ARIZONA: Free safety KWAMIE LASSITER, who led the NFC in interceptions with eight last season while starting only five games, has re-signed with the Cardinals and is looking to duplicate Arizona’s playoff season. Lassiter thinks the Cards’ secondary – with strong safety TOMMY BENNETT and cornerbacks COREY CHAVOUS and AENEAS WILLIAMS – is one of the team’s strongest units. "That was one of my main things, staying with this secondary," says Lassiter. "At the end of the season, we all came together and played pretty good regardless of who was in there. The way we finished up the season was a big thing"……Club has two first-round draft choices (Nos. 8 and 21).

ATLANTA: The Falcons signed former Giants starting quarterback DANNY KANELL to back up Pro Bowl selection CHRIS CHANDLER. "The situation is very clear that I'll be backing up Chris," said Kanell, who in three seasons has completed 339 of 653 passes for 3,570 yards, 23 touchdowns and 20 interceptions. "I just think it's going to be a great fit"……Linebackers JESSIE TUGGLE and BEN TALLEY were honored in hometown of Griffin, Georgia on March 13.

CAROLINA: New head coach GEORGE SEIFERT will likely switch the Panthers’ defense to a 4-3 alignment for the first time in its history. The Carolina offense will keep the "West Coast" style implemented in 1998 by offensive coordinator GIL HASKELL, who was retained by Seifert.

CHICAGO: As a result of former Bears great WALTER PAYTON’s need for a liver transplant, the team, the McCaskey family, Bears Care – the club’s charitable arm – and a fund from the Robert R. McCormick Tribune Foundation has announced a joint contribution of $100,000 to the Regional Organ Bank of Illinois……The club is sending eight players to the NFL Europe League.

DALLAS: A native of North Little Rock, Arkansas, Cowboys Owner, President and General Manager JERRY JONES was inducted into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame in February. Jones was co-captain of the undefeated 1964 national champion Arkansas Razorbacks (11-0).

DETROIT: The Lions signed former Washington Redskins quarterback GUS FREROTTE to back up starter CHARLIE BATCH. "We've got our quarterback position settled, which is really good," said Lions head coach BOBBY ROSS. "We're going into this thing in better shape than I've ever been in my eight years of coaching in the NFL."

GREEN BAY: The club has named former San Diego Chargers defensive back GILL BYRD as its executive director of player programs and community affairs, a new position. Byrd finished his 10-year career (1983-92) with 42 interceptions, was elected to the Chargers Hall of Fame and won numerous community-related awards.

MINNESOTA: The Vikings scored more points (556) than any club in NFL history last season, so new offensive coordinator RAY SHERMAN thinks only "tweaking" is necessary for the team’s offense. "There are some things that we are going to tweak," says Sherman, who coached the Vikings’ quarterbacks from 1995-97. "We aren’t going to make a lot of wholesale changes. We may work on the run game more in certain areas and maybe do a few things with the passing game"……The Vikings have two first-round draft choices (Nos. 11 and 29).

NEW ORLEANS: The Saints stabilized the left side of their offensive line by signing guard WALLY WILLIAMS from Baltimore. "He's a proven outstanding player in the league," says head coach MIKE DITKA. "He can play in more than one position, but we don't want that. We want to solidify the left side of the line. We really think we're going to have a great young line and that's important." Williams joins five-time Pro Bowl tackle WILLIAM ROAF on the left side……Saints are sending NFL-high 12 players to NFL Europe.

NEW YORK GIANTS: Running back TIKI BARBER has made his acting debut in an off-Broadway play -- "Seeing Double." "Acting is something I’ve always been interested in," says Barber, who plays "Berkely," a character who tries to lend clarity to the chaotic situation depicted in the play. "In football, if you mess up a little, the fans probably won’t know," Barber says. "On stage, if you miss a cue or mess up under the lights, everybody will notice."

PHILADELPHIA: New starting quarterback DOUG PEDERSON began his pro career with the New York/New Jersey Knights of the World League in 1992. As a member of the Miami Dolphins in 1994, Pederson came to training camp wearing a Knights cap. "Hey Doug," a team official told him, "you don’t have to wear that. You’re a Dolphin now." "In my heart," Pederson replied, "I’ll always be a New York/New Jersey Knight." He also played for the Rhein Fire in Dusseldorf in 1995……Eagles have second overall choice in draft.

ST. LOUIS: Starting quarterback TRENT GREEN (UFA-Washington) is a native of Vianney High in St. Louis and is excited about returning to play in his hometown. "Any time you get the opportunity to come back home and play in front of family and friends, it’s special," says Green. "But, obviously, the main thing is coming back and winning football games."

SAN FRANCISCO: Former 49ers defensive back RONNIE LOTT, quarterback JOE MONTANA, end-kicker GORDY SOLTAU and general manager LOU SPADIA were inducted into the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame on March 3.

TAMPA BAY: Tackle JERRY WUNSCH held his second annual "Jerry’s Journey" for 17 children, ages 12-20, from the Tampa Children’s Cancer Center. Wunsch took the youngsters to Wisconsin where they met more children also coping with cancer. Activities included cross-country and downhill skiing, dog-sled and snowmobile rides, and ice skating.

WASHINGTON: RUBIN CARTER has been named the team’s new defensive line coach. Defensive assistant coach JEFF FITZGERALD, along with defensive coordinator MIKE NOLAN, will take over the duties of linebacker coach, handled last season by DALE LINDSEY, now in the same role with Chicago……Club has fifth overall choice in draft.