Alterraun Verner Talks Bucs Future
December 28th, 2015
CB Alterraun Verner understands what soon may be his Bucs fate
When the Bucs signed Alterraun Verner to essentially replace Darrelle Revis in early 2014, both the Bucs and Verner were riding high.
The honeymoon for Lovie Smith was in full blast. “So Lovie didn’t want Revis? Eh, we got Lovie!” Bucs fans bellowed with glee.
Not quite two years later, Bucs fans handball their coffee mugs across the breakfast table in rage at the thought of Lovie pushing Revis out the door.
Verner was coming off a Pro Bowl. To hear Lovie speak, he was the perfect man for his defense. Problem was, Verner didn’t take to Lovie’s defense (or coaching style), and had it not been for total slugs also signed in free agency like Anthony Collins and Ghost Johnson, Verner would have caught much more hell from fans for his play.
Instead, Verner went somewhat unnoticed only because other free agents were shatting on the field, terribly so.
Enter 2015 and suddenly Verner, who is due $6.75 million in 2016, was relegated to nickel back duties or worse, scout team in practice. That’s a tough pill for the front office to swallow, to pay a guy nearly $7 million for special teams duty.
Yesterday, perhaps being offered the last chance to stake his claim to a roster spot next season barring a reworking of his contract, Verner had a really bad game. His face mask penalty wiped out a Will Gholston interception that would have given the Bucs the ball inside the Chicago-10 with a chance to go up 14-0.
Instead, the Bears retained possession and later scored a touchdown to tie the game, a potential 14-point swing.
Verner also had a holding call on a punt return.
Joe caught up with the always classy Verner after the game. Joe asked Verner if he thought he just played his final Bucs home game, given his contract and decreased playing time,
Verner hopes not but didn’t dispute what might be looming.
“At the end, it is a business,” Verner said. “So, all I know is that I have two more years left on my contract that I have to fulfill. At the end of the day, [the Bucs and the beancounters] are going to do the numbers and they are going to do the math. They are going to try to figure out the best way to make this team the best they can.
“So, is it a possibility [Verner played his final home game with the Bucs]? Yeah, I think it is a possibility. Every year is a possibility. Last year when we played the Saints here that could have been my last.
“I’m not going to sit there and worry about it. I am going to just keep on working and whatever happens, happens. At the end of the day, this team will get better next year. Hopefully, I am a part of that.”
You see why Joe calls Verner classy? He sees the handwriting on the wall. He didn’t dodge the obvious. He wants to stay (has quite a few million reasons why) and sincerely believes the Bucs will turn things around and very much wants to be a part of that.
The NFL is a cruel business. And sadly, Verner did himself no favors yesterday in sort of a final dress rehearsal for coaches and front office types.
Unless the Bucs and Verner agree to rework his contract, or Verner goes nuts next week with two or three picks, it’s hard to envision him returning next year.
Some $7 million a year ought to be able to buy something more than a part-time player.
December 28th, 2015 at 7:37 am
He will go to a team that has real coaches and blow up again, eating pineapple.
December 28th, 2015 at 8:20 am
And that team will be willing to pay. After all is said and done they will know who he was playing for!!
December 28th, 2015 at 8:23 am
I don’t think he wants to stay! Sounds more like he is excited to be cut so he can build his career back to hat it was before lovie !!!!
December 28th, 2015 at 8:31 am
The front office has a ton of work to do this offseason and hopefully can address a number of the holes on defense. Unfortunately Verner doesn’t appear to be a good fit here. The fixes will most likely have to be done through the draft primarily. I also think they have some important business to take care of on offense. The team is not nearly as effective on offense without VJax out there. The team has plenty of money under the cap and needs to make sure they have him hear for a year or two to help tutor Evans and be an extra weapon for Jameis. Hopefully they can restructure his contract to make it more in line with his real market value at this point. The other key is resigning Martin. The fumbles are troubling but he still could finish the season as the leading rusher. You can’t let a guy like that walk away.
December 28th, 2015 at 9:06 am
Bellicheat will take verner.
December 28th, 2015 at 9:13 am
DenJoe..you are correcto my man. Bellicheat will welcome Verner with open arms. But he needs to leave here. He’s been inconsistent when needed the most. He plays good in sperts. But has let us down a lot.
December 28th, 2015 at 9:31 am
What db hasnt let us down it’s subpar coaching. Belecheat knows this and looks for the guys we let go.
December 28th, 2015 at 9:46 am
It’s trash day, take it out.
December 28th, 2015 at 10:59 am
Verner has looked bad. I dont care what scheme he is in either, we do a little bit of everything, all based out of some zone and some man. So what, Verner will all of a suddenn remember how to cover some where else? Maybe if he goes somewhere with a pass rush he’ll do okay. But heaven forbid the opposing qb uses slant routes and three step drops. Although to be fair, that int where he out smarted OBJ was pretty cool.
Seriously, who do we got as a nucleus on this secondary? Banks, who may me gone, Moore, who may be gone, Conte, who may be gone and McDougald, who is ok. I think it would be wise to give up the farm for Bosa or Ndmikche.
December 28th, 2015 at 2:09 pm
Sterling Moore is the only genuine keeper of the group. He had some very good games against some top NFL WR’s. He’s not Revis but he’s competent and would be excellent if he was the #2 cover corner.
The rest seem like interchangeable parts for depth. Maybe Hey Jude still has some upside…Banks? Verner at least brings veteran experience.