NFC

Arizona

THE PRICE OF SUCCESS: The first order of business will be re-signing unrestricted free agents Rob Moore and Jamir Miller. To do so, one of them might have to be tagged the franchise player, MLB Ron McKinnon, a restricted free agent, has played well enough to merit looks from other teams. The dub might have to match a high offer to keep him. The front office will be on the lookout in free agency and the draft for offensive linemen, a defensive tackle, a safety, a return specialist and a receiver. As for the team's free agents, Moore has been invaluable to the resurgence of the offense. Frank Sanders caught more passes, but Moore draws the double coverages that help put Sanders in one-on-one situations. Considering QB Jake Plummer signed for four more years and the tub's playoff run, Moore should be willing to re-up. Miller, too, will be looking for a big contract, and based on performance, he should get it. He has the size on the left side to come up and stop the run. This season, the coaches unleashed him as a pass rusher. McKinnon is an adequate run-stopper, but his greatest value is in pass coverage in zone blitzes. He has five interceptions. He re-signed in '98 for one year as an exclusive-rights player, making him one of the steals in the league. Now as a restricted free agent, he'll want starter's pay.

CAP CONCERNS: The dub likes all three players and wants to keep them. It also has an extra first-round pick in the draft (San Diego's). That's five more big-money salaries to fit under the cap, and there still are other needs. The dub needs to know soon the status of rookie OT Anthony Clement, one of its best offensive line prospects in years, who missed 15 weeks (surgery, herniated disk). It will draft a lineman. It will need a third receiver and return specialist if Eric Metcalf, as expected, leaves as a free agent. Injuries have created uncertainties in the defensive line. --Lee Shappell

Atlanta

HE'S MONEY: RB Jamal Anderson has been the team's money man all season, a record-shattering producer and dutch performer who certainly has been one of the most valuable players in the NFL. Anderson will command one of the largest contracts in franchise history if the team is able to re-sign him during the next year. But the more immediate concern is whether he can help win Sunday's NFC championship game. Anderson's 113 yards rushing last week put him 41 from 2,000 for the season, a total that would nearly double his previous three-year career output ... Starting CB Ronnie Bradford (mild shoulder separation) is the only major concern going into this weekend's game. Bradford sustained the injury in the regular-season finale against Miami, and despite practicing last week, didn't play against the 49ers. TE O.J. Santiago and reserve S Devin Bush suffered strained hamstrings against the 49ers, but the injuries aren't considered serious.

ON TOP OF THEIR GAME: The linebackers don't get much recognition as a group, but they're playing well heading into the championship game. Jessie Tuggle and Cornelius Bennett each had eight tackles last week, and Henry Crockett had a couple of big plays. Bennett also saved a touchdown by breaking up a long pass for Terry Kirby. "I'm going to use that in the next contract negotiation," Bennett says. "I showed them I can still move, even with this heavy knee brace." ... Much was made about the age of starting safeties Eugene Robinson (35) and William While (32) going into the season, but the subject doesn't come up anymore. Both have made up for whatever speed they've lost with experience, knowledge and an infectious passion for the game. The value of Robinson's experience shouldn't be discounted. A 14-year veteran, Robinson win be playing in his third NFC title game after spending the previous two seasons in Green Bay. --Tony Fabrizio

Carolina

CHANGE OF HEART:. It appears Blake Brockermeyer, who emerged as a solid starting left tackle as the season progressed, may want to stay with the team after all. Brockermeyer held a grudge against former coach Dom Capers because of a disagreement two years ago when Brockermeyer felt he shouldn't have been held out of some games, including the playoffs, because of a thumb injury. Because Capers is gone and the team may make Brockermeyer, who becomes a free agent, its franchise player, he has softened his stance.... The offensive line played much better late in the season after a healthy Matt Campbell returned to left guard, Frank Garcia moved over to his more natural position of center from left guard (where he had been subbing for the injured Campbell) and Anthony Redmon replaced the ailing Corbin Lacina at right guard. If Brockermeyer stays, the team will go into training camp with the left side of its line set--and with the surprising Redmon ready to battle the unremarkable Lacina at right guard. Once coach George Seifert sees enough of Norberto Davidds-Garrido on film, he'll probably want to replace him at right tackle.