Anyone know why Alterraun Verner is being benched? And what would you give up to trade for him?

http://www.tampabay.com/sports/foot...er-tumbles-on-bucs-depth-chart-wvideo/2248098





I'd like to know, how does an All-Pro cornerback go from leading the AFC in interceptions and pass breakups, to playing on a scout team in Tampa?

At this point, would you consider Verner a high value trade target? If so, how would you go about convincing Tampa to let him go?

IMO I'd be willing to trade Dobson and a low-round draft pick

Could we afford him? Would Belichick take on that 4.25m dollar salary, which would still be above 3m dollars for the rest of the year (last 12 games)?

supafly said:

Could we afford him? Would Belichick take on that 4.25m dollar salary, which would still be above 3m dollars for the rest of the year (last 12 games)?

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I guess we could afford him...though it wouldn't leave much cap money left

I'm still not quite as convinced that Belichick will make a trade for a CB.

I'm concerned, yes, but I also think it's too early to make a good determination just yet. There's also the chance of bringing back Swanson, at least to the PS.

If the position totally sucks after the next 2-3 games, then it will be a bigger issue (IMO).

Wait 3-4 weeks with a CB, wont need it for Weeden, Hasselbeck, PickPatrick, Thanafail or Circus Redskins. As Miguel points out, prices drops and suddenly other CBs comes in price range.

1. Verner is strictly a zone guy from what I remember - not a good fit here.

2. This isn't Madden - it doesn't matter how much you don't want Aaron Dobson you cannot simply package him to make him go away. Dobson is had acheived next to nothing in this league - and he is still way more useful to us than anyone else.

3. Bucs are a hot mess as usual - perhaps he could learn some man-2-man so I wouldn't rule it out for a conditional low round pick.

Even if Belichick thinks he can get by with the crew he has in the secondary he obviously realizes that one single injury to it completely wrecks everything. There is precisely zero depth behind Butler and some combination of Brown/Ryan/not Fletcher

A what if...a deal is already in place and both teams are waiting for a few games into the season for the price to go down. That's why he is sitting.

livinginthe past said:

1. Verner is strictly a zone guy from what I remember - not a good fit here.

3. perhaps he could learn some man-2-man so I wouldn't rule it out for a conditional low round pick.

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VectorPrime said:

Even if Belichick thinks he can get by with the crew he has in the secondary he obviously realizes that one single injury to it completely wrecks everything. There is precisely zero depth behind Butler and some combination of Brown/Ryan/not Fletcher

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You nailed it here. We have all are chips in the pot with Butler right now and if misses time we don't have anyone who can fill his void.

VectorPrime said:

Even if Belichick thinks he can get by with the crew he has in the secondary he obviously realizes that one single injury to it completely wrecks everything. There is precisely zero depth behind Butler and some combination of Brown/Ryan/not Fletcher

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Julian Edelman

I think he's a zone corner and got overrated at the right time for him to get a pay day.

Although I live in the Tampa area, I haven't watched anything beyond Buccaneer lowlights, so I cannot give an informed decision as to why Verner has been benched.

My first inclination however is to speculate that he is being misused. Lovie Smith is NOT a good head coach. The guy underachieved with the talent he had on defense in Chicago, and got the job here because he was one of Tony Dungy's guys years ago; people here worship Dungy and nostalgically give him credit for the Super Bowl that he nevr won (but Jon Gruden did).

Smith is stuck in the past with the idea that since the Tampa-2 defense worked so well when Dungy had Sapp, Brooks, Lynch and Barber in the late 90's, then it will again be the concept that will lift this team. What he fails to realize is that since that time opponents have figured out how to exploit that D.

In regards to Verner, I can tell you that unlike many other pro athletes, he has been an absolute stand up guy. I heard him on a local radio station and it sounded like he had just finished a course in Belichick-speak. He answered every question positively, talking about what's best for the team, doing whatever he could to contribute, etc. The guy has a great attitude (very Patriot-like) even though the demotion is most likely eating him inside.

Bucs Verner talk about smaller role | Pewter Report
Bucs give CB Alterraun Verner a look at nickel | Tampa Bay Times
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Tim Jennings over Alterraun Verner?
Bucs to start CB Jenkins ahead of Verner in place of injured Banks | Tampa Tribune

Luxusdk said:

Wait 3-4 weeks with a CB, wont need it for Weeden, Hasselbeck, PickPatrick, Thanafail or Circus Redskins. As Miguel points out, prices drops and suddenly other CBs comes in price range.

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This is extremely funny.

"PickPatrick".........only at patsfans.com

give up a 3rd...who cares.
better than drafting some random bust like tavon wilson

livinginthe past said:

2. This isn't Madden - it doesn't matter how much you don't want Aaron Dobson you cannot simply package him to make him go away. Dobson is had acheived next to nothing in this league - and he is still way more useful to us than anyone else.

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Just watched the Buffalo game and Dobson's contributions. Pats fans crack me up.

50-yard-line said:

Just watched the Buffalo game and Dobson's contributions. Pats fans crack me up.

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What about the Pittsburgh and Jacksonville games, or a large amount of 2013 or all of 2014?

supafly said:

I'm still not quite as convinced that Belichick will make a trade for a CB.

I'm concerned, yes, but I also think it's too early to make a good determination just yet. There's also the chance of bringing back Swanson, at least to the PS.

If the position totally sucks after the next 2-3 games, then it will be a bigger issue (IMO).

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Isn't the deadline in a couple weeks?

He's strictly a zone corner.

livinginthe past said:

1. Verner is strictly a zone guy from what I remember - not a good fit here.

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Big-T said:

He's strictly a zone corner.

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In 2013, his second-team All Pro year with 22 PDs and 5 INTs came in a press-man scheme apparently

This article came out prior to that 2013 season: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...rraun-verner-fits-the-titans-press-man-scheme

There was also an interview where he talks about the upcoming transition from zone to man and even mentions that 3 of his prior 6 career INTs came in man.