NFC South.(NFL Free Agents Preview)

ATLANTA FALCONS

MOVING ON: Backup CB Allen Rossum, the team's top return man, likely won't be back. The team can replace Rossum on punt returns with LCB DeAngelo Hall and on kickoff returns with WR Michael Jenkins. Rossum (5-8, 178) doesn't have the size to be a factor at cornerback. LG Roberto Garza also is expendable. LG Michael Moore is expected to return from a torn rotator cuff, and Martin Bibla is a capable backup. OLB Demorrio Williams likely will take OLB Matt Stewart's spot. Williams is faster than Stewart, though not as big. The Falcons want to re-sign K Jay Feely but won't overpay for him. ACTION PLAN: With $137 million in bonuses due players still on the roster, big acquisitions are unlikely. The priority is re-signing reserve CBs Kevin Mathis and Aaron Beasley. Mathis started 13 games and was effective on both sides while filling in for the injured Hall and RCB Jason Webster. Beasley also filled in for Webster and was valuable in the slot. If the team can't re-sign them, it will look for free agents with similar experience. Options include Jason Craft (Saints), Robert Tare (Cardinals), Dainon Sidney (Lions) and Lewis Sanders (Browns). Because FS Cory Hall has a tenuous hold on his job, expect the team to re-sign FS Keion Carpenter to a one-year deal. Early June could bring a surprise of sorts regarding WR Peerless Price, who angrily refused last week to say if he already had undergone surgery to repair his right retina. Price's terrible performance last season tested the team's patience, so releasing him to ease salary cap ramifications in 2006 could be an option.--George Henry

CAROLINA PANTHERS

MOVING ON: If WR Muhsin Muhammad is released, Steve Smith and Keary Colbert will give the team two solid starters. But there would be little depth behind them. Muhammad is one of the NFL's best blocking receivers, and the team doesn't have another big, physical wide-out to fill that role. KR/RB Rod Smart might depart, but he's not a breakaway threat. CB Artrell Hawkins isn't a free agent, but his $2.5 million cap figure could push the team to cut him and leave it looking for a free-agent nickel back. Starting RT Matt Willig likely won't be re-signed. ACTION PLAN: The team has several holes to fill, and how much money it spends on free agents depends on whether Muhammad is cut. If he leaves, the team must bring in some free-agent wide receivers, and at least one will need to have strong blocking skills. But bigger needs exist at other positions. Given the uncertain durability of DeShaun Fester and Stephen Davis, the team could use a running back. The Giants' Ron Dayne is a possibility; he's a powerful runner, and coach John Fox is familiar with Dayne from Fox's days in New York. The Panthers could look at athletic RT Stockar McDougle (Lions) as a replacement for Willig. Tutan Reyes wasn't consistent at right guard last year, and the team wants to bring in a player to compete against Reyes and Doug Brzezinski; the Bucs' Cosey Coleman is an option. The team also wants to upgrade its return game, and the Lions' Reggie Swinton could be a good fit because he also could be a fourth receiver. The team likely will re-sign SLB Mark Fields before he becomes a free agent.--Pat Yasinskas

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

MOVING ON: RT Victor Riley probably won't be re-signed. He wore out his welcome last season with excessive penalties and questionable behavior--and he was overweight. The Saints want to re-sign CB Jason Craft, but he could draw some interest in the free-agent market. DL Tony Bryant is another valuable role player the Saints want back but might lose. Bryant can play end and tackle. He's not much of a pass rusher, but at 6-6, he disrupts interior passing ...