| ProFootballWeekly.com asked
contributing editor Joel Buchsbaum for his thoughts on the news around the NFL. 
Bears sign Shelton
FB Daimon Shelton agreed to terms with the Chicago Bears on Wednesday. Shelton was the
Jaguars' lead blocker, and he helped Fred Taylor rush for 1,399 yards in 2000.
PFW: What are your thoughts on this signing?
Buchsbaum: Shelton gives the Bears a big, physical fullback who can block, has better
running skills than most pure fullbacks because he was a tailback in college and from a
short-term standpoint, he’s a positive addition. But it seems as though almost all
the Bears’ moves this offseason are geared to winning now, and I don’t know how
that will play up against the cap, and it will also affect the development of the younger
players.
PFW: If everything were to click for the Bears, what do you think their upside
is this season?
Buchsbaum: The upside, really, I see is no better than 8-8 because of the QB situation.
Unless McNown, all of a sudden, were to just turn his career around and become a standout.
PFW: If the light bulb goes on for McNown, what is this team capable of?
Buchsbaum: 10-6. But, realistically, unless things break right — if they get off
to a 2-4 start, the older players pack it in and the coach is a lame duck then it could
turn into a disaster.
Hatley joins Packers
Mark Hatley, former vice president of player personnel for the Bears, has been hired to
lead the Packers’ scouting department, his agent reported on Wednesday. Hatley signed
a three-year deal to serve as the Packers’ vice president of football operations, his
agent said. The Packers haven’t confirmed the deal, but had called a news conference
for today.
PFW: Can you comment on this move by Hatley and the Packers?
Buchsbaum: Basically, he will oversee the personnel department there. He’s been a
very good administrator in the past. He did a good job in Kansas City. He had the two
setbacks on those two No. 1 draft picks that didn’t really pan out for him in
Chicago, but luck plays a big role in this very often. Jacksonville tried to trade up in
’98 to get Curtis Enis. They couldn’t get Enis, so they settled for Fred Taylor.
Now Taylor is the type of back that could’ve helped Hatley turned the Bears around.
Now, had Jacksonville dealt ahead of the Bears and taken Enis, the Bears very well
might’ve taken Taylor. But it just shows what a big role luck plays into this. On the
other hand, a lot of people did question Cade McNown when the Bears took him in ’99.
And, basically, by the number of trades they made moving down and taking McNown, they gave
up a chance to take a quarterback such as Daunte Culpepper.
PFW: The Packers’ front office is pretty loaded now, isn’t it?
Buchsbaum: Well, Mike Sherman needs that, because he’s handling more
responsibilities. Basically, it’s not any more loaded than it was before, because in
the equation, you’re bringing in Hatley to replace Ken Herock, who’s leaving,
and you’re just expanding the power of John Dorsey and Reggie McKenzie. |
