Each team's capsule contains a list of players who are scheduled to become free agents on March 1. Unrestricted free agents (UFAs) are players who have accrued four or more NFL seasons and are free to sign with any team unless given a franchise or transition tag. Restricted free agents (RFAs) are players with three accrued seasons. The player's current team has a right of first refusal on offers from other teams. If the team chooses to let a restricted free agent leave by opting to not match an offer, the team will receive draft-choice compensation from the player's new team. Exclusive-rights free agents are players who have fewer than three accrued seasons. They do not have the right to change teams if they are offered a contract from their current club.

Baltimore Ravens

Ravens' 2002 free agents

UFAs: RB Terry Allen, OL Orlando Bobo, QB Randall Cunningham, DT Lional Dalton, S Corey Harris, WR Patrick Johnson, S Carnell Lake, P Kyle Richardson, CB Duane Starks, CB James Trapp, RB Moe Williams, OL Sammy Williams. RFAs: RB Obafemi Ayanbadejo, LB Brad Jackson, PK Danny Kight, OG Edwin Mulitalo, WR Brandon Stokley. EFAs: OL Bennie Anderson, RB Jason Brookins, DE Marques Douglas, WR Corey Horsey, TE John Jones, LB Anthony Mitchell, CB Alvin Porter, RB Alan Ricard, LB Shannon Taylor, OL Jason Thomas.

Analysis: With the Ravens taking a wrecking ball to their roster in order to get under the salary cap, don't expect any major signings between now and the start of training camp. However, with the Texans claiming linebacker Jamie Sharper and wide receiver Jermaine Lewis in the expansion draft, defensive tackle Tony Siragusa retiring and the inevitable release of tight end Shannon Sharpe, defensive end Rob Burnett and safety Rod Woodson, the Ravens will be in much better shape than they were a month ago. Topping the priority list in Baltimore would be re-signing Starks and Dalton. Despite some erratic play, Starks is wanted back, but it remains to be seen how much the organization will be willing to spend. The Ravens aren't likely to pursue Harris and may not be all that interested in Lake, but the lack of experienced depth in the secondary may keep them from parting ways with both Lake and Trapp, the team's oft-injured nickel back. Quarterback Chris Redman will be given every chance to win the backup role, but Cunningham has said he would come back for the veteran minimum. Allen's return seems doubtful unless Jamal Lewis' recovery from knee surgery hits a snag.

Cincinnati Bengals

	Bengals' 2002 free agents
	UFAs: S Chris Carter, CB Artrell Hawkins, QB Scott Mitchell, DE Reinard Wilson. RFAs: LB JoJuan Armour, S Cory Hall, FB Nick Williams. EFAs: LB Armegis Spearman.

Analysis: The Bengals could show an interest in quarterback Trent Dilfer, especially if Akili Smith's hamstring doesn't heal on time. But the more likely scenario has Cincinnati drafting a passer with its second- or third-round pick and rolling the dice with Jon Kitna and Smith already in place. The Bengals definitely would like to bring Hawkins and Wilson back, but what they do with the quarterback position and the money they're likely to set aside to lock up linebackers Brian Simmons and Takeo Spikes with long-term deals could be determining factors. Neither Hawkins nor Wilson, a situational pass rusher who led the team with nine sacks last season, figure to command big dollars on the open market, which will help the Bengals' chances of keeping them around. Cincinnati doesn't have some of the glaring weaknesses it had going into last season, but the Bengals will be on the lookout for a veteran cornerback to try to bring some stability to what will be a young and unproven position that probably will boast a first-rounder in this April's draft. At presstime, it was doubtful that either Mitchell or Carter would be in a Bengals' uniform next season.

Cleveland Browns

Browns' 2002 free agents

UFAs: WR Jammi German, OG Tré Johnson, LB Lenoy Jones, DE Keith McKenzie, LB Tarek Saleh, TE O.J. Santiago, DT Mark Smith, DE Gregory Spires, DT Mike Thompson. RFAs: PK Phil Dawson, CB Daylon McCutcheon, DE Arnold Miller, LB Wali Rainer, S Marquis Smith, DT Marcus Spriggs. EFAs: CB Chris Akins, CB Dyshod Carter, DT DeVone Claybrooks, DE Felipe Claybrooks, LB Anthony Denman, DT Alvin McKinley, OG Richard Mercier, TE Rodrick Monroe, CB Earthwind Moreland, TE Jake Moreland, OG Shaun O'Hara, RB Jamel White, DE Mark Word, OG Paul Zukauskas.

Analysis: The Browns have a slew of RFAs and EFAs on whom they need to make decisions, but expect them to give Dawson the highest tender. The Browns like what Dawson has done for them, and since he was undrafted, they would receive no compensation for him if he were signed away by another team. As for their UFAs, look for the Browns to focus on Johnson and McKenzie. But word out of Cleveland at presstime was that the team and Johnson were apart on negotiations, mostly because of Johnson's health. Johnson blew out a knee in Week Three of 2001 and missed the rest of the season. McKenzie is probably the highest priority on the UFA list, but the Browns don't believe they need to rush to re-sign him because they think he'll have little attention in the market. Rainer and McCutcheon are priorities as RFAs, but the fact that the Browns, who are in decent salary-cap shape, can match any offer for those players has them lower on the priority list. If the Browns pull off a trade for Saints running back Ricky Williams, EFA Jamel White may fall by the wayside if another team tries to steal him away.

Pittsburgh Steelers

	Steelers' 2002 free agents
	UFAs: S Myron Bell, LB Jason Gildon (franchise), LB Earl Holmes, WR Bobby Shaw, CB Jason Simmons, CB Deshea Townsend. RFAs: PK Kris Brown, TE Matt Cushing, LB Joey Porter, OL Oliver Ross, LB Mike Schneck, DE Aaron Smith, TE Jerame Tuman, RB Amos Zereoue. EFAs: WR Lenzie Jackson, RB Dan Kreider.

Analysis: Since the Steelers are in good salary-cap shape, they should have no problem re-signing Gildon, who has been franchised. Holmes is the issue as far as UFAs are concerned. While Holmes is a solid run-stopping inside linebacker, he lacks reliable pass-coverage skills and didn't play in the Steelers' dime package last season. If Holmes' demands are too high, look for the Steelers to look for a replacement. Recently, Pittsburgh was able to re-sign Holmes' backup, John Fiala, to a lengthy deal, possibly sending a signal to Holmes that the Steelers are ready to move on if he demands too much. Townsend played well as the third corner last year and could get some attention on the market as a starting corner. If teams knock on his door and offer starter-caliber money, the Steelers likely won't pursue him. Shaw is another player the Steelers would like to re-sign, but if his pricetag gets too expensive, they won't chase him too far. RFAs Porter, Ross, Smith and Zereoue likely will get attention from other teams, so the Steelers could be busy matching offers for those players.

Material from Pro Football Weekly.
Visit PFW's web site at http://www.profootballweekly.com