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Buchanon Resolves To Improve

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 4, 2007

TAMPA - Nearly everyone in Tampa Bay's locker room was joyous after the Bucs' 27-23 road victory against New Orleans, but CB Phillip Buchanon was not so cheerful.

Buchanon was disappointed with his performance during the victory, especially considering he was beat on two pass plays. In the first quarter, Buchanon was burned by WR Marques Colston on a 40-yard pass and that immediately was followed by Terrance Copper's 4-yard touchdown reception against him.

"It was just technique. I had bad technique. It was a situation where I just beat myself," Buchanon said. "There was just some other things going on and I feel like I left plays out there on the field. At the same time, I expect so much from myself.

"I'm happy we won the game. That was our main objective."

Buchanon also struggled on punt returns. He slipped on one punt return and was unable to field the ball and was tackled for a 6-yard loss on another return. He eventually was pulled in favor of Ike Hilliard.

"I'm better than that. I'm not going to try ... I am going to improve this week," Buchanon said.

Although Buchanon struggled, secondary coach Raheem Morris said he played well considering how strong New Orleans' receivers were. Morris said the key to Tampa Bay's secondary success was imposing its will against New Orleans by playing physical and wearing down the Saints.

"When you talk about the New Orleans Saints, that's a good team," Morris said. "They have some good wideouts, a good quarterback and a good offensive plan. Our guys stood up in the second half. They didn't give up anything else and we got a win when we needed it most.

"Whenever you play a team that can jump over you and catch a football, it's a struggle. You got to keep fighting. You got to take it one snap at a time. All of those guys took that mentality out there of playing one snap at a time and it was a big win."

CAMERA SHY: Gruden's latest sideline tirade against the officials was on full display Sunday for anyone watching the Bucs-Saints game on Fox. The cameras focused on Gruden repeatedly during a third-quarter exchange, with the many F-bombs clear to see and even hear.

Monday, a remorseful Gruden said he would be more careful in the future.

"I have a lot of work to do and I'm doing my best. I regret it," Gruden said. "I'm not going to get into it any further other than that I embarrass myself, my mother and my family sometimes and I have to do a better job.

"I wish the camera would focus on the game, too, in all honesty. But I have to show more poise in those situations."

ALL BY MYSELF: TE Anthony Becht found himself all alone in the end zone when he caught a 1-yard touchdown pass at the beginning of the second quarter. Becht said that while examining film, coaches discovered nobody was covering him during passing plays, which is what led to his first reception this season.

"People are always sleeping on me," Becht said. "When you watch the tape, people's tendencies show, and we're going to run it. It's not a secret. It makes my job a little harder, but I'm happy I was able to contribute when they needed me."

Anwar S. Richardson

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