Cam Inman
Contra Costa Times

CAP STATUS

Cutting wide receiver J.J. Stokes ($2.25 million base salary), defensive tackle Dana Stubblefield ($2.3 million) and guard Dave Fiore ($2 million) would bring the club in line with the cap. Don't expect many moves from this budget-conscious club.

OUT ROUTE

Only two starters, wide receiver Tai Streets and defensive end Chike Okeafor, will be free agents. Okeafor is unrestricted, and Streets reportedly only will be a restricted free agent. Because of injury, he played only two games in 1999, so only his past three seasons count toward his free-agent status.

Losing Streets would put a crimp in coach Dennis Erickson's offensive scheme. Streets enjoyed a career year in 2002, catching 72 passes for 756 yards and five touchdowns while supplanting Stokes in the lineup.

Okeafor, who had a career-high six sacks in 2002, is eager to see what he's worth on the open market. If he leaves, John Engelberger might return as the starting left end.

ACTION PLAN

While searching for speedy receivers in a shallow free-agent pool, the team should remember Terrell Owens could hit the open market next year. Signed through 2006, he is in position to void the final two years of his contract, so the club will have to save up to keep him.

The Seahawks' Bobby Engram might be a possibility as both a secondary receiver and a punt returner.

Addressing needs on the offensive and defensive lines seems possible. Picking up a proven offensive tackle might be in order to protect Jeff Garcia in Erickson's scheme, though veterans Derrick Deese and Scott Gragg are coming off the best seasons of their careers.

Help in the secondary also is needed. Falcons cornerback Ashley Ambrose, a salary-cap casualty, could bring the veteran presence that is lacking at the position.

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