| ProFootballWeekly.com asked
contributing editor Joel Buchsbaum for his thoughts on some of the latest NFL free-agent
signings. 
Broncos re-sign Frerotte
QB Gus Frerotte agreed to terms on a new contract with the Broncos on Tuesday,
returning him to his backup role behind Brian Griese. Frerotte started six games in place
of an injured Griese last season and played in 10 overall. Frerotte completed 59.4 percent
of his passes for 1,776 yards with nine touchdowns and eight interceptions. The Broncos
went 5-1 in their final six games with Frerotte at the helm.
Buchsbaum: Very important. He’s a quality backup, he knows the system. He’s
at his best as a backup, and he fits in very well with Brian Griese.
Bears re-sign Matthews
QB Shane Matthews officially entered the Bears’ QB competition Tuesday, signing a
two-year contract with the team. Financial terms were not disclosed. Matthews will battle
both Cade McNown and Jim Miller in training camp for the starting job. Last season
Matthews played in only six games because of injury, completing 57.3 percent of his passes
for 964 yards with three touchdowns.
Buchsbaum: He’s a quality backup quarterback. He’s not a starter, but he
knows the system, he runs the team efficiently and the team is confident in him.
Browns sign Mark Smith
The Browns signed free-agent DT Mark Smith on Monday night. Smith, a former
seventh-round choice of the Cardinals in 1997, has played in only 16 games the last two
seasons combined. Contract issues kept Smith and the team at odds, so the Cardinals opted
to let him leave in free agency.
Buchsbaum: He’s a guy with a lot of ability who’s never put it together on a
consistent basis.
PFW: The Browns have been fairly active in free agency. How would you assess what
they’ve done?
Buchsbaum: They’ve filled in more little parts than big parts so far. Butch Davis
came in with an idea of what he wanted, and they’ve been trying to help him get it,
but they’ve also avoided the big-splash type signings, other than Dwayne Rudd. Rudd
was a player that the defensive coordinator, Foge Fazio, had in Minnesota and pushed very
hard for.
Patriots sign Vrabel
The Patriots added depth to their LB corps, signing free agent Mike Vrabel. The former
Steeler was used mainly on third down and on special teams last season. He finished with
11 tackles and a sack.
Buchsbaum: Vrabel, who played a DE type position at Ohio State and went to Pittsburgh
as an outside linebacker, has a good chance to succeed Chris Slade as the Patriots’
strong-side linebacker. He’s a pretty good athlete, he’s got the size and
toughness Bill Belichick likes. Plus, he’s a very intelligent football player with a
high motor. Belichick obviously is trying to re-shape the Patriots with overachievers,
highly competitive guys, but he has been severely handicapped by the salary cap, which has
been compounded by Drew Bledsoe’s contracts. However, the Patriots seem to be
structuring contracts in such a way that they will have money in the future, much like the
Eagles did when Tom Modrak first joined them. |
