Due to a fractured forearm suffered in yesterday’s victory over the Giants, Tennessee Titans’ starting CB Jason McCourty could be missing in action for next week’s matchup with Denver and possibly beyond.
If he’s unable to go, there’s a talented youngster who has been turning heads since OTAs waiting in the wings.
Similar to the way that he grasped a drive-thwarting fumble recovery against the G-Men, Alterraun Verner’s poised to pounce on his opportunity to step up as a starter on Chuck Cecil’s tenacious Titan defense.
Selected in the 4th round by the Titans via a draft pick acquired in exchange for LenDale White, Verner has constantly been the recipient of praise due to his stellar play. Here are some glowing remarks regarding Verner’s efforts from none other than Titans’ Head Coach Jeff Fisher:
“He’s different,” Fisher said.”He’s a football player, he’s instinctive and he understands. He can play either side, left or right and he can play the nickel at this point. He’s very intelligent, very competitive.”
A classic example of what happens on draft day to a talented player who produces but falls short in the measurables category, Verner has continued to make plays on the professional level from the day he stepped on the field during OTAs to yesterday’s aforementioned fumble recovery.
A longshot to earn the coveted spot of starting opposite of Cortland Finnegan at the CB position, Verner more than held his own as he outperformed a couple of more highly regarded competitors; free agent acquisition and now ex-Titan Tye Hill and borderline bust /former 3rd rounder Ryan Mouton.
Although Jason McCourty certainly earned his victory in the starting-next-to-Finny sweepstakes, Verner’s excellent play led to him being a guy who would see some playing time on the defensive side of the football as the regular season started.
With McCourty’s health in question for at least one week and perhaps more, I’m confident that Verner is up to the task of stepping up with a solid performance as a starter.
Based on his consistent play since suiting up for the Titans, should we expect anything less from #20?
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