More Snaps Coming For Tim Jennings
September 22nd, 2015
Those listening closely to the Bucs-Saints television broadcast heard Ronde Barber take an early shot at Johnthan Banks.
Joe has accused Barber in the past of parroting Lovie Smith, and continuing the head coach’s ongoing quiet assault on Banks in the form of a public love affair with cornerback Mike Jenkins.
During the Saints’ second drive, Bucs cornerback Tim Jennings was called for holding on wide receiver Brandin Cooks. Barber quickly said Jennings was covering Cooks because Banks isn’t fast enough to cover him.
It was a curious comment considering Jennings likely was holding Cooks because he felt compelled to because of a lack of speed. Also, Jennings, 31, is coming off knee surgery and said he wasn’t yet 100 percent just a couple of weeks ago.
Regardless, Lovie Smith shared a lot of love for Jennings during his Total Access radio show yesterday on WDAE-AM 620.
“He’s given us a boost,” Lovie said of Jennings. “When he became available, I’ve have had him, so I’ve been with him in just about every situation. I knew he was a good football player and I knew he could give us some strong corner play.
“He can match up. He’s as quick as anybody around. He’ll hit you. He has good hands. So for us to get a veteran corner that can play at a high level that knew our system, there were just so many positives. He fit right in with the football team. And we’ll continue to get him more and more reps.”
Joe hasn’t seen a final snap breakdown from the Saints-Bucs game, but it appeared to Joe like Jennings was taking more snaps from Alterraun Verner, and not Banks.
It’ll be interesting to see whether Lovie makes a move to start Jennings at some point. Maybe the best men win the starting jobs.
September 22nd, 2015 at 9:09 am
What is Lovie’s problem with Banks? I don’t get it. Is replacing Banks Lovie’s rendition of his rebuilding of the Oline?! Man, I hope not!!
September 22nd, 2015 at 9:19 am
I think the problem with Banks is a complete myth. Just like the so-called “players meeting” last week that was a sign that “players were blocking out the coaches now.”
We later found out that the player only meeting happen every week in every season.
So far as Banks, Verner and Jennings…Lovie prefers situational defense. He is often shifting players around into what he feels is the best way to cover offensive players.
Jennings is on a one year deal, two at most….regardless of his contract.
If anything, Barber needs to remember that HE didn’t even produce until his 5th year…and maybe Banks just needs a little more time…which would explain why Jennings is here. To buy that time.
Banks will be fine. Verner IS fine. Jennings will end up covering the slot…once he accepts the idea.
Also…remember what Jennings said when he came here? He had other offers, but no one else was willing to let him play the outside. He did not want to move inside at all.
So Lovie may just be trying to make him happy. Banks is more willing to move around.
September 22nd, 2015 at 9:23 am
I don’t know about anyone else but it seems to me Lovie is rotating ask the DB positions. Sort of like rotating D linemen to keep them fresh. I’ve never seen it before but if works so be it. Chris Conte said in an interview
September 22nd, 2015 at 9:24 am
Why haven’t we traded Glennon to the Cowboys for a 2nd or 3rd yet?
September 22nd, 2015 at 9:26 am
Ronde never had the speed to play outside, either. People in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.
September 22nd, 2015 at 9:27 am
@Killian because he is too valuable to us right now.. if we trade Glennon it will be next year after Jameis gets a season under his belt. MG8 is under contract and probably one of the best backups in the league. God forbid Winston gets hurt if we trade Glennon who will take over?
September 22nd, 2015 at 9:32 am
Lovie attempting to keep all his troops happy. Chris Conte mention guys are sacrificing they’re bodies on special teams so Lovie repaying them with playing time. Maybe the logic is keeping guys fresh and reducing injuries I don’t know but if it works I’m good wit it. And I’ll say this Jennings did well matched up against speedy Cooks. I’ll just keep waiting on it.
September 22nd, 2015 at 9:42 am
I have no problem with rotating CBs & Ss……at least we have moved on from LJ….
