ESPN Insider - free agency NFC/AFC EAST

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Parcells will be aggressive in free agency

By Scouts, Inc.

For ESPN Insider

http://insider.espn.go.com/insider/story?id=1730856

Scouts, Inc. has evaluated the rosters and salary-cap situations of all 32 NFL teams. With free agency set to begin on March 3 and draft season already in full swing, here's how each NFC East team stacks up as it heads into the offseason.

Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys have big offseason decisions to make but won't be under pressure to re-sign their own players.

Of their unrestricted free agents, only cornerback Mario Edwards is a big name, and he played the best football of his career in 2003 under Bill Parcells. Edwards is enigmatic, making big plays and giving them up. But if he hits the open market, Edwards might generate surprising interest because of his natural cover skills.

Among the other free agents, defensive end Ebenezer Ekuban is a talented athlete who hasn't delivered on his potential. And center Gennaro DiNapoli is a serviceable veteran who could be replaced by young Al Johnson.

The Cowboys have one bad contract: receiver Joey Galloway. Galloway's performance certainly doesn't merit his pay, so don't be surprised if Parcells tries to move him. Still, the Cowboys are in good shape cap-wise and will be active in free agency.

This team won't be content to merely add depth. With a year under his belt, Parcells will try to use free agents to make upgrades at positions he deems weak.

New York Giants

The Giants have major decisions to make this offseason. GM Ernie Accorsi needs lots of help for his team, and he has little room with which to work.

Bober

The Giants want to preserve their offensive line and linebacker corps. Chris Bober is very good at center and offensive tackle, and New York probably doesn't want him to test the market.

Linebackers Dhani Jones and Brandon Short are solid, and the Giants will try to retain them. But with money tight, they will choose Jones by a hair if forced to keep only one player.

Two QBs are free agents, Jesse Palmer (restricted) and Jason Garrett (unrestricted). Don't be surprised if both head out of town this year.

New York's subpar defensive line is due for some change. Veteran tackle Keith Hamilton has retired. And, if sophomore William Joseph looks ready, the Giants will likely pass on unrestricted free agent tackle Cornelius Griffin.

The Giants say they are closer to contending than rebuilding, and the team can step forward this season merely by staying healthy and putting a stop to the underachieving. Look for Accorsi to get cap relief by restructuring several contracts rather than cutting players. If that happens, this team could basically remain intact.

Philadelphia Eagles

It will be another offseason of tough choices regarding productive veterans for the Eagles.

Vincent

Free-agent cornerbacks Troy Vincent and Bobby Taylor might not get offers from Philly. That's because the Eagles will evaluate their young corners with an eye to replacing the vets. In a perfect world, Philly would keep Taylor, who is younger and more durable than Vincent. But Taylor and Vincent are starting to show their age.

Running back Duce Staley signed a one-year contract after an acrimonious holdout last summer, and his departure appears inevitable. Teams such as Dallas and Washington are looking for a talented back, so Staley will have his share of new suitors.

Outside linebacker Carlos Emmons is a solid run defender but is coming off a knee injury. Guard Bobbie Williams is nothing special, but the Eagles don't want to lose him. Philadelphia's other unrestricted free agents aren't going to command big money.

The Eagles have cash to spend, but they will do so wisely and will not be afraid to release veterans if it is in their best interest.

Washington Redskins

The Redskins signed outside linebacker LaVar Arrington to an extension in December, thus abating some potential cap problems. Arrington's deal gives the team flexibility, but the Redskins don't have much money because they must dole out bonuses to some of their veterans.

Bailey

The organization's biggest goal is to re-sign cornerback Champ Bailey. Bailey would be a hot free-agent commodity, especially with his old coach, Cincinnati's Marvin Lewis. The Redskins could easily make Bailey their franchise player and keep him or trade him for a high draft choice. This would probably enrage Bailey, but it might be the Redskins' only logical move if they can't get Bailey to sign quickly.

The Redskins' remaining free agents are nothing special.

A looming challenge for the team is figuring out what to do with left offensive tackle Chris Samuels. He has a huge escalating clause in his contract that will soon come due. The Redskins don't want to lose Samuels, but will have to pay dearly to keep him.

Look for Joe Gibbs and Daniel Snyder to try and create some cap room so they can be players on the free-agent market.

