In Shape, Just Ineffective
November 20th, 2018
Dirk Koetter delivered a cold truth yesterday after the Bucs defense dropped a steaming pile at Giants Stadium on Sunday.
The subject was manbeast rookie defensive tackle Vita Vea, who made his Bucs debut in Chicago on Sept. 30.
Now seven games into his NFL career, Vea has two solo tackles and one assist.
Dirk Koetter was asked whether Vea is still working to get in shape after a calf injury cost him training camp and preseason.
The head coach was very clear that Vea is in game shape and that’s not an issue whatsover. What is an issue is a fundamental of playing defensive tackle at any level.
“He’s just got to get off blocks better. He’s penetrating and he’s just not getting off blocks consistently enough,” Koetter said.
Joe is getting concerned but certainly hasn’t given up on Vea. The final six games will be critical and telling. Vea should get better, significantly better in a way that’s visible to the average fan.
Just look like a No. 12 overall pick in one game. That would be a good launching point into 2019.
November 20th, 2018 at 9:33 am
So long this first rounder is a big time waste…..Some times seems he has not the right attitude, I hope I am worng……
November 20th, 2018 at 9:37 am
LOL, the stuff I’ve seen does not bode well for the next 7 games for this gentleman. That said, one cannot give up on him because one cannot give an ounce of faith to the coaching staff and the precedents, for ineffectiveness, they have set. Also, considering Licht’s drafting prowess (or lack thereof) on that side of the ball makes one consider that Vea just may have been drafted too early.
November 20th, 2018 at 9:50 am
He’s soft just like the Ice Cream Man…GMC is more contagious than the MRSA!!
November 20th, 2018 at 9:51 am
for once dirk is right….VV is getting in the back field but olinemen are sticking to him…..he hasnt learned to disengage which is something buckner should be teaching him…..when he bull rushes, his head is down so he cant see his target and doesnt know where the ball is…..
still early…..3 simple things he can do to improve….keep his head up, get in passing lanes, and get his hands up when QB’s drop back to pass….
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!…#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!!…GO BUCS!!!!
November 20th, 2018 at 9:52 am
It’s amazing how even coaches will come out and tak about rookies in a negative light but refuse to acknowledge when Geraldine is ineffective. Dude had one sack and somehow that adds up to a good game for him. I saw that dude getting pushed all over the field. Who the hell is going to take blame for him not getting off blocks. That’s 100% coaching dirk you moron he’s a rookie, what the heck is Geraldine excuse. Man I hate dirk more than people hate winston he’s worse than Raheem Morris, at least that dude had an excuse he had never even been a coordinator and the glazers refused to spend money
November 20th, 2018 at 9:56 am
Man, an article about Vea turns into ANOTHER G McCoy rant. I’m sorry but you people sound deranged. NO ONE LOOKS GOOD ON THIS DEFENSE save JPP and sometimes Nasib. But we all get it, some Buc fans don’t like McCoy. #brokenrecordssounddumb
November 20th, 2018 at 10:03 am
how many defensive tackles are good in their first year? very very few…
November 20th, 2018 at 10:03 am
LakeLand Says:
April 30th, 2018 at 10:21 am
I thought the pick would be LSU CB Donte Jackson or Isaiah Oliver. MJ Stewart is another slow CB, and so is Carlton Davis. I thought they were going with the speedy Jackson. I also thought they were going with the speedy Derwin James at SS. But they went with another slow guy at SS. It looks like the Bucs want the slow guys who can hit, instead of getting faster in the secondary.
Derwin James | 4.47 40 yard dash
Donte Jackson | 4.32 40 yard dash
Welcome to Suckville USA
Home of the “Slowest” defense in the NFL
November 20th, 2018 at 10:06 am
He have to give him more than one season. True, ineffective. But he has a good motor and gets plenty of push. Won’t defend his play though. He has to get better.
November 20th, 2018 at 10:07 am
Remember back when Buckner was supposed to be same great Dline savior?
November 20th, 2018 at 10:09 am
If we think this guy is going to be a 16 sack guy, that’s not going to happen. He needs to be used as a guy who’ll eat up two blockers so JPP and McCoy can make plays. Right now, teams can easily block him with one guy. That’s not helping the D.
