"It's flying high," Snead said when asked if Bradford's history of injury was a red flag for a club that's struggled to find consistency at the position. "It's definitely a red flag, and on that question I think you guys have said it, and that's our reality. Guess what? Sam Bradford, if he were to leave the Rams he might be worth another team taking a shot at. So that's our reality."
Snead didn't provide a definitive update in where Bradford is at in his rehab from the knee he injured during the 2014 preseason, but said Bradford is able to jog and run as he gradually adds more work to his offseason regiment.
"I can't tell you what he's totally capable of," said Snead. "I do know that our trainer will tell you he graduates to different phases and he's at a phase now where he can do a lot of things on some balls and move around. But again, I can't tell you exactly where he's at."
The Rams' priorities, according to Snead, are to get Bradford healthy, let him compete, and add depth to the position that saw backups Shaun Hill and Austin Davis each go 3-5 as starters this past season.
"Look at it this way," Snead said. "Let's not delete him. I don't think that's the answer. I think the answer is providing insurance in case we do go through more bad luck."
2. Tre Mason's Rise
The Rams took running back Tre Mason in the third round of last year's draft and the former Auburn standout went on to become the team's premier ball carrier.
Mason finished 2014 with 179 carries for 765 yards - second among rookie running backs. He added 16 catches for 148 yards and five total touchdowns, four of which came on the ground.
"I think he showed that he can be an explosive, dynamic weapon for us on offense," said Snead. "He can even get the tough yards and make some catches, not saying he couldn't do it, he just had to get some reps at it because at Auburn they really just handed it off, but I think he's come along."
Can Mason emerge as the team's featured back next season?
"I think in the NFL though, you probably want multiple backs," said Snead. "Because 16 games in a tough, tough load."
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - The media portion of the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine is in full swing at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Seahawks general manager John Schneider and head coach Pete Carroll aren't scheduled to meet with the press until Thursday (Schneider) and Friday (Carroll), but the pair's NFC West counterparts have already passed along several interesting nuggets.
Here are six things we learned from the Seahawks' division rivals on Wednesday, when Arizona Cardinals general manager Steve Keim, San Francisco 49ers general manager Trent Baalke, and St. Louis Rams general manager Les Snead held court.
Arizona Cardinals
1. New Deal "Finished" For Larry Fitzgerald
If you were hoping to see Larry Fitzgerald in Seahawks uniform next season, Keim's opening remarks may have burst your bubble.
The Arizona GM confirmed the Cardinals had "finished" a deal with their star wideout that "essentially" spans two years, tying Fitzgerald to the only team he's ever played for.
"The two biggest pulls for us were pretty simple," Keim said. "No. 1, to compensate Larry for the type of player, the type of talent he is and the leader that he is. And then essentially clearing up enough salary cap space for us moving forward to be able to be aggressive and proactive when free agency starts."
Keim said remaining in Arizona was meaningful for the eight-time Pro Bowler.
"It was really important to Larry to remain a Cardinal," said Keim. "I know he feels like it's a special place. He has a tremendous relationship with Michael Bidwill our president and owner, so that really helped as well to be able to have those two sit down and talk things out.
"We knew all along that Larry wanted to stay a Cardinal. We just had to find that balance where both sides are happy."
2. Carson Palmer's Rehab Is Ahead Of ScheduleÂ
Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer, who underwent surgery for a torn ACL three months ago, appears on track to return in time for next season.
"We anticipate that not only is Carson ahead of schedule, but we think there's a good chance that he could potentially be ready for OTAs even," Keim said in reference to Arizona's 'Organized Team Activities' to be held this spring.
Palmer, 35, led the Cardinals to a 6-0 record in games he started last season. He connected on 62.9 percent of his passes for 1,626 yards, 11 touchdowns, and three interceptions.
With Palmer out, Arizona finished 11-5 behind backup quarterbacks Drew Stanton and Ryan Lindley. The club's season ended in the wild-card round of the playoffs when they fell to the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium.
San Francisco 49ers
1. Colin Kaepernick's "Dedicated" Offseason
The Niners GM Baalke confirmed that the team's quarterback Colin Kaepernick has been working out with former Super Bowl MVP signal caller Kurt Warner this offseason at EXOS training facility in Phoenix, Ariz.
