Vita Vea The Alpha Male
September 22nd, 2023
Beasting.
Vita Vea might be hacked off at the Bucs. And he’s taking his anger out on opposing centers and guards.
Vea has been an animal so far this year. He already has 1.5 sacks and five solo tackles through two games and he is just throwing people around at the line of scrimmage.
So what may be the source of Vea’s anger? It seems he didn’t like the Bucs acquiring all of these defensive tackles in the offseason ostensibly to help him out.
To hear Bucs coach Todd Bowles speak of this, it’s almost like Vea considers the interior defensive line to be his turf and he doesn’t like people invading his space.
“I think with the other guys – with [Calijah] Kancey and Logan [Hall] and us getting a little quicker down there, he’s no longer the quickest D-lineman anymore,” Bowles explained. “I think he takes that personally.”
So it seems the Bucs may have stumbled upon a really cool motivating device for Vea. For Bucs opponents, it’s downright ornery.
“His quickness factor has exceeded what we thought it would be,” Bowles said. “He’s really getting in the backfield quicker and we really like that about him – and [he’s] using his hands more.”
Imagine you are a center and Vea gets his paws on you. You’re toast.
Recently on his podcast “In the Trenches,” former Bucs offensive lineman Ian Beckles said he’s seen Vea use a hump move perfected by Reggie White where White with one arm would flip people.
Beckles added if Vea gets that move down and uses it regularly, he’s going to be trouble for offensive linemen. He’s already trouble!
Joe can’t claim to have seen that move this year but Joe has seen Vea use it. It’s both funny as can be and frightening to see big ol’ offensive linemen get body slammed to the turf. With one arm!
The news yesterday that Vea has a pec injury is troubling. A torn pec will kill a guy’s season. Let’s hope the way Vea has been playing this injury is just minor.
.@Buccaneers @VitaVea is playing dominant football anchoring the interior of a top 5 defense. Next up @Eagles on #MNF….One team is going to be 3-0….Who has the best defense? #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/QUZUmyXjf9
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) September 19, 2023
September 22nd, 2023 at 4:03 am
Wow. A one man wrecking crew. I’d fall down and go boom too if double V was after me. That qb wasn’t stupid you know. He just went into self preservation mode.
September 22nd, 2023 at 4:04 am
Thanks for the BaldyBreakdown Joe!
September 22nd, 2023 at 5:13 am
Him, and Kelce Monday night is going to be quite a battle.
September 22nd, 2023 at 6:17 am
Umm… Beckles needs to be quiet and go talk to someone before he, as usual shows his ignorance. Vea has been using that move since day one.
Two dudes I don’t want angry with me…Sapp and Vea. LOL
Go Bucs
September 22nd, 2023 at 6:19 am
It’s time to eat some Eagle Pot Pie.
And on the offensive side, we’ll be Baking with Canales!
At the Licht House, the chant of Tampa Bay will be replaced with:
<<<>>>>>>>>>>>
LFG!!!!!!
September 22nd, 2023 at 6:20 am
<<>>>>
September 22nd, 2023 at 6:21 am
Rhonde Barber
September 22nd, 2023 at 6:35 am
He will destroy Kelce like he always does. And I can’t wait for it, because Kelce is the ultimate pander. Th guy never ever stops. Destroy him Vea
September 22nd, 2023 at 6:48 am
Down to 4.5 on the spread this morning.
People seeing the light on the Bucs.
Game is at Home.
Wreck em Bucs!!!!
September 22nd, 2023 at 6:57 am
Until he can do even HALF the snaps in a game it isn’t his turf
September 22nd, 2023 at 7:06 am
with vita locking up 2 guys and logan hall and green doing better…it gives the quick kancey much maneuverability…let’s hope we get there
September 22nd, 2023 at 7:07 am
Maybe an astute journalist should bring this up.
Ronald Jones is available and a good runner. Licht could sign Jones for the minimum.
September 22nd, 2023 at 7:11 am
Stay healthy please
September 22nd, 2023 at 7:32 am
ROJO fits the definition of Not For Long.
This Bucs fan does not want to see him back here. Bad attitude and limited ability. Seems like Sean Tucker is easily better in all aspects with fresher legs.
September 22nd, 2023 at 7:40 am
The huge contract wasn’t motivation enough? He’s worried about Logan Hall??? Seriously? Get rid of those breasts so he can play at least 70% of the snaps.
September 22nd, 2023 at 7:41 am
Hump move = pec injury
September 22nd, 2023 at 8:46 am
“The Polynesian Powerhouse”!
September 22nd, 2023 at 8:48 am
Hey joes, cool pic. Where was it taken? Those fans are decked out in warm weather gear. I saw a couple of what looked like tandem plays with VV and JTS. Sure wrecked havoc with the opposing O. VV will play MN.
