Doom Scenario Developing For Alterraun Verner
August 25th, 2016
The numbers look troubling for the Buccaneers’ big-money, 27-year-old cornerback, who himself was a mathematics major at UCLA.
Alterraun Verner can’t feel too great about the equation developing.
- Free agent Brent Grimes looks like the legitimate No. 1 cornerback he has been for many years.
- Rookie Vernon Hargreaves, the No. 11 overall pick, is making play after play over the past week, and looks primed to start at cornerback opposite Grimes.
- Second-year man Jude Adjei-Barimah has impressed coaches and transitioned well into nickel cornerback.
- Joe knows the Bucs like free agent, versatile cornerback Josh Robinson (25 years old, four seasons with the Vikings). He had strong practices up in Jacksonville.
- Johnthan Banks is only due about $850,000 this season, whereas Verner is due about $7 million. Yes, Banks has fallen on the depth chart, but he’s a damn good guy to have as a No. 5 cornerback.
Barring an injury or a meltdown tomorrow night against the Browns, Verner’s job could be in jeopardy.
Will the Bucs pay him huge money to be a backup for the second consecutive season? Can the Bucs squeeze Verner into a cheaper contract? Is there a trade market for Verner?
After a strong start to this year’s training camp, Verner has tailed off a bit. He certainly doesn’t look like he’s on the cusp of returning to his Pro Bowl season of 2013, while playing for the Titans.
Last year, the Bucs kept just four cornerbacks on their initial 53-man roster, though it was clear that Tim Jennings’ signing was imminent. So in reality, Tampa Bay kept five corners to start the season.
Verner and Banks might not be sleeping too well these days.
August 25th, 2016 at 4:44 pm
Colts are desperate for CB, plus he is familiar with the division, what are they willing to part with to get him, mmmmm
August 25th, 2016 at 4:44 pm
Actually….and somewhat surprisingly…an embarrassment of riches at corner. Now the wafer thin safety position is an entirely different story…
August 25th, 2016 at 4:48 pm
I think a restructured contract is in order here……we have the money, so we don’t need to trade him……we should consider trading either Verner or Banks if the price is right.
August 25th, 2016 at 4:49 pm
When we have a winning season for once, then we can start cutting guys because of money. However, I’m not trying to hear it now. Every year we have corners go down. I know he’s an expensive backup, but again let’s win a few games before I’m willing to think we can get rid of good players.
August 25th, 2016 at 4:55 pm
Verner is not going anywhere Joe. We are still what? – $10 Million under the salary cap for this year? Verner may be overpaid – but he’s still a pretty darn good player and has had a good camp overall so far. An NFL team needs as many good CBs as it can afford to keep.
Banks is history unless they decide to keep 6 CBs which is unlikely – or unless Banks has a HUGE next couple of games which I guess is possible. The writing is on the wall though I’d say. Banks is currently 6th on the depth chart and did not get into the Jax game until well into the 2nd half. He did have the pick in that game – but it was a gimme based more on luck than skill.
Grimes, Hargreaves and Verner are your 3 starters – and Hey Jude and Robinson have both had very good camps so far. Banks? Not so much.
If Banks makes the team – it will be because they decided NOT to keep a 3rd QB, 4th TE/H-back or 9th Dline player on the active 53. We have no choice but to protect Ryan Griffin considering Glennon’s contract status. So who is likely to make more positive impact for your team moving forward? Vitale and Howard Jones – or Banks?
We shall see. But Verner is not going to be cut – that I am almost certain of.
August 25th, 2016 at 4:55 pm
Hawaiian buc, couldn’t have said it better! We are.in no position to be releasing quality players due to payroll issues. Now if we can trade for a receiver, that’s a different story.
August 25th, 2016 at 5:01 pm
Bucs already paid $2.5 million of his salary in a roster bonus this spring. So cutting him would only save about $4.5 million.
August 25th, 2016 at 5:01 pm
Bank USED to be a darn good number 5. But his play has fallen off significantly. I had hopes that Banks would do better under this new regime. But he seems to be the lowest guy on the totem pole. We might keep him around as the 5th CB. But he won’t be back next season. Neither banks nor Verner will be back next season, if I had to guess.
August 25th, 2016 at 5:05 pm
The Bucs do not have the luxury of cutting quality players, and Verner is a quality player.
A trade for an excellent WR? That’s a different story…
August 25th, 2016 at 5:09 pm
Going into the off season, we had big holes at CB, DE, and WR (depth)
We added 3 CBs, 2 DEs, 0 WRs. I just don’t get it.
I guess I do. The market wasn’t rich with WR talent. And the talent has to want to play for the team too. But it really blows my mind, we didn’t at least try to add a later round (4-7) WR, to add some depth. The camp meat isn’t much of a threat to even Dye’s job.
Idk what Josh Gordon’s contract situation is like, but I hope Licht at least tested the waters on a trade for Gordon. The kid is an idiot but he can ball.
August 25th, 2016 at 5:09 pm
Thank you Hawaiian Buc and Pickgrin … Alterraun Verner’s not going anywhere unless the Bucs management have their collective heads between their legs again. And I personally don’t see him as a ‘backup’ in Smitty’s defense.
