- Alterraun Verner joins the Buccaneers after four seasons in Tennesee, including a 2013 Pro Bowl campaign
- Verner was considered one of the top defenders available on the '13 free agency market
- After adding DE Michael Johnson earlier in the day, the Bucs landed a perfect fit at CB for Lovie Smith's defense
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers could have comfortably rested on a great first day in free agency. Instead, they kept right on working through the evening.
The result: 2013 Pro Bowl cornerback Alterraun Verner will be donning the red and pewter in 2014, joining an already promising defense that made huge strides on Tuesday. Earlier in the day, the Buccaneers also signed highly-coveted defensive end Michael Johnson and rising defensive tackle Clinton McDonald. The team announced via Twitter at approximately 9:20 p.m ET that Verner will be joining that group on a four-year contract.
By some accounts the top cornerback available on the free agent market, the 25-year-old Verner joins the Buccaneers in the absolute prime of his career, ready to build on a very productive four seasons with the Tennessee Titans. Verner earned his first Pro Bowl berth as well as second-team Associated Press All-Pro honors in 2013 after racking up 57 tackles, five interceptions and 22 passes defensed.
In four seasons with the Titans, Verner played in 64 games with 47 starts, recording 288 tackles, 11 interceptions and 50 passes defensed. He is considered a perfect fit for the defense new Buccaneers Head Coach Lovie Smith will be installing in Tampa.
Obviously an adept cover corner, Verner is also strong in run support, as evidenced by his team-leading seven tackles for loss with the Titans in 2012. During his four years in Tennessee, the team utilized the versatile Verner both outside and in the slot, similar to the way the Buccaneers used future Hall of Famer Ronde Barber for years.
CB Alterraun Verner was chosen for the Pro Bowl after picking off five passes for Tennessee in 2013
The Buccaneers will hold a press conference on Wednesday at 3:00 p.m. ET to introduce Verner and their other additions. That press conference will be carried live on Buccaneers.com, followed by exclusive one-on-one interviews with the newest Buccaneers.
