Vita Vea Enters One Buc Palace

April 4th, 2018

At One Buc Palace today.

Busy, busy day for the football operations staff with the Bucs.

First, Joe brought word Florida State safety Derwin James was one of the team’s allotted 30-man visits to One Buc Palace. Now from the keyboard of Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, University of Washington manbeast Vita Vea is also at Bucs headquarters today.

Joe understands Vea is popular among many Bucs fans. If the Bucs were to draft him, my goodness, the defensive line may have the most depth Joe has seen since the glory years of Warren Sapp and Simeon Rice.

55 Responses to “Vita Vea Enters One Buc Palace”

  1. LostinPA Says:

    The only way he is a Buc is if we trade back and get two first rounders.

  2. NFLNut Says:

    NOT AT #7

  3. Wausa Says:

    I agree @LostinPA.

    I really like Vea, but I like Barkley, Chubb, Nelson and James a lot more if the Bucs stay at pick #7.

  4. Big Daddy 58 Says:

    Cornerback,and safety are a bigger need.Then Running back with the next pick.

  5. Big Country Says:

    Either he’s a trade back guy or just a smoke screen

  6. darin Says:

    Corner and safety are not bigger needs than the Dline. I’m not crowning this dline yet. Youve gota have many linemen who can rotate and constantly create pressure or its gona look like last year. No corners can cover that long. Just look at the old bucs. Those linemen made those dbs. Without that pressure theyd have looked alot like this group. Curry and JPP are nice additions but theres no way licht feels content goin in with that group. He learned his lesson last year. I have a feeling they might go corner in round 1 but man I hope not. Thats why I hope this is the year Licht trades back. Theres 4 positions that need addressing early.

  7. Greg Says:

    Big strong athlete! 345 pounds and can run! I love the moves the Bucs have made but everyone is around 30. We need a next gen beast!!!

  8. Lord Cornelius Says:

    Agree with Darin.

    I will be dissapointed if I don’t see at least one DT and one DE drafted this year. Ideally at least one of those would be a top 3 round pick; which is why trading down sounds enticing; and doing something like:

    R1-Taven Bryan DT
    R2-Michael Hughes CB
    R2-Rashaad Penny RB
    R3-Braden Smith or Frank Ragnow OG
    R4-Josh Sweat / Ade Aruda / Chad Thomas DE

  9. Lord Cornelius Says:

    I don’t even care about S. I’d be fine with James after a trade back but I just still want to shore up this D-line rebuild with youth as well. Finish the front 7 before we panic on the secondary

  10. Pickgrin Says:

    Glad to see we are covering all the bases. If we wound up trading down with AZ for instance – Vea might be a pretty viable option for us at #15 if he were still on the board. I personally would be more apt to take Josh Jackson or my choice of top (non Barkley) RBs there though…

  11. SteveK Says:

    Trench warfare for the win!!

  12. lambchop Says:

    The Bucs have not made a play at CB all off season. They definitely don’t have an answer at outside Corner in Ryan Smith. The pick at 7, if we stay, will be Minkah Fitzpatrick or Denzel Ward.

    Derwin James can’t play Safety and Corner at the same time. We can survive with who we have at Safety. We cannot survive with Ryan Smith as our starting corner with an older Brent Grimes coming off injuries.

    CB is the weakest position now on this team on the defensive side. One injury away from being a revolving door at CB.

    Denzel Ward is the highest rated CB in the draft. We will not be getting a VH3 type of player. Mike Smith can’t even make that kid play bad. Minkah Fitzpatrick is a dual threat and gives the most flexibility. Minkah makes sense from a versatility POV. He gives us the ability to rotate the secondary.

  13. BetterBuccinBelieveIt Says:

    Likely is due diligence, and outside chance scenario should they unload GMC and his salary during round one on draft night. Perhaps they substitute Vea for GMC, whether they are “same technique” scheme players or not. At least they’re meeting with a diverse set of round 1 talent here on visits. Better than myopically sticking to one individual approach.

    I feel Licht will still keep his eyes on the real prize in mister SA-QUON, Say-gone Barkley!

    Go Bucs!

  14. DaveinFortMyers Says:

    This guy is a beast! 6′-4″ 345 and is very fast and athletic for a big man. People saying not at #7 are just crazy! This guy would complete the defensive line and provide much needed youth and depth! Yes PLEASE MR. LICHT PLEASE Draft Vita Vea at #7! QB’s & RB’s would be in trouble for sure! Defense starts up front, stop the run & Destroy the opposing teams QB! Watch the tape, this man needs to be a Buccaneer!
    He’s constantly disruptive and can play both the run and the pass. Nice Power and speed as well as pursuit to the ball. Good guards can be had later as well as RB’s, S and CB. There will also be a second wave of free agents for other needs. Go back and look at just the playoff games from our Super Bowl year. You will see how dominant our d-line was and how it made the defense the powerhouse that it was. D-line helped win a lot of games! YES to VITA VEA @ #7!

