Tuesday, July 17, 2002

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

Packers sign PR Gordon to replace Rossum

Green Bay signed Falcons veteran free-agent CB-RS Darrien Gordon, the NFC punt return leader in 2001 with an average of 14.1 yards on 31 returns. The three-time Super Bowl veteran has averaged 12.3 yards on 279 career punt returns and is expected to replace Allen Rossum, who joined the Falcons earlier in the offseason. Gordon has started 65 games at cornerback and is also expected to provide depth in the secondary. He has had stints with the Chargers, Broncos, Raiders and Falcons since being drafted in the first round of the 1993 NFL draft as the 22^nd overall selection out of Stanford. He has been to the Super Bowl with the Chargers in 1995 and Denver in 1998 and ’99.

Buchsbaum: After losing Allen Rossum, the Packers needed a return man. Gordon is much more of a punt returner than a kickoff returner, but he still is one of the best punt returners in the game. However, at times, his judgment will be a little shaky, and he will fumble the ball, which is a big no-no with head coach Mike Sherman. On the plus side, the Packers have a number of young receivers who could also be used on kickoff returns and have the size and speed you look for on kickoff returns. Because of the depth they have at wide receiver, they will be less reluctant to use these players in that area as well.

Injuries weigh heavily in scouting evaluations

It is the time of the year when scouts begin making the rounds to top colleges around the country to watch film and evaluate talent. Many factors figure into a scout’s assessment of a pro prospect, but perhaps greatest of all, is an athlete’s health.

Buchsbaum: When it comes to rating players, the hardest thing to figure into the equation is injuries because very often players play with injuries that are not reported since they are able to play with them. For instance, an arm injury to an offensive or defensive lineman or a hand injury could be devastating because so much of the game is played with their arms. Flip the coin and a cornerback with a turf toe, sprained ankle or groin injury could really be impaired in his ability to turn, change directions and burst to the ball, which are three of the keys to playing cornerback in the NFL. Thus, what you see on tape isn’t always what the player has. Another factor you have to take into account is how well a player can play through injuries. Some are better than others and that could make a huge difference in a league where everyone has to play hurt most of the time.

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2001 - 2002 Season