“Devin White And Lavonte David Got To Be The Happiest Football Players In The History Of The National Football League”
June 1st, 2022
New Bucs manbeast defensive lineman Akiem Hicks.
A former NFL player and executive not known for hot takes went a little wild (good wild) about the Bucs signing 6-4, 335-pound defensive lineman Akiem Hicks yesterday.
And no, it’s not his quote in the headline.
Joe is referring to Louis Riddick, a top ESPN analyst who fans got to know better after he got a gig in the Monday Night Football booth. Riddick was on NFL Live yesterday hyping Hicks as a real difference-maker for the Bucs.
“This guy is unblockable and is nasty. You thought you had a tough time running the ball on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the past; this guy is the truth now. I’m telling you,” Riddick declared. “One year and up to $10 million, Jason Licht (claps) great job. You keep him healthy, I’m just telling you, man, you ain’t running it on them anymore in 2022, as you did in the past two years.”
Again, Riddick was a defensive back and a top suit for the Eagles, though he didn’t work with Licht in Philadelphia.
Former guard and Tom Brady teammate Damien Woody followed Riddick by noting that quarterbacks will not be able step up and throw if Vita Vea and Hicks are rushing the passer together. And Woody agreed with Riddick’s take on the upgraded run defense.
“Devin White and Lavonte David got to be the happiest football players in the history of the National Football League playing behind Vita Vea and Akiem Hicks,” Woody said.
It’s all about keeping Hicks healthy. He’s battled injuries and missed a lot of time over the past three seasons with the Bears.
Also, Joe’s hearing chatter out of Chicago that Hicks can be a head case at times and is not consistenly motivated. Joe’s not worried about that with Tom Brady on the roster and the stability of the Bucs’ locker room and head coach.
June 1st, 2022 at 1:48 pm
Like I said in an earlier posting, I can’t wait to see how opposing teams block both Vita (350 lbs) and Hicks (335 lbs). Can’t double team them both.
I think the Luckiest Buc has to be Logan Hall. Should make his rookie season that much more easier with Vita and Hicks next to him.
June 1st, 2022 at 1:50 pm
Don’t worry. He’ll be motivated. Brady will make sure.
June 1st, 2022 at 2:02 pm
If it works the way its framed, our OLBs should see 1 on 1’s on a consistent basis as well. We’ll see how it all plays out moving forward. Waiting for Hicks & Jensen to clash once the reps get live, both guys seem to have the same play personalities, but on opposite sides of the ball.
June 1st, 2022 at 2:14 pm
2 Big Wins:
1. White is freed up to blitz (run and pass)
2. Hall is freed up to play multiple positions (DT, DL OLB).
The Bucs defense can be inventive and unpredictable.
June 1st, 2022 at 2:18 pm
I want to believe it will be an improvement, but the legacy fan in me and Joes last comments about being a head case reminds me of Swaggy Baker. I hope I’m wrong.
June 1st, 2022 at 2:20 pm
Would not be surprised if Hicks can’t make it through the preseason.
June 1st, 2022 at 2:20 pm
I think Licht knows what he’s doing. I trust him. D looks strong.
June 1st, 2022 at 2:21 pm
I want to believe he’s an improvement over Suh, but Joes last comment about being a head case has me reverting back to Swaggy Baker. I hope I’m wrong.
June 1st, 2022 at 2:25 pm
Shaq is the happiest Buc imo.
June 1st, 2022 at 2:33 pm
Also Joe, it was Marcus Spears not Damien Woody
June 1st, 2022 at 2:44 pm
Shades of Swaggy. Hope I’m wrong. Suh will definitely be missed as a heart and soul guy on the D. JPP too. Losing them both was inevitable but still sucks
June 1st, 2022 at 2:44 pm
Ive seen a few analysts compare him similar to Fletcher cox (eagles)
Keep him healthy is the key. Plus the guy was on a toilet
Bowl team like the bears. New scenery. Nice weather. Making a run for super bowl which i dont think he has (may have on pats one year teAm)
Give him the galloway treatment. Have him go thru walk thru day and he plays. Maybe practice one day a week. 😂
June 1st, 2022 at 2:50 pm
Swaggy was never a pro bowler and Hicks is coming to a winning culture, at least over the last couple of years #ChaseTheRing
June 1st, 2022 at 3:14 pm
…head case at times and is not consistently motivated? He was playing for the Bears…lol
June 1st, 2022 at 3:33 pm
unrelated, excited for a new player but just saw a press conference with Jordan Whitehead – the NY media barely asked about the Jets, mainly about Brady, he referred a lot Brady helping the young secondary and Richard Sherman. spoke highly of Bowles but expressed displeasure of being pulled on 3rd downs. And of course they asked about the Rams game. Oh yeah and he is telling Zach Wilson how to take care of his body like TB12
June 1st, 2022 at 3:42 pm
I guess he’s gonna ok, while he lasts.
