ProFootballWeekly.com
asks personnel expert Joel Buchsbaum for his thoughts on the hottest topics in
football.
Texans sign ex-Steelers PK Kris Brown; Steelers sign ex-Chiefs PK Todd Peterson
Pittsburgh declined to match the offer sheet Houston had signed PK Kris Brown to and
instead reached a deal with veteran PK Todd Peterson to be its kicker next season. The
Texans signed Brown, 25, to a four-year, $4.7 million deal. The Steelers signed Peterson,
32, to a four-year, $3.925 million deal. Brown, a Texas native, missed a league-high 14
field goals last season, but most were at Pittsburgh’s new Heinz Field. Peterson made
27-of-35 field-goal attempts last year and was 27-for-28 on extra points. Houston will
have to compenstate Pittsburgh with the first pick of the seventh round in this
year’s draft in exchange for signing Brown.
Buchsbaum: In Kris Brown, the Texans feel they are getting a very good young kicker who
can be effective for a number of years. In effect, they feel he can be another John Kasay.
Kasay, of course, is the kicker that the Carolina Panthers signed at their inception and
is still one of the best kickers in the NFL, just hitting his prime. Brown started off his
Steelers career very well, but last year he struggled mightily in their new home, Heinz
Field. He still was the same kicker on the road. Obviously what happened in the new
stadium hurt his confidence, and he’s going to have to regain that. But by the same
token, maybe it was just the stadium and the field surface there. The University of
Pittsburgh kickers had a horrible time kicking there, and the visiting kickers were even
worse than Brown was. If you look at visiting kickers at Heinz Field, their percentage was
under 50 percent.
The Steelers, who did not want to match the Texans’ offer, gave about $275,000
less to former Chiefs PK Todd Peterson. In Peterson, they are losing some range on field
goals and kickoffs. He’s generally been consistent in his career, but last year he
had a couple of uncharacteristic short misses. He is not going to be consistent over 45
yards, however.
Chiefs trade for ex-Saints OLT Willie Roaf
After more than a week of negotiation, it appears as if New Orleans and Kansas City
have agreed to terms on a trade that will send Saints OLT Willie Roaf to the Chiefs for a
conditional fourth-round draft pick in the 2003 draft. The pick could become a third-round
pick if Roaf reaches certain performance levels. Roaf, 31, is a seven-time Pro Bowl
selection.
Buchsbaum: With the addition of Willie Roaf, the Chiefs are in effect saying goodbye to
free-agent OT Victor Riley. Now the plan is to move John Tait from left tackle to right
tackle to replace Riley, with Roaf taking over at left tackle.
Bucs sign ex-Cardinals RB Michael Pittman
After losing RB Warrick Dunn to Atlanta via free agency, the Buccaneers reached a deal
with former Arizona RB Michael Pittman on a five-year deal. Pittman, 26, spent his first
four NFL seasons with the Cardinals. Last season, he gained 846 yards rushing on 241
carries with five touchdowns. He also caught 42 passes for 264 yards.
Buchsbaum: Tampa Bay’s signing of RB Michael Pittman could make things touch and
go for Mike Alstott and his future in Tampa. Alstott is due a roster bonus in the next few
weeks. If the Bucs want to keep him, they’ll have to pay him a $200,000 bonus. On the
other hand, if they’re ready to give up on Alstott at the price he’s making,
they may just install Pittman as their featured runner and look to pick up a lower-priced
backup in the draft or in free agency.
Pittman has two major flaws on the field. He runs too upright, exposing himself to big
hits and injury. Also, because of his upright running style, he exposes the ball more and
is more prone to fumble than most backs. On the plus side, he is a tough, reckless runner
with good vision — not great vision — who also catches the ball very well, which
is a vital thing for running backs in head coach Jon Gruden’s offense.
Off the field, Pittman has had his well-chronicled problems, which is a concern because
it is something the NFL is keeping track of. The last thing the Bucs want is to have him
suspended for four games or, worse, the entire season. |
