SirVocea Dennis Wants To Prove He Can Play With The Pads, Too
July 31st, 2023
Flashing.
If nothing else, rookie SirVocea Dennis is an honest man.
When Joe spoke with Dennis last week, the same day he got his first interception (and pick-six) of training camp, Joe thought it was his fourth interception since he began practicing after the Bucs drafted him in the fifth round.
“Three!” Dennis quickly corrected Joe.
Thanks Dennis, but after yesterday, Joe’s initial call proved correct. After Dennis picked off Baker Mayfield yesterday, Dennis now has four picks (three in underwear football, one in shells).
On the same day Bucs coach Todd Bowles kvetched about how his defenders can’t catch, Dennis is proving just about as reliable as Chris Godwin when he gets his mitts on the ball.
The fact Dennis is getting all of these picks without the full pads on is not lost on the rookie from Pitt. The pads are expected this morning and Dennis is drooling for the chance to show Bucs coaches he can ball with the pads on, too.
“I want to show the guys that it is not just underwear football,” Dennis said. “I can do it with pads on or in a real-game situation. So I am ready for that, and excited.”
Dennis so far is proving the Bucs right, demonstrating he has a sixth sense for the ball. At Pitt, where he played with Bucs’ first-round pick Calijah Kancey, Dennis very often was in the same frame as the football.
“I just love being around the ball,” Dennis said. “And being with guys in the [linebacker] room like Devin [White] and Lavonte [David] they make it so much easier for me.
“I watch their games. I watch how they play. I watch how they learn by watching film. So, knowing that, picking [up details] just from them, I can be so much better.”
So far, Bowles likes what he’s seen.
“He’s done a great job,” Bowles said of Dennis yesterday. “He’s a smart player, he’s an instinctive player. As you can tell, getting his hands on balls almost every other day or every day has been good for him.
“We really like where he’s at right now – he’s just got to keep growing.”
That continued growth should resume today when the pads (finally) come on.
Dennis is stoked to prove he’s not just another underwear football star.
July 31st, 2023 at 4:47 am
A lot of the rookies are probably hyped right now.
Hopefully they are sleeping still and not overly excited.
This guy just seems to have a nose for the ball, and I’m not sure how you keep him off the field.
Makes me wonder if we wont run more 4-3 base with him and LVD and DW.
Especially if we are getting a rush with 4.
Rather have heady LBs covering than Shaq and JTS dropping.
July 31st, 2023 at 6:04 am
Could he be our “Rodrigo”? I sure hope so! Kid seems like he’s got a lot of promise!
July 31st, 2023 at 7:02 am
I can see two rookies possibly starting on Defense and three more getting a lot of playing time
July 31st, 2023 at 7:26 am
Great that Dennis is watching Lavonte David and Devin White. Hopefully he watches White’s playing in the Baltimore game (loafing) and realizes he needs to do the opposite.
July 31st, 2023 at 7:30 am
Really excited to see Dennis this preseason, funny how a guy goes from being used as a human torpedo his last year at Pitt and now through the first few weeks/months into his first NFL training camp he’s building a rep for snatching passes out of the sky. It’s early still, but kudos to Spytek and the scouting department for this pick-up, Dennis has them looking like they know talent when they see it.
July 31st, 2023 at 7:32 am
Maybe he has 3 pick-6’s lol?
I know that wasn’t his only one I’ve read about. He’s like camp MVP based on anecdotal highlights
July 31st, 2023 at 8:46 am
Let The Games (Pads) Begin!
Go Bucs!
July 31st, 2023 at 9:00 am
SVD looks to be DW’s replacement. After about 8 or 9 games it might be time to move DW If the Bucs can get value trade working.
July 31st, 2023 at 9:09 am
So the Bucs let Jeremy Banks go, was that a character issue or a production issue. It seems like the Bucs are still lacking quality depth, I like Britt but…
July 31st, 2023 at 9:20 am
@rrsrq- I read that Banks was released because his attitude wasn’t a fit for the Bucs locker room.
Also, SVD is severely outplaying Devin White so far this camp. Hope he continues his growth.
July 31st, 2023 at 10:05 am
If Dennis keeps this up, Bowles can cook up some great 3rd down packages with with White in the A gap.
July 31st, 2023 at 11:58 am
Hydrate. Rest. Pace.
July 31st, 2023 at 11:59 am
I Already Know He can Ball with Pads,Flags Etc Dennis is A Steal I don’t understand how he even fell that Far but I Guarantee He makes more Plays to the Point I’ll trade D.White away yesterday….Trust
July 31st, 2023 at 12:30 pm
“And being with guys in the [linebacker] room like Devin [White] and Lavonte [David] they make it so much easier for me. I watch their games. I watch how they play. I watch how they learn by watching film.”
.
.
SVD being polite. It’s starting to sound like DW could learn from watching him.
July 31st, 2023 at 2:58 pm
To be clear, I don’t care if Dennis is any good – but what’s with the Urkel look? If that some hipster thing now, to just look like a full on nerd?
July 31st, 2023 at 3:09 pm
White would have his maximum trade value to a team with Super Bowl potential if they loose their best ILBs to injury.
Dennis lasted as long as he did because he’s undersized at 6’0″ and 226lbs.
July 31st, 2023 at 3:10 pm
Rod Munch, Pitt guy here. SirVocea Dennis is a nerd. That’s how he has always looked. He originally was being recruited to Ivy League schools and actually committed to US Air Force Academy before switching to Pitt. He also had the highest cognitive testing score in the draft.
July 31st, 2023 at 3:45 pm
I somehow erased part of my name. Bet posting works better now.
Dennis had the highest cognitive score in the draft you say, Frank?? Great to hear explains a lot
July 31st, 2023 at 4:17 pm
Frank Ross Says:
“He also had the highest cognitive testing score in the draft.”
.
.
I’m glad we got him. I’m surprised, because Belicheat often beats everyone to guys like this.
July 31st, 2023 at 6:08 pm
Sirvocea Dennis – 4 Ints – 1 TD in a dozen practices
Diva White – 1 Ints – 0 TDs in 4 YEARS!