Epitomizing Lovieball
August 28th, 2015
A teammate of cornerback Johnthan Banks paints him as the ultimate Lovie Smith defender
It feels like Lovie Smith isn’t a big fan of cornerback Johnthan Banks. But listening to one of Banks’ teammates, it seems Banks is the ultimate Lovie kind of player.
It’s an odd contradiction.
Joe’s written plenty about how when Lovie is asked about emerging Banks, the Bucs’ interception leader last year, he often references Mike Jenkins.
Jenkins hasn’t been a quality starter for years, yet Lovie tried to force him into a starting role last year.
Regardless, Banks remains a starter. And during an appearance on SiriusXM NFL Radio this week, fellow cornerback Alterraun Verner painted a picture of Banks being epitome of what Lovie wants.
Alex Marvez: What areas of improvement have you seen from Johnthan [Banks]?
Alterraun Verner: Physicality. I think what they’ve tried to bring to us as a whole team, I think you see that in Johnthan. He’s always had great ball skills. I mean, he won the [Jim] Thorpe [Award for the top college defensive back]. He had so many interceptions in college; I believe he had three his rookie year. So he’s always been good at playing the ball. So I just think his overall game is improving. I mean, he’s showing up in the run game, showing toughness there. He’s been taking on blocks. He’s been doing a lot of selfless things to help the team out. Sometimes you don’t even see it. But you just see him improving in all those areas.
Joe’s not surprised Banks is commanding such respect. Joe expects another solid year from Banks. Hopefully, Verner delivers one, too.
August 28th, 2015 at 4:15 pm
Mike Jenkins blew what should have been a shutout monday night, All that needs to be said right there.
August 28th, 2015 at 4:37 pm
Just how many games has Mike Jenkins started for the Bucs?
August 28th, 2015 at 4:39 pm
Joe- lemme solve this for you: Lovie does not hate Banks. Lovie wanted depth at corner. Lovie promises Jenkins a shot at starting to come here, a position he is never really going to give him. Which is a reality he difuses by talking him up in the media.
August 28th, 2015 at 4:44 pm
Mike Jenkins is still a decent corner, sometimes it be the Safety fault. That’s what happen in Minnesota, Mike Jenkins thought he suppose to have a Safety over the top. It seems like Mike Jenkins got beat, but it was a blown coverage by the Safety.We still need Mike Jenkins on the team, we don’t have many Cornerbacks better than Jenkins.
August 28th, 2015 at 5:13 pm
I’m wonder in’ if it’s Lovie’s way of Pushin’ Banks to be great,?
I personally think he could develop into a fantastic corner for us
August 28th, 2015 at 6:23 pm
Could be Banks was a draft pick Lovie inherited from the previous coach/GM so therefore Lovie doesn’t love him some Banks? Same way Lovie tried to force his guy McCown into the lineup over Glennon, or his guy ASJ over Tim Wright, or his guy Anthony Collins instead of Penn, or his guy…you get the idea.
August 28th, 2015 at 6:39 pm
Welcome Back Brian Kelly!
August 28th, 2015 at 7:10 pm
Bank will continue to evolve no worries there. Just start my new raw dog D.J Swearinger and I’ll be one happy camper.
August 28th, 2015 at 7:47 pm
He reminds me a lot of BK also.. I loved that dude
August 28th, 2015 at 8:10 pm
The way the D is set up only one of two thing will beat them!!! Lack of exicution of the play calls… Or better play calling from the opponent… The talent is there… The D line has no excuses, no one needs to be elite when everyone is solid and the Backers are elite/above average. The corners are consistent which allows for plenty of splash plays… I’m questioning the Safties but DJ “I don’t mean to sware when he hits ya” Swaringer could be the final piece of the puzzle… If Banks and Verner funnel the WR’s to him… They will quit early and often and good luck to the other teams. (Not)
August 28th, 2015 at 8:13 pm
Some people was hating on Brian Kelly, after he gave up that long TD pass to Ricky Proehl in the 1999 NFC Championship game. Even though we held the “Greatest show on turf” to 12 points. Shaun King and our offense could only score 6 points. But in 2002 during our Super Bowl run, Derrick Brooks won Defensive Player of the Year. But Brian Kelly also had a great season, he had a super season. He finish with 8 INTS, 21 PD and 65 tackles. I believe Banks has the potential to have a breakout season, like the season Brian Kelly had in 2002.
