Contract-year CB Phillip Buchanon says he's more inclined to re-sign with the Bucs after they named Raheem Morris their defensive coordinator in 2009.




(sport-daily.com)

TAMPA - Meeting the two Tampa Bay Buccaneers players who visited patients today at St. Joseph's Children's Hospital would have been a special 12th birthday for Collin Goldstein.

But when cornerback Phillip Buchanon took off his diamond watch and handed it to Collin, the birthday turned way beyond special.

The boy held up his arm, the watch large enough to slide past his elbow, his face aglow.

"The best birthday present ever," he said. "I got Buchanon's watch."

The cornerback and wide receiver Maurice Stovall signed autographs, chatted and handed out stuffed Bucs bears to several dozen children at the hospital.

The birthday gift was a spur-of-the-moment thing for Buchanon. It turns out the Freeze watch was one of his favorites. He waited weeks for the black version to come in.

"I can wait again," he said.

It wasn't his first visit to children in hospitals. He also did it in Miami, where he went to college, and Houston, where he played for the Texans before signing in 2006 with Tampa Bay.

"I try to just talk to them and cheer them up," he said.

Junior Rivera of Lutz added to his collection of Bucs autographs with Stovall and Buchanon.

Junior, 11, in the hospital after an emergency appendectomy, is a huge Bucs fan. He could only whisper because of the pain in his stomach, he said.

"There's not one thing in my room that isn't black and red," he said.

After autographing a poster and team pennant, Buchanon bent close to Junior.

"You can do whatever you want to do. Put your mind to it," Buchanon said.

"This is a dream come true. Go Bucs!" Junior said.

Michael Lopergalo slapped Stovall's outstretched palm when the player stood in front of him. At 4 years old, he was happy to be out of the hospital room, where he has been since Thursday because of a hip infection, said his mom, Carole Daysh of Land O' Lakes.

"He's been locked up in his room the whole week," she said.

Was he excited about meeting the players?

"Yeah," Michael said.

The visit by the players is part of a community outreach program carried out around the National Football League every Tuesday, the players' day off.

Players volunteer for the visits, which also include working with schools, clubs and organizations the players pick.

The team teddy bears were given to every child in the hospital. About 247,000 have been handed out since 1999 through the Glazer Family Foundation, a charitable organization created by Bucs owner Malcolm Glazer.

Every child who enters one of seven hospitals — five in the Tampa Bay area and two in Orlando — is given a football player bear or cheerleader bear.

Collin, who has spent three of his 12 birthdays in the hospital because of a severe digestive disorder, picked a cheerleader bear this time to go with the player bear he already had, said his mother, Judy Gilbert of Clearwater.

Collin beamed at the watch.

"I don't ever want to get rid of it," he said.

But what did he intend to do with it?

"Use it to tell time," he said.

(tbo.com)

The St. Petersburg Times reports Tampa Bay Buccaneers CB Phillip Buchanon said he wants to make more "splash plays" this season, turning turnovers into touchdowns like he did in his days at the University of Miami. Buchanon's 26-yard score on a interception return in the first quarter Sunday was the fifth of his career but first since 2004. "It felt normal," Buchanon said with a grin. "It definitely felt like I belonged (in the end zone). After me missing the 2005, 2006 and 2007 years without scoring a touchdown, it just didn't really feel right because I'm so used to scoring."

(ffmastermind.com)

Had Phillip Buchanon sprung from his sofa or strung together a row of expletives, no one could have blamed him.

The cornerback's first full season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was a fruitful one, the sort of campaign that establishes equity between player and team.

But a few months after it ended, the Buccaneers added another face to their defensive backfield - and a talented one in Aqib Talib, who Tampa Bay took with the first pick of the 2008 NFL Draft in April.

Hurt? Angry? Vexed? Pick an emotion, any emotion, Phillip.

His choice? None of the above.
The Fort Myers native is too happy in Tampa Bay to complain. He looks at Talib and doesn't see a kid waiting to take his spot - he sees a player stuffed with potential who can only make the Buccaneers better. He sees a respectful rookie that Buchanon, a first-round pick himself in 2002, will make himself available to whenever Talib has any questions.

