| ProFootballWeekly.com asks
contributing editor Joel Buchsbaum for his thoughts on news from around the league. 
Smith to retire?
Vikings RB Robert Smith told the Cleveland Plain Dealer that he plans to retire from
the NFL. Smith didn’t give a reason for his decision, but previous reports have
indicated that he has "grown tired of the injuries that go with the game," the
Plain Dealer said. Smith played the first 16-game season of his career in 2000, but he
underwent his third knee surgery last week. Smith led the NFC in rushing with 1,521 yards
and ranks No. 1 in Vikings history with 6,818 yards.
PFW: What do you make of the report?
Buchsbaum: (Smith has) always been a different type of kid. He had problems at Ohio
State. He’s just different. You can’t explain them. He’s a bright person,
but he looks at life a little differently than most football players.
PFW: What did you think of Smith’s season?
Buchsbaum: I thought it was a fantastic season until December. He seemed to slow down
then. But until then, he was playing at an MVP-type level.
PFW: He’s 28 years old. It’s not like he’s over the hill, is it?
Buchsbaum: No. But he’s been a star feature runner since he was 16.
Colts hire Hufnagel
Head coach Jim Mora wanted his new QB coach to have experience and teaching skills. He
believes he found those qualities in John Hufnagel, whom the Colts hired five days after
losing former QB coach Bruce Arians to the Browns. Said Mora: "He came highly
recommended by some people who have worked with him, who I have a lot of respect
for." Hufnagel’s resume includes 15 seasons of pro football, three with the
Broncos and 12 in the CFL.
PFW: What do you know about Hufnagel?
Buchsbaum: He played at Penn State for Joe Paterno. He knows the game. He’s smart;
he’s tough. And he’s a real student of the game.
Titans hire Cunningham
Former Chiefs head coach Gunther Cunningham was hired by the Titans on Tuesday as
assistant head coach and LB coach. Tennessee promoted LB coach Jim Schwartz to defensive
coordinator last week after Gregg Williams was hired by the Bills to be their head coach.
Said Titans head coach Jeff Fisher: "He is a great addition to our staff. He will
bring a wealth of knowledge and experience that will give a different perspective for our
defense."
PFW: Was this a tough pill for Cunningham to swallow?
Buchsbaum: Yeah, but obviously, he still wants to coach. He’s been a good position
coach in the past. A very good one. |