"Colin is working his tail off right now," Baalke said. "I think everybody saw the reports - he's down in Arizona, he's working hard with Kurt and several other people."
Baalke said Kaepernick is working with Warner on polishing the fundamentals - footwork, delivery, throwing platforms, arm angle, adjusting the pace of his throws to account for different situations, and more.
"He's a very dedicated player," said Baalke. "I'm sure he feels good about the progress he's made up to this point. The only reason you go down there and do the things he's doing is to get better. That's the mindset. I think he feels comfortable right now with where he's at and hopefully that transfers to the field."
The 49ers finished 2014 with a record of 8-8 in a season that saw Kaepernick put up 3,369 passing yards, 19 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions, and complete 60.5 percent of his passes for an 86.4 QB rating. Baalke showed appreciation for Warner's readiness to lend a helping hand to his 27-year-old quarterback.
"You have to have great respect not only for his career, but the way he conducted himself, how hard he worked," Baalke said of Warner. "Kurt knows a little something about the game and his willingness to share that and pass that on to a young guy like Colin, I think is admirable."
2. They Want Frank Gore Back
Longtime San Francisco running back Frank Gore is slated to become a free agent this March and the 49ers GM made it clear the club wants him back in red and gold.
"I talked to him the other day on the phone and we're going to do what we can to get him back as a 49er," said Baalke.
Gore was a third-round draft pick of the 49ers back in 2005 and has been a consistent nemesis to the Seahawks through each of his 10 NFL seasons.
He went for 212 yards against Seattle in 2006 and 207 yards against Seattle in 2009 when he became the first player in NFL history to rush for two touchdowns of 79 yards or more in the same game. Those two eye-popping performances mark two of five 200-plus-yard individual efforts the Seahawks have surrendered in their history.
Baalke thinks Gore, 31, still has plenty of production left.
"Frank's just the Energizer battery," said Baalke. "He just keeps on ticking. The last two games of the season I think you saw what Frank still has left in the tank. A very good football player and one of the most passionate, if not the most passionate football player I've ever been around."
St. Louis Rams
1. Deleting Sam Bradford Isn't The Answer
St. Louis Rams quarterback Sam Bradford, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, has missed 25 games through the past two seasons after coming off back-to-back injuries to his ACL.
The Rams GM Snead expressed open interest in acquiring a quarterback either in this year's draft class or through free agency, but not necessarily to replace the team's incumbent starter Bradford.
"It's flying high," Snead said when asked if Bradford's history of injury was a red flag for a club that's struggled to find consistency at the position. "It's definitely a red flag, and on that question I think you guys have said it, and that's our reality. Guess what? Sam Bradford, if he were to leave the Rams he might be worth another team taking a shot at. So that's our reality."
Snead didn't provide a definitive update in where Bradford is at in his rehab from the knee he injured during the 2014 preseason, but said Bradford is able to jog and run as he gradually adds more work to his offseason regiment.
"I can't tell you what he's totally capable of," said Snead. "I do know that our trainer will tell you he graduates to different phases and he's at a phase now where he can do a lot of things on some balls and move around. But again, I can't tell you exactly where he's at."
The Rams' priorities, according to Snead, are to get Bradford healthy, let him compete, and add depth to the position that saw backups Shaun Hill and Austin Davis each go 3-5 as starters this past season.
"Look at it this way," Snead said. "Let's not delete him. I don't think that's the answer. I think the answer is providing insurance in case we do go through more bad luck."
2. Tre Mason's Rise
The Rams took running back Tre Mason in the third round of last year's draft and the former Auburn standout went on to become the team's premier ball carrier.
Mason finished 2014 with 179 carries for 765 yards - second among rookie running backs. He added 16 catches for 148 yards and five total touchdowns, four of which came on the ground.
"I think he showed that he can be an explosive, dynamic weapon for us on offense," said Snead. "He can even get the tough yards and make some catches, not saying he couldn't do it, he just had to get some reps at it because at Auburn they really just handed it off, but I think he's come along."
Can Mason emerge as the team's featured back next season?
"I think in the NFL though, you probably want multiple backs," said Snead. "Because 16 games in a tough, tough load."
