Bucs/NFL

On paper, it must be a mismatch

The Bucs DBs hardly have the pedigree to run with Owens and Glenn.

By Stephen F. Holder
Published November 22, 2006

ADVERTISEMENT [Times photo: Brendan Fitterer] Cornerback Juran Bolden, who sustained a bruised fibula against the Redskins, is not likely to face the Cowboys on Thursday.

TAMPA - Terrell Owens and Terry Glenn have a combined 22 seasons of NFL experience, nearly 20,000 combined career yards and hours of highlight tape apiece.

And whom, exactly, do the Bucs plan to match against those Cowboys receivers in Thursday's Thanksgiving matchup at Texas Stadium? At times, journeyman Torrie Cox and a player some consider a first-round bust, Phillip Buchanon.

It's not the ideal situation for a 3-7 team entering a game against one of the hottest passing teams in the NFL. But it's all the Bucs have, considering cornerback Brian Kelly's season-ending surgery last month and the injury to his replacement, Juran Bolden, who sustained a bruised fibula against Washington and looks like a long shot to play against Dallas.

So, on deck are Cox and Buchanon, who will play alongside Ronde Barber as the left cornerback Cox and nickel back (Buchanon).

It's a tough assignment, to say the least. There's Owens, who has seven receiving touchdowns (second most in the NFL) and is equally likely to leap over you or run through you. Then, there's Glenn, who has track-like speed and catlike quickness.

"They're different kinds of guys completely," Cowboys coach Bill Parcells said. "Owens is a big powerful guy with good speed. Terry is a quick, elusive guy."

The common trait?

"Both of them are dangerous," quarterback Tony Romo said. "Any given week - it depends on the coverage and what the defense is doing - either one of them could have a big game."

And, as everyone on the planet has likely heard by now, Romo has taken the league by storm after supplanting Drew Bledsoe as the starter last month. His quarterback rating is 100.0 after four starts.

There's just one guy with a better rating. His name is Peyton Manning (100.5).

"I liked what he did in the preseason last year," Bucs coach Jon Gruden said. "I thought he lit it up. I said, 'Man, who is this guy?' I think he's been on everybody's radar since that preseason a year ago. That's why you were hearing all those rumors about him becoming the starter at some point.

"I'll tell you, he's got that play-making fever right now."

In the past five weeks, Romo has thrown a 51-yard touchdown to Owens, a 53-yard touchdown to Patrick Crayton and a 48-yard strike, also to Crayton.

As for Cox, the fourth-year player from Pitt would be making his first career start if the gimpy Bolden sits out. He has seen increased action as the nickel back since Kelly's injury, but this could be the most extensive action he has seen in his career.

"I want to just go out and have fun and make something happen," Cox said.

Buchanon, a former first-round pick from Miami, would have a critical role as the nickel back if Bolden is unable to play. And with Barber likely sliding inside to the slot in passing situations, Buchanon could find himself outside against Owens or Glenn. After Cox and Buchanon, the only other available cornerback is rookie Alan Zemaitis, who has yet to be active for a game.

"I'm definitely looking forward to it if Juran isn't playing," Buchanon said. "It's just another chance for me to go out and show what I can do since people say I've lost it."

But in the next breath, Buchanon allowed, "Glenn and T.O. are definitely a threat to take it to the house anytime they touch the ball. They're Pro Bowl receivers. Maybe even Hall of Fame receivers. And Romo is playing real good, too. Right now, they're hitting on all cylinders.

"I just hope we can cool them off."

Stephen F. Holder can be reached at sholder@sptimes.com or (813) 226-3377.

[Last modified November 22, 2006, 06:19:50]