June 1st, 2022 at 3:42 pm
You be a head case and unmotivated too if you had to play defense on a team that had the worst offense year after year. Bears are doing their best “lost decade” impersonation! It’d be hard to go to work daily when you’re that bad on offense and the D has to do it all!
June 1st, 2022 at 3:46 pm
Soooo.. Kamara can’t run on us…Famous Jamesis forced to heave it up 40 plus times? Oh yea.
June 1st, 2022 at 4:00 pm
I recall the times we have played the Bears in recent memory Hicks has been a problem
June 1st, 2022 at 4:04 pm
How exactly do you “keep someone healthy”?……I mean my wife tries to keep me healthy…..diet…..nagging me to excercise……but an NFL player?
OK Akiem…..go out there play hard and don’t get injured…..sure.
June 1st, 2022 at 4:09 pm
Hard to stay motivated on a BAD team with BAD coaching! only reason they were relevant was the D.
June 1st, 2022 at 4:15 pm
Suh brought the attitude and durability. Something that should never be taken for granted.
Hope Hicks fits right in and contributes.
June 1st, 2022 at 4:29 pm
Tom played with Akiem before he signed with Chicago. They won a Super Bowl together.
June 1st, 2022 at 4:35 pm
I don’t think Hicks won a SB with TB12–pretty sure it was the 2015 loss to Denver when gd VonMiller ruined the show.
June 1st, 2022 at 4:51 pm
Suh. Period.
Mistake, Jason.
June 1st, 2022 at 5:09 pm
Hicks is a animal and a monster…….. I don’t think Hicks and Mack were motivated the last couple of years playing for the Bears….I like his new contract laced with initiatives he could make millions if he plays at pro ball status….money talks, he will kick ass
June 1st, 2022 at 5:13 pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HS4af3K4m1Y&ab_channel=NFL
Hicks breaks it down with Baldy on how to humiliate the offensive line
June 1st, 2022 at 5:20 pm
Awesome signing!!!! Just watch my brothers!
June 1st, 2022 at 5:42 pm
A healthy hicks is an upgrade on Suh and gives us a top 5 DL rotation
Any run down with hicks/Vea/gholston up front, wow the ILBs are going to feast in the opponents backfield
What a great signing
June 1st, 2022 at 7:06 pm
As a FAN this season should be very enjoyable!!! CAN’T WAIT!!!
June 1st, 2022 at 7:55 pm
Suh !!! Thanks for changing the attitude on this team, especially the D . I do believe you made the o line better, increased the front seven knowledge , level and Effort of play and brought more grit than mouth ,it definitely helped the D Big Time minus big mouth White .
At first hire Arians watched the tape and he knew he needed N Suh.
June 1st, 2022 at 8:25 pm
With TB12, motivation is not a problem. If it is you’re gone
June 1st, 2022 at 9:25 pm
I’m not quite sure I understand the giddiness over Hicks. At first I was “Yeah!”
But after reading about him….
— An injury nightmare. Obviously his pliability is severely lacking.
— A head case. Not a leader. We still have headless chickens all over the place and LVD is silent leader – type.
Suh.
June 1st, 2022 at 10:39 pm
He played for the Bears & Balled out when healthy… He will not let TB12 or the team down… Hope he can stay healthy…
June 1st, 2022 at 10:46 pm
LFG!!!
With him, VEA, Gholston and Hall on the DT rotation, I’m feeling pretty good. Shaq, JTS, Nelson and a little bit of Hall on the outside….
I fully expect White to have an All Pro year.
June 3rd, 2022 at 1:44 pm
This is all fine and dandy..but we still need to stop the pass.
NFL is a passing game now..
June 3rd, 2022 at 6:06 pm
So basically, we’re all HOPING that:
1. He will replace / equal Suh’s run-stopping ability
2. He will privde more of a pass rush that Suh was currently capable of
3. He will stay healthy for a whole season (an issue Suh never had).
That’s a whole lot Hope IMO.
Now, here’s the even more important question:
– Who are we getting to replace JPP?