Each team's capsule contains a list of players who are scheduled to become free agents on March 2. Unrestricted free agents (UFAs) are players who have accrued four or more NFL seasons and are free to sign with any team unless given a franchise or transition tag. Restricted free agents (RFAs) are players with three accrued seasons. The player's current team has a right of first refusal on offers from other teams. If the team chooses to let a restricted free agent leave by opting to not match an offer, the team will receive draft-choice compensation from the player's new team. Exclusive-rights free agents are players who have fewer than three accrued seasons. They do not have the right to change teams if they are offered a contract from their current club.

Chicago Bears

Bears' 2001 free agents

UFAs: P Louie Aguiar, TE John Allred, WR Macey Brooks, CB Walt Harris, WR Eddie Kennison, QB Shane Matthews, S Ray McElroy, OG Todd Perry, DE Bryan Robinson, DE Clyde Simmons, CB Frankie Smith, DE Van Tuinei, C Casey Wiegmann, DE Troy Wilson. RFAs: RB James Allen, RB Curtis Enis, C Olin Kreutz, TE Kaseem Sinceno. EFAs: TE Scott Dragos, RB Brian Edwards, QB Mark Hartsell, WR Chad Mackey, WR Sulecio Sanford, C Ty Wise.

Analysis: The Bears are in good shape cap-wise, but most of their excess money will be spent on their own free agents and draft picks. Their top priority is re-signing Bryan Robinson. With the futures of DTs Mike Wells (arthritic shoulder) and Jim Flanigan (high cap value) in doubt, the Bears would like to bring back Robinson because of the versatility he provides. If the Bears opt to select a defensive end in Round 1 of the draft, they could move Robinson inside. The team is expected to allow Walt Harris to test the free-agent market because of the money he could command and the depth the Bears have at his position. Jerry Azumah started the last four games of the 2000 season in place of Harris (knee), and R.W. McQuarters finished the year strong. James Allen should receive a high tender, but at press time, the jury was still out on Curtis Enis. Todd Perry re-signed with the team before last season because he received minimal interest. He might not be back this time around if the Bears believe Rex Tucker or Jerry Wisne can step up. Casey Wiegmann is in search of a starting job having spent the last two seasons as Olin Kreutz's backup. Wiegmann started nine games at center this past season because Kreutz was out with a knee injury. Macey Brooks and Clyde Simmons appear to be on their way out, but John Allred was in the Bears' good graces before he went down with a knee injury. Frankie Smith and Ray McElroy have played well on special teams.

Detroit Lions

Lions' 2001 free agents

UFAs: CB Kevin Abrams, RB Mario Bates, OT Barrett Brooks, S Corwin Brown, CB J.B. Brown, QB Stoney Case, C-OG Mike Compton, OG Jeff Hartings, WR-RS Desmond Howard, CB Jeremy Lincoln, TE Walter Rasby, FB Cory Schlesinger, DE Tracy Scroggins, OG Tony Semple, WR Brian Stablein, S Ryan Stewart, CB Darnell Walker, CB Marquis Walker. RFAs: C Eric Beverly, OG Kerlin Blaise, CB Lamar Campbell, FB Brock Olivo, LB Kevin O'Neill. EFAs -- WR Larry Foster, QB Cory Sauter, S Kywin Supernaw, OT Andy Vincent. C Eric Beverly, OG Kerlin Blaise, CB Lamar Campbell, FB Brock Olivo, LB Kevin O'Neill. EFAs: WR Larry Foster, QB Cory Sauter, S Kywin Supernaw, OT Andy Vincent.

Analysis: With a new regime taking over, it's hard to get a complete read on the Lions' offseason plans. But this much we know: Playmakers are in demand. Before losing his job to Marty Mornhinweg, former head coach Gary Moeller cited a big-play offensive weapon and big-play pass rusher as top needs. Mornhinweg concurred at one of his first press conferences with the team. Whether the Lions will be able to address those needs in free agency is unknown. Detroit also is in the market for interior offensive line depth, as well as TE depth. Among its own free agents, Jeff Hartings is a top priority. He ranks among the best guards in the game, though Morhinweg will talk with him about moving to center. After the season Desmond Howard had, ranking in the NFC's top five in both kickoff and punt returns, it would be a surprise if he wasn't re-signed. Mike Compton also should return, having proved his worth by starting at both center and guard. Lamar Campbell and Tracy Scroggins are likely to return as well, but the Lions might need a more versatile fullback than Cory Schlesinger for their new West Coast offense. There are plenty of players on the bubble, such as Brock Olivo and Kevin O'Neill, two special-teamers who were liked by the last regime. Kevin Abrams' foot problems have clouded his future, and the team might decide to find an upgrade for Mario Bates. OLs Eric Beverly, Kerlin Blaise, Barrett Brooks and Tony Semple also are on shaky ground, and the Browns (Corwin and J.B.) and Walkers (Darnell and Marquis) might not return in full.

Green Bay Packers

	Packers' 2001 free agents
	UFAs: LS Rob Davis, TE Tyrone Davis, PK Ryan Longwell, LB Mike Morton, DT Austin Robbins, FS Darren Sharper, OG Ross Verba, TE Ryan Wetnight, QB Danny Wuerffel. RFAs: WR Corey Bradford, RB Ahman Green, S Scott McGarrahan, CB Allen Rossum, OT Mike Wahle. EFAs: CB Chris Akins, S Tod McBride, FB Matt Snider.

