Kickoff Returner Alterraun Verner?
August 1st, 2016
Cornerback Alterraun Verner had a different role today, and it wasn’t on Lovie Smith’s scout team.
Verner was working as a kickoff returner, and Joe will say he looked pretty solid.
Joe talked to Verner after practice about he returning skills/desire. Verner’s pumped up for the opportunity, one that isn’t new to him.
“I did it in high school and a little bit in college. And actually, the one time I did it in the NFL was when [new Bucs special teams coach] Nate Kaczor was my special teams coach at Tennessee,” Verner said. “So he knows that I like to go back there and that I can. You can never have enough people to do it in an emergency.
“It’s always fun because you get the ball in your hands.”
Verner, 27, noted he only had one interception last year, and it’s great to get more live time working on running with the ball.
In 2013, Verner had one punt return with the Titans for 11 yards, and a kickoff for 17 yards. At UCLA, Verner returned some kicks/puts in 2006 and 2007.
Joe wonders if the returner look at Verner has anything to do with the Bucs thinking some of the guys they had in mind to possibly return kicks might not make the roster.
August 1st, 2016 at 12:10 pm
“Joe wonders if the returner look at Verner has anything to do with the Bucs thinking some of the guys they had in mind to possibly return kicks might not make the roster.”
Kenny Bell reference perhaps?
August 1st, 2016 at 12:18 pm
I think Joe is probably right.
August 1st, 2016 at 12:20 pm
This is as stupid as it gets… Using a starting corner to return kicks? Ask Jason Seahorn how that worked out for him… Unless AV is just going to be backup… Then I am not so opposed…
August 1st, 2016 at 12:21 pm
Joe is spot on.
I’d be curious to know if Ryan Smith has gotten any looks as a returner so far?
August 1st, 2016 at 12:26 pm
mac
you can not protect all the talent all the time that is playing or coaching scared. verner is no deion but deion arguably top 5 shutdown corners and all time great returner…. coaching or playing scared equals losing.
August 1st, 2016 at 12:31 pm
I sincerely hope they don’t put one of our best cornerbacks in such a dangerous position.
August 1st, 2016 at 12:37 pm
@Mac
That was my first thought as well until I reread Verner’s statement.
You can never have enough people to do it in an emergency.
I think the operative word there is “emergency”. I’m cool with him as a backup and I’m sure the Bucs don’t want to have to throw him into an emergency with zero work in the PS.
August 1st, 2016 at 1:03 pm
I think it has more to do with hump than Kenny bell….hump has earned the #3wr spot and no sense to risk injury to him playing on ST….I think dirk may just be kicking the tires with verner….if someone doesn’t step up, worst case hump will just have to pull double duty….for what its worth, Kenny has shown flashes at the 2 practices I went to but he has also inconsistent…..GO BUCS!!!!
August 1st, 2016 at 1:19 pm
@813- That makes sense when Hump’s going to be your #3 WR. I’m interested to hear more about Ryan Smith and his return abilities too. Wasn’t Kenny supposed to be a punt returner?
August 1st, 2016 at 1:48 pm
Mac how did it workout for Deion Sanders???
August 1st, 2016 at 1:49 pm
My bad Tmax I should’ve read before I posted..
August 1st, 2016 at 11:28 pm
Hey guys. Welcome to the year 2016… You want to talk about Prime Time? Starti g corners are way way way more valuable then they were 20 seasons ago…
I agree with SPBF… As long as it is as an emergency back up I am fi e with it… Other than that…. Stupid stupid stupid stupid….
Stupid…
August 1st, 2016 at 11:29 pm
Starting…