August 28th, 2015 at 8:36 pm
Cake eater is our best corner and I think he will really start to blossom within the next couple of years. I think verner is a great compliment but feel he would be better suited in a ronde role. We still need one more legit corner to hold down the other side of the field.
Safety help would also be nice. And a pass rush
August 28th, 2015 at 8:38 pm
Jab83
I don’t think dj will be any more “intimidating” than hawk. Unless he blows out their knees
August 28th, 2015 at 9:09 pm
BucinNC DJ better than Hawk bro.
August 28th, 2015 at 9:31 pm
Cut within first cpl years in the league. Nothing proves he’s any better
August 28th, 2015 at 9:32 pm
I’m not saying hawk is amazing by any means. Please don’t think that. Was just making a point about laying wood.
August 28th, 2015 at 10:02 pm
Only Lovie Smith would consider starting Jenks over Banks. Lovie is about a decade past his time. So tired of his crap. Too bad the only way he goes is if we have another terrible season and that’s the last thing I want. I want to win, something we haven’t been able to do in too damn long. Hopefully #3 bucks that trend!! One can hope
August 28th, 2015 at 10:07 pm
Physicality. Mike Jenkins may be the least physical CB in the entire league!!! He’s a total wimp!!!
All of you will never forget MG8 making a hasty decision to step out of bounds on 3rd and one instead of getting lit up by the defender. That was a QB trying to protect himself. The playoffs were not at issue.
Now do any of you remember when Jenkins was with Dallas and a dude is rumbling to the goal line and Jenkins literally STEPS OUT OF THE WAY and plays matador defense…OLE and let’s the guy just walk into the end zone.
If you guys demand physicality out of your stringbean QB how can you possible support a coward who bails on the one yard line. It was the most embarrassing play of the year and Jenkins was out of Dallas not long after.
If Lovie is after physicality Jenkins is toast!!!
August 28th, 2015 at 10:12 pm
Sounds like Lovie just wants Banks to be phisical.
August 28th, 2015 at 11:36 pm
Brian Kelly was a beast and never got the Pro Bowl recognition he deserved. How do you get 8 ints and just a tackling beast and still don’t get voted in??? I used to live watching him tackling guys by just grabbing and throwing them to the ground. It’s a shame that Deon Sanders was afrsid to tackle but got into the Hall of Fame
August 28th, 2015 at 11:52 pm
Brian Kelly was a great player. You often didn’t hear his name, because he quietly got the job done well. I remember he was quite physical, but looked smooth doing it.
He and Banks are 2nd round picks. I like Banks, I think he has a great year for us, and is a candidate to be extended early.
August 29th, 2015 at 12:14 am
David …good points about Kelly, but you can’t slight Deon for making the Hall. Deon did much more than play CB. He returned kickoffs and punt returns for TD’s too. Got 2 rings!
Sorry one of us Noles fans had to stick up for Neon.
August 29th, 2015 at 1:16 am
Banks will b a shutdown corner for years to come.
August 29th, 2015 at 7:36 am
Lovie may have formed his first conclusion about Banks from watching his Rookie Tape. I was critical of him myself his first year because he was not a good press corner. Then I found out the reason was that Banks played in a Tampa Two scheme. So last year he actually blossomed in Lovie’s system because of his college experience. If you look Lovie always first puts Veterans in starting positions and the less experienced player has to beat him out and earn it.
August 29th, 2015 at 8:12 am
Joes, I must say I like the new Message boards so much better in my opinion, lack of annoying “commericals” that start up right about the the time your spouse gets to sleep out of nowhere some stupid ad starts or a news report.
Thanks for the new boards, keep up the good work and can we do away with the news ads on the Blog. Yeah I understand they are a revenue stream for you, but for me it is annoying to the point I don’t frequent this site as often.
Go Bucs!
August 29th, 2015 at 10:10 am
Somebody had to bring up Deon Sanders name. Can you say highly self indulged and yes overrated? I did.
August 29th, 2015 at 11:44 am
Bucfan37
He’s not always the most likeable guy and he’s not a good tackler but Deion Sanders is a freaking Hall of Famer. He had close to 60 ints…he’s totally cover back and not a run stopper. That was never his job. He returned punts.
But I feel ya. He’s too flashy for my taste as well, I’m more old school, but I gotta give the dude his props.
I’m a big guy on scoreboard. We all have our opinions, some of us have an actual record. “Neon” is a Hall of Famer”. Like him or not he has scoreboard.
Just like Lovie for the animosity amigos. He has won 13 one year and been to a Super Bowl. That’s not an OPINION that’s a FACT.