| ProFootballWeekly.com asked
contributing editor Joel Buchsbaum for his thoughts on the hot topics around the NFL. 
Kirkland signs with Seattle
Former Pro Bowl LB Levon Kirkland has reportedly agreed to a multiyear deal with the
Seahawks, according to Seattle GM/head coach Mike Holmgren. Details are still being
hammered out and nothing has been signed, but Holmgren said the deal is done. Kirkland was
cut from the Steelers in a cap-savings move because he was scheduled to earn nearly $4.8
million.
PFW: What are your thoughts on Kirkland going to Seattle?
Buchsbaum: He gives them an excellent run-down linebacker, and they’ve basically
rebuilt their entire defensive interior. They’ll be starting two new tackles in Chad
Eaton and John Randle and a new middle linebacker now (in Kirkland). The interesting thing
is all three are up in years, and they gave them all fairly long contracts, which means
Holmgren feels he can win this year.
PFW: Looking at just this year and not long term, what are your thoughts on the
type of defense they’ve built?
Buchsbaum: It’s much better than last year. It’s a defense that can get more
penetration inside, that will play the run stronger inside. But they still need more
parts: They need a corner to go with Shawn Springs; they need a safety unless Reggie
Tongue bounces back from an awful year. And, like everyone else, they could use a great
outside pass rusher.
PFW: You say Holmgren must think he can win now, but it would seem the
favorites in the West are Oakland and Denver. Can Seattle compete with them?
Buchsbaum: It depends how quickly Matt Hasselbeck advances. All I can tell you is the
guy was "Mr. August." He was the best preseason quarterback in the NFL the past
two years. He has good arm strength, not exceptional arm strength. He’s got good
mobility, not exceptional mobility. Holmgren is very high on the intangibles, the ability
to see the field. Whether or not that will translate, we don’t know. We’ve had a
lot of quarterbacks in this league who have been great "Mr. Augusts," but when
they get a team of their own, they can’t do it. We’ve also had some that all
they’ve needed was a chance.
PFW: What are your thoughts with where Seattle might go with their top draft
picks, given their free-agent moves?
Buchsbaum: I think one will be a wide receiver and one will be a cornerback or
defensive lineman.
PFW: As far as the running-back situation goes, do you think they’re going
to keep Watters?
Buchsbaum: No, I think they are going to try to trade Watters, because I think they
feel Alexander is ready to start. And one thing, despite all the B.S. we heard last year,
if Watters isn’t on the field 90 percent of the time, he’s a distraction to the
team. His ego will not let him be anything less than the No. 1 back. That’s
part of what’s made him an excellent back. But it’s also why everywhere
he’s been, they’ve gotten rid of him.
PFW: Are there any similarities to Doug Flutie in that sense?
Buchsbaum: Very much so. These are guys whose competitiveness and feelings that they
are the best in the league has enabled them to overachieve to a very high level on a
personal basis.
Saints sign safety Bellamy
Former Seahawks S Jay Bellamy was signed by the Saints to a four-year deal on
Wednesday, addressing a primary need for New Orleans. Bellamy started all 16 games for the
Seahawks last year, made 87 tackles and had four interceptions. He also had two sacks and
two forced fumbles.
PFW: What are your thoughts on this signing?
Buchsbaum: I think he’s a solid player for their system. He’s tough, alert
and aware. He doesn’t have great speed, range or cover ability, but they really
don’t ask that much of the free safety in that role. And he’ll be a major
upgrade over Darren Perry, in that he’s got more range than Perry had, and he’s
a much better tackler than Perry. Also, he comes from Seattle, and he’s always been a
favorite of (Saints GM) Randy Mueller.
PFW: How does he fit with Sammy Knight at the other safety?
Buchsbaum: Well, they’re basically going to be a zone team with the safeties.
They’re not going to ask those guys to lock up and play man. Knight is a big hitter
who makes big plays. He has poor stopwatch speed but much better football speed, like
Bellamy, because they both anticipate well.
Bengals re-sign Artrell Hawkins
CB Artrell Hawkins was signed to a one-year contract on Wednesday by the Bengals. He
was a second-round draft pick in ’98 for Cincinnati, started six games last year and
made 47 tackles.
PFW: What are your thoughts on Hawkins re-signing?
Buchsbaum: He’s been a guy who’s been a huge disappointment his first three
years in the league. Basically he’s a guy with great workout numbers, who just
doesn’t react to the ball well. He teases you with great talent and then disappoints
you when you need him to come through the most.
Jets sign special-teams standout
The Jets lured LB Doug Colman away from the Browns, hoping to boost their special-teams
play. Colman was a sixth-round draft pick in ’96 for the Giants. He led the team in
special-teams tackles in three seasons with the Giants. He also played for Tennessee.
PFW: What is the significance of this signing?
Buchsbaum: Their special teams were just awful last year, and Colman’s one of the
best in the game. He may be the backup middle linebacker, if they use Darling outside. |
