Tuesday, March 20, 2001

Titans free-agent CB Denard Walker signs a six-year, $26 million deal with the Broncos

Buchsbaum: Denard Walker going to Denver really upgrades one AFC team and hurts another. Walker really fits the Broncos’ defense very well. He’s a big, physical cornerback who turned the corner and came into his own last year. He was a very good player even though Samari Rolle overshadowed him. One of the great strengths of the Titans’ defense was the ability of both their corners to go man-to-man, which freed them up to blitz and do a lot more things. Considering that they’ve already lost (DE) Kenny Holmes and they’ve probably lost (FS) Marcus Robertson, this is just a huge blow for them and an example of why you can’t keep a good team on top for long.

Profootballweekly.com: Assuming the status quo without Robertson, Walker and Holmes, how does the Titans’ defense change?

Buchsbaum: Jevon Kearse gets double-teamed more, teams throw away from Samari Rolle more, there is less help from the free safety because Robertson is a very smart free safety. This is a complicated defense, and it’s going to be very hard to keep the continuity. Plus, you’re bringing in a new defensive coordinator and a defensive backfield coach who is going to have to coach two players who haven’t started before.

Panthers QB Steve Beuerlein waived

Panthers QB Steve Beuerlein was waived Monday after it was decided his durability prevented the team from testing their young quarterbacks. Panthers head coach George Seifert said he had to drop the 36-year-old Beuerlein to see if Jeff Lewis, Dameyune Craig or Matt Lytle can emerge as Carolina's quarterback for the future.

Buchsbaum: Beuerlein’s release was a very unpopular move with the team and the rest of the front office. It was George Seifert’s decision, and he doesn’t feel they can win the next year or two and doesn’t feel Beuerlein will be around much as an effective quarterback after that. He also wants a more mobile quarterback who can run the West Coast offense. To run the West Coast offense effectively, you have to be able to throw the ball on the run. That’s the problem with Drew Bledsoe in New England. He’s a statue back there, and a team like Seattle which everyone thought would be interested in Bledsoe had no interest in him and great interest in Mark Brunell because Brunell can throw on the run. What Beuerlein does do is he gives a team like the Chiefs a viable option for this year if they don’t make the Trent Green deal.

Profootballweekly.com: Is it etched in stone that Carolina is going to go with who they have now for next year?

Buchsbaum: They might look at Drew Brees or Quincy Carter in the draft.

WR-RS Reggie Barlow signs with the Raiders

Buchsbaum: The unsung key for the Raiders last year was their special teams because they were winning field position battles and rarely started deep in their own zone. A big reason for that was the kick returns of David Dunn, and now they have an equally dangerous punt returner in Barlow, who also can be a very good kick returner, which is key because if Dunn lets his weight get out of hand, which he’s often done in the past, then he’s not an effective kick returner.

Former Vikings WR Matthew Hatchette signs with the Jets

Buchsbaum: He gives the Jets a big receiver who looked like he was going to be a very good receiver two years ago but just seemed to have an off year last year when things didn’t go well for him. The Jets are getting him at a reasonable price of $800,000 a year.

Buccaneers trade LB Jeff Gooch

The Buccaneers traded LB Jeff Gooch to the Rams on Monday for a fifth-round pick in the April draft. Gooch played 76 games in five seasons with Tampa Bay.

Buchsbaum: This is strictly a (new Rams defensive coordinator) Lovie Smith deal. Smith had Gooch in Tampa Bay, he started him a couple of years ago, he likes him, he feels he fits the defense and he’s also a good special-teams man.

The Patriots sign free-agent FB Marc Edwards away from Cleveland

Buchsbaum: He gives them character. They have to character on that team, and they have to get tough guys. They have to get guys who want to win and guys who are competitive. They have a nucleus of too many me me me players who are pretty boys but not very good football players.

Profootballweekly.com: You’ve made similar comments on a lot of guys the Patriots signed recently. Is this going to be a good attitude team this season?

Buchsbaum: They’re moving in that direction, but I don’t know if they’ll be able to achieve it in one year because so many of the players they would love to get rid of have big cap numbers, so it’s very hard to cut them.

DT Lett signs with Denver

DT Leon Lett, the 32-year-old run stopper who was selected to the Pro Bowl in 1994 and '98 while with the Cowboys, has reportedly signed a four-year, $9 million deal with the Broncos.

Buchsbaum: Basically, Lett gives the Broncos a big, physical tackle to go next to Trevor Pryce, who’s more of a pass-rush guy. The problem with Lett is keeping him in shape and out of trouble off the field. He’s a follower and not a very bright guy.

Profootballweekly.com: Forgetting the off-the-field stuff for a moment, it seemed like Lett’s play has slipped on the field as of late.

Buchsbaum: It did tremendously last year, but he missed the year before because of the suspension and he had injury problems last year. So you don’t know how much is because of age and how much is because of those circumstances.

Profootballweekly.com: Is this acquisition one in which the Broncos just hope to catch some lightning in a bottle?

Buchsbaum: No, I think they believe Lett will really help them.

The Archives
2000 - 2001 Season