NFC

Minnesota

TO-DO LIST: As they have done repeatedly in recent years, the Vikings will focus primarily on choosing which of their free agents to re-sign and make only a limited foray--if any at all--into the free-agent marketplace. Even if the salary cap rises to the projected $57.5 million, the team will not have enough money to go around this offseason to keep all of the free agents it would like back. One area that will receive special offseason attention is defensive end. Whether by free agency, in a potential trade for QB Brad Johnson or in the draft, the Vikings are seeking a sack specialist to take some of the pressure off DL John Randle. That's why the Vikings have thrown out pie-in-the-sky requests for Baltimore Pro Bowl DE Michael McCrary and Seattle's NFL sack leader Michael Sinclair in Johnson trade talks.... One area of free-agent activity could be the secondary, where three of the team's four current starters are unrestricted free agents. Depending on how many starters they lose--and the guess here is that two of those players will return-the Vikings might have to get into the second-tier free-agent market for a veteran cornerback or safety.

OUT PATTERN: With 15 unrestricted free agents and four other restricted free agents, the Vikings must be selective. Their priorities are fairly easy to identify: MLB Ed McDaniel, SS Robert Griffith, NT Jerry Ball, RB David Palmer and probably CB Corey Fuller. If the team re-signs all of those players, it could mean goodbye for a few starters--FS Orlando Thomas, DE Derrick Alexander and FB Charles Evans. --Don Banks

New Orleans

TO-DO LIST: Running back, wide receiver, offensive line, safety and linebacker are areas of immediate concern. Running back most likely will be addressed in the draft. The team could use at least two wide receivers, and the position is a deep one. In the wishful thinking category, Charles Johnson and J.J. Stokes appear to be the most viable unrestricted players. The offensive line needs help at center and guard. Kyle Turley is moving to right tackle, leaving left guard up for grabs. And C Jerry Fontenot is coming back from major reconstructive knee surgery. Centers Dave Wohlabaugh and Cory Raymer and G Zach Wiegert are three players who would be nice additions. ... Team officials never adequately filled the middle linebacker post after Winfred Tubbs' departure to the 49ers last year. Strongside linebacker also could use some bolstering. The most realistic and affordable prospects are Ronald McKinnon, Eddie Robinson, Bryan Schwartz, Tom McManus and Donta Jones.

OUT PATTERN: Kerry Collins is the club's biggest name among its unrestricted free agents, but Mike Ditka does not want Collins back because of his propensity for committing removers. Billy Joe Hobert will start.... SS Chad Cota, RB Aaron Craver and T Clarence Jones are the only other unrestricted free agents of note. Team officials aren't likely to try to re-sign Cota. Rob Kelly is his likely replacement Jones is a capable starter at right tackle but is being squeezed out by Turley's move. Craver, who ended the season as the starting fullback, shouldn't be a problem being re-signed. --Mike Strom