Lions Release Phillip Buchanon

by Sean Yuille on Mar 4, 2010 5:51 PM EST in Detroit Lions Roster

Pro Football Talk and Adam Schefter are reporting that the Lions have released cornerback Phillip Buchanon after only one season with the team. Buchanon was originally signed to be a veteran presence in the secondary and to be a starter at cornerback. He did start 11 games last season for the Lions, but he was benched quite often by coaches, who were not thrilled with his play at times. During the 2009 season he didn't have a single interception after picking off at least 2 passes in each of the previous three seasons.

I can understand why this move is a bit surprising strictly in the sense that the Lions have virtually no depth at cornerback right now, but was anybody really impressed with Buchanon last year? I think the Lions made the right move, especially since Buchanon was set to make $3.5 million next season. With a free agent class filled with many solid cornerbacks, I'm assuming the Lions are banking on the possibility of signing at least one. They have already thought about trading for Antonio Cromartie, so it's obvious that the team understands the need to rebuild the cornerback position yet again.

Some free agents I would keep my eye on include Marlin Jackson, who was not tendered by the Colts and went to the University of Michigan, Lito Sheppard, who was just released by the Jets, and Dunta Robinson. If the Lions are going to open up their checkbooks at all in free agency, I hope it is to add some talent at cornerback. It has been way too long since the Lions have had a competent secondary, and although Louis Delmas has the safety position on the right path, the cornerback position still is a huge concern like usual.

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This move was needed.

2 reasons. 1, he would have been payed to much for what he was doing. 2, we can do better than him. Simple as that.

by Lead Hunter on Mar 4, 2010 6:00 PM EST reply actions

For me this is the most interesting position this offseason

I would like to think that this move signifies that the FO has a plan for this position or they wouldn’t have cut Buchanon with such slim depth already at CB. Hopefully we can get 2 quality (upgrades from last year) free agents and a promising young rookie at this position and bring back one or two guys from last year to round it out.

Crossin my fingers that there is a plan!

by WestsideLionsFan on Mar 4, 2010 6:00 PM EST reply actions

This is a learning moment

Schwartz wants players with talent and intangibles BOTH, not merely talent alone. As Schwartz famously said during Senior Bowl Week (right before he spoke highly of CB Kyle Wilson),

“When this team wins, it’ll be because it plays with the personality of Louis Delmas.”

Philip Buchanon was brought in to be a fast man cover CB in Gunther’s 4-3 2-gap blitzing defense, which requires fast CB’s who can cover one-on-one for the duration of the play while the LB’s blitz and the split-wide “really fast DE’s” rush the QB in space. Buchanon was given a 2nd chance here because he has the physical abilities to fit this defense and fill that role. But what Buchanon didn’t have was the intangibles. He had no heart. He didn’t have the personality of a Delmas. Schwartz wants special players who FIT, players with talent AND the personality of Louis Delmas. You can’t skate by on talent alone, and Marinelli’s brand of talentless players with “football character” won’t work either. Schwartz wants talent AND intangibles.

Honorary Driver of the Kyle Wilson Bus and Keeper of the Dreadlocks!
The 313 Missile Squadron: Delmas, Berry, Wilson......seek and destroy!
Hey, as long as Zack Follett keeps hitting people, he can rap to Barney the Dinosaur for all I care.

by GRLion on Mar 4, 2010 6:07 PM EST reply actions

The Lions obviously have a plan.. draft and free agency. The next few days will be a dose of reality for me. I’m really thinking we may make a couple of moves here. I’m probably setting my self up but i’m hoping for some great moves!

I hope we can get hurt/catch the Bears. They need help as much as we do. The whole staff is under pressure to win next year. i would love to see them squirm if we can get the FA before they do. i would laugh if our off season is so good to where we will not be the doormats of the NFC North. the Bears are going to do everything they can to sign any free agent becasue of no first or second round picks.

It will be interesting for both teams… especially with ol Bill (Steelers ex coach) watching the moves of da Bears!

GO LIONS in 2010! the transformation starts now.. they have much to do.

by DINORDO on Mar 4, 2010 6:23 PM EST reply actions

Buchanon never fit....

…..Schwartz or Cunninghams system for that matter….They brought him in simply for potential and speed cover guy…..It failed….Time to move on.

by BennieBladesFan on Mar 4, 2010 6:31 PM EST reply actions

As a speed man cover CB, he did fit Schwartz's/Cunningham's system

He just didn’t have heart, and didn’t make plays. Time to move on.

by GRLion on Mar 4, 2010 7:35 PM EST up reply actions

The only Corner who...

…wasn’t completely a disappointment was William James (who’ll also be gone), but then we expected nothing from him so that wasn’t hard. We found out why the Lions were Buchanan’s 4th team.

Hopefully we can get Wilson in the 2nd round (my hope for first is either Suh or maybe Okung) or if Wilson is gone, maybe McCourty.

by Mister Gloom on Mar 4, 2010 8:17 PM EST reply actions

I don't like it as of right now

Dunta Robinson has been linked to ATL and might sign soon, unless there going to gamble on Marlin Jackson and go after a Rolle our DB’s scare me more now than last year. Maybe there looking at a Berry or trade down for Hardon as a bigger option.

by msivits on Mar 4, 2010 8:34 PM EST reply actions