Each team's capsule contains a list of players who are scheduled to become free agents on March 1. 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: LB Henri Crockett, CB Darrien Gordon, OG Bob Hallen, S Chris Hudson, RB Travis Jervey, TE Brian Kozlowski, OT Ephraim Salaam, DT Shawn Swayda, LB Artie Ulmer, DE Chuck Wiley, CB Elijah Williams. RFAs: LB Chris Draft, LB Jeff Kelly, C Todd McClure. EFAs: PK Jay Feely, WR Brian Finneran, S Corey Hall, QB Doug Johnson, OT Dave Kadela, DT Ron Moore, TE Derek Rackley, RB Maurice Smith.

Analysis: Sitting $13 million-$14 million over the salary cap the Friday before this issue went to press, the Falcons had a definite plan in mind to cut their losses. The anticipated releases of WR Terance Mathis and S Ronnie Bradford would quickly clear about $6 million in cap costs. By releasing QB Chris Chandler and RB Jamal Anderson or getting them to agree to hefty pay cuts, the Falcons could lop off another $6 million (roughly $3 million apiece). If they were then able to release or restructure the contracts of players such as WR Shawn Jefferson and DT Shane Dronett, the Falcons could be in position to go after a couple of decent players in the free-agent market, preferably wide receivers and/or offensive linemen - the team's weakest areas last year at this time. There could be an interest by new defensive coordinator Wade Phillips in free-agent LB Sam Cowart, who played under Phillips in Buffalo. The Falcons have said they'd like to re-sign Crockett, but they have yet to seriously discuss a new agreement. Kozlowski, a productive performer last season, and Wiley are probable keepers, but everyone else is expendable. At presstime, the Falcons had yet to engage in any kind of discussions with Chandler's agent, Frank Bauer, regarding the quarterback's future in Atlanta.

Carolina Panthers

	Panthers' 2002 free agents
	UFAs: TE Luther Broughton, DT Larry Chester, LB Darren Hambrick, QB Jim Harbaugh, WR Donald Hayes, RB Chris Hetherington, S Damien Richardson, DE Chris Slade. RFAs: QB Dameyune Craig, LB Hannibal Navies, OG Jamar Nesbit. EFAs: TE Casey Crawford, CB Deveron Harper, RB Brad Hoover, DT Cedric Killings, DT Al Lucas, QB Matt Lytle, LB Kory Minor, LB Lester Towns, OL T.J. Washington, DT Gillis Wilson.

Analysis: The Panthers slashed about $8.4 million from their salary cap Feb. 22 by releasing four high-priced veterans -- starting cornerbacks Doug Evans and Jimmy Hitchcock, injury-prone running back Tshimanga Biakabutuka and linebacker Dean Wells. Notably absent from the list was defensive line Sean Gilbert, who is scheduled to count a team-high $10.2 million against the cap next season. Since cutting him before June 1 would save a meager $420,000, the Panthers would prefer the well-respected Gilbert accept a pay cut that could save the team several million dollars. The team also is working on restructuring the contracts of tight end Wesley Walls and wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad to free up some more cap room. The Panthers wouldn't mind re-signing Hayes, their leading receiver last year, and Chester, who was playing well at the end of the season. However, unlike they did with Muhammad and wide receiver Patrick Jeffers, the Panthers are not expected to go out of their way to re-sign Hayes. With Rashard Anderson the only player left on the current roster with experience at cornerback, that position figures to be addressed via free agency. The Panthers also could be on the lookout for a mid-tier running back to help replace Biakabutuka and a few outside linebackers.

New Orleans Saints

	Saints' 2001 free agents
	UFAs: PK John Carney, TE Cam Cleeland, DT La'Roi Glover, WR Willie Jackson, DE Joe Johnson, CB Chris Oldham, OT Marcus Price, CB Fred Weary. RFAs: LB Phil Clarke, QB Jake Delhomme, TE Lamont Hall, WR Wane McGarity, OT Daryl Terrell, DE Willie Whitehead, WR Robert Wilson. EFAs: S Steve Gleason, LB Curtis Holden, LB Roger Knight, TE Boo Williams.

Analysis: The first order of business for the Saints is to remove $6 million-$7 million in cap charges from their ledger, requiring, at the very least, the departure of a few notable players. Two strong possibilities are backup quarterback Jeff Blake, whose 2002 cap charge is in excess of $6 million, and linebacker Keith Mitchell, a former Pro Bowler who has fallen out of favor. The Saints also were trying to trade disgruntled left tackle Willie Roaf, who is scheduled to receive a $4.25 million signing bonus by March 20. At presstime, though, there were indications the Saints were trying to salvage their relationship with Roaf, who would be very difficult to replace. The Saints would eventually like to be in position to go after 2-4 free agents, with wide receivers and linebackers at the top of the list. Two players they want to re-sign are Johnson and Carney. Johnson became a free agent after being selected to the Pro Bowl and making 42 "big plays" -- a combination of sacks, forced fumbles and fumble recoveries -- over the course of his contract, enabling him to void the final year. Carney came through with flying colors last season after being plucked off the waiver wire. Glover, a Pro Bowler, looks like he's out of the picture. Cleeland, a talented but extremely brittle performer, also isn't expected back.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

	Bucs' 2001 free agents
	UFAs: RB Rabih Abdullah, WR Reidel Anthony, DT James Cannida, LB Jamie Duncan, RB Warrick Dunn, WR Jacquez Green, CB Brian Kelly, OT Pete Pierson, OL Todd Washington, DE Steve White, WR Karl Williams. RFAs: S Dexter Jackson. EFAs: OT DeMarcus Curry, RB Charles Kirby, OL Kendell Mack, RB Aaron Stecker, TE Todd Yoder.

Analysis: Taking into account their $8 million-$9 million cap overage, the Bucs aren't expected to be active in free agency. But that doesn't mean they won't do anything. They would especially like to find a decent-sized complementary receiver to team with Keyshawn Johnson and a tight end capable of being an effective downfield weapon. In order to reduce their cap number, notable players such as veteran offensive guard Randall McDaniel, cornerback Donnie Abraham and perhaps even defensive end Simeon Rice could be released or have their contracts significantly restructured. Other restructuring candidates include fullback Mike Alstott and linebackers Jeff Gooch and Al Singleton. At 38, McDaniel doesn't have much left in the tank. Abraham is a backup who has a 2002 cap number of $6.5 million and is due a $500,000 roster bonus on March 1. Rice, the team's leading sacker, is due a balloon payment in the neighborhood of $5 million in mid-March, and that could make him difficult to keep. Feeling underused and underappreciated, Dunn seemed like a lock to go elsewhere - until new head coach Jon Gruden went out of his way to sing Dunn's praises at the coach's opening press conference. Kelly, who replaced Abraham in the starting lineup, and White are considered keepers. Washington, a 320-pounder who played well in spurts last season, is also a good bet to return, especially if McDaniel splits. It's unclear what the Bucs' plans are for starting middle linebacker Duncan. Wide receivers Green, Anthony and Williams are expected to depart.

Material from Pro Football Weekly.
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