“Uplifting” Lovie Wouldn’t Stop The Excitement
February 26th, 2015
Alterraun Verner explains
“True football fans” can see the Bucs are “on the verge.”
Lovie Smith told all of us that in mid-December. That wasn’t just a bizarre one-liner on a radio show. No, Lovie walked that walk with his players.
Cornerback Alterraun Verner hit the NFL Network studios this morning and was asked how Lovie made his mark on the team, as it relates to the Bucs turning things around in 2015.
“Confidence,” Verner proclaimed. “Just knowing he’s done it before with various teams and his demeanor is just always so uplifting.
“Like he never really seems like he’s down. He’s very optimistic. Even at the end of the year, it seemed like he was so excited. I mean, it was the worst record I’ve ever had being in the NFL, but I felt more optimism and more positive outlook after this season than I have in any of the other seasons when I was in Tennessee. I just think that’s what type of person he is and what he brings to the table for us as players.”
Joe must applaud Lovie. He somehow managed to stay cool and calm and focused while the building burned around him last season.
Verner also spoke about how it was a rough transition for him coming from a radically different defense with the Titans.
“I think I came in with different expectations, I guess you could say last year,” Verner said. “The way I played in Tennessee was more reaction-based. Not doing my own thing, but more, ‘OK, you’re going to play man, or you’re going to do this. Go make it happen.’ Where in Lovie’s system, you kind of have to be in the right spot. You got to be at landmarks.
” You got to be very disciplined and be very trusting in your teammates. And since it was my first year, most of the guys was new to me, and the whole system being new, I think that trust factor was not really lost, but being built over time. That’s why I think you saw at toward the end of the season us playing a little bit better as a group because we were together. Especially in the back end, and I think that’s why it’s going to be even better this year.”
February 26th, 2015 at 1:06 pm
That’s why I think you saw at toward the end of the season us playing a little bit better as a group because we were together. Especially in the back end, and I think that’s why it’s going to be even better this year.”
I’m hopeful. This statement is not out of the realm of possibility and it is easy to remember the improvement and the fact that we’ve kept a core of DB’s for more than just a single season. I think Verner is correct that he and his mates are beginning to play with trust that the other has his position covered. I hate when players try to do too much hoping to make up for another players poor play.
February 26th, 2015 at 1:07 pm
Pay attention buc players, That is how to keep your job around here!!!
February 26th, 2015 at 1:18 pm
I am convinced that the Glazers are in it with Lovie for the long haul….I believe they have been burnt by turnover in the coaching position, they have confidence in Lovie (even 2-14). I believe they have let Lovie know he has the time he needs to turn things around.
I also am now quite sure that Lovie’s decision to play McCown towards the end of the season had nothing to do with Glennon. I believe Lovie was hopeful that McCown would show him the QB Lovie thought he brought in….even if a couple of games…..never happened and Lovie cut him.
Time for another Lovie Confidence Poll
Since the last one Lovie has hired Koetter & Bajakian….cut McCown & showed he is open toward drafting Winston. He is a steady Captain of a ship in troubled waters even if he is the one who steered the ship there.
February 26th, 2015 at 1:24 pm
@Tampabaybucfan
says
” He is a steady Captain of a ship in troubled waters.”
So was the charter captain that ran the boat thru the restaurant the other day!
February 26th, 2015 at 1:29 pm
I’ve criticized Lovie all season, but hearing this from Verner has me optimistic as well. As much as we joke about how Lovie couldn’t even match Schiano’s record, Schiano didn’t instill this type of confidence in the team.
February 26th, 2015 at 1:30 pm
@ Realist
Yes…and his mate was AC….gonna give him a big long-term contract….
February 26th, 2015 at 1:46 pm
easy to forget that our entire secondary has turned TWICE in just 3 seasons. i really hope continuity pays off this year, or back into purgatory we go with a new coach, probably new GM, and of course all the new players those new guys want
February 26th, 2015 at 1:47 pm
*has turned over TWICE
February 26th, 2015 at 2:02 pm
koetter has me optimistic. lovie, not so much
February 26th, 2015 at 2:09 pm
Lovie is going to need more guys who are that optimistic, in comes Winston who plans on winning the Super Bowl. And people say there personalities wont mesh. HA!
Welcome To Tampa!
February 26th, 2015 at 2:13 pm
that is how you keep your job as a head coach, steady calm and optimistic and you instill in your players that they can do anything if they work hard and study. these same players can do better next year if you go into the offseason with optimism. the only players who are bitter and upset are the ones that are on the bubble, having said that I don’t see verner as a starter, I think we need another long corner and to make him the nickel corner and then we are set for sure. my hope is some of the corners make a big jump, except leonard Johnson it’s hopeless for him.
February 26th, 2015 at 2:15 pm
What else do you expect him to do? He inherited a roster with a ton of holes and he knows he has to make MAJOR changes for him to get it right. It’s only a matter of time people…..
February 26th, 2015 at 2:16 pm
These are the types of comments that should instill some faith that Lovie is gonna make the Bucs “relevant” again at some point – hopefully sooner than later. Verner was a solid FA pick up and a pretty good value as well. I think with a year under his belt in this defensive system – we will see a good year out of AV in 2015.
