| ProFootballWeekly.com asked
contributing editor Joel Buchsbaum for his thoughts on some of the free-agent signings,
trades and other hot topics around the NFL. 
Tampa signs Brad Johnson
Less than a week after claiming former Chargers QB Ryan Leaf off waivers, the
Buccaneers announced Monday they had agreed in terms with free agent QB Brad Johnson on a
five-year, $28 million deal. Johnson also was pursued by the Ravens, Chiefs and Bengals
after playing in Washington in 2000.
Profootballweekly.com: What are your thoughts on Johnson going to Tampa?
Buchsbaum: I think that’s a solid move for Tampa Bay. He’s from the area, and
he gives them a veteran quarterback. He’s not the kind of guy who you want to have to
win the game for you, but he’s a guy who can manage the game. He’s much more
advanced than Shaun King, he’s a better passer than King and he reads defenses
better. The one area you wonder about him is that he does have a tendency to turn the ball
over, and he needs a good left tackle, and the Bucs don’t have one now. That’s
going to be a critical area for them.
Profootballweekly.com: The Bucs obviously aren’t going to turn into the
Rams’ offense, but does this addition change their philosophy at all?
Buchsbaum: Not too much because Tony Dungy is the coach, and he insists upon it. The
one thing it does do in my mind is make it a priority to get a quality left tackle in
there no matter how they have to do it.
Profootballweekly.com: What does this mean for Keyshawn Johnson?
Buchsbaum: It’s got to make him a happy camper. Keyshawn’s got a guy
who’s a proven thrower who got the ball to Cris Carter and Randy Moss in Minnesota.
Lions acquire Harbaugh
Thirty-seven-year-old Jim Harbaugh is moving to Detroit after signing a two-year deal
with the Lions Monday. He’ll be backing up the injury-plagued Charlie Batch after
playing in San Diego last season.
Profootballweekly.com: What are your thoughts on Harbaugh to the Lions?
Buchsbaum: I’m not sure how much he’s got left. If he’s still got
something left, he’s an excellent backup for Charlie Batch. He’s very
competitive, he’s been around the league a long time, he still has a little mobility
left and he knows how to accept the backup role without losing competitiveness, which is
rare.
The future of Elvis Grbac
Profootballweekly.com: What have you heard about Elvis Grbac’s plans?
Buchsbaum: If Elvis Grbac wants to go to a winner, he can go to Baltimore at their
price. If money is all he wants, he can go to Cincinnati.
Profootballweekly.com: If Grbac goes to Cincinnati, what happens with Akili
Smith, not just in 2001, but beyond?
Buchsbaum: Basically, Grbac takes over for a year, and then the contract will be
structured in such a way that the Bengals can deal him if Akili comes on. … (Making
progress) is tough to do if someone is starting ahead of you and you have to beat out the
starter. It’s a whole different ballgame than if they don’t bring in anyone who
is a starting caliber quarterback this year, and they just give (Akili) another year to
learn.
The other thing is, the Bengals have made (free-agent DT) Ted Washington by far and
away the best money offer he’s gotten thus far. It really seems like they’re
serious about doing what New Orleans did last year — they have a lot of money, and
they feel like they can rebuild the team into a winner with the good, young players they
have. They’re very similar to where New Orleans was last year — a lot of good,
young players because they’ve had so many high draft picks and a lot of free agency
money to spend.
Trent Green's status
Profootballweekly.com: Have you heard any more news on the Rams’ Trent
Green?
Buchsbaum: If Kansas City gets shutout in the quarterback market, they may go a little
harder for Green. The deal I heard that could be made, and both teams would have to
compromise to make this, is the Rams would get the Chiefs’ first- and third-rounders
this year, and the Chiefs would get back the second-rounder they gave up for Dick Vermeil.
Profootballweekly.com: As starting jobs seem to be running out around the
league, are the chances of Green being back with the Rams a little better than maybe
people expected?
Buchsbaum: Yes, because there are two factors involved here. The first is how long it
took Kurt Warner to recover from his concussion is a major concern. When it takes a player
a while to recover from a concussion like that, there’s an indication that it’s
a permanent thing where he’s going to be more prone to concussions from here on in.
The second thing is that unless they’re totally confident that Joe Germaine is ready
to step in, then they don’t have a backup. And backups are being snatched up very
fast. And there’s a third factor involved. Whether you like it or not in this league,
unless you’re a matinee-idol quarterback, if you’re your team’s clear-cut
No. 1 quarterback and there’s a tremendous dropoff, teams are going to try to hurt
you and put you out the game. Without breaking the rules, the Saints went after Warner
extra hard last year.
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