Two Different Defenses: With Vita Vea And Without
October 8th, 2024
So the Bucs really have two defenses within their 30th-ranked defense (yards-per-game allowed).
But forget about the stats, Joe is referencing the reality between the white lines.
Iconic Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David talked about this on the Buccaneers Radio Network yesterday. When Vita Vea is not on the field, David said he plays the run very differently.
“More so attack now, like being real gap and technically sound in the run game because, you know, some people are not going to hang on to blocks as much as [Vea would],” David said. “Like it’s more of an attack thing for me when other guys are in, but with Vita, I know where he’s going to be so I can be a little patient and be able play off him.
“That’s definitely one of the things that [Vea] presents to our defense.”
Think about that. David adjusts his play with and without Vea. That’s a lot of tweaking considering Vea plays about 58 percent of the snaps in 2024, per Pro-Football-Reference.com.
Joe imagines that would be a very challenging task for Bucs inside linebackers not named “David.”
David also added that Vea has a similarly significant impact in the passing game when it comes to pushing the pocket. David called Vea’s versatility a rare trait among NFL nose tackles.
October 8th, 2024 at 2:17 pm
58 percent??? Gaaaaa!!!
October 8th, 2024 at 2:20 pm
Please tell me the 58% factors in the games he missed. Or is it really he’s only played 58% of the time when available…because that sucks
October 8th, 2024 at 2:56 pm
What percentage of third downs does Vea rush off the edge? Seems like it’s more frequent than ever
October 8th, 2024 at 3:04 pm
I think 58 is higher than last year
October 8th, 2024 at 3:34 pm
He needs to get closet to 78% like Chris Jones he could be just as impactful i feel…
October 8th, 2024 at 3:40 pm
Imagine what might happen if Kancey can get healthy! Meanwhile LVD should definitely make the Ring of Honor. Dude is now a wily vet who is the glue of the defense. When AWJ returns he’ll take a lot of pressure of LVD in that role.
Again…Imagine if LVD was on the field with Vea, Kancey, and Winfield!!!
That’s THREE legitimate NFL stars (Kancey’s only flashed it so far) who are either out or like Vita among the walking wounded, although his injury hasn’t seemed to impact his play. STILL if the Buc ever get their starting defense and the O continues to improve…watch out for your Buccaneers baby!
October 8th, 2024 at 3:58 pm
Need premier EDGE. Licht needs to make a deal for Myles Garrett. All Bucs fans need to push this trade. Garrett for 2025 1st and 2nd round. Garrett was NFL defensive player of year last year. Personally think that TJ Watt is better. Would make he seem deal with Pittsburgh for Watt. Bucs need to improve QB pressure. Bucs linebacking poor other that L. David and he has a lot of miles on his odometer.
October 8th, 2024 at 3:59 pm
Would make same deal…………
October 8th, 2024 at 4:04 pm
So is Kancey going to play this week ? 5 weeks already. We need 2 players. 1 for the first half of the season and the other for the 2nd half. Not a bad idea. Same as employers are doing now. Part time. No benefits.
October 8th, 2024 at 4:37 pm
I don’t think either team would part with those players for that offer, honestly. I wish they would. It’s more likely that a first and second-round pick, along with either Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, Chris Braswell, or Logan Hall, would be more reasonable as a minimum. Either player would be a great addition, but I don’t see T.J. Watt ever being available for trade. Myles Garrett might be a possibility, but even then, unless the Browns make a questionable decision, would you trade him for less than two first-round picks? He’s an elite pass rusher, and there aren’t many of those in today’s NFL. Qbs, guys that protect the QB and guys that get to the QB are highly regarded these days… Besides maybe TJ Watt who’s better than Myles Garrett at that? Would you give up 2 first???
October 8th, 2024 at 5:32 pm
Fraud Bowles
October 8th, 2024 at 7:21 pm
You can’t miss perhaps the best defensive player in the NFL in Winfield – and miss your pass rusher, in Kancey, and have an awful piece of garbage like Britt on the field with no backups and think none of that matters.
Again, the box score from the Falcons game tells you the issue. For the defensive side of things you only had 13 names listed. That’s an incredibly low amount of guys involved. The Falcons had 24 I believe.
They got to get guys back, and they got to get Britt off the field, permanently.
October 8th, 2024 at 9:50 pm
Rod
That is a good pickup on the box score. Wanted to mention that the other day when you first found it.
October 9th, 2024 at 1:06 am
You’d think someone with that kind of rare talent would be in at the end of the game during critical drives…
October 9th, 2024 at 1:07 am
Fair point Rod