Verner Trying To Leave Town?
December 27th, 2015
Final bow before Bucs fans?
Alterraun Verner, a former Pro Bowler, came to the Bucs with high hopes last season, for all intents and purposes to replace future Hall of Famer Darrelle Revis, who Lovie Smith deemed unworthy of playing for him.
Boy, what a swift move of insight that was.
Anyway, Verner was one of the NFL’s better corners. But in the meatgrinder that is Lovie’s revolving door at cornerback , Verner has been (ruined?) and is thought to be of little use, maybe even less value than undrafted rookie free agent Hey Jude and known NFL slice of toast Mike Jenkins.
Joe will have more tomorrow about what classy Verner had to say about his immediate future with the Bucs, but with his high salary and diminished role, Verner’s return is anything but a sure thing.
And if Lovie is looking for a reason to wave goodbye to Verner — and if today was Verner’s final home game with the Bucs — he went out with a bang and not the way you want to be remembered.
The Bucs were leading 7-0 early in the second quarter. Gerald McCoy tipped a bratty Jay Cutler pass that Will Gholston picked and ran inside the Bears-5. Perfect.
But no! Alterraun Verner was flagged for a 15-yard face mask and the Bears retained the ball. A few minutes later they scored on the same drive, a possible 14-point swing.
Verner, after the game, said he was shocked at the call.
“I was running off the field celebrating with my teammates,” Verner said. He noted that not until he saw Johnthan Banks pointing at him did he realize he might be the culprit.
Verner added to this insult by getting flagged for holding on a Bobby Rainey punt return early in the third quarter.
For a guy relegated to part-time duty with a hefty contract, this is not the way to demonstrate to the coaching staff and front office that you should be retained.
December 27th, 2015 at 5:21 pm
This team has a TON of players that need to go. Guys with no heart, guys who keep making stupid mistakes. Jason Licht needs to clean house of those players who are folding when one play goes bad.
December 27th, 2015 at 5:23 pm
Best display of Lovie’s coaching capabilities. Turns a probowler into a 4th stringer.
Lovie is a horrible coach. It’s as simple as that.
December 27th, 2015 at 5:24 pm
Could you blame him for wanting to leave this mess?
December 27th, 2015 at 5:25 pm
Agreed thunderchunkyPA. Bucs are out of playoff contention but between today and next week most players need to put together good film to keep a job here or earn an opportunity somewhere else.
December 27th, 2015 at 5:31 pm
Well, he would be kissing away millions of dollars, so, yeah, it would be a bit of a surprise.
December 27th, 2015 at 5:33 pm
That was a screen pass that was tipped. The face mask occurred downfield. There is no way it occurred before we took possession. No way. We’re not good enough to beat the Bears and ourselves. Definitely not good enough to beat Zebras when they make crappy calls.
December 27th, 2015 at 5:38 pm
Thing is, if we have to cut maybe 10-15 guys (and we probably do sadly), we are essentially writing off next year too. So why not make a coaching change now with it?
December 27th, 2015 at 5:38 pm
For any Buc that wants their career back on track, get as far away from lovie as you can!!!!
December 27th, 2015 at 5:45 pm
Lovie cant find a way to maximize pro-bowl talent???? But, but,… well…. thats Leslie Fraziers fault!!!
December 27th, 2015 at 5:48 pm
Lovie was doomed when Jerry Jones opened his bank vault to Rob Marinelli.
Any success Lovie has had is due to Marinelli (and Lovie knows it)
Stupid Glazers asked Dungy to recommend a HC. Stupid is what stupud does, Dungy has his own agenda,
Lovie please leave town and take Dungy with you.
December 27th, 2015 at 5:58 pm
Lovie Is Dog Poo Says:
December 27th, 2015 at 5:38 pm
Thing is, if we have to cut maybe 10-15 guys (and we probably do sadly), we are essentially writing off next year too. So why not make a coaching change now with it?
Why not stop being stupid?
December 27th, 2015 at 5:59 pm
First time heard that. Bucs went after a different guy first who turned them down, Joe was told (sorry, no names, off-the-record conversation from someone who would know).
December 27th, 2015 at 6:17 pm
What? Verner with another penalty when the bucs do something good? Im shocked (sarcasm). This is what verner has showed me all year. Yea, he can leave if he eants. This is the real tiny tim
December 27th, 2015 at 7:18 pm
It was very very lazy technique on that play. He was about to get a hold if his hand didn’t get stuck in the face mask.
December 27th, 2015 at 9:13 pm
A good team will pick him up so he will still make millions and be happy to be out of here.
December 27th, 2015 at 9:55 pm
I’m probably biased but I didn’t think there was enough there to make that call. That caused a huge momentum shift.
December 27th, 2015 at 10:08 pm
Joe..
Why do they keep getting turned down??????
December 27th, 2015 at 11:08 pm
Bucs history suggests this is a good thing. Dungy was like the fifth-pick. Chucky was not their first target. Schiano (who was better than Lovie) was not the first choice.
December 28th, 2015 at 2:11 am
New Coach, new defense. I am sick and tired of the Tampa2lateagain defense. Time to get into this century and go with the 3-4. The 4-3 is outdated. Clean house.
December 28th, 2015 at 12:17 pm
Wade Phillips!
Oh, he’s taken already…