The Impact Of Akiem Hicks
November 26th, 2022
Scary man.
Joe remembers the loss to the Crows a few weeks ago when Bucs inside linebacker Devin White may have had his worst game.
White was pretty much owned by Baltimore rookie center Tyler Linderbaum and White’s game was so off that Bucs legend Warren Sapp later said White needs the “C” ripped off his chest.
When a Hall of Famer and perhaps the greatest living Bucs player says that, it’s bad.
But White’s game nearly changed overnight. Was it because of Sapp calling him out or was it because of another defensive tackle? After the loss to Baltimore, former long-time NFL defensive coordinator Wade Phillips defended White and instead singled out Vita Vea for White’s woes.
Phillips claimed Vea didn’t do anything to slow down Linderbaum. Phillips explained that if a nose tackle contains a center, that keeps him off White and allows White to make plays. Traffic on White negates his speed and impact, Phillips detailed.
Two games ago, starting defensive tackle Akiem Hicks returned from injury against the Rams and White’s game changed. In the past two games, White has 13 tackles, three quarterback hits, two tackles for loss and a forced fumble.
That’s good defense.
So earlier this week Joe asked White what Hicks brings to the table for the Bucs defense. White admitted plays he made against Seattle were set up by Hicks.
In fact, White said Hicks “scares” offensive linemen.
“He helps the whole defense overall,” White said. “He’s very gritty – I think he scares a lot of offensive linemen [with] his demeanor and how physical he is.
“He takes two [blockers] every time. There was one play in the run game [in Munich], I can remember me shooting a gap just because they tried to combo him. If you’re going to give me a split second, I can kind of have a little room to work.”
More often than not as fast as White is, you give him a split second, he will stomp somebody out.
In Joe’s eyes, this Bucs defense took a step up since Hicks returned, which demonstrates how valuable he is. As we all know, the trick with Hicks is health, and there is no way of predicting that.
If Hicks can stay on the field, the Bucs ought to be in every game the rest of the way in the regular season.
November 26th, 2022 at 12:44 pm
I listened to a Mic’d up segment with Hicks and he’s quite comical and laughs a lot. He’s a lot of man-meat. Him and Vea together are 700lbs of man-meat. Lots of man-meat is great to have on the D-line. Glad we got him and hope he stays healthy.
Now I’m off to have some brisket, ribs, pulled pork, and smoked chicken. All this talk about meat has me starving. 🙂
GO BUCS!!!
November 26th, 2022 at 12:44 pm
Hicks makes the D much better… Keep in mind Vita has a bum ankle & may not play tomorrow…
November 26th, 2022 at 12:54 pm
Somebody’s got man meat on their mind .
November 26th, 2022 at 1:00 pm
Like I said when we signed him, and nothing has changed. He is a force to be dealt with when he is healthy and playing relatively healthy. But his health is the big when. or should I say question.
November 26th, 2022 at 1:08 pm
I would sh*t my pants if I had to face this monster (He is a nice guy off-field).
November 26th, 2022 at 1:23 pm
Suh was and is better
November 26th, 2022 at 1:26 pm
LOL Bucanero! Sometimes, it’s best to know when to walk away from a fight. I think I would run away, since I’m only 225, and he would snap me in half like a twig, HA HA. But, super glad he’s ragdolling 300lb O linemen for the Bucs.
If Hicks and Vea are healthy, especially if we have any sort of playoff run – look out.
November 26th, 2022 at 1:27 pm
Deez, I like Suh and still do, but at this point not having him is like crying over spilled milk. Can you imagine if we did NOT have Hicks, assuming the rest of the D-line roster is the same as it is now? So yeah, I’m glad we have him.
November 26th, 2022 at 1:34 pm
I don’t cry over spilled milk.
Spilled beer? I cry over that.
November 26th, 2022 at 1:48 pm
Spilled beer good gosh who the heck is allowing that to happen crying? straight to jail.
November 26th, 2022 at 1:48 pm
Vlad said this weeks ago.
Apparently this defense needs Hicks to play at a high level.
Please stay healthy Mr Hicks
November 26th, 2022 at 1:49 pm
Of course you wouldn’t cry over spilled milk, Goat – you’d just go back out to the barn and get more from the teat. LOL
November 26th, 2022 at 2:17 pm
Deez… I like Suh. But evidently the professional Coaching judges of talent on this team and in the league in general didn’t think he was talented enough to pay starter salary earlier in the year. Or the GM. So let’s hope Hicks stays healthy.
November 26th, 2022 at 3:31 pm
Hicks is the X factor
November 26th, 2022 at 3:55 pm
By the way, JPP has 7 solo tackles this year and 2 sacks. Would you trade that for the production we have gotten from JTS this year?
November 26th, 2022 at 4:05 pm
If we can keep Hicks and Vea on the field, there is no stopping this team!!! LFG!!
November 26th, 2022 at 4:32 pm
It would be nice if VEA can stay on the field at the same time….
Especially against Cleveland’s running backs.
November 26th, 2022 at 10:44 pm
Hicks is the man as long as he stays healthy, not sure the same for Vea.
November 26th, 2022 at 11:51 pm
D-Rok, yeah you right. I’m trying to breed goats that lactate beer, though.
November 27th, 2022 at 1:07 am
Hicks is a beast!
Watch the video of him against the Seahawks
Akiem Hicks Mic’d Up on the Bucs afficial site. Normally dont have much use for that site …but
Man that dude can light some folks up!
BTW there’s “no crying in football”! In my best Tom Hanks voice 🙂
November 27th, 2022 at 9:06 am
I hope we draft another D-lineman next year in the 1st round.
And another D-lineman in the first round the next year.
The first round should only be for offensive line, defensive line, and cornerbacks.
And occasionally a cant miss QB.