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.

Atlanta Falcons

Falcons' 2001 free agents

UFAs: PK Morten Andersen, CB Ray Buchanan, CB Terry Cousin, LB Henri Crockett, QB Danny Kanell, TE Brian Kozlowski, S Gerald McBurrows, DE Pellom McDaniels, OG Evan Pilgrim, RB Ron Rivers, P Dan Stryzinski. RFAs: LB Chris Bordano, WR Tim Dwight, WR Jammi German, OT Ephraim Salaam, DT Shawn Swayda, CB Elijah Williams. EFAs: LB Corey Atkins, WR Eugene Baker, LB Chris Draft, WR Brian Finneran, LB Antony Jordan, WR Mareno Philyaw, DT Henry Taylor.

Analysis: By far the Falcons' biggest free-agent concern at press time was Ray Buchanan, who they seem determined to keep in an Atlanta uniform. If the Falcons aren't able to re-sign Buchanan by the end of the month, they are expected to give him the franchise tag. Other free agents the team would like to keep around are Tim Dwight, Ephraim Salaam, Dan Stryzinski, Brian Kozlowski and Gerald McBurrows, although McBurrows could be expendable after the recent pickup of former Bears S Chris Hudson. Henri Crockett, who has stars in his eyes, will test the market. It's likely the only way he'd return would be on the Falcons' terms. Morten Andersen, who will be 41 next season, is expected to be replaced by Jake Arians, who will be 23. The Falcons' biggest need is offensive linemen, and they're particularly interested in finding a more power-oriented right tackle. Two names that have been bandied about are Lions offensive guard Jeff Hartings and Chargers offensive tackle Ben Coleman, who was with the Jaguars at the same time as Falcons vice president of football operations Ron Hill. Atlanta is also on the prowl for a legitimate pass rusher and, to a lesser extent, a big young wide receiver and more depth at cornerback.

Carolina Panthers

Panthers' 2001 free agents

UFAs: WR-RS Michael Bates, WR Isaac Byrd, OG Matt Campbell, C Frank Garcia, OT Clarence Jones, S Mike Minter, PK Joe Nedney, S Eugene Robinson, DT Eric Swann, OT Melvin Tuten, WR-RS Iheanyi Uwaezuoke. RFAs: WR Karl Hankton, WR Donald Hayes, TE Kris Mangum, LB Spencer Reid, S Damien Richardson, WR Jim Turner. EFAs: LB O.J. Childress, LB Michael Hawkes, CB Reggie Howard, DT Al Lucas, LB Kory Minor, C Jamar Nesbit, DT Gillis Wilson.

Analysis: The Panthers are saying they don't expect to be a major player in this year's free-agent market, but they said the same thing last year and ended up making quite a splash. Even though the Panthers were roughly $10 million over the projected salary cap at press time, it would surprise nobody if they decided to acquire at least one high-profile player, especially if that player was a quality offensive left tackle. In order to do that, though, the team will have to unload a fair number of overpriced players. Starting cornerbacks Eric Davis and Doug Evans will count a combined $12.5 million against the cap. Don't be surprised if one or the other (probably Davis) ends up being this year's Micheal Barrow -- a cap casualty last season who ended up being a key contributor to the NFC champion Giants. Other players who could get whacked are linebacker Lee Woodall, fullback William Floyd, offensive guard James Dexter, DT Tim Morabito and center Bryan Stoltenberg. Carolina probably would consider dumping high-priced defensive tackle Sean Gilbert if not for the fact it would save only $750,000 in cap money. Look for the team to restructure his contract. Among the Panthers' UFAs, Mike Minter and Michael Bates are the only two players the team really would like to re-sign. Minter, who is coming off a stellar campaign, could be a pretty hot commodity on the open market. The Panthers also like Iheanyi Uwaezuoke, who they think could fill a dual role as a punt returner and Isaac Byrd's replacement as the No. 4 receiver. RFAs Donald Hayes and Kris Mangum should receive high tenders.

New Orleans Saints

Saints' 2001 free agents

UFAs: RB Terry Allen, CB Chris Canty, DT Mike Halapin, WR Willie Jackson, LB Donta Jones, S Rob Kelly, CB Kevin Mathis, RB Fred McAfee, RB Brian Milne, CB Alex Molden, RB Jerald Moore, S Darren Perry, LB Darrin Smith, QB Billy Joe Tolliver, DE Jared Tomich. RFAs: DT Martin Chase, TE Cam Cleeland, OT Marcus Price, CB Fred Weary. EFAs: LB Phil Clarke, QB Jake Delhomme, DE Marques Douglas, TE Lamont Hall, TE Dave Stachelski, OT Daryl Terrell, DE Corey Terry, DE Willie Whitehead, WR Robert Wilson.

