“He Has Tremendous, Tremendous Instincts”
May 8th, 2023
Bucs fifth-round pick LB SirVocea Dennis.
It’s always dangerous and exciting to talk about the intangibles of a rookie, the stuff the stats and a Pro Day can’t measure.
Stats nerds hate that stuff because they can’t slap number on it.
The more Joe studies SirVocea Dennis, the Bucs’ fifth-round pick linebacker out of the University of Pittsburgh, the more Joe hears about intangibles. That’s in addition to his lightning speed at 6-1, 226 pounds.
Joe listened to a recent spring game press conference of Pitt defensive line coach Charlie Pantridge. Joe hoped to learn more about Bucs’ first-round pick DT Calijah Kancey. Instead, Joe got gems on Dennis.
Pantridge was asked what most makes Dennis a fit for the NFL.
“It’s his instincts. That kid really had tremendous [instincts],” Partridge said. “You think about the pick-6 against Clemson; there’s a lot of plays like that, that maybe aren’t as obvious as that. He has tremendous, tremendous instincts. He’s a kid, whether he even knows it or not, he’s reading his keys and he can actually feel what all 21 other guys on the field are doing around him. Tremendous instincts and that’ll carry over well in the NFL.”
Of course, Joe had to look at the pick-6 Partridge referenced. Cool stuff, and a little similar to a chance at a shovel pass Bucs edge rusher Joe Tryon-Shoyinka had last season but couldn’t hold on.
Joe’s not sure what to make of Dennis, but he has all the tools to be a top-flight special teams player, and he’ll surely do his best to be Lavonte David’s backup this season.
Is he the next Kwon Alexander?
May 8th, 2023 at 2:35 pm
Dennis is starting before mid season.
May 8th, 2023 at 2:50 pm
Check what Dave Wannstedt says of his fit and film review for 33rd Team following Tampa Bay’s selection of Kancey. “Guess what – there’s not a defensive tackle in this year’s draft that makes plays…more consistently over the past couple of years than my man Kancey.”
Wannstedt goes on to show several clips on film where Kancey demonstrates the speed, get-off, block-shedding ability, and closing talent that made the defensive lineman a first-round projection, to begin with.
May 8th, 2023 at 2:50 pm
See what Wannstedt says of his fit and film review for 33rd Team following Tampa Bay’s selection of Kancey. “Guess what – there’s not a defensive tackle in this year’s draft that makes plays…more consistently over the past couple of years than my man Kancey.”
Wannstedt goes on to show several clips on film where Kancey demonstrates the speed, get-off, block-shedding ability, and closing talent that made the defensive lineman a first-round projection, to begin with.
May 8th, 2023 at 2:52 pm
Sorry, I was focused on the D-Line
May 8th, 2023 at 2:52 pm
He sounds like an eventual starter. Why not just plug him in this year for Devin White? Trade White for a quality starting LT. Makes the team better on the O line and should be a reasonable swap out on defense considering D. White’s inconsistency.
May 8th, 2023 at 2:55 pm
Pitt used Dennis on a good amount of run blitzes, and iirc that appeared to be the call vs. Clemson he took that pick to the house defending a delayed option. Seems like Pitt also gave him the green light when spying to read and react, so there were some plays that ended up developing with a post-snap fake and Dennis shows he’s got the patience and feel to let his eyes dictate how he reacts. I’ll def be interested in hearing him speak at rookie camp this weekend.
Also keep an eye on what we do with UDFA Brandon Bouyer-Randle, another athletic LB that may get a chance to stick to this roster played his best season of collegiate ball at UConn last season, but also made stops at Mich St & LSU iirc.
May 8th, 2023 at 2:58 pm
Some cynics might say “the next Kwon Alexander” is a slight, but it’d be a good goal if you look at Kwons first 3 years. The kind of year Kwon had in 2016 especially was more than you’d hope or expect out of a 4th round pick. Sure the guy got too big for his britches and fizzled out after moving on in FA largely due to injuries since then. But when healthy, Kwon would be a good aspiration for SirVocea.
May 8th, 2023 at 2:59 pm
Production. Instincts. Code of personal conduct. These are the traits that make a better player.
