Board Before Beauty
April 27th, 2018
BY IRA KAUFMAN
Talent trumped need for the Bucs in the opening round, and that’s the way it should be.
Based purely on the depth chart, Tampa Bay should have addressed defensive back or running back with that No. 12 pick obtained after a trade back with the Bills.
Derwin James was still sitting there, a hard-hitting safety who would have looked good patrolling the middle as the last line of defense with Justin Evans. Saquon Barkley was the only running back off the board at that point, but Jason Licht stuck to his board and his principles: you can never have too many quality defensive linemen.
In a year when Licht and Dirk Koetter are fighting for their future, the Bucs made a move for their future by selecting Vita Vea. Defensive tackle wasn’t a major priority for Tampa Bay, which had already added four guys up front last month.
It took major cojones for Licht to kick off a do-or-die draft by choosing a slab of a man who may not be a major contributor as a rookie.
Deep End Of The Pool
Beau Allen, signed from the Eagles as a free agent, is considered a physical run-stuffer who is likely to start Week 1 in New Orleans. But make no mistake, Vita Vea is here to eventually replace Gerald McCoy when the time comes.
McCoy, 30, is entering his ninth season and he has taken a beating in the trenches. He has been durable and he has been effective, as his six consecutive Pro Bowl berths can attest, but McCoy will soon be wearing down.
The shelf life of an interior defensive lineman tends to be relatively short, even for the best of them. Let’s look at the four defensive tackles chosen to the All-Decade team of the 2000s.
Richard Seymour — 12 years. Warren Sapp, La’Roi Glover and Kevin Williams — 13 seasons apiece.
So here comes Mr. Vea, whose frame and skills have been compared to Haloti Ngata.
That’s high cotton.
Ngata, who ironically just replaced Allen on the Eagles, reeled off five consecutive Pro Bowl berths for the Ravens. And although he never registered more than 5.5 sacks in a season, he was twice named one of the league’s top 20 players by NFL Network.
Vea joins a long list of new Bucs up front who will have an immediate opportunity to showcase their ferocity at New Orleans, where Drew Brees will be waiting.
Discomfort Level
In 2016, in the finale of a five-game winning streak that electrified Buc Nation, Tampa Bay defenders hounded Brees in Tampa during a 16-11 triumph.
Brees was picked off three times and the Saints were limited to 294 total yards.
The future first-ballot Hall of Famer never got comfortable in the pocket that afternoon as the Bucs improved to 8-5. The idea going forward is to come at Brees in waves, declaring to the rest of the league from the start that these aren’t the same old Bucs.
“I know there are plenty of folks out there that thought we were going to go with a DB with this pick, but we have to get better on defense either way,” Koetter said. “It’s going to be a new look D-line and I know I can tell you as an offensive coach, the toughest teams we play are the teams that can overpower us upfront and can keep their defensive line fresh.”
Now the Bucs have three second-round selections to address their gaping needs.
Vea wasn’t a luxury pick, but he was the top-rated prospect left on their board and you can bet new defensive line coach Brentson Buckner gave his blessing before Licht turned that card in.
A lot of Buc fans at the big draft party Thursday night were screaming for Licht to pluck James at No. 12, but he resisted.
Instead, he put the finishing touch on a startling defensive line overhaul that has been heard way down yonder in New Orleans.
Night 2 is here. You ready?
April 27th, 2018 at 1:08 pm
Loved the Vea pick over Derwin James who’s only average IMO. Now if we get a CB, RB and a guard Licht has hit a homer in in the draft.
April 27th, 2018 at 1:12 pm
run stuffing NT who don’t offer much in pass rush shouldn’t be taken at 12 overall , no matter the need those type of players can be found anywhere and aren’t as high a value as o line corner pass rush or id even argue a premium safety. Derwin should have been the pick. there’s no other way really around it. just have the feeling this is vhiii all over again where they fell in love with the intangibles and the type of guy he is compared to what he actually brings to the field and locker room. doesn’t seem like the kind of bad a** we need on this def. . cut from the same cloth as mccoy
April 27th, 2018 at 1:15 pm
Ira, as always..Great article. I luv the Vita Vea pick. From what I’ve seen of him. the kid plays with an attitude and he plays nasty..Hits hard and slams!! We need that on Defense! Sure, James would have been a great pick. But it all starts up front. I think our Buc Staff finally sees this. You gotta account for Vita on every play. And he is not fond (so I’m told) of..tree humpin!! Our Bucs get not, not 2..but 3 picks in the 2nd. Thats..Mega huge. Although I do think its gonna be hard for us if both Hernandez and guice are there at no 6 today, we are in a win win situation. And its been quite a while since the football draft Gods have favored us for an entire draft. I think we got their favor with this one.
April 27th, 2018 at 1:16 pm
We could really use our 4, 5, 26s & 7th to trade up and get the 3 player we want in round 2….