And he sees this offseason just as every other - a chance to prepare and make Phillip Buchanon a better football player.

"I always took pride in pushing myself, and I'll continue to push myself to be the best," Buchanon said Monday afternoon at One Buc Place. "My goal, ever since I came into the league, was to be one of the best players at my position. I still have that same drive, so nothing has really changed."

Why change? An injury to Brian Kelly opened the door for Buchanon in 2007, and he finished with 63 tackles and three interceptions in helping Tampa Bay win the NFC South.

"I can't say enough positive things about him, to be honest with you," said defensive backs coach Raheem Morris. "I always kind of expect the guys I put out there to play well, so it would be hard for me to tell you I was surprised. Did he make plays that I've seen that have surprised me? Yes.

"He's got enormous ability, unbelievable movement and some of the stuff he does on tape you just look at it and go, 'Wow.' "

Apparently, Buchanon hasn't missed a step since last year.

"No one's talking about him," said head coach Jon Gruden, "but Philip Buchanon is having a great camp."

Buchanon credits his coaches. Morris and defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin know when it's time to work - but they also know how to keep things fun, too.

And there's a degree of freedom and openness in Tampa that Buchanon said he didn't taste while playing with the Oakland Raiders and Houston Texans.

"They tell you the truth. In certain situations I've been in, in Houston and Oakland, they don't really tell you the whole story," he said. "(The Bucs') teaching tools make sense. . . . Since I was young, I was always the guy that asked questions. And the one thing I like about playing here is they always give you the freedom to say how you feel."

Back in his native state and comfortable on the field, Buchanon is happy to be wearing pewter - regardless of what happened last April.

"Ever since I got here, they said, 'Go out here, do your stuff and we'll tweak you a little,' " he said. "They don't hassle me as much, they don't deal with me like a high school kid.

"I think they over analyzed when I was in certain places. Whenever you overanalyze, you think too much. . . . And you don't feel comfortable."

(bradenton.com)

LAKE BUENA VISTA | Phillip Buchanon is a young man at 27 years old, but he feels he has gone through a lot in his six years in the NFL.

Buchanon went from a flashy first-round draft pick to being outright released in a little less than five seasons.

Since coming to the Tampa Bay in 2006, however, Buchanon is becoming known for his consistency at cornerback.

"He's been here two years, and he's more comfortable with me and more comfortable in the system," said Tampa Bay secondary coach Raheem Morris. "He's looking great in camp. He's looking awesome."

In college, many thought the 5-foot-11, 186-pound Buchanon was on his way to joining the long list of great University of Miami's great defensive players. He had seven interceptions in 32 games, including five his senior season. He also led the Big East with a 15-yard punt return average and had two touchdowns.

That play-making ability caught the Oakland Raiders' attention, and they traded up to take Buchanon with the 17th pick in the first round of the 2002 NFL Draft.

Yet, after two strong seasons in which he had three interception returns and three punt returns for touchdowns, Buchanon's stock went into a nosedive.

He was sent to Houston in 2005 and played a season and a half before being benched. He was released Oct. 16, 2006. Tampa Bay signed him one day later and the change of environment rejuvenated the Fort Myers native.

The problems Oakland and Houston seemingly had with Buchanon - poor coverage skills, poor tackling - have not appeared with the Bucs.

He played in 10 games with the Bucs in 2006 but really had an impact last season. Buchanon set a career high with 63 tackles, ranked second on the team with three interceptions and ranked third on the team with a career-high 11 passes defended. He also forced a fumble and returned a team-high 16 punts.

"He was a great player coming out of Miami," said Tampa Bay coach Jon Gruden. "You don't get picked in the first round unless you are. He went to Houston and actually did some good things there. But he is a very athletic, gifted athlete and he's a great kid. He's got a lot of pride and he's playing really good football for us."

Buchanon said he got a bad rap in Oakland and Houston.