This team is now uninteresting. But the building blocks of this draft are guys who delivered on college fields and have good codes of conduct.
May 8th, 2023 at 3:00 pm
Dennis is better than the next Kwon because Dennis actually speaks English.
May 8th, 2023 at 3:11 pm
Make a drink Joe. Thats what you can make of him.
May 8th, 2023 at 3:23 pm
is it me, or does this team seem to be getting smaller?
May 8th, 2023 at 3:26 pm
When healthy Kwon missed a lot of tackles
May 8th, 2023 at 3:28 pm
Robert – yes… but while Bucs may be losing some size we are gaining a helluva lot of speed and athleticism… which this team was in dire need of. the 22 Bucs were old, slow and seemed like in a season long fog/funk.
May 8th, 2023 at 3:30 pm
wait till the injuries in preseason pile up then trade White for a pick I would rather see Dennis on the field
May 8th, 2023 at 3:33 pm
Special teams is exclusively where he’ll be in 2023. No one is talking snaps away from our inside linebackers. See you next year
May 8th, 2023 at 3:58 pm
Wow he will go Pro Bowl!!! What a pick.
May 8th, 2023 at 4:03 pm
Faster and smarter wins a lot of games
May 8th, 2023 at 4:15 pm
He needs to dominate on special teams first… He will eventually be replacing LVD.
May 8th, 2023 at 4:34 pm
Been hearing a lot of good stuff about this kid.
If the instincts are for real, and translate to the NFL, he’ll get some starting snaps. Maybe not this year, but it would be cool if we finally hit some gems in the later rounds for a change…
May 8th, 2023 at 4:36 pm
Sasquatch has for the right idea. Trade the diva for a decent LT and let LVD take over. Hell, LVD was calling plays for Schiano his rookie year so he can dam sure already do it. The ONLY person better for Dennis to learn under would be #55 himself so let the rook learn from the great #54 and next yr if LVD retires, draft a replacement. Don’t let Dennis pick up the infected example of the me-virus that wannabe diva horse whisperer has.
May 8th, 2023 at 4:58 pm
Smaller and faster. Might be the ticket. Can’t wait for the season, as always.
May 8th, 2023 at 5:11 pm
Sounds like the same way you would describe Lavonte David. I know it’s not fair to make that comparison, obviously, but you definitely can’t describe Devin White like that.
Devin White is the exact opposite, loads of physical talent and lacking instincts.
Sirvocea Dennis isn’t the replacement for Devin White, he’s the successor to LVD.
The nice thing is, with Devin White pouting at home about only making $11 million this season, Dennis is getting extra reps at OTA’s.
May 8th, 2023 at 5:13 pm
They can also now get into a true 4-3 if they want to with David, White, and Dennis on the field at the same time.
May 8th, 2023 at 5:16 pm
5th round pick guys cool your jets!
May 8th, 2023 at 5:19 pm
I like the pick…Has a year to learn and play special teams, something the Bucs have needed for a while.
May 8th, 2023 at 5:36 pm
No way Dennis pick-six was similar to a chance at a shovel pass Bucs edge rusher Joe Tryon-Shoyinka had last season but couldn’t hold on. Com on man!! The pass was an underhand soft toss right in JTS hands, he swatted the ball away. A classic bonehead play that will make the bloopers. Who does that!!
May 8th, 2023 at 5:37 pm
At the college level he was a 3 down player
Let’s see if he can play on run downs going against guys who out weigh him by 50 pounds in the pros
May 8th, 2023 at 5:39 pm
Dungy’s defenses were always small and quick.
May 8th, 2023 at 6:13 pm
SirVocea Dennis and Jeremy Banks both have a lot of talent…regardless of their path to the Bucs. They have the skills to be the backups behind White and David…this year. Dennis (4.6-40) is more like David and Banks (4.5-40) is much faster…a bit more like White. The big question is whether Banks has matured or be continue his 2019 ways.
May 8th, 2023 at 6:55 pm
Sounds like he is headed for special teams or the practice squad this year.
May 8th, 2023 at 7:28 pm
Reposting from the other day – because its pertinent and easier…
Pickgrin Says:
May 5th, 2023 at 2:12 pm
Sirvocea’s “speed” is rated as “good”.
