Last Bucs Home Game For Verner?
December 27th, 2015
Last Bucs home game?
On one hand, Joe suspects massive change is coming to the Bucs’ secondary. With plenty of cap money and, of course, the draft, the secondary very well could be overhauled for 2016.
On the other hand, considering the horrific short history of Lovie Smith picking free agents (with the exception of two offensive linemen who were looking for work in August, one with direct ties to offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter), does anyone actually trust Lovie to do the shopping come March 15?
One guy Joe doesn’t expect back without a reworked contract is cornerback is Alterraun Verner. Per Rotoworld.com, Verner is due $6.75 million in 2016. Verner came to the Bucs as a Pro Bowl player, was relegated to nickelback duties, and against the Rams never took the field for the Bucs defense — Lovie’s defense — that got lit up like a bottle rocket on New Year’s Eve by Case Keenum of all people.
That’s an awful lot of cash to pay a special teams player. Even the Custodian of Canton, eye-RAH! Kaufman of the Tampa Tribune has a hunch Verner’s days are numbered.
In 2014, the Bucs signed Verner to a four-deal as a free agent from Tennessee, with $14 million in guaranteed money. He started 14 games last season and made 76 tackles, adding two interceptions and two forced fumbles.
But this year has been a very different story for Verner, who has made only four starts while being shifted from starting corner to part-time nickelback. In last Thursday night’s game at St. Louis, Tampa Bay’s only prime-time appearance of the season, Verner never took a single snap as a defensive back, although he played on special teams.
Verner and Johnthan Banks are two examples of the terrible job Lovie has done with his secondary. The first move Lovie made when he got to town was to run off Darrelle Revis. No, he couldn’t help. Then there’s Toast Jenkins, Loaf Jennings and undrafted Hey Jude. (Interesting how Leonard Johnson started for the Patriots last week.)
When six or so cornerbacks in two years aren’t good enough for you, two of which were among the better corners in the game and a third a promising player who led your team in picks last year, it isn’t the player. But it is the coaching. It’s really that simple.
(At least Lovie seems content with Sterling Moore, who started the last seven games but won’t soon make folks forget about Ronde Barber.)
Getting back to Lovie shopping for corners, just what exactly has Lovie demonstrated that suggests any cornerback he chooses won’t get used and tossed aside like a piece of gum?
December 27th, 2015 at 9:33 am
When six or so cornerbacks in two years aren’t good enough for you, two of which were among the better corners in the game and a third a promising player who led your team in picks last year, it isn’t the player. But it is the coaching. It’s really that simple.
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I been saying this! And people think drafting defense is going to be the miracle cure. LoL. I know Lovie will be back next year. I see more of the same coming.
December 27th, 2015 at 9:55 am
If you would have told me 2 years ago when we hired Lovie that our problem would be defense, in particular the secondary, I would have laughed and called you a fool.
December 27th, 2015 at 9:58 am
The Bucs are fielding nothing but backups. It’s scary to think they need at least 3-4 new corners next year. Considering Lovie’s evaluation skills of corners so far, that’s a frightening proposition.
December 27th, 2015 at 9:59 am
Pretty tough to fire your Son….but…..
December 27th, 2015 at 10:11 am
I don’t watch game film but are Verner and Banks really that talentless? Both came very highly rated and the Bucs were generally praised for both acquisitions. Barron seems to have had a good season in STL and Goldson is the starting safety for the Skins. Leonard Johnson always struck me as a decent depth guy. So is talent really the problem?
December 27th, 2015 at 10:17 am
Of course not NewTampaChris, Lovie is noted for being on of the worst talent evaluators in recent NFL history. They’ll probably look much better elsewhere than what replaces them.
December 27th, 2015 at 10:18 am
Verner and Banks are the best corners on the team, both itching to get out of Tampa. =(
December 27th, 2015 at 11:34 am
On the job training pays too much in Lovie’s case.
