Endangered
February 13th, 2017
Days numbered?
Veteran players who don’t start and pull in a hefty salary are targets.
No, not targets for opponents, but for bean counters.
Enter seven-year veteran Alterraun Verner. With the acquisition of Brent Grimes and the drafting of Vernon Hargreaves, Verner again lost a starting spot, which he also previously lost under the inept guidance (?) of lazy Lovie Smith.
Verner was given new life with a new regime under defensive coordinator Mike Smith but the result was the same: backup.
He is scheduled to make $6.5 million this season per reliable Rotoworld.com. And for that reason, good guy Omar Kelly of the Sun-Sentinel believes Verner is on the chopping block.
Verner lost his starting spot in 2015 and his play has steadily fallen off since. Last season, the 28 year old contributed just 16 tackles, one interception and seven pass breakups in the 16 games he played for Tampa Bay.
So basically, Verner was getting paid $6.5 million per interception, or $928,571 for every pass breakup, or $406,250 for every tackle. Pretty nice work if you can get it.
Given the fact the Bucs desperately need #WeaponsForWinston and have mega contracts due for stellar young players around the corner, that $6.5 million can be put to better use. You know, like for a guy who can at least start?
Look, Joe loves Verner. He may be the nicest guy on the roster and he’s a really intelligent, thoughtful person and the epitome of a professional. So it pains Joe a great deal to write the following: but unless Verner agrees to restructure his contract, Joe can’t see Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht justifying Verner’s contract when he has many other pressing needs on the roster.
February 13th, 2017 at 1:04 pm
The Bucs could use Verner as a back-up but not at $6 million. You can never have enough depth.
February 13th, 2017 at 1:09 pm
He’s one of those guys that had a good year and got a big paycheck because of it. That’s why I always look for continuity…or fire. Verner had neither.
But to be honest, I was just happy to be rid of the over-hyped fraud Revis.
February 13th, 2017 at 1:11 pm
And by the way…we paid Revis $8 million per interception…so looking at it that way, Verner was a bargain!
February 13th, 2017 at 1:32 pm
Victor Cruz released….. I will take him over any other FA WR. 3 Year deal plus draft a solid WR. he can teach the WRs how to plan, practice and play like a pro…….. If he is healthy.
February 13th, 2017 at 1:45 pm
Verner had two great games last season. He, like Conte, does just enough to make you want to keep them but not enough to pay him. But then again, its not like the Bucs are strapped for cash.
February 13th, 2017 at 1:45 pm
I would also take Victor Cruz……..at the right price……..
February 13th, 2017 at 1:49 pm
I would not take Victor Cruz. There are better options.
February 13th, 2017 at 1:51 pm
On Victor Cruz from Rotoworld:
“At 30 years old coming off numerous lower-body injuries, including a patellar tendon tear, Cruz simply isn’t the same player anymore.”
February 13th, 2017 at 1:53 pm
Unless we need the cap space, I don’t know why we would cut anyone who is good depth. And we definitely don’t need the cap space.
February 13th, 2017 at 2:07 pm
Joe is it true victor Cruz is getting cut by the giants and if so should he be in play for the BUCS?
February 13th, 2017 at 2:11 pm
An expensive No. 5 receiver?
February 13th, 2017 at 2:17 pm
No to Victor Cruz, Vincent Jackson, or Anquan Boldin imo. Those guys are done or about to be done in Boldin’s case.
No to Alshon Jeffrey imo – too much injury history for the cost and doesn’t add any new element to the offense.
No to Kenny Britt imo – unless I read he was a great teammate for the Rams
If we want a legit #2 and don’t want to F*k around then Pierre Garcon is the guy imo. If we want a legit deep threat then Djax or Stills.
Pryor is interesting but not sure he will end up signing anywhere besides Cleveland.
If we want to just sign a depth guy to compete for a starting role I like Kamar Aiken. He hasn’t missed a game the last 3 seasons and has done well when given chances.
February 13th, 2017 at 2:23 pm
Not sure if I am correct or not but since Cruz was released we can speak with him now can’t we. I don’t think he is anything other than camp meat and then like Joe said, a 5th if he could even make the team.
February 13th, 2017 at 2:27 pm
verner could provide depth but we also have j.elliott, jude, j.robinson and ryan smith moving back to cb…he may be the odd man out…
@joe…my uncle just txt me and said he heard on the radio that we are moving to a 34 front?…any word of that?…
I like 43 fronts personally….I liked it even more during our 5 game win streak…I was under the impression that one of our advantages over anyone else in our division is that we are keeping everything the same unlike the saints, falcons and panthers…everyone was going to have to learn something new which would take time to master just like what our defense went thru last year….please say it aint so @joe….GO BUCS!!!!
February 13th, 2017 at 2:30 pm
Strong pass on Victor Cruz and it’s time to move on from Verner. But we do need a depth corner, I was not impressed with Javion Elliot or Hey Jude this last season. We can a bargain corner in free agency.
