If Vita Vea Plays, Eagles Will Struggle
September 28th, 2024
Catalyst for a win?
Pretty smart analysis by Ben Solak of BSPN on how the Bucs can win tomorrow against the Eagles.
Solak thinks the key is Vita Vea and he is the plug that can stop that Eagles run game. Philadelphia, Solak reasons, will lean on Saquon Barkley with all the injuries to their receivers.
… The potential return of Vea is enormous. Vea is one of the league’s preeminent run stuffers and, given the absence of strong pass-catching options, the Eagles figure to be extremely run heavy Sunday. If Vea goes, the Eagles cannot win with a one-dimensional approach on the ground. Vea is too great a force on the interior, especially for an undersized center such as Cam Jurgens.
Joe thinks the same level of importance can be placed on Bucs right tackle Luke Goedeke playing. The Bucs’ offensive line, shockingly, has crumbled without Goedeke. Joe would never guess a non-Hall of Fame right tackle being out would cause an entire line to implode. But it has.
So if Goedeke plays, perhaps the Bucs can get their offense kick-started while Vea, if his knee is healthy enough, slows the Eagles’ ground game.
September 28th, 2024 at 8:10 am
For this game specifically, the Bucs need Vita more than Winfield or Kancey. Getting Vita back would be huge for stopping the run which looks like will be the only way for the Eagles to move the ball on offense without Brown or Smith. Bowels has had Hurts number
September 28th, 2024 at 8:16 am
I think the fact that Mauch, and Bedeson suck is a bigger reason why our Oline has crumbled. We’re starting a rookie center, but the two guards on either side of him are total trash. Mauch has been beat more then a red headed step child. Oh wait, maybe he is?
September 28th, 2024 at 8:50 am
We definitely need Vita. My only fear is him saying he is good to go and have his knee worsened during the game.
September 28th, 2024 at 8:53 am
it really all comes down to the line on both sides of the ball. although I think our o-line currently has more problems than goedeke’s absence.
September 28th, 2024 at 9:07 am
This defense isn’t the same without AWJ and Vita. Hall and Gaines are JAGs.
Bowles needs to find a pass rush. Yaya has been a disappointment and JTS is, well another JAG. They keep hyping guys like Ramirez and Watts, maybe it’s time to see more of them.
I’ve given up on Princess Calfy. Bust. Best ability is availability and this guy just isn’t.
September 28th, 2024 at 9:14 am
Let’s go big man!!
69 looks like he’s regressing to me, I wasn’t sold on him last year. Missing teeth and red hair should not be considered a “trait,” when scouting. Licht can’t help himself and won’t stop reaching for another Ali Marpet.
Hey Jason Licht, maybe draft some D1 linemen instead of trying to be the smartest guy in the room all the time.
September 28th, 2024 at 9:19 am
Hodad … ‘I think the fact that Mauch, and Bedeson suck is a bigger reason why our Oline has crumbled.’
Looks to me Hodad like the entire OLine still hasn’t come close to getting it together. Our interior is having the same issues that it had last year. Our 2 Tackles also seem to be struggling though. I still wonder how much of that is on the players and how much is on the coaches (blocking/play design & ‘blocking techniques’ being taught). Having 3 OLinemen on the field in these last 2 games who didn’t play last year probably doesn’t help much either.
Joe wrote that the Bucs’ OLine crumbled without Goedeke. There’s no question in my mind that Luke makes a BIG difference (especially in terms of creating ‘attitude’ like Ryan Jensen used to), but our OLine also struggled in Game 1 with him playing (50% of our 28 rushes were 2 yds or less, and 25% were for negative yardage, not counting kneeldowns). That’s not exactly a dominant OLine. HOPEFULLY it starts gelling soon.
September 28th, 2024 at 9:31 am
I’m sure more gentle practices will help. 🙄
September 28th, 2024 at 9:44 am
Hurts will throw to backup receivers if he has time, and lately, the Bucs pass rush has been pitiful.
September 28th, 2024 at 9:54 am
HeyJude … You & I share exactly the same concern about Vea. Players who aren’t 100% healed up after an injury rarely play at 100% level it seems, and always run the risk of aggrevating the injury even more. Yet without him, Saquon Barkley would have a field day with our DLine. Heck, even with Vea in there Barkley may have a field day.
September 28th, 2024 at 10:03 am
Im concerned about Vea too but the brace will help a ton. It won’t hurt his push either IMO. Only real concern is someone falling on it laterally again.
We simply have to have him. Back in the 80s and 90s he might not even be discussed. Guys had to be missing limbs to not play.
We simply have to have him this game and they all know it.
As far as the O Line, Baker getting rid of the ball quicker helps too. You never see an all out rush when QBs are on time. What you do see is more batted down balls, because getting your hands up is all you can do on timely plays schemed up West Coast style.
If we don’t come out with plays that work that are scripted in nature, I will start wondering about Liam Coen. Half the NFL scored on their opening drive last week. We haven’t done it in 24 games. That’s truly concerning. You don’t even win 35% of the time scoring the first TD anyway. I wonder what percentage of time you lose when you don’t score? Tampa still hasn’t fixed 1st and 3rd quarter scoring and that stat is indicative of bad coaching.
September 28th, 2024 at 10:07 am
Mauch was considered the safest guard draft pick by most draft pundits last year.
September 28th, 2024 at 10:17 am
If Vea was 100% then he would make a difference. Trying to hold back a 300 pound human frpm pusking him backwards with the weak link being a knee? Forget it. By the second quarter Vea will be lost for a month.
Bucs sit at 2-1 and a loss although not good would not be the end of the world. for either team. Eagles have two weeks until their next game and then it’s Browns, Giant’s and Bengals. Nothing overwhelming.
Bucs play Falcons, Saints, Ravens, Falcons and Chiefs in the next 5 games.
To risk losing Vea for even 3 of those games to get up one game in the Division and certainly not a must win is Crazy.
September 28th, 2024 at 10:22 am
What exactly is the condition of the RJS field? Tampa got slapped by Helene, and the stadium is very close to Tampa Bay. Fortunately, it wasn’t wiped out like Cedar Key, but it still got hit. We need a win, Bucs. It will lift a lot of sodden spirits right now.
September 28th, 2024 at 10:23 am
DR – Worried about what Barkley may do too.
September 28th, 2024 at 10:28 am
Vita won’t impact anything. He’ll be about as useful as week 3 last year with his pectoral strain.
September 28th, 2024 at 10:46 am
After three games there is enough tape to determine the strengths, weaknesses, and tendencies of our opponent and develop a game plan to compensate.
Sadly, this does not appear to be a strength of Todd Bowles. I’m afraid he will continue his practice of trying to force a square peg into a round hole. All the while, trying to save as many time outs for a future game as he can.
September 28th, 2024 at 10:59 am
whole damn teams made of glass and thats a shame
September 28th, 2024 at 1:41 pm
need more than vea need calijah and winfield. barkley ate last week vs a good saints defense
September 28th, 2024 at 2:08 pm
We also need a playing field in decent condition. Hey joes: What is the scoop on the RJS field???