Monday, April 1, 2002

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

Holecek rejoins Wade Phillips in Atlanta

John Holecek isn’t a superstar, but his lunch-pail work ethic made an impression on Falcons defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, who coached Holecek with the Bills. Holecek missed a handful of games with injuries last season in San Diego and played a minimal role in his first season away from Phillips’ watch.

Buchsbaum: The Falcons signed former Bills and Chargers LB John Holecek at the urging of their new defensive coordinator Wade Phillips. Phillips coached Holecek in Buffalo and is very high on him because of his intangibles and instincts. Granted, he gets hurt quite a bit and is neither big nor tall nor athletic, but he plays as hard as any player in the game and is a very smart player.

Morton signing good for Chiefs, but is he a No. 1?

Johnnie Morton, coming off a career-best 1,154 receiving yards in Detroit last season, will be called upon to lead a young crop of receivers in Kansas City’s pass-happy offense. Morton, however, has never been regarded as an upper-echelon receiver but more of a speed, stretch-the-field weapon to complement a lead set of hands. The Chiefs inked the wideout to a seven-year deal Friday.

Buchsbaum: Getting WR Johnny Morton was a good move for the Chiefs. The question is: Can he become a true No. 1, go-to receiver, or is Morton a No. 2 complementary receiver. He’s coming off his best year and is a very productive player with excellent body control and some Lynn Swann-like characteristics. But there is lingering doubts about how good he can really be.

Browns bolster offensive line

The Browns passed on Chiefs OT Victor Riley, among others, and settled for a low-budget talent based on potential by signing Packers reserve OT Barry Stokes, a four-year veteran from Eastern Michigan.

Buchsbaum: In a big-little move, the Browns may have found a left tackle by signing Packers backup OLT Barry Stokes. Stokes has kicked around the league for a while but seemed to have found a home in Green Bay. When he had to fill in last year, Stokes did very well. He has good strength and good enough feet to play left tackle but can also play left guard.

Saints find big set of hands in TE Sloan

Former Lions TE David Sloan has never been considered an elite talent at his position but nonetheless has been effective catching passes in Detroit. The seven-year veteran gives Saints QB Aaron Brooks a large target and fills the void left when Cam Cleeland bolted for New England. Sloan had 37 catches and seven touchdowns last season.

Buchsbaum: The Saints found a pass-catching tight end in David Sloan, formerly of the Lions. Sloan is a huge target at 6-foot-6, who generally catches the ball well although he had a few drops last year. As a blocker, he can be an adequate position, get-in-your-way-type.

The Archives
2001 - 2002 Season