Start With No. 50
May 16th, 2019
BY IRA KAUFMAN
He was drafted to be Tampa Bay’s version of Haloti Ngata.
Now’s the time.
As Tampa Bay’s dreary 2018 season progressed, Vita Vea showed signs that he’s a keeper. He started making plays in the backfield, manhandling centers and guards after Jason Licht and the coaching staff suggested he play with more physicality.
To say the Bucs need him to make an impact this fall is akin to saying Tampa Bay’s schedule is a tad challenging. With Jason Pierre-Paul recovering from a fractured neck and Gerald McCoy’s status uncertain, it is Vea who needs to show the way up front for a battered defense
Ngata’s shadow hangs over a 24-year-old defensive tackle who blocks out the sun and will be tasked with taking on two blockers when the Bucs utilize their new 3-man front.
Vea is used to playing in heavy traffic after lining up at nose tackle in the University of Washington’s 3-4 alignment and wrecking offensive game plans.
Vita Vea
If Todd Bowles is determined to build this defensive scheme around the talent available at One Buc Place, he needs to start with No. 50.
Slowed by a calf injury three days into training camp, Vea started the final six games as a rookie and provided Buc fans with some hope. He posted three tackles for loss against the 49ers and was credited with nine tackles against the Ravens.
That’s a big number for any interior lineman.
Triple Threat
In retrospect, that calf strain on the first day pads came on was far worse than anticipated. Vea was expected to miss a few weeks, but he didn’t suit up until Week 4 of the regular season, an embarrassing loss at Chicago.
Vea kept struggling to disengage from blocks until he got the message — you’re not in the Pac-12 anymore and you need to raise your game.
Bruce Arians, who has compared Vea’s imposing size and skill package to Ngata’s, saw enough on tape to dream a little dream about the big man, especially after watching him on the field.
“Well, he can play three positions for sure,” Arians says. “He can play five techniques, he can play three techniques and he can play nose. For him, I had to say, ‘whoa’, I hate to say ‘sic ‘em’, but I like saying ‘whoa’, and for him just ‘whoa, slow down right there, you don’t need to be knocking guys back into the quarterback today.’ He’s a very, very talented young man and does lots of things.”
Ngati is a heck of a role model.
Like Vea, Ngati was selected with the 12th overall pick of his draft class (2006). He made five consecutive Pro Bowls for the Ravens, registering 18.5 sacks in that span while averaging 53 tackles and 10 QB hits.
Twice, Ngati was voted one of the NFL’s Top 20 players and he earned two first-team All-Pro honors as Baltimore’s immovable object in the middle.
Ngati retired in March and now Vea is poised to walk in those big cleats.
Is it fair to expect a second-year pro to play like an elite defensive lineman? No, but who said anything about being fair?
Todd Bowles should be smiling
This defense needs some young players to show why they were drafted with premium picks. Vernon Hargreaves comes to mind, along with Vea, Justin Evans and Noah Spence.
Vea can make a huge difference, working in front of Lavonte David and Devin White while keeping them clean to showcase their quickness to the football.
The NFL has seen the last of Haloti Ngata. He’s done. An outstanding career has come to an end.
Vita Vea is just getting started.
Ira Kaufman began covering the NFL as a New York Giants beat writer in 1979. He arrived on the Buccaneers beat in 1985, and the corporate leash finally was removed from his neck when he joined JoeBucsFan.com in July 2016. The award-winning Ira Kaufman Podcast fires twice per week, and Ira’s columns appear thrice weekly, except when Ira is on special assignment. All of Ira’s work is presented by Ed Morse Cadillac Tampa and Ed Morse Cadillac Brandon. Tampa Bay’s only Hall of Fame voter also is a popular guest on various national radio and on local TV. Don’t miss him weekly on TAMPA TWO with Derrick Brooks, a production of The Identity Tampa Bay and JoeBucsFan.