September 22nd, 2015 at 9:42 am
I still remember Ronde getting trucked over and over again by Deangelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart in that final Panthers game under Gruden. They ran for over 300 yards that day and Ronde was bouncing off those two guys like a Spaniard getting gored in the streets of Pamplona during the running of the bulls. I’ve never seen Banks get owned like that and I doubt we ever will. So Ronde should stop criticizing Banks and parroting Lovie and start doing his own analysis.
September 22nd, 2015 at 9:43 am
In todays NFL, you have to have 3 GOOD starting caliber corners. Thats just the way it is. Too many situations where you need the extra bodies. Besides, it appears to me that Verner is still working the “learning curve” with respect to the Cover 2.
September 22nd, 2015 at 9:59 am
The reason for Jennings playing Cooks was speed. Jennings had 53 snaps Sunday, Banks 67, Moore 45 and Verner 36. Looks like Verner got the short end of the snaps.. um stick, just as Joe stated. Johnthan Banks had a great game against the Saints. His (+2.8) Pro Football Focus overall grade was the second-highest among cornerbacks, and he played well both in coverage (+1.5) and against the run (+1.2). Banks was thrown at just twice, allowing only one catch, where he made a great play to keep Willie Snead out of the end zone on a two-point conversion attempt. Jennings overall score was (+ 0.5). He was thrown at 4 times and only had two completions made against him. Verner score was (-1.9) and Moore (-0.5). Moore had the great left upper cut to knock the ball out at a critical point in the game. All in all a very good performance by the CB group with Banks showing his dominance.
September 22nd, 2015 at 10:01 am
Killian Says
“Why haven’t we traded Glennon to the Cowboys for a 2nd or 3rd yet?”
Patience.
And a 3rd isn’t good enough. If a team is trying acquire him, they’re desperate. Desperate teams will pay more if pushed.
Maybe the offer isn’t good enough. Maybe Licht feels the offer will go up if the Cowboys suffer through a game without Glennon.
September 22nd, 2015 at 10:02 am
Personally, I believe it will take a first to get the Bucs to part ways with Glennon THIS YEAR.
September 22nd, 2015 at 10:02 am
He’s certainly better than QBs the Patriots have traded for firsts.
September 22nd, 2015 at 10:05 am
FLBoyInDallas Says
“…I’ve never seen Banks get owned like that and I doubt we ever will. So Ronde should stop criticizing…”
To be fair, Barber was a bit older by that point.
But I actually agree that Banks is further along than Barber was at the same point in his career. In fact…I think I’ll do a little digging to compare…
September 22nd, 2015 at 10:15 am
How many 3rd picks work out? Less than 50%. With QB’s that % may be even worse! Why would we simply recoup an investment that has clearly worked out.
Man if a guy doesn’t LOOK like a player the folks here turn on him eh. MG8 would be successful behind that Dallas OL. MG8 can spin the ball. Of course he doesn’t have Fameis’ upside but he can be a competent…Brad Johnson, Trent Dilfer like QB.
The market for MG8 is coming to us! There is no need to be in a rush! He will have plenty of value in the offseason. I’m with BucBonzai…I don’t trade him during the season for anything less than a #1 or perhaps a package of picks…2nd and 3rd…or a player we really like in a trade.
September 22nd, 2015 at 10:16 am
The Saints game saw the successful deployment of players at ALL positions by the Bucs coaching staff.
Sports media analysts get a free pass to say whatever they want to garner ears and eyes.
The more controversy, the more ears and eyes…..
It should be noted that Verner was the victim of the Saints 2-WR pick play that lead to a late game TD by the Saints.
I would have hoped that all the “intense film study” and “hard work” we’ve been hearing about would have prepared our secondary for what has to be a very common play in the NFL. I also remember the Titans using it a week ago with success.
I have to believe that the success of that play 2-weeks running would mean that we are ready to stop it against the Texans. I would also hope that Koetter would be drooling to use the same play considering the height/weight advantage our receivers have over most teams.
