| ProFootballWeekly.com asks
contributing editor Joel Buchsbaum for his thoughts on the hottest topics in the NFL. 
Deal between Rice, Bucs in question
Former Cardinals DE Simeon Rice was reportedly close to signing a contract with the
Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday. But other reports have recently claimed that the deal
was nixed by the NFL Management Council. The council would not allow elements of the
contract. The proposed contract calls for no signing bonus and a base 2001 salary of $1
million, which would jump to $8 million if Rice remained with the team in 2002. The NFL
has a problem with the salary-cap implications that this contract could cause.
PFW: If they can get a deal worked out and approved, what would Rice bring to
the Bucs?
Buchsbaum: He gives them a great pass rusher. He’s always been a selfish player,
but what they’re counting on is that their defensive leadership will get him more
geared to winning, at least for one year, than he is to himself. The possible cost is that
they may have to shake up the defensive line. They may have to move the right end, Marcus
Jones, to left end, after he’s coming off a career year on the right side. And that
could mean the end for Chidi Ahanotu, who is a good, solid, blue-collar player — the
one real blue-collar guy on that line.
PFW: This move seems like it could be a big boom-or-bust type of move,
doesn’t it?
Buchsbaum: The Bucs are looking for that little extra to get them over the top. If the
deal goes through, I’ll have to see how it plays out — if they get the deal done
and then can control the guy, because the guy’s been selfish everywhere he’s
been.
PFW: Let’s hypothesize that he does get signed and continues to play
selfishly. Who does that impact the most, the defensive line or the linebackers?
Buchsbaum: Everyone, because he’ll gamble for the sack and give up ground against
the run.
PFW: How are the rest of the defensive linemen against the run?
Buchsbaum: They’re good, basically. But Ahanotu is very good and very steady.
Buchsbaum’s thoughts on the latest free-agent signings
PFW: What do you think of the Rams' signing of Kim Herring?
Buchsbaum: He’s a major upgrade in terms of speed and range over Keith Lyle.
He’s not a great player, but he’s a very good player. He’s younger,
he’s faster and he’s more athletic.
PFW: What does this do to the Ravens?
Buchsbaum: It hurts them because Herring is a better tackler than Corey Harris, and
he’s just a better all-around player. But the differential between the two isn’t
great.
PFW: What will teams see in Keith Lyle, whom the Rams released?
Buchsbaum: He fits with some teams better than other teams. I could see him fitting
nicely with a team such as the Jets. But he’s got to realize he’s lost a step,
he’s slipped, he’s no longer the playmaker he once was, and he’s got to
play for reasonable money. He’s smart, a leader and an adequate tackler.
PFW: The 49ers and LB Derek Smith are reportedly near completion of a deal.
What would Smith bring to the Niners?
Buchsbaum: He’s a good, solid, smart, disciplined linebacker who can play the
middle or outside. He’ll always give great effort. He’s always prepared.
He’s got good leadership qualities and is just a solid player. He’s not flashy,
doesn’t make headlines, but he helps you win.
PFW: What will the Redskins do if they lose him?
Buchsbaum: They might draft someone. They might also give the kid from Syracuse (Kevin
Mitchell) a shot at the job. A third possibility is that they could move LaVar Arrington
to the middle.
PFW: The Patriots have signed Anthony Pleasant and Terrance Shaw. How do you
evaluate these two players?
Buchsbaum: Shaw can be a good cover corner if he can stay healthy. The problem is
he’s been hurt three years in a row. The whole question with him is durability.
Pleasant’s a veteran who’s still got a little juice left. He knows the system,
but what he does is gives them great senior leadership. They had to get cancers off the
team, and he’s a one-year, two-year guy that you bring in as a stopgap measure
because you don’t have players. |
