NFC. (Free Agents Preview).(football)

Arizona Cardinals www.sportingnews.com/nfl/teams/cardinals

OUT ROUTE: The club will let RB Michael Pittman test the market. It's a gamble, as backup RB Thomas Jones has shown only flashes of being worth his lofty draft status (seventh overall in 2000). All four starting defensive backs are unrestricted free agents, but CB Tom Knight, who lacks durability, is the only one who definitely won't be back. The club would like to retain SS Pat Tillman, though he'll have to work cheap. The club could replace him with Adrian Wilson, who is more athletic and just as big a hitter. The team would like to re-sign RT Anthony Clement, but not for a high salary. If he leaves, the team could shift Leonard Davis from guard, replacing him with Chris Dishman.

ACTION PLAN: The club is desperate for help on the defensive line, specifically pass rushers. Although last year's front four played hard, it lacked talent. Coach Dave McGinnis thinks he can address the weakness by adding a free agent or two and drafting a lineman with the 12th overall pick. That, combined with the return of E Kyle Vanden Bosch from a knee reconstruction, would give the front four a dramatically different look. Although it might be tempting to pursue someone such as T La'Roi Glover, formerly with the Saints, the team is likely to look at younger, cheaper players, such as Chiefs T Derrick Ransom. In the secondary, the club put a franchise tag on FS Kwamie Lassiter, limiting his options. It wouldn't be a surprise if he were a training-camp holdout. Overall, the club, which was handicapped with cap problems last year, has cleared nearly $10 million off the cap and is now about $23 million under it. --Kent Somers

Atlanta Falcons www.sportingnews.com/nfl/teams/falcons

OUT ROUTE: FS Ronnie Bradford and WR Terance Mathis could be cut in salary-cap moves, and other veterans--including QB Chris Chandler--are looking at restructured deals. Shawn Jefferson also might go, which would complete the ouster of the 30-something receivers. The team's 10 restricted free agents--including RB Maurice Smith--were tendered one-year deals. Otherwise, the free agents are expendable backups such as DT Shawn Swayda, TE Brian Kozlowski and special teamers Travis Jervey and Artie Ulmer.

ACTION PLAN: The team's salary-cap woes are not as dramatic as some, but cuts are needed to find help at several positions: offensive line, running back (even if Jamal Anderson and Smith return), receiver and safety. DT Ed Jasper was signed to a five-year, $10 million deal before he could become a free agent. Though he is the third leg of a rotation with Travis Hall and Shane Dronett, he is as productive as a full-time starter. Of the remaining free agents, LB Henri Crockett, RT Ephraim Salaam and backup DE Chuck Wiley are the most likely to return. Crockett tops the list, especially if there is any thought of moving to a 3-4 defense under new coordinator Wade Phillips. Salaam was as close to a stabilizing force as the ragged line could offer last year, and right tackle becomes more important when lefthanded QB Michael Vick becomes a starter. CBs Elijah Williams and Darrien Gordon and S Chris Hudson probably would be kept only as bargains. Finding an established guard or center might be the best use of what little money for free agency is available. --Charles Odum

Carolina Panthers www.sportingnews.com/nfl/teams/panthers