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Sporting News, The, March 4, 2005

DENVER BRONCOS

MOVING ON: The club is shopping LE Trevor Pryce in hopes of saving enough money to retain unrestricted free-agent RE Reggie Hayward. But Hayward will attract a lot of suitors because of his pass-rushing ability. The Broncos are in line to switch to a 3-4 scheme, in which the emphasis is on linebackers to provide the pass rush rather than ends. That could ease the pain of losing Pryce and/or Hayward. If the team loses one or both, it likely will draft an end and/or find one in the free-agent market, perhaps the Ravens' Marques Douglas. Because of cap restrictions, Denver will have to choose between starting RCB Kelly Herndon and CB Lenny Walls, both restricted free agents. The big, athletic Wails (6-4, 195) has struggled with injuries, but he has more potential than Herndon. If Herndon goes, Walls will start on the right side. ACTION PLAN: Don't expect the team to be a big free-agent player because it doesn't have much money to spend. The team likely will re-sign LG Ben Hamilton, who not only is an excellent player in the scheme but also is the heir apparent to C Tom Nalen. The Broncos also likely will keep hard-hitting SS Kenoy Kennedy, who is coming off his best season. The team will need a sturdy nose tackle to anchor the 3-4 but is more likely to draft one than sign a free agent. Rod Smith will turn 35 this year, and the team desperately needs an impact wide receiver who can make tough catches on third down and in the red zone. The Raiders' Jerry Porter and the Steelers' Plaxico Burress are the prize free agents at wide receiver. The Broncos might make a serious run at Porter, who has hurt them in the past.--Patrick Saunders

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

MOVING ON: None of the starters will be unrestricted free agents. Backup RB Derrick Blaylock and reserve LB Monty Beisel would be missed if they were to leave. Both are versatile players who excel on special teams. Larry Johnson, however, finished strong last season and could take over for Blaylock as the backup running back. ACTION PLAN: The Chiefs need to acquire, at minimum, a starting cornerback and a starting linebacker. It's difficult to picture them bidding on, say, Charles Woodson, Fred Smoot or Gary Baxter, but a lower-priced alternative such as Ken Lucas (Seahawks) would make sense. The Chiefs then could draft a nickel corner and let Dexter McCleon, William Bartee and Julian Battle compete for the remaining corner job or move one of them to safety. A free-agent linebacker such as Ed Hartwell (Ravens) would be a better option in the middle than holdovers Kawika Mitchell and Mike Maslowski. The team might need to sign or draft another linebacker because WLB Shawn Barber (knee) won't be ready for the start of camp or perhaps the start of regular season. The Chiefs also would do well to sign someone such as Travis Taylor (Ravens), given the team's uncertainty at wide receiver. Among its free agents, the team should make re-signing LS Kendall Gammon its top priority. Gammon is among the best in the league at his position. DE Jared Allen could step in for Gammon, but the team is counting on Alien to contribute a Jot on defense in 2005 and wants him to focus on his primary position.--Adam Teicher

OAKLAND RAIDERS

MOVING ON: Doug Gabriel could step in if WR Jerry Porter leaves, but he lacks Porter's consistency, sure hands and experience. RB Amos Zereoue and LE Bobby Hamilton started for the Raiders last season and also could be lost in the free-agent market. Replacing Hamilton, the team's most consistent defensive lineman, would be tough, but Zereoue is expendable. Free agent J.R. Redmond could be re-signed to replace Zereoue. ACTION PLAN: Porter and CB Charles Woodson head the list of potential losses, but the Raiders want to keep both because there aren't adequate replacements on the roster. The top priorities in the free-agent market are finding a top-flight running back and a reliable defensive end. RBs Shaun Alexander, Edgerrin James, Derrick Blaylock and LaMont Jordan would be upgrades over Tyrone Wheatley and Justin Fargas and would help a rushing attack that ranked last in the NFL. Coach Norv Turner covets a back who can carry a big load and help give the Raiders a more balanced attack. At defensive end, the Raiders need a reliable pass rusher because Warren Sapp was a bust at end in the 3-4. There aren't a lot of top-tier ends available, but the Raiders will pursue the Eagles' Hugh Douglas. Landing a proven end would enable Sapp to move inside to his natural position and bolster a weak pass rush. The Raiders also could pursue a receiver or cornerback, especially if they lose Porter or Woodson. WRs Plaxico Burress and T.J. Houshmandzadeh would be nice fits in the team's system. Any cornerback added likely would be used as a nickel or dime back, especially if Woodson re-signs.--Steve Corkran

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

MOVING ON: The Chargers won't suffer any major free-agent losses. QB Drew Brees won't go anywhere on his own because the team put the franchise tag on him. The only starter who will be allowed to test the market is FS Jerry Wilson, and the team is looking to upgrade that position with a free agent anyway. The club is in good shape from a depth standpoint. The only free agent of consequence at a backup position is ILB Zeke Moreno, who spent the second half of the season on injured reserve (shoulder). Moreno wants to be a starter and likely won't return. The Chargers are high on third-year man Stephen Cooper (6-1, 235) as the top backup on the inside to replace Moreno. Cooper doesn't have prototypical size for the position, but he is deceptively strong and has a nose for the bail. ACTION PLAN: The offseason priorities are to find a pass rusher and free safety with range. Under G.M. AJ. Smith, the Chargers believe in prudence when it comes to free-agent spending, so the team likely will look to fill its pass-rushing need through the draft; proven pass rushers cost more than free safeties. The free safety is asked to play a lot of center field and create turnovers in the Chargers' defensive scheme, and the organization wants someone with greater range than Wilson, who had just three interceptions in 2004. The Chargers could look closely at hard-hitting Buccaneers FS Dwight Smith. They also could add depth at linebacker, probably in the free-agent market, and at wide receiver. They have capable starters in WRs Keenan McCardell and Reche Caldwell but need someone who could develop into a No. 1 target.--Jim Trotter