Don Pierson

There are a few teams with money and needs that could make a splash in free agency when it begins — when it finally begins Friday at 12:01 a.m. ET.

There are three playoff teams with over $14 million in salary cap space: Seattle, Jacksonville and Cincinnati. All three have to believe they are just one or two players away from the promised land.

How might the Seahawks look, for example, with 49ers linebacker-pass rusher Julian Peterson in their lineup? Even after signing Shaun Alexander for $62 million, Seattle has room to nab Peterson.

Would the Jaguars like the Colts' Edgerrin James running for them instead of against them?

Cincinnati's defense certainly could find room for New Orleans defensive end Darren Howard and St. Louis safety Adam Archuleta.

No extension of the collective bargaining agreement would leave less room under the projected $95 million salary cap and also would leave fewer years (four instead of seven) for teams to pro-rate signing bonuses over the length of a contract.

That means teams already under the salary cap are even farther ahead this offseason than usual. Teams significantly over the cap, such as the Jets, Raiders, Chiefs, Redskins and Broncos, could be forced to unload players they don't necessarily want to unload.

Although free agency has proven no panacea over the long haul, one or two players can make a difference. The Chicago Bears, for example, signed receiver Muhsin Muhammad and tackle Fred Miller last offseason and jumped from last in the NFC North to first.

For the Seahawks, keeping All-Pro running back Shaun Alexander was priority No. 1, and it's done. Keeping transition-tagged guard Steve Hutchinson also is a bigger focus than adding outsiders. The Seahawks also have receiver Joe Jurevicius, defensive tackle Rocky Bernard and backup running back Maurice Morris to worry about.

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But that doesn't keep Seattle fans from fantasizing. Every team can make room for edge rushers, even the league's No. 1 team in quarterback sacks. Peterson, Howard, and the Jets' John Abraham are the best out there, although Abraham would require a trade after being franchised.

Besides the Seahawks, Jaguars, and Bengals, here are other teams significantly under the salary cap and the potential free agents who could help:

Minnesota Vikings: After rebuilding their defense last offseason with four free-agent starters, the Vikings are starting over again under new owner Zygi Wilf and new coach Brad Childress.

The former offensive coordinator of the Philadelphia Eagles, Childress will concentrate on his specialty. Wilf says he will pay quarterback Daunte Culpepper a $6 million roster bonus before its March 14 due date, but stay tuned. Culpepper could still end up on the market, which will alter some shopping habits.

The Vikings’ biggest offensive need — running back — coincides with a deep group of free agents, starting with James and Alexander and expected to include Baltimore's Jamal Lewis and Green Bay's Ahman Green. The Vikings, however, might be intrigued by lesser lights such as backups Morris from Seattle or Chester Taylor from Baltimore.

They have to leave room for some blockers and the best available is New Orleans center-guard LeCharles Bentley, who could bolster the Minnesota line at either position. Philadelphia tackle Jon Runyan also might be interested in following Childress west.

Arizona Cardinals: It will take more than one or two additions for coach Dennis Green to fulfill his promise to create a playoff team. But he is expected to start on the offensive line and arm-wrestle his former Vikings' team for Bentley, Runyan, Denver's Matt Lepsis, New England guard Stephen Neal, and even make a play for Hutchinson, although Seattle has a right to match.

This is a team committed to aging, immobile quarterback Kurt Warner, so protecting him is of utmost importance. The strength of the Cardinals is in receivers Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald, so blocking is crucial.

Green Bay Packers: Brett Favre claims he'd like to see what his team can do to help itself before deciding to return. Last offseason, he didn't much enjoy watching star guards Mike Wahle and Marco Rivera depart.

Since new coach Mike McCarthy was offensive coordinator in New Orleans when Bentley arrived, the Packers might have an edge in getting him to move north. He's from Cleveland, so wouldn't mind the cold. With the Packers uncertain at center with Mike Flanagan, Bentley could go a long way in convincing Favre he's safe for another season.

A big signing on the defensive side of the ball also would impress Favre, who saw Reggie White retire with nobody to replace him. McCarthy also remembers Darren Howard from his New Orleans days and coached last season in San Francisco when Peterson was returning from an Achilles injury.

Cleveland Browns: Lots of money plus lots of needs adds up to lots of action for the Browns. The only free agent they really need to keep is defensive lineman Orpheus Roye, so coach Romeo Crennel and general manager Phil Savage can throw darts at their depth chart and come up with possibilities for improvement.

They tried to get running back Chester Taylor last year and wound up with Reuben Droughns from Denver. Jamal Lewis used to make his living running over the Browns and Savage knows him well from Baltimore days. In top form, he would look awfully good pounding opposing defenses in those cold-weather games.

Crennel might have an edge with cornerback Ty Law from their days together in New England.

The San Diego Chargers might be the most interesting team in the league this offseason. They have significant salary cap space, but also a potentially significant problem if they lose quarterback Drew Brees, who was not tagged as the "franchise" player.

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Chargers' coach Marty Schottenheimer would like general manager A.J. Smith to hang onto Brees. No coach likes the idea of kicking out a proven quarterback to make room for a high-priced, inexperienced kid like Philip Rivers.

Adding an offensive lineman, a defensive back such as Archuleta, Tennessee safety Tank Williams or Giants' cornerback Will Allen, or a receiver such as Buffalo's Eric Moulds or New England's David Givens would buoy the Chargers.

But if they lose Brees, it's hard to imagine it won't be a step backward for a team so close to the top.

The Miami Dolphins are the team most eager to pursue Brees or Culpepper. They are slightly over the cap, but can make it work.

And where will Terrell Owens end up? His slim market is smaller without a labor extension. Denver remains the best bet, although the Broncos are way over the cap.   

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