DT Anthony McFarland played in 98 games as a Buccaneer and recorded 305 tackles and 20 sacks
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have made good use of the NFL's trade deadline for the third year in a row, but this time they were on the shipping end of the deal.
On Tuesday, shortly before the deadline, the Bucs sent eighth-year veteran defensive tackle Anthony McFarland to the Indianapolis Colts. In exchange, the Colts sent Tampa Bay their second-round draft pick in 2007.
The Bucs immediately filled the resulting open roster space by signing CB Phillip Buchanon, who was released by the Houston Texans on Monday.
McFarland is reunited with Colts Head Coach Tony Dungy, who was in the same post with Tampa Bay when the former Louisiana State standout was drafted in 1999. The Buccaneers took McFarland with their first-round pick in '99, the 15th selection overall.
Over his eight seasons with the Buccaneers, two of which were truncated by injuries and one of which just ended after five games, McFarland appeared in 98 games with 84 starts and contributed 305 tackles, 20 sacks, three forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and one interception. Through five games this season, he had 13 tackles and no sacks.
The 6-0, 300-pound McFarland played nose tackle through the 2003 season before switching to the defensive tackle position in 2004 after the departure of Warren Sapp. In his 28 games at that position, McFarland produced 82 tackles and five sacks. His top statistical season was 2000, in which he put up career highs in both tackles (65) and sacks (6.5).
McFarland missed six regular-season games and all three playoff contests in the Bucs' 2002 Super Bowl season due to forearm and foot fractures. He was also shelved for the second half of the 2004 campaign due to a triceps injury.
The second-round pick obtained from Indianapolis rates as the highest choice the Bucs have obtained in exchange for a player since 1995, when quarterback Craig Erickson drew a first-round pick from Indianapolis and TE Harold Bishop was sent to Cleveland for a second-round pick.
Last year, the Buccaneers traded for a player at the deadline, acquiring quarterback Tim Rattay from the San Francisco 49ers for a sixth-round pick. In 2004, they traded holdout wide receiver Keenan McCardell to San Diego at the deadline for third and sixth-round picks.
