| ProFootballWeekly.com asks
contributing editor Joel Buchsbaum for his thoughts on news from around the league. 
Bowens opts to stay with Dolphins
Dolphins DT Tim Bowens decided not to void the final two years of his contract, keeping
him off the free-agent market. The 6-foot-4, 320-pound run stopper will play the 2001
season for $6.5 million and is slated to make $8 million in 2002, the final year of his
current deal.
PFW: What is your scouting report on Bowens?
Buchsbaum: He would’ve been crazy to (void the contract); he’s making
tremendous money. The guy is a dominating run defender who has shocking quickness off the
ball at times. But he doesn’t have sustained speed. He’s not an actual pass
rusher, but he can blow into the backfield and be very disruptive.
PFW: How much better does LB Zach Thomas become with the presence of Bowens and
fellow DT Daryl Gardener?
Buchsbaum: Tremendously better, because Thomas' weakness is that he can’t take on
big blockers, and they keep him clean.
Rhome retiring from Falcons’ post
Jerry Rhome, the Falcons’ QB coach, is retiring after 33 years as a player and
coach. Rhome spent his coaching career as a quarterback coach and offensive coordinator.
He was quarterback coach of the Atlanta Falcons last season after stints with the Rams,
Oilers, Vikings, Cardinals, Cowboys, Chargers, Redskins and Seahawks.
PFW: Can you put Rhome’s career into perspective?
Buchsbaum: He was one of the top offensive coaches in certain systems. He didn’t
fit in quite as well in others. I remember Jerry Rhome as the record-breaking quarterback
from Tulsa who threw to Howard Twilley, and when he came to New York to be interviewed by
the Jets, he didn’t have the manners or the style of Joe Namath, and (the Jets)
decided they weren’t going to be interested.
PFW: As a coach, what was the high point for him?
Buchsbaum: Probably Seattle, with Jim Zorn and Steve Largent. He told them to trade for
Steve Largent when Bum Phillips made him available. And he put in that sprint-draw
offensive package which worked very well for both of them.
George tabbed as Redskins’ likely starter
Jeff George will most likely be the Redskins' starting quarterback next season. With
Brad Johnson departing via free agency, salary-cap problems will preclude the team from
any spending sprees. Head coach Marty Schottenheimer says he doesn't plan to seek a
quarterback to compete with George.
PFW: What is your scouting report on George?
Buchsbaum: Tremendous arm. Tremendous release. Can make passes no one else in the game
can make, now that John Elway’s out of the game. Inconsistent toughness. At times,
does things to make you question his heart. Not really a leader. Has a habit of sticking
his foot in his mouth.
PFW: How does George fit with the offense and the talent around him in
Washington?
Buchsbaum: He could fit fine with any talent around him. He can run just about anything
on the pro level.
Thurman Thomas to retire as a Buffalo Bill
Thurman Thomas wants to leave the NFL as a member of the Bills, the team he helped lead
to four consecutive Super Bowls. The Dolphins are expected to waive Thomas, allowing him
to sign with the Bills. Thomas will remain with the Bills for a day and then retire. He
spent 12 of his 13 NFL seasons with Buffalo. Because of league rules, the Dolphins cannot
release Thomas until after Feb. 22.
PFW: Can you put his career in perspective?
Buchsbaum: He’s probably a Hall of Famer. A tremendous all-purpose back. He
learned to handle the press a little bit better toward the end of his career. He always
had a habit of sticking his foot in his mouth. It’s just hard to explain him.
He’s a very difficult-to-explain person. A complex person. And he defied the odds his
whole career. He would’ve been a high first-round pick, like Barry Sanders was,
coming out of Oklahoma State, except when they X-rayed him, they found he was missing a
medial collateral ligament in his knee. Many doctors felt there was no way he could play.
The Bills’ doctor said (if) he played for four years in college on it, he could play
on it (in the NFL). And he turned out to be one of the greatest deals ever. And he was
their best back (aside from O.J. Simpson) in the history of the team. |