November 20th, 2018 at 10:12 am
Why???? Joe does not seem to be concerned that the #1 Overall Qb has not played like and #1 Overall Qb and joe has not been concerned in years!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GO Bucs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
November 20th, 2018 at 10:13 am
He sucks out loud right now but he needs to play. Somehow a 350lb guy gets crumpled to the ground on 75% of the plays. Watch him. It’s ridiculous. Licht really crapped the bed with that pick.
November 20th, 2018 at 10:13 am
VITA VELCRO!!!!
YEAH BABY YEAH!!!!!!
……. Not looking so hot for such a high draft pick
He’s looking like a BUST right now
November 20th, 2018 at 10:14 am
Do Vita a favor and trade him to 3-4 scheme
November 20th, 2018 at 10:14 am
Didn’t take a rocket scientist to know this guy wasn’t going to work out. Meanwhile Daron Payne is outperforming Vita and McIceCream combined.
We got geniuses here in Tampa folks.
Honestly could have picked ANY OTHER player with that pick and they’d out perform Vita Vea who btw ALL the media type were promoting as some kind of game changer.
November 20th, 2018 at 10:15 am
Convert him to OT where his weakness becomes a strength, all he needs to do is sit and be a 357 lb piece of furniture so our super stud QBs can bring us to the playoffs…..
November 20th, 2018 at 10:16 am
I never understood the pick anyways….. I was thinking it would be secondary player
But I guess Licht envisioned him as a GMC successor……. Licht decisions for the 2018 draft picks are looking like one of the worst drafts in Bucs history
November 20th, 2018 at 10:18 am
No one trust Koetter anymore so why you gonna start now. Koetter has tried to destroy Winston’s career and Smitty and the gang with this funky defense. The no name soft defense has screwed with this V V’s mind.
November 20th, 2018 at 10:22 am
Vea move to play Guard might a solution for this BUST…
November 20th, 2018 at 10:23 am
I’ll give VV a pass this season. Being a rookie, missing all of training camp and adjusting to the NFL game will take him time. With a full offseason and hopefully a defensive scheme change I think he can be serviceable. Not elite at all but serviceable.
November 20th, 2018 at 10:25 am
What a horrible pick, right up there with drafting Roberto. How do you pass on Derwin James for this loaf!
November 20th, 2018 at 10:26 am
So glad we picked this tub o’ lard instead of Derwin James!
November 20th, 2018 at 10:28 am
Back when people ran the ball this might have been a good pick.
But we are in arena ball land.
November 20th, 2018 at 10:32 am
ROJO is a bigger bust. Both were drafted for immediate production. Vea caught the Tampa flu. Haha, yes, Buckner can yell so he is amazing. Has he made McCoy worse?
November 20th, 2018 at 10:33 am
I don’t want to hear any nonsense about it being too early to make a judgment on Vea. All rookies with potential flash in their rookie season. Look at our rookies over the past several seasons. Lavonte, Kwon, Marpet, Jay-Miss, Justin Evans, OJ Howard, Cam Brate, Mike Evans, heck even Noah Spence flashed in his rookie season. Vea has been a ghost out there. So much so that the Bucs are practically playing a 3 man front. It’s no wonder why the team sack numbers and QB hits are not as good as hoped with all the money invested.
November 20th, 2018 at 10:36 am
Should of drafted Marcus Davenport or Payne if we was going line man
November 20th, 2018 at 10:37 am
In college he as a beast among boys. Now he is just another guy.
November 20th, 2018 at 10:38 am
Vita Vea……… this is so discouraging.
Man I truly hope that it really is just a “rookie season” thing, and that he bounces into better form next year.
Because the last thing we can afford on D is for him to now be a total bust.
November 20th, 2018 at 10:40 am
While I’ll give him some time as he is on my team, I hated the pick and hated the mocks with him. His first step/get off was a huge red flag on his college film. That is something that is hard to improve after college as most schools know how to maximize it. Getting twitch at the pro level just doesn’t happen.
VV truly projects to a 3-4 NT. If he can maintain strength but drop to 315 then maybe as a 3 tech but he’s just not an easy fit.