"I'm in a better environment," he said. "I never figured myself to have a problem with tackling. The situations that I was put in - it was down, a lot of losing, a lot of things going on behind closed doors that people didn't know about. It was kind of depressing. But at the same time, I came here with the mind-set of coming here playing. They respect you (in Tampa). They make you feel like a man, and in certain places they didn't make you feel that way.

"People are always going to have a knock on you," Buchanon said. "They're always going to have good and bad things about you. I'm focused on doing things that I can control, and that is focus on being a better player, a better tackler, making more plays, helping my team win and doing whatever they want me to do."

He knows he can't afford to rest.

With Brian Kelly leaving for Detroit, Buchanon inherited the open starting corner spot. But the Bucs brought in Eugene Wilson from New England and drafted another flashy cornerback, Aqib Talib, with their first pick in the 2008 NFL Draft.

"Competition always brings out the best in everybody," Morris said. "A lot of guys in my room, they're motivated guys. I don't think anybody ever doesn't want to be great. From the bottom up in that group, they're going to fight everyday. Phil came back with that same mind-set to fight. He had a bad ending in Oakland, a bad ending in Houston, and I think he found something here he likes and wants to keep it and he's fighting for it."

For Buchanon, it's just a matter of focusing in on the game he loves.

"You've heard the commercial that says 'Believe in now?'" he asked. "I just try to take it for the now. I'm just focused on the day and let the game come to me. So when they come to me, I'll be ready to play."

(theledger.com)

(On working on his hands to catch balls better) “I would like to rate my hands to be one of the best hands on the team, I always tell all of the players that. When it comes to plays like that, I like to make those plays. Sometimes I can’t but I will keep working on it.”

(On his knowledge of the defensive system) “I am just playing, I am just playing football, and I think I am just playing. I don’t know how good of a camp I am really having, I know I am breaking some balls up, but I am just playing the game of football that I love. What [Defensive Coordinator] Monte Kiffin tells me, and what Raheem tells me, I am still learning, and Ronde is still teaching me, so I am learning from him. I am also learning from other players in certain things that they do. I am enjoying myself to the best of my ability, and I am playing the game of football, something I love. I am just going to keep on working hard, and keep pushing myself.”

(On what he looks to work on in the first preseason game) “Just work on timing and just trying to make the right fits and just trying to get back into the game process and everything. [I am] just taking it step-by-step. I am going to go out there and just build off of some of the things I did last year and then try to fix some things so I will be ready before the opening game at the New Orleans Saints.”

(On improving his tackling skills) “I would say a better environment. I never figured myself to have a problem with tackling anyway. I think the situation that I was put in, it was down, a lot of losing, a lot of stuff going on behind closed doors that people don’t really know about it, it was kind of depressing. At the same time, I just came here with the mindset of me just coming out here playing. It is just the environment, they respect you, they make you feel like a man, and at certain places they never really make you feel that way. They have a great deal of respect here and that is one thing that I love about playing in Tampa.”

(On the need to be able to tackle in the secondary) “Being here, we take pride [in our tackling]. When you watch Ronde and Derrick Brooks, and all these other veteran players, they lead by example. So if you don’t fall in line, you are going to be left behind. It is real simple to just fall in line. I like the way that they approach practice, the way they approach the game. They study and they are just on top of things. They are never perfect, you can never be perfect, but you can try to be perfect and that is Ronde’s and Derrick Brooks’ motto.”

(On where the defense can improve) “You can always improve every year, because we were number two so we want to be number one, so we can improve in that area. If we can improve on making more impact plays, to help our offense, to give our offense some more [yards] and put them in a better situation, because Tampa’s defense prides itself on getting turnovers and scoring with them, so that was always the whole implication once I first got here. So if we can emphasize more on that, and being more physical, stripping the balls, and trying to get the ball back and scoring with it, not just turning the ball over but scoring with it. That is more of the improvement that I see, that we can make a big improvement on. As far as that, just having fun and everybody just showing effort and hustling.”

(tampablab.com)

When CB Phillip Buchanon joined the Bucs in 2006, he had developed a reputation as an indifferent tackler in stops at Oakland and Houston.

