Phase 3 of free agency has arrived. Time for teams to evaluate their rosters after the draft and dump players they no longer need and pursue others at need positions that weren't filled in the draft.

To me, the Vikings should be shopping for offensive linemen and defensive tackles.

Offensive linemen because fifth-round draft pick Chris Degeare is risky as a primary backup. If former Jet Alan Faneca can play right guard, he's a no-brainer. The Jets are paying him $5.25 million not to play for them this year, so I would guess the Vikings could get him relatively cheap. He could start and give the Vikings some more pop in the middle.

As for defensive tackles, could the Vikings use another veteran in case Pat and Kevin Williams lose their lawsuit against the league and have to serve their four-game suspensions? I think it's at least worth looking into considering the first four games of the year include a road game against the Super Bowl champion Saints and two games against run-oriented Miami and the even-more-run-oriented Jets.

I was talking to Peter Ginsberg, the attorney for the Williamses, earlier today for a story later in the week. I asked him if the Williamses would appeal to the Minnesota Court of Appeals if they don't receive a favorable ruling from District Judge Gary Larson. Larson is expected to rule sometime in early to mid-May whether it's the Vikings or the NFL that employs the players. The ruling will determine whether the Williamses or the league win the lawsuit. If the league wins, Ginsberg said, "Pat and Kevin would consider their options" regarding an appeal. Larson's injunction against the league enforcing the four-game suspension would be dropped and the apellate court would have to issue another one until the case is decided.

The Vikings have decent backups in Jimmy Kennedy, Fred Evans and Letroy Guion. But asking them to handle the tackle positions on their own for a quarter of the season is a lot.

Former Jaguars defensive tackle John Henderson would be an attractive option. He just turned 31, so he also could be around after Pat Williams retires. Henderson, who recently was released, reportedly is visiting Kansas City and has drawn interest from the Giants.

Former Viking Chris Hovan was released in Tampa Bay today. His best days are far behind him, but could be of some use in a pinch. Other defensive tackles available include Tony Brown and Gerard Warren.