| Two once-dominating players find
themselves at crossroads as the 2000 season approaches. Pittsburgh C Dermontti Dawson,
who started every game for the Steelers for 10 years, comes off an injury that cost him
half of the ’99 season. Once recognized as the undisputed best center in football,
Dawson now must prove that he can still be an elite player.
DE Bruce Smith isn’t coming off an injury, but he is in a new situation. After
being released by the Bills in a salary-cap cost-cutting move, Smith signed with the
Redskins, where he is expected to provide leadership and a pass rush.
ProFootballWeekly.com asked contributing editor Joel Buchsbaum to shed some light on
where the careers of Dawson and Smith stand right now.
Q: It used to be that every year you could pencil in Dermontti Dawson as the best
center in the game and Bruce Smith as the best defensive end. While both are still quality
players, neither ranks as the best at his position anymore. How much has each slipped at
this point?
Buchsbaum: Well, (with) Dawson, you really can’t (tell), because he ran into so
many injuries last year. Smith just can get it up for one or two pass rushes every (once
in a) while, but he can’t do it consistently. He’s like the guy that can’t
throw a 100-mph fastball every pitch now.
Q: With Dawson, you don’t rule out the possibility that he could go back to
being king of the hill?
Buchsbaum: It’s possible but unlikely.
Q: What has changed for him since he was the best center in the league?
Buchsbaum: He’s just older and obviously more brittle. He didn’t used to miss
a game.
Q: Does Dawson have more left than Smith?
Buchsbaum: I can’t say.
Q: Can you put each of their careers in perspective?
Buchsbaum: Smith’s a first-ballot Hall of Famer, and Dawson will probably get in. |
