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Sorry if this is a repost.
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/4263120.html
Texans release cornerback Phillip Buchanon
Former Raider never emerged as a quality starter
By MEGAN MANFULL
Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle
The Texans released cornerback Phillip Buchanon on Monday, ending what was a disappointing tenure with the team.
Buchanon arrived in Houston in April 2005 when former general manager Charley Casserly traded a second- and third-round draft pick to the Oakland Raiders. The Texans hoped Buchanon, who was the 17th overall pick in the 2002 draft, would shed his troubles from Oakland and emerge as a quality starter and strong punt returner.
That never happened. Buchanon struggled on the field and was demoted by former coach Dom Capers after only two starts in 2005. This season, the coaches gave him an opportunity to earn the starting job, but Buchanon fell to fourth on the depth chart before the regular season even started.
"He hasn't been on the field much for us, that's just a fact," coach Gary Kubiak said. "We lost Demarcus Faggins during training camp and he had a tremendous opportunity to become our starter and take it and run with it. He missed virtually the entire training camp with a hamstring. He got hurt opening day with his ankle and that's bothered him for the first five weeks of the season.
"It has been a struggle with him physically. Now that we're getting Faggins back, it gives us a chance to go back to work with him."
The news came as a shock to his teammates, who arrived at Reliant Stadium on Monday only to find Buchanon's name removed from the top of his locker and his space cleaned out.
"When I heard the news, I thought it was a joke," cornerback Dunta Robinson said. "It was a shock, man, because if you look at the things Phillip did in Oakland, you know the guy can play football. Unfortunately here, things didn't start off well for him and I think the coaches kind of lost confidence in him.
He was injured a lot, and I think that kind of hurt him with the coaches wondering if he was really hurt or if it was just something going on with him.
"I hate the fact that he got cut because he's a good player. He's going to be a good player for somebody else. Phillip is one of those guys that will have a job real soon. He may be unemployed right now, but he'll be working shortly."
Buchanon's main contribution this season was on special teams, but even that was sporadic. He had eight returns for 79 yards, an average of 9.9 yards. In the Texans' 34-6 loss to the Cowboys on Sunday, Buchanon had a season-high 45-yard return before he was caught from behind and brought down. He also let one punt sail out of bounds and made a poor decision when he fair caught one. He was yelled at on the sidelines afterward.
Because of the high cost to acquire Buchanon - and the fact he is a former first-round draft pick, Robinson said he wished the Texans' were able to acquire something in return.
"I'm just very, very shocked," Robinson said. "At least, if you're going to get rid of him, get a sixth-round pick or something. Don't just cut him and let somebody else pick him up for nothing
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/4263120.html
Texans release cornerback Phillip Buchanon
Former Raider never emerged as a quality starter
By MEGAN MANFULL
Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle
The Texans released cornerback Phillip Buchanon on Monday, ending what was a disappointing tenure with the team.
Buchanon arrived in Houston in April 2005 when former general manager Charley Casserly traded a second- and third-round draft pick to the Oakland Raiders. The Texans hoped Buchanon, who was the 17th overall pick in the 2002 draft, would shed his troubles from Oakland and emerge as a quality starter and strong punt returner.
That never happened. Buchanon struggled on the field and was demoted by former coach Dom Capers after only two starts in 2005. This season, the coaches gave him an opportunity to earn the starting job, but Buchanon fell to fourth on the depth chart before the regular season even started.
"He hasn't been on the field much for us, that's just a fact," coach Gary Kubiak said. "We lost Demarcus Faggins during training camp and he had a tremendous opportunity to become our starter and take it and run with it. He missed virtually the entire training camp with a hamstring. He got hurt opening day with his ankle and that's bothered him for the first five weeks of the season.
"It has been a struggle with him physically. Now that we're getting Faggins back, it gives us a chance to go back to work with him."
The news came as a shock to his teammates, who arrived at Reliant Stadium on Monday only to find Buchanon's name removed from the top of his locker and his space cleaned out.
"When I heard the news, I thought it was a joke," cornerback Dunta Robinson said. "It was a shock, man, because if you look at the things Phillip did in Oakland, you know the guy can play football. Unfortunately here, things didn't start off well for him and I think the coaches kind of lost confidence in him.
He was injured a lot, and I think that kind of hurt him with the coaches wondering if he was really hurt or if it was just something going on with him.
"I hate the fact that he got cut because he's a good player. He's going to be a good player for somebody else. Phillip is one of those guys that will have a job real soon. He may be unemployed right now, but he'll be working shortly."
Buchanon's main contribution this season was on special teams, but even that was sporadic. He had eight returns for 79 yards, an average of 9.9 yards. In the Texans' 34-6 loss to the Cowboys on Sunday, Buchanon had a season-high 45-yard return before he was caught from behind and brought down. He also let one punt sail out of bounds and made a poor decision when he fair caught one. He was yelled at on the sidelines afterward.
Because of the high cost to acquire Buchanon - and the fact he is a former first-round draft pick, Robinson said he wished the Texans' were able to acquire something in return.
"I'm just very, very shocked," Robinson said. "At least, if you're going to get rid of him, get a sixth-round pick or something. Don't just cut him and let somebody else pick him up for nothing
