NFC.(National Football Conference)(Statistical Data Included)

Arizona

BUSTING OUT? Coach Dave McGinnis thinks RB Thomas Jones will be a different player this season. Last year, Jones was handed the starting job coming out of training camp even though he had done nothing to beat out Michael Pittman. Behind a bad offensive line, Jones was tentative and eventually lost his starting job and confidence. Jones has been diligent in attending offseason workouts and appears ready to prove he is worthy of the being the seventh overall pick in 2000.... One of the key components of coordinator Rich Olson's offense is the tight end, but it's questionable how much that position will be utilized this season. The team doesn't have a proven receiver at tight end. If Terry Hardy doesn't fill that role, the club will look to upgrade the position next year.... C Mike Gruttadauria says he is encouraged by his progress in returning from surgery to remove a cervical disk. But he hasn't been given clearance to play, and one side of his body is 30 percent weaker than the other. If he doesn't return, G Chris Dishman will slide over to center, which would weaken the depth of an already thin group.

SAFETIES ANALYSIS: SS Pat Tillman became a glorified linebacker last season as coaches tried to keep the defense from being steamrolled. Though Tillman has proved he can play the run, his pass coverage skills still are suspect. If the club improves up front, opposing teams will begin to test him more. FS Kwamie Lassiter didn't do much that affected games last season. Still, he's a solid player who should get a few interceptions, provided teams are forced to pass. Rookie Adrian Wilson (6-2, 212) is athletic enough to play cornerback. It is unlikely he will start this season, but he probably will be there in 2002 when Tillman and Lassiter are due to become unrestricted free agents. Backup Justin Lucas, who played well in nickel situations last season, will battle Tommy Bennett and Deke Cooper for the final spot. --Kent Somers

Atlanta

MY FAVORITE MARTIN: WR Tony Martin insists he's at least as fast as when he led the Falcons in receiving in 1998. If so, the team might have a steal. Martin, 35, was released, in part due to disputed bonus money. He signed with the Dolphins and caught 67 passes in 1999 but had an injury-plagued 2000 season. Now he's back, and there is more than speed to his game. At 6-1, 180 pounds, he can push off the line of scrimmage more cleanly than most receivers. He comes up with the ball in traffic and, unlike most of the team's young receivers, has great awareness for the ball. He averaged 17.9 yards per catch in '98. Last year, WR Tim Dwight led the Falcons at 15.6. Since Martin's departure, teams have been able to stack the line to put pressure on QB Chris Chandler and control RB Jamal Anderson, who offered to adjust his contract to help get Martin back. With Dwight gone in the trade that brought QB Michael Vick in the draft, Martin might fill Dwight's role as the No. 3 receiver or play every down.

SAFETIES ANALYSIS: Gerald McBurrows was re-signed, much to secondary coach Greg Brown's relief. The do-it-all safety is listed as a backup to SS Marty Carter; last year, McBurrows served as a spot starter behind FS Ronnie Bradford. McBurrows led the team with 11 special teams tackles and added two sacks and two fumble recoveries. Carter and Bradford were the team's tackle leaders. Replaced in nickel packages at times in the past, Carter stayed on the field in 2000 when the Falcons opted for six defensive backs and one linebacker (Mark Simoneau) in passing situations. Chris Hudson is playing behind Bradford after spending last season out of football. The four veterans are joined by third-year player Johndale Carty and rookie Corey Hall. Carty, a strong safety, trailed only McBurrows in special teams tackles last year but didn't play much on defense. Hall, a seventh-round pick, is large (6-4, 203) and athletic. --Charles Odum

Carolina