Analysis: The Packers have been busy trying to restructure the contracts of several players just to improve their salary-cap standing. They redid LeRoy Butler's deal last month, but they still need to speak with Dorsey Levens, whose 2001 salary-cap value exceeds $7 million. If Levens refuses to renegotiate, he could be cut. Brett Favre is expected to have his contract redone, and Earl Dotson, Frank Winters, Brian Williams and Russell Maryland could follow -- or simply be released. The Packers have been trying to ink Darren Sharper to a long-term deal, but they might be forced to place the franchise tag on him. Sharper is Green Bay's top free agent after a breakout season in 2000. If the team and Sharper reach an agreement, Ryan Longwell could be given the tag, which calls for a modest salary compared to the game's top kickers. Given Longwell's production this past season, his new deal likely will be worth more. Nothing will happen with Ahman Green until Levens' situation is resolved, according to Green's agent, Leigh Steinberg. Green was the Packers' savior after Levens was lost for the season with a knee injury. Allen Rossum could receive a high tender for the versatility he gives the team. He played cornerback and wide receiver and returned kicks in 2000. Ross Verba is all but gone, and Tyrone Davis probably will receive a minimal offer. Though they can't afford any high-priced signings, the Packers might address their wide receiver and defensive line positions in free agency.

Minnesota Vikings

	Vikings' 2001 free agents
	UFAs: LB Pete Bercich, QB Bubby Brister, TE John Davis, WR Matthew Hatchette, WR Nate Jacquet, TE Andrew Jordan, OG Corbin Lacina, TE Johnny McWilliams, DE Bryce Paup, LB Dwayne Rudd, DE Fernando Smith, WR Chris Walsh, DT Tony Williams. RFAs: CB Antonio Banks, C Matt Birk, QB Todd Bouman, LS Mitch Palmer, CB Keith Thibodeaux, LB Kailee Wong. EFAs: OG Chris Liwienski, S Don Morgan, LB Jim Nelson.

Analysis: It should be another interesting offseason for the Vikings, who learned Feb. 7 that they will be without their all-time leading rusher -- forever. Robert Smith was scheduled to become a free agent, but he opted for retirement instead. Though the Vikings won't have to dole out big bucks to re-sign Smith, they still will take a cap hit from the remaining portion of his signing bonus. There's also the specter of Randy Moss hovering over the team. The Vikings planned to have a contract extension for Moss finalized this offseason. Minnesota has lots of work to do to put itself at cap level, and the team might have to part with several key players to expedite the process. Among them are Dwayne Rudd, Tony Williams, John Randle and Orlando Thomas. Matthew Hatchette and Bryce Paup also could be let go, and Corbin Lacina might price himself out of a job. Walsh, a leader on special teams and in the locker room, is expected to return, as are Matt Birk and Kailee Wong. All three of the Vikings' tight ends will be free agents, but the team will not spend a lot on the position. Johnny McWilliams, who finished the 2000 season strong, is probably tops on the coaches' list. The Vikings likely will try to address their porous secondary in free agency and perhaps even the defensive line, but they might not be able to address both -- especially considering their newfound need at running back.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

	Bucs' 2001 free agents
	UFAs: CB Ronde Barber, LB Don Davis, OG Kevin Dogins, TE Patrick Hape, DE Tyoka Jackson, OG Frank Middleton, FS Damien Robinson, LS Morris Unutoa, OT Jerry Wunsch, CB Floyd Young. RFAs: RB Rabih Abdullah, DT James Cannida, LB Jamie Duncan, CB Brian Kelly, TE Blake Spence, C Todd Washington. EFAs: None.

Analysis: Don't anticipate the Buccaneers being big players in free agency. Though they're in good shape in regard to the cap, the Bucs were uncharacteristically active last offseason, and they don't figure to throw that kind of money around again. But if they do make a splash, it would be at quarterback. Shaun King still has a ways to go in the development process, and there could be some quarterbacks available who strike the Bucs' fancy. There has been talk that the Bucs might pursue Randall Cunningham if the Cowboys release him. Brad Johnson, an unrestricted free agent, has ties to Bucs head coach Tony Dungy from their time together in Minnesota. And there have been reports that the Bucs would be interested in Doug Flutie if he is released from Buffalo. Otherwise, Tampa Bay will play it close to the vest and try to take care of its own first, a long-time club policy. The Bucs would like to re-sign Jerry Wunsch, but Frank Middleton appears to be on his way out. Ronde Barber could return, but the team won't break the bank for him, despite his impressive 2000 season. The Bucs might be inclined to let Barber go and spend that money on Damien Robinson. But if Barber signs, Robinson could be let go. The team might wait to see how it fares in the draft before deciding Tyoka Jackson's fate. He's proved valuable as a backup. Kevin Dogins can play both guard and center, and if Middleton is let go, Dogins' value would be heightened. Davis has been a good special-teamer, and Patrick Hape has done well as a run blocker.

Material from Pro Football Weekly.
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