| ProFootballWeekly.com asked
contributing editor Joel Buchsbaum for his thoughts on the news around the NFL. 
Stubblefield returns to 49ers
The 49ers have signed DT Dana Stubblefield, a free agent released by the Redskins last
month, to a six-year deal. Stubblefield spent five seasons with the 49ers before leaving
for Washington in 1998.
Buchsbaum: He upgrades them at defensive tackle. He complements Bryant Young very well.
And he gives them solid veteran leadership.
ProFootballWeekly.com: Can you look at the defensive line as a whole now that
they have brought back Stubblefield, drafted DE Andre Carter in the first round of the
recent draft and also have star DT Bryant Young?
Buchsbaum: I think it’s the most improved area of their football team. It’s
going to be a very good unit overall.
Lions sign TE Pete Mitchell, OL Matt Joyce
The Lions have signed unrestricted free-agent TE Pete Mitchell to a one-year deal.
Mitchell joined the Giants in 1999 as a free agent after four years with the Jaguars. He
caught 83 passes in two seasons for the Giants, including a career-high 58 in 1999.
The Lions also agreed to terms with unrestricted free-agent OL Matt Joyce. Joyce spent
the last four seasons with the Cardinals, where he played 40 games at left tackle and left
guard.
Buchsbaum: Mitchell gives them a pass-catching tight end who wanted to play in Detroit.
He can be effective in a limited role. He’s not going to be a blocker. Joyce gives
them depth and competition on the offensive line where he’s generally found a way to
start regardless of what team he’s been with, but no one ever regards him as the
answer.
Rams sign OL Frank Garcia
OL Frank Garcia, who spent the last six years with Carolina, has been signed by the
Rams. Garcia has started 84 of his 91 career games.
Buchsbaum: Actually, he may have been Carolina’s best or second-best offensive
lineman last year. He’s a versatile guy that can start at center or guard, and he
spent his whole career in that division.
ProFootballWeekly.com: He fits in as a backup, not a starter, correct?
Buchsbaum: He gives them competition for the starters as well. He’ll push the
starters.
Bears release DT Jim Flanigan
The Bears have released seven-year DT Jim Flanigan. Flanigan started 88 of the previous
90 games for the Bears. Last season he had four sacks and 64 tackles.
Buchsbaum: That was coming. You could see it. They wanted bigger tackles who play the
run better. Flanigan had lost a little bit as a pass rusher, which was his strength. And
they signed Ted Washington and Keith Traylor.
ProFootballWeekly.com: How interesting is Flanigan to teams on the open market
right now?
Buchsbaum: I’d say he’s in the same area as Brad Culpepper was last year.
ProFootballWeekly.com: Meaning?
Buchsbaum: No one is sure how much he’s got left, but they know he was a good
player. They know he’s a warrior. They know he’s a competitor.
Patriots cut CB Antonio Langham
CB Antonio Langham has been released by the Patriots. Langham had 40 tackles and one
interception last season.
Buchsbaum: Basically the guy was stopgap last year. They knew he couldn’t play
anymore, but everyone else they had (behind him) was absolutely worse. It’s just that
he had played, and he was a professional. That’s the only way you can describe it.
ProFootballWeekly.com: Can you put his career in perspective?
Buchsbaum: Started out well, not sensationally, and he just seemed to hit a wall.
ProFootballWeekly.com: Would you say he hasn’t lived up to how early he
was originally drafted?
Buchsbaum: Probably not. But for a few years, people forget, he was a good NFL corner. |