Buchanon has shown a willingness to be more physical in Tampa's scheme, which calls for defensive backs to play a key role in stopping the run and wrapping up receivers after the catch.

"Being here, we take pride in tackling," Buchanon said. "When you watch CB Ronde Barber and LB Derrick Brooks and all these other veteran players, they lead by example. If you don't fall in line, you are going to be left behind."

(tbo.com)

LAKE BUENA VISTA - The chip on the shoulder is gone. The limo and the pajama suit are history.

The "Showtime" nickname? Old news.

Meet Bucs cornerback Phillip Buchanon, loving life one snap at a time since the day of his rebirth, Oct. 17, 2006, when Tampa Bay quickly signed him after the exasperated Texans called an audible and dropped him off at the nearest NFL curb.

Buchanon displays the same grin he flashed out of the University of Miami in 2002, when the Raiders selected him with the 17th overall pick.
But make no mistake, Buchanon isn't the same player. For one thing, he's willing to tackle someone.

"Phillip was a young guy when he made a couple of interceptions and Deion Sanders called him 'Showtime' on TV," said Bucs secondary coach Raheem Morris. "It kind of went to his head a little bit. Now he's a more disciplined player and he's a junkie in the film room. ... I can't ask for a better guy."

Once again, Monte Kiffin's Cover 2 has turned a career around.

"If you want to play defense in the NFL, this is the spot," said defensive tackle Chris Hovan, once labeled an unchecked free spirit in Minnesota. "If you love football, this is it because they're going to coach the heck out of you. Then it's up to you to do the rest."

Buchanon, 27, played three years with the Raiders before he was dealt to Houston for a pair of high draft picks. By the time he left Oakland, he had already forged a reputation as a prima donna.

Arriving at 2003 training camp in a limousine, sporting party pajamas, proved to be a garish fashion statement Buchanon couldn't shake.

"Phillip came into the league with the typical Hurricanes chip on his shoulder," said Tampa Bay tight ends coach Bob Casullo, who coached special teams for the Raiders when Buchanon broke into the NFL. "He goes to Houston and he's really a non-factor, then he comes here and he's been revitalized."

Buchanon started 13 games for the Bucs in 2007, and he's enjoying a standout camp, holding off first-round pick Aqib Talib at left corner.

"My whole motto now is keep pushing," Buchanon said. "Keep watching film, keep listening to coaches and keep doing the right thing. I've matured as a player, but I've always had the same personality - I always wanted to be the best."

Buchanon's quickness marked him as a dangerous punt returner for Casullo in Oakland, and he has scored seven touchdowns as a pro, bringing back four interceptions for scores.

His last trip to the end zone came in 2004, when Brad Johnson floated a pass and Buchanon brought it back 32 yards against the Bucs during a nationally televised Sunday night game in Jon Gruden's return to Oakland.

"Phillip Buchanon covers grass in a hurry, and he loves football," Gruden said. "We believe in giving guys from other teams an opportunity, and we have a group of men here who can coach anyone up."

Despite their investment in Buchanon, the Texans quickly grew disenchanted with his chronic injuries and a perceived aversion to physical play.
Within a day of Buchanon's release, Bucs GM Bruce Allen brought him to Tampa.

"We traded up to get Phillip in Oakland," said Allen, a Raiders executive from 1995-2003. "He was a little down when we got him and there were some knocks on his play, but we saw a dynamic playmaker with rare ball skills."

It didn't take long before Buchanon was having fun in pewter. As that smile returned, Buchanon's frustrations faded.

"They let me be me here," he said. "It's not one of those situations where they want me to be a robot."

Like Hovan, Simeon Rice and Greg Spires before him, Buchanon serves as a testament to Tampa Bay's coaching staff.

"Phillip tackles for me and he works hard for me," Morris said. "He said when he came here that he wanted to re-establish his identity. Having Talib here will make him better, but believe me, Phillip Buchanon was already on a mission."