May 16th, 2019 at 2:38 pm
I just heard that Steve Duemig is dead 🙁
[Can you at least offer up who/where you heard this from? Can’t find this anywhere. — Joe]
May 16th, 2019 at 2:48 pm
And Patrick Peterson is a cheater
May 16th, 2019 at 2:51 pm
I love all my guys but Vita is my favorite. Ira he will more than fill those shoes. By season’s end Aaron Donald will no longer be the unanimous best Dlinemen in the NFL.
May 16th, 2019 at 2:59 pm
Joe, Charlie Belcher of Fox 13 just reported it.
Big Dog was the first sports talk radio person I listened to when I moved to Florida. While I didn’t always agree with his opinions, in particular against Joe Maddon, I always respected him and enjoyed his show. I am very saddened to hear this news.
May 16th, 2019 at 3:04 pm
Joe,
While I truly enjoy the Ira Kaufman podcast I loved, LOVED, the JoeBucsFan show you did with Steve Duemig. I never missed it.
May 16th, 2019 at 3:05 pm
@Joe
My friend Kevin Rowe heard it on the radio
Kevin Rowe
30 mins ·
RIP Steve Duemig.
1Chris Tucker
2 Comments
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Melissa Cone
Melissa Cone Noooo!!!!!
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· Reply · 13m
Kevin Rowe
Kevin Rowe Melissa Cone just heard it on the radio.
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May 16th, 2019 at 3:06 pm
It was fun. 🙁
May 16th, 2019 at 3:06 pm
Thanks.
May 16th, 2019 at 3:10 pm
And that’s why I was bullish on Devin,because Vita is going to allow him to play clean.
May 16th, 2019 at 3:13 pm
For those who don’t have anything nice to say. Don’t say anything!!!!!! So in passing, I will just say…………………………………..
May 16th, 2019 at 3:26 pm
Vea will make GMC a distant memory.
May 16th, 2019 at 3:26 pm
Damn that sucks. RIP
May 16th, 2019 at 3:34 pm
RIP…a horrible way to go…sad day in the bay…I’d like to hear his bumper music maybe Joe can get permission to play it…620 guys were fumbling the tribute show
May 16th, 2019 at 3:35 pm
@joe
moving the chains are breaking down pass rush for the NFC South right now!!!!!!! they are lambasting the BUCS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2019 will reveal answers to the sheep, that the “real” fans already know!!!!!!!!!!!!
GO Bucs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
May 16th, 2019 at 3:36 pm
hope IRA didn’t trade for Patrick P yet!!!
May 16th, 2019 at 3:38 pm
They should!
May 16th, 2019 at 3:40 pm
Great article Ira…first class. It is right on target…much more like your usual. Let’s forget yesterday’s trade call…everyone has bad ideas.
May 16th, 2019 at 3:43 pm
Cant wait to watch Vea and White this season. Hopefully both can turn into All-Pros
May 16th, 2019 at 3:44 pm
[You are right. Am deleting this. Not because of protecting Steve. He’s gone. But saving you the embarrassment of looking like a complete and total ass in front of the Tampa Bay community. You can thank Joe later. — Joe]
May 16th, 2019 at 3:44 pm
I wonder how Moving The Chains feels about the pats passrush. Oh I forgot they normally don’t have one but continue to win superbowls every year ranking near the bottom of the league in that pointless @$$ stat called a sack.
May 16th, 2019 at 3:46 pm
Berto they will,cause one is about to play directly off the mayhem caused by the other. It’s similar to Ray Lewis having played behind Big Tony Siragusa and John Henderson.
May 16th, 2019 at 3:47 pm
Oh folks don’t come in here expecting double digit pointless sacks from Vea next season. That’s not his job,I’ll be paying closer attention to his tackles for loss.
May 16th, 2019 at 3:47 pm
That’s a complete wives tale. You do know they had a double-digit sack guy last year, right? Guess which team had the most sacks in the playoffs last year? Yup, the Belicheats.
