Well, that didn’t take long. Cornerback Vernon Hargreaves is starting over veteran Alterraun Verner against the Cleveland Browns, general manager Jason Licht told Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times.
Hargreaves, the Tampa Buccaneers’ first-round draft pick this year, wasn’t even practicing with the first team a few weeks ago, but two interceptions against the Jacksonville Jaguars apparently made a big impression on the team’s coaching staff. It won’t hurt that Verner hasn’t been particularly impressive this preseason, despite hopes that the new coaching staff would revitalize his career.
It’s not clear where Verner now stands: it’s possible he’ll be the team’s slot cornerback, or come in to play on the outside with Hargreaves moving to the slot in nickel situations.