A Test For Vita Vea
October 19th, 2018
Will Browns run on him?
Joe has noticed one thing that happens when Vita Vea enters the game.
Teams don’t run on him.
In his first game for the Bucs, the rookie defensive tackle set an early tone when the Bears, who otherwise were using the Bucs defense like 11 tackling dummies, tried to run up the middle on Vea once, and had to bounce the run outside as Vea rag-dolled any Bears trying to block him.
That was the last time they tried to run on him.
Last week the Dixie Chicks, though without stud Devonta Freeman, didn’t even try to run on Vea when he was in the game. SiriusXM producer and hardcore Bucs fan Steven Cheah showed one reason why Atlanta may have thought twice about testing Vea when he tosses blockers like this.
I’m not going to compare him to a great like Reggie White, but @VitaVea does show off a really powerful ‘Reggie-esque’ hump move that knocks a 6’4″ 306 lbs. Guard completely off balance. #Bucsfilm2018wk6 pic.twitter.com/KBbCIbLyQd
— Steven Cheah (@CHEAH_SAY) October 17, 2018
Yesterday, Bucs coach Dirk Koetter said the Browns, who the Bucs play Sunday, are the best running offense they have faced this year. That’s not a diss on Alvin Kamara and the Saints, but Koetter noted the Saints aren’t focused on the run like the Browns are since they are starting a rookie quarterback.
So this will be a good test for Vea. With Gerald McCoy nursing a calf injury (he was in a boot after the loss to Atlanta) and not yet practicing this week, Vea’s likely going to get a lot of snaps.
Will the Browns fear him as the Bears and Dixie Chicks did?
October 19th, 2018 at 8:13 am
More likely they will do what the Bears did and not even worry much about running the ball. When a team is giving up 400 yards through the air seriously why bother. I don’t think we are great at stopping the run its the fact we are so bad at pass defense teams don’t need to run the ball. I’d like to see the run/pass ratio for our opponents.
October 19th, 2018 at 8:22 am
We need Vea to push forward on pass plays to stop the QB from stepping forward and passing to evade sacks from JPP and Nassib. Stopping the run is critical in forcing the Browns to throw lots of passes by their Rookie QB so we can get interceptions!
October 19th, 2018 at 8:26 am
Vita Vea a good pick up. Need an intelligent defensive coordinator
October 19th, 2018 at 8:42 am
Vita gets a pass this year for being a ROOKIE
………………..but come next year……
October 19th, 2018 at 8:51 am
He may end up being good but another dumb jason licht pick for this team when there were other areas that could have been an immediate upgrade like an fsu safety
October 19th, 2018 at 8:53 am
Vea gets to the quarterback in that video if the secondary isn’t playing 15 yards off.
October 19th, 2018 at 9:02 am
Dirk Koetter commented during preseason how Vita Vea was throwing the Bucs’ 300+ pound offensive linemen around, albeit they were still playing underwear football. Now, it seems Vea has taken that power to full pads ball during the regular season as this is the second time someone has focused on his basically throwing 300+ pound offensive linemen around like so many rag dolls. I think this young man will be nearly unstoppable once he gets some experience and enough reps to learn a defensive lineman’s moves.
October 19th, 2018 at 9:09 am
This play is a perfect illustration of our defense. Vea gets instant penetration, yet doesn’t get anywhere near the QB because the receiver is wide open. Until we stop playing 15 yards off the line of scrimmage and actually challenge the WR’s, it won’t matter if Reggie White and Lawrence Taylor are rushing the passer.
October 19th, 2018 at 9:10 am
“He may end up being good but another dumb jason licht pick for this team when there were other areas that could have been an immediate upgrade like an fsu safety”
————–
You tell me what a safety could have done to prevent this easy 8 yard completion.
October 19th, 2018 at 9:14 am
Looks like an old Reggie White left arm shiver!
October 19th, 2018 at 9:15 am
Dusthty Rhothdes Says:
October 19th, 2018 at 8:51 am
He may end up being good but another dumb jason licht pick for this team when there were other areas that could have been an immediate upgrade like an fsu safety
_______
Jason Licht should have been picking up a good defensive coordinator
October 19th, 2018 at 9:22 am
Your right the bucs dont need an all pro safety as a rookie, but a DT that plays 20-30 plays a game helps more, you probably a fan of the kicker pick as well
October 19th, 2018 at 9:22 am
Statistical note:
During the last 11 times Bucs have played against a rookie quarterback they have lost 90.90% of the time. Not a great STAT for this weekend’s game against the Mayfield.