But sure, they don’t have a pass rush. smh
#Fail
May 16th, 2019 at 3:48 pm
Whatever dude. The Patriots probably have more Super Bowl wins than the Bucs have had winning seasons since 2002.
May 16th, 2019 at 3:52 pm
NOSBOS Says:
May 16th, 2019 at 3:46 pm
Berto they will,cause one is about to play directly off the mayhem caused by the other. It’s similar to Ray Lewis having played behind Big Tony Siragusa and John Henderson..
.
.
Tony Saragossa….LOL…that play when he picked up the QB took a step or two and then did a belly flop on the truff with the QB under him…Oh..that would cause heads to explode today…
the other thing about him if you ever saw him live on the field …his calf’s were about the size of 5 gallon buckets
May 16th, 2019 at 4:05 pm
@D-rome
its tied at 5 a piece since 2002!!!!! Pats 5 superbowl wins, Bucs 5 winning seasons!!!!!!!!!!!
GO Bucs!!!!!!!!!!!!
May 16th, 2019 at 4:14 pm
RIP Steve
May 16th, 2019 at 4:16 pm
Well tell me where they ranked thru out the season smart guy??? The fact that they may have gameplanned to be more progressive in that department tells me all those DBs they run onto the football field helps a great deal with their pass rush.
May 16th, 2019 at 4:17 pm
I wouldn’t bet against Vea next year.
He is in better shape , gotten used to Florida heat, knows how
To be a pro and is most importantly “healthy “
Reporter for
Buccaneers home site reported a play on first day of OTA that seemed “hulkish” – not
Possible for a man his size.
May 16th, 2019 at 4:20 pm
The Buc Realist Says:
June 21st, 2018 at 6:48 pm
Huge pass to the coaching staff issued by the “real” Buc fans!!!!!!!!!
GO Bucs!!!!!!!!!
May 16th, 2019 at 4:38 pm
You not gone tell me the ranking Joe??? Did you watch the pats playoffs games??? Those were hardly determined by sacks. If Dee Ford doesn’t mysteriously line up off sides they prolly don’t go back to the Super Bowl. If Girly wasn’t on one leg they prolly been more than 13 points to win that game. Their success wasn’t a result of leading the league sacks during the playoffs dude.
May 16th, 2019 at 4:41 pm
Was wondering the other day how Steve was doing—it is a sad day in Tampa Bay.
May 16th, 2019 at 4:42 pm
Perfect time to trade for Patrick Peterson!
May 16th, 2019 at 4:49 pm
Wasn’t a fan of his show but respect to Duemig. It’s how I found JBF. I know the Joe’s were friends however and I’m sorry for their loss
May 16th, 2019 at 4:53 pm
RIP Steve
May 16th, 2019 at 5:05 pm
with his quickness, he’s playing 3 and Beau’s playing nose I bet.
May 16th, 2019 at 5:09 pm
NOSBOS, are you seriously trying to argue that sacks dont matter? lol Did you watch Von Miller take over the playoffs? News flash, most teams arent the patriots and cant overcome deficiencies on the d line. The Bucs are not the Pats and dont have Brady or Belicheat. They need to pressure the qb and get his ass on the ground if they want to have any chance of winning.
May 16th, 2019 at 5:09 pm
RIP Steve
He had passion for the game.
May 16th, 2019 at 5:09 pm
#RipBigDog
May 16th, 2019 at 5:14 pm
Vita had like one very good game against San Fran, which was playing a backup offensive lineman and literally like a 5th string QB. After that he was fine – but I don’t get this narrative that he’s a sure fire star based off what is basically one standout game. Now, with that said, he was a rookie and you shouldn’t ever expect much from rookies, and that’s why people calling him a bust, and d-bags like the fatso on the radio nicknaming him velcro were morons.
But as far as the pass rush goes, Vita averaged 3.5 sacks a year in college and had less sacks last year than Derwin James. I just don’t know why people think he’s going to be a stud in the passing game – there’s literally no evidence to support that and not history of production. It doesn’t mean he’s a bad player or a bust, but in a 3-4 defense I’m guessing he’s primarily the run stuffing clog in the middle who will occasionally get a sack.
