Monday, March 26, 2001

Henson leaves Michigan for the Yankees

The tradition of the Big Apple beat out the Blue & Gold on Saturday, when Drew Henson opted to leave Michigan to sign a six-year, $17 million deal to be the New York Yankees’ third-baseman of the future. Henson, a sophomore, was slated to be Michigan’s starting quarterback this year, but instead leaves Michigan behind for baseball.

PFW: What are your thoughts on Henson’s decision?

Buchsbaum: Henson going to the Yankees is a devastating blow to the NFL. That means that they have lost two quarterbacks, Joe Borchard and Drew Henson, who many scouts feel could have been franchise players in the league — the type of guys you build franchises around — and who were rated higher by many scouts than Michael Vick, because they were more advanced in the system they played in, and they are much taller. The biggest loser in all of this is the Houston Texans, because next year, if things had gone according to plan, they’d have been picking between two franchise quarterbacks in Henson and Borchard, and possibly three if Vick had opted to return to school for one more year. So it’s just a devastating, devastating blow to Houston. And if you consider the juniors who came out this year, probably the top-10 rated would-be seniors in next year’s draft are already gone from the picture. Players such as Gerard Warren, Koren Robinson, David Terrell and Justin Smith all definitely would have been in the top 10 next year, and there’s a good chance that if they had progressed well enough, guys such as Freddie Mitchell and Dominic Raiola could have conceivably been up there. Nate Clements also could have been up there.

Buchsbaum analyzes free-agency signings

PFW: Vikings sign Lance Johnstone

Buchsbaum: They signed him to what will be announced as a long-term contract, but what really is a one-year contract that will let him be a free agent again next year. The reason I say this is because he plays 23 to 25 percent of the defensive minutes, then he becomes a free agent next year, when the Houston Texans come into the league. Johnstone was a top pass rusher with the Raiders in ’98 and ’99. Last year he ran into some injury problems and became much more of a finesse player, doing much of his pass-rushing from the outside, and his sack total fell to about 3.5 and he was totally ineffective against the run. Many people feel he’ll get his intensity back again when he’s healthy and playing for what amounts to a new contract this year.

PFW: Jake Reed returns to Minnesota

Buchsbaum: That could revitalize him. He’ll be the third receiver now, since Matthew Hatchette signed elsewhere, and he’s a better fit as a third receiver with lower expectations.

PFW: Ross Verba signs with Cleveland

Buchsbaum: They overpaid for him. He’s more of a guard than a tackle, but he thinks he’s a better tackle than guard. He’s not your big overpowering run-blocker at tackle. He is a good, solid NFL lineman, but they’re paying him more like a terrific lineman.

PFW: Bears sign Keith Traylor

Buchsbaum: Basically, at this stage in his career, he’d be viewed more as a backup.

PFW: Gilbert Brown re-signs with Green Bay

Buchsbaum: It’s a nothing-to-lose move for the Packers. If he loses weight and becomes a force or a helpful player on the defensive line, fine.

PFW: Pittsburgh signs Mike Logan from Jacksonville

Buchsbaum: In a sense, this is sort of payback for Carnell Lake. Logan gives the Steelers what they needed: a good, young, fast, hard-hitting safety to go with Lee Flowers, and it really solidifies their secondary. It takes away from one of the more pressing draft needs they had.

PFW: Jeff Gooch returned to Bucs

Buchsbaum: He just didn’t pass his physical. The Rams wanted him. They thought it was a good fit for the defense, but he didn’t pass the physical.

PFW: Kevin Carter to Titans rumors

Buchsbaum: It makes a lot of sense. The Titans could start Carter at left end and move Jevon Kearse to the other end spot. Probably going to a new team would revitalize him for at least a year. That could give them an awesome outside pass rush if Carter gets back to where he was. On the other hand, St. Louis is looking to rebuild that defense and is trying to stockpile as many picks as they can to do so. They want to get younger, faster and cheaper on defense. Carter would cost the Titans an arm and a leg, and they don’t know what to expect from him.

PFW: What is the latest on former Vikings OLT Todd Steussie?

Buchsbaum: The Broncos appear to be the front-runner to sign Steussie. The Broncos really need a veteran left tackle to replace Tony Jones, who they released earlier this year. They had great success with one former Viking left tackle, Gary Zimmerman, who turned into an outstanding pickup for them.

PFW: How would Steussie fit the Denver OL style of play?

Buchsbaum: He’s a knowledgable pass-blocker. He’s smart and he’s tough.

The Archives
2000 - 2001 Season