Alterraun Verner: Trust Lovie
October 3rd, 2015
Despite being benched, CB Alterraun Verner is in Lovie’s corner.
Joe can understand any player, much less a proud guy like Bucs cornerback Alterraun Verner, being totally peeved about being benched and having to bite his tongue in frustration.
After all, the vast majority of NFL players are competitors. They have a burning drive to play and succeed. Often, that is how they got to the NFL, not by coasting.
Notice Joe wrote “most.”
Verner is one of the class, hard-working acts, and Joe’s written that previously. He’s a really good dude and one of Joe’s favorites to talk with and learn from.
So when Verner was benched last week by Lovie Smith, Joe figured he’d be so hacked off he wouldn’t want to talk. On the contrary, Verner not only talked to Andrew Astleford of BSPN.com, he believes folks should trust Lovie.
“It’s the coaches’ decision,” Verner said Thursday. “The coaches decided to go a different route in that way. As a competitor, everybody wants to be out there. You want to help the team out as much as we can. But we’ve got to trust in the coaches, and we do [trust them] to put the best people out there that are going to help the team win.”
Finally winning a home game would be a good start toward earning trust.
As Joe stated yesterday, if the Bucs can’t win at least one home game the next two weeks, instead of trust, there’s going to be a vast amount of distrust growing in these parts.
October 3rd, 2015 at 9:52 am
You’re right Joe, Alterraun Verner is a class act. And an excellent CB … you don’t make it to the Pro Bowl by not knowing your stuff.
Lovie undoubtedly felt that Jennings matched up better against the Texans’ WRs. I agree with Verner. Lovie’s the HC (and DC) and things like that are his call. If they work, he’s a genius. If they don’t, welcome to Bucville.
October 3rd, 2015 at 9:58 am
I was all for giving Lovie and Licht a chance to prove last season was an anomoly but after 3 weeks, the list is growing as to why these guys are not getting it done:
1) Entire team not even close to prepared for opening day
2) Massive amounts of penalties for the second year
3) Proven good players not showing up, poor tack
October 3rd, 2015 at 9:58 am
I didn’t pay as much attention in game 2 but in game 1 Verner was horrendous.
October 3rd, 2015 at 10:01 am
I was all for giving Lovie and Licht a change to prove last season was an anomaly, but af 3 weeks, the list is growing as to why these guys are not getting it done:
1) The entire team as not even close to being prepared to play on opening day.
2) Each week, undisciplined play leads to massive amounts of penalties
3) Proven players not showing up and playing to their abilities, ie poor tackling, dropped passes, penalties at the wrong time
4) Not a single area of the team is playing at a high level.
5) As a team there is no intensity to win.
Losing faith in Lovie and company pretty quickly. Hope I am wrong.
October 3rd, 2015 at 10:01 am
I am still waiting for tweedle dee and tweedle dumb to make some kind of football decision that indicates they have a clue as to what the eff they are doing. Zero free agents from their huge FA haul have worked out. Just pitiful
October 3rd, 2015 at 10:05 am
Bye Felicia
October 3rd, 2015 at 10:14 am
@Dave … “in game 1 Verner was horrendous.”
I don’t disagree that he had a bad game, but a player can look bad because of what he’s being asked to do and also because of what those around him are or aren’t doing. Oftentimes tough to tell what’s really going on and who’s really at fault on any given play.
I do believe that Verner’s a good CB, but I’m not totally convinced that he’s a good fit for the type of defense Lovie is asking these guys to run. He’s made some very good plays since being here, but also some really bad ones. (Oh oh … I think I used to say that about Biggers and Leonard Johnson).
October 3rd, 2015 at 11:29 am
Smart guy. IOW when CB’s get torched while Verner’s riding the pine give the credit to Lovie.
October 3rd, 2015 at 11:55 am
“Alterraun Verner: Trust Lovie” I just hope Verner is the third man in because there is no way Sterling Moore or even Mike Jenkins for that matter are better than Alterraun Verner. Not to mention Verner plays well against the stinking Panthers. Verner has the lowest percentage of receptions completed into the players coverage at 45.5% (5 of 11) with 9 tackles and a pass defended. He is a good CB. Then again..Jenkins will never play an entire game without getting injured so look for Verner to return shortly.
October 3rd, 2015 at 12:43 pm
Here is a replay of tomorrow’s game one day in advance. Except change the CB’s jersey # from #24 to #21. Everything else stays the same. Including the WR.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=QidPtefXv5c
October 3rd, 2015 at 12:50 pm
Another guy that lovie s system is making worse just like Lavonte and McCoy. His unwillingness to change certain aspects of his defense to suit players is a joke
October 3rd, 2015 at 4:35 pm
3-16, doesn’t earn you much trust with a season ticket holder. Enough excuses, time to win, or at least be competitive
October 3rd, 2015 at 4:49 pm
It was so frustrating last week watching this defense. Against the saints it seemed we were matching up man to man a lot more and mixing in zone. Then last week against a worse offense we go soft zone defense like we did vs Mariota. So what we will play aggressive vs good qbs and let lesser talent pick us apart.
If I can observe these things from my couch what the hell are the people getting paid doing? I have always liked Lovie but its getting downright frustrating. When something works you keep doing it and when you keep getting picked apart you stop doing it. Ugh I sure as heck hope they get aggressive again like the saints game or Cam is going to have a career day.
October 3rd, 2015 at 11:42 pm
Its might not be incompetence… Or ignorance from lovie smith…. Insanity… Hoping for a win with soft zone… Hows it working out? They need more blitzes, and more press coverage at the line by dB’s… None of this 10 yd cusion stuff… Button hooks all day
October 4th, 2015 at 1:09 am
WTF is Lovie thinking? I am no pro scout but he was our best DB last year and has played well (compared to the likes of Leonard lol) this year IMO-