Bigger Game?
September 25th, 2015
Bucs still learning to win, CB Alterraun Verner noted.
Until the postseason arrives, no games are bigger than division games. To win a division one must play well within the division, no?
Well, Bucs cornerback Alterraun Verner is of a different mind.
While not dismissing the importance of a division win last week at New Orleans, Verner believes there are bigger games ahead.
Such as Sunday’s game at Houston.
The win over New Orleans “was a huge win,” Verner said. “It was a division game, something we haven’t been able to win at either. It’s big, but it’s not anything that anybody’s taking to heart because we know as high as you can go is how far you can fall, too, so we still have a lot of work to do. We’ve got to find a way to get another one.
“That’s one thing we definitely didn’t do last year. We couldn’t get two in a row. We couldn’t repeat off of a good performance with Pittsburgh and with the Redskins last year. This week is probably even bigger than last week, in my opinion, to see how we come off of a win. We have to learn how to do that. We have to learn how to win, and when we do win, we have to learn how to stack them up.”
That is a helluva point Verner made. This season, as Bucs co-chairman Bryan Glazer noted in training camp, is about “growth.” The Bucs are a young team learning. Before you can beat your chest, you must learn to win, something this team clearly hasn’t grasped in far too long.
By proving they can win consecutive games, especially two wins back-to-back on the road, would be a significant growth experience.
September 25th, 2015 at 12:18 pm
The first thing Verner can do to help, is to stop getting beat like a red headed step child.
September 25th, 2015 at 12:20 pm
streak streak streak…GO BUCS!!!
September 25th, 2015 at 12:22 pm
Verner is spot on! We need to begin produce some win streaks.
In my optimistic 10 win season I had us going 2-2. But at some point we need to string some victories together.
I think a critical component for this team has been a total lack of confidence. That contributed as much to our rout at the hands of Tennessee as anything.
The first 52 yard bomb from Mariota and then the pick six from #3 and you could just sense it….here we go again. That’s no excuse but it is what it is.
September 25th, 2015 at 12:38 pm
The Bucs have diehard long suffering fans after all of those losing years, that’s for sure. All things considered team growth seems on a positive track moving ahead. Bucs fans are ceaseless optimists.
September 25th, 2015 at 12:43 pm
Consistency is key both with play on field and effort. There has been no excuses to justify the lack of effort this team has displayed during the previous 3-15 tenure of this regime. The only consistency has been in the excuses for losing and lack of efforrt. This team must earn respect aND demonstrate consistency. Including playing with passion and effort. 1 week of effort is nice but not consistency by any stretch
September 25th, 2015 at 1:06 pm
At least we are hearing the right attitude, first from Lovie, then from Conte and now from Verner. Sure its about effort/hustle, consistency and confidence. Most of all every player on this team must believe (including the fans). Believe they can win every game, week in and week out. Lay it all on the line, every play. It is great to have a QB like Winston, because he has won so many games (27-2). Players like Conte, Moore, Carter, Melton, Jennings, McDonald, McDaniels, Mankins and E. Smith, who all came from teams the won with, went to the playoffs with and even went to the Super Bowl with. There is a great mix on this team of experience and youth. This team has talent and if they play hard to the end on every play, reduce penalties and eliminate turnovers, this team can be special.
September 25th, 2015 at 1:25 pm
@1987,
Verner has been getting beat on slants, as have all of our CB’s. It’s pretty tough to defend a slant when you are constantly 7-10 yards off the line of scrimmage. I’m going to make the assumption that he is not choosing to line up that far off the line. Now if he gets beat deep that’s another story, but I haven’t seen that yet.
September 25th, 2015 at 1:37 pm
Well said tmaxx.
September 25th, 2015 at 2:13 pm
Streaks are fine and dandy. But until you execute your assignments with 100% effort, you will always see IT as a thing of the future.
When coaches and players execute with 100% effort it all comes to you without you trying to get “IT.”
There is no mountain to climb. Just do your job!
Go Bucs! Earn your money!
September 25th, 2015 at 2:14 pm
Verner is right. This is a huge game. Not a must-win, but a must-play well. Look at the ‘Skins. They played well last week then laid an egg last night. Given their performance last season and in week one this year, it is hard to conclude they are not the same old Redskins. We must avoid that, and if we do thenthe team may just be ready to hop aboard the momentum train.
September 25th, 2015 at 3:00 pm
@Bucfan37 says: “Bucs fans are ceaseless optimists.”
What site have you been on??! The fans on this site are like teenage girls for the most part. Wild mood swings. Jameis was a bust after week one. Now he’s the savior again after a victory in New Orleans. Our defense was the worst in the league. Now we’re fine. If we lose in Texas the pessimism will be back in full force. There are some who actually do understand that it’s a process but most expect it to happen now and think we’re way behind the 8 ball if we struggle. Too many rookies for that. Progress….that’s what I want to see. Get better every week.
September 25th, 2015 at 3:09 pm
O.G. Bobby! Word homie.
September 25th, 2015 at 6:24 pm
Word to the wise… Don’t respond to trolls and negative Nellie’s… It only feeds them the food they desire and the mindset they wish to dwell in…. All while bringing the rest of us down to their level IF you let them… So force them to read the good stuff and eat the words of life vs the words of death…. JUST SAYING
September 25th, 2015 at 10:20 pm
Bobby nailed it.