Seattle: Tight end woes
As reported by the Tacoma News Tribune, Seahawks tight end Jerramy Stevens is out six weeks with a torn meniscus in his left knee that will require surgery, and TE Itula Mili is nursing injuries dating back to the 2005 season that include intestinal blockage, a sore Achilles tendon and back issues. This leaves Seattle particularly vulnerable at the TE position and puts fourth-year pro Will Heller in a position to be a strong contributor in the Seahawks' offense. Heller has 15 career receptions for 114 yards and three career touchdowns. Not stellar stats, but not shabby for his amount of playing time. Seattle fans should not be too concerned, but if the injuries to Mili and Stevens persist, that could mean trouble for the running game.
San Francisco: Go west young man
Sources tell us that 49ers wide receivers coach Jerry Sullivan may have been very influential in the trade of wide receiver Taylor Jacobs for free safety Mike Rumph. Sullivan and 49ers head coach Mike Nolan are very close with Nolan valuing the opinion of Sullivan. During the 2003 NFL Draft, in Sullivan's first and only year as offensive coordinator for the Arizona Cardinals, he heavily campaigned for the Cardinals to take Jacobs in the first round over WR Bryant Johnson.
It seems both the Redskins and Cardinals were wrong with their respective first picks at wide receiver. Johnson was drafted with the 17th overall pick by the Cardinals, Jacobs was drafted in the second round by the Redskins with the 46th overall pick, and Anquan Boldin was drafted after both players by the Cardinals with the 54th overall pick in the second round. In three years, Jacobs has 30 receptions for 315 yards and one touchdown and Johnson has 124 receptions for 1,407 yards with three touchdowns. The player both teams missed on is Boldin, who has 259 receptions for 3,402 yards and 16 touchdowns with NFL Rookie of the Year honors and a Pro Bowl selection to his credit. Sullivan is considered one of the best and most respected WR coaches in the NFL. Hopefully he can polish off the tarnish of Jacobs and bring out his gold with the 49ers.
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