  15. Not there yet Says:

    Lol shortsighted thinking but I get it….. You guys do realize you have to scout the competition right?

    As it stands now we’ll get. ONE top ten player and you realize some of these guys we’re bringing in may end up on a roster of the other teams in our division. Yes we’ll get a running back but will the Panthers, Derwin James may end up on one of those rosters or Vea or guice. Lol

    I’m not banging on anyone but playoffs teams in our division will upgrade just like us and they are already playoff teams so I’m not going to celebrate is making the playoffs based on the draft. No one we draft will put this team above anyone in our division in rankings until we beat them in regular season and EARLY Koetter not late in the season

  16. since1976GoBucs Says:

    It will be Nelson at 7 as it should be , then either Michel, Penny, or Chubb at RB in round 2. The Bucs will lead the league in rushing and win the big game. You heard it here first.

  17. Waterboy Says:

    Not art 7.

  18. Waterboy Says:

    *at*

  19. 813bucboi Says:

    would really like for licht to sign kony ealy and eric reid…..that would allow us to trade back, collect picks and build depth…..

    #NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!!

  20. firethecannons Says:

    That is nice the Bucs would have such depth but that is not what the first round pick is for–we have too many needs–this dude is good @ mid round at most.

    Lets not miss –get chubb/barkley or Nelson or trade down

    even so I would be satisfied with vita vea

    hope Licht can find some cornerback–Josh Jackson if we trade down
    or farther back even

  21. Cobraboy Says:

    I LOVE Nelson and Vea in this draft.

    The Bucs have not had a dominant O or D line in forever.

    Big Uglies win football games.

  22. Buccaneer Bonzai Says:

    It’s only a smoke screen if it is effective…and since everyone knows they will not take him at 7, it is not.

    More likely, they are entertaining trade down offers and looking into players they might get as a result.

    As for me? I would take Vita Vea at 7 in a heartbeat.

    Because rankings are a sham. You take the player who is best suited for your team, and if Nelson is gone at 7, you go with defensive line.

    Incidentally, I watched Bucs Insider today…and they said Bucs staff feels like they can get great DBs later in the draft.

  23. Buccaneer Bonzai Says:

    Bucs insider also added that the staff felt like there were 3-4 top players outside of QB that they would be happy to choose from. Seeing that none are DBs, who does that leave?

  24. JAB83 Says:

    Davenport OVER Vita

  25. deminion Says:

    Get both bills picks 12 and 22

  26. The Buc Realist Says:

    I don’t get some of you!!!! some where jealous and wanted a D-line like the eagles that could bring wave after wave of talent, But then don’t want to draft the Best D-Tackle in the draft because they saw a mock draft with him going at #12 or whatever!!!!!!!!

    Remember what the GM and Head coach have said, they want a Badazz team!!!! We drafting Mount Vea is BadAzz!!!!! Do you want the Bucs to push teams around or get pushed around?????????

    GO Bucs!!!!!!!!!!!!

  27. Tampabaybucfan Says:

    Pickgrin is right….

    Covering the bases is smart….we could be in a position to draft him if we trade down…..
    Not at 7……but later in the first….especially if we get an extra 2nd….we could then pick a RB & CB or S in the 2nd….
    Vea is not a need guy………..YET.

  28. SteveK Says:

    Trench warfare is the key to getting out of the nfc s basement.

    Chubb, Barkley Nelson, or flip a coin for Vea or Davenport if we can’t get a lucrative trade offer.

  29. Stravenite Says:

    The stronger the d-line, the better the secondary !.

    This guy will anchor the line for the next 5 years plus, game is won on the trenches, doesn’t matter how good your secondary if
    Brees etc has time to pick it apart, how long have they been doing that to better secondaries than ours ?.

    Bring the pressure Big Man !

  30. Realbucfan941 Says:

    I think Licht and his buddy keim have talked and if the bucs guy isn’t there at 7 they’ll trade down with Arizona. A lot of these visits have lower 1st value.. not top 10. Just my theory.

  31. Lord Cornelius Says:

    “then don’t want to draft the Best D-Tackle in the draft because they saw a mock draft with him going at #12 or whatever!!!!!!!!”

    For me it’s more so that I can’t decide if I like Byran or Vea more at DT; and both have gone later in the mocks

    Taven Bryan = JJ Watt/ Gerald McCoy hybrid that will definitely be able to disrupt and rush the QB; but will need to work on defending the run. Athletic freak with size.

    Vea = Haloti Ngata that will definitely shut the run down but the consistency as a pass rusher may never develop. Also likely to take less snaps than a guy like Bryan due to his size

    VEA = safer but I really like Bryan’s upside.

