ESPN.com concludes its examination of each NFC team's master plan with a look at the West, where the Saints dove into the free-agent pool right from the start.

	New Panthers DE Chuck Smith helps make up for the loss of Kevin Greene.

Atlanta Falcons
1999 record: 5-11.
First-round pick: None.
Offseason plan: Defense got the Falcons to the Super Bowl two seasons ago, so Dan Reeves immediately went out and signed CB Ashley Ambrose and DE Brady Smith from New Orleans. He also added WR Shawn Jefferson, who'll provide the deep threat that was missing last season after Tony Martin left. The departure of DEs Chuck Smith and Lester Archambeau clears the way for youngsters Smith and Patrick Kerney, last year's first-round pick.
Big-name acquisition: CB Ashley Ambrose and WR Shawn Jefferson.
Significant re-signing: LB Jessie Tuggle.
Most pressing question: Are the signings of Jessie Tuggle and Ashley Ambrose a step in the right direction?
Sean Salisbury's answer: I have always believed teams need to keep their good players if they can. Tuggle has been as consistent as any linebacker in the league the last eight years. I still think he is underrated. Teams need good cover cornerbacks, and Ambrose can cover. Signing both players is a step in the right direction. Also, adding Jerry Rhome as the quarterbacks coach was important because Rhome and Chris Chandler are tight. That will bode well for the Falcons offense.

Carolina Panthers
1999 record: 8-8.
First-round pick: 23rd overall.
Offseason plan: George Seifert is quickly rebuilding a defense ranked 26th last season. To make up for the loss of Kevin Greene, he brought in Rams reserve DE Jay Williams and Falcons DE Chuck Smith. To start some much-needed competition at CB, he added Jimmy Hitchcock. Now the Panthers are in the market for a safety and linebacker, which was created when leading tackler Micheal Barrow was cut to clear salary cap room for Smith.
Big-name acquisition: DE Chuck Smith.
Most pressing question: Is Chuck Smith a capable replacement for the retired Kevin Greene?
Sean Salisbury's answer: Smith can step right in and play in that defense. He is a perfect replacement; the timing couldn't have been better. Smith is a good end who can rush the passer. He still has a young body and has proven he can get to the quarterback. The Panthers are putting the pieces together a lot sooner than people thought they would.

	Arrivals
	Player, Pos.	New team
	Ashley Ambrose, CB	Falcons
	Jeff Blake, QB	Saints
	Andrew Glover, TE	Saints
	Norman Hand, DT	Saints
	Jimmy Hitchcock, CB	Panthers
	Shawn Jefferson, WR	Falcons
	Chris Oldham, CB	Saints
	Jake Reed, WR	Saints
	Brady Smith, DE	Falcons
	Chuck Smith, DE	Panthers
	Departures
	Player, Pos., Team	New team
	Ashley Ambrose, CB, Saints	Falcons
	Micheal Barrow, LB, Panthers	Giants
	Je'Rod Cherry, CB, Saints	Raiders
	Mike Gruttadauria, C, Rams	Cardinals
	Billy Jenkins, SS, Rams	Broncos
	Fred Miller, OT, Rams	Titans
	Kevin Mitchell, LB, Saints	Redskins
	Brady Smith, DE, Saints	Falcons
	Chuck Smith, DE, Falcons	Panthers
	Possible flights
	Player, Pos.	West destination
	Steve Atwater, S	Panthers
	Tim McDonald, S	Panthers
	Rick Mirer, QB	49ers
	Jimmy Spencer, CB	Panthers

New Orleans Saints
1999 record: 3-13.
First-round pick: None.
Offseason plan: The Saints approached free agency like the day after Thanksgiving. They couldn't wait to go shopping. New GM Randy Mueller has added nine free agents, eight of them slated for the starting lineup. The frenzy began with QB Jeff Blake, who'll join WRs Joe Horn and Jake Reed in new coach Jim Haslett's revamped offense. DT Norman Hand, the key to San Diego's run defense, could turn out to be the real prize of this free agent class.
Big-name acquisitions: QB Jeff Blake, DT Norman Hand and WR Jake Reed.
Significant re-signing: C Tom Ackerman.
Most pressing question: Can Jeff Blake alone spark the offense?
Sean Salisbury's answer: Blake can't do it alone. He still needs some receivers to step up and catch the ball. But getting Blake was a big quarterback upgrade for the Saints. The Saints are making some headway. They are making a commitment to getting some solid players quickly.

St. Louis Rams
1999 record: 13-3.
First-round pick: 31st.
Offseason plan: The Rams knew they could lose RT Fred Miller and C Mike Gruttadauria to free agency. They had a backup plan -- re-sign the respective O-line backups, OT Ryan Tucker and C/G Andy McCollum, whose three-year, $8.25 million offer from Miami was matched. Now the Super Bowl champs can sit back, relax and add depth through the draft. A replacement might be needed for starting SS Billy Jenkins, but really, there aren't many worries. It's good to be the kings.
Big-name acquisition: None.
Significant re-signings: TE Ernie Conwell, C/G Andy McCollum and OT Ryan Tucker.
Most pressing question: How big of a blow are the defections of Mike Gruttadauria and Fred Miller?
Sean Salisbury's answer: That's two of the Rams' five starting offensive linemen. When a team wins the Super Bowl, players start leaving for the big dollars. I don't blame the players. The Rams might have people to replace Gruttadauria and Miller, but their new offensive line might not have the same rhythm next year. I'm anxious to see what new head coach Mike Martz does with his offensive line.

San Francisco 49ers
1999 record: 4-12.
First-round pick: Third.
Offseason plan: The 49ers slashed $20 million to reach the mandatory $62 million salary cap. GM Bill Walsh now has the draft picks to replace the veterans he cut after trading the team's No. 3 overall choice to Washington for the 12th and 24th selections, a fourth-rounder and a fifth-rounder. The deal allows the Niners to add four impact players in the draft. The cap-strapped club still hopes to lure a defensive free agent, either an end or cornerback.
Big-name acquisition: None.
Significant re-signing: DL Junior Bryant.
Most pressing question: Are Steve Young's and Jerry Rice's days as 49ers over?
Sean Salisbury's answer: You hear the rumors about Young and Rice perhaps going elsewhere. I have a hard time picturing them anywhere else. That's a hard question to answer. They would both like to be in San Francisco, and you know how much money they make. But now that the 49ers are no longer a championship-caliber team, I don't see Young and Rice giving up a lot of money to stay. I think the chance of one staying is good, but the chance of both players staying is probably around 60 percent.

Joe Lago is the NFL editor for ESPN.com.