Eagles Couldn’t Handle Vita Vea
October 1st, 2024
Polynesian Power.
Joe can’t remember the last time former NFL offensive lineman Brian Baldinger of NFL Network didn’t include highlights of a Bucs defender for his Twitter breakdowns of Tampa Bay games.
And that defender is Vita Vea. The Bucs’ nose tackle was dominant Sunday against the Eagles.
Want to know why Logan Hall had his first full-sack since 2022? Want to know why YaYa Diaby had his first sack on Sunday? Look no further than Vea.
The Eagles couldn’t handle him. On at least one play at the point of the snap, the Eagles triple-teamed (!) Vea. He was a complete mismatch.
And of course, if you double or triple Vea, with the constant blitzing by Todd Bowles, there aren’t enough bodies to take out Vea and Lavonte David or Tykee Smith and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, Diaby and Hall.
No wonder Jalen Hurts was rattled.
Joe loves that this defense is waiting on Calijah Kancey and Antoine Winfield to return. Just when the Bucs are hitting the toughest part of their schedule, this team might actually improve.
There is a reason why Baldinger coined the phrase “Polynesian Power” a few years ago when describing Vea.
.@Buccaneers @VitaVea is the "anchor" every grest defense needs to help control the LOS. #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/Jw2D6FZ3aj
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) September 30, 2024
October 1st, 2024 at 9:01 am
There is no one that can handle VV one on one.
October 1st, 2024 at 9:04 am
To be honest I have 0 knowledge of what to look out for on the defensive line other than the stat sheet to tell you how good a guy played, but being at the stadium against the broncos and then again against the Eagles, Vita Vea needs to be on the field, gotta have that guy healthy because it was a completely different Bucs defense. Also, did Jamel Dean learn how to play football?
October 1st, 2024 at 9:09 am
I bet he has fun while he is doing it also.
October 1st, 2024 at 9:18 am
At some point we’ll have Vea, Winfield & Kancey ALL healthy again and this defense will be dominant every game. The sooner the better.
October 1st, 2024 at 9:20 am
Vea is in a contract year.
Last year, we were top 5 sacks. A huge accomplishment for Todd Bowles.
Vita is fighting for his next extension.
We must extend him and draft a 2nd round NT.
We should have invested in his legit backup years ago.
In the NFL, depth wins championships.
We were blessed to get a NT like Vea outside of the top 10 draft picks. And we were blessed to get Tristan Wirfs, a foundational OT outside of the top 10.
They are both the best or top 5 at their positions.
Wirfs and Vea a truly Bucs legends. There’s no way we would have won the Super Bowl without them.
However, we have seen that we suck without them.
We MUST draft a legit swing tackle in the 2nd or 3rd round.
And we MUST draft a badass, freak, NT (330-350 pounds) next year.
Trask was a dumb pick. Should have been for depth. Darden was a dumb pick. Should have been for depth.
We need a starting caliber Swing Tackle for Wirfs and Goedeke.
And we need a starting caliber backup for Vea.
Teacherman has spoken.
October 1st, 2024 at 9:24 am
BTW Joe, just noticed that the Bucs have 20 players (all but 3 of them starters) on the current Injury Report. Just about everyone’s banged up to one degree or another. Can’t remember ever seeing an Injury Report that extensive this early in the season.
October 1st, 2024 at 9:27 am
JoeMcQuire … Vea’s under contract through 2026, but there is a potential out next year. Don’t think the Bucs will take that route.
October 1st, 2024 at 9:27 am
What’s scarier than VV coming at you with a running start?
October 1st, 2024 at 9:30 am
When Jason Kelse retired, the interior of their O-LINE became their weakness. Just as it did with us when Ryan Jensen retired
I hope the Bucs D-Line can get pressure with their primary 5 pass rushers against the Falcons. Because the Falcons O-LINE is good at picking up blitzes. And they don’t give up many sacks, only 6 this year, despite playing against some really good defenses
October 1st, 2024 at 10:20 am
Vea demainds double teams and simultaneously collapses the pocket, which our edge rushers desperately need to have a chance to get to the quarterback.
