NFC

Sporting News, The, Jan 31, 2000

Arizona

CHANGING SIDE: The club was set to make the offensive side of the ball a huge draft priority, but with three defensive starters coming off ACL surgeries, it might be forced to use its first pick on a defensive player. The team has to get help at linebacker, tackle and safety. The team needed help at outside linebacker even before starter Zack Walz blew out his knee. He could be ready for the opening of camp, but it is not a certainty. DT Rashod Swinger, who started for Mark Smith, is among the many tackles dealing with knee problems. Swinger blew out his left knee toward the end of the season and is questionable for the start of camp. The latest to fall is S Tommy Bennett, who had reconstructive surgery last week. The team could swing Pat Tillman into Bennett's spot or take a look at Paris Johnson, who was on IR because of a knee problem, but both options are shaky.... The club hopes to re-sign MLB Ron McKinnon, who becomes unrestricted. But questions remain whether he's physical enough to be a hole-plugger.

POWER FAILURE: The team thinks having everyone back healthy would upgrade the offensive unit from the punchless attack that did not score a first-quarter touchdown. Where the team might look to upgrade, then, is at the backup positions. Second-team QB Dave Brown becomes unrestricted. The team settled down, reduced turnovers and won three of five games with Brown. But he is not a dynamic playmaker. Simply avoiding mistakes isn't necessarily enough. --Lee Shappell

Atlanta

KEY PLAYER: The team finally has initiated contract talks with DE Chuck Smith, who's eligible to become an unrestricted free agent Smith, who led the team with 10 sacks in '99, is expected to be one of the top players in a very deep defensive end pool. Smith could command as much as $5 million a season, but Atlanta might be unwilling to pay that much because Patrick Kerney, a first-rounder from Virginia in 1999, should be ready to start next season. The Falcons could keep Smith by designating him a franchise free agent, but the team has never used that label on a player.

COACHING DECISIONS: Secondary coach Ron Meeks was interviewed by Redskins coach Norv Turner, who is seeking a replacement for Tom Hayes, who was fired. Washington may offer Meeks a supervisor tag, which would make it nearly impossible for Atlanta to block Meeks if he wants to leave. Meeks sent two players to the Pro Bowl in 1998, but the Falcons cornerbacks struggled throughout last season.... Dan Reeves denied reports that offensive fine coach Art Shell won't be retained. Shell, with the Falcons since 1997, was a candidate for some head coaching vacancies last year, but his offensive line failed miserably last season. He was unable to develop second-year T Ephraim Salaam and second-year G Bob Hallen.... Reeves confirmed he's talked to former Cowboys coach Chan Gailey, who once was Reeves' offensive coordinator in Denver. Gailey also may be a candidate to fill New Orleans' head coaching vacancy. --Mark Schlabach

Carolina

HUGE LOSS: The loss of offensive coordinator Gil Haskell to the Seahawks was a severe blow. The offense was the main reason for the team's surge that led to six victories in the last nine games after a 2-5 start. Coach George Seifert likely will hand over the reins of the offense to Bill Musgrave, the quarterbacks coach last season. Musgrave is considered a potential coaching star, but the offense will be in the hands of a relative novice. Whether or not Musgrave is ready will become evident fairly quickly next season. Unlike when Haskell replaced Joe Pendry after the Panthers' 1997 season, Musgrave will be expected to produce immediately.

LITTLE PROGRESS: It's vital the team re-signs WR Muhsin Muhammad, who could become an unrestricted free agent in February. Muhammad, the club's only deep threat and the team leader with 96 receptions, is far apart in negotiations with team officials. Muhammad is seeking a long-term deal worth about $5 million a year. He has said he would consider sitting out the 2000 season if the club places the franchise tag on him.... Dameyune Craig, who finished last season as the fourth-string quarterback, says he wants to play in NFL Europe again but he won't if the team indicates he has a future with it-and he apparently does. Seifert already has told Craig he wants him around Charlotte for the team's conditioning program and mini-camps, all of which Craig missed last season while he played in NFL Europe. Craig seems to have a shot at competing for the No. 2 job behind Steve Beuerlein. --Joe Menzer

Chicago

'BACKING UP: Early signings are not always revealing, but the Bears picked up LB Brendon Ayanbadejo with a two-year deal, and he is worth watching. Ayanbadejo had nine sacks at UCLA.... The Bears like their backers to bring a rush capability, and rookies Warrick Holdman and Rosevelt Colvin didn't disappoint, Coaches converted Colvin to a strongside linebacker from a defensive end and wound up playing him with his hand on the ground as a nickel rush end. The team is holding off on offering strongside LB Rico McDonald a new deal, and part of the reason is what Colvin showed, although he still is a long way from being an NFL-quality linebacker.