For starters, folks are assuming that Hargreaves will get to start because he’s had several picks in preseason. Big whoop … it’s call ‘preseason’ for a reason. For another, Smitty’s still trying to figure out what he’s got and who fits best where. And oh ya, $7 mil is nothing for a quality corner, and Verner is a quality corner who’s only 27 years old. Grimes has maybe one more year after this and then what? Who’d start in his place … another rookie that we’ve got to invest a #1 pick in? Agree with Pickgrin that IF Banks makes the team, it’d be as the 6th CB, not replacing one of the five mentioned. And as Hawaiian said, injuries happen, and we’ve got to be prepared to deal with them. Just wish media and others would get off the ‘Speculation Choo-Choo’ and let the coaches decide who makes the team and who starts. They will anyways.
August 25th, 2016 at 5:12 pm
I’m not a big believer in hey Jude. If we have cap room why not keep verner. You always hear nfl people say you can never have enough corners..
August 25th, 2016 at 5:20 pm
keep him and move banks to FS….if an injury occurs banks can play cb….GO BUCS!!!!
August 25th, 2016 at 5:29 pm
Trade for a kicker?
August 25th, 2016 at 5:32 pm
Pay the guy. Who knows who will be hurt.
August 25th, 2016 at 5:38 pm
“keep him and move banks to FS….if an injury occurs banks can play cb…”
______________
Not the worst idea I’ve ever heard
August 25th, 2016 at 5:51 pm
“keep him and move banks to FS….if an injury occurs banks can play cb…”
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Not the worst idea I’ve ever heard
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So 4th round draft pick Ryan Smith who has already flashed talent and has speed and ball skills and experience at safety that Banks does not should be cut in favor of Banks at safety? Or should we cut Tandy who has already developed into a very solid Safety back up and is also very good on special teams?
We are only keeping 4 safeties on the active roster and Major Wright is in the same position as Banks – on the outside looking in with little to no wiggle room regarding beating the #s and making the team this year.
August 25th, 2016 at 5:56 pm
Injuries happen!
Keep him!
August 25th, 2016 at 6:01 pm
Indy would be a good fit,they need the help. I’d want moncrief but you don’t see many player for player trades and they would have to be willing but I can dream right
August 25th, 2016 at 6:06 pm
keep him, there will be injuries.
August 25th, 2016 at 6:08 pm
Lovie signed him so it’s Lovie’s fault….or if he plays well the. ACDC got one right. Awesome
August 25th, 2016 at 6:23 pm
despite the down years he still is a better safety net than either Josh Robinson or J Banks. If Grimes or VH go down for any reason i would rather have AV to step in instead of Jude moving out of the slot or putting either of the other 2 guys on the other team’s starting WRs. Maybe the bucs have to eat a little salary to make it happen, but i wouldn’t consider less than a 4th rounder. anything lower than that and we should stick to our guns like we (supposedly) did in Glennon trade talks.
in the meantime, see if you can cut that salary in half
August 25th, 2016 at 6:23 pm
It could be worse!!! At least it wasn’t the pop-star who signed him!!! He would have been making twice as much!!!! Just the wright, hawk and revis deals!!! This is small money for being ” a big money” backup!!!!
August 25th, 2016 at 6:25 pm
Keep him. Period. We’re paying more to another high priced F/A who hasn’t seen the field.
August 25th, 2016 at 6:27 pm
to echo some of the above…yes, let’s not pretend we are so talented that we can just cut players with a history of producing like AV has. keep him on the roster until we need the cap room or turn him into a decent draft pick or depth player at another position of need
August 25th, 2016 at 6:34 pm
lol at a headline using the words “Doomsday” because we have good corner depth
First, Joe didn’t write “doomsday.” Second, the scenario is for Verner himself, as the story spells out.–Joe
August 25th, 2016 at 6:39 pm
Also the cash isn’t that big a deal when you just look at what we spend on the CB position vs other teams.
We’re spending about the same amount on Verner / VHIII / Grimes combined as the Redskins are spending on Josh Norman this year.
August 25th, 2016 at 6:41 pm
“First, Joe didn’t write “doomsday.” Second, the scenario is for Verner himself, as the story spells out.–Joe”
I stand corrected Joe. But still – my brain just saw “Doom” and felt the panic bait 😉
August 25th, 2016 at 6:45 pm
If the bucs are so cheap they shouldn’t have spent 10 mil on Sweezy
August 25th, 2016 at 6:47 pm
Zach Says
“Bucs already paid $2.5 million of his salary in a roster bonus this spring. So cutting him would only save about $4.5 million.”
Which means a team trading for him would only pay him $4,5m this year. Good incentive.
3rd rounder would be nice. Or a decent WR.
August 25th, 2016 at 6:48 pm
Keep him! Injuries and PED suspensions happen at any minute.
August 25th, 2016 at 6:58 pm
If there was a trade, I would hope it would be with Indy. They desperately need help at corner and they have an abundance of receivers. I wouldn’t mind seeing something like that. More weapons for Jameis means better development and more wins in the long run.
