Content provided in partnership with

NFC

Sporting News, The, March 22, 1999

Arizona

MAKING AN OFFER: Last week, the team offered to re-sign free agent LB Jamir Miller to a two-year deal. Miller has had contact with four teams, but has made a formal visit only to the Bears, who have not extended a contract offer. Miller wants to be used more as a pass rusher, which he considers one of his strengths. The Cardinals rarely used him as a rusher until late last season and have said they will increase that role if he is re-signed.... The club brought in free-agent LB Rob Fredrickson for an interview last week, but says Miller is its first option.... S Tommy Bennett--who went to high school in San Diego--has visited the Chargers. He is a restricted free agent, and the club can match any offer.

Most Popular Articles in Sports: The first family: Archie, Peyton and Eli are incredibly famous, immensely ...; The growing gap: driving distances are skyrocketing on the PGA Tour. So why ...; Which pistol caliber for self defense? Four different people come to four ...; Drag racing - National Hot Rod Association; The world's most popular .22: the Marlin Model 60 just keeps on ticking; More »

OFFENSIVE TACKLE ANALYSIS: This is a young and uncertain group that must survive the departure of seven-time Pro Bowler Lomas Brown. Fortunately, it has upside. Anthony Clement (6-7, 355 pounds) was a second-round pick last year, and could be Brown's successor at left tackle. Clement, 22, has excellent hands and better feet than his size suggests. He was on the verge of starting at right tackle last year when a herniated disk ended his season. He was feared three weeks ago to resume lifting and running. Matt Joyce, 26, a converted defensive lineman, also will get a shot at left tackle. He needs to prove he can protect Jake Plummer's backside. On the right side, James Dexter, 26, isn't particularly big (6-7, 319) and was often manhandled in '98. The club could use the eighth pick in this year's draft on a left tackle.--Lee Shappell

Atlanta

SAFETY BLANKET: The addition of free-agent SS Marty Carter is the team's first major step toward improving the secondary. Carter, an eight-year pro who has spent the past four seasons with the Bears, will provide an athletic upgrade at strong safety over William White. Carter, 6-1, 214 pounds, is nearly four years younger than White, who turned 33 last month, and he is a better cover man and tackler. White, who is an unrestricted free agent, is well-liked by the coaching staff and in the locker room, and there's a chance he could be resigned as a reserve.... Despite the fact the club's top three guards return, the team has interest in free agent Matt O'Dwyer, a 6-4, 305-pounder who started every game last year for the Jets at right guard.

OFFENSIVE TACKLE ANALYSIS: Because of the emergence of two young players who were unheralded coming out of college, offensive tackle has become a strength for the team. The starters are seven-year veteran Bob Whitfield on the left side, and 1998 seventh-round pick Ephraim Salaam on the right. Jose Portilla, who was signed as an undrafted rookie free agent last spring, has emerged as the main backup. Whitfield, 6-5, 310 pounds, comes off his most consistent season. He has played in 102 consecutive games, with 96 straight starts. Salaam started all 16 games pins the playoffs and Super Bowl after edging out Portilla for the job in training camp. Portilla played in every game on special teams and in four games at tackle. Barring something unexpected, he'll go into camp as the No. 1 backup. --Tony Fabrizio

Carolina

ADDED EXPERIENCE: In the latest move to improve at quarterback, the club signed Steve Bono to a two-year contract worth about $1 million. He will be third on the depth chart behind starter Steve Beuerlein and projected backup Jeff Lewis. Lewis is perceived as the quarterback of the furore but must prove he is over a major knee injury and can perform in games under fire. In Bono, coach George Seifert has an experienced safety net should Beuerlein falter or get injured before Lewis is ready to take over. Seifert is not sold on Beuerlein, whose lack of mobility is a liability in the West Coast offense. Bono isn't more mobile but at least is familiar with Seifert and his offense.... The team improved its depth by signing DBs Roderick Mullen and Lamar Lyons and RB Chris Hetherington. Mullen, 26, is expected to compete for time as a nickel back.

OFFENSIVE TACKLE ANALYSIS: Improving this unit was a priority even before losing Blake Brockermeyer to the Bears. Former TE Matt Campbell, who has had mixed results since switching to the offensive line three years ago, is the new left tackle. He is athletic enough but lacks instincts and must improve quickly. The team was close to signing unrestricted free agent Clarence Jones last week. He would start at right tackle. He was the Saints' starter the past three years. Norberto Davidds-Garrido started all last season but struggled. He could serve as a backup along with Rob Bohlinger, who could be solid if he gets stronger and adds some muscle to his lean 69, 310-pound frame.--Joe Menzer

Chicago

ON THE DEFENSIVE: The team re-signed LB Sean Harris for three years and locked up Redskins free-agent DE Jamal Duff to a one-year deal that gives the Bears the right of first refusal for next season. Harris was the team's fourth-leading tackler in 1998, his first season as a starter. His return provides a boost at linebacker, a position that was thin on starters. Duff (6-7, 285) will compete with Clyde Simmons at right end. Duff, 27, is more physical at the point of attack than Simmons, 34, who is projected as a situational rusher.... The Bears have the seventh pick in the draft but may trade down to add picks--and possibly a speed rusher--because they think their targeted quarterbacks could be gone. Signing OT Blake Brookermeyer made the offensive line less of a priority, but musts in the draft are quarterback, pass rusher, linebacker and wide receiver.

NFC

Sporting News, The, March 22, 1999

Find Research Guides for:

Find Featured Titles for: Health

Most Popular Articles in Sports

Most Popular Publications in Sports