Tuesday, April 2, 2002

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

Falcons add Beathard as senior adviser

The Falcons and owner Arthur Blank have seemingly put their search for a general manager on hold for a season. Since former Packers GM Ron Wolf withdrew his name from consideration March 19, Blank said he was delaying his search. Monday, Blank hired former Redskins and Chargers personnel boss Bobby Beathard to serve as his top adviser. Beathard was recommended by former Redskins coach Joe Gibbs, who has a seat on the Falcons’ board of directors and was hired by Beathard in Washington.

Buchsbaum: It depends on how much power Beathard has, but he gives the Atlanta front office a superb scout, expertise, vast knowledge of the league and respectability.

OT Spencer Folau joins Saints

The New Orleans Saints aren’t certain how they might go about solving their offensive line concerns — OLT Willie Roaf was traded and others may be moved — but they added another possible solution by inking seven-year veteran Spencer Folau, a 6-5, 315-pounder who started 15 games for the Dolphins last season. The most likely scenario is ORT Kyle Turley moving to the left side and Folau starting at right tackle.

Buchsbaum: What Folau is, is basically a journeymen tackle who can fill in at left tackle — but you are always looking for better. He is not an awful pass blocker, which is his greatest asset, but he’s not a run blocker. It’s a huge dropoff from Willie Roaf, because Roaf is one of the best in the business when he is healthy.

Compensatory picks add four selections for Bills, help others

No doubt Buffalo will experience addition by subtraction, gaining four draft picks in the April 20-21 draft as compensation for free agent losses a year ago that included All-Pro DE Marcellus Wiley. Arizona and Buffalo both earned third-round picks for Pro Bowl losses. The Cardinals lost Simeon Rice to Tampa Bay. However, Baltimore, whose post-Super Bowl losses included the NFL’s leader in yards from scrimmage, RB Priest Holmes, earned additional spots in the sixth round and after.

Buchsbaum: I don’t understand how Baltimore’s highest compensatory pick is in the sixth round when they lost Priest Holmes to Kansas City. Holmes led the league in rushing. On the other hand, I don’t think the Redskins lost anyone and they got a pick.

Dolphins bring back TE Jed Weaver

New offensive coordinator Norv Turner has enjoyed the luxury of talented tight ends throughout his coaching career — Jay Novacek in Dallas, Stephen Alexander in Washington and Freddie Jones in San Diego. In Miami, his offense doesn’t have an established target at tight end with Alonzo Mayes and Jed Weaver, who started seven games and caught 18 passes for 215 yards and two touchdowns in 2001.

Buchsbaum: Weaver is a pass-catching tight end who fits in to what Norv Turner wants to do on offense. He’s not a good blocker, not fast and the team prefers better than him. Miami is still hoping Alonzo Mayes pans out, but Weaver is a good backup and a solid second tight end who can play special teams.

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