NFC reports

Sporting News, The, March 15, 2004

ARIZONA CARDINALS Newly acquired DE Bertrand Berry is the proven pass rusher the team has been lacking. Berry, who had 11 1/2 sacks for the Broncos last season, immediately becomes the starter on the right side. He is an every-down player despite weighing only 250 pounds. Calvin Pace, a first-round draft pick in 2003, becomes Berry's backup, though he may play some on the left side and be used in the nickel. Coach Dennis Green isn't pleased the team needed to sign a free agent after drafting an end. He's challenging Pace to improve.... Former Bucs QB Shaun King, signed as a free agent, isn't going to beat out Josh McCown for the starting job, but the team wants a veteran around in case McCown starts slowly or is injured. OFFSEASON PROGRAM (MARCH 22-JULY 16): March 22 is the official start, but about 40 players have been working out for the past month. Players are uncertain of their status and are eager to make a good first impression on Green. With a new staff, a new system, a new starting quarterback (McCown) and some players possibly changing positions, a lot of teaching must be done. The team also needs to become stronger physically and tougher mentally. Green wants a more cohesive unit, and he believes that starts with players spending time with each other in the offseason.--Kent Somers

ATLANTA FALCONS Former Raiders DT Rod Coleman can plug the middle in the one-gap schemes coordinator Ed Donatell is installing and is versatile enough to swing outside. He's a critical addition to a line that could lose T Ellis Johnson and T/E Travis Hall. Coleman should make T Ed Jasper better, and the pass rush could be a strong suit.... CB Jason Webster, a free-agent pickup who played in only five games for the 49ers in 2003 because of injuries, has good coverage skills and should start. Coach Jim Mora, who worked with Webster in San Francisco, believes he'll add leadership and stability. However, Webster lacks size (5-10, 187) and consistency.... Before re-signing, C Todd McClure met with line coach Alex Gibbs to discuss strategy. Gibbs deployed cut blocks that opened huge running lanes in Denver and has promised to do the same with the Falcons. OFFSEASON PROGRAM (MARCH 22-JULY 2): Strength and conditioning coach Al Miller, a holdover from Dan Reeves' staff, wants better attendance so he can plan regimens to suit players' needs. Attendance dipped from 80 percent in 2002 to 60 percent last offseason, and some star players either worked out on their own or trained sporadically with teammates. More met with Miller to make sure programs are enhanced to help players achieve better balance and improved range of motion.--George

CAROLINA PANTHERS The team made a wise move in re-signing TE Kris Mangum. With Mike Seidman coming off knee surgery, Mangum should start again. But the team uses a lot of two-tight end sets and wants better blocking at the position. That's why it signed Rams restricted free agent Brandon Manumaleuna to an offer sheet. If the Rams match the deal, look for Carolina to pursue another big tight end.... The team caught a big break when DE Al Wallace re-signed. He is the perfect fit as the third end.... Signing Jessie Armstead provides insurance in case SLB Mark Fields has trouble regaining form in his comeback from Hodgkin's disease.... With the free-agent loss of Reggie Howard, the team is in the market for a corner. Though it's high on Dante Wesley, it's not sure he's ready to be a starter. OFFSEASON (APRIL 5-JUNE 11): After the retirement of RG Kevin Donnalley and the free-agent loss of LG Jeno James, the line will be a big point of emphasis. Young Bruce Nelson, free-agent pickup Rich Tylski and any additional guards will need to use the offseason program to get comfortable in the scheme. However, it's not likely either guard job will be settled until camp. Coach John Fox likes his team to be physical, so the program will be tough again. He will use the Super Bowl loss as motivation to work even harder.--Pat Yasinskas

CHICAGO BEARS The signing of free-agent RB Thomas Jones (Bucs) won't have an immediate effect on Anthony Thomas, whom the Bears plan on bringing to camp. If nothing else, Thomas can be an inexpensive backup. Jones, a capable receiver with good speed and burst, is a better fit in coordinator Terry Shea's scheme. The Bears probably could get a late-round pick for Thomas, but they believe he's worth keeping as insurance unless they get a better offer.... RG Chris Villarrial, who signed with the Bills, will be replaced by Mike Gandy, who played left tackle for most of the past two seasons. That will leave Qasim Mitchell as the starting left tackle; Gandy likely would move back if Mitchell struggles.... QB Jonathan Quinn, a third-stringer with the Chiefs, likely will be the No. 2 behind Rex Grossman. Chris Chandler still is on the roster, but the Bears want to add a rookie at the position in the draft. Quinn is inexperienced but knows the system after working with Shea in Kansas City. OFFSEASON PROGRAM (MARCH 26-MID-JUNE): With a new coaching staff, the Bears are allowed two extra voluntary veteran minicamps. The team will have two of their minicamps before the draft; the camps will focus more on learning new offensive and defensive systems than on evaluating players. Grossman is the key to the 2004 season, and the club will work on as much of the playbook as Grossman can handle. He has been a regular at team facilities since the start of the free-agent period.--Mike Mulligan