So, one of Barry Sanders' agents wants his client to play hardball in Detroit.

	Who can use Barry?
	Team	Yds/game	Projected starter
	Browns	71.9	Errict Rhett
	Falcons	74.8	Jamal Anderson
	Cardinals	75.4	Thomas Jones
	Lions	77.8	James Stewart
	Chargers	77.9	Jermaine Fazande
	Bears	86.7	Curtis Enis
	Seahawks	88.0	Ricky Watters
	Giants	88.1	Ron Dayne
	Patriots	89.1	J.R. Redmond
	Dolphins	90.8	J.J. Johnson

Fans in the Motor City probably wouldn't mind the notion of Sanders replacing Juan Gonzalez in right field at Comerica Park. Instead, a member of Team Barry wants Sanders to throw his weight around to force a trade by the Lions. What a surprise.

If Sanders takes his agent's advice and follows through with this latest "Free Barry" plan -- i.e., report to training camp and watch the Lions scramble for salary-cap relief by dumping or dealing Sanders -- where would the NFL's No. 2 career rusher end up?

Sanders retired because he wanted to play for a contender. But any team who could use the future Hall of Fame running back will have to do some serious salary cap maneuvering.

Cap restrictions notwithstanding, here are five teams that would make the most sense for Sanders:

1. Redskins. Washington would best fulfill Sanders' wish to play for a championship. The free-agent additions of Bruce Smith and Mark Carrier and the draft jackpot of LaVar Arrington and Chris Samuels have put the 'Skins ahead of defending champion St. Louis as the early NFC favorite. Problem is, Stephen Davis, the team's unsigned franchise player, is a better fit as a tougher between-the-tackles runner in Norv Turner's offense. Then again, owner Daniel Snyder gets whatever he wants and Sanders would be additional insurance to his Super Bowl bid.

2. Chiefs. We know Gunther Cunningham loves to run the football. We know Donnell Bennett, Tony Richardson and Rashaan Shehee aren't the answer. We know Kansas City didn't find its franchise back in the draft. What better opportunity for Sanders to resume his assault on Walter Payton's all-time rushing record than getting 25-plus carries a game behind a revamped offensive line.

3. Patriots. No team is more desperate for a top-flight back than New England, which never found a capable replacement for the injured Robert Edwards last season. Both of last year's free-agent signees -- Terry Allen and Lamont Warren -- were released, and Kevin Faulk, a second-round pick in 1999, looked to be better suited as a third-down back. The offensive line is in shambles, but Bill Belichick took a step toward fixing it by drafting tackle Adrian Klemm in the first round. Drew Bledsoe has already demonstrated what he can do playing alongside a dominant back.

4. Panthers. Carolina might have the most ideal scheme for Sanders' start-and-stop, pick-a-hole type of running. The Panthers spread the ball around the field with wide receivers Muhsin Muhammad and Patrick Jeffers and tight end Wesley Walls, leaving Sanders to attack the middle. Also, their potent passing game would help make up for the third-and-long situations that Sanders' hit-or-miss style sometimes produces. The main problem: Sanders would be joining a crowded backfield. Carolina dealt Fred Lane but added Natrone Means to back up Tim Biakabutuka.

5. Browns. OK, so Cleveland won't be vying for a Super Bowl anytime soon. Still, the Browns certainly will be more competitive with an improved defense. The offense will be better with Tim Couch entering his second season, Roman Oben taking over left tackle and second-round pick Dennis Northcutt joining receivers Kevin Johnson and Darrin Chiaverini. What does Sanders get out of the deal? As many garbage-time carries as he wants. Plus, no one has more cap room than the Browns.