement their 3-4 defense, they must add quality players and depth at linebacker. Linebackers are the keys to a successful 3-4 defense, and right now the 49ers are not talented enough at the position to run this defense effectively. However, Manny Lawson, with his lean body type, has the potential to flourish in a 3-4 scheme because he does not have the girth to hold up as an every-down linebacker in a 4-3.<span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><u>Seattle Seahawks</u></span>Tight end: The Seahawks did not utilize the tight end as much as they had in recent years. With the departure of long-time tight end Itula Mili, the Seahawks must find a quality replacement to help stretch opposing defenses and help in the run game. A quality tight end can help extend the corner of the offensive line and allow the running back to find run lanes in the zone-scheme rushing attack.Fullback: Mack Strong has been the Seahawks' fullback for 13 years, and is nearing the end of his career. With the Seahawks relying so much on the fullback and his ability to lead block for All-Pro running back Shaun Alexander, they will need to find a player who has the same level of blocking ability as well as the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. Without a quality fullback, the Seahawks will have to alter their rushing attack and use more of an H-back to assist in the run game.Center: With Robbie Tobeck set to retire, the Seahawks are in dire need of a suitable replacement. The Seahawks were forced to make a lot of adjustments along their offensive front last season due to injury. By adding a quality center and not a player who is converted from the guard position, the Seahawks will put themselves in position to upgrade and solidify an offensive line that has enough talent at other positions to be one of the best in the NFL.Strong safety: Due to a rash of injuries at cornerback last season, the Seahawks were forced to use their safeties at cornerback. This really exposed the lack of depth and range of Seattle's secondary, specifically the coverage weaknesses of Michael Boulware. The Seahawks need a safety who is more disciplined and has the range to excel in the Seahawks' Cover 2 package.Outside linebacker: There is a lack of depth at this position should injuries continue to persist with this team. This defense is built on speed and players with exceptional playmaking ability. Although Julian Peterson is the most athletic player of this group, having another linebacker of equal talent will make this the most revered unit in the NFL.</div>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (iknobaer @ Feb 20 2007, 08:19 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>49ers dont need another LB, that was false</div>I disagree, sure, it's not exactly a MAJOR need, but they could definately use somebody. Especially considering that Nolan wants to eventually put them in the 3-4 and they're MLB position could use an upgrade as it is for the 4-3, nevermind the 3-4.
