Vita Vea Needs To Shake Off Production Lull
December 15th, 2024
Joe was hopeful manbeast Bucs defensive tackle Vita Vea was going to shake off his invisible game against the Panthers and come back last week and rattle the Raiders.
It didn’t happen.
Over the past two games, Vea has one tackle and one assist. Much more important, he hasn’t looked like his extra-special self.
It’s rare for Vea to go two games without wreaking havoc.
Joe is not concerned but damn, the Bucs need Vea to not make it three in a row against the Chargers this afternoon in Los Angeles.
Joe listened to retired Chargers All-Pro fullback Lorenzo Neal, the ex-Buc (1998), talk about a weakness of the Chargers’ offense on the Bleav podcast network. And guess where it is; the interior offensive line.
Neal stressed that Chargers QB Justin Herbert may be the best quarterback in the NFL in the pocket with time. But he needs more of it and the Chargers’ O-line has to stop “getting pushed around up front.”
Pressure up the middle on Herbert is troubling Neal, who thinks Herbert can overcome the Chargers’ second-rate receiving weapons.
“If you block for this guy, we can beat anybody. Anybody,” Neal said.
So what’s it going to be, Mr. Vea? That goes for fellow defensive tackle Calijah Kancey, too.
Those guys have a chance to wreck today’s game. Will they?
December 15th, 2024 at 9:38 am
Break out the lawn mower Vita!
December 15th, 2024 at 10:15 am
ESPN this morning is talking about how tough Hebert is, with his ankle and thigh issues. Give me a break, no way Hebert is tougher than Baker. Bake doesn’t get enough credit for being tough and playing hurt. Bake still seems to be be disrespected…
December 15th, 2024 at 10:32 am
Chargers interior oline are supposed be their weakest link, hopefully Vita can make a impact.
December 15th, 2024 at 10:50 am
Everybody has a plan till they get punched in the mouth and that is the story with Herbert. Need Vea and Kancey to do what they are here for. The only way we will win.
December 15th, 2024 at 10:54 am
gosh i wonder if the chargers will control the clock and keep our offense off the field by completing 90 pct of their underneath routes. a good defense would have an answer for that. sadly bowles in banking on fumbles caused by blitzing sacks or strips on said underneath plays. he has no intention of changing anything or employing trickery (trickeration). would be hysterical if each team had only 2 or 3 offensive possessions in the first half. smells like an ‘under’ gamblers. it might be better to intentionally lose (especially if we’re behind by a few touchdowns early). we won’t win our last three games if our injury situation gets worse.
December 15th, 2024 at 10:55 am
starting sean tucker here would be wise imo
December 15th, 2024 at 11:08 am
Vea will surely be double teamed. Somebody, anybody should be able to get through to Herbert.
December 15th, 2024 at 11:17 am
Clatu Verada Nicto….where is Plan 9?
December 15th, 2024 at 11:19 am
Bucs need to hire Gort.
December 15th, 2024 at 11:20 am
I’ve heard the same thing about the Bolts interior O line from a lot of different places.
Vea and Cancey both having a good day will go a long way toward helping us notch another win.
I thought the entire Bucs D played well last week considering it was mostly back-ups and 3rd and 4th stringers.
If we can do the same this week it’ll take some of the pressure off of our offense.
December 15th, 2024 at 12:18 pm
VV just isn’t consistent and I’m over it.
He’s definitely not earning his contract.
December 15th, 2024 at 2:15 pm
Doosh is correct. It’s not a popular opinion but, VV has been an under-performer, throughout his career. He is way too big to disappear as often as he does. Here’s to eating my words in about 5 hours.
BTW, Lo Neal as Alstott’s lead blocker was cruel & unusual punishment. Mike was pissed when the Bucs let Lo walk after only one year & so was I!
December 15th, 2024 at 2:29 pm
Hey Joe?
JTS didn’t play the last two games, and Vita Vea’s production evaporated. Hmm???
The Bucs keep playing JTS. Some fans say that, since he doesn’t pile up individual stats, he is a bust. Could it be that the Bucs think that what JTS does on the outside is the secret sauce that let’s Vita Vea have it his way on the inside?
December 15th, 2024 at 2:51 pm
The truth is our D-line / OLBs have been remarkably average and inconsistent since JPP and Suh left.
They have flashes, but there is no consistency.
December 15th, 2024 at 3:08 pm
BBB
Agreed. Neal/Alstott was special. Like a Howitzer.
December 15th, 2024 at 3:42 pm
Vita is such a force that just being healthy and in the game makes our Bucs defense better !! Let’s hope he has several sacks and or pressures on Heber today !!
Go Bucs !! Beat the Chargers !!
December 15th, 2024 at 3:54 pm
If there’s not many sacks or pressures in the game then he’s not doing his job. But I’ve been seeing this off an on since last year. Cannot understand unless he plays hurt,a man beast like him not dominating every game.
December 15th, 2024 at 4:14 pm
Time for the whatever leaders there are on defense to step up.
Lets go! Control you own destiny boys!
December 15th, 2024 at 4:25 pm
Who the heck believes Justin Sherbert is the best BEST in the entire nfl with time in the pocket. Dang Lorenzo is chugging that Kool-aid. Gtfo with that noise.