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COPYRIGHT 2001 Sporting News Publishing Co.
Arizona
EARLY BIRDS GET BETTER: The three quarterbacks--Jake Plummer, Dave Brown and Chris Greisen--have started taking "classes" with new offensive coordinator Rich Olson and new quarterbacks coach Geep Chryst at the team's Tempe training facility. They are even planning to do some work on the field as preparation for running Olson's new offense. Because Dave McGinnis was given the permanent head coaching job with two games left in the season, he was denied the extra minicamp new coaches usually are afforded. That doesn't help the offense, which still must undergo an overhaul with the coaching changes. McGinnis considers having the quarterbacks--especially Plummer--come in as soon as possible to be crucial. The receivers also are meeting with their new coach, Jerry Sullivan.
STAY TUNED: When CB Aeneas Williams changed agents recently, it signaled that he wasn't planning to retire. And now, the Cardinals' two key unrestricted free agents (Williams and DE Simeon Rice) will be represented by the same people. That could make for protracted contract talks. Rice already has held out twice in his short career. A holdout isn't Williams' style, but his future might not be determined until sometime this summer, after he checks out the possibilities on the open market. --Darren Urban
Atlanta
JOB OPENING: Dan Reeves is not through restructuring his coaching staff, after all. Quarterbacks coach Jerry Rhome, 58, retired after one year with the team. It was believed that Reeves could fine-trine his offense by giving play-calling responsibility to Rhome, who has worked as an offensive coordinator, a quarterbacks coach and a receivers coach in 24 years in the NFL. Reeves considered that move last summer but left play-calling duties with Jack Burns, whose calls are filtered through Reeves. Rhome's retirement could give Reeves another opportunity to restructure his offense by appointing an offensive coordinator other than George Sefcik, who holds the job in title only. But Reeves will likely only appoint a new quarterbacks coach.
ON THE MEND: The Falcons expect CB Elijah Williams to have a full recovery from a gunshot wound he suffered February 10 during an attempted robbery. Williams was shot in his right leg, but the bullet passed through his thigh without causing serious damage.... The team is close to securing insurance at cornerback in Conrad Hamilton. Hamilton, who was out all of last year with a knee injury, was a seventh-round pick by Reeves and the Giants in 1996. He has been going through his rehabilitation in Atlanta. He started 15 games for the Giants in 1999. --Charles Odum
Carolina
THIS ONE Will HURT: In a painful move forced by the cap, CB Eric Davis will be released in order to clear nearly $5 million in space for a team that's more than $10 million over the limit. Replacing Davis could weaken a once-strong secondary. Jimmy Hitchcock, who had a less than stellar season, will get the starting job, leaving no experienced nickel back.... In a less surprising move, FB William Floyd will be released, freeing $1.7...
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