Alterraun Verner And The No. 1 Pick
December 30th, 2014
Alterraun Verner tells a franchise-QB tale
During his Tennessee days, Alterraun Verner was around when Jake Locker was the highly-touted quarterback of the future, the eighth overall pick of the 2011 NFL Draft.
Locker was drafted to be “The Man.”
Joe asked Verner yesterday about what it’s like for a team to welcome and accept a first-round, franchise-quarterback prospect.
The former Pro Bowl cornerback laughed about the QB speculation saying, “those young guys,” seemingly referring to Marcus Mariota and Jameis Winston, haven’t declared for the NFL Draft yet.
But Verner said any rookie QB would be welcome with open arms.
“You know the organization is going to do what’s best for the organization. So If they feel like that person coming in can get the job done, then we’re going to just support that. I know with Locker, that’s the way we felt in Tennessee, when he was drafted,” Verner said. “
“They had the ideal for him to be the guy, and when I was there he showed that. He showed that he was a competitor. He was a leader. I think everything that they wanted to be coming out was that. It was just unfortunate for him he was injured a lot.
“I remember my last year in Tennessee, we were 3-1. He was rolling. He was clicking. He was becoming what that was. And even in the years before, in his first year he wasn’t playing Matt Hasselbeck was. But I remember he comes into the game when he was playing the Falcons, and we were down 17 points and he brought us back and gave us a chance to win at the end.
“Those type of decisions are going to be evaluated by the coaches, but when you make that decision, you’re expecting that person to make an effect on the team.”
Of course, Verner’s tale is somewhat sobering. There is no guarantee.
Per Verner, Locker showed he had what it took to be “The Man,” but it never materialized and injuries cut him down. Bucs fans know too well the steep rollercoaster of Josh Freeman.
The only certainty is whoever the Bucs draft at QB next season will be a great improvement to Josh McCown.
December 30th, 2014 at 8:57 am
A first draft pick is a very big investment….one that comes along very rarely….we had best bring in some Olinemen that protect him.
December 30th, 2014 at 8:57 am
“The only certainty is whoever the Bucs draft at QB next season will be a great improvement to Josh McCown.” That’s not true! The only certainty is death and taxes. We should forget QB and draft OL and DL. But no one is listening. A great QB behind a lousy OL will be on his back and throwing interceptions!
December 30th, 2014 at 9:05 am
Nobody wants to play for the Bucs. I bet they’re thinking twice about declaring.
December 30th, 2014 at 9:22 am
@ Tom O
I think this is our chance to get a great young/realatively cheap QB….we have other draft picks an FA $$$ to build the line and that is what we should focus on.
The 2nd round pick is # 33….I am certain that will produce a major prospect of OT/OG….the same could be said for pick 65.
December 30th, 2014 at 9:32 am
Locker is one of many QBs drafted in the first round in the past several years that hasn’t panned out. The Bucs better be convinced they’re getting a player worthy of the first overall pick. If they have any doubts whatsoever, they need to trade down.
December 30th, 2014 at 9:49 am
An improvement over Mccown and Glennon. Funny how you seem to only highlight Mccowns bad play when the world always knew Glennon wasn’t the answer either. Let’s review:Joe’s wanted Johnny Football who is an overrated selfish me guy that will never make it. You wanted Glennon who is just a stiff giraffe and is only 1 good hit away from being injured. Now you want Winston.. I know this is not the intent of the article but Joe you really need to stay out of the evaluation business and just stick to writing Buc news. You will be happier and look a lot less foolish.
December 30th, 2014 at 10:10 am
Tom O
I’m listening and agree with you. Unfortunately the fanbase is primarily in Florida and the Winston fever is clouding a lot of peoples’ better judgement. a bad team that spends a premium top 5 pick on a QB and wifs usually remains a cellar dweller for a long time, but I guess it is just a game of entertainment and generating some excitement for the fanbase is probably high on the Glazers to do list after whiffing on a HC last year. Personally I’d rather see them build a perennial winner like the Ravens or Patriots, but I am not a season ticket holder either.
December 30th, 2014 at 10:39 am
I can envision Winston throwing to Evans and Jackson. The thing I like about Winston is he is a hyped up, fearless loud motivating competitor. He’s got swag. He may have some issues off the field but if I had to choose between these two guys…..I’m rolling the dice with Winston.
December 30th, 2014 at 10:52 am
I CAN ENVISION WINSTON BEING A SMART ASS LOUD MOUTH PUNK HOLDING OUT FOR MORE MONEY AND WANTING TO BE TRADED AND BEING ANOTHER JOSH FREEMAN ALL THE WAY , HOWS THAT FOR ENVISION !! ROLLING THE DICE, YOU LOSE….. NEXT !!
December 30th, 2014 at 12:12 pm
I have watched extensive film on both Mariota and Winston and there is no
way Mariota is a leader . He is WAY too introverted. He even said himself
that he doesn’t talk in the Huddles. He uses hand signals. He is not an NFL
qb. Winston is the guy that everyone will follow. He commands a locker room
like no other and makes his teammates believe they can do anything. THAT is
the leader you want on your team! So “CAN’T FIX IT”, Next.
December 30th, 2014 at 2:00 pm
Winston’s the pick. “CAN’T” should sell his team.
December 30th, 2014 at 2:02 pm
I have watched extensive film on both Mariota and Winston and there is no
way Mariota is a leader . He is WAY too introverted. He even said himself
that he doesn’t talk in the Huddles. He uses hand signals. He is not an NFL
qb. Winston is the guy that everyone will follow. He commands a locker room
like no other and makes his teammates believe they can do anything. THAT is
the leader you want on your team! So “CAN’T FIX IT”, Next.
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The sheeple will still clamor for Mariota!
December 30th, 2014 at 2:46 pm
Most folks on this site will call Winston a clown, criminal idiot, etc..All the while claiming that Mariota is the second coming of rodgers,manning,brady,staubach,aikman, etc (LOL)
To some Mariota is Cam Newton w/ mannings brain, rodgers arm, and Brady’s clutch gene. If he is all that then there is no debate he is the once in a generation qb that the Bucs and their fans have been looking for. UNFORTUATELY, Mariota is not as big as cam newton, doesn’t have mannings brain, and doesn’t have brady’s clutch gene or rodgers accurate arm. As a matter of fact he needs time to develope those skills. Oh he does have speed though, I guess that makes him the best choice LOLOLOLOLOL
December 30th, 2014 at 4:25 pm
Tampabaybucfan Says: December 30th, 2014 at 9:22 am: The 2nd round pick is # 33….I am certain that will produce a major prospect of OT/OG….the same could be said for pick 65.
Oh my, you better stop with that kinda logic. Those GM’s who want an Oline player after trading down just can’t fathom the thought of a draft yielding solid Oline guys after the first day. Yet in their utter nonsense claim that’s exactly where the Bucs should draft a QB.