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Champs will look to upgrade at RB

http://insider.espn.go.com/insider/story?id=1730847

Offseason is Scouts, Inc., season

Beginning this week, our friends at Scouts, Inc., will supply ESPN Insiders with comprehensive coverage of the NFL's offseason.

Scouts, Inc. has evaluated the rosters and salary-cap situations of all 32 NFL teams. With free agency set to begin on March 3 and draft season already in full swing, here's how each AFC East team stacks up as it heads into the offseason.

Buffalo Bills

The Bills have done an excellent job of getting their financial house in order the last two offseasons, and general manager Tom Donahoe has the team poised to be a big player in free agency.

Cornerback Antoine Winfield is the only player the team will focus on re-signing. Winfield and Nate Clements make a formidable pair, and Buffalo won't let Winfield shop his services without a fight.

The team would also like to bring back fullback Sam Gash and backup running back Sammy Morris, but only if the price is right. The Bills' other free agents aren't noteworthy.

The Bills have three basic needs. They must upgrade at safety, improve an underachieving offensive line and find a quality receiver to play alongside Eric Moulds.

The Bills also have some difficult decisions. The first is guard Ruben Brown. Brown is a Pro Bowler, but he certainly isn't worth his hefty salary.

The other biggie is QB Drew Bledsoe. Bledsoe has a big option payment due this year, and the Bills would be wise to spend some time evaluating whether he is worth the investment. Despite this, the front office is likely to pin most of the blame on the offensive system used last year, and the poor pass protection Bledsoe received. New head coach Mike Mularkey says Bledsoe is the man, and Mularkey said he will build the offense around Bledsoe.

Miami Dolphins

Brunell

The Dolphins' will focus on quarterback. Brian Griese and Jay Fiedler are both due significant bonuses in March, but the Dolphins need more consistency and big plays from their QB. The Dolphins' challenge will be choosing between a one-year deal with a Mark Brunell-type veteran or maintaining the Fiedler/Griese status quo.

The Dolphins have a sizable unrestricted free-agent list, but most players should be content to take salary-cap-friendly deals to stay in Miami.

The biggest decision might be on the offensive line with talented but injury-prone guard Jamie Nails and tackle Todd Wade. Wade is a good player who might draw significant interest from other teams; Miami might also designate Wade as its franchise player.

The front office will also work hard to get defensive end Adewale Ogunleye signed to a long-term deal. He has star potential, and the 'Fins do not want him to sign with someone else after 2004.

New England Patriots

This offseason, the Patriots must remedy deficiencies on their offensive and defensive lines, and at running back. The Patriots usually sign veteran role players to one-year contracts, which is one reason New England is always busy when the season ends.

Woody

Damien Woody, who ended the year on injured reserve, is the Patriots' most recognizable free agent. He is extremely valuable at guard or center, but if he remains a Patriot, he'll probably stay at guard. The Patriots usually avoid giving big contracts, but they don't want to lose Woody.

New England's other free agent on the offensive line is Mike Compton. Compton also finished the year on injured reserve, but his days in New England appear numbered with the emergence of sophomore center Dan Koppen.

Running backs Kevin Faulk, Mike Cloud and Patrick Pass are unrestricted free agents, and Antowain Smith has already been cut. Smith did well late in the season, but there is room for improvement. Look for some movement here.

On the defensive line, the Pats must decide what to do with Ted Washington, Anthony Pleasant, Rick Lyle and Bobby Hamilton. All are aging role players who will have little value on the open market.

The Pats' remaining unrestricted free agents are journeymen, so the team could easily re-sign them if it so wishes.

To sum things up, the Patriots do not mind turning over their roster every offseason. They won't make big moves, but they are always busy.

New York Jets

The Jets don't have any significant free agents to re-sign this offseason, but a slew of aging veterans must be sent packing because of declining production and salary-cap issues.

Lewis

Linebackers Mo Lewis, Sam Cowart, Marvin Jones, Jason Ferguson, defensive tackle Josh Evans and safety Sam Garnes could all hit the road before the 2004 season starts.

QB Vinny Testaverde's contract is an iron anchor around the team's neck, but it might actually cost the Jets more to dump him than keep him.

The team must improve its athleticism and defensive-edge rushing, but is in a tough salary-cap situation. In other words, there will be more subtractions than additions via free agency. The Jets desperately want to be players in this year's free-agent market, but they realistically need 2-3 years to get out from under their cap problems. In '04, they will watch most of the action from the sideline.