I’d like:
Hernandez, Guice & Jackson…….
That would be 4 starters in need position…..a home run draft….
April 27th, 2018 at 1:18 pm
Scratch the 7th……we gave that to the Bills…
April 27th, 2018 at 1:18 pm
Actually changed my mind from last night. Last night at 2: 40 AM, Clarity was not an option. I wanted Big Will Hernandez with the 1st of round 2 picks followed by best available RB and CB. Now I believe we should get best RB first followed by 2 good corners. We can pick up a serviceble O-lineman on one of our 4th round picks. Plenty of them out there.
April 27th, 2018 at 1:18 pm
Love it! But if he’s that good at 3 tech to replace GMC when injured, then we got a steal at #12. I picture him more in the middle at nose and replacing Baker. Great crop of DT’s in next years draft too where we can search for GMC’s heir apparent.
April 27th, 2018 at 1:20 pm
If Vea is going to replace McCoy do we pull the trigger and trade McCoy for a #2 and maybe a 3,4 or #5 rd pick?
April 27th, 2018 at 1:21 pm
@jonny…you think pressure up the middle doesnt provide pass rush….too early to be drinking buddy.
April 27th, 2018 at 1:23 pm
@johnnybuc: With all due respect we weren’t that good against the run either last year. Why not take the best run stuffer in the draft who can help your entire line by taking on double teams for our pass rushers? I dont quite understand your logic. If he’s there at 12 or 50 you take him.
April 27th, 2018 at 1:30 pm
Licht took the #TrenchWarfare mantra seriously.
Man what a turnaround in personnel from the DLine this team was fielding just 4 months ago….
If we could somehow get Hernandez – it would finish that offseason quest to bolster the the trenches with an exclamation point!
April 27th, 2018 at 1:31 pm
FORGETABOUTIT..McCoy’s going anywhere but to a steller upcoming season with the Bucs. Vita Vea only make him..play harder. It took a lot for the Bucs to pull the trade trigger. If you listen to Licht on Bucs.com, he said, Our pick was there at 7. But we pulled the other trigger. I think they were gonna take James But got that 2 for 1 in the 2nd which they could not refuse.
April 27th, 2018 at 1:34 pm
“But make no mistake, Vita Vea is here to eventually replace Gerald McCoy when the time comes.” – Ira
Ira, Ira, Ira…
…he will never replace McCoy. Gerald’s replacement is not even on the team yet.
Vita Vea plays in a different position. He’s a plow. His job is to stop the run and force blockers backward to create pressure. His job is to draw double teams off McCoy, Curry and JPP. He’s a young Vince Willfork.
I’m sorry, Ira, but you are wrong on this one.
April 27th, 2018 at 1:35 pm
DE-Curry/Spence
DT-Vea/Allen
DT-McCOy/Unrein
DE-JPP/Gholston
SOunds f*cking great to me. Those starting 4 can play the run and pass any down. If you want to go primarily with a pass rush package then you can go with Vea/McCoy/Spence/JPP or Curry/McCoy/SPence/JPP
Biggest thing though is DEPTH. We could lose a DT and DE and still be 2x better off than last year.
April 27th, 2018 at 1:37 pm
Oh, and don’t assume the defensive line is finished. Currey is a gamble. The Bucs might just add a DE in the second round.
April 27th, 2018 at 1:37 pm
Mike Johnson – If the Bucs would have taken James at #7 – then they certainly would have taken him at #12.
Vea was obviously the target from 7>15 all along.
April 27th, 2018 at 1:38 pm
johnny.. wrong. James might end up being a probowl player, as might Vea. But as Licht said, it all starts up front. And he will free up a number of other lineman to excel. Another Mark Barron Safety isn’t any better solution to what has been ailing this defense.
April 27th, 2018 at 1:48 pm
This guy has freakish athleticism for a guy his size. He’s an absolute double-team, which will help McCoy, JPP, and the rest of the dline. Not only did our lousy run defense get better, but so did our pass d. If Vea allows the other guys to more easily get to the QB, the DBs won’t have to cover for as long and will have chances against QBs forced to make throws under pressure. Easily the best pick we could have made. He was the guy I’ve wanted for MONTHS.
April 27th, 2018 at 1:53 pm
Saying Derwin James is average is just not true. He was elite in college and the number one rated safety per Pro Football Focus last year in college football.
I would be very surprised if he is not very good to great in the NFL.
However, I really like the Bucs turning a weakness into a strength. With the free agent moves and drafting of Vita Vea I think the Bucs are confident they have turned the DLine into a strength.
April 27th, 2018 at 1:55 pm
Look at the Eagles. Look at the eagles dline.
It’s so funny that this staff changes it’s tune and copy the team who won the Superbowl. Do they know what they are doing or going? Or they just look at the last winner and copy them?
I want Bucs ball and our own identity……….
