| ProFootballWeekly.com asked
contributing editor Joel Buchsbaum for his thoughts on the news around the NFL. 
Bengals sign OT Richmond Webb
Richmond Webb, a former Pro Bowl offensive lineman with the Dolphins, agreed to a
three-year, $9 million contract with the Bengals. Webb, 34, should be the likely starter
for the Bengals at left tackle.
Buchsbaum: Great pickup for the Bengals. He fills a huge hole at left tackle. Makes a
poor line a pretty good line. Lets Willie Anderson stay at right tackle. Shows a
commitment to winning by the Bengals and finally gives them a breakthrough in free agency,
getting someone that other teams wanted.
ProFootballWeekly.com: Were you surprised that Webb would go to a team like the
Bengals?
Buchsbaum: Very much so. I really thought he was more competitive than that and at his
age would want to go to a team that had a legitimate chance to go to the Super Bowl very
quickly. But obviously it came down to dollars and cents, and he took the money.
ProFootballWeekly.com: What is his strength at this point, run or pass
blocking?
Buchsbaum: Pass blocking.
Broncos get deal done with FB Howard Griffith
FB Howard Griffith has agreed to re-sign with the Broncos. Griffith joins a crowded and
deep backfield that includes RB Terrell Davis, Olandis Gary and Mike Anderson.
Buchsbaum: Griffith is an excellent fullback. Very underrated. Good lead blocker. Very
good pass protector. Excellent receiver. Unselfish team player.
ProFootballWeekly.com: Can you talk about the glut of backs back there, because
at one point there was the thought that Griffith would leave and one of the other guys
would become a fullback?
Buchsbaum: The whole question is you still don’t know about the health of Terrell
Davis and Olandis Gary. And I think the Broncos want to go into camp to make sure those
guys are healthy before they make a move.
ProFootballWeekly.com: So you think we might see a training-camp trade?
Buchsbaum: Yes.
Mark Hatley leaves Bears; Does Tom Modrak have a future in Chicago?
The Bears are looking for a personnel chief. Mark Hatley, vice president of player
personnel since May 1997, has left the team in what he and team president Ted Phillips
termed a "mutual termination."
Buchsbaum: The situation is a difficult situation to operate under. Mark made two big
mistakes with his first two first-round picks (Curtis Enis and Cade McNown) and that
killed him. He was a Texan. He never really was embraced by the Chicago media, and they
were very cruel to him. The fact is that the bottom line was not that good, (but) he is a
highly respected executive in demand who is certain to get another job. Now the Bears are
looking for another head football man, but this time they have to give him more power,
stop getting Wall Street types to pick the candidates and take advantage of a golden
opportunity with Tom Modrak possibly being available. Modrak did a masterful job of
rebuilding the Eagles, yet for some reason owner Jeffrey Lurie has not renewed his option
although Modrak made it very clear that he does want to stay in Philadelphia by not
soliciting offers from anyone else although during this time period he’s allowed to
do so.
ProFootballWeekly.com: Who are some of the other candidates that you think
would make sense?
Buchsbaum: There are no other candidates, and I will say this specifically, that have
half of Modrak’s qualifications. Not hiring Modrak, if he is available in this case,
would just be a terrible, terrible blunder.
ProFootballWeekly.com: What about Jerry Angelo of the Buccaneers?
Buchsbaum: Jerry Angelo would also be an excellent candidate. But the only reason I’d
have to favor Modrak heavily over Angelo is because Modrak has already done it (whereas
Angelo works underneath GM Rich McKay in Tampa Bay). Angelo has played a key role in the
rebuilding of the Bucs, is an excellent drafter, an excellent personnel man.
ProFootballWeekly.com: Given the Bears setup, do you think they will bring in a
football man with all of the authority he needs?
Buchsbaum: Once again, it just comes down to do they see the light or don’t they?
If they want to win, if they’re really serious about winning, they will. But right
now, aside from being in Chicago, they’re a very unappealing team.
ProFootballWeekly.com: You mean unappealing team to a potential candidate for
the job?
Buchsbaum: Right, because you’re stuck with McNown at quarterback and you’re
going to have a very messy stadium situation until Soldier Field is refurbished. It’s
going to be a Tennessee-type situation the first two years.
Cardinals sign S Pat Tillman
S Pat Tillman, who turned down a chance to play for the Rams for more money, signed a
one-year contract with the Cardinals. Tillman had 224 tackles for the Cardinals last
season. He said he chose to return to the Cardinals because of his desire to be part of
coach Dave McGinnis’ efforts to build a winning club.
Buchsbaum: He’s a tough overachiever. He’s a McGinnis favorite. And he had a
decent year for them. He’s an in-the-box-type safety, not a cover guy.
Greg Spires re-signs with Patriots
The Patriots re-signed DE Greg Spires, who has started three games in 42 games since
joining the team in 1998. He has 47 career tackles and 9.5 QB sacks.
Buchsbaum: He’s a role player. A pass rusher. |
