Wednesday, May 29, 2002

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

Saints bolster offensive line by signing Jacox

New Orleans reached agreement on a contract with former Chargers C Kendyl Jacox. Terms were not revealed. Jacox, 26, is a versatile 6-foot-2, 330-pounder who can play center or guard. He joins draft pick LeCharles Bentley and free-agent signees Victor Riley, Spencer Folau and Bubba Miller on a rebuilt offensive line.

Buchsbaum: By signing Jacox, the Saints completed work on their revamped offensive line. Jacox will start at center, and rookie LeCharles Bentley will start at guard this year. There’s also the possibility that they could swap positions since both have played the other position and Bentley has most of his experience at center as opposed to guard. This gives the Saints six widebodies in the middle of the line, which will improve their run blocking. It also means Jerry Fontenot is the odd man out and is likely to be released on June 1.

Texans cut Campbell loose

Versatile OL Matt Campbell was released by Houston on Tuesday to open up spots on the roster for younger players. Campbell, 29, was selected by the Texans in the expansion draft after playing with the Redskins last year. He is an eight-year NFL veteran.

Buchsbaum: Although they were fairly high on Matt Campbell when they took him in the expansion draft, the Texans decided to let him go in light of the young offensive linemen they took in the second round. Those two young linemen, along with the signing of Steve McKinney, made Campbell a luxury item they didn’t feel they could afford. Don’t be surprised if the Redskins sign Campbell back at a lesser contract.

Jaguars looking at adding Batch

It looks very likely that QB Charlie Batch will be a June 1 cut by the Detroit Lions. In fact, Batch and WR Herman Moore have been excused from team meetings as they enter their final days with the Lions. Batch, 27, has started 46 games in his four-year career, with 9,016 passing yards, 49 TD passes and 40 interceptions. He started nine games in 2001 before losing his job to rookie Mike McMahon.

Buchsbaum: The Jaguars reportedly will be interested in signing Batch after he becomes a free agent on June 1, although obviously they cannot pay a great deal of money for him.

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2001 - 2002 Season