April 27th, 2018 at 2:01 pm
Stop talking McCoy trade nonsense – they are being paired together. That’s the entire point of the pick.
Keep picking BPA.
Don’t plug in needs.
Talent ALWAYS trumps need.
Fortunately for the Bucs, they’ve finally seized a plan that almost always benefits teams greatly…
Building up the trenches.
I’ve been shouting it form the mountaintops since the end of last season…
FIX THE TRENCHES, FIX THE BUCS!!!
April 27th, 2018 at 2:01 pm
I am not sure some of you actually watched Derwin James play. I watched every game he played and quite often he would completely vanish in games and please remember I am a huge FSU fan. I hope for his sake he turns out great but James has to date not been a difference maker. In fact I read several write ups on James before the draft started that said he could be like Mark Barron in that he might need to put on some weight on play linebacker on the future due to getting lost on the back end. I am pretty sure we have already seen that movie and BTW when watching him play I 100% agree with that take on James. Put James in the box and watch him dominate but put him in space and you never know what you are going to get.
April 27th, 2018 at 2:04 pm
Da’Ron Payne or Marcus Davenport were the better pick in that situation. Oddly enough Payne went at 13 and Davenport at 14.
Change my mind.
April 27th, 2018 at 2:08 pm
Watch James play, even in his highlight reel, and you will see man plays near and around the line of scrimmage and some nice one on one coverage but what you wont see are quality plays downfield as he was not ever good at that. In fact you can put on tape of the NC State game and see him get torched deep and take a horrible angle to get beat for a 70 yard TD. Also he played very safe vs Lamar Jackson instead of attacking him which will not go over well in the NFL. Again I hope Derwin becomes a great player but I was not super excited when it looked like he was going to be the pick. In fact what I liked the most was his leadership skills but I also must say that did not help FSU much cause our defense was straight trash last year.
April 27th, 2018 at 2:09 pm
@DB55
Payne had way less pass rush production than Vea despite him being slightly quicker off the snap.
8.5 sacks to 2.5 the last 2 seasons of college. That’s one nugget. Vea’s also 30lbs heavier and similarly athletic.
I know Alabama didn’t have Payne rushing the QB as much as he was maintaining gap integrity but either way him as a pass rusher is a question mark vs Vea already displaying he can disrupt the pocket
Davenport is a projection. Could end up a bust or end up like an Ansah or better. We’ll see. Vea was a safer pick though.
April 27th, 2018 at 2:09 pm
Lict sure is talking a lot about up front Defense. Buc Bonzai, you might be right..Bucs just might add another DE in the 2nd.
April 27th, 2018 at 2:11 pm
DB55 Marcus Davenport had 3 more sacks than Vea did as a DE against a bunch of guys who will never see the NFL how can he be so much better or even a better pick at all? Dude quit being negative just to be negative.
April 27th, 2018 at 2:12 pm
How about Payne?
April 27th, 2018 at 2:25 pm
If Vea gives us the type of presence Haloti did then it was a freaking home run of a pick that netted us a pro bowler and 2 more premium 2nd rounders!
April 27th, 2018 at 2:30 pm
Upset Mike Hughes was taken last night but with 3 picks i hope we nail 2 of them.
April 27th, 2018 at 2:35 pm
@Lord C … “DE-Curry/Spence
DT-Vea/Allen
DT-McCOy/Unrein
DE-JPP/Gholston”
Lord C, you’re seeing exactly what I’m seeing: Incredible flexibility & superb depth. Look at all the DLine game-days we lost due to injury last year (I just counted 14 game-days for Bucs’ DE/DTs who are still on the roster, plus another 9 lost for guys like Ayers who are no longer Bucs). Injuries are a fact of NFL life, and in the past they’ve crucified us.
All of those 8 listed above can bring pressure in varying degrees, and that’s what we were missing last year. I’m convinced it’s a masterful remake of our DLine. Also convinced that you hit the nail on the head for tonight Ira … “Now the Bucs have three second-round selections to address their gaping needs.” Hopefully Licht sees those priority NEEDS as CB, RB & OG (in whatever order based on BPA available at the time we pick).
April 27th, 2018 at 2:40 pm
its not JUST about the eagles, silly. they just drove the point home.. fly eagles fly.. yeah, we’re ERRRRYWHERE.. lol! might trade my latest 2nd for earl Thomas..THAT’S a game changer
April 27th, 2018 at 2:41 pm
I hate to say it but the Florida State University grads and fans, need to look beyond their Garnet and Gold. James would have been a good draft pick…no disrespect. But I will never write off an effort to build the lines into something formidable. Winning starts at the line…and what corner or safety can hold up to an NFL QB with five seconds or more to throw the ball? And how well can you evaluate a corner or safety continually under such duress? Still…expect RB, Corner and Guard to be upcoming…at least two of the next three picks.
