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COPYRIGHT 2001 Sporting News Publishing Co.
Arizona
KENDALL'S New LOOK: The team is counting on newly signed G Pete Kendall to transform the offensive line. Kendall is solid in the run and pass games and, almost as important, the Cards think they got a smart, leader-type player. With Kendall on the roster, the plan is for coordinator Rich Olson to institute more of a smash-mouth running game. The ground attack averaged only 80 yards a game behind last year's line.... The signing of Kendall assures the Cardinals will go for a defensive lineman--likely a tackle--with their first pick in the draft. The draft is deep enough in linemen that the Cards still will try to Wade down to get more picks while still getting a lineman. If they can't, they want to make sure they get the best lineman at the second overall spot.
CENTERS ANALYSIS: Nowhere on offense do the Cardinals have a bigger question than at center Mike Gruttadauria is on schedule with his rehabilitation from neck surgery, and as of now, coach Dave McGinnis plans for him to start in 2001. If healthy, Gruttadauria can hold his own--if not asked to do too much. Chris Dishman, forced to play center for the first time last season when Gruttadauria went out, still isn't comfortable and prefers not to play there. But the team re-signed Dishman to a $2.7 million, three-year deal, and that wasn't solely to ensure it had a good backup and sometimes starter at guard. --Darren Urban
Atlanta
FOURTH-DOWN FIX: The Falcons signed P Chris Mohr to replace Dan Stryzinski, who signed with the Chiefs. Stryzinski's high, booming punts will be difficult to replace, but Mohr, 34, also boasts the ability to force fair catches. He is the Bills' franchise leader in most punting categories and had an 80-yarder in 1996. He should benefit from the move to Atlanta's Georgia Dome and the NFC West, which includes two other dome teams.
CENTERS ANALYSIS: The team needs to find a center and stick with the pick. Most of the offensive line positions are wide open, with at least four potential centers. Last year, the Falcons tried Calvin Collins, Todd McClura and Evan Pilgrim. The coaching staff now says that shuffling hurt the team. The best bet is McClure, who lost his rookie season, 1999, to injury but started the latter half of last year and suffered predictable growing pains. With McClure lining up beside rookie RG Travis Claridge, the Falcons gave up too many sacks up the middle, but QB Chris Chandler praised McClure's line calls. Collins' term as starter the first half of the season didn't go well; there were some complaints about a lack of leadership and an inability to make quick, accurate line calls. Pilgrim started one game when McClure was injured. Bob Hallen, who's usually a guard, is another option. So are free agency and the trade market. --Charles Odum
Carolina
RESTOKING THE LINE: The team moved to overhaul an offensive line that struggled mightily last season by signing former Ravens C Jeff Mitchell and former Dolphins G Kevin Donnalley. Donnalley (6-5, 310) is known as a physical player who is a...
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