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.

Arizona Cardinals

Cardinals' 2001 free agents

UFAs: PK Cary Blanchard, QB Dave Brown, CB Corey Chavous, OT Anthony Clement, LB James Folston, TE Terry Hardy, TE Trey Junkin, CB Tom Knight, S Kwamie Lassiter (franchise), RB Michael Pittman, S Pat Tillman, LB Zack Walz. RFAs: DE Tom Burke, QB Chris Greisen, RB Joel Makovicka, RB Dennis McKinley, CB Jacoby Rhinehart, OG Yasuf Scott. EFAs: WR Bryan Gilmore, TE-LS Nathan Hodel, WR Tywan Mitchell, C Jason Starkey.

Analysis: Even though they have much more cap money at their disposal than most teams, the Cardinals are hardly planning on a free-agent shopping spree. Ideally, they would like to land at least one solid, above-average defensive tackle or pass-rushing defensive end who could fit in as well as free-agent offensive guard Pete Kendall did last season. The Cardinals aren't likely to spend their money on a La'Roi Glover, marquee type that would cost them $5 million a year. They prefer the less-costly but highly successful alternative used by the Super Bowl champion Patriots. After putting a "franchise" tag on Lassiter -- a move the 32-year old safety appears to have begrudgingly accepted -- the Cardinals' top re-signing priority is Clement. The king-sized offensive tackle would like to stay, but he wants big money (between $2 million and $3 million a year), and after spending heavily on Kendall and top draft pick Leonard Davis last season, the Cards might not be willing to pay that high a price. The Cardinals also wouldn't mind hanging on to Pittman, but his $2 million-a-year asking price could be a bit steep, especially considering the flashes former top pick Thomas Jones showed last season, as well as Pittman's off-the-field problems. Chavous is a mid-tier performer the Cardinals probably will keep around. After currently committing $3.34 million this year to Lassiter, it's unlikely the Cardinals will make Tillman a substantial offer.

St. Louis Rams

	Rams' 2001 free agents
	UFAs: DE Chidi Ahanotu, LB O.J. Brigance, LB London Fletcher, WR Az-Zahir Hakim, RB Robert Holcombe, DE Cedric Jones, OL Rod Jones, QB Paul Justin, DE Leonard Little, DT Sean Moran, WR Ricky Proehl, DE Jeff Robinson. RFAs: WR Damon Griffin, RB James Hodgins, OG Cameron Spikes, RB Justin Watson. EFAs: LB Dustin Cohen.

Analysis: The Rams' free-agent focus remains on "The Big Three" -- Little, Fletcher and Hakim. It's conceivable they could re-sign all three of them, but if Hakim is offered starter's money elsewhere (Kansas City?), he's gone. It's hard to say who the top priority is between Little, who feels a genuine sense of loyalty to the Rams' organization because of the way it has supported him both on and off the field, and Fletcher, the undisputed motivational leader of the Rams' defense. Both players could attract considerable interest on the open market. If Hakim leaves, Proehl could be motivated to stick around if given first crack at filling the No. 3 wide receiver role. It's more likely, though, that the Rams would go shopping for Hakim's replacement while still trying to hang on to Proehl. The Rams aren't expected to be real active this offseason. They feel they're much better off gearing up for next offseason, when perennial Pro Bowl left tackle Orlando Pace can become an unrestricted free agent and big-time payments kick in on the contracts of both quarterback Kurt Warner and running back Marshall Faulk.

San Francisco 49ers

	49ers' 2001 free agents
	UFAs: RB Fred Beasley, CB Tyronne Drakeford, RB Garrison Hearst, LB Terry Killens, QB Rick Mirer, C Jeremy Newberry, S Lance Schulters, OT Matt Willig, DE Troy Wilson. RFAs: RB Terry Jackson, C Ben Lynch, DE Chike Okeafor. EFAs: PK Jose Cortez, S Ronnie Heard, RB Jonas Lewis, DE Bobby Setzer, WR Vinny Sutherland, TE Justin Swift.

Analysis: The 49ers plan to allow their four most coveted free agents - Newberry, Hearst, Beasley and Schulters - to test the market, but the team also says it should be in position to make competitive offers for all of them. Now that contract discussions with Newberry's agent are back on track -- they were halted during head coach Steve Mariucci's flirtation with the Buccaneers -- the quality center would appear to be No. 1 on the team's re-signing agenda. Hearst presents a real dilemma: He's looking for a big payday on what is expected to be his final pro contract ($3 million average), but his age (31) and well-documented injury history are major concerns. Schulters also is looking for $3 million a year. In an effort to get under the cap, the Niners are expected to release at least 2-3 players. Possible cap casualties include tight end Greg Clark, defensive tackle Reggie McGrew, backup center Ben Lynch, cornerback Anthony Parker and possibly veteran left guard Ray Brown. The 49ers would love to get Brown to settle for $1 million (he's currently slated to receive $2.4 million, including a $500,000 roster bonus due March 1). The 49ers also are attempting to restructure seven contracts, including those of quarterback Jeff Garcia, wide receiver J.J. Stokes, linebacker Derek Smith, defensive tackles Bryant Young and Dana Stubblefield and offensive tackles Derrick Deese and Scott Gragg. The extent to which the Niners look for free-agent help depends primarily on which players they end up losing.

Seattle Seahawks

	Seahawks' 2001 free agents
	UFAs: QB Trent Dilfer, WR Bobby Engram, TE Christian Fauria, OT Walter Jones (franchise), TE Itula Mili, RB Mack Strong, RB Ricky Watters, OT Todd Weiner. RFAs: DE Antonio Cochran, QB Brock Huard, CB Paul Miranda, LB Tim Terry, OG Floyd Wedderburn. EFAs: S Maurice Kelly, PK Rian Lindell.

Analysis: After upgrading with the additions of DTs John Randle and Chad Eaton, MLB Levon Kirkland, FS Marcus Robertson and Dilfer last season, the Seahawks are once again in position to help themselves in free agency. Even after signing Jones to a long-term contract extension, which could happen in the near future, the Seahawks should have plenty of money under the cap to potentially shore up some key areas - most notably defensive end, tight end and cornerback. The Seahawks would like both Dilfer and the versatile Weiner back, but they are letting both players test the market. The Seahawks believe that, once the dust settles, Dilfer will still consider Seattle an attractive place to play, even though at least four teams (Bengals, Bears, Redskins and Texans) reportedly have an interest in him as a possible starter. Engram, a clutch third-down receiver who did a nice job returning punts when given the opportunity last season, is probably a keeper. The same goes for the underrated Strong, even though Heath Evans is waiting in the wings. Watters is as good as gone.

Material from Pro Football Weekly.
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