November 20th, 2018 at 10:42 am
Short arms + Slow twitch muscles = Licht’s Out ( hopefully )…
November 20th, 2018 at 10:51 am
too bad this upcoming draft were gonna get a good pick and we still gonna be picking the wrong players
November 20th, 2018 at 11:00 am
I think we’re a little to quick to label players here in Tampa. That’s why the have rookie contracts. He’ll be fine. The only thing that bothered me with his college tape was his dependence on brute strength. College strength doesn’t translate to the NFL every body is strong in the NFL
November 20th, 2018 at 11:22 am
So far this is looking like a terrible draft for Licht…..missing on 3 of the top 4….
Vea, Rojo, MJ, Cappa…..
Carlton Davis is OK….but plays more like a 3rd or 4th round pick….
If we get lucky, Whitehead and Justin Watson will work out in the longer run.
November 20th, 2018 at 11:25 am
Let’s develop him into a 3-4 NT, get rid of big fat softie Gerald McCoy, and switch to a 3-4 defense
November 20th, 2018 at 11:26 am
Just look like a No. 12 overall pick in one game. That would be a good launching point into 2019.
He does, he makes the same mistakes each and every game.
D-I-S-E-N-G-A-G-E !!!!!!!!!!!!!
November 20th, 2018 at 11:27 am
AIN’T IT SOMETHING HOW V.V…. TURN INTO A McCoy and other players too. KINDA RUBS OFF ON OTHER PLAYERS…
November 20th, 2018 at 11:33 am
NO FEAR… Says:
November 20th, 2018 at 11:27 am
AIN’T IT SOMETHING HOW V.V…. TURN INTO A McCoy and other players too. KINDA RUBS OFF ON OTHER PLAYERS…
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…….and that’s why people call McCoy Cancer93………………………….his loser mentality has affected the rest of this defense
GMC is getting paid like a premium player that is impactful but truthfully all he is is really an average player at best
November 20th, 2018 at 11:56 am
@Iokog. I’m hoping Licht isn’t here in April to screw up another draft. Every draft pick this year has been questionable.
November 20th, 2018 at 11:59 am
Vea should have been a 6th or 7th rounder. The guy is not an impact player, much like mr. softie.
November 20th, 2018 at 12:22 pm
Eric,
He’s not even a good run stopper. When he does his bull rush thing and succeeds, he just creates running lanes, like an unintended draw play. The runner can literally rub shoulders on him as he runs by and be 100% safe from getting tackled.
Maybe try him at OG for goal line situations. I don’t know. Dude has zero football player in him.
November 20th, 2018 at 12:24 pm
OMG, there are still 6 more games we have to endure?
November 20th, 2018 at 12:24 pm
GhostofSchiano,
I don’t even think he’s making mistakes. He just doesn’t football. He takes his 2 yard head start and pushes something. That’s it.
November 20th, 2018 at 12:27 pm
Everyone knew this pick was a waste when it happened except our ” genius ” gm.
November 20th, 2018 at 12:30 pm
Kinda premature to label the big guy a bust after only a handful of games. After all, he is a ROOKIE and he did miss ALL of preseason plus the first few games.
November 20th, 2018 at 12:32 pm
“Ineffective”
The official motto of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
November 20th, 2018 at 12:33 pm
Worst draft in Bucs history
I said it on this blog the day after the draft
This is the draft that gets Jason fired
And boy did the homers pile on when I said it
November 20th, 2018 at 12:38 pm
^^ Completely agreed, @Defense Rules ^^
November 20th, 2018 at 12:44 pm
Hes got speed for a big man I’ve seen him chase ppl down 15yrds n pass dbs he just doesnt get there before the safety. However he shouldnt be closer to the tackle than des or dbs SMMFH
November 20th, 2018 at 12:56 pm
Interesting how Koetter has done Licht no favors. Both Ronald Jones and Cappa haven’t seen the field hardly and Vea is a bust. Wow I guess there is one HC not willing to stick up for the GM. Jason Lichts ship is sinking as fast as Dirks is!!
November 20th, 2018 at 1:05 pm
realist
thats because @joe is more concerned about the offensive guru that was promoted to develop the #1 overall QB…..
and that offensive guru has failed to develop a QB, have a rushing attack, have a average defense, and have average ST……
in other words, dirk has failed miserably at every level except producing yards….lol…..
dirk cant produce points but he can produce yards….lol….
dirk cant develop a QB but he can produce yards….lol…
YOU’VE BEEN DEAD WRONG ABOUT DIRK AND SMITTY SINCE DAY1!!!!!!!
