Cornerback, Green
Bay Packers
Age: 22 (Nov.
4)
College: San
Diego State
Height: 6’0” Weight: 190
Prelude:
Following a
college career that was capped by receiving All-America honors and being named
MVP of the East-West Shrine Game, Buchanon was taken by the Packers in the
first round of the 1972 NFL draft (seventh overall) and moved directly into the
starting lineup. He combined with Ken Ellis to create a fast and effective
cornerback tandem.
1972 Season Summary
Appeared in
all 14 games
[Bracketed
numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]
Interceptions
– 4 [20, tied with twenty-four others]
Most
interceptions, game – 2 at Minnesota 12/10
Int. return
yards – 62
Most int.
return yards, game – 26 (on 1 int.) vs. Dallas 10/1
Int. TDs – 0
Fumble
recoveries – 3
Scoring
TDs – 1
Points – 6
Postseason: 1 G (NFC Divisional playoff at Washington)
Interceptions
– 0
Fumble
recoveries – 0
Awards &
Honors:
NFL Defensive
Rookie of the Year: AP
NFC Rookie of
the Year: NEA
Packers went 10-4
to finish first in the NFC Central while leading the NFC in fewest yards
surrendered (3474). Lost NFC Divisional playoff to Washington Redskins (16-3).
Aftermath:
Buchanon
suffered a broken leg six games into the 1973 season that cost him the
remainder of the year but he still received Pro Bowl recognition. He was chosen
again in ’74 but once again broke his leg two games into the 1975 season. He
returned to spend three injury-free years with the Packers capped by a 1978
season in which he led the NFC with 9 interceptions and received consensus
first-team All-NFL as well as Pro Bowl honors. Having played out his option,
Buchanon moved on to San Diego in ’79 where he was reunited with his college
coach, Don Coryell. He played four seasons for the Chargers, until 1982, and
retired with a total of 28 interceptions (21 of them with the Packers). Buchanon
was named to a total of three Pro Bowls and received All-NFL honors once.
--
Rookie of the Year Profiles feature players who were named Rookie
of the Year in the NFL (including NFC/AFC), AFL (1960-69), or USFL (1983-85) by
a recognized organization (Associated Press – Offense or Defense, Newspaper
Enterprise Association, United Press International, The Sporting News, or the
league itself – Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year).
