By Carter Toole
www.HoustonTexans.com
Dom Capers has always said the simplest route to the postseason is winning your division.
The Texans took a large step towards that goal in 2004, sweeping two division opponents (Jacksonville and Tennessee) for the first time. But it wasnt enough, considering the proverbial bully on the playground still stole their lunch money.
That would be the Indianapolis Colts, who won their second consecutive AFC South title by riding the leagues most prolific passing attack. Colts quarterback Peyton Manning set a single-season NFL record with 49 touchdown passes. He had three receivers with more than 1,000 receiving yards.
When youre playing in a division with the best passing offense in the National Football League, you cannot have enough good cover people, Houstons head coach said Wednesday. Theres nothing more frustrating than when you fall short in that area.
So it stands to reason that if the Texans are going to have any chance of knocking the Colts from their perch, they need to load up on defensive backs. Good defensive backs. And on Wednesday, the Texans knocked the Astros, Rockets, U.S. Clay Court Championships and Shell Houston Open below the fold with a potential blockbuster acquisition.
Houston traded two draft picks their second-round pick (47th overall) and their first of two third-round selections (74th overall) to the Raiders for cornerback Phillip Buchanon. The trade isnt yet official, pending the usual logistics that surround such transactions.
It will probably be another 24 hours before this thing would be officially announced and completed, general manager Charley Casserly said this afternoon before his annual pre-draft press conference. What needs to be done is the physical and then the paperwork cleared by the league. Once we get that done, there will be an official announcement, but we dont anticipate any issues.
Buchanon, the 17th overall selection of the 2002 draft, is one of the most athletic young defensive backs in the league. He owns 11 career interceptions, returning four for touchdowns. He has also returned three punts for scores.
As you look at the trade, this is nothing more than an attempt to upgrade our football team, Capers said. We scouted Phillip in our first year back in 2002 and we really liked him. We think he has the speed, the quickness and the athletic ability and hes also doubled as a punt return man and done very well at that.
Buchanon made an instant impact as a rookie, collecting 21 tackles and two picks, returning the second 81 yards for a touchdown at Buffalo to earn AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors. In one game against Tennessee, he returned a punt 83 yards for a touchdown and lateraled another punt to running back Terry Kirby for a 79-yard score. But Buchanon injured his wrist in Week 6 and landed on injured reserve.
In 2003, Buchanon started 11 of 16 games at right cornerback, tying for second in the AFC with six interceptions. He returned two of those for scores, totaling 176 yards on the six picks. Buchanon also returned two punts for touchdowns, averaging 13.6 yards per return.
Last season Buchanon started the first 14 games of the season and still paced the Raiders with three picks. But it was at times a bumpy ride. New head coach Norv Turner yanked Buchanon from the secondary in a game at Carolina on Nov. 7 and later replaced him on punt returns with Doug Gabriel. In the days leading up to the draft, the Raiders decided to gauge interest in Buchanon in the trade market.
We became aware a short time ago that he was available in a trade, Casserly said. This week we talked to the Raiders and discussed what they were looking for and we had another discussion about it yesterday. Last night at the baseball game we took our scouts to the game -- we completed the trade. It happened pretty fast over the past couple of days.
With his playmaking ability, Buchanon has the opportunity to make a strong Texans secondary even stronger. Second-year pro Dunta Robinson tied for the lead among NFL rookies last season with six picks. Veteran Aaron Glenn intercepted five passes last season and has picked off 11 since coming to Houston in 2002. Whether Buchanon plays nickel at the outset or starts remains to be seen. But at just 24 years of age, if he doesnt start right away, he can be groomed to replace Glenn, who turns 33 a few weeks before training camp.
Youre always going to try and generate as competitive a situation as you can, Capers said. If you can do that, it brings out the best in everybody. It gives us a good mix and cover people and it certainly gives us another young corner.
I met with Aaron this morning and his reaction was positive. Aaron is a competitor and Aaron has a lot of confidence in his ability. I think like everything, Aaron looks forward to the challenge.
Buchanon can also boast an 11-yard career average on punt returns, although his average dipped from 13.6 in 2003 to 5.8 in 2004. He has three punt return touchdowns to his credit, the last coming in the 2003 season finale. The Texans signed veteran returner Reggie Swinton earlier this week to compete with incumbent J.J. Moses. Where Buchanon fits in on that front also remains to be seen.
He certainly can get in the mix as a punt returner, Capers said. Whether he would end up being our punt returner, well just have to see how this all works out.
Its no surprise that Buchanon has proved to be a versatile pro, considering his background as a four-sport standout at Lehigh High School in Fort Myers, Fla. Besides all-state honors in football, he hit .463 at the plate, scored 20 points per game on the hardwood and ran a 10.5 100m. Buchanon eventually signed at Miami, where lined up opposite new teammate Andre Johnson in practice and helped the Canes win the 2001 national title. He applied for the draft as a junior after that season.
Cornerback was one of the positions the Texans were looking at come draft day. But at the 13th selection, the drafts top two corners Miamis Antrel Rolle and West Virginias Adam Jones would have likely been off the board. Now the Texans have the luxury of a young corner with experience and, in reality, it cost them just one pick, considering they had acquired an additional third-rounder from Dallas in last years Drew Henson trade.
Are you going to acquire a player as talented as Phillip Buchanon in the second round of the draft? Casserly asked. The answer is no.
And now Casserly will have to slightly amend his plans for Saturday. But he doesnt mind.
I guess I have to add something to what I said before today, Casserly said. Were going to take any position in the first round except quarterback
and now cornerback.
http://www.houstontexans.com/news/news_detail.php?PRKey=1633
It seems PB is a big play corner like Glenn and Dunta . The thing that creates these situations is a pass rush . With the secondary seemingly set and after signing Bradford , they'll take Merriman , Johnson , or Ware . The one thats on the board at 13 will be a Texan . That gives them Babin ,Peek and ? to chase the QB. They're also young and talented .
...I like that...If we can keep his attitude in check, then we may have gotten a steal...
.
