The New Orleans Saints are still courting cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, and according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, Asomugha has narrowed his choice down to New Orleans or the San Francisco 49ers.

These were two distinctively different defenses in 2012. The 49ers were the "haves," the Saints the "have nots."

Because it’s such a tight race, and also because it makes good business sense, the Saints are still working on a “Plan B” in case Asomugha chooses the 49ers. One of those choices for “Plan B” is Tracy Porter, who has tasted heroic success in New Orleans

Pass-rush specialist Junior Galette spilled the beans via Twitter on Monday that Porter was visiting with the Saints.

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It seems as if the Atlanta Falcons and free agent defensive end Osi Umenyiora have been talking forever. It’s only been six days since Umenyiora’s first visit with Atlanta on March 20, but both sides feel a deal is imminent.

General manager Thomas Dimitroff told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that talks with Umenyiora’s people were still ongoing and moving forward well.

Umenyiora went on Atlanta sports talk radio station 92.9 the Game and spoke very highly of the Falcons.

If the deal gets done, will Umenyiora be a better fit than former defensive end John Abraham?

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When the Atlanta Falcons released defensive end John Abraham on March 1, they shaved off the only player to reach double digits in sacks, and almost 35 percent of the team’s 29 sacks from 2012. The move also left Atlanta with just three defensive ends—Kroy Biermann, Jonathan Massaquoi and Cliff Matthews—on its roster.

To say the Falcons have to bolster their roster with a couple of defensive ends is a mammoth understatement. But how do they go about filling the depth chart?

I’m of the opinion that general manager Thomas Dimitroff needs to sign a veteran free-agent defensive end and draft one in the upcoming NFL draft in late April.

The reason Atlanta needs to bring in a veteran is because of the age and experience makeup of the current roster. Biermann has been in Atlanta for five seasons and is a ‘tweener defensive end/outside linebacker. Matthews and Massaquoi have just three years of experience between them. All three players could benefit from the sage advice a veteran would bring in.

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While most NFL teams were shifting their offensive strategies toward three and four wide receiver sets and attacking through the air with precision strikes, former Carolina Panthers general manager Marty Hurney spent $89.211 million on three running backs.

That move was one of the pieces that ultimately led to Hurney’s ousting as general manager, but the lingering effects are sure hamstringing the franchise.

The Panthers, with new general manager Dave Gettleman, have made very little noise in free agency thus far. It’s not because Gettleman thinks his roster is ready to rock for the 2013 season—far from it.

Carolina has next to zero money to spend on free agents. Carrying three high-priced running backs on the roster is a huge reason why.

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Are the Tampa Bay Buccaneers a piece or two away from making a Super Bowl run, or is this team still rebuilding?

Without knowing the answer to that question—Tampa Bay doesn’t know the answer yet either, thinks Martin Fennelly of the Tampa Tribune—the Buccaneers can’t make an all-in move sending a 2013 first-round draft pick to the New York Jets via trade for cornerback Darrelle Revis.

This logic makes a ton of sense. Why on earth would general manager Mark Dominik send off Tampa Bay’s first-round pick this year, and obviously strong rebuilding piece, and get back a top-notch but coming-off-an-injury cornerback in Revis?

In Fennelly’s mind the decision comes down to quarterback Josh Freeman, and it’s not as much of a stretch as you would think.

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It’s not quite practicing all week with games on Sunday, but when the NFL calendar resets at 4 p.m. ET Tuesday and free agency begins, there will be a flurry of NFL activity.

With just over $11.5 million in salary cap space, according to Spotrac.com, the Falcons don’t have the cash to make a huge impact on their roster via free agency.

But Atlanta still has to improve its roster after releasing Michael Turner, Dunta Robinson and John Abraham, and it also needs to make the necessary tweaks to show Atlanta’s fanbase it’s prepared to make a return trip to the NFC Championship Game and beyond.

How will the Falcons get that done?

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It’s not quite practicing all week with games on Sunday, but when the NFL calendar resets at 4 p.m. ET Tuesday and free agency begins, there will be a flurry of NFL activity.

The Saints are still over the cap by $4.257 million, according to Spotrac.com and will have to hustle to get beneath $123 million. The Saints likely won’t have the cash to make a huge impact on their roster via free agency.

But New Orleans still has to improve its roster and show its fan base it can take steps forward from its 7-9 record from last year. How will the Saints get that done?

Consider this your daily buffet (and here you don’t have to pay or leave a tip) featuring everything you could ever want to know about the Saints in free agency. When players are added, released or when the rumor mill starts buzzing, check back here for the news. Check back frequently because we’re going to be keeping score.

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It’s not quite practicing all week with games on Sunday, but when the NFL calendar resets at 4 p.m. ET Tuesday and free agency begins, there will be a flurry of NFL activity.

With just over $27.9 million in salary cap space after signing Dashon Goldson and Jonathan Casillas, according to Spotrac.com, the Buccaneers have the cash to make a huge impact on their roster via free agency.

And Tampa Bay has to improve its roster and show its fanbase it can take steps forward from last year's 7-9 record. How will the Buccaneers get that done?

Consider this your daily buffet (and here you don’t have to pay or leave a tip), featuring everything you could ever want to know about the Buccaneers in free agency. When players are added, released or when the rumor mill starts buzzing, check back here for the news.

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