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Chicago Bears: No team has more dire needs at defensive tackle than Chicago, so it was no surprise to see University of Miami DT Vince Wilfork in town Tuesday. Wilfork, who has long been rumored to be the player the club selects with the 14th pick, was at Halas Hall on Tuesday for an extensive interview with GM Jerry Angelo, coach Lovie Smith and director of college scouting Greg Gabriel. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, Wilfork was among a group of players the team brought in, but the rest were all later-round draft picks and free-agent types who might not even be selected. The 6-1 Wilfork might still be available when the Bears pick because was listed at 344 pounds last year and has shown a tendency to become overweight. But he showed up at the Indianapolis scouting combine at 323 pounds and weighed the same during his school workout in early March.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: FB Mike Alstott missed most of last season because of a herniated disk in his neck, but he has since been cleared by team doctors to participate in practice. Tuesday he took part in all drills during the Buccaneers' opening offseason workout and pronounced himself fully healed. "Yeah, it's scary, but I guess we're stubborn athletes. We want to play," he told the Orlando Sentinel. "I have no symptoms. I feel like I can do everything."

Dallas Cowboys: Eight-time Pro Bowl G Larry Allen is not expected to play for the team next season, according to the Dallas Morning News. Allen struggled with injuries much of the season and drew little praise from coach Bill Parcells. If Allen is traded or released before June 1, he will count about $8 million against the 2004 salary cap; after June 1 he will count $2 million against the 2004 salary cap and $6 million against the 2005 salary cap.

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