And BTW….we could have had Chubb…but some of you thought the “moral victory” was more important…which was crazy talk. I said that victory would bite us in the backside, we will see how that meaningless win effects the draft. And I was right. So I would think those talking about that moral victory should stuff any James talk….and just realize we could have had Chubb.
April 27th, 2018 at 2:42 pm
I still don’t really get why a 3-4 NT is considered a homerun… I’d LOVE to be wrong, but a run stopping 2 down player when you have Ryan Smith and Chris Conte starting AND you could still get the best guy on most people’s draft boards, humm.
Hopefully Licht knows what he’s doing. Hopefully.
April 27th, 2018 at 2:43 pm
I think we have 5 NT now. Or more
April 27th, 2018 at 2:43 pm
I hate to say it but the Florida State University grads and fans, need to look beyond their Garnet and Gold. James would have been a good draft pick…no disrespect. But I will never write off an effort to build the lines into something formidable. Winning starts at the line…and what corner or safety can hold up to an NFL QB with five seconds or more to throw the ball? And how well can you evaluate a corner or safety continually under such duress? Still…expect RB, Corner and Guard to be upcoming…at least two of the next three picks.
And BTW….we could have had Chubb…but some of you thought the “moral victory” was more important…which was wacky talk. I said that victory would bite us in the backside, we will see how that meaningless win effects the draft. And I was right. So I would think those talking about that moral victory should forget any James talk…and just realize we could have had Chubb.
April 27th, 2018 at 2:45 pm
Db55
Davenport or Jaire Alexnader….
We gonna pay for that Davenport miss when he hunting our QB 2-3 times a yar
April 27th, 2018 at 2:47 pm
Agreed Mark. man…No 5 CHUBB. He could have been ours. Still cannot get that out of my mind. All we had to do was tank. I recall a team named the San Antonio Spurs tanking for a guy named..Tim Duncan. It got them 20 yrs of winning, a few championships and a..model type guy!!
April 27th, 2018 at 2:50 pm
Lam
My thoughts exactly but wtfdwk?
April 27th, 2018 at 2:54 pm
Although to be fair the 2 extra picks kinda lessens the sting.
April 27th, 2018 at 2:57 pm
In 2012 the Bucs had the best rushing defense in the NFL.
April 27th, 2018 at 3:00 pm
The coaches on the Bucs believe Vea can not only play nose tackle and eat up double-teams for McCoy, but also play McCoy’s 3-technique spot and 5-technique, lining up on the outside in a 3-4 alignment. He was an edge rusher at times in college and has the skills to play multiple positions on the line. He gives us flexibility to do many things. The view of him able to play comes from the Bucs and other draft experts.
http://www.espn.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/274448/how-vita-vea-won-the-bucs-over-and-ticked-off-tahitian-island
Steve White thinks he is a beat too. He knows a thing or two about pass rush….
https://www.sbnation.com/2018/3/13/17060722/2018-nfl-draft-vita-vea-scouting-report-most-dominant-interior-defensive-lineman-period
I am just saying people please research this stuff. He is much better than you realize and more than just a nose tackle. Much more. He will be learning this season and take snaps from both tackle positions depending on the situation. It will give our guys a break to refresh and rush the passer or stuff the run better.
By the way the best way to cover up a weak defensive backfield is great pass rush. During the 2007 and 2011 NY Giants Super Bowl teams can anyone name the dominant corner or safety the Giants had on the team? You can’t because they didn’t have anyone that was dominant. Not a single pro bowler in either year at any DB position. Fact is if you have a dominant pass rush you can put bums at DB and make them look good. Now imagine how we will look with Grimes and an improved VH3 and any other additions we make in the draft. We have good safety already. Not Hall of Famers but good.
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/nyg/2007_roster.htm
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/nyg/2011_roster.htm
Great line play will make the entire defense dominant.
April 27th, 2018 at 3:00 pm
DB55, I thought we were going for Davenport. especially after the FA signing on DT/Dl
April 27th, 2018 at 3:01 pm
Marcus Dav will be average at best…..we’ll see.
April 27th, 2018 at 3:02 pm
I dont get how you guys dont see Vea as pass rush help….but “wtfdik”
April 27th, 2018 at 3:04 pm
Ndog- I agree on James. I don’t know what people were watching. Moving on.
Davenport was not worth TWO 1st round picks, I don’t care how you slice it. Did you guys even watch Davenport?! He’s a small school PROJECT with “potential”! He’s not JJWatt, Myles Garrett, or Bradley Chubb. Of all the d-linemen in the 1st round, he’s the BIGGEST potential to bust. It’s a risk, a big risk for the Saints.
April 27th, 2018 at 3:05 pm
I’ll bet right now….TURAY has a better defensive end/rushing the passer from the end campaign than Davenport! As long as he is played as much as Dav will be! We’ll do sacks/pressures divided by snaps played….BET?
