Turning the Corner (Philip Buchanon Update)

Jul/03/07 10:15 AM Filed in: Phillip Buchanon
“[Buchanon] came in late last season, and he and Ronde and Brian Kelly give us three really good corners that we’re excited about,” said Head Coach Jon Gruden. “He’s probably the one guy on the perimeter that has really caught my eye as a newcomer. They’re have been some other guys doing well, but Buchanon’s making a lot of plays. He’s worked extremely hard.”

Buchanon attributes his good showing on the practice field to the work of Defensive Coordinator Monte Kiffin and Defensive Backs Coach Raheem Morris. According to the former first-round draft pick, Kiffin and Morris have designed his role to fit his talents – speed, smooth feet, quick play-recognition – and maximize his impact. However, Buchanon is more reluctant to predict what that will mean for the Bucs’ defense in 2007. Perhaps because his stops in Oakland and Houston ended in one trade and one release, he isn’t one to talk himself up in the offseason.

“For me, it’s just talk,” he said. “I’m more of a person who wants to prove it during the season. It’s too early to be talking about that. Yeah, everything sounds good, but I would prefer to wait until the season and then do my thing. Right now, this is just practice, so it doesn’t really count.”

But it does make an impact on the coaching staff’s planning and on the confidence of his teammates. Barber, for one, has been impressed with Buchanon’s development in the Bucs’ system.

“It’s hard to see why a guy like that hasn’t been on anywhere,” said the four-time Pro Bowler. “I don’t know why he fell out of favor in Houston last year, but we’re happy to have him. He can help us, definitely. He showed a little bit last year and this is an opportunity to show more.”

Added Gruden: “He looks like the Phillip Buchanon that came out of the Miami Hurricanes a couple years ago. He’s quick, he’s got a quick trigger, he jumps patterns, he’s a very instinctive guy and I’m very pleased with what he’s done, very pleased.”

Buchanon took the starting spot opposite Barber from Bolden late in the 2006 season. Bolden was then released prior to the start of free agency after two seasons as, essentially, the nickel back in Tampa. During the four games he started, the Bucs recorded five of their 11 interceptions and 10 of their 25 sacks on the season and dropped their yardage allowed average a bit to 190.0 per game.

If that represents improvement with Buchanon, then the Bucs are doubly pleased to have his return (he re-signed with the team at the start of free agency) and Kelly’s comeback.

(buccaneers.com)