NFC.(football teams.)

Arizona

HELP NEEDED: QB Jake Plummer's poor season-ending performance at Washington immediately brought to mind coach Dave McGinnis' promise not to tolerate non-productive players. But McGinnis emphasized Plummer was his quarterback. In some ways, he has no choice--Plummer's signing bonus would play havoc with the team's salary cap. The team thinks Plummer just needs a coach who will work closely with him--the way then-quarterbacks coach Geep Chryst did in Plummer's best season (1998). Chryst, the Chargers' offensive coordinator, has been mentioned as a possible replacement for offensive coordinator Marc Trestman or quarterbacks coach John Garrett Plummer needs to step forward in 2001; otherwise, his time with the team could run out.

CHANGES AHEAD: At the end of the season, McGinnis announced that changes would be made in the staff. But it won't be a complete overhaul. As the former defensive coordinator, McGinnis didn't take a fall for the defense's horrible year, and he wasn't going to blame his coaches. The offensive coaches are a different situation. Trestman, Garrett and receivers coach Vic Rapp will go. McGinnis likes line coach George Warhop and running backs coach Johnny Roland, but he will probably allow the new offensive coordinator to decide their fates. McGinnis said he will meet with everyone on the staff before making any moves publicly, and he added that he wants to have most of the staff in place by the time the Super Bowl is played. Then he plans to turn his attention to the free agents he needs to keep. --Darren Urban

Atlanta

MOVING FAST: The team signed free-agent OT Bob Whitfield to a six-year, $30.3 million deal last week. Without Whitfield, 29, the team might have faced a total reconstruction on the offensive line. He returns as the anchor and leader and a rare success story from the Falcons' poor draft history. Whitfield was a No. 1 pick in 1992 and has started since 1993. RTs Michael Thompson and Ephraim Salaam should return, though Salaam could be a restricted free agent. Starting RG Travis Claridge likely will return. But the team might look elsewhere for the other two spots, a glaring weakness most of the season.... Now the focus shifts to unrestricted free-agent CB Ray Buchanan. There has been a growing assumption the team can't afford Whitfield and Buchanan, but G.M. Harold Richardson insists the plan is to keep both, and OLB Henri Crockett. The team must decide about QB Chris Chandler, who might be let go to clear money for Buchanan, more free-agent line help and a pass rusher.

VETERAN RUMBLES: RB Jamal Anderson showed his frustration when he knocked over a drink table on the sideline during the season finale against Kansas City. Anderson has been vocal in his call for the team to fortify the offensive line, and he was especially passionate that the team re-sign Whitfield. Another veteran leader, WR Terance Mathis, is under contract for 2001 but talked as if he might not be back with the Falcons. Mathis, 33, LB Jessie Tuggle, 35, and other veterans have wondered if they might fall victim to offseason changes. --Charles Odum

Carolina