Thursday, May 2, 2002

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

Bengals sign QB Frerotte

The Bengals signed free-agent QB Gus Frerotte to a one-year contract Wednesday after promising he will be given the chance to compete for the No. 1 job with holdover starter Jon Kitna. The Bengals expect Frerotte to be on hand Friday when the team opens its minicamp at Paul Brown Stadium. Other quarterbacks on the Bengals’ roster are Akili Smith, who is recovering from a severe hamstring tear suffered in December, backup Scott Covington and rookie free agent Gavin Hoffman.

Buchsbaum: The Bengals added Gus Frerotte to their quarterback mix and right now he would have to be considered the favorite to start the year as the team’s quarterback. Frerotte has always done well as the underdog coming off the bench. But when he has been anointed the starter before the start of the year, he has struggled. He is 30 years old now, and the Bengals feel the years he spent in Denver helped him mature. Since he only signed a one-year contract, if he does very well, then he could renegotiate with the Bengals or go out on the free-agent market. If he fails again as a starter, maybe he will be willing to accept a backup role for the rest of his career. He has done well as a backup.

Bengals release FS Williams

The Bengals terminated the contract of FS Darryl Williams, releasing him to free agency. Williams completed his 10th NFL season in 2001. He was a first-round Bengals draft choice in 1992 and played in Cincinnati through ’95. He went to Seattle as an unrestricted free agent in ’96 and played four seasons for the Seahawks before returning to Cincinnati as a free agent in 2000. His career NFL statistics include 156 games, 137 starts, 897 tackles, 31 interceptions (4 for TDs), 13 forced fumbles, 14 fumble recoveries and 9.5 sacks. Last season, Williams played 15 games with one start. He had 47 tackles (20 solo), including 3.5 sacks, and also had one interception, two passes defensed, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.

Buchsbaum: In another move, the Bengals cut veteran S Darryl Williams, who had lost some speed and range because they had so many young safeties who are faster than he was and make a lot less money. By cutting Williams now, they save over $1 million against the cap. Williams is going to have a hard time catching on with other NFL teams unless he is willing to play for the veteran minimum. He is considered a declining player with limited range who doesn’t tackle as well as he once did.

Robinson restructures contract with Chicago

Bears WR Marcus Robinson agreed Wednesday to a restructuring of the final two years of his contract. The deal ensures the receiver will be with the team next season, but he could become an unrestricted free agent in 2003. Robinson had signed a four-year, $14 million deal prior to the ’00 season, but played in only 16 of the Bears' 33 games the past two years due to injury. The 27-year-old Robinson is coming off major reconstructive surgery on his left knee. During the Bears' minicamp last weekend, Robinson began running for the first time since the knee surgery. The goal is to have Robinson ready by opening day. Robinson's original salary was $2 million in both ’02 and ’03, but he will take an unspecified pay cut in ’02 with the understanding that he becomes an unrestricted free agent prior to ’03 if he meets several performance standards in ’02.

Buchsbaum: Bears WR Marcus Robinson has agreed to restructure his contract so the team will not take a tremendous beating if he is unable to play this year because of his knee injury or if he gets hurt again. Robinson’s durability has been the biggest concern about him since he has entered the league and in fact, he has probably missed more games than he has played. At his best, he is a tall, angular, big-play receiver who can really get down the field and stretch it. At 6-4 with great jumping ability and great speed — at least he had that before the injury — he could be a true game-breaker and a difference-maker.

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2001 - 2002 Season