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Buc Phillip Buchanon sees his NFL life in rookie Aqib Talib

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
In print: Saturday, June 14, 2008

Bucs cornerbacks Aqib Talib, left, and Phillip Buchanon were flashy first-round draft picks for Bruce Allen-run teams.
	[EDMUND D. FOUNTAIN | Times]

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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."

Times staff writer Joe Smith can be reached at joesmith@sptimes.com.