“I’ve Been Learning A Lot Of Football”
May 22nd, 2014
The Bucs’ Pro Bowl corner weighs in
Having Alterraun Verner play like Alterraun Verner the Pro Bowler of the Titans is not enough for Lovie Smith.
No way. Verner himself said today that just won’t be satisfactory.
The eloquent Bucs’ stud corner, the Darrelle Revis replacement, is very impressed by his coaching and handling.
“I’ve been loving it here, just the intensity we have in practice, the attention to detail that everybody has. Even Lovie. Lovie is very involved with everything. And he’s not just settled with good performances,” Verner said on SiriusXM NFL Radio. “He wants us to be great. He wants us to be doing everything the best we can [within] the rules of OTAs.
“I really feel like they care about me being a great player. They just don’t want me to be OK or just not get better from what I’ve done, you know, in the past. So I’ve been loving it. I’ve been learning a lot of football.”
During the Bucs’ first practice under Lovie Smith, Joe noted how hard coaches were working Verner, really drilling him with details and coaching him like he had no Pro Bowl under his belt. Joe was glad to hear Verner took all that in with the right attitude. Joe’s hardly surprised. This is a real class young man.
Verner also said today what’s surprised him about his new team is how humble, hungry and intense it is, determined to do a complete turnaround from the 4-12 stain of last season.
Joe’s getting excited. It would be such a joy to see a top-10 defense return.
May 22nd, 2014 at 3:12 pm
You got me all hyped up today joe, Great articles!!!
May 22nd, 2014 at 3:14 pm
“Joe’s getting excited. It would be such a joy to see a top-10 defense return.”
You ain’t never lied!!!
May 22nd, 2014 at 3:20 pm
The story sounds familiar since we’re accost ones to regime changes in Tampa.
I do actually believe the results will be different this time. Experience at this level counts.
May 22nd, 2014 at 3:20 pm
You hit it on the head Joe. This entire rebuild has been about replacing Ego, Complacency, and Acceptance of Fate with Humility, Hunger, and Intensity. Lovie has put together a hell of a nucleus. Time will tell how all the moves worked out, but one goal already accomplished is to form a team that is together on the same page. Give me a hungry team that always wants to get better rather than one full of underperforming prima donnas secure in their own glory.
May 22nd, 2014 at 3:26 pm
Very happy to see you getting excited about something positive to do with the Bucs. But I hope you talk about MW or MG soon because I need some action.
May 22nd, 2014 at 3:38 pm
I second that
May 22nd, 2014 at 3:42 pm
Man. What a tall drink of water this off season has been. Lovie is such a breathe of fresh air. And any other cliches that fit the mold.
May 22nd, 2014 at 4:12 pm
Pablo thinks Verner will be a turnover machine in the defense. He will be what Tillman was in the Tampa 2 .
May 22nd, 2014 at 4:26 pm
I am not a blind homer and like to see the team taken to task when necessary but for you to go on the radio every week and giggle like little girls about Mr Backup, Mr Cannon, QB of the future seems overplayed. We get your opinion about MG but the suck up is not enjoyable or entertaining. Continue to criticize and give opinions but come up with some new material.
May 22nd, 2014 at 4:42 pm
Who is are starting right guard again?
May 22nd, 2014 at 5:00 pm
Real Coaching has reached One Buc Palace! Expect PROGRESS. This brings hope to game planning and halftime adjustments.
Go Bucs!
May 22nd, 2014 at 5:13 pm
My goal is to see a top 5 defense next season.
May 22nd, 2014 at 5:17 pm
@ Jim: Jamon Meredith
May 22nd, 2014 at 6:06 pm
@ joe$ucsfan. I just want to know where the big dogs hands are at when everyone is giggling like little school girls. Said it last week . Sounds like a three way circle jurk
May 22nd, 2014 at 6:10 pm
And what a sensitive Sally when Freeman’s name is brought up . No one gives a $hit how his coaches treated him. He failed all the fans who paid good hard earned money to watch him and buy his jersey
May 22nd, 2014 at 8:02 pm
There is a lot to be positive about! And that’s been a long time coming.
If they sign two good guards before the preseason games- do we really have any unaddressed weaknesses? The D-line could use some depth possibly, but I expect better play from the guys we had. 3 years is ussually the year the light comes on for D-Linemen.
I had my doubts. When they cut Revis, I couldn’t believe they cut our best defender. I was pissed
But to see how they stretched the money they saved- they made me a believer.
Unlike EVERY other Buc regime- they actually used money they saved- to improve the team. That alone gives me faith.
I had my doubts about Glennon. But you could see his intelligence last year. If Lovie loves him- then I will be onboard.
It just feels different , this”rebuild”. I lost my mind last preseason – screaming that we didn’t have a slot Reciever, or TE. Dom and Schiano said they didn’t need one
Riiiiight.
This time- the moves make sense. The draft picks were proven talents- not obscure bust in waiting
I can’t wait to see the final product hit the field this season!!
GO BUCS!!
May 22nd, 2014 at 8:18 pm
i was gonna wait until next week and call into show w/ joe buc & “the big dog” to say this, instead i’ll type this now. the bucs players should be excited and some worried at the same time. i laughed yesterday when i heard that tim jennings (a no-name before he came to the bears) was a top 100 player.oh how the media gave lovie so much grief when he turned a running back out of college to a 3tech, “a top 5 3tech”. it was also amazing how he took charles tillman and helped him elevate his game to almost “Hall Of Fame” status.
watch, if you see lovie talking about & working with a player personally that the starter at that position should be worried about his job. with lovie there will always be a surprise cut or trade because he has faith in a project. corey graham was just glad to make special teams but after training with lovie and gil he won a superbowl as a starting corner w/ the ravens. I’ll Stop Right Here
May 22nd, 2014 at 8:47 pm
Dougy, I don’t know where his hands were but to be safe I would not shake his hand after the show.
May 23rd, 2014 at 6:52 am
I remember when top 10 was the norm for our D…you couldn’t keep us out of the top 10 if you tried….hope we are back to those days.