“Because The Stamina Wasn’t There”

November 9th, 2024

So Vita Vea played more Monday than he had in one game since Halloween of 2021.

It was a beautiful sight. Not only did Vea keep his great talent on the field, he finished with 10 combined tackles and two sacks, ridiculous numbers for a nose tackle who routinely is double-teamed.

Todd Bowles said it might have been Vea’s best game.

Defensive line coach Kacy Rodgers went a different direction on the Buccaneers Radio Network. He noted how Vea’s improved offseason fitness led to Monday’s production.

Rodgers was clear: Vea “couldn’t have did that last year because the stamina wasn’t there.”

Vea played 60 snaps on Monday. In January, he only played 48 snaps in the season-ending playoff game at Detroit, and he averaged 40 snaps per game during the 2023 regular season.

Joe is pleading with the Bucs. Please, more Vea! Keep him on the field!

Rodgers added that Vea has evolved into a smart and strong communicator — from a guy who was much more reserved early in his career. Plus, per Rodgers, Vea is a savvy film guru and has done a great job helping Bucs interior linemen develop, including second-year beast Calijah Kancey.

Joe hopes Vea can have a monster second half of this season. The Bucs desperately need that and Monday was a spectacular step in that direction.

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6 Responses to ““Because The Stamina Wasn’t There””

  1. Dave Pear Says:

    Better coaching and he would’ve already been there two years ago and now as dominant or more than Aaron Donald or Warren Sapp. And yes, bloviators, everyone knows he plays a different position than they did. But there is no reason for him to not have arrived where he is now two years ago — other than soft coaching, soft expectations and dropping into coverage too often.

    But, no worries, the same soft coaching will allow him to regress. It’s the Lovie way.

  2. Joe Mac Says:

    Do you know how you build stamina?

    By playing more! and pushing your mind to new limits!

    I’m a marathon runner. I worked hard on my stamina.

    How? By pushing my mental and physical limits every time I played soccer or basketball or went for a jog.

    Keep on the field! Force him to build his stamina through fire!

    Vea needs to play 75% of the snaps.

    Period!

  3. heyjude Says:

    Rodgers definitely gave us some nuggets about Vea. Thinking they wanted him to lose weight to regain more stamina and for his own health too. Vea showed so much by working out off-season too. Yes, keep him on the field.

  4. bob in valrico Says:

    His coach said it all. Vea worked hard in the off season on a fitness program.
    I would presume that involved losing some unnecessary weight, eating well and building muscle. He was a one man wrecking crew last week. Its difficult to force anybody
    to do what they don’t want to. At the end of the day, it appears Vea has pushed himself to improve and find his his inner reserve.

  5. heyjude Says:

    bob in valrico – 100% in agreement!

  6. BakerBucs says Says:

    Joe Mac says r u serious do u think anyone gives a crap u run marathons moron