Wednesday, July 3, 2002

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

Bengals sign veteran WR Westbrook

The Bengals addressed their concerns at wide receiver Tuesday, agreeing to terms on a three-year contract with free agent Michael Westbrook. Westbrook, who turns 30 on Sunday, spent his first seven seasons with the Redskins after being selected fourth overall in the 1995 draft. Without a winning season since going 9-7 in ’90, the Bengals have been aggressive in free agency the last two offseasons. Westbrook reunites with former Redskins quarterback Gus Frerotte as the Bengals' biggest additions. Last season, the 6-3, 221-pound Westbrook had 57 catches for 664 yards and four touchdowns. He started every game, making a complete comeback from a torn left anterior cruciate ligament that sidelined him for most of the 2000 season. In 79 career games, Westbrook has 277 receptions for 4,280 yards and 24 touchdowns.

Buchsbaum: In effect, by signing Michael Westbrook, the Bengals indicated that they will cut WR Darnay Scott. Both wide receivers are 30 years old. Scott has been more productive over the course of his career, but the Bengals fear that Scott is a declining player after last year, when he appeared a step slower after coming off a major injury. Westbrook is a player who has always teased with his great ability but has never been consistent and has had a number of off-the-field incidents. Although minor in nature, they are the type of things that could be disruptive to a football team.

The question is why the Bengals are bringing in Westbrook despite his ability because they have a group of very promising young receivers who need quality veteran leadership, not a negative example. The chances of Westbrook being the positive leader they need are not very good. Scott never was much of a leader either, and at times, he could be selfish. There are very few players in the league who come with a more selfish reputation than he had at one point in Washington. Maybe he has changed, but it’s very hard for players to change overall. Very often you find out that players who appear to have changed are just good actors.

It will be interesting to see how Westbrook plays in Cincinnati. He is a big talent with great size, very powerful hands and strong running ability. He has good speed and while his hands are very strong, they are not overly soft, and he will drop quite a few passes.

Falcons sign dependable WR Chiaverini

The Falcons signed free agent receiver Darrin Chiaverini on Tuesday. Chiaverini, who played in all 16 games last season with the Cowboys, was a fifth-round pick out of Colorado in the 1999 draft. In three seasons, he has 63 receptions for 662 yards and seven touchdowns.

Buchsbaum: Atlanta signed former Cowboys WR Darrin Chiaverini, who is basically a well-built, solid possession receiver who doesn’t have a lot of quickness and speed. The question about Chiaverini is whether he is quick enough to get separation underneath coverage because he will not be a deep threat.

Rams have high expectations for RB Gordon

The Rams agreed to terms Tuesday with rookies Lamar Gordon and Travis Scott. The team has now reached terms with four of eight draft picks. Gordon, a running back selected by the Rams in the third round, agreed to a four-year deal for $1.36 million. Scott, an offensive lineman taken in the fourth round, agreed to a three-year deal at $905,000 with a signing bonus of $259,000.

Buchsbaum: The Rams signed their third-round pick Lamar Gordon, who they think is a sleeper. They feel that he was one of the best running backs in the country and could wind up teaming with the former Arizona running back with great speed, Trung Candidate, to replace Marshall Faulk in a couple of years when he retires. Gordon was extremely productive his sophomore and junior years at North Dakota State but was slowed by injuries as a senior. He has good power for a back his size, which is about 210-215 pounds, good speed to the outside and will show a little bit of creativity now and then. He does need to improve catching the ball but appears to have pretty good hands.

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