April 27th, 2018 at 3:05 pm
bucglory2002 – the guy has 9 sacks in 3 years in college, to think he’s going to jump from that to 9 sacks a season is quite the strech. If he can do it, then great, it’s a great pick, but more likely he’ll get like 1.5 sacks per year while being a guy who eats up space, which is fine if you’re running a 3-4.
April 27th, 2018 at 3:06 pm
And why did I not mention Big V? because that bet is a sure loss LOL
April 27th, 2018 at 3:07 pm
Jason Witten retired, do we dangle Antony Auclair to the Cowboys for a draft pick?
April 27th, 2018 at 3:09 pm
No one said they wanted Davenport instead of Vea, and on one said we would be giving up 2 #1 picks.
April 27th, 2018 at 3:09 pm
Rod Marinelli said at the combine he was a 3 down player.
Rod Munch Says:
April 27th, 2018 at 3:05 pm
bucglory2002 – the guy has 9 sacks in 3 years in college, to think he’s going to jump from that to 9 sacks a season is quite the strech. If he can do it, then great, it’s a great pick, but more likely he’ll get like 1.5 sacks per year while being a guy who eats up space, which is fine if you’re running a 3-4.
_______________________________________________________________
Rod Munch he registered 39 total QB pressures in 2017 which is 4th most of all interior linemen in all FBS. Sacks are not the only way to measure pass rush skill.
April 27th, 2018 at 3:12 pm
Opposing offenses consistently were forced to double or triple-team him. He got all those sacks with a ton of snaps at NT. Double and triple team and still got pressure and sacks. He will help McCoy and JPP and others immensely in pass and run game.
April 27th, 2018 at 3:14 pm
Bucsfan
I didn’t say nuttin about no 2 firsts for Davenport. Just straight up pick at 12 and you still got 3 seconds.
My thing is weren’t we clamoring all off season about sacks and DEs and pass rush?
April 27th, 2018 at 3:15 pm
bucglory2002 – Robert Ayers had 45 pressures last year and got cut. Pressures don’t matter when guys are running wide open because Ryan Smith and Chris Conte are in coverage.
April 27th, 2018 at 3:16 pm
Oh! I figured it out! People don’t like the pick because he’s not mean enough! He’s a “character guy” according to Licht.
Some of you could ruin a wet dream! SMH!
April 27th, 2018 at 3:17 pm
VEA IS PASS RUSH!!!! Wow.
April 27th, 2018 at 3:17 pm
Love the people whining we should have gotten Davenport. How many UTSA games have you watched, or are you basing all of your knowledge off of stats and/or YouTube highlights? Davenport is a project. Why would a GM and coach who have a year to prove themselves even consider drafting a project?
April 27th, 2018 at 3:18 pm
“My thing is weren’t we clamoring all off season about sacks and DEs and pass rush?”
———-
We brought in two defensive ends in JPP and Vinny Curry. They are getting starting money, so they will be starting. This is a business. We also (hopefully) have Spence coming back healthy.
April 27th, 2018 at 3:19 pm
i guess elevators only go so high and certain bulbs only only shine so bright….but leave it to a dull knife i guess
April 27th, 2018 at 3:19 pm
DB55- Oh, I got you. Man, the Saints mortgaged themselves for him though.
My opinion is that he was rated too high to begin with. I thought he’d be a Noah Spence 2nd round type guy.
April 27th, 2018 at 3:20 pm
Rod Munch what position does Ayers play? DT or DE. We got JPP. We don’t need Ayers. And by the way a ton of pressures helps a ton. If opposing teams double team McCoy and chip block JPP then Vita is single blocked. He will make absolute destruction in that situation. Steve White graded his tape and had two players who Vita plays like: Aaron Donald and Suh. Yes he said that. Read his breakdown and then answer if you really still think that he can’t be more than just a run stuffer.
https://www.sbnation.com/2018/3/13/17060722/2018-nfl-draft-vita-vea-scouting-report-most-dominant-interior-defensive-lineman-period
April 27th, 2018 at 3:21 pm
Really comes down to positional value – the NFL just doesn’t really value the safety position.
Kenny Vaccaro – FA
Eric Reid – FA
Earl Thomas – might be traded
I’ll take defense line help over a strong safety with questionable coverage skills. The NFL doesn’t want big hitters anymore – need to be able to cover people and/ or be a ball-hawk in space.
I know we need corner in a bad way, but I really want a RB with that 1st 2nd round pick -worries me that it may be very thin when our next 2nd round pick comes around.
Go Bucs!
April 27th, 2018 at 3:28 pm
DB55 Says:
April 27th, 2018 at 2:54 pm
Although to be fair the 2 extra picks kinda lessens the sting.
This says it all……we can argue all day Vita vs James vs Davenport etc….
But getting those 2 second round picks helps make our draft……how sweet that is. Unless Licht gets weird, we should come away with some really good players..
