“He’s Just A God-Given Talent”
July 13th, 2018
Lavonte David is fired up about a new teammate
Say what you want about the Buccaneers, but they’re a very confident bunch right now.
Players and officials smell the influx of talent, and it appears to be a fragrance strong enough to overpower the stench of the Jameis Winston suspension.
And when it comes to pure talent, perhaps only Jason Pierre-Paul shines brighter than rookie first-round pick Vita Vea. But Lavonte David might disagree with Joe on that.
This week, David hopped on Barstool Sports radio on SiriusXM and talked about how fired up he is about the changes on the Bucs’ defensive line.
David, of course, played junior college ball with Pierre-Paul and added that he learned all about new DE Vinny Curry at the 2012 Senior Bowl. But it was Vea who had David glowing.
“He’s just a God-given talent, man,” David said of Vea. You know, you just put him up there and he’ll plug the holes regardless just because of how big he is. It was incredible when I first saw him, like I’ve never seen a human being that big. Obviously, that got me real excited. Me and my fellow LBs are ready to get out there and fly around behind those guys.”
Joe is so yearning for David to be right. If Vea can even be a part-time beast, that would be a massive improvement, and Curry and Pierre-Paul are so much better (they should be) than the whatever was on the field for the Bucs late last season when the team was playing better.
Maybe, just maybe, the Bucs will have the best front-7 in the NFC South.
July 13th, 2018 at 2:11 pm
Yes sir! I’m hoping LVD, Kwon, and Beckwith are going to be freed to hunt by an improved d-line. How can that be a bad thing?!
July 13th, 2018 at 2:12 pm
Feed the Beasts!!!
July 13th, 2018 at 2:18 pm
Best front seven = division title
July 13th, 2018 at 2:57 pm
Vea won’t get many sacks and probably not many tackles. You’ll see how valuable this pick was by the stats of our lb’s.
July 13th, 2018 at 2:58 pm
I hope so….
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!…#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!!…GO BUCS!!!
July 13th, 2018 at 3:15 pm
They already have the best front 7 in the NFC South, everyone’s front 7 was average in the division although it is known for really good linebackers. What I’m hoping for us then being compared to the Vikings and eagles.
July 13th, 2018 at 3:18 pm
3-0 !!
July 13th, 2018 at 3:31 pm
We need this defense to be better than the 2016 defense in order to be competitive this year, Jameis or no Jameis. If they can do that, we will be fine.
July 13th, 2018 at 3:52 pm
Prositivity GoBucs support MYQB#3
July 13th, 2018 at 4:05 pm
@bucfan951
Bingo. VV is good at pushing the pocket and freeing up the LB to make plays.
July 13th, 2018 at 4:15 pm
This was a good article Joe…. As a matter of fact, I am encouraged so much about the Defensive Line changes, that as a positive input message I state the following!
If Ryan Fitzpatrick brings his 14 years of NFL QB experience, combined with our receiving weapons and contribution from the Run Game, I can picture a realistic 3 and 0 start to this season…
I believe the coaching changes, along with a brutal defense can make the difference to Tampa Bay, and then after the Chicago game and the Week 5 break, Winston can return to his regular duty.
July 13th, 2018 at 4:22 pm
Maybe, just maybe, the Bucs will have the best front-7 in the NFC South.
If they play like that (which I certainly think they can) it will allow the back 4 to play much more confidently.
July 13th, 2018 at 4:24 pm
Re VITA lized Dline…..
July 13th, 2018 at 4:46 pm
Agree with JWBUCS Joe … this was a very good article. Hope springs eternal. If this DLine is anyplace close to as good as i think it can be, Smitty will have lots of options in game-planning and play-calling. Many are thinking Blitz-Blitz-Blitz with the LBs, but our options are FAR greater than that IMO providing that this DLine can keep the pressure on AND stop the run up the middle.
Jacksonville provided an excellent example last year of what a dominating DLine can bring to the table. They blitzed just about the least of any team, yet still ended up #2 in terms of the (all-important) POINTS ALLOWED criteria and (cough) YARDAGE ALLOWED. Interestingly, they were NUMBER ONE in the NFL in allowing the LEAST Passing Yardage (only 2,718 Passing Yards Allowed). Of course they did end up with 55 sacks (sorta helped) AND they do have a pretty decent Secondary & LB corps. Still … hope springs eternal (even for those of us who are ‘cautiously optimistic’).
July 13th, 2018 at 5:16 pm
@DR
I see no reason to assume we will fail. I also agree with Joe that for us to succeed it will require a dominant front 7.
Carolina has gotten by with mediocre offense / secondary full of no-names plenty of the last years due to an elite front 7 that pressures the QB and makes it tough to run.
We have elite offensive talent at the skill positions and what I think should be an adequate O-line. We have very solid defensive talent in the front 7 now.
Saints are minus Ingram and a division rival we’ve basically split games the last 3 seasons even though that was with Winston.
Eagles are definitely a daunting task; but it’s a home opener and they may be without Wentz and have had a ton of roster turnover since last year.
Steelers are always intimidating but again it’s at home on monday night.
We have enough talent to make noise with or without Winston. Get 1-2 wins and let’s have a good season please where a healthy Winston takes the next step on the field and we’re a top 5-10 scoring offense
July 13th, 2018 at 6:01 pm
Yeah you’ll be flying around all right, chasing the ball through the air right before it hits a wide open receiver on some 12 yards cushion coverage on a slant route that wears down the entire defense before the end of the second quarter.
Different year same crap coaching staff. If Mike Smith and every one of his assistants were fired no team would employ them….NOBODY!!!!!!
July 13th, 2018 at 7:00 pm
The talent isn’t the problem it’s the outdated schemes on offense and defense #JIMSCWARTZ2019
July 13th, 2018 at 9:05 pm
Defenses win championships! Vea, Curry, and hopefully Goldston will be some serious run stoppers. If this d-line is what it sounds to be, this LB core will be very nasty as well. Some serious LB picks (six) if we can get to the QB as fast as we hope we can.
July 13th, 2018 at 11:17 pm
I think we all have high hopes for Vita.
Now that we’ve got an 8 deep DL plenty of guys will see the field which should keep Vita fresh.
Plus I think Vita’s main reason for not getting drafted higher is he’s a physical freak and it’s hard for NFL types to see how they would use him. I think Buckner will find a way to use him for sure.
July 14th, 2018 at 12:29 am
Very stoked about seeing what Vae can do in a few weeks. I like the direction of the Dline to get bigger. Hopefully that means we get meaner. It does have to start with Vae to give us some hope for the future.
July 14th, 2018 at 1:45 am
If Vea turns out to be who we all want him to be then our defense is going to go off, Vitas tide will raise all positions.
July 14th, 2018 at 1:24 pm
You know
If we stay out of the A/C in training camp, we might have a significant advantage over Philly and the Steelers. Those Northern boys don’t react well to the swampy humidity, especially in the fourth quarter.
NO SOFT TC DIRK
July 14th, 2018 at 2:44 pm
Go Bucs!
July 14th, 2018 at 5:48 pm
Tampa Bay Bucs defense are about to be known as sack city baby!!!