Buchanon Open To Returning Punts

New Redskins cornerback Phillip Buchanon said today on Comcast SportsNet's Washington Post Live that he is open to returning punts.

“Punt return is definitely still part of my game,” he said in a phone interview. “I returned punts in Oakland and Houston, but in Tampa, the special teams coach – his and my style didn’t fit.”

Buchanon said he was slated to be Detroit’s punt returner last year, but a neck injury early on opened the door for Dennis Northcutt.

The Redskins released returner Antwaan Randle El this offseason and have gotten very little out of the punt return game lately. Using DeAngelo Hall and Santana Moss could remain an option, but not on a full-time basis.

Buchanon’s best season returning punts was 2003 when he averaged 13.6 yards per attempt and scored two touchdowns.

Buchanon was released by Detroit, and said a big reason he signed with the Redskins was the presence of Mike Shanahan.

“He definitely runs a professional type of team atmosphere, and he has a lot of respect for his veteran players, the way his practice [regiment] is,” Buchanon said. “I heard a lot of good stuff about him over the years. I haven’t heard anything bad about him. That’s why it’s a good situation.”

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(csnwashington.com)