He’s In The NFL Now
September 25th, 2016
Already a veteran.
Two weeks ago, Bucs defensive coordinator Mike Smith remarked how few if any rookies have had a steeper hill to climb in their first two games than Bucs corner Vernon Hargreaves.
In Week 1, Hargreaves had assignments to cover arguably the best receiver in the game, Julio Jones.
In Week 2, Hargreaves on occasion had to cover future Hall of Famer Larry Fitzgerald.
After not shaming himself when most veterans would have wet their pants, Hargreaves could almost be considered an NFL veteran after those two tests.
This was not lost on Hargreaves when he spoke to Joe recently.
“Started early the first week having to cover 11,” Hargreaves said of Jones. “That was pretty cool. I think I have my feet wet and I’m ready to go.”
Love this attitude. Many corners, including vets, would say, “Naw, man,” if assigned to stop Jones. Hargreaves thought it was cool!
That’s some confidence the young man has. That’s because he knows he can ball.
September 25th, 2016 at 6:27 am
I have a feeling that Vernon will start the home opener with an int.
September 25th, 2016 at 7:36 am
@EA You think Vh3 will start off the game with an Int?i think Noah Spence will step up today with 2 big sacks!
September 25th, 2016 at 7:41 am
Hargraves will continue to get better and become that “DOG” in that defensive backfield no doubt in my mind, now we need a “BANGER” to step up and play Saftey, give Banks some reps at Saftey and see if he can handle the business! BUCS WIN BUCS WIN BUCS WIN!!
September 25th, 2016 at 8:00 am
Before the back lash :: Banks my not be a “BANGER” but if we can and I quote “coach the LOVIE out of him” maybe he can defend the deep ball a little better! That my opinion! Now bring it!
September 25th, 2016 at 9:26 am
BigHog
I don’t necessarily disagree with your opinion but could you flesh it out for me?
If you’re suggesting that perhaps we should be giving Banks reps at Safety then I’m on board completely.
I like Banks but he’s not going to send Grimes, Hargreaves or Verner..or for that matter Hey Jude to the bench.
Given our depth at CB and lack of it at S I’m kinda surprised that hasn’t happened already. But I certainly believe Smitty knows waaaaay more about defense than me and perhaps he has a reason to not experiment.
I do not know if Banks is ever given and reps at S during practice but I wonder why if he hasn’t gotten any.
September 25th, 2016 at 9:27 am
Oops sorry BigHog see in that earlier post you were touting Banks at Safety.
I agree.
September 25th, 2016 at 9:32 am
If Jeff Fisher still has Mark Barron around, Smith is an IDIOT if he doesn’t play Banks!! Banks knows Barron, and is as good as him. DK is building a 24K offense. Jury’s out on Smith and defense IMO. I’ve been writing all week for DK to play short offensively. Screens, sweeps, reverses (?), short passes. He’s got receivers: Sims, Hump, ME, V-Jax, Brate, etc. Throw in a 2-minute drill. I’ve listened to Fisher. He knows what kind of offense is materializing here. That will rest our D. Is it for real: LVD sitting out? Joe, who will be line backing for us today? It won’t be a disaster if our D can get rested.
GO MIGHTY BUCS AT RJS!! WHERE’S THE COUNTDOWN CLOCK? GREAT VISUAL FEATURE! 🙂
September 25th, 2016 at 9:50 am
I concur with the Big Hog. Give Banks or even Ryan Smith or Keith Tandy a shot at safety. I hate to be negative on any Buc player but Conte is not the answer. Plays well in run support but is a liability in coverage. His biggest problem is he keeps letting people get behind him. McDougal has not been as good as he was either.
2017 draft – WR – safety – TE and bring in a bridge vet in free agency at safety and TE like we did at DE with Ayres for Spence, linebacker Smith for Kwon and of course cornerback Grimes for VH3. VJax has shown to be an excellent mentor at WR.
First game this year I have to watch from home on Direct TV. Go Bucs!!!
September 25th, 2016 at 10:57 am
Cmon now Jonathan Banks is not a saftey, hes not fit for the position. Yes he’s tall but he lacks the footwork and ball skills for that position, safety’s need range y’all something that banks lacks severely. Banks is a cornerback.
September 25th, 2016 at 11:21 am
He’s far better than Conte.
September 25th, 2016 at 11:26 am
Conte has not played THAT bad, he has saved multiple TDs and I saw him in on a lot of plays last week, but Ur right most were in the box. 2017 take jabrill peppers
September 25th, 2016 at 11:59 am
I want Peppers in 2017. We’ve needed a good all around safety here since John Lynch and it looks like Peppers could be a star in this league.
September 25th, 2016 at 12:29 pm
And peppers is a FIRE KR/PR
September 25th, 2016 at 12:42 pm
BigHog, I completely agree with you about Banks at safety. Should have already tried it. What’s to lose? It’s not like we have All-Pro’s back there anyway. Maybe they tried in practice and it didn’t work out so well?
September 25th, 2016 at 12:51 pm
Tbbucs3, footwork is WAY more important at CB than at Saftey. His ball skills aren’t that bad, and he has more speed than a lot of people think. His problem at CB, in my opinion is reacting to the receivers “break”. At Saftey he would have the end of the route to worry about. I could be wrong. That’s why I said that maybe the tried it in practice already and it didn’t work.
September 25th, 2016 at 1:13 pm
BuccannerEric75, usually only really talneted corners can make the transition to saftey, it’s just not their natural position. The good safety’s in the league are smooth athletes, Banks just seems too stiff to make a successful transition. I like Banks where he is now, as a physical role player. Without him at CB we have no strength on the outsides, just speed.
September 25th, 2016 at 1:53 pm
It’s about time someone stood up for Chis Conte. People just seem to notice the bad play instead of a game full of good plays. Our secondary is better than most are giving it credit for. Grimes and Hargreaves are playing very well, Verner outstanding, Bradley McDougald had a great game against Arizona. All we need is the pressure which Noah Spence, Howard Jones and Williiam Gholston will produce today.
September 25th, 2016 at 3:31 pm
How many has Conte let get over his head? Too many.