August 25th, 2016 at 7:04 pm
Good CB depth, or Good WR depth if a trade occurs. Sounds like a glass half full/half empty type of scenario. As Realist would say. “Some say the glass is half empty, some say it is half full. I say, ‘Looks like I’m about to get another beer.’ “
August 25th, 2016 at 7:33 pm
Why in the hell would they move verner to starting corner after a great showing vs chad henney? Why would they weaken the depth at that position. Until Verner shows hes not good enough I think he should start. I also think the defense is going to suck.unless our corners jam the damn recievers every once in a while at the line. Getting tired of this soft coverage crap. If they keep that up they should just go ahead and bench the starters like lovie used to do becasue nobodys gonna look good playing like that every snap of the game
August 25th, 2016 at 7:35 pm
Not to mention the team isnt pressed for cap space
August 25th, 2016 at 7:35 pm
I meant hargraeves to start
August 25th, 2016 at 8:30 pm
“The Bucs’ defense looked noticeably different in the second preseason game, with the defensive line failing to generate a single sack after four the previous week. What was the difference? McCoy sat out because of a minor ankle injury. It all starts up front with McCoy, a four-time Pro Bowler and three-time first-team All-Pro who has, as several players have pointed out, “one of the fastest, scariest get-offs” they’ve seen. Since 2013, he has had 26.5 sacks, the most of any defensive tackle during that span. –
August 25th, 2016 at 8:34 pm
Just in case the “Geraldine” crowd missed it.
…………………
“Since 2013, he has had 26.5 sacks, the most of any defensive tackle during that span. -“
August 25th, 2016 at 8:56 pm
You had me at Geraldine.
August 25th, 2016 at 9:07 pm
As much as I luv ya DB, it sucks to see you hatin’ on the Best DT in the League over the last 3 yrs cause he is not Warren Sapp
August 25th, 2016 at 9:37 pm
No way in hell will they cut Verner. Why? The money? $7 million? Chump change in the league anymore. Banks will be lucky to be on the roster in 10 days.
August 25th, 2016 at 10:11 pm
Keep him!
August 25th, 2016 at 10:53 pm
it’s a very difficult decision. VH3 is the number one pick that has looked very good this past week. Verner has looked good in camp with the same corners coach he had in his Pro Bowl years. And Hey-Jude has impressed coaches all camp. We have great CB depth but its gonna be a battle between VH3, Verner, and Hey Jude these next two weeks for starting roles.
August 25th, 2016 at 10:54 pm
I don’t see Verner getting cut. Traded, maybe. But if his salary were a big concern, he probably would have been cut no later than after the draft. Plus, in todays NFL you are seeing alot more 3+ WR sets on offense and must have solis CB depth as a result. Again, trading him for a WR who can return kicks would be nice. But if not, keeping him would serve us better, regardless of salary.
August 26th, 2016 at 12:24 am
Try him at SAFETY!!! Dammmm!!
Guess we’re going CB high again next draft…..smh, but as good as this one worked with VH then lets do it. Passing league…..CB 1st, WR 2nd.
August 26th, 2016 at 2:40 am
Hardly doomsday.
Robinson and banks are not good. Period lol.
We need three starters and then we need depth that could perform if they go down.
Verner being worried about not being a Buc is a non story. It simply isn’t true.
August 26th, 2016 at 2:41 am
Also had his salary been an issue Licht wouldn’t have waited till the 11th hour for it to suddenly be an issue.
August 26th, 2016 at 9:28 am
“Start Verner! Start Banks!!! Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!!!!”
That’s all I heard from the Lovie Smith detractors last year.
I’m not saying Lovie Smith should be here. All I’m saying is that these two have had plenty of opportunity to show the current Buccaneers coaching staff that they were really being “held back” by Lovie. All they have done in the pre-season is demonstrate that Lovie Smith saw issues in their play and game film that prompted him to bench both of them last year.
August 26th, 2016 at 10:28 am
Kevin Says
“Why in the hell would they move hargraeves to starting corner”
I agree with your point. He looked good, but it was against backups. Putting him out there too soon could stunt his growth.
Also…making him a backup will inspire him to work much harder.
August 26th, 2016 at 10:29 am
@D-Rome
If Banks had not been demoted, he probably would have been much better by now.
August 26th, 2016 at 12:36 pm
There is no trade market for Verner. It’s late in the pre-season, he has a fat contract, and he’s not a very good player. If the Bucs cut him, he would probably get picked up on a league minimum contract, but nobody is willing to trade for him.
August 26th, 2016 at 12:51 pm
Not yet. But his salary is going to be a big obstacle to a trade.
August 26th, 2016 at 1:32 pm
Either restructure his deal or try to trade him for a late round pick. 7 million bucks is not a huge contract for a guy with a pro bowl n still only 27.
August 26th, 2016 at 3:41 pm
I’m no coach.. and i’m sure they MUST’VE gone down this route already, but why haven’t they tried Banks at safety, yet.
I truly believe he could and would flourish there.