| ProFootballWeekly.com asked
contributing editor Joel Buchsbaum for his thoughts on some of the hottest topics in the
NFL. 
Rams release starting tackles
According to reports, the Rams have notified starting DTs Ray Agnew and D’Marco
Farr that they will be released. Though the report stated that the Rams are currently
about $5 million under the salary cap, they would be over the cap after naming Kevin
Carter their franchise player and tendering offers to several restricted free agents.
Hence the need to cut ties with Agnew and Farr. Backup C Steve Everitt also was told he
will be released.
PFW: Can you talk about the Rams’ game plan at defensive tackle?
Buchsbaum: I think they want to invest a lot in there (via the draft and free agency),
they want to get bigger, they want to get quicker, they want to get better. Farr,
unfortunately, the knee just wore down on him, and Agnew’s got a lot of miles on him.
Packers ink Longwell
PK Ryan Longwell signed a five-year contract with the Packers worth a reported $7.5
million. Longwell’s previous deal, a three-year pact, averaged $334,000 per year. He
would have become an unrestricted free agent March 2. Longwell is the NFL’s career
field-goal percentage leader at 84.7 percent. He was second in the league in scoring last
season with 131 points.
PFW: What has Longwell done to earn such a contract?
Buchsbaum: He’s one of the best kickers in the game, he kicks in a bad-weather
situation and he’s very good at it.
Flutie, Johnson make their cases
Doug Flutie and Rob Johnson have made their cases to the Bills. Now it’s up to the
team to decide which quarterback will be retained for the 2001 season. Flutie met with
Bills figureheads Monday, and Johnson followed Tuesday. A decision is expected next week.
Together, Flutie and Johnson are scheduled to make more than $16 million next season. But
with the Bills more than $13 million over the cap, team president and general manager Tom
Donahoe said one quarterback will have to go.
PFW: What do you look for in that type of situation?
Buchsbaum: Basically, who will work best with them in the confines of the cap and what
their ideas are for the future of the team.
Wiley not a lost cause
While figuring out their QB situation, the Bills are also trying to retain Marcellus
Wiley, who will become an unrestricted free agent March 2. But even if Wiley hits the open
market, his agent made clear that the Bills still have a chance. Said agent Brad Blank:
"I gave them my word that no matter what happens, even if we don’t do anything
before free agency starts, (the Bills) will get their chance." Wiley replaced Bruce
Smith in the starting lineup last season and became the fifth player in team history to
record double-digit sacks.
PFW: Is bringing Wiley back doable?
Buchsbaum: It’s going to be very difficult, but he’s a gem. |
