NFC. (NFL).

Arizona Cardinals

www.sportingnews.com/nfl/teams/cardinals

HELP SORELY NEEDED: The team's first priority this offseason should be finding a pass rusher. The Cardinals have the fifth or sixth pick in the draft, depending on a coin flip with Dallas, and they will be tempted by a player such as Arizona State's Terrell Suggs. He would provide the speed and athletic ability off the edge that the club has lacked since DE Simeon Rice left after the 2000 season.... FS Kwamie Lassiter likely has played his last game with the club. Lassiter is upset because he doesn't think the team made a serious attempt to resign him after making him the franchise player last spring. If he goes, SS Adrian Wilson could move to free safety. Wilson has good speed and might be better at free safety, where he could roam. But the club would miss Lassiter's savvy. Wilson was fooled often this season; TDs were scored on some of his blown coverages.

SOMEONE MUST PAY: Although coach Dave McGinnis is fiercely loyal to his assistants, owner Bill Bidwill could strongly suggest that McGinnis make changes after watching an offense that struggled and a defense that finished 29th this year. Defensive coordinator Larry Marmie could go. He's well-respected but didn't have much talent to work with. Offensive coordinator Rich Olson came to Arizona with a goal of helping QB Jake Plummer get straightened out. That never happened. Plummer still made numerous bad decisions, such as a behind-the-back flip that resulted in a fumble against Oakland. But that wasn't the offensive coordinator's fault. Injuries plagued the offense--four regular starters were in the lineup for the final game--but it didn't perform well when it was healthy.--Kent Somers

Atlanta Falcons

www.sportingnews.com/nfl/teams/falcons

POWER SUPPLY: The team needs RB T.J. Duckett to do more than just give Warrick Dunn a break for a couple of snaps a game. It needs Duckett, who had been slowed by a sore knee, to be the pile-driving factor he was at Green Bay. His runs up the middle fuel the short-yardage offense and make Dunn look quicker on his sprints outside.... Coordinator Wade Phillips may have to limit CB Ray Buchanan. West Coast offenses, such as the Eagles; show that he's limited by his strained abdomen. Against the Packers, Buchanan looked like the weak link in an otherwise strong defense. He still could replace SS Gerald McBurrows in passing situations. CB Juran Bolden could start instead of Buchanan. Bolden has good size (6-2, 207) and intercepted four passes this season, his first in the NFL since 1999.