Buchanan on Moss is no mismatch

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Posted: Friday January 15, 1999 03:14 PM

Big-play Ray: Buchanan is headed to the Pro Bowl thanks in part to his team-leading seven interceptions AP

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Brian Billick, the Minnesota Vikings' offensive coordinator, was asked this week what he would do if his best cornerback was 5-foot-9 Ray Buchanan and he had to cover 6-5 Randy Moss.

"I don't know," Billick replied. "And if I did, I wouldn't tell you."

Buchanan has no such qualms. He's not only happy to be covering the offensive rookie of the year, he's looking forward to it when his Atlanta Falcons (15-2) face Moss and the Vikings (15-1) Sunday with for a trip to the Super Bowl at stake.

This is how good Moss can be.

Last week, the Arizona Cardinals covered him with Aeneas Williams, one of the best cornerbacks this decade in the NFL. Williams gave Moss trouble, and had a touchdown-saving interception.

Still, Moss finished with four catches for 73 yards and a touchdown.

Buchanan, a Pro Bowler himself, doesn't feel overmatched.

"The Lord has blessed Randy Moss," he said. "The Lord has blessed me, too. He gave me great hands, quick feet, great maneuverability, great awareness."

True enough.

And maybe if Moss were the only challenge for the Atlanta secondary, it would be fine.

But there's also Cris Carter, tight end Andrew Glover and maybe Jake Reed, although his hamstring problems might not allow him to play. If he can't, it'll be second-year man Matthew Hatchette, who has played well himself.

There also are running backs Robert Smith and Leroy Hoard -- Smith a quick slasher and Hoard a power back.

That will keep Buchanan from covering Moss full time. In fact, the Vikings would like to get Moss against Michael Booker, who is 6-2 but doesn't have the speed of Buchanan or Moss, who has been timed in less than 4.3 seconds for the 40-yard dash.

But the Vikings say they're wary of whomever Atlanta plays.

"They're good enough so they don't have to try to fool you," coach Dennis Green said. "They play things pretty straight. They feel they can match their man and your man and try to beat you."

That might make the matchups up front most important for the Atlanta defense.

Minnesota has three Pro Bowlers on its offensive line -- left tackle Todd Steussie, left guard Randall McDaniel and center Jeff Christy. On the right side, the Vikings have two linemen -- David Dixon and Korey Stringer -- whose combined weight is nearly 700 pounds.

Against them, the Falcons present a relatively small but very quick front. Tackle Travis Hall, at 300 pounds is the heaviest. Chuck Smith, the best pass rusher, doesn't weigh more than 260.

But he's the key, because putting pressure on Randall Cunningham is the best way to stop an offense that set an NFL record with 560 points during the regular season.

Atlanta's other defensive weapon is simple -- offense, led by Jamal Anderson. He carried the ball an NFL record 410 times this season.

"One of the real keys to our success is our ability to control the ball, whether it be running the football or making some conversions on third down, just constantly moving the football," coach Dan Reeves said. "We can't be conservative. We've got to go after them because it's going to be that type of game."

And when the Falcons do give up the ball?

Just leave it to Ray Buchanan.

 

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