ProFootballWeekly.com
asks personnel expert Joel Buchsbaum for his thoughts on the hottest topics in
football.
Szott’s season in jeopardy after knee injury
Signed as a free agent this offseason to bolster the Jets’ offensive line, OG Dave
Szott could now be lost for the season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his
right knee. Szott injured the knee during an offseason workout Tuesday. He had signed a
three-year, $4.6 million contract after having a solid season with the Redskins last year.
He played the majority of his career with Kansas City.
Buchsbaum: The bad news is the Jets lost Szott with a torn anterior cruciate ligament
which may keep him out for the season and end his career. Szott had missed most of two of
the last three seasons with injuries, but did play well at the end of last year with the
Redskins. He’s 34 years old and needed to play in the Northeast because his son is a
special-needs child who must go to special schools. Unfortunately, this injury may be a
career-ending one.
However, the news isn’t all bad for the Jets. Because most teams regard offensive
guard as the lowest-priority position on offense and safety on defense, you still have a
free-agent market out there with a number of players who can fill in competently that will
work for very low wages now that they see there isn’t much of a market for them.
Don’t be surprised if the Jets pick up a veteran guard in the next few days —
someone like Matt Campbell, whom the Texans just cut, could be a possibility.
Sparks looking to make comeback
After retiring from the NFL in 2000, CB Phillippi Sparks is looking to re-enter the
league. The nine-year veteran played eight seasons with the New York Giants and one with
Dallas before calling it quits. He has made 27 interceptions with 89 passes defensed in
115 career games. A resident of the Phoenix area, his preference would be to sign with the
Cardinals.
Buchsbaum: Sparks is talking about making a comeback at age 34. He was a decent to good
player in his prime and an average to average-plus player his last year in the league two
seasons ago with the Cowboys. Don’t be surprised if he tries to come back with the
Arizona Cardinals. He played his college football at Arizona State and his position coach
there was Larry Marmie, now the defensive coordinator with the Cardinals. The Cardinals
need help in the secondary because they lost a number of players in free agency,
didn’t start out with a lot of depth there, then lost S Pat Tillman to the Army.
Sparks has generally played cornerback but can also play free safety in the NFL. One of
the knocks against him is that he didn’t always get along very well with his
teammates.
Bucs lose Hamilton for the season
Tampa Bay QB Joe Hamilton tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee this
past weekend in an NFL Europe game and will most likely spend the 2002 NFL season on the
injured-reserve list. Hamilton, a seventh-round draft pick in the 2000 draft, had thrown
for 1,301 yards and eight touchdowns in seven games this spring in NFL Europe.
Buchsbaum: While Hamilton was tentatively listed as the team’s fourth quarterback
and odd man out with three veteran quarterbacks in front of him, many people felt that the
Bucs would only keep two veterans and also keep Hamilton, who was having a strong year in
NFL Europe before he got hurt. With his strong improvisational skills, Hamilton
could’ve been a sleeper in head coach Jon Gruden’s QB derby had he not gotten
hurt.
Bears sign McKenzie to improve pass-rushing depth
With DE Bryan Robinson suffering two broken wrists in a fall at home this spring, the
Bears moved to add depth to the DE position by agreeing to terms with ex-Browns DE Keith
McKenzie. McKenzie, 28, will sign a two-year, $2.85 million contract. He is known as an
excellent pass rusher, having registered eight sacks in three consecutive seasons for
Green Bay and Cleveland.
Buchsbaum: In McKenzie, the Bears have added a pass-rushing defensive end. McKenzie has
played every down on occasion and is a situational pass rusher but is a much better player
when he just plays on passing downs. That fits the Bears very well since Robinson is
strictly a run-down player who can move to tackle on passing downs.
McKenzie will give the Bears an additional pass rusher in a league where getting to the
quarterback is of vital importance. It also means that the Bears will not have to count on
rookie Alex Brown to come right in and make an impact. All in all, this is a good signing
for the Bears. McKenzie is also known as a good clubhouse guy. One of the biggest
improvements the Bears showed last year was the mix of players in the clubhouse under new
GM Jerry Angelo. |
