NFC.(National Football Conference team analyses)

Arizona

NO TEARS SHED: Strange is the best way to describe how CB Aeneas Williams left the team after 10 seasons. The club obtained two draft choices from the Rams in exchange for Williams. At 33, Williams had spent all of his career with Arizona and is probably the only Cardinal from that era who will receive Hall of Fame consideration. But his departure was met with shrugs, not tears. Club officials say they did Williams a favor by trading him to a contender. The club denies he threatened to retire if a deal wasn't made. Williams' absence will be felt more next fall when the club is without a shutdown corner.

RUNNING BACKS ANALYSIS: The club believes it has a solid duo in RBs Michael Pittman and Thomas Jones, even though Jones was a big disappointment last year. The No. 7 pick in the 2000 draft, Jones lost the starting job to Pittman early in the season. Pittman is a powerful runner with deceptive speed. The club hasn't given up on Jones, and it's possible the two backs could play together at times. The team ranked 27th in the league by rushing for 79.9 yards a game last year, but the running backs don't deserve much blame. If the problems up front are solved, the backs are capable of posting decent numbers. In the previous two seasons, FB Joel Makovicka's role has been as a glorified guard. That won't change. --Kent Somers

Atlanta

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: with QB Michael Vick around, this week's rookie minicamp will get plenty of attention. The club and Vick might already have agreed on the basics of a six-year deal. The Falcons waived QB Kevin Daft three days after the draft and might have more moves to make. QBs Chris Chandler, Eric Zeier and Doug Johnson remain on the depth chart.... The Falcons added nine undrafted rookie free agents. Of note are CBs Jamara Clark of Georgia Tech and Ahmad Hawkins of Virginia and WRs Corey Brown of Tulsa and Shawn Mills of Southern Mississippi. Though P Chris Mohr was signed to replace Dan Stryzinski, the club also added free-agent P Matt Allen of Troy State. He had six punts of 60 yards or longer, including an 81-yarder.

RUNNING BACKS ANALYSIS: The draft didn't provide any help here, but the team signed free-agent RB Rodney Thomas, who was released by the Titans. As a rookie in 1995, Thomas rushed for 947 yards and five TDs. He has served as Eddie George's backup since then. The team likely won't re-sign Ron Rivers or Winslow Oliver, so Thomas adds needed experience. Jamal Anderson and Maurice Smith are the two primary running backs. Bob Christian returns at fullback, and the club also has rookie FB Ronnie Robinson (6-1, 245) of North Carolina, an undrafted free agent. --Charles Odum

Carolina