| ProFootballWeekly.com asked
contributing editor Joel Buchsbaum for his thoughts on the news around the NFL. 
Jacksonville re-signs Jeff Smith
Jacksonville C Jeff Smith re-signed with the team for one year at $700,000. The signing
of Smith, who started the final 12 games of the 2000 season with the Jaguars, gives
Jacksonville five experienced linemen under contract.
Buchsbaum: Smith is a good, versatile lineman who can start for them at either center
or guard. He’s an adequate starter who’s smart and tough. He’s got a lot of
intangibles but not a lot of athletic ability.
Profootballweekly.com: Can you talk about the Jaguars’ offensive line as a
whole? It seems like they’ve taken a hit there.
Buchsbaum: They have, but they really didn’t have Leon Searcy last year. But
losing Searcy and (Todd) Fordham will hurt them, and they had so many injuries last season
that it’s going to be interesting to see how they shake out because (OG Brad) Meester
did develop, you’ve got to figure Tony Boselli was coming back all of last year and
was never really the Boselli of old, though he was much closer at the end, Smith played
well for them at center and they have (OG Zach)Wiegert back who can play either right
guard or right tackle.
Patriots reach agreement with Brandon Mitchell
The Patriots came to terms with free-agent DT Brandon Mitchell on Monday. The
25-year-old Mitchell recorded 29 tackles in 11 games for the Patriots last season before
missing the final three weeks of the year with a leg injury.
Buchsbaum: This is a good move at a low price. They just didn’t have numbers on
the defensive line, and he has some ability.
Profootballweekly.com: What are his strengths and weaknesses as a player?
Buchsbaum: Mitchell’s a good athlete, he runs well and when he plays hard, he can
be adequate vs. the run. He’s not a natural pass rusher, and he’s not an
instinctive pass rusher.
Surgery for Emmitt
Cowboys RB Emmitt Smith is scheduled for surgery today to repair a weak eye muscle that
causes him to occasionally suffer from double vision. The surgery isn’t expected to
keep him out of the team’s minicamp that starts at the end of the month.
Profootballweekly.com: Can you talk in general terms about where Emmitt Smith
is at in his career?
Buchsbaum: He’s still a very good back. He’s had a phenomenal career and is
still very driven. The difference between him now and earlier is that earlier he could
take a tremendous pounding each week and still come back fresh, but now it takes a toll on
him for a couple of weeks.
Profootballweekly.com: Does having Tony Banks at quarterback impact Smith in
any way?
Buchsbaum: You never know what Tony Banks you’re going to get. If Banks is
confident and is hitting his deep passes, it will open things up for him. If Banks is
playing like he did in Baltimore last year, it means Emmitt will be facing eight-man
lines.
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