February 26th, 2015 at 2:17 pm
schiano yelled at his players like children and honestly got rid of the veteran presence on defense. that’s how you go from 7 win season to a 4 win season and unemployed. going into an offseason being a 2-14 team with that mindset and a coach who instills confidence is how you become a playoff team.
reason I have optimism is it isn’t a slow process. you wake up one day and your surprised your team is playing so well, it’s like everything you were taught and things you studied just one day start to click. this is the time when even fans are optimistic. we will see if this translates into wins come september
February 26th, 2015 at 2:19 pm
I think your giving up on Verner way to fast. If its true that this system is completely different than what he came from then clearly he’s going to need some time to learn the ins and outs. He didnt play great by any means but he for sure got better as the season went along.
February 26th, 2015 at 2:19 pm
It’s important that Lovie isnt fired and yet another coach is hired. Unless Lovie finishes with less than 5 wins he should be here after 2015. I think 8-8 would be an absolute best case scenario. I expect 7-9 or 6-10 in Lovies second year and a rookie QB.
February 26th, 2015 at 2:24 pm
I like verner, think he was one of our best moves.
I’m not buying the optimism the. the level of incompetence on behalf of lovie last year was downright shameful from FA acquisitions, to coaching, to game situations, to empty words……..
fool me once…
February 26th, 2015 at 2:41 pm
Yeah Verner is a beast. Unfortunately our pass rush disappears at times and makes it difficult on our secondary. I am very excited for free agency. I know the Bucs will spend. Hopefully they hit on some players this year. I would love to see Greg Hardy and Mike Iapati as our top signings. I know Iapati is sub par at pass blocking but I know he can improve. IApati and a healthy Mankins would be a nasty duo especially when the guards pull. With the easy shcedule on paper next year I feel even with a rookie quarterback that THIS team will be damn good. I feel it. Tampa will be back with quality football week in and week out. I can see a 10-6 season next year. In 2016 I can see us as true Super Bowl contenders being we select the right quarterback (hopefully Mariota!) Go Bucs!!!!!!!!!!
February 26th, 2015 at 2:53 pm
@Tampabaybucfan says:
“Yes…and his mate was AC….gonna give him a big long-term contract….”
You are friggin hilarious. Poor Realist, no love for AC…
February 26th, 2015 at 3:02 pm
How would Joe feel if the Bucs made a BOLD move and got AP from the Vikings? I know our offensive line has priority but can you imagine better help for our rookie quarterback than Adrian Peterson. Talk about staking the box and leaving 1v1s on Evans and Jackson. I guess it all depends on what Minnestota wants..
February 26th, 2015 at 3:29 pm
AV is a great CB. I saw him and liked him playing for The Titans. At the time I wished we could pick him up. Then we got him. Tough time to come in and be a Buc. He was also learning a new system, but is football smart. He could play outside or inside. I too believe he would be a better fit inside. We just need another tall CB. Not sure when draft approaches we will pick one up. Looks like we may go for another small nickelback, but you never know. If we get rid of the Hawk, we will need another safety too. I think next year we will have a better back end, but we will need to get better up front too. fingers crossed.
February 26th, 2015 at 3:29 pm
@Harry
Lol, poor realist???
I was not the one who was saying that AC was going to have a “Comeback year, Breakout, and that he was a Beast and that know that he is not running stunts, and now that he has real coaching !” Were did all those people go? My, my how things change in a year!
February 26th, 2015 at 4:09 pm
Why wait till 2016 for the SB? Jamie’s said he’s playing in the SB this season against Brady or Manning. Two AFC teams. That must mean he knows he’s getting drafted by the YUCS , whom are an NFC team. He even threw out VJax’s name out there in his one on one with Mariucci on the dry erase board. Folks!….. The YUCS are drafting Jameis.
February 26th, 2015 at 4:26 pm
If our pass rush struggles yet again then our new (possibley rookie) MLB will get eaten alive.
February 26th, 2015 at 5:31 pm
@Realist,
It’s all in fun. I was just enjoying TBBF hitting your fav subject. I had more of a problem with Cheeseburger Bowers. But I get where you are coming from.
And just to be clear, I don’t think I said anything about AC getting ready to bust out. I was of course hoping he would. But then I was hoping Cheeseburger would too,the fat ass!
February 26th, 2015 at 6:40 pm
“Confidence,” Verner proclaimed. “Just knowing he’s done it before with various teams and his demeanor is just always so uplifting”
Even while some fans wanted to punch him in the face…
February 26th, 2015 at 7:03 pm
“Joe must applaud Lovie. He somehow managed to stay cool and calm and focused while the building burned around him last season.”
reminds me of nero…
February 26th, 2015 at 7:07 pm
lovie is anachronistic. yes, verner, lovie has done it before:
Smith’s Offenses Sputtered
The Bears struggled offensively under Lovie Smith — a former defensive coordinator. Eleven different quarterbacks started for Chicago since Smith’s first season in 2004 and the Bears’ offense has struggled to move the ball, with only the Browns averaging fewer yards per game during that time period.
Fewest yards per game, since 2004
Team YPG
Browns 286.9
Bears 292.6
49ers 293.3
Bills 297.0
Raiders 309.9
— ESPN Stats & Information
February 26th, 2015 at 7:08 pm
let us hope he did learn in his basement, but going 2-14 after the team before went 4-12 isn’t promising.
February 26th, 2015 at 7:16 pm
@87, lmao That is exactly right. I know I did/do!
February 26th, 2015 at 8:10 pm
@Harry
Verner would b!tchslap you and make you cry. Be honest with yourself please.
March 10th, 2015 at 9:56 am
[…] Alterraun Verner was stunned and inspired by Lovie during the dark depths of the 2014 season. Per Verner, there were no down hours. […]