Oh well….”Any given Sunday”
Go Bucs…
September 22nd, 2015 at 10:17 am
So, here are the stats.
Ronde Barber by his SECOND GAME into his third year:
2 Interceptions
3 Sacks
0 Tackles Listed (though I wonder how that is possible with sacks)
0 Passes Defended
0 Touchdowns
Johnthan Banks by his SECOND GAME into his third year:
7 Interceptions
0 Sacks
111 Tackles
15 Passes Defended
1 Touchdown
This is not to suggest Banks is better than Barber, but only that he is developing faster than Barber did.
September 22nd, 2015 at 10:42 am
Nobody is trading Glennon. You heard what Licht said “he is on our team” or similar words. Besides, nobody likes MG like his mob does.
September 22nd, 2015 at 10:43 am
Banks couldn’t hold Barber’s jock.
September 22nd, 2015 at 11:04 am
Great analysis Bonzai,and thanks for not making me wait on it.😉
September 22nd, 2015 at 1:17 pm
Banks wA one player that was consistently good last year could say one of the best players on defense last year.
What’s the love affair with Jenkins he was getting killed in preseason, I like him cause he is USF product but dude is been paid now to sit injured for a second yr.
True about Rhonde he was about to quit football I think early on. Can’t compare careers chase Rhonde had hall of fame stats. But banks has talent , let’s not lose another CB at watch him excel as top in nfl (talib)
September 22nd, 2015 at 2:27 pm
Banks hasn’t done anything really wrong or bad since revis left. Mostly because that’s year revis was here teams just targeted the other CB which was banks .
This year he banks is revis . He’s the no 1 cb in TB . Verner hasnt proven anything yet in Tampa , so might as well find his replacement
September 22nd, 2015 at 2:28 pm
& ronde played on the outside all the time and was good at it he played slot too but he was an outside corner don’t get it twisted
September 22nd, 2015 at 10:25 pm
I don’t think this has anything to do with Banks besides he is not really a quick twitch slot type CB and Jennings is. I think Barber’;s words could be skewed here. either way It’s obvious Verner is the weakest link of the 3 but hey this may be a blessing in desquise , I’ve felt since his arrival that he would be a great Slot CB. Maybe that’s verner’s true calling
September 22nd, 2015 at 11:34 pm
“CB Johnthan Banks had a great game on Sunday. His +2.8 overall grade was the second-highest among cornerbacks, and he played well both coverage (+1.5) and against the run (+1.2). Banks was thrown at just twice, allowing only 1 catch where he made a great play to keep WillieSnead out of the end zone on a two-point conversion attempt.”
Banks is not playing poorly lol
September 23rd, 2015 at 12:15 am
Lovie needs to start Jennings at one of the safety spots. Jennings is also a player who has knack for getting to the football also. He would be the perfect fit as a starter at free safety or #1 corner is fine with Banks as the two putting Verner at nickel. Verner is also a crafty player and would be a lockdown out the nickel position. This is some hard fire lovie got this year to go along with Moore who is also a crafty player that can get to the ball. Overall though I think Jennings should stsrt at Safety along with Swearinger at strong safety.
September 23rd, 2015 at 1:44 am
Ronde played outside only with over the top help. He was never truly one on one because he wasn’t fast enough. Learn your history.
September 23rd, 2015 at 3:46 am
Jason McLaurin Says: I don’t like your idea of playing Jennings at safety, however I am very disappointed in Swearinger in both run and pass defense. Watch the game in New Orleans. Time and time again he either blew the coverage or completely missed the tackle. The supposed “hard hitting” Shady was no where to be found. As I watched him play I started to feel that he is soft. Not once did he go all out on a tackle (like Conte was on every play). He got burned when they ran it in for a TD in the 4th when he completely overran the play. He was not intimidating anyone. McDougald, Conte, Tandy and Wright, all blow him away. Verner continues to struggle.