If I’m wrong, if he’s the next McCoy, then fantastic – the Bucs got an amazing deal in the draft. But to count on that is nonsense.
May 16th, 2019 at 5:15 pm
Derwin James
1st team All-Pro
May 16th, 2019 at 5:25 pm
Patrick Peterson busy for PED
Serving 6 game suspension
Do Bucs pounce ?
May 16th, 2019 at 5:25 pm
Busted
May 16th, 2019 at 5:35 pm
Never said they don’t matter berto,I just feel they’re highly overrated. Sack fumbles on the other hand nothing overrated about those. Joe mentioned the pats led league in the playoffs in sacks. Tell me in your opinion which of those games outcome was determined by sacks???
May 16th, 2019 at 6:26 pm
Mark this down.
Vita Vea and Devin White will be 2 real DPOY candidates for the Bucs within the next 2-3 seasons and they will be dominant starting this season.
May 16th, 2019 at 6:30 pm
Thoughts and prayers with the BigDog’s family. Very sad news.
May 16th, 2019 at 6:35 pm
LakeLand if your such a James fan go root for the Chargers. You are your constant negativity won’t be missed. At all.
May 16th, 2019 at 7:20 pm
Lol,
Yucs been losing so much
Their fans are hating on the success of other teams/players
May 16th, 2019 at 7:21 pm
Derwin James
1st team All-Pro
May 16th, 2019 at 10:11 pm
LakeLand you are a loser.
May 16th, 2019 at 10:29 pm
I love defense. I’m happy watching a 7-6 nail-biter. I love defensive line most of all. Especially tackles who spend most of their careers doing the dirty work while others get all of the glory. Nobody loves football more, than a guy who knows he’ll never get recognition for most of what he does, but does it anyway, because the team needs him to. You have to love football to like doing that.
This is the first piece that I’ve read this year that gave me a little kick of adrenaline. Thanks, Ira!
May 16th, 2019 at 10:48 pm
AlteredEgo Says:
“…his calf’s were about the size of 5 gallon buckets”
.
.
LOL
They had to be to carry his fat a$$ around.
May 16th, 2019 at 11:01 pm
NOSBOS Says:
“Tell me in your opinion which of those games outcome was determined by sacks???”
.
.
I’ve got to disagree with you this time. You’re the right that the Pats aren’t known for their D-line play, but this season’s playoffs were different. It was generally agreed (on these JBF pages) that in this Super Bowl, especially, a ball control game plan (which is out of character for Belicheat) and superior offensive and defensive line play are what won it for the Pats.
May 17th, 2019 at 1:42 am
BCP,
You’re right but that’s not what NOSBOS is focused on. He’s been consistent with his comments and they’re fairly concise and very narrowly focused. His point is sacks are overrated. Overrated by themselves or better put, looking at strictly sacks is missing a broader view of the game.
To my recollection, I don’t think he’s ever pointed out that the Patriots defensive line play was sub par , his point is that sacks , which to some fans, is not, nor should they be, the sole focus.
Did sacks win the game for the pats, no. But there’s no denying pressure played a huge and decisive role in the outcome. Unfortunately, pressures on the QB isn’t in the discussion as it’s been so far a rather black and white debate. Sacks vs no sacks.
Is that a realistic debate? Heck no. But it’s the way fans tend to find sides of an issue by focusing in on one thing as if it’s isolated from the whole. Can’t change human nature.
Case in point, the bucs got their double digit sack guy finally and what difference did it have on the overall win totals from the previous years. The Rams and Pats ranked 31st and 32nd in total sacks last year. Both teams played in the superbowl.
May 17th, 2019 at 7:44 pm
D1, well said. Go Bucs!
May 17th, 2019 at 11:43 pm
@D1
Gotcha. I guess I missed a lot of the convo.
Go Bucs!