October 19th, 2018 at 9:27 am
Hope we get to Vea-st on some rookie meat.
October 19th, 2018 at 9:39 am
“Your right the bucs dont need an all pro safety as a rookie, but a DT that plays 20-30 plays a game helps more, you probably a fan of the kicker pick as well”
————
Dude, Vea has played 2 games. If he plays 20-30 snaps every year then that’s a problem, but it’s so early. As for James, he looks great, but it is still early. Everyone was saying the exact same thing about Dalvin Cook this time last year. How is that working out? Give it some time before you claim a bust or put someone in the Hall of Fame.
And by the way, if you think James would be doing anything near what he’s doing in LA over here in Tampa, you must not have been watching. They actually play aggressive defense, and put their players in positions to be successful.
October 19th, 2018 at 9:48 am
I am really excited about Vita Vea… It hasn’t seemed to fully gell yet but I am glad Jason finally focused on building our lines. IDC what anyone tries to say.. Winning starts int he trenches and we focused hard in trying to fix these areas.
October 19th, 2018 at 9:51 am
Said it yesterday, Licht made some questionable picks in this past draft. But people need to quiet down about Derwin James. Vita Vea has the tools required to be an unstoppable force in this league. Just needs time and coaching to get there.
October 19th, 2018 at 9:52 am
vita was the right pick…..simple as that….
all most talked about was beefing up the trenches and adding talent to the dline….we did that….
if smitty would’ve gotten ahold of james, we would all be saying how derwin is a bust because our safeties don’t play down in the box and blitz…..smitty would’ve destroyed derwin james…..
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!…#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!!…GO BUCS!!!
October 19th, 2018 at 9:56 am
Lol.. is it just me or that running back sees Vea blow past his man and looks like he doesn’t even want to both trying to slow him down?
October 19th, 2018 at 9:57 am
Nvm he’s got his eyes on the lber and is indecisive
October 19th, 2018 at 10:25 am
The 3 & 2 play in the 4th qrt was more impressive simply bc we haven’t seen a 3 & 2 stop in the fourth in YEARS….cuz McIceCream lol
October 19th, 2018 at 10:30 am
Dusthty Rhothdes Says:
October 19th, 2018 at 9:22 am
Your right the bucs dont need an all pro safety as a rookie, but a DT that plays 20-30 plays a game helps more, you probably a fan of the kicker pick as well
———————————
You must have failed in sixth grade grammar. It’s “You’re right…” and “You are probably….” Your football smarts is another story! Vea sure looks like the real deal in that video clip. Noticed LVD lining up near him, too. It sure will be nice to see a (halfway) competent defensive gameplan Sunday. Even with half the starters on IR–usual Tampa Bay scenario. 🙁
October 19th, 2018 at 10:53 am
So they’ll just run to the outside, where we have been exposed every single game this year.
Not that hard to figure out.
October 19th, 2018 at 11:06 am
Teams run to take pressure off of the QB?!!! What a novel concept.
Vea looks good and thought improved in his 2nd game.
October 19th, 2018 at 1:03 pm
Are people watching this video? The CB is not 15 yards off the line of scrimmage. The ball was set at the 48, thrown at the 40 after a 2 1/2 step drop, then was caught and immediately tackled at the 40 for a gain of around 5 yards.
October 19th, 2018 at 1:58 pm
@james walker. Spot on. Funny how people just make stuff up and the video is right there. “Are you gonna believe the video or my biased, lazy eyes?” Funny. Go Bucs!
October 19th, 2018 at 2:23 pm
@James Walker,
The 15 yards was a bit of an exaggeration, but there was also an exaggeration on your end. The ball was set at the 48 of Tampa, and Ryan dropped back and threw it at the 46 of Atlanta. The play went for 9 yards. However, in watching the coaches film from Game Pass, Elliott was 9 yards off the line of scrimmage at the snap (he was backing up as the ball was snapped). The receiver stopped his route at the 44 yard line of Tampa, in which Elliott was standing at the 35 (11 yards off). The catch was made at the 44, and he was tackled at the 39 yard line. If you care to dispute any of this, the play took place on 2nd and 11 with 2:17 remaining in the 4th. I really wish we could submit video. So the next time you try to talk trash about me not watching the video, do your homework first.
October 19th, 2018 at 2:24 pm
Yes, my math is bad, Elliott was 9 yards off (not 11)
October 19th, 2018 at 11:06 pm
Joe, I don’t think they fear vea so much as why run for 5 yards when you can pass for 20 yards on Bucs awful pass defense.