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Talib Will Be Broken In Slowly

Posted Jul 30, 2008 by Ira Kaufman

Updated Jul 31, 2008 at 10:14 AM

Top draft pick Aqib Talib is off to a good start in training camp, flashing the speed and instincts that marked him as an outstanding CB prospect out of Kansas.

But Buc fans expecting the 20th overall choice to waltz into the starting left corner spot opposite veteran Ronde Barber should know that incumbent Phillip Buchanon is enjoying an even better camp than Talib.

Talib has done a nice job picking up the intricacies of Monte Kiffin’s Cover 2 scheme and Tampa Bay coaches are happy with his progress, but if the season started today, Talib would be the nickel back behind Barber and Buchanon, who has solidified his starting job with a strong commitment to getting better with each practice.

If Talib fails to unseat Buchanon as a starter, he still figures to factor heavily into Tampa Bay’s secondary, beginning with the Sept. 7 opener at New Orleans. The Bucs utilize a third corner on almost 50 percent of their defensive snaps. With Barber manning the slot in the nickel, Talib will have every opportunity to show he can handle receivers that are flanked out wide.

The selection of Talib has spurred Buchanon to work even harder as he enters the final year of his contract. He’ll be looking for a significant salary bump if he turns in another solid season. Even if Talib progresses nicely as a rookie, Buchanon should have some leverage to demand a big raise because Barber turns 34 in April. If the Bucs don’t keep Buchanon off the free agent market, another club could lure him away, leaving Tampa Bay thin at a critical position.