February 13th, 2017 at 2:31 pm
@lord c….I believe k.aiken has a 2nd round tender to him….but I agree…garcon, stills and/or djax….GO BUCS!!!!
February 13th, 2017 at 2:38 pm
I would not consider Stills either, he is getting too much hype for some reason. Only had 42 catches this year, he also droped a wide open touchdown pass. I’m going after Jeffrey or Pryor, we need size at #2.
February 13th, 2017 at 2:40 pm
Andre Roberts too
February 13th, 2017 at 2:41 pm
i’m sure verner would have loved to be a standout contributor, but he should have no hard feelings towards the bucs…he’s made probably more than $12 million over the last 2 seasons to show up at practice and make the occasional spot start. he’s probably as fresh as any CB his age, and can still angle for another nice payday by taking a 1 year deal with some depth starved team and producing at an average level
February 13th, 2017 at 2:41 pm
There’s only a few teams in the NFL that is interested in these old,high-price, injury prone trash players. And the Bucs are one of those teams.
February 13th, 2017 at 2:48 pm
If we are hankering for a stand-in for VJax, Cruz is the guy. To be clear, I’m talking about 2016 VJax, the likeable veteran who spent more time injured than healthy for 3 years, then limped around the field and got separation once or twice in 3 games before eventually proving he’s no longer dynamic enough to be on an NFL field.
February 13th, 2017 at 2:50 pm
Elliott was a pleasant surprise….he played solid in the nickel…he was an undrafted rookie…GO BUCS!!!!
February 13th, 2017 at 2:53 pm
So, you’d rather have a guy that’s been injured a few times who will command BIG money (possibly equal to or more than what ME13 will require) or a guy that has only been a WR for 1 year who will also wan to be paid like a #1 instead of a guy who appears willing to accept a role as a #2 and is younger than the players you mentioned?
What we need is speed at the #2 WR position, not size. We have size all over the field, but speed nowhere.
February 13th, 2017 at 3:02 pm
Celly
Jameis’s rookie year we had no had speed to be found yet we had a top 5 offense in the league. Jameis at FSU at no speed either but he had big tagrget and they won a national championship. Footballs not all about speed. We tried speed with Kenny Bell, Cecil Shorts, Solomon Patten, etc. We need size and talent, that what’s Pryor and Jeffery offer.
February 13th, 2017 at 3:05 pm
Patriots just won a SuperBowl with zero sub 4.5 wide receivers.
February 13th, 2017 at 3:08 pm
Well, I, just like coach, would love to have someone who can turn a 15yd catch into a 60yd reception or a 7yd catch into an 80yd TD and not have to constantly rely on long developing routes just to get huge chunk plays.
If we have guys that can stretch the defense, that’ll take an extra defender off the line, which will help to open up the running game, which will help Jameis with the play action passes (where he excels).
It’s a trickle down effect.
February 13th, 2017 at 3:09 pm
The Patriots also have a future HOF QB that has been playing in the league for 15 years, and a long time veteran HC.
Last i checked, we have neither of those (yet).
February 13th, 2017 at 3:55 pm
Ttbuc,
Stills is a number 2. Thats what the bucs need. You say he only caught 42 passes, but you neglected to mention the 726 yards (17.3 avg) and 9 tds. His longest play was a 74 yrd td. Look at sanu’s numbers…59 catches with 653 yrds (11.1 avg) and 4 tds. You are tripping crying about one drop at the begining of the season. Show me a wr without a drop and i will show a bench warmer. I am not sure if you are aware of what exactly is a number 2 receiver.
February 13th, 2017 at 4:09 pm
Man I like myself some Stills. My Dolphin parnter has his fingers cross he doesn’t get away from mia.
February 13th, 2017 at 4:20 pm
Can we stop with the Patriots already. They play in arguably the weakest division in football…maybe the NFL Central is worse…they had their last two SB wins gift wrapped for them. Not to diminish their greatness…they have scoreboard…but they bore the hell out of me and lets see them survive the NFC South and then the rest of the NFC playoffs. They have ONE game a year before the SB…this coming year that will either be Denver or Oakland.,..perhaps if Houston found a QB.
The Patriot receivers were covered the first half even with all the d holding calls.
The 2nd half the Falcons D was just gassed…no rush at all.
We NEED some speed. Right now we have one gamebreaker and that’s Sims and many here do not like him.
Celly…if you were talking about Pryor he has great speed…the wrap on his was his route running…but as you mentioned it was his first year. Dude is an incredible freaking athlete. IF…a big IF…Cleveland let’s him get away…and IF #3 and ME13 sign off on him as a teammate I”d love to have him. Prolly not going to happen though.
So give me Djax or Stills. If we can figure a way to wrangle Curtis Samuel I love this guy as well. I don’t just want speed. I want FOOTBALL speed…Samuels has that and more…played RB and WR…will be a versatile athlete.
In addition to speed I like ATHLETES! Hines Ward was a QB not a WR…but he turned out to be awesome because he’s an ATHLETE.