(tbo.com)

The Tampa Tribune reports while Buccaneers first-round draft pick CB Aqib Talib is off to a good start in training camp, flashing good speed and instincts, incumbent starting CB Phillip Buchanon is enjoying an even better camp. Talib has done a nice job picking up the intricacies of DC Monte Kiffin's Cover 2 scheme and Tampa Bay coaches are happy with his progress, but if the season started today, Talib would be the nickel back behind CB Ronde Barber and Buchanon, who has solidified his starting job with a strong commitment to getting better with each practice. If Talib fails to unseat Buchanon as a starter, he still figures to factor heavily into Tampa Bay's secondary, beginning with the Sept. 7 opener at New Orleans. The Bucs utilize a third corner on almost 50 percent of their defensive snaps. With Barber manning the slot in the nickel, Talib will have every opportunity to show he can handle receivers that are flanked out wide.

(ffmastermind.com)

“He was a big asset last year. He and Aqib [Talib] and Ronde Barber are very good players and Eugene Wilson is doing some excellent things at the corner position too. Phillip is having an outstanding camp to this point.”



(community.abcactionnews.com)

The Tampa Tribune reports Buccaneers CB Phillip Buchanon is expected to fend off first round draft pick CB Aqib Talib and veteran CB/FS Eugene Wilson to retain his starting job. Buchanon revitalized his career last season. He appeared in every game and had 14 starts (including the playoff game), recording 63 tackles and three interceptions on the NFL's top ranked secondary.

(ffmastermind.com)

TAMPA — There once was a first-round draft pick nicknamed "Showtime," a cornerback who competed for a starting spot as a rookie on a Bruce Allen-run team.

Phillip Buchanon may joke that it seems like ages ago when he delivered big plays in three starts for the AFC champion Raiders in 2002.

Today, Buchanon, 27, in the final year of his Bucs contract, finds a flashy first-rounder, Aqib Talib, among the defensive backs vying for time at the spot where he had a career high in tackles in '07 for general manager Allen's current team.

Buchanon, the incumbent at left corner opposite Ronde Barber, was far from bothered by the Bucs bolstering the competition. "It's a business," he said.

And he hopes as he and the Bucs discuss a contract extension, his play does most of his talking.

"They drafted a corner because they felt that was a need," Buchanon said. "I'm just going to go out and do my thing, try to make some splash plays."

"Splash plays" is a buzz phrase for defensive backs coach Raheem Morris. And a game-breaking ability to turn turnovers into touchdowns was what stood out about Talib, an All-American from Kansas. And though Buchanon impressed the coaching staff last season with his steady play while starting 13 games for injured Brian Kelly, Morris says it's those special plays he's seeking from the six-year veteran.

Buchanon knows he can improve his play recognition and welcomes competition from Talib, Sammy Davis and free-agent pickup Eugene Wilson.

Defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin said on draft day that with the offenses in the NFC South, a team can never have enough corners and that Talib could easily spend time as a nickel corner, depending on how he picks up the system.

Talib said that learning the playbook, which is "five times bigger" than at Kansas, has been one of his biggest adjustments.
"I'm getting there," Talib said. "I'm a lot better than two weeks ago when I started with it."

Bucs coach Jon Gruden said Talib is a good young player.

"With young players, I don't want to say anything too early. He's got talent," Gruden said. "But Buchanon was a No. 1 draft pick. So was Sammy Davis. And those guys played good for us last season. So (Talib is) in a competitive situation. Eugene Wilson has (played) in three Super Bowls. But (Talib) does have talent."

Gruden says Talib is going to be "the face of the franchise." Buchanon is helping Talib learn the ropes, tapping into his experience, especially for game preparation. Buchanon, a Fort Myers native, said his show-up-and-play mentality from his college days at Miami has been transformed into an insatiable appetite for film study and grasping schemes.

Buchanon "is always searching for an edge," Morris said. "He's a film junkie. He's doing a great job at that and has made a lot of progress."