How would you like a choice of these three……Guice, Hernandez & Jackson…..unlikely but he could be sitting on a couple of those at 38. I’d be fine with trading up and assuring any of those three…..but don’t trade our 2nds…..trade the 4-6……
April 27th, 2018 at 3:29 pm
Would love to see Licht bundle up the 4th through 7th round picks to get some higher picks (lower 2nd and/or mid 3rd).
April 27th, 2018 at 3:30 pm
bucglory2002 – LOL, Vea is Aaron Donald and Suh… Well you do know there is a huge difference between those guys right? Suh has always been a run first guy, meanwhile Donald is the closest thing to Warren Sapp that there has been, they’re two completely different style of players – yet Vea is just like them both. Yeah, OK…
Anywho if true, then fantastic. Not rooting against the kid but I don’t see him as anything more than a 2 down player, would love to be wrong and would love to think the Bucs didn’t just waste a 1st rounder on a 3-4 NT when they don’t run a 3-4 and NT’s in 4-3 are rarely productive.
April 27th, 2018 at 3:36 pm
@Rod Munch,
I suggest you read the article bucglory provided. Steve White knows his stuff. If you remember, he was talking about how good Michael Bennett was going to be during preseason of his rookie year. I can’t wait to see our D-Line go to work. On paper, this is the best line we’ve had since #99 was wearing red and Pewter.
April 27th, 2018 at 3:36 pm
Rod Munch this is a quote from Steve White. Not me. I am not comparing him.
“Vita Vea may have only been a name to me a few days ago, but now, after watching his film, I have to say he is the second-most physically dominant interior defensive lineman I have ever broken down, behind Aaron Donald.”
“The only other guy I can recall tossing offensive lineman around the way Vea did in college in the last decade was Ndamukong Suh. As a matter of fact, Suh is exactly who Vea reminds me of on the field at times.”
This is from Steve White a guy who was DE for the Bucs for years and played with Sapp, etc. So you can laugh at this all you want and say they are not the same player but your not hearing me. This is from someone who played in the NFL and knows football. What are you credentials to make a case that he is wrong?
April 27th, 2018 at 3:37 pm
Of course there is a difference between Donald and Suh. But no one can deny both are dominant defensive tackles. That is the point.
April 27th, 2018 at 3:43 pm
Same dudes talkin chit in the offseason are the same dudes that are no where to be found on week 16 when the Bucs are 5-11. Spare your expert opinion please. You support every decision yet it’s been 13 years since the last playoffs or has it been 15 years? Please educated me as I’m simply a whinny ignorant dull knife.
April 27th, 2018 at 3:45 pm
Suh is exactly who Vea reminds me of on the field at times
———–
Wow! Okay!
April 27th, 2018 at 3:46 pm
Hawaiian Buc Says:
April 27th, 2018 at 3:36 pm
@Rod Munch,
I suggest you read the article bucglory provided. Steve White knows his stuff. If you remember, he was talking about how good Michael Bennett was going to be during preseason of his rookie year. I can’t wait to see our D-Line go to work. On paper, this is the best line we’ve had since #99 was wearing red and Pewter.
________________________________________________________________
Exactly! He knows defensive line. He called Bennett and many others too.
I agree with you this is the most exciting and on paper best line since #99 for sure.
People do not understand what we just got. They really just keep thinking of him as a big 2 down NT and not what he is. Once they see him in action and what he brings it will dawn on them what a great move this is.
Sure he won’t get 18 sacks a year but he can enable McCoy and JPP to be even better.
April 27th, 2018 at 3:49 pm
Lol…been here the whole time, but work a lot so i dont post as often as i used to, but still my posts are out there. Lucky for me off today and tomorrow. I dont live here like you though, lucky you, i guess.
April 27th, 2018 at 3:51 pm
Wasn’t talking about you max but glad to see the guilt resonating. Lol.
April 27th, 2018 at 3:51 pm
Week 15, week 16, week everything, im here! Dont post to every article though.
April 27th, 2018 at 3:51 pm
LOL, man, i thought you were….sorry
April 27th, 2018 at 3:52 pm
“dull knife reference” guilt by association? HAHAHA, you got me though
April 27th, 2018 at 3:53 pm
DB55, I just want to see you get on board with Vea!!!! Come one man!!
April 27th, 2018 at 3:53 pm
Hawaiian Buc – But Bennett didn’t really do anything until his 4th year – if Vea isn’t productive until year 4 he’ll be labelled a bust, that’s the difference between a 1st rounder and an UDFA.
I’m not rooting against the kid, but comparing him to Suh and Donald is wayyyyy over the top. I’d LOVE it if he was that, it would be awesome and you guys can bash me all you want if that happens. We shall see what happens.
April 27th, 2018 at 3:54 pm
@Rod Munch,
I’m sure Buckner is not scratching his head on how he’s going to utilize Vea one bit. He still has a high ceiling which is exciting. I would like to see the Bucs tweak his physique just a bit. I think he could get stronger and leaner a bit. I want to see the Bucs get a RB, OG, CB, or S in the 2nd round. There are some really good prospects left.
