Monday, March 25, 2002

ProFootballWeekly.com asks personnel expert Joel Buchsbaum for his thoughts on the hottest topics in football. 

Cowboys sign ex-Lions DB Bryant Westbrook

Dallas took a chance that could pay big dividends when it signed former Detroit CB Bryant Westbrook to a one-year deal. Westbrook tore an Achilles tendon in 2000 and made just three starts last year. He had six interceptions with Detroit in 2000 and was emerging as one of the top cover corners in the game before getting hurt. He attended college at the University of Texas.

Buchsbaum: Bryant Westbrook could be a very good pickup for the Cowboys. Before he tore his Achilles tendon a year and a half ago, he was developing into one of the best corners in football and showing why he was a high first-round pick. He missed the rest of the 2000 season and when he tried to play, he was just a shell of his former self in 2001. The deal is very favorable for both sides in that it’s a one-year deal. If Westbrook turns out to be the shut-down corner the Cowboys need, they can re-sign him or if he is that good, he can go out on the market and get market value for what he is. It’s a gamble on Westbrook’s part since he could get more money in a long-term deal but this way, if he’s back to where he should be, he could get a lot more money if he plays well. This puts the Cowboys in a position where they don’t have to get a cornerback in the first round of the draft anymore and they can go in another direction.

Vikings sign ex-Cardinals DB Corey Chavous

Chavous, 26, will sign a four-year, $7.5 million deal with Minnesota as the Vikings continue to bolster their defense. They previously signed LB Henri Crockett and DE Kenny Mixon. Known as a smart player and a big hitter, Chavous played the first four seasons of his career with Arizona. He started 14 games at cornerback for the Cardinals last year but may play safety for the Vikings.

Buchsbaum: Chavous is a guy who has played safety and cornerback. He looks more natural at corner, but he seems to be a better fit at safety because he doesn’t have the quickness or suddenness and pure speed that you want at corner. He is a tough guy and is a student of the game. It will be interesting to see how he fits in with the Vikings. He’s very impressive in workouts because he’s such a student of the game and studies all aspects of it and is very well-versed on the game itself.

Jaguars sign TE Pete Mitchell

Mitchell, 30, played four years with Jacksonville before leaving as a free agent for the New York Giants, then Detroit. He only played five games last year due to injuries before being released. He signed a one-year, $650,000 deal with Jacksonville, where he will be reunited with his college coach, Tom Coughlin.

Buchsbaum: Head coach Tom Coughlin has always been able to get the most out of Mitchell, dating back to their time together at Boston College. Mitchell is a pass-catching tight end who no longer can run fast but can still read coverages.

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