From where we sit, Aqib Talib has done well to go from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to the New England Patriots.
Sunday's divisional-round meeting with the Houston Texans marks the first playoff action of Talib's five-year NFL career. After a nagging hip injury plagued him late in the season, Talib is healthy and likely to play this weekend -- and he can't wait.
Harrison: Divisional-round picks
Elliot Harrison forecasts each divisional-round bout, with two road teams advancing to Championship Sunday. **More ...**
"One of the first things I thought about when I was traded here was that I was definitely going to have a chance to play in these playoffs," Talib said Thursday, via Mike Reiss of ESPNBoston.com. "I'm very excited. Very excited. I watched them every year, every game. It's the best football you're going to watch. It's good to be a part of it."
Talib is content, but what about New England? The Patriots shipped a 2013 fourth-round draft pick to the Bucs in November with the idea that Talib would anchor their secondary this season. The Patriots were fried last year through the air, and adding Talib gives them, in theory, a top-five cover corner. It also allowed the team to shift Devin McCourty to safety, but Talib has barely played since injuring his hip against the Texans back in Week 14.
New England brought Talib here for January and a Super Bowl run. His performance in the playoffs likely will decide his future with the Patriots.
Follow Marc Sessler on Twitter @MarcSesslerNFL.
