San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers have had some fairly big news for the beginning of news. It started with guard Alex Boone wanting a new contract and because of that not showing up to OTAs. Considering their best lineman, left tackle Joe Staley, only makes $2.7 million while Boone makes $2 millions, I don’t expect Boone to get more money. After Boone it was tight end Vernon Davis who wanted a new contract. Davis is a key player in their offense and absolutely deserves more money.
The biggest news, however, is the contract situation with quarterback Colin Kaepernick. With $6.6 million being made available due to Carlos Rogers being cut earlier in the offseason, it’s been reported that the 49ers and Kaepernick’s agent are meeting this week to talk about his contract. This is especially big news because it was thought that the two parties wouldn’t even start talking until the incident in Miami involving Kaepernick was completely cleared up.
Arizona Cardinals
The biggest news for the Cardinals is that their starting inside linebacker Daryl Washington has been suspended for the entire 2014 season. Washington was arguably their best player on defense and losing him is major blow. Right now the Cardinals have Kevin Minter and Larry Foote as their starting inside linebackers and they just signed Ernie Sims to compete as well. The drop-off from Washington to Foote or Sims is substantial and will have a massive impact on the defense’s success in 2014.
St. Louis Rams
The Rams have been pretty quiet so far heading into June. There hasn’t been much news except rookie running back Tre Mason declaring he expects to compete for the starting running back role. I don’t know why this was ever reported in the first place since I expect every player in the NFL to think, at least in their own minds, they have a chance to win the starting spot at their respective position. Having said that, Mason should be able to make a serious run at the starting running back spot in 2014.
Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks haven’t had much news come out of Seattle but the little they’ve had has been both positive and negative. Starting with positive news for them, wide receiver Doug Baldwin signed a two-year contract extension to keep him in Seattle through the 2016 season. Onto the bad news, linebacker Bruce Irvin underwent hip surgery this past Monday. He says he will be ready for training camp this month, but surgery is never good news.