Tuesday, April 9, 2002

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

Tampa Bay signs ex-Giants WR Joe Jurevicius

First-year Buccaneers head coach Jon Gruden had mild interest in a number of receivers and auditioned a handful of candidates to line up opposite Keyshawn Johnson in his West Coast offense. Monday, Tampa Bay inked free agent Joe Jurevicius, who started in the absence of Ike Hilliard for the Giants last season but was far better as a third receiver. He’ll likely get another chance to start with the Bucs.

Buchsbaum: Joe Jurevicius is a king-sized wide receiver at 6-5, 230. He really came on last year for the Giants, and look for him to start alongside Keyshawn Johnson for the Buccaneers, giving them two of the biggest starting wide receivers in the NFL. While Jurevicius has great size, he has been somewhat inconsistent catching the ball in the past. His hands are good, but his concentration does drift at times, and Jurevicius isn’t known as a great route-runner. However, he is big enough to line up in the slot and be used as an H-back in some situations.

Texans finally find veteran caddy for Carr

Gus Frerotte wasn’t the right fit, Rob Johnson found a better option and Trent Dilfer wasn’t available for the one-year lease the Houston Texans were interested in offering a veteran quarterback needed to mold likely No. 1 pick David Carr of Fresno State. At long last, general manager Charley Casserly found a taker for his standing pact, journeyman signalcaller Kent Graham, a nine-year veteran who has played for several teams, including Pittsburgh, Arizona, the New York Giants and most recently Washington.

Buchsbaum: Kent Graham gives them a veteran that can step in and play early until David Carr is ready. He is no long-term answer, but Graham was fairly effective bailing out the Redskins in a couple of games last year when Tony Banks was terrible early in games. Graham throws a nice ball when given time but doesn’t avoid the rush very well and lacks mobility.

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2001 - 2002 Season