(tampabay.com)

Bucs rookie CB Aqib Talib will need to have an exceptional training camp, similar to the one FS Tanard Jackson had a year ago, if he's going to break into the starting lineup and unseat Phillip Buchanon, the way we hear it. Talib is penciled in as the team's nickel back, but coaches have been very careful about what they say concerning the competition between the rookie and Buchanon for a starting spot. The Bucs don't want Buchanon to get too comfortable and are hoping that Talib will push him in the next few months. Word out of Tampa is that coaches have been pretty pleased with what they've seen from Talib thus far in workouts, but they have not forgotten about how well Buchanon played in 13 starts last season after Brian Kelly went down with a groin injury. For now, sources envision Talib lining up on the same side of the field as SS Jermaine Phillips in the nickel package, which is intended to free up CB Ronde Barber to be more aggressive and make plays on the ball, while Buchanon remains the starter.

(profootballweekly.com)

After Tuesday's storm-shortened organized team activity, Bucs cornerback Phillip Buchanon discussed numerous topics with Pewter Report. At the forefront of the conversation, Buchanon indicated that his representatives are discussing a contract extension with the Buccaneers.

Buchanon is in the final year of his contract with Tampa Bay. He is scheduled to hit free agency next February. Sources have indicated to Pewter Report that the contract discussions are ongoing.

"Yeah, there are talks going on. Right now they're just talking," said Buchanon. "Right now I'm just playing football and doing what I do, but hopefully we'll get something done. I got one year left on the deal and I'm going to play it out, so hopefully we get something done cause I like being here in Tampa."

After extending fullback B.J. Askew last week, the Buccaneers have been attempting to retain some of their players for seasons to come. One player who has been in negotiations with the team is Jeff Garcia. The Pro Bowl veteran quarterback has been displeased with the pace of the contract talks, and expressed that to the media. Buchanon shared his view on handling his contact, and Garcia's potential new deal.

"Personally for me, if I was younger I would speak out," said Buchanon. "Now I'm more mature, and now I'm just one of those guys that feels that things will work out [with a new contract]. If it doesn't work out, well, it's a business. Sometimes things work out for the best and sometimes they don't. I'm just approaching this season as hopefully it's not my last, but on my deal it says it's my last. I'm going to go out there and give it my all, and play hard, and focus on the things I need to focus on because I only control so much.

"The whole thing with Jeff Garcia, I sure hope they come to a deal, because Jeff is definitely a good quarterback, hopefully they work it out. I'll just focus on me."

Last season, Buchanon started 13 games at left cornerback. He made 63 tackles with three interceptions, 11 passes defensed, and one forced fumble. As a punt returner, Buchanon fielded 16 balls and averaged 3.4 yards per return. His longest return was 24 yards against Jacksonville on Oct. 28.

Entering 2008, Buchanon will have competition at the starting left cornerback position opposite Pro Bowl corner Ronde Barber.

Tampa Bay has many players competing at cornerback. The Bucs used their first-round pick on cornerback Aqib Talib, signed free agent Eugene Wilson, and re-signed Sammy Davis. In the 2007 NFL Draft, the Bucs selected cornerback Marcus Hamilton in the seventh round, who will also compete for a roster spot.

"It's definitely a big competition," said Buchanon. "I going to go out there and do what I do, and get better, and focus on the things that I can focus on. We got Talib, Eugene, Sammy Davis, we got a lot of guys out here working trying to make things happen."

Buchanon harbored no bitterness to the organization for drafting a player at his position. In fact, Buchanon was eager to help Talib with the transition to the NFL.

"I was pretty much aware that they were going to draft a corner, so I knew it," said Buchanon. "It wasn't a surprise to me it's a business, and the Bucs, they draft on what they need.

"I'm just going to take him in and embrace him. If he has any questions that he wants to ask me on film or anything. I was a first-rounder too, so I'll definitely be able to help him. At the same time I'm going to go out there and do what I do, and I have to play better than I did last year. That's what I'm focused on."

Buchanon entered the NFL as a first-round pick in the 2002 NFL Draft by the Oakland Raiders, 17th overall. Bucs general manager Bruce Allen was part of the Oakland front office that selected Buchanon. After three seasons with the Raiders, Buchanon was traded to the Houston Texans for second and third-round picks in the 2005 draft.

