| Contributing editor Joel Buchsbaum
offered his take on a variety of topics from around the NFL. 
Denver signs Beuerlein
The Broncos signed free agent QB Steve Beuerlein to a multiyear contract Wednesday as a
backup to Brian Griese. The terms weren't disclosed. Beuerlein has played 14 seasons in
the NFL and started all 16 games for the Panthers last season, completing 324 of 533
passes for 3,730 yards, 19 touchdowns and 18 interceptions.
Buchsbaum: There are two ways to look at this move. One, it’s a case of overkill:
The Broncos already had a good No. 2 quarterback who is capable of starting a few games in
Gus Frerotte. Frerotte is considered to be one of the best backups in the league, and
obviously, demoting him to No. 3 would be a terrible blow to him and his ego. It would
also put the Broncos in a position where it would be very hard for them to keep a fourth
quarterback, unless he was on the practice squad. For Beuerlein, being No. 3 would be a
tremendous blow after starting in recent years and going to the Pro Bowl in 1999.
On the other hand, if Brian Griese is not recovering properly from his injury and will
not be ready to go, then the move makes perfect sense because Frerotte is the type of
quarterback who cannot sustain. And because of Beuerlein’s age, health and medical
problems, one can’t be sure how long he can stay on the field. Frerotte has always
been known as the type of quarterback who, the more he has to play and the more the
pressure is put on him, the less effective he becomes. But when he plays in an underdog
role, he’s been very effective. He’s got above-average tools, a strong arm,
decent mobility, not good mobility.
Beuerlein is a savvy veteran who reads coverages probably better than anyone in the
league. He is an accurate passer when given time, and he can throw almost all the passes.
He was very effective two years ago, had a career year in fact, and he was the driving
force behind Carolina’s success. On the other hand, he’s about as mobile as a
statue and tends to hold onto the ball too long, though he can release fairly quickly if
he has to. Salary-cap-wise, apparently Beuerlein and Frerotte are willing to play for less
than what seems to be their face value because they want to be in Denver and go for a
championship. So the Broncos are getting a bargain that way. Plus, if you add up the money
invested in all three quarterbacks, it still comes to less than what some starting
quarterbacks, such as Drew Bledsoe, are getting.
Jaguars sign Sean Dawkins
Free agent WR Sean Dawkins signed a one-year contract with the Jaguars on Wednesday.
The Seahawks released Dawkins for salary cap purposes in March, and the Jaguars signed him
to a cap-friendly deal worth a reported $1 million, including incentives.
Buchsbaum: It’s a good move for them. He gives them a big, physical third or
fourth receiver who can step in and start if Jimmy Smith is unable to play this year.
Jacksonville had decent size at receiver overall, but Smith is their big guy and their
big-play guy. Dawkins can’t provide the big plays like Smith can, but he can provide
the big size that Smith has. They’d be awfully small at receiver if they went with
Keenan McCardell, who has average size, and R.Jay Soward, who is only about 5-foot-9.
Dawkins also seems to concentrate and work harder whenever he’s cut and looking for a
new team, as opposed to when he feels he’s got a job and becomes impatient.
Patriots sign WR Torrance Small
Buchsbaum: This is more about attitude and toughness more than anything else. They also
needed size at wide receiver. Last year they started Terry Glenn, who stands just over
5-10, and Troy Brown, who is about 5-9. Brown is a guy they want to put in the slot. Glenn
is a guy that’s very talented and can make all the plays, but he isn’t
especially physical. Small is coming in to give them size and act sort of as a semi-mentor
to a player such as Glenn, who really needs someone to try to stabilize him and get him to
follow the right type of people instead of the wrong type.
Smith’s knee still bothering him
Carolina defensive end Chuck Smith is still slowed by an arthritic condition in his
knee and the Panthers have no idea when or if he will be able to play again. Smith worked
out inside Carolina's training facility Wednesday while the rest of the Panthers were out
on the field for the first day of their voluntary minicamp.
Buchsbaum: Carolina is admitting that Chuck Smith’s career may be over. They are
talking about signing Chidi Ahanotu to replace him. Ahanotu is still a solid veteran. A
lot of clubs are interested in him at the right price. The Jets still appear to be the
slight frontrunner because of Herman Edwards and their vacancy on the defensive line.
Schottenheimer hires Schneider to personnel post
Redskins head coach Marty Schottenheimer chose his No. 2 man, reaching an agreement in
principle Wednesday to hire John Schneider for the new position of vice president of
player personnel. Schneider will manage the scout staff and oversee preparations for the
NFL draft.
Buchsbaum: This could be a very good move. Schneider is one of the rising, young stars
in the league. He worked successfully in the Chiefs’ front office in his 20s. He went
to the Seahawks last year, and by all accounts did a solid job. Now he’s going to
Washington. While he doesn’t have a wealth of experience yet, he’s learning on
the job and is a project in the works. Schneider is known as a very hard worker who’s
very smart, very conscientious and very loyal. But also, he’s willing to challenge
people in a meeting, which is very important because he will not just be a rubber-stamp,
yes man for the coach. However, by the same token, he’s not going to be one of these
people whose ego is so big he’s going to resign if he doesn’t get his way. |