Analysis: Saints general manager Randy Mueller says there's no way the team will go shopping for free agents to the extent it did last year, when it had no draft picks in the first and third rounds after trading up to select running back Ricky Williams the previous year. However, the Saints still will probably go after a player or two in free agency before focusing primarily on the draft. The Saints' key needs are for more speed, especially at wide receiver and in the secondary, and more depth at every position, especially defensive tackle. This year there are no free agents the team feels absolutely compelled to re-sign, as was the case with versatile offensive lineman Tom Ackerman last year. In the secondary, only SS Sammy Knight is considered a lock to return as a starter, and the team probably will allow UFAs Kevin Mathis, Alex Molden and Darren Perry to entertain offers from other teams. Two possible cap casualties are wide receiver Jake Reed ($3.1 million cap value in 2001) and tight end Andrew Glover, unless there's suddenly a snag in Cleeland's rehab from season-ending Achilles' injury. The Saints also might free up some cap room by restructuring defensive tackle La'Roi Glover's incentive-laden contract.

St. Louis Rams

	Rams' 2001 free agents
	UFAs: CB Taje Allen, DE Kevin Carter, LB Mike Jones, CB Todd Lyght, LB Lorenzo Styles, WR Chris Thomas, PK Jeff Wilkins. RFAs: LB London Fletcher, WR Az-Zahir Hakim, WR Tony Horne, LB Leonard Little, S Shevin Smith, TE Roland Williams. EFAs: WR-RS Darrius Blevins, LB Dustin Cohen, RB Chad Dukes, RB James Hodgins, DT Gaylon Hyder, OG Pete Swanson, RB Justin Watson.

Analysis: The Rams are in a position to make some noise, but expect them to be very selective shoppers. Their primary needs are at defensive tackle and outside linebacker. Because of his bad knees, DT D'Marco Farr can no longer be counted on as a full-time starter. Ray Agnew, the team's other starting tackle last season, is on his last legs. The team's depth at linebacker is another big problem. Lorenzo Styles is the top backup at the middle and outside spots. If the right free-agent middle linebacker was available, the Rams might be interested. They would then move London Fletcher to the outside, where many people believe he is best-suited. Look for Kevin Carter to receive the franchise tag -- whether he likes it or not. If another team is willing to offer the going rate, Carter could be sent packing, even though he says he's ready to make amends for last season's often-disappointing effort. The Rams also might not go out of their way to match any offers Az-Zahir Hakim might receive considering his serious problems handling returns this past season. Mike Jones and Todd Lyght are as good as gone, and Todd Collins, the team's other starting outside linebacker alongside Jones, could very well be cut. The verdict is still out on Jeff Wilkins, a steady weapon who has been bothered on and off by injuries the last two seasons.

San Francisco 49ers

49ers' 2001 free agents

UFAs: S Zack Bronson, DT Brentson Buckner, RB Charlie Garner, OT Scott Gragg, LB Jason Kyle, QB Rick Mirer, CB Monty Montgomery, DE Anthony Pleasant, WR Kevin Williams. RFAs: FB Fred Beasley, DT Nate Hobgood-Chittick, OG Phil Ostrowski, LB Jeff Posey, PK Wade Richey, S Lance Schulters, LB Artie Ulmer. EFAs: OT Dan Dercher, QB Jeff Garcia, S Ronnie Heard, RB Jonas Lewis, C Ben Lynch, P Chad Stanley.

Analysis: It's bad enough the Niners are still more than $10 million over the projected salary cap. Making matters worse is the $6 million to $7 million they will have to chalk up in incentive money, in addition to the $10 million to $11 million taken up in "ghost" money by players no longer on the team, such as Steve Young, Gabe Wilkins and Tim McDonald. As a result, the majority of the team's free-agent activity will be spent cutting players with hefty price tags, such as LBs Winfred Tubbs ($4.4 million cap value) and Ken Norton, and restructuring numerous veterans' contracts. The team recently restructured offensive guard Dave Fiore's deal and has targeted at least 10 other players along the same lines, including defensive tackle Bryant Young, defensive end Junior Bryant, wide receiver Terrell Owens, offensive tackle Derrick Deese, offensive guard Ray Brown, tight end Greg Clark, wide receiver J.J. Stokes, defensive tackle Reggie McGrew and running back Garrison Hearst. With the 49ers remaining far apart in contract talks with Charlie Garner, it appears Scott Gragg has now become the most likely free agent to be re-signed. Other UFAs the team would like to re-sign are Brentson Buckner, Zack Bronson, Monty Montgomery and Rick Mirer, but it's going to be very difficult to get all of those players back.

Material from Pro Football Weekly.
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