Monday, July 29, 2002

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

Seahawks QB Leaf retires amid uncertainty

After joining his fourth team in five seasons earlier this offseason, Seahawks QB Ryan Leaf has decided to retire. Trent Dilfer figured something must be wrong when Leaf didn't show up for the Seahawks' quarterbacks meeting Thursday. As the starter and leader, Dilfer immediately called Leaf. The decision, confirmed by the Seahawks on Friday, ends a career that began in 1998 when Leaf was the No. 2 overall draft pick and considered one of the NFL's most talented young quarterbacks. Leaf did not report to camp Thursday, when quarterbacks were due at the team's facility at Eastern Washington University. His wife, Niki, said Leaf did not want to talk about the decision. She declined to discuss his future plans. Seahawks spokesman Dave Pearson said on Friday that Leaf — who fizzled in San Diego, Tampa Bay and Dallas — told the Seahawks he is quitting. In four seasons, Leaf appeared in 25 games, making 21 starts. He completed 317-of-655 passes for 3,666 yards, with 14 touchdowns and 36 interceptions. He had a dismal QB rating of 50. The 26-year-old Leaf signed with the Seahawks in May, a day after being released by the Cowboys. He had been battling an injured right wrist, which he hurt while playing for the Chargers against the Seahawks in 2000. The injury kept him from making Tampa Bay's roster during the ’01 preseason after the Chargers cut him. He participated in Seattle's spring minicamps and said he was looking forward to another chance. Leaf was scheduled to earn the NFL minimum salary of $525,000 and would have counted $450,000 against the salary cap in 2002.

Buchsbaum: Everyone is knocking Leaf on his retirement, and I know there are a hundred billion negative things you could say about him. However, let’s be fair — nobody really knows how serious that wrist injury really is. It may be so serious that no quarterback could play with it. So I think we should be objective to looking at his retirement. Maybe it was a truly forced retirement.

Sehorn not expected to be ready for opener

Giants CB Jason Sehorn had been working out for the first practice at training camp and then was forced to watch his teammates, unable to practice a second time because of weakness in his right knee following his third surgery since 1998. When asked about being ready for the Giants’ season opener on Sept. 5 against the San Francisco 49ers, Sehorn refuses to be pinned down. He is not sure, and with good reason. The knee surgery he had in January wasn't routine. Doctors found he had a hole in the bone at the bottom of his femur, and they performed a procedure called a microfracture. Sehorn said everything has gone fine so far, but now he has to build up the muscles in his right leg since he wasn't allowed to run until June. The nine-year veteran said he’ll regain strength in the weight room. Sehorn has been criticized in recent years because his level of play has slipped, and he seemingly has lost a step due to age and injuries. The fortunate thing for the Giants is they have some good, young cornerbacks in second-year pros Will Allen and Will Peterson, and Ralph Brown, who is entering his third season. When he's on the sideline, Sehorn spends time talking with all three.

Buchsbaum: The Giants have to be worried because Sehorn looks to be a long way away and may not be able to start the season with them on a regular basis. That means they will have to rely on their two young cornerbacks, Allen and Peterson, which should be fine, but then there is a big drop-off in terms of depth. The way the game is played today, you need at least three quality corners.

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2001 - 2002 Season