AFC/NFC

Sporting News, The, Feb 12, 2001

Arizona

WEAK LINK: The lack of quality tight end play has plagued the team the last few years. The question is whether that will change under new tight ends coach Pete Hoener. Terry Hardy is the incumbent starter. He is neither a good receiver nor a good blocker but is adequate at both. The ball never has come to him enough to know what he can do, but the team still drafted Jay Tant, a receiving-first tight end, last year. Tant blew out his knee and must overcome that in camp. No matter what, the team must find a third tight end. The club might take a chance on Arizona State's Todd Heap, should draft day come together in just the right way.

OTHER PROBLEMS: Given the weak defensive line, strong safety is an important position. SS Pat Tillman led the team in tackles--a reflection of not only his skills but the team's lack of ability to stop opponents near the line of scrimmage. But Tillman is a restricted free agent and might end up attracting some interest If SS Tommy Bennett leaves, as expected, the door could open for CB Corey Chavous to move to safety. Chavous lacks speed, and safety would be a better spot for him, but the club first must find a decent replacement at corner David Barrett and Coby Rhinehart are candidates. The possible departure of free-agent CB Aeneas Williams would leave a major hole and could prevent a potential position change for Chavous.... The Cardinals will try to bring in defensive linemen, the team's biggest weak spot. But DTs Mao Tosi and Jabari Issa still need to step up. Tosi has the size to plug the middle. Still, he was pushed around too often and must work on strength and technique. Issa is not built as well as Tosi. Weight-room work will be his top offseason priority. Neither figures to be a star next season, but each could help turn around a lousy defense. --Darren Urban

Atlanta

SAFETY NET: The signing of S Chris Hudson, a veteran who didn't play last season, was small news but might be a smart move for team and player. Hudson provides inexpensive insurance against the possible loss of backup FS Gerald McBurrows, who started four games in 2000 and pushed Ronnie Bradford for the starting job in the base defense. The Falcons don't want to lose McBurrows, but re-signing CB Ray Buchanan and OLB Henri Crockett are more pressing concerns. Hudson will be reunited with secondary coach (and former Colorado assistant) Greg Brown, plus Falcons vice president of football operations Ron Hill, who drafted him for the Jaguars in 1995. Hudson started 16 games for the Bears in 1999 but was left out of Chicago's youth movement last year.

INS AND WIDEOUTS: The Falcons face some difficult decisions at receiver. They need a big-play receiver but might have to address that in the draft. At present, Terance Mathis, Shawn Jefferson and Tim Dwight sit atop the depth chart. Dwight is valuable as a return specialist, so he is not seen as more than the No. 3 receiver. Jammi German, a third-round pick in '98, has fought injuries and has had little impact. He might not return. Eugene Baker was a mystery last season, apparently ignored because he is too small to contribute to special teams-he's listed at 6-0 and 177--despite showing good hands and great speed when given a chance in '99. Brian Finneran showed great promise in the preseason last year but lost the coaches' confidence with missed assignments on offense and special teams. --Charles Odum

Carolina

KEY COACHING ROLE: Turk Schonert has been hired as quarterbacks coach, and that job likely will take on huge importance almost immediately. The Panthers must find an heir apparent for starting QB Steve Beuerlein, so Schonert's most important role might be in the development of young QBs Jeff Lewis, Dameyune Craig and Matt Lytle. Lewis hasn't shown he's close to being ready to step into a starting role, and Craig took a step backward last season. Lewis and Craig might have been hurt by the resignation of offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Bill Musgrave four games into last season.... Although he hinted at retiring at the end of the season, LT Clarence Jones wants to play again. But that doesn't mean he'll be back with the team. Jones is scheduled to become a free agent in March. He has been decent for the last two seasons, but the team must upgrade at left tackle and might try to do so in the draft. The club could draft a right tackle and move Chris Terry to the left side.

QUESTION MARK: The future of DE Jason Peter, who's coming off neck surgery, remains a big question. He has shown flashes of potential when healthy, but the team isn't counting heavily on Peter. The Panthers have solid defensive ends in Jay Williams, Mike Rucker and Chuck Smith, so if Peter can return healthy, it will be a bonus.... RG Jamar Nesbit had an up-and-down season in his first year as a starter. But he still factors into the team's plans. With LG Matt Campbell and C Frank Garcia scheduled to be free agents, Nesbit could move to another position. --Pat Yasinskas

Chicago

LONG-TERM SNAPPER: The club signed long snapper Pat Mannelly to a five-year deal, solidifying what has been the best part of the kicking game the last few seasons. Mannelly, a sixth-round pick in '98, has been virtually flawless in his three years.... Talks with defensive lineman Bryan Robinson, who wants to stay with the team, have been slow, and the expectation is that he will test free agency. Robinson's 4 1/2 sacks and ability to play both end and tackle well will make him a solid target in a thin market. He also is a strong influence in the locker room and an excellent student of the game. Robinson's departure would create a serious need on a defensive front that was playing very well by season's end.