The Texans released Buchanon during the 2006 season, and he was signed by the Buccaneers in mid-October of that year. With Tampa Bay, Buchanon has turned his career around and has become a dependable starter. After experiencing some of the hardships of the NFL, Buchanon views the situation with the Bucs to be exceptional for young players like Talib and Hamilton. The organization has a legendary defensive coordinator in Monte Kiffin, and a highly regarded defensive backs coach in Raheem Morris.

"I personally think this is one of the better systems for a corner to come up in, to come up under Monte Kiffin and Raheem," said Buchanon. "When I was in Oakland it was more of me just being me and doing my thing. I made mistakes, but playing in Tampa, man, I won't even lie to you, these guys [Talib and Hamilton] are blessed to even come into this situation. I think the coaching here is just better. The quality of coaches is better. Just the other day I was talking to him and I said ‘Man Talib, you're in a good situation, just listen and learn, and do your thing.'"

For Buchanon, not only have the young cornerbacks come into a great organization, but the veterans have as well. Buchanon discussed one of the reasons why he enjoys the offseason workouts, and how Wilson is looking as a Buc.

"Eugene is looking good," said Buchanon. "He's still learning, so he's taking it day to day, so [Morris] is giving him a hard time, but Raheem is definitely one of those coaches that you like because he has personality, and he makes coming to work fun. That's one thing that I like about Raheem. It's rare that you get coaches like that. He makes it fun even during OTA days when some guys don't want to be here. For me its cool to come in, because I know Raheem is going to be here and we can talk and we can joke and we laugh and we have fun, so it's cool to me. Eugene is looking good, he's definitely looking good."

Coming off of a solid 2007, in his first full season with Tampa Bay, Buchanon indicated that he is looking to make a lot of splash plays for the Bucs in 2008. If Buchanon makes good on his goal, the team could possibly save some money by signing Buchanon to a contract extension before he becomes a free agent next February.

With returning starters Buchanon and Barber, and with the additions of Talib and Wilson, the Buccaneers look to be very strong at the cornerback position despite losing long-time starter Brian Kelly in free agency. In the weeks to come the Buccaneers may retain Buchanon with a long-term contract extension, and have him to pair with Talib to be a quick athletic cornerback tandem for years to come.

(pewterreport.com)

You might have read recently about new Buccaneers DB Eugene Wilson and his successful debut at cornerback during this week's initial offseason practices. I was struck by defensive backs coach Raheem Morris' comment that strongly indicated left cornerback will be up for grabs. That's where Brian Kelly used to play and where Phillip Buchanon was presumably going to start. Whether it's just coach-speak or not, Morris was pretty adamant that Wilson is in the mix. "You have an open corner spot," Morris said. "We want to see what goes down there. Guys have to jump up and compete. (Kelly) left and he was a big part of us, but we have guys who are ready to step up." Morris also mentioned that Wilson "is looking like a stud right now," which is certainly promising. If everyone stays healthy, cornerback should be a position of strength.

(stpetersburghtimes.com)

On Thursday, Pewter Report spoke to Bucs cornerback Phillip Buchanon about his absence from the Bucs first organized team activity on Tuesday. Buchanon was at an NFL function at the Harvard Business School. Buchanon spoke about that obligation on Thursday.

"I was just taking care of some business," said Buchanon. "It was nothing major. It was something I committed to, so I had to go take care of that."

Currently Buchanon's contract with Tampa Bay runs out at the end of the 2008 season. There has been talk that the two sides could come together on a long-term deal this offseason, but no such deal is in place yet.

"Right now I'm just playing football and trying to get better," said Buchanon. "I'll let my agent and the Bucs handle that. I'm just playing football. Hopefully something good will get worked out."

Cornerback is a position the Buccaneers are rumored to be targeting in this month's draft. The 27-year-old Buchanon indicated he follows the draft process and has his own opinions about potential teammates.

"There are some guys that I do like in this draft, but that's for me to keep to myself," said Buchanon. "I'll let the Bucs decide who they want to draft, but I do like some of the [cornerbacks] in this draft."

(pewterreport.com)