But his “explosiveness” is off the charts with a 41″ vertical and a 10′-5″ broad jump.
And if you go to the tape – his senior year was impressive:
In 12 games Dennis had
– 94 tackles
– 12 Tackles for loss
– 7 sacks
– 3 passes defensed
– 1 Interception
– 2 Forced Fumbles
Here are some quotes about Sirvocea Dennis
“a compact, athletic, and highly instinctive linebacker”
“Captain of a highly aggressive Pittsburgh defense”
“consistent development”
“emotional tone-setter”
“typically anticipates the offensive play well and takes an accurate first step at the start of the play”
“compact frame and active hands make it difficult for most blockers to lock him up, and he’s able to flow to the ball”
“frequently disrupted plays before they had a chance to develop, even if he didn’t get the sack or tackle for a loss”
“a very competitive defender, gives consistent effort throughout the game, and is willing to lay big hits”
“a good blitzing linebacker – has the potential to thrive and be an impact player for a team with a blitz-heavy defensive scheme”
What more could you hope for from a 5th round draftee???
I know when I started looking at highlights of our 1st round pick Kansey Thursday night – one of my first thoughts was – “Who is this #7 – he seems to always be around the ball…”
May 8th, 2023 at 7:39 pm
Shelton Quarles was a stud on special teams before eventually becoming a pro bowl LB and steady starter for several yrs. I think the rookie might need to put on some weight….time will tell.
May 8th, 2023 at 7:47 pm
gotbbucs Says:
May 8th, 2023 at 5:13 pm
We’re not going 4-3. We don’t have enough quality DL for that. Our edge players aren’t really suited for 4-3 LBs or DE. We can slide into 4-3 on occasion to keep the opponent off balance, but full time? — no way.
May 8th, 2023 at 8:16 pm
@ Pickgrin…
I also noticed “#7” while watching Kancey highlights.
Getting both Kancey and Dennis was brilliant imo…At worst Dennis starts his career as a ST’s ace with the potential to be a solid starter…
May 8th, 2023 at 8:19 pm
We should immediately insert this Dennis into D White’s LB spot and take whatever we get.
And we should immediately trade D White for a solid starting LT.
I hear the chiefs have a good one, Lol
May 8th, 2023 at 8:58 pm
I bet a lot of off ball linebackers are picked in the middle and late rounds, nowadays. It is odd that he supposedly can’t cover anyone or play well in a zone, at his size and speed. Hopefully they can coach him up cause he sounds perfect, otherwise.
May 8th, 2023 at 10:05 pm
@sasquatch
I didn’t mean they should switch to a 4-3, just that the personnel is there to run it on occasion. It’s more of an over/under front.
May 9th, 2023 at 3:42 am
Sure fire hall of famer!
Yeah ….no….
Put the pads on and lets go!
Go Bucs
May 9th, 2023 at 4:19 am
Chris Bell … ‘5th round pick guys cool your jets!’
BINGO Chris. Three of the guys we drafted were in the Top-150 picks … (DL) Kancey (#19), (G) Mauch (#48) & (OLB) Diaby (#82). I’d expect at least 2 of them to get some significant field time this year. The remaining 5 (#153, 171, 181, 191, 196) all look to have good potential, but that’s probably typical of every player picked in Rnds 5-7.
As a result of our on-going ‘retooling’, Bucs have definitely gotten younger, but like several have already noted, we’ve also gotten smaller & presumably faster. Not necessarily good or bad, but against bigger teams known for playing ‘smashmouth football’ that could be problematic.
The irony to all this IMO is that any success this defense (and this team) has this season hinges on how well Todd Bowles & his defensive coaching staff can mold all these newly-acquired pieces into an effective TEAM. Yup, the same Todd Bowles that so many on this site love to trash. Now THAT’S irony.
May 9th, 2023 at 10:10 am
The issue with Bowles was not on the defensive side of the ball, it was with the duties a head coach is responsible for – challenges, game management, in-game adjustments to counteract what the other coach / team are doing. He’s a great defensive coordinator but he hasn’t shown he can be a good head coach.