In the long run, I like talent over need when drafting in the mid to upper first round. It’s a bet on the long term success. And it seems that is the team’s philosophy as well. Round 2 onward is where we have to focus on needs. That’s just how the drop in talent dictates things.
April 27th, 2018 at 3:54 pm
Great pick even though I wanted Derwin James. I wasn’t fully onboard until this morning when I realized what Licht is doing is saying to Atlanta and New Orleans that your backfields will no longer be effective up the middle of our defense and with our quick linebackers on the outside I expect a top rush defense.
I think there are good rookie corners out there but not good enough to come in and play at a top tier level in the first year. With this d line there should be no reason our corners play off 10 years because you render the d line useless
April 27th, 2018 at 3:59 pm
@Rod Munch,
His analysis of Bennett was that once he figured out what he was doing, he was going to be great. He didn’t say this kid is great and needs to be starting now. Remember Bennett was undrafted. For Vea, the analysis is different, and in a good way. This kid is already strong and athletic. He’s played in multiple schemes, and he can play multiple positions. I can’t wait to see him and McCoy lined up next to each other and tear it up.
April 27th, 2018 at 4:00 pm
lambchop – If he can be a productive 3 down player then it’s a good pick. I wouldn’t expect much his rookie year, but that’s OK, rarely do defensive lineman do much their rookie year. As for Buckner he’s a defensive line coach, he doesn’t call the defense, Mike Smith does.
April 27th, 2018 at 4:10 pm
You write about Licht sticking to principals of not ever having enough pass rushers. When did he develop these principals? He sure hasn’t shown it the entire time he’s been here. You called McCoy durable? He goes down at least once a game. I’m beginning to wonder if we should have someone else making the case for Barber and Lynch to get into the HoF.
April 27th, 2018 at 4:11 pm
Can someone explain to me how a 6’4″ 350lb man runs 40 yards in 5 seconds?
April 27th, 2018 at 4:14 pm
^ He was probably down in the 330’s at that time, but yeah!! Sapp 2.0 but bigger!
April 27th, 2018 at 4:19 pm
James Walker Says:
April 27th, 2018 at 4:11 pm
Can someone explain to me how a 6’4″ 350lb man runs 40 yards in 5 seconds?
______________________________________________________________
They told him a pot of gold was at the end of the 40 yards but he had to run there in less t han 5.1 seconds to get it….. IDK he is a really good athlete. Big mans body but very athletic. He played multiple positions in high school and had good movement.
April 27th, 2018 at 4:24 pm
Fun fact: Suh ran the 40 in 4.98 and had only…. 32 225 reps.
Vita ran 5.1 and had 41 reps.
April 27th, 2018 at 4:26 pm
LOL!… so now the comparisons are Sapp, Donald and Suh.
I’m guessing you guys are the same guys saying the 6th round “super”back was for sure the next Mike Alstott…
Anywho you’re not buying any goodwill by putting the kid in the HOF before he’s ever played a down.
April 27th, 2018 at 4:26 pm
Davenport> Vea
No way Vea makes any impact on pass rush in our division. NEWSFLASH….. We can’t stop the pass. I would of been ok with Jaire Alexander.
April 27th, 2018 at 4:28 pm
Here’s the NFL.com scouting report, just to put a little bit of perspective…
“Vea’s tape can frustrating because he flashes star potential one series and then looks average the next. With that said, he’s still very raw and should be judged by his ability rather than just his results as he should unlock his potential with more coaching. Vea has the size and power to play nose in an odd or even front and he could be targeted by 3-4 teams looking for dominant run defender on the end. He should work into a defensive line rotation immediately and has the ability to become a good NFL starter for years.”
I don’t see anything about him being a surefire 1st ballot HOF’er, but it was probably the next line that got taken out to stick to a word count.
April 27th, 2018 at 4:30 pm
Big dude disrupts the middle, then others get the tackles and sacks. Boom.
Admittedly, I was dubious when I heard the pick, but then looking at the highlights….. wow.
Licht isn’t trying to win any popularity contests, doing what he thinks is right. Gotta respect that.
April 27th, 2018 at 4:31 pm
I am not comparing him to Sapp. But Sapp was drafted in the same 12 position, plays defensive tackle and the bucs traded a 7 to move back and got him. So there are some interesting things that are coincidental.
Donald and Suh comparison comes from Steve White a former Buc who played DE.
Just because he compares to them doesn’t mean we are saying this kid is the next Suh or Donald. Only that he plays like them in college. They compared Jameis to Peyton before he was drafted. Doesn’t mean he will be a HOF just he looks like him in some ways.
