NFC

Sporting News, The, Feb 28, 2000

Arizona

CENTER OF ATTENTION: A week of false hope and seven visitors to the team's training complex ended last Saturday with a four-year, $8.6 million agreement with St. Louis free-agent C Mike Gruttadauria. The team believes it has added the physical and athletic type it needs to handle the pivot. The move likely signals the end in Arizona for incumbent starter and unrestricted free agent Aaron Graham.... Arizona was stung by the quick signing of TEs Ernie Conwell (St. Louis) and Ken Dilger (Indianapolis). Look for ex-Card Chris Gedney, who was released last summer, to re-sign soon and bolster the position instead of another free-agent foray.... Tampa Bay free-agent MLB Hardy Hickerson is a consideration in place of incumbent Ronald McKinnon. The coaching staff saw little dropoff of skills in Nickerson on film, even though he turns 35 before the season.

SHORT SHOTS: Dallas backup QB Jason Garrett visited and is a hedge against losing unrestricted free agent Dave Brown. Garrett has a built-in lure in Arizona: Older brother John Garrett would be his position coach.... The selection of tight ends coach Hank Kuhlmann to take over special teams was based on experience: He broke into the NFL in 1972 with Green Bay and also has served in a similar capacity with Indianapolis, Chicago and collegiately with Notre Dame. --Lee Rasizer

Atlanta

YOUTH MOVEMENT: The team's starting defensive ends will be much younger because recently signed Brady Smith, 26, and 1999 first-rounder Patrick Kerney, 23, are expected to replace unrestricted free agents Lester Archambeau and Chuck Smith, who signed with the Panthers. Brady Smith had six sacks for the Saints last season in his first year as a starter. He replaced Joe Johnson, who missed the season with tom knee ligaments. He is considered a top pass rusher but needs to become more aggressive against the run.... The team didn't attempt to re-sign Chuck Smith, it's leader in '99 with 10 sacks. The team likely won't re-sign Archambeau, either. Team officials figure the signing of CB Ashley Ambrose will shore up the secondary, making it less dependent on pass rush. The cover ability of Ambrose and CB Ray Buchanan should force quarterbacks to hold the ball longer.

DECISIONS: The team has contacted the agent of QB Eric Zeier, but it likely won't attempt to sign Zeier unless it releases backup QB Danny Kanell. Kanell struggled in his first season with the Falcons last year and is recovering from a tom knee ligament. The team would save about $1 million against the cap by releasing Kanell. If the Falcons signed Zeier and kept Kanell and Chris Chandler, they would have more than $7 million invested in quarterbacks next season. --Mark Schlabach

Carolina

IMPRESSIVE ADDITION: DE Chuck Smith, the high-motor free agent who often tormented the team when he was with the Falcons, agreed to a five-year, $21.75 million contract. Smith's addition means help has arrived for a woeful line that obviously needed it against the run and the pass. Smith will replace Chuck Wiley, who started every game in 1999 but failed to post a single sack, at fight end. Smith, 30, registered 10 sacks and has 48 1/2 in his eight NFL seasons. The team desperately needs more fiery guys such as Smith on defense.... DE Jay Williams, an unrestricted free agent who played with the Super Bowl champion Rams, signed a three-year contract that could be worth as much as $4.5 million if he reaches modest incentives. Williams, 28, had a career-high four sacks in a part-time role. He will challenge Jason Peter at left end.

THE FLIP SIDE: The team had to release 15-game starter RG Anthony Redmon to dear cap room to sign Williams. Smith's addition will require even more roster cuts. However, last season the team ranked 26th overall in defense-in terms of number of points and total yards surrendered, plus fewest sacks registered.... Two players who could go as free agency progresses are MLB Steve Tovar, who began last season as a starter but lost his job to Dean Wells, and SS Brent Alexander. --Joe Menzer

Chicago

SAFETY FIRST: Throughout the search for a safety, the team's intention is to make whomever they get a free safety. That includes the likes of Reggie Tongue and Shawn Wooden, both primarily strong safeties. Coaches decided they do not want to move Tony Parrish back to free safety. Parrish slumped last year, and part of the reason was that he was making a second major adjustment in two seasons. The organization is convinced he has the ability to be a great strong safety and wants him settling in that spot for good.... Signing DE Phillip Daniels and CB Thomas Smith means the team will play more tight man-to-man coverage and can play more aggressively elsewhere because it won't need to send help on the outside. Smith, a tough, aggressive corner, also makes the outside defense stouter against the run without committing a safety.

CORNERING THE MARKET: How serious are the Bears about improving at cornerback? They now have 10 corners on their roster. Terry Cousin, who took over for Tom Carter as a starter, had a jolt when Smith was signed. The thinking was that Cousin would go back to his nickel role. But Cousin is a favorite of coordinator Greg Blache and will get a shot at unseating the other starter, Walt Harris.... Because Daniels is an every-down end, look for Clyde Simmons to swing in at tackle in passing situations. --John Mullin