Buchanon flashes old sizzle

The cornerback's pre-injury form is on display in big game.

By STEPHEN F. HOLDER, Times Staff Writer
Published September 24, 2007

ADVERTISEMENT [JAMES BORCHUCK | Times] Bucs cornerback Phillip Buchanon intercepts a third quarter pass in the end zone. Buchanon caught the ball near the back corner of the end zone and could have settled for a touchback. Instead, he chose to run the ball, getting as far as the 13. Audio: Shelton: 'Garcia could run for mayor' Photo gallery

TAMPA - Phillip Buchanon knows most people remember him for making body-contorting interceptions and long returns as a Miami Hurricane.

Others, he said, might recall him fielding punts and running by exasperated would-be tacklers en route to the end zone as a rookie for the Oakland Raiders.

None of that has been witnessed since his arrival in Tampa Bay midway through last season. But after an impressive performance in Sunday's win over the St. Louis Rams, Buchanon said he's still capable of the things he did as a Hurricane and a Raider.

"To be honest, I feel like I've been that player all along," said Buchanon, whose leaping end-zone interception of a Marc Bulger pass in the third quarter foiled a promising St. Louis drive and preserved Tampa Bay's 10-0 lead.

"It's just the atmosphere and the teams I've been on. And I was hurt. That goes for anybody out there who asks, 'What happened to Phillip Buchanon?'

"I guess people just expect so much from you. I was a first-round pick. I played at Miami. I made a big impact there. I've always been known to make big plays, so people start to expect that from you. That's all right."

Injuries in Oakland, and later Houston, limited Buchanon's playing time and effectiveness. It became easy to forget he had a combined eight interceptions and six touchdowns in his first two NFL seasons.

But Buchanon has been able to showcase himself the past two games because of starting cornerback Brian Kelly's groin injury. Kelly returned to the lineup Sunday but gave way to Buchanon early in the game. Kelly went on to play solely in nickel defense situations, allowing him "to be careful. I understand the seriousness of the injury."

So, in went Buchanon, and the Bucs didn't miss a beat. He was step for step with his man throughout the day and showed signs of his previous playmaking abilities.

He did that not only with his drive-killing interception but with his near-touchdown off a recovered fumble that he returned 30 yards for a score. Defensive end Kevin Carter was ruled offsides, however, and the play was overturned.

But the point was made.

"He loves to have the ball in his hands and he talks about it constantly," cornerback Ronde Barber said.

On the interception, which came on a Rams first down at the Bucs 10 yard line, Buchanon caught the ball near the back corner of the end zone and could have settled for a touchback. Instead, he chose to run the ball, getting as far as the 13.

But what do you expect from a brash former Hurricane who is not lacking in confidence?

"He was trying to break the NFL record and catch the ball in the back of the end zone and go," Barber said. "You knew he was going to return it."

"I had to," he said when asked about the decision.

Surely those who remember him know what might have been.

[Last modified September 23, 2007, 22:38:37]