STFU and finish helping smitty load his U-HAUL!!!!!!!!
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!…#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!!…GO BUCS!!!!
November 20th, 2018 at 1:05 pm
The fans knew they should have drafted Derwin James. The fans knew they should’ve started Jameis this week.
When the fans are making better calls than the staff then it is time to clean house!
November 20th, 2018 at 1:06 pm
Is VV really in shape?
Is ANYBODY on the Bucs in shape?
Year after Year the injuries pile up.
Year after Year they are WEAK physically.
What the hell is our strength and conditioning coach’s doing?
Apparently – NOT what the rest of the NFL does.
This has gone on so long that we are so soft in all stamina areas.
Hey Glazers….FIRE the Strength and Conditiong Coach’s when you clean house!!!
PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!
November 20th, 2018 at 1:13 pm
Is there anyone fast on the Bucs defense?
The faster defensive player we have is Desean… as we’re turning the ball over about 4 times a game, I think that’s enough to consider Desean a DB.
November 20th, 2018 at 1:13 pm
Danny Shelton, Tyson Alualu, Vita Vea- is there really a difference btwn them?
November 20th, 2018 at 1:17 pm
guys give it time, dtackles usually take a year or two to get acclimated to the NFL. Haloti Ngata didn’t become a monster until year 2
November 20th, 2018 at 1:18 pm
He is what he is – he’s a run stuffing 3-4 NT asked to be a 4-3 interior rusher. No matter if you run a good 40 (well not really a good 40, but a good 40 for your size) it doesn’t make you a pass rusher. The guy averaged 3.5 sacks a year in college – he’s not a pass rusher. That’s just awful scouting and ignoring every piece of common sense to say 99% of scouts and say he is something he is not.
However I think he has plenty of ability to be a good 3-4 run stuffing NT – but we don’t run a 3-4. That’s on the team, not him.
Also he’s a rookie – and rookie DT’s rarely do anything. Sapp has 3 sacks his rookie year – had the internet been a big deal then people here would have said he’s a bust – a bum – is soft – is lazy, all the normal dullard stuff. Vita is a rookie and we won’t know we have for another year or two.
November 20th, 2018 at 1:20 pm
Not sure what was dumber by Forest Licht drafting Vea the (damn it’s hot in Florida Pacific Islander) or trading UP in the 2 round to get get Roberto (how do you kick a football) Aguayo! Tough choice!
November 20th, 2018 at 1:28 pm
bigdaddio Says:
GhostofSchiano,
I don’t even think he’s making mistakes. He just doesn’t football. He takes his 2 yard head start and pushes something. That’s it.
Correct, he usually always pushes his man (1on1) off the line about 2-3 yards back and then just stands there. He continues to stand there as the play has passed right by him.
So where is fan favorite Buckner to fix this and where is fan favorite McCoy to mentor this rookie?
November 20th, 2018 at 1:33 pm
For the record the Bucs didn’t trade up IN the 2nd round for Roberto, they jumped like 10 spots from their top 3rd rounder to the end of the 2nd round because they thought the Saints or Pats were taking him. But they didn’t trade up in the 2nd round. Plenty of legit reasons to bash Licht, no reason to make stuff up or get things wrong, the bad moves stand on their own without embellishment.
November 20th, 2018 at 1:38 pm
Uh…Hot Rod…what’s the difference? It cost them an additional pick. Thankfully it was well worth it. :/
November 20th, 2018 at 1:39 pm
it will take years of good drafting to get over these mistakes that jason licht has committed VV is one of many mistakes
November 20th, 2018 at 1:46 pm
If vita vea is a manbeast I’m missing it. This guy probably would have been available in the 2nd round. Another wasted pick by a clueless GM. I bet you couldnt even get a 7th round pick for vea. He is slow. I wouldnt mind if just stopped the run but he cant even do that.
November 20th, 2018 at 1:58 pm
SAPP like myself was a huge critic of this pic.
November 20th, 2018 at 1:59 pm
He is a ROOKIE. Give him at least one offseason before you bury the guy. Jesus. You have to have patience for these young guys.