September 22nd, 2023 at 9:17 am
“The Mowin’ Samoan”
September 22nd, 2023 at 9:34 am
VV has shown glimpses in this early season, but still hasn’t played like he’s suppose to after receiving that monster contract. Needs to shed some weight so he can become quicker, but hopefully he continues upwards and become that dominant force. JTS has made the biggest impact and hopefully Logan can fall in line
September 22nd, 2023 at 9:45 am
Love seeing the Bucs defense dominate so hoping it continues with the Eagles. Hoping Kancey gets back in there and does well.
September 22nd, 2023 at 10:19 am
A lot of criticism of Vea from fans stems from a perceived lack of snaps or percentage of plays that Vea is on the field for as if it translates to him not being in prime shape or “needs a rest”. So far through 2 games (among our DTs) Hall leads the team in snaps with Vea only playing 2 fewer snaps:
Hall: Week 1: 40 snaps (63%) Week 2: 34 snaps (64%) = 74 total snaps
Vea: Week 1: 38 snaps (59%) Week 2: 34 snaps (64%) = 72 total snaps
For comparison, Shaq and JTS lead our DEs tied with 67 snaps each through 2 games. Nobody questions their diets or conditioning.
Bowles likes his guys fresh and we have good depth. The only thing that matters to me is if he’s effective for his snaps and the answer is a resounding “YES”.
September 22nd, 2023 at 11:38 am
OMG! AWESOME!
September 22nd, 2023 at 11:54 am
Perhaps VV, as much of a best he is, now knows why we brought in D-tackles. He’s on the injury report in Wk3 AND he’s so vital to the D. It’s why LVD and DW have been monsters these first two games as LBs. Gotta have D-line depth AND OLB.
I was surprised we only kept 5 WRs..BUT I get it now. front 7 of D is the key for us being successful.
Go Bucs!
September 22nd, 2023 at 12:04 pm
“… Ian Beckles said he’s seen Vea use a hump move perfected by Reggie White where White with one arm would flip people.”
.
.
At the time, I recall everyone referring to Reggie White’s “club” technique. Hump move? What makes it a hump move? Maybe hump has a meaning that I don’t know about.
September 22nd, 2023 at 12:24 pm
Here you go.
September 22nd, 2023 at 1:15 pm
Wow! Thanks Joe!
September 22nd, 2023 at 1:21 pm
Its hard not to like Vita. He acts and talks like a harmless kid. But when he is on that football field? Dude is a boulder who just manhandles D linemen.
September 22nd, 2023 at 4:00 pm
Um, I seem to remember his rookie year…in practice…he was lifting guys off their feet at the same time with each hand….Oh yeah, i remember that comment from a coach.
And he’s only getting stronger with old man muscle coming up!! Lol, i love it. The steal of that draft just like with Wirfs. I heard when those two walk into the weight room together, people know, take a break because ALL of the weights are about to be used!
September 22nd, 2023 at 6:21 pm
Good Reggie White video. I searched “Reggie White club” and it led me to the same video, so this isn’t as bad as when I thought it was “NFC Norse Division.” LOL
September 22nd, 2023 at 6:21 pm
Joe Says:
September 22nd, 2023 at 12:24 pm
Hump move? What makes it a hump move?
Here you go.
Joe, that link of White tossing around grown men (Allen from Cowboys?) is super exciting – maybe just as exciting as your “erection for sacks.” Love to see man-beasts tossing each other around like a loaf of bread. White was the king. Vita COULD be!!!
September 22nd, 2023 at 9:40 pm
Thanks for the vid Joe. Man I miss Madden in the booth.
September 22nd, 2023 at 10:23 pm
Glass Half Full Guy Says:
Vea: Week 1: 38 snaps (59%) Week 2: 34 snaps (64%) = 72 total snaps
————-
The Bucs offense has been holding onto the ball, so there hasn’t been a ton of defensive snaps. The issue is, when the defense is having to play 65-70 snaps like you normally do, instead of 50, that play percentage tends to plummet into the low 50s.
Also, don’t mistake people talking about the number of snaps as being anti-Vita. They’re literally saying they want him on the field more. To me, it’s obvious he needs to drop some weight, that would allow him to play more downs, and I flat out do not believe losing 30 pounds of blubber is going to affect his run stop ability – AND it will make him quicker, and a better pass rusher.
But, with that said, most of the complaining has been about when Vita is in those low 50% range – and he’s been above that this year, so that’s good so far.
September 22nd, 2023 at 11:54 pm
Love it! The play where he takes the center and guard with one arm each and drives them back into the face of the QB allowing White to come around is unbelievable. Pure power.
September 22nd, 2023 at 11:57 pm
alpha male? Well, that pic with his shirt off, he’s closer to female.
September 22nd, 2023 at 11:58 pm
Munch.
Absolutely. I am one of those who complain paying him like they do when he plays 50%, I believe last year was about 54.
So far this year he is definitely on the field more, like you said, about 61,62% of the time. I’d love to see it near 70 but at his size and weight I don’t know if that’s doable. It’s part of the reason they had to get some more D lineman.
Take the queue from the Giants Super Bowl teams. It was all about that D line and having about 7 bodies to rotate in and out.