“Everything’s Scrambling”
February 27th, 2021
Vita Vea
Still getting his football legs back after a broken ankle, in addition to recovering his playing instincts, manbeast Bucs defensive tackle Vita Vea was thrust into Tampa Bay’s Super Bowl offense and got three snaps alongside Tom Brady.
Fun stuff it was. Vea was in to block in short yardage situations at the goal line. He did catch a touchdown pass last season, so fans were hoping there might be some magic on the way.
The Bucs didn’t throw to Vea, and his blocking was nothing special as the Bucs tried to slam Ronald Jones into the end zone and failed, turning the ball over on downs.
Vea was a guest on the Ira Kaufman Podcast recently and Joe asked him about playing offense.
One would think Vea loves getting a shot that other defensive linemen would kill for, but he’s not that into it.
“I wouldn’t say it’s really much fun. I think I’m more nervous,” Vea said. “I think I’m more nervous doing it just because I know I don’t play offense like that; It’s just different.”
Vea went on to explain that when he’s lined up across from defensive linemen, he knows what’s they’re thinking and how they want to maul someone, and Vea said he finds it a little distracting because he’s not used to it. “Everything runs through your head more; everything’s scrambling,” he said.
Joe was a little surprised by Vea’s response, but it makes sense. He simply hasn’t taken enough reps as a smashmouth fullback. But Joe believes the Bucs should keep giving Vea time there to settle in. It could add one more dimension to the Bucs’ electric and punishing offense.
(Slightly related, the most forgettable, WTF moment/call of the Super Bowl still goes to the dropped TD pass by backup offensive lineman Joe Haeg.)
February 27th, 2021 at 8:47 am
I get the inclination to use him as a fullback, but it was weird to see them motion him out to TE on that failed 4th and goal play.
I’m curious to see if the Bucs will test his goal line/short yardage value as a RB? He has experience as a RB from high school, so this isn’t a stretch. Give the man some downhill steam toting the rock, instead of miscasting him as a blocker!
February 27th, 2021 at 8:50 am
Still dont know why rojo decided not to airborne on 4th for a few inches
That was another 7 points to the chiefs beatdown that never happened
Give vea the ball next time. Good luck trying to stop him from one yard
Bet he could do it 99 out of 100 times …the one time he didnt cause he slipped
Vea played a little running back in high school i think. He knows what to do
February 27th, 2021 at 9:07 am
(Slightly related, the most forgettable, WTF moment/call of the Super Bowl still goes to the dropped TD pass by backup offensive lineman Joe Haeg.)
It almost worked, but of course that means nothing. The defender made a good play.
February 27th, 2021 at 9:08 am
There was one snap at fullback and he obliterated the guy in front of him. I think he has more value at fullback because gets to run forward and he pretty much can’t be stopped.
February 27th, 2021 at 9:31 am
One has to question if that play was run in practice at all or if he was just sent out with “go do this” type instructions.
I’ve wanted to see if he could be used in the fullback position since draft day. I’d hate to be the defensive lineman he runs into with a little momentum!
February 27th, 2021 at 9:37 am
BUC50 just described X-Men’s Juggernaut. 👍🏼
February 27th, 2021 at 10:28 am
@HeyItsAdam yeah that’s pretty much Vita Vea
February 27th, 2021 at 10:41 am
Joe Haeg didn’t drop the pass, it was knocked out out of his hands. Solid defensive play, gotta give props to the Chiefs D on that one.
February 27th, 2021 at 10:46 am
Slightly related, the most forgettable, WTF moment/call of the Super Bowl still goes to the dropped TD pass by backup offensive lineman Joe Haeg.)
……………..
Jeeesh Joe go watch the play again. If that was a dropped pass then it is gonna be 100 degrees up here in Montana tomorrow. That pass was beaten out of his hands
February 27th, 2021 at 11:08 am
I agree that ROJO should have went airborne on that play.
I was rooting for Joe Haig to catch that TD Pass, but KC made an excellent play on the ball.
Kudos to Byron Leftwich for introducing plays like this, into our offense.
February 27th, 2021 at 11:08 am
A tight end that plays every down would have likely caught it, would have been surprised had he pulled it off
February 27th, 2021 at 11:35 am
Shades of the Fridge, for Vita. I remember the Fridge running the ball for a TD against Green Bay on a monday night. Not only can Vita block like the Fridge did sometimes for Walter Payton, but as we all know Vita was a monster running Back in High School. And he has already caught a TD against Atlanta for the Bucs. So we need to see Vita slam in from the 1 for a TD run a couple of times next season. Anyone can see Vita on youtube trucking people. Vita is a man among boys in High School, he is like a runaway rhino scoring TD’s lol. BA-BL unleash the goal line Beast GO BUCS!!!!!
February 27th, 2021 at 12:24 pm
I agree Rojo should of pulled a Walter Payton on that one or even better climbed between Vitas ass cheeks, no one touched Vea he ran in clean and missed his block. I would like to see Davis at FB, bet he tears off a head or two going into the line.
February 27th, 2021 at 12:43 pm
Haeg didn’t drop it. The ball was knocked from his hands.
February 27th, 2021 at 1:00 pm
Haeg definitely dropped the pass. It went through his hands and hit him in the facemask.
February 27th, 2021 at 1:53 pm
Bucs50 I’ll have to watch it again but I believe haeg caught it and then it was swatted out of his hands. I also would like to see more tanner Hudson.. may see it if we lose Brate or cut oj. He was open and Brady just overthrew him a bit, probably due to lack of chemistry
February 27th, 2021 at 2:50 pm
Haeg did NOT catch that pass. It was a great play by the DB.
Big Uglies are not used to hanging on to contested passes. He ain’t a TE.
It was *almost* a great TD.
February 27th, 2021 at 2:51 pm
@Coburn: you’ll see more Hudson of the Bucs jettison Brate to save $$$.
February 27th, 2021 at 3:18 pm
Haeg briefly had the catch and a KC player came and punched the ball out of his hands.
February 27th, 2021 at 6:33 pm
Haeg would still have better hands then Michael Clayton.
February 27th, 2021 at 10:37 pm
I agree a TE used to catch contests balls would have a TD with a turn on themselves and a quick out in the back zone. Gronk, Brate, Howard or a receiver and it’s a TD. He looked not ready for this play. If they want to repeat this nice trick play with a lineman they need to practice it a lot more than that.
He almost got it. A little practice and repeat it in a game, it will be fun. But,…not in the playoff for the first time please,… It was a good idea and original, fun to watch. We need more trick plays next year by the way. It takes def on their toes.
GO BUCS!
February 27th, 2021 at 10:41 pm
When it’s 1st and goal from the 3 or less –
they should have Haeg asnd Gronk at TE, Evans wide, Vea at fullback leading the way and give the running back the ball 4 straight times.
No tricks. No passes. Smash mouth.
February 28th, 2021 at 10:56 am
Great play call, Haeg WIDE open had ball pinned against his face mask. He wouldn’t have dropped it if not by a better play made by KC LB. Obviously not a catch or it would of been a TD. Didn’t matter who caught the ball if they were in same position as Haeg LB knocks it out. Nevertheless great play call.
February 28th, 2021 at 12:24 pm
I do not understand why they don’t do a 7 step drop back and give Vea the ball to run smash in at full speed, looking for holes in the line is optional
February 28th, 2021 at 1:47 pm
firethecannons, these defenses are experts at jarring the ball out. The last thing they need is a fumble on the 1 yard line.