Friday, Feb. 16, 2001

Raiders sign Metcalf, Harris

The Raiders signed return specialist Eric Metcalf to a one-year contract on Thursday. Metcalf last played in 1999 for the Panthers and has returned an NFL-record nine punts for touchdowns in his 11-year career. The Raiders also signed DL Jon Harris, a first-round pick of the Eagles in the ’97 draft who played two seasons with the Eagles before being traded to the Packers.

PFW: Put the careers of these two players in perspective.

Buchsbaum: Metcalf at times was one of the top return men in the game and a quality all-purpose back. But he never quite fit in where he was, and one of his biggest problems is he’s an AstroTurf runner and the Browns took him (in the draft), and they had the slowest grass field in the league at the time. But the Raiders have this knack for reclamation projects, so you can’t sell him out. Mike Lombardi was part of the personnel department that picked (Harris) in the first round (with the Eagles). He was a guy who was thought to have down-the-road potential, but never really panned out. He had tremendous size. He almost grew too fast for his body. He lacked initial quickness and had a hard time staying low and getting leverage. But he was a big, athletic guy who seemed to try fairly hard. Occasionally, these guys are very late bloomers. The common denominator is Lombardi is familiar with both of them, and he has done a very good job of bringing in players for (the Raiders), if you look at their signings — the William Thomases, the Andre Risons who have been positive contributors. Lombardi was with Cleveland under Ernie Accorsi when they traded up to get Metcalf and was in Philadelphia when Harris was drafted.

Pease promoted to Jaguars assistant head coach

Jaguars DL coach John Pease was promoted to assistant head coach on Thursday by head coach Tom Coughlin. Pease had been one of the finalists for the Jaguars’ defensive coordinator position that eventually was filled by Gary Moeller, who replaces Dom Capers. Pease has been the Jaguars’ DL coach for the team’s first six seasons.

PFW: What are your thoughts about Pease?

Buchsbaum: He’s one of the top DL coaches in the league. He’s done a good job for them, they like him and they rewarded him.

Trestman joins Raiders

Veteran NFL offensive coordinator Marc Trestman was hired on Thursday by the Raiders as a senior assistant on their coaching staff. Trestman, 45, had been the Cardinals’ offensive coordinator the past three years.

PFW: Can you put Trestman’s career in perspective?

Buchsbaum: He’s a very fundamentally sound coordinator, a stickler for details, that works well with some quarterbacks and not with others. He did not work well with Jake Plummer.

PFW: Will Trestman be a better fit with Rich Gannon?

Buchsbaum: Trestman may be a better fit with Bobby Hoying.

The Archives
2000 - 2001 Season