Free-agent preview. (NFL).

ARIZONA CARDINALS

CAP STATUS: Few teams have a better situation. Few teams have as many needs. At $36.2 million under the salary cap, the club has room to be active on the market.

OUT ROUTE: The team would like to re-sign QB Jake Plummer, who has been inconsistent over the past six seasons. But it doesn't want to commit much guaranteed money. It's hard to see Plummer competing for the starting job with Josh McCown, a rookie last season, and any acquired free agents and draft picks when teams such as Denver are offering more money and a starting job. WR David Boston's off-field troubles made the club skittish about committing guaranteed money to him, and it has offered a contract that's heavy on salary and light on signing bonus. Boston is the most talented receiver on the market, and he's likely to receive a better offer. The second and third receivers, Frank Sanders and MarTay Jenkins, also are unrestricted free agents. The club can't afford to lose all three.

ACTION PLAN: The team could sign a veteran to compete with McCown, but the field is weak. It might draft a quarterback early and let the youngsters battle for the job. The club has been last in the league in sacks the past two years, so DE Vonnie Holliday and OLB Rosevelt Colvin are attractive free agents. Holliday could play one end with Kyle Vanden Bosch at the other. Colvin would give the club some much-needed speed off the edge. The club remains interested in re-signing several of its own players, including FS Kwamie Lassiter, who swore last season that he had played his last down for the team. The Cardinals would like to re-sign Jenkins, but he's looking for about $3 million a year. He'll test the market. Sanders has been reliable, but resigning him isn't a priority.--Kent Somers

ATLANTA FALCONS

CAP STATUS: After signing LB Keith Brooking to a seven-year, $41 million deal and cutting WR Shawn Jefferson, CB Ashley Ambrose and DT Shane Dronett, the team is about $9 million under the cap. It now can actively pursue help, particularly at wide receiver.

OUT ROUTE: It's likely LB John Holecek won't be back; LB Chris Draft was re-signed and is projected to start. CBs Juran Bolden, who must recover from a torn patellar tendon, and Fred Weary may not return. OLB Sam Rogers, who had 6 1/2 sacks as a fill-in for injured Will Overstreet last year, apparently will test the market. He would provide good insurance if re-signed, and Rogers likes playing for coordinator Wade Phillips. It's likely either TE Brian Kelly, the team's best blocker at the position, or TE Brian Kozlowski, who also can play fullback, will be gone. The presence of emerging TE Alge Crumpler provides flexibility.