  32. Arealbucsfan Says:

    I’d make the trade with buffalo and get Davenport

  33. First Down Tampa Bay Says:

    If we draft him at 7 it will be a total joke.

  34. Dave Says:

    A lot of CBs available in FA still.
    I don’t get why they don’t grab one.

  35. John meeks Says:

    Daveinftmyers, I have watched vita vea film and would like to ask you where do you see him rushing the passer?he doesn’t have any pass rush moves and he isn’t gonna overpower any guards in the NFL. Every player has a highlight video on YouTube but vita vea is not Jerome Brown or Warren Sapp. What film are you watching?the guy is nose tackle in a 34 defense,he doesn’t fit our defense at all.you guys praising vita vea like he is the next Cortez Kennedy crack me up!

  36. John meeks Says:

    You vita vea fans need to watch his game against Penn state and watch him get blocked one on one,then look at his career stats,then go look at his individual game stats,and then get on here and try to tell us knowledgeable fans that we need him.the guy would die in the Tampa heat and maybe good for 20 plays a game.he fits a team like the Steelers who play a 34 defense not Tampa who wants quick rushers with at least one pass rush move.vita vea is a joke!

  37. WutdaBucisthis Says:

    Vea in the 1st
    Trade back into 1st for Landry. I don’t care what it would take. Really. It starts in the TRENCHES. Don’t rest now. Press hard to build this line up. Whatever is left.. Oline players.
    #TRENCHWARFARE

  38. TouchDownTampaBay Says:

    Bonzai, if Nelson and Chubb are gone there is not d linemen even remotely close to being a top 7 pick. I am encouraged that they are bringing in Vea because that most likely means they are going to consider trading down. It would be really good if they could recoup that 3rd rounder, or even pick up a 2nd with a trade back in the first round.

  39. NFLNut Says:

    ^ Um, NO …

  40. Destinjohnny Says:

    We aren’t going to be a playoff team next year lets be real.
    So let’s build for the future.
    We have to find a way to trade back for more pick and get stout big ass guys in the trenches.

    You drop in this guy and the two Dt’s we picked up in free agency….
    You will not be running the ball against us end of story.

    Or if you draft Nelson or another stout guard to go with what we have…
    We control the clock.
    We just need 2-3’more drafts to be a playoff team.

  41. The Buc Realist Says:

    Speaking of the draft!!!! Question for the Sheep, Stick Carriers and other so-called fans!!!! In the name of consistency, we you all post to “fire the GM” for not drafting anyone two days before the draft starts like most fools did two days before free-agency started???????

    GO Bucs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  42. JabooBuc Says:

    I’d prefer the selection of Taven Bryan for our DLine if we can move back. High motor guy and quick off the line. If we can move back and get James and Bryan then we are making waves.

  43. SB Says:

    At least this takes away from how Pathetic Miko sounds in connection to our team.

  44. BigHogHaynes Says:

    I think “V” is one of those players that you just plug and play …either it’s the gap to the left or the gap to the right…I also think he could bring some more “NASTY” to this D/Line..he could teach Stevie T how to get it done ….keep building this team needs all the help it can get..CONTINUE TO BUILD THE EALL ON BOTH SIDES OF THE BAY !!!

  45. Ndog Says:

    How perfect would this draft be?

    7: R1P7 G QUENTON NELSON
    NOTRE DAME

    38: R2P6 CB MIKE HUGHES
    CENTRAL FLORIDA

    102: R4P2 RB RASHAAD PENNY
    SAN DIEGO STATE

    144: R5P7 CB DJ REED
    KANSAS STATE

    180: R6P6 S DOMINICK SANDERS
    GEORGIA

    202: R6P28 EDGE JOE OSTMAN
    CENTRAL MICHIGAN

    255: R7P37
    DL LOWELL LOTULELEI
    UTAH

  46. WutdaBucisthis Says:

    @Ndog… Hell 2 da naw naw…lol

  47. Duke Says:

    Hurst is the best DT by a long shot.
    He’s better at every skill level grade than vea .
    He’s way more polished and considering how many people are not for Davenport because of that same reason , project, it’s highly unusual for the same crowd to want vea.

    Hurst is the best 4-3 3t DT. Vea would be the best choice for a 3-4 and if the Bucs are changing the scheme vs same scheme but better players
    then vea makes sense.

    He’s a beast but He’s far from being the league’s all pro that many seem to believe. Question is what type of player does the team want.

  48. WutdaBucisthis Says:

    Seriously. It seems there is a great sect that thinks with our FA moves are so GREAT that now it’s not a priority? Really? Before JPP, it was “Licht hasn’t done enough…anything.” You can’t lose with Vea @7.

    JPP
    VEA
    GMC
    Curry/Spence (best man wins)
    That’s one hell of a line up…