December 27th, 2015 at 11:50 am
You idiot fans never surprise. Lovie is in control of ALL personnell decisions and you stupid morons say he can’t evaluate talent?
Lmao you all are sooo stupid. Like a wet bag of sh it.
Lovie picked Winston. Lovie picked kwon Alexander. Lovie picked marpet. Lovie picked smith.
You morons do realize no one ever in the history of football has ever picked every single pick perfectly right?
No one hits on every single move. You stupid idiots think every aquisition should be a home run.
Absolutely the worst fan base in the league.
December 27th, 2015 at 12:46 pm
I wouldn’t give lovie that much credit for the draft. I think he had licht in his ear alot. But the misuse of the talent should be a crime. Dotson should have been starting since he came back from injury. Verner and banks should be starting with moore. Talent evaluation and player management is horrendous. FIRE LOVIE
December 27th, 2015 at 12:49 pm
@hire jimbo
Oh so the good picks are because of licht but the bad ones are all because of Lovie?
You’re the perfect example of the idiot fans on here. Why don’t you stfu you stupid sh it. LOVIE HAS COMPLETE PERSONELL CONTROL. NOT LICHT.
You’re a worthless fan. Pathetic. Lovie made those picks not licht you dumb as s
December 27th, 2015 at 12:51 pm
And who you gonna replace lovie with genuis? Just start all over again is your idea? Lmao go clean your room and get ready for your chicken nugget lunch mommy is making for you and leave the adult talk to people who know about it because you’re clearly not smart enough for this conversation.
Stupid.
December 27th, 2015 at 1:25 pm
U need to get off lovie nutz. He is a terrible coach and cost use at least 2 wins this year just by his game managment. And probably another 1 or 2 wins by his personal decisions. The guy is a bum. He is a defensive coach but his defence is ASS. The only reason we looked good at times this year is because of the offense. So when lovie has a desent defense he can get some credit. Until then he is a bum head coach
December 27th, 2015 at 1:35 pm
Lol wow you are a special kind of stupid. I can’t even believe I’m debating a total dumbas s like you. Stfu you pathetic fan. Go root for the pats or some other team you worthless piece of sh it.
December 27th, 2015 at 1:41 pm
Your an idiot. You obviously don’t know how the front office of a nfl franchise works. You don’t know what your talking about so you resort to name calling. I think you are the little kid. ohh hang on I’ll be right back. Your mom just called. My chicken nuggets are done. LOSER
FIRE LOVIE
December 27th, 2015 at 1:44 pm
So let me get this straight. All the good players are because of licht and all the bad ones are because of lovie. Ok got it genuis.
Guess you don’t know what “complete personnel control” means.
December 27th, 2015 at 1:46 pm
And guess what? Lovie isn’t going anywhere so the jokes on you lmao.
Cry and moan all you want but he’s here so suck it cry baby lmao. Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahhahahahahahhahahahahaha.
You can rant and rave all you want about lovie but guess who the coach is this year and next? LOVIE SMITH HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHA SO FU CK YOU.
December 27th, 2015 at 1:57 pm
If we lose out lovie is as good as gone. If we win one the glazers will give him another year. It’s not like next year will be any different. The offense will still be put in holes by the defence and the rookies excuse will be that it takes a year to learn lovies system. Ohh and your mom makes some great chicken nuggets. B1tch
FIRE LOVIE
December 27th, 2015 at 2:33 pm
Hahahhaha you’re WRONG. lose out or not he’s coming baccccckkkkkkkk lol
So go suck it lol. You don’t know sh it. Bi tch.
LOVIE will return no matter what and you can cry and whine and bi tch and moan all you want lmao. Hahahahahahahahahahahhahahahahhahahahahahahahahahah. Suck it
December 27th, 2015 at 2:47 pm
It’s laughable how bad you want this team to continue to be bad. Take lovies d!ck out of your mouth and come back to reality