ProFootballWeekly.com asks
contributing editor Joel Buchsbaum for his thoughts on the hottest topics in the NFL.
Seahawks free-agent OG Pete Kendall signed a five-year contract with Arizona on
Monday
Buchsbaum: Kendall’s a quality offensive lineman. He’s not a great player and
has athletic limitations, but he’s very tough, very smart and he played for
(Cardinals OL coach) George Warhop at Boston College. Losing him is a blow for Seattle,
but guards are a lot easier to replace than tackles.
Profootballweekly.com: Did the Seahawks realistically think they were going to
bring him back?
Buchsbaum: Not when the money got too big. They just couldn’t afford that type of
money for a guard.
The Ravens and free-agent ORT Leon Searcy agreed to a six-year contract worth a
reported $31.5 million
The 31-year-old Searcy missed the entire 2000 season for Jacksonville with a torn knee
tendon, but before that he had started 111 of 112 games from 1993-’98 with Pittsburgh
and Jacksonville.
Buchsbaum: If he’s healthy, he’s one of the top five right tackles in the
league. He’s a tough guy, a durable guy and a very good run blocker. It gives the
Ravens a great bookend at left tackle (Jonathan Ogden) and a very good bookend at right
tackle if Searcy is healthy, but the age and the knee injury have to be concerns.
Profootballweekly.com: What do you think about the Jaguars’ offensive line
with this loss?
Buchsbaum: It obviously hurts them, but they showed during the second half of last year
that with the development of young players they can make do.
DE Ndukwe Kalu, who played the last three seasons in Washington, signed a
five-year deal with the Eagles
Kalu saw limited time last year and was originally selected by Philadelphia in the
fifth round of the ’97 draft.
Buchsbaum: This is the second case of the Eagles signing a guy they let go of during
the Ray Rhodes era. First it’s (James) Thrash, and now it’s Kalu. Those
personnel moves came back to haunt them, but they realized their mistake and went out and
got the guys. What Kalu does do is give them a pass rusher who probably makes Mike Mamula
expendable.
Profootballweekly.com: Does this help Hugh Douglas?
Buchsbaum: It could because they have two ultra-quick ends now.
The Cowboys reportedly have contacted the Buccaneers about acquiring QB Ryan Leaf
Buchsbaum: I’ve always felt that this would make a great deal of sense. This is a
club that has no viable option right now at quarterback. If you hit on Ryan Leaf,
it’s a grand slam. If you miss on him, you lose almost nothing. I really thought the
Cowboys would claim him off waivers if not for the salary-cap ramifications they would
have run into, and at that point they couldn’t afford to. I feel it would be a very
smart move on the Cowboys’ part, but now Tampa Bay has a little bit of leverage and
the Bucs can ask for something.
Profootballweekly.com: Are you hearing that the Cowboys are probably offering a
player who is not top of the line as opposed to a draft choice?
Buchsbaum: That’s what Jerry Jones wants to deal because he wants to get rid of
salary. I think the Bucs would prefer a different player from the group that is being
offered or a draft pick.
C Jeff Mitchell, an unrestricted free agent from the Super Bowl champion
Ravens, signed a five-year, $15 million contract with the Panthers
Buchsbaum: If he’s healthy, he’s an above-average NFL center. He’s a
tough guy and a leader with a great work ethic. It will hurt the Ravens, who will have to
move (OG) Mike Flynn to center and look to upgrade at guard.
Profootballweekly.com: Does this mean that Frank Garcia won’t be back for
Carolina?
Buchsbaum: It makes it probable, but both Mitchell and Garcia can play guard if need
be.
FS Chris Hayes, who worked his way into the Jets’ starting lineup last
season, re-signed with the team for $5 million over five years
Buchsbaum: He was the best of the three safeties they played last year. The safety they
were going after from Tampa Bay (Damien Robinson) had unrealistic financial expectations
for the type of player he is. Even if Hayes doesn’t start, he’s an outstanding
special-teams player, and the special teams were probably the weakest part of their team
last year.
Packers OG Marco Rivera reportedly signed a four-year contract extension in
Green Bay believed to be worth somewhere between $9 and $10 million
Buchsbaum: He may have been their highest-rated offensive lineman last year. He’s
a very good player. He’s a much better player than I’d thought he’d be.
Profootballweekly.com: Have you been hearing that the Packers are either not interested
or not able to bring (OL) Ross Verba back because of money?
Buchsbaum: They’d love to bring him back, but they just can’t afford it.
He’s way out of their price range.
RB Curtis Enis, the fifth overall pick in the ’98 draft, signed a one-year
deal with the Browns after an unproductive three seasons in Chicago
Buchsbaum: It’s another chance for him, but I don’t know if he’s got
much juice left. He’s never been the same runner since the knee injury his rookie
year. It’s almost Blair Thomas or Ki-Jana Carter all over again.
|
