ProFootballWeekly.com asks
contributing editor Joel Buchsbaum for his thoughts on the hottest topics in the NFL.
Buchsbaum analyzes the latest free-agency signings.
PFW: Giants sign Kenny Holmes from Titans
Buchsbaum: This means they’ll cut Cedric Jones. Holmes developed into a very good
player the past two years under the tutelage of Jim Washburn, after being considered a
first-round disappointment his first two years. It’s a major blow for the Titans, who
in the past three years have lost three quality defensive linemen: Gary Walker to
Jacksonville, who is playing at a near-Pro Bowl level; Josh Evans, who played very well
for them in the Super Bowl year, but then was suspended by the league for the 2000 season,
and probably will not be back (as an unrestricted free agent); and Holmes.
PFW: Chiefs’ question: Aikman or Green?
Buchsbaum: They’re taking a huge gamble. Whoever they take as their quarterback
has got to stay on the field. They don’t even have a backup: Warren Moon retired and
Todd Collins is a disappointment. Aikman’s chances of lasting very long are not very
good, especially behind an offensive line that may have two new starters. Green, on the
other hand, knows the offense they want to run, is a better passer than anyone else they
can get now and Vermeil feels comfortable with him. They’re bringing him in for a
physical today. He will probably not get a clean bill of health because the knee will
always be a problem due to the major surgery. But if the price is reasonable, I could see
the Chiefs going for him. Speculation has it that they’d give up their first and
third picks this year, they’d get back their second-round pick, and the Rams would
get a second-round pick in the future if Green played over 50 percent of the minutes the
next two years.
PFW: Philadelphia signs Thrash
Buchsbaum: He’s a very good No. 3 receiver who will be an improvement over
Torrance Small as a No. 2 receiver. Plus he gives them a return dimension. He’s a
hard worker.
PFW: Eaton leaves Patriots for Seattle
Buchsbaum: This is a tremendous blow for the Patriots. He was the second-best player on
their defense. Excellent run-down player who fit Bill Belichick’s defense very well.
Probably made a mistake in going to Seattle, because Belichick’s defense is ideal for
him. But the Patriots just couldn’t pay him as much money because of the contract
mess they’re still in. And while Bledsoe did agree to restructure his contract, Leigh
Steinberg did (the Patriots) no favors with the amount Bledsoe’s still going to get,
and the amount he’ll count against the cap.
PFW: Kennedy released by Seattle
Buchsbaum: That was a foregone conclusion. They’re not going to pay him $7 million
a year. St. Louis would be a possibility, although he’s not a full-time player
anymore. The best situation for him would probably be New Orleans, where he could rotate
behind the two starters. Plus, Randy Mueller knows him very well from his Seattle days.
PFW: Ray Lucas could be headed to Miami
Buchsbaum: He is the third quarterback with the Jets heading into the 2001 season,
behind Pennington, their quarterback of the future. Lucas wants a chance to start and saw
the writing on the wall. Don’t look for the Jets to match the offer sheet unless
it’s to match and then trade him.
PFW: Rice unlikely to sign with Giants
Buchsbaum: Rice talked himself out of New York because of his agent’s ridiculous
demands. His agent wanted a contract in line with Drew Bledsoe and Brett Favre. This for a
player who’s had one really good year in four years in the league, has been an
underachiever, a selfish player and a player that just thinks of sacks and doesn’t
think of the run.
PFW: Chiefs sign Stryzinski
Buchsbaum: Excellent fit there, because Vermeil and the special-teams coach are very
much into directional kicking and placing the ball. And that’s what Stryzinski does
best. He does not have a particularly strong leg, but he gets good hang time, is very
consistent and can put the ball where you want it.
PFW: Lions sign Stai
Buchsbaum: Brendan Stai has developed to the point where he’s an adequate starting
guard in the NFL. It’s a major dropoff from Jeff Hartings, but he’s still a
competent football player who should be able to help them. |