November 20th, 2018 at 2:17 pm
I do not trust our GM with another draft! I do not even trust him with another FA signing for our defense.
November 20th, 2018 at 2:32 pm
Mort,
We have been giving him and chance and he has not even flashed a little bit. Talent flashes even in the beginning.
November 20th, 2018 at 2:49 pm
Not impressed so far. Hopefully he develops.
November 20th, 2018 at 3:00 pm
Maybe the worst first round pick in this years draft.
But we made up for it with the worst second round pick too.
November 20th, 2018 at 3:04 pm
3 years into Geraldine career he was being called a bust too, probably not many of you care to remember that. Geraldine is the starter and leader, you want to know why there are so many cut ups online of Vea and not McCoy? Geraldine will throw a tantrum and no one is scared to call out a rookie who they know will take a few years to develop
Show cut ups of Geraldine and you’ll see him getting tossed around like a rag doll. Dude isn’t being developed worth a crap. Even the corners have shown more flash
November 20th, 2018 at 3:17 pm
soft and slow…just like soft serve comes out of the machine at carvel…it’s a shame…
as a kidd playing musical chairs, he was probably always the last to sit 🙂
we have a whole lotta rookie busts – sapp should drive them all to the tampa port, and push them out on a rowboat in tide without a paddle…and wave goodbye to them
November 20th, 2018 at 3:20 pm
send them out to sea like “wilson” in that tom hanks movie
November 20th, 2018 at 3:22 pm
A lot to learn, and had a slow start. He will get it at some point.
November 20th, 2018 at 3:29 pm
I don’t like to resort to talking sh** about GMC in this article, but he has so much to do with Vea’s play because he’s the other inside DT playing next to him. GMC has become slower and weaker in his old age. He shows good hand work from time to time. Quenin Williams or Ed Oliver in the first round and we’ll see a change in VV with a year in the NFL under his belt.
November 20th, 2018 at 3:30 pm
stew
November 20th, 2018 at 3:58 pm
The worst part of the buc’s disasterous draft picks is that the Saint’s have great picks.
if we take one step back and they take one step forward, that’s a two step lead every freaking year for them.
November 20th, 2018 at 4:35 pm
You know its bad when the fans would have had a better draft than Licht. He gets credit for finding mediocre players in later round after absolutely bombing on early round picks. Meanwhile, the Saints are gathering a plethora of elite talent on offense and defense while having later picks than the Yucs.
November 20th, 2018 at 4:46 pm
“He’s just got to get off blocks better. He’s penetrating and he’s just not getting off blocks consistently enough,” Koetter said.
Don’t just tell him, Coach Koetter. Do your job and teach him! This coach wants to get fired and bask in the glory of Glazer loot. #PaidFloridaVacation
November 20th, 2018 at 5:49 pm
Whats really bad is that I think opposing offensive coordinators are telling their running backs that –
“if you see big #50 aka VITA VELCRO on the line, run towards him!”
Yes he can penetrate and push forward but he simply cannot get off his blocks fast enough to affect any plays……
but hey, he’s learning from the best…..Captain Blowout #93!!!!!!!!
November 20th, 2018 at 6:00 pm
4 words….shoulda drafted Darwin James!
November 20th, 2018 at 6:06 pm
Yeah^
I’m so happy our 2018 draft class for the bucs are doing so well! (extreme sarcasm)
November 20th, 2018 at 6:24 pm
Jonathan Lipnicki – What’s the difference between trading up in the 2nd and not trading up in the 2nd? Well, one happened, and one did not, it’s fake news, and I personally hate fake news. Plenty of legitimate things to criticize Licht about, so stick to those rather than just making stuff up that didn’t happen.
November 20th, 2018 at 11:49 pm
Hot Rod-
Not sure I follow…they traded up a high 3rd & high 4th for that 2nd round pick. A 2nd round pick they could have used on anybody…and picked a kicker now outta the league.
November 21st, 2018 at 10:44 am
Number #13 picked one slot behind Vea does……that would be Alabama DT Payne Smh
November 21st, 2018 at 12:34 pm
This fan base is pathetic. Allow the guy a year or two to grow into the position. Of course , He’ll get better.
November 22nd, 2018 at 8:28 am
^^ Could not agree more, Sumo. Got to give the kid time, for crying out loud.