October 1st, 2024 at 10:27 am
Vita Vea is the KRAKEN!!!
October 1st, 2024 at 10:28 am
“Hump and Dump”. Sounds like me with casual girlfriends back in the day.
October 1st, 2024 at 10:38 am
Diaby almost got his uniform ripped off him on his sack… he was held as clear as day and it wasn’t called.
October 1st, 2024 at 10:39 am
VV dominated the Philly OL. The Bucs need to make sure that Jalen Carter doesn’t do that on Thursday.
October 1st, 2024 at 10:44 am
oops, meant Grady Jarrett on Thursday.
October 1st, 2024 at 10:47 am
When they move Vea to the edge in an obvious pass situation it’s fun to watch the poor Tackle and even more fun imagining what the poor RB must think if he’s assigned to pass pro. Imagine trying to even “chip” Vita Vea spotting him about 125 lbs and massive Polynesian Power.
October 1st, 2024 at 10:48 am
Lt. Dan
“Hump and Dump”. Sounds like me with casual girlfriends back in the day.”
OK that was a good one! Deserves a rimshot…badda boom!!!
October 1st, 2024 at 11:01 am
D.R.
One can always dream. I hear ya!!! IMHO Winfield is the most important player on the D. Vita is a game changer for sure but Winfield changes games from all over the field and covers up mistakes by his teammates.
As for Kancey, he seems to have a great attitude and talent and he has clearly FLASHED big time. But until he can play I fear another Buc luck story of fragile D lineman. Let’s hope he doesn’t go the way of poor Gaines Adams! There have been others a DT Brian Price ??? IF Kancey can get healthy…..
Which sets me up for a quick personal rant. To the morons questioning Kancey’s manhood or his “fragile” body, I’m sorry but that’s a hot spot for me.
I had the great opportunity of standing on the sidelines for many games including just one NFL preseason game. The Major colleges like SEC certainly have some hitters but in the NFL it’s just brutal. I know intimidation is a big part of the game.
Bottom line for me is I shall never question ANY young guy like Kancey’s heart or want to because of an injury. Some guys DO play through more than others, which ironically is a major reason Baker got his rep. He played through a severely damaged shoulder when he probably shouldn’t have. Ironically his replacement sat out games with an injury even after his HC announced he was fit to play.
Bottom line we should feel sorry for Kancey. As much as we might miss him can you EVEN IMAGINE how he must feel? His entire future is on the line!!! When he did play he did so with fire and enthusiasm! I hope he gets better for his sake as much as for the Bucs. It’s a SAD personal story.
October 1st, 2024 at 11:16 am
The Bucs know what they have in Vita Vea and Bowles knows how to take advantage. They also know what they have in Kancey and when he returns it’s going to be glorious. Can you imagine as a QB looking at Vea and Kancey in the middle, with Winfield and LVD lurking in the box and knowing the play calling nature of Bowles? Nightmares.
October 1st, 2024 at 11:29 am
I can watch that all day.
October 1st, 2024 at 11:59 am
Malaata is a huge dude..Vita rag dolled him..
October 1st, 2024 at 12:06 pm
Polynesian Power alright!! Speaking of injured players, what’s the latest on Goedeke?
October 1st, 2024 at 12:39 pm
HUMPED AND DUMPED BOI
October 1st, 2024 at 2:44 pm
stpetebucfan, I’m with on that one. Good one Lt. Dan!
October 1st, 2024 at 7:18 pm
StPete … Very well said, as always. Kancey will come around; no sense in putting him on the field until he’s healed up. But when he’s 100% (and paired with Vea), he’s a force to be reckoned with.
October 2nd, 2024 at 11:55 am
Great drafting is the key! I feel we’re moving in the right direction. TB12 helped us show the world the Bucs and since he came and went things have been positive and we can look forward with the krew we have now. I think we can be NFC champs and also SB winners over the next 3 years. GO BUCS!