No more underwear speed like Jeff Demps…I want the real thing…football speed.
February 13th, 2017 at 4:45 pm
Samuels in the 2nd has to be a must. Coach K speaks highly of the OU dudes. Prove your appreciation and go get that kid.
February 13th, 2017 at 4:45 pm
Some of y’all sound like Lovie Smith with all this speed talk. We need football players first, speed is a bonus if we can find a football player. Stills is another Cecil Shorts.
February 13th, 2017 at 4:48 pm
@webster
You bring up the 9 touchdown year but neglect his numbers he put up when he played along side Drew Brees in a high passing offense, they weren’t good.
February 13th, 2017 at 5:00 pm
Joe so you’re say Victor Cruz would be #5 on the WRs chart AT BEST?do you think Vjax is better then Cruz?
February 13th, 2017 at 5:07 pm
@ tbbuc
Its official. There is a saying that says its better to be thought as a fool then to open your mouth and remove all doubt. Its obvious you have no clue who stills is. He had 900 + yards his 2nd season with brees playing along side graham and colston. Google is your friend.
February 13th, 2017 at 5:11 pm
I wish I had a red marker to cross off some names on the roster.
Verner-gone
Jude – gone
Conte – gone
Cherilus – gone
Evans smith – gone
Luke Stoker – gone
Charles Simms – new slot receiver
Gerald McCoy – traded for an Ice cream sandwich.
February 13th, 2017 at 5:12 pm
Cruz and Jennings injury prone. They are not stars.
February 13th, 2017 at 5:12 pm
Fyi….he put up 650 yrds and 5 tds his rookie year with brees. I see you like alternative facts.
February 13th, 2017 at 5:22 pm
@webster
I was listening until you said “alternative facts”
February 13th, 2017 at 5:27 pm
Point is, don’t let speed fool you, he’s been underwelming until his “breakout” year where he only had 42 catches. There’s better options.
February 13th, 2017 at 5:52 pm
You take’em how you so choose if I can find speed inside of a bonafide football player I’m taking it.
February 13th, 2017 at 5:54 pm
Offense and defensive side of the ball. The Falcons look h3lla fast all of a sudden on defense.
February 13th, 2017 at 5:55 pm
Underwhelming? He had 63 catches for 900 plus yards his second year. He is a number 2 receiver. His rookie year is on par with the year sanu just put up this year and he is only 24. You are wrong about this. Just admit it, he will be a great pick up with 4.38 speed.
February 13th, 2017 at 6:19 pm
Spbf……….I can see that you are beginning to get…nostalgic…….as far as bringing up the ‘NFC Central’ 🙂
February 13th, 2017 at 6:31 pm
I like Kenny Stills and Robert Woods, they’re both 24. I’m sick and tired of chasing these aging, injury prone veterans. Woods is in the mold of a Mohamed Sanu, a reliable WR who moves the chains. Stills is more of a deep threat, a burner with excellent speed, who can take the top off a defense. And it don’t hurt Kenny s tills that Former FS Ken Stills is his father. And former Special Team ace, Gary Stills is his Uncle. So he has a lot of football knowledge, he’s been around the NFL for most of his life.
February 13th, 2017 at 6:34 pm
Stpetebucsfan
So since your basing everything on your need for speed.
If we…
Sign/Resign
• Russell Shepard
• Adam Humphries
• Terrance Williams
Draft
• HB Evan Engram 2nd
• WR Zay Jones 3rd
• WR Trent Taylor 7th
Go in to camp w/ competition at X,Y, and Z
• Mike Evans | Russell Shepard | Freddie Martino
• *Terrance Williams |*Zay Jones | Derel Walker
• Adam Humphries | Bernard Reedy | *Trent Taylor
TE Cameron Brate | Kivon Cartwright | Tevin Westbrook
HB Evan Engram | Alan Cross
U won’t feel like we’ve improved?
February 13th, 2017 at 7:43 pm
I’d rather have Samuel in the 2nd and Leggit in the 3rd to be honest with you. Evan Engram is just too small at TE. And he don’t block.
I like Zay Jones’ Catching ability, and athleticism, But As St. Pete/ Others have mentioned, we need some burners.
Get me Campbell/ Kawaan Short at DT.
JPP/ Melvin Ingram/ Chandler Jones at DE/OLB
Kenny Stills/ Desean Jackson at WR
Tony Jefferson at S
and if Licht feels Uneasy about Sweezy, Get Me Ron Leary at Guard.
The Draft me O.J. Howard 1st, Curtis Samuel 2nd, and Sameje Perine/ Kareem Hunt 3rd, then Oline/ Dline depth for the rest of the Draft.
Resign key guys like Gholston, Bradley McDougald, and Shep. And I’ll Show you a Tampa Bay Buccaneers team headed deep into the playoffs.
February 13th, 2017 at 8:35 pm
I’m liking what you’re putting out there Blake.
February 13th, 2017 at 9:10 pm
You pickin up what I’m puttin down homie? 😀