Verner Identifies A Difference From 2014
August 27th, 2015
A message from Lovie Smith since Day 1 of this season is translating to the field, says cornerback Alterraun Verner.
Verner hopped on SiriusXM NFL Radio yesterday with co-hosts Rich Gannon and Alex Marvez and explained that Lovie wants a tougher team.
Rich Gannon: What’s been the message from Lovie, really going back to your first OTA, what is going to be different about this team in 2015?
Alterraun Verner: I think the physicalness. That’s something he’s always harping on. He wants us to be physical. I think you saw plays on Monday night, physicality on both sides of the ball, from Doug Martin running the ball, to the offensive line pushing out, to some of the big hits you’ve seen on defense. I think that’s one thing he’s been trying to instill since the beginning. I think that’s going to be a little bit different, a lot more physical play by us.
Joe’s all for it, and certainly against the Bengals the Bucs looked like a nasty bunch — what they weren’t against the Vikings.
It’s a start.
August 27th, 2015 at 9:09 am
Thats Great!!! By this time next year, Lovie will be “harping” on penalties!!!!! I don’t know why it takes him 1 year to make an adjustment!!! Shouldn’t head coaches always coach being physical??????
August 27th, 2015 at 9:13 am
@realist
Who was available at the time, that you wanted hired as Bucs head coach? Just curious. Lovie was not my first choice. I wanted an offensive coach. But, he’s here. I’m most happy with the Koetter hire.
August 27th, 2015 at 9:23 am
I think Lovie isn’t totally happy with Frazier and has made some changes that will be positive for the defense
August 27th, 2015 at 9:30 am
Animosity Amigos and new team leader Realist!!! has a man crush on my head coach Lovie Smith. It’s kinda weird your first to comment on this man everyday. You obviously go to sleep with not a women but another man on your mind at night. I thought it was hate initially but after further review you clearly have some strange sexual attraction to the guy. You’re in love with Lovie Smith. Ill😠.
August 27th, 2015 at 9:31 am
@The Buc Racist
How do you know he didn’t give the order to Frasier? Maybe THAT’S why Lovie took over play calling?
Lovie had to give the man a chance to do his thing, but when it became clear this year that things were not going the way he wanted, he acted.
And if he had done as you say, then we would not have our franchise quarterback…which, of course…you would be harping on him about.
You look for anything at all to harp on him for. Just like you did with Raheem.
August 27th, 2015 at 9:40 am
I’m starting to realize that maybe the Bucs Realist isn’t a big Lovie fan.
August 27th, 2015 at 9:45 am
His first address to the media after being hired Lovie Smith’s words were “this will be a turnover defense”. The philosophy is becoming reality after two pre season games 6 turnovers. We’ll rank at the top of the league in this category this season.
August 27th, 2015 at 9:51 am
@Nole,
Realist, I’ve come to realize, needs to funnel his negativity on mostly one individual. This year, that is obviously Lovie. Last year it was Adrian Clayborn. Even though there were better targets, or at least many more of them, Clayborn got Realist’s rath daily. It was always “Slowborn this, Slowborn that”.
In an earlier post today Realist defended himself (I think?) that he isn’t always negative by pointing out that his current target, Lovie, won vs the Bengals because he did the unusual in game planning for a preseason game whereas most teams don’t.
August 27th, 2015 at 9:52 am
@BuccaneerBonzai
Maybe you are right!!! I am not giving Lovie the credit he deserves, He made 2 adjustments that took 1 year, Play physical and Protect the home stadium/win at home!!!!
@Nos-Bos
It has been a turnover defense!!!! Unfortunately its been Defensive coordinators and all the roster turnover!!!!
August 27th, 2015 at 10:01 am
Just having good run game goes a long way or the attitude of the team.
August 27th, 2015 at 10:05 am
I know that it’s only two preseason games, but the Bucs had a whole different attitude against the Bengals than they did against the Vikings. Maybe it was just having that first game jitters out of the way; we do have a number of rookies and first-year-with-the-Bucs players. Maybe it was Lovie’s emphasis on playing physical. Who knows what the spark was. What really matters is that now the Bucs know that they can more than hold their own against just about anyone.
Still several things to clean up … penalties and special teams play among them … but this team could do some real damage if they can stay reasonably healthy and play up to their potential.
Coaches like Lovie (and Tony Dungy) set high standards, yet players will give 110% for coaches like that because they genuinely value and respect their players, and put them into positions to excel. At the same time, coaches like Lovie hold players (and his assistant coaches) accountable. When a player or coach isn’t getting the desired results, changes are made, and rightfully so. I think that’s what happened to Bruce Carter, and I think that’s what happened to Leslie Frazier. Also think that’s why we’re seeing more new faces on special teams: they’re not playing up to Lovie’s expectations … yet. One thing’s for sure: it’s gonna be a heck of a ride this year. Can’t wait for the Titans game.
August 27th, 2015 at 10:19 am
@ Realist
I’d like to hear from you about what you think is positive….or who?……It seems you are pretty good at expressing your negativity…..do you actually have anything positive you can say about “your” Bucs?
August 27th, 2015 at 10:38 am
I still want to know who Realist wanted hired after Schiano. I’m not trying to call him out, I’m generally curious.
One of the guys I was hoping for was Darrell Bevell. Yes, the guy behind the worst call in Super Bowl history.
I also thought Scott Milanovich could develop into a great QB. He was awesome at Maryland.
August 27th, 2015 at 10:55 am
The realist always uses an umbrella because is always raining where he is at….
….Boooo Whooo Booo Whoooo!!!!!
My bottle ran out!!!!
Ueeeehhh Ueeeehhhh!
I want Schiano back!!!!
Ueeeeeehhhh Ueeehhhhh!!!!
lol
August 27th, 2015 at 11:12 am
Don’t forget Realist’s other target (rightfully so) Dominick. How bad he drafted but expects Lovie to win with a team loaded with his draft picks. It takes a few years to build a team not one off season and draft there just were too many holes. We are getting depth finally.
August 27th, 2015 at 11:42 am
Wake up and turn your Lovie Light on, man!!
If they play like MNF then see 7 wins this year…up from 6.
Looking forward to seeing JW play well again. This team has much work to do…..still worried about the DEF/OL line.
August 27th, 2015 at 12:57 pm
@Realist
You know I’m still one of the guys who has any luv left for you so take this advice as coming from a good place.
You simply got to stop living in the past. The 2015 Bucs are nowhere near the 2014 Bucs. These are two DIFFERENT teams beginning with that inconsequential position of QB!!! Oh and there is also a huge difference in the very middle of our defense an Kwon is getting the same rave reviews as Fameis.
I do not dispute your facts. But when you keep going back to 2014…YES WE SUCKED..all of us from the HC to the cheerleaders to the fans…forgedda about it. It’s 2015. When you live in the past that just results in the tit for tat that makes us bring up Lovies past successes.
I will give you this. As I’ve stated I have three coaches on my radar for the next couple of years who are the cusp of either being really really good, maybe great…or just having solid careers. Lovie is at the top of that list but Jeff Fisher and Andy Reid are right behind. All three of those guys have unfinished business to prove themselves.
And so realist I’ll stay out of the past if you will. The 2015 Bucs are looking good and Lovie IN 2015 had done EVERYTHING right…from his #1 draft pick to the rest of the draft and FA’s. His hiring of Koetter and Bakajanian was just excellent. His defense is looking good.
Forget about 2014 and concentrate on 2105. Just sayin’.
August 27th, 2015 at 1:03 pm
jus let the realist eat crow at the end of the season..or shall I say the beginning of the playoffs…GO BUCS!!!
August 27th, 2015 at 1:18 pm
Like always St.Pete or like I like to refer to you as “Gandolf”wise words well spoken.
August 27th, 2015 at 1:44 pm
Was Gandolf the old dude? Then I resemble him physically as well. LOL
THX Nole on Sat.
August 27th, 2015 at 6:22 pm
You know realist you really should lay off Lovie because I can almost guarantee you this year is not the first year Lovies message was physical play. Every defensive minded HC wants his entire team to be physical not just defense. Last year Frazier called the defense hense the weak game plans. You saw the difference between the Vikes and Bungles game, night and day. Lovie gave Freezer a chance and you saw the same weakness as last year. Soon as Lovie took over what happened. Just don’t understand why you can’t wrap your mind around the fact that last year was part of the plan to get Jameis. He didn’t get a new OC after the Tedford debacle and the FA signings weren’t working out early on. The fact he put McCow and sat Glennon then the final game of the season is proof positive of that plan. We all and EVERY pundit out there knew Glennon gave us the best chance to win. His record with Chicago shows he is an aggressive play caller. Your schpiel is mundane and boring. It’s the same thing again and again and again