No one is putting him in the HOF. Just saying that he has more skills than people like you realize. He is a more complete player who has more potential to help our D Line than most people understand. Thats what we are saying. No one thinks he will be in the Pro Bowl this year or even next. But within a few years he likely will be a starter and known name in the NFL. That is not the same thing as a Pro Bowler or HOFer.
April 27th, 2018 at 4:32 pm
MadMax Says:
April 27th, 2018 at 3:53 pm
DB55, I just want to see you get on board with Vea!!!! Come one man!
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NYers bro we’re cynical by nature. When I saw Aaron Donald’s tape I immediately said this kid is a star. I didn’t get that feeling from Vea. I got that feeling from Minkah Fitzpatrick though.
April 27th, 2018 at 4:47 pm
DB55,
What kind of feelings do you get when you watch tape of me?
Warm and tingly?
April 27th, 2018 at 4:49 pm
Shoulda-woulda-coulda … who cares. For all those who are wishing we’d taken someone else, let it go. Please. Our 1st Rnd pick was Vita Vea. Does anyone REALLY care how he compares to anyone else? It’s what HE brings to the table that matters … and that’s a LOT (OK, make that 6’5″ & 347 lbs of a LOT). But we didn’t JUST get Vea; we also got TWO extra 2nd Rnd picks (BOTH potentially starters) to go along with him.
IF Licht plays his cards right (and he is a gambler in the final analysis), we stand a good chance to come away with (potentially) up to 5 new STARTERS and/or key rotational players. That’s massive. And probably unprecedented. Doesn’t mean we’re going to the Super Bowl with a 16-0 season record (we still have an incredibly tough schedule IMO). BUT … we stand a MUCH better chance today at being competitive than we did even last week.
April 27th, 2018 at 5:00 pm
Three more picks tonight, three more HOF’ers 4 sure!
April 27th, 2018 at 5:04 pm
We gonna pay for that Davenport miss when he hunting our QB 2-3 times a yar
you know how you stop a pass rusher?….you run right at him!!!!!….I saw some flashes as a pass rusher but I also saw him not being able to handle the run all that well…..
that why I say draft conner Williams….he’s a versatile tackle that can play guard as well…..if Dotson comes back healthy we’ll be str8……if we get conner Williams we’ll be str8…..
the saints better be the ones worried…..we can rush the passer now…..and we can stuff the run…..drew wont have all day to scan the field….ingram will be running into brick walls…..kamara wont be able to turn the corner with LVD and hopefully kwon on the edge…..
with that said, the pressures on the coaches…..licht is doing a great job so far…..we have the talent and depth to compete this year…..
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!!
April 27th, 2018 at 5:05 pm
Dave Pear Says:
April 27th, 2018 at 4:47 pm
DB55,
What kind of feelings do you get when you watch tape of me?
Warm and tingly?
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Well…..if you truly do have a pear shape I might get excited and smack that arse….😉👋
April 27th, 2018 at 5:07 pm
DB55,
I’m blushing.
🙂
April 27th, 2018 at 5:12 pm
DR
agree with everything you just said……
let it go…..
folks acting like we traded down to #12 and gave the bills 2 2nd round picks….lol…..
the only folks complaining are fsu homers…..lol….my uncle wanted james….he was pissed last night even with vita and the 2extra picks……
I told him I guess the NFL aint for you!!!!….stick to the gay a$$ red and yellow colors!!!!!…lol…
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!!
April 27th, 2018 at 5:26 pm
LOL DB, nice response to pear HAHAHA!
The same feeling you had about Donald, I did too at the time, was hoping we would get him….and starting the end of last year, same feeling for me about Big V. We’ll see though. But I think he will be beasting that middle for us while the others eat. Dline with V, JPP, Curry and Allen just improved 10 fold over last year’s Dline.
April 27th, 2018 at 5:28 pm
813 on the Connor Williams train……oh yeah! (i know big Will is gone by then)
April 27th, 2018 at 6:13 pm
Same old Debbie downers whining about the bucs. Woo-Hoo, you got realism points on the Internet. Good god, if some of the people who post on here ran their own blog, you’d think they would be legally responsible for the depression they would cause; of course, if any one of us knew anything worth a damn we’d be moderating these posts or giving input that matters.
April 27th, 2018 at 6:40 pm
@Rod Munch,
Yea, I meant Smitty but was thinking Buckner in my head.
April 27th, 2018 at 6:49 pm
lambchop – Hopefully Smith isn’t have his corners play 15 yards off the line of scrimmage next year, because if he does it won’t matter what kind of pressure the Bucs get on people when the QB can take 3 steps and throw to the guy who is standing wide open for a 10 yard gain.
Also for Vita I’m not nearly as down on him as people think, just the hype on the kid is unbelievable and personally I think getting a DB was much more important than defensive line depth, but again, if he can play more than 2 downs and is more than a run stuffer then great. Hopefully that is the case, but I’m keeping my expectations in check and just keep looking at the corner and safety depth chart.