| Editor’s note: This is the
15th in a series of Q&A’s with PFW contributing editor and personnel analyst Joel
Buchsbaum that will appear exclusively on the Pro Football Weekly Internet Edition. Q:
Have defenses changed the way they have played Rams QB Kurt Warner as the season has gone
on?
Buchsbaum: They’ve tried all sorts of different coverages, but nothing has been
effective.
Q: Can you give a scouting report on Kerry Collins and the way he has played
since becoming the Giants’ starting QB?
Buchsbaum: He’s throwing the ball with more confidence, more authority and great
velocity, and at times he has made some pinpoint-accurate throws. He has reverted back to
his old delivery style with the hitch in it, but he seems much more comfortable and more
accurate throwing that way. He still will be sloppy with the ball at times in terms of
fumbles, fumbled exchanges and interceptions (from) forcing (the ball into coverage).
He’s the best throwing Giants quarterback I’ve seen since Phil Simms.
Q: Where does Bengals RB Corey Dillon rate among the top running backs in the
game right now?
Buchsbaum: He’s one of the top 10, but when a guy gains yardage once his team is
eliminated (from playoff contention), it’s a little different than gaining it in
important games. And the other thing is (that) he has gained an awful lot of yards against
the Cleveland Browns.
Q: Can Cleveland’s Kevin Johnson be a No. 1 wide receiver over the long
haul, or do the Browns eventually want him to be their No. 2 threat?
Buchsbaum: He has a chance, but he’s not going to be your possession guy.
He’s going to be your deep guy.
Q: Ravens WR Qadry Ismail went wild against the Steelers. What’s the
scouting report on him?
Buchsbaum: He’s just a journeyman receiver who will drop some and will catch some.
He made a couple of nice plays in that game, but it was more on the coverage than on him.
If you’re asking me if this is a breakout game and they now have a No. 1 receiver,
the answer is no.
Q: If Pittsburgh’s Kordell Stewart gave up on playing quarterback ever
again, how good of a wide receiver could he become?
Buchsbaum: A lot of teams were going to take him in the first round if he would agree
to play wide receiver the year came out (of Colorado). They think if he really put his
heart into it, he could be something very special there.
Q: Just how good is Colts QB Peyton Manning on play-action fakes? How much do
they add to the Colts’ offense?
Buchsbaum: He’s as good as I’ve ever seen. He is adding tremendously, because
he not only carries out the pass fake, he carries out the run fake so well.
Q: The Panthers have been much more competitive than expected this season. How
good a coaching job has George Seifert done there?
Buchsbaum: Absolutely phenomenal. He has to be a Coach of the Year candidate. People do
not give him the credit he’s due for the tremendous job he has done.
Q: Can you break down how QB Steve Beuerlein has played for the Panthers this
season?
Buchsbaum: He has been up and down, but he has been pretty up lately. He has been
efficient, he fits the system well, and he has generally been efficient within the system.
Q: Have the Rams’ or the Colts’ skill-position players been tougher
to slow down this season?
Buchsbaum: I’d have to say it’s a toss-up. The Rams have a huge edge at the
second and third WR position, (while) the Colts have a huge edge at tight end. It’s a
wash at the other positions.
Q: Buccaneers DT Brad Culpepper tends to get lost in Warren Sapp’s shadow.
Can you analyze Culpepper’s play?
Buchsbaum: Culpepper feeds off Sapp. Sapp generally will draw the double team, (and
Culpepper) will feed off that. He’s an extremely quick, active and instinctive player
who fits that scheme because he’s not a big guy. He’s a run-under type of guy
who uses quickness to play. He’s sort of a poor man’s Steve McMichael. |
