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ATLANTA FALCONS

MOVING ON: Backup CB Allen Rossum, the team's top return man, likely won't be back. The team can replace Rossum on punt returns with LCB DeAngelo Hall and on kickoff returns with WR Michael Jenkins. Rossum (5-8, 178) doesn't have the size to be a factor at cornerback. LG Roberto Garza also is expendable. LG Michael Moore is expected to return from a torn rotator cuff, and Martin Bibla is a capable backup. OLB Demorrio Williams likely will take OLB Matt Stewart's spot. Williams is faster than Stewart, though not as big. The Falcons want to re-sign K Jay Feely but won't overpay for him. ACTION PLAN: With $137 million in bonuses due players still on the roster, big acquisitions are unlikely. The priority is re-signing reserve CBs Kevin Mathis and Aaron Beasley. Mathis started 13 games and was effective on both sides while filling in for the injured Hall and RCB Jason Webster. Beasley also filled in for Webster and was valuable in the slot. If the team can't re-sign them, it will look for free agents with similar experience. Options include Jason Craft (Saints), Robert Tare (Cardinals), Dainon Sidney (Lions) and Lewis Sanders (Browns). Because FS Cory Hall has a tenuous hold on his job, expect the team to re-sign FS Keion Carpenter to a one-year deal. Early June could bring a surprise of sorts regarding WR Peerless Price, who angrily refused last week to say if he already had undergone surgery to repair his right retina. Price's terrible performance last season tested the team's patience, so releasing him to ease salary cap ramifications in 2006 could be an option.--George Henry

CAROLINA PANTHERS

MOVING ON: If WR Muhsin Muhammad is released, Steve Smith and Keary Colbert will give the team two solid starters. But there would be little depth behind them. Muhammad is one of the NFL's best blocking receivers, and the team doesn't have another big, physical wide-out to fill that role. KR/RB Rod Smart might depart, but he's not a breakaway threat. CB Artrell Hawkins isn't a free agent, but his $2.5 million cap figure could push the team to cut him and leave it looking for a free-agent nickel back. Starting RT Matt Willig likely won't be re-signed. ACTION PLAN: The team has several holes to fill, and how much money it spends on free agents depends on whether Muhammad is cut. If he leaves, the team must bring in some free-agent wide receivers, and at least one will need to have strong blocking skills. But bigger needs exist at other positions. Given the uncertain durability of DeShaun Fester and Stephen Davis, the team could use a running back. The Giants' Ron Dayne is a possibility; he's a powerful runner, and coach John Fox is familiar with Dayne from Fox's days in New York. The Panthers could look at athletic RT Stockar McDougle (Lions) as a replacement for Willig. Tutan Reyes wasn't consistent at right guard last year, and the team wants to bring in a player to compete against Reyes and Doug Brzezinski; the Bucs' Cosey Coleman is an option. The team also wants to upgrade its return game, and the Lions' Reggie Swinton could be a good fit because he also could be a fourth receiver. The team likely will re-sign SLB Mark Fields before he becomes a free agent.--Pat Yasinskas

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

MOVING ON: RT Victor Riley probably won't be re-signed. He wore out his welcome last season with excessive penalties and questionable behavior--and he was overweight. The Saints want to re-sign CB Jason Craft, but he could draw some interest in the free-agent market. DL Tony Bryant is another valuable role player the Saints want back but might lose. Bryant can play end and tackle. He's not much of a pass rusher, but at 6-6, he disrupts interior passing lanes. He's no better than the third or fourth end for the Saints, so he might opt for more playing time elsewhere. LB Sedrick Hodge also is expected to sign elsewhere. Hodge has been a disappointment since being drafted in 2001 and has been passed on the depth chart by James Allen. ACTION PLAN: The Saints don't have a lot of cap room so they'll probably use the same strategy they used a year ago: target a few veterans and try to lock them up early. Riley's absence would create an immediate need at right tackle. Players with starting experience such as Jonas Jennings (Bills), Kareem McKenzie (Jets), Oliver Ross (Steelers) and Floyd Womack (Seahawks) will be considered. The Saints plan to re-emphasize the running game, so look for them to find an aggressive right tackle. A free safety with ball skills also is a high priority. The defense emphasized press coverage last season and needs a veteran ballhawk with range. Unfortunately, there are few of those players available. If the Saints can land a free safety and right tackle in the free-agent market, they'll have extra flexibility in the draft. They could afford to take the best player available, likely a linebacker or cornerback, with the 16th overall pick.--Jeff Duncan

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

MOVING ON: The biggest loss could be at safety; Dwight Smith and Dexter Jackson are expected to hit the market. Smith is the better of the two because he also can play corner and is considered by some to be the team's best special teams player. Backup John Howell, who can play either safety spot, also is a free agent, but re-signing him shouldn't be a problem. The team doesn't have anyone else with WR Joey Galloway's ability to stretch defenses but should be able to replace his speed with a draft pick. CB Mario Edwards probably will sign elsewhere, which could be a problem because the team doesn't have a corner who can play the right side when CB Ronde Barber moves to the slot in nickel situations. QB Brad Johnson and FB Mike Alstott both could be released to make salary cap room. ACTION PLAN: The team's primary objective is to re-sign its free agents. LE Greg Spires, who will become a free agent if the Bucs don't restructure his contract by March 1, is a high priority. If the Bucs retain him, he could be moved to defensive tackle. Re-signing QB Brian Griese also is a priority, but if negotiations hit a snag, the team will weigh other veteran options. Tight end is an important position in the offense, so re-signing Ken Dilger is a must, particularly because the team doesn't have the money to acquire a free-agent upgrade. Jets free agent LaMont Jordan might be the team's most notable outside target. It needs to settle on a running back for the future, and Jordan would fit the bill. The Bucs love the speed of WR Jerry Porter (Raiders), who could complement Michael Clayton. They likely will take a shot at signing Porter--especially if they can't retain Galloway.--Roy Cummings