NFC East.(NFL Free Agents Preview)

DALLAS COWBOYS

MOVING ON: Three starters--QB Vinny Testaverde, SS Lynn Scott and DT Leonardo Carson--are free agents. Dallas will investigate its options-including starting Drew Henson or a veteran free agent, such as Drew Bledsoe--before re-signing Testaverde, who made poor decisions in 2004. The Cowboys will re-sign Carson and Scott only if they're willing to become backups. Carson (6-2, 305) doesn't have the bulk to play tackle in a 3-4 scheme, which the club might switch to. Scott will be replaced by Roy Williams, who played free safety much of 2004. Free safety is open, but Scott is not a ballhawk and not a good fit there. Dallas will look to plug that hole in the free-agent market or draft. ACTION PLAN: The team's top free-agent priorities are right tackle, cornerback and defensive tackle. The question is whether coach Bill Parcells will spend the money; he balked at nearly every player's price tag last spring. The team needs a right tackle because Jacob Rogers has struggled to make footwork adjustments while switching from left to right tackle and is recovering from offseason shoulder surgery. The Jets' Kareem McKenzle is a solid right tackle and would be a nice fit. At cornerback, the Cowboys want to go with a veteran instead of drafting a starting corner. CB Gary Baxter (6-2, 204) of the Ravens has good size and has played in a 3-4 scheme. A big-time nose tackle is the key to any switch to a 3-4. The Jets' Jason Ferguson could be available, and he's a classic run stopper who would draw double-teams and occupy those double-teams long enough to let the linebackers run to the ball.--Jean-Jacques Taylor

WASHINGTON REDSKINS

MOVING ON: Chances are very good that CB Fred Smoot will leave. He and the team disagree on how much he should be paid. Also, the Redskins have veteran Walt Harris, a less-expensive option, available to step in as Smoot's replacement. Harris isn't a fast as Smoot, but he rarely gets fooled and already has played well when called upon. The team is confident there will be little drop-off in production if Smoot leaves, which is one reason it won't overpay for Smoot. It's 50-50 that MLB Antonio Pierce will return if he becomes a free agent. Replacing him from within would not be easy. Pierce is an every-down linebacker because of his cover skills, and no one on the roster is capable of being that type of player. ACTION PLAN: The team needs a No. 2 receiver, a pass-rushing end, a center and a backup offensive lineman who can play guard and tackle. But the Redskins might not pursue big-name free agents to fill those holes. They instead will focus on value, targeting productive but unheralded players who are entering their peak years. The big names the team will at least look at are WRs Muhsin Muhammad, who won't be available unless Carolina releases him in a cap-related move, and Plaxico Burress. The team also will examine any number of ends and offensive linemen. The club could justify spending a lot on Burress, 27, but he has been inconsistent. The team should be able to re-sign DT Joe Salave'a, H-back Mike Sellers and LS Ethan Albright. Salave'a can step in if starter Brandon Noble is injured. Sellers, a powerful blocker, is a key element in the running game and a good special teams player. Albright is good enough to get a long-term deal.--Paul Woody

NEW YORK GIANTS

MOVING ON: It's time for the team to find a new and younger complement for RB Tiki Barber. Other than QB Kurt Warner, RB Ron Dayne is the biggest name on the Giants' free-agent list. Dayne, a seldom-used backup, likely will try to make his mark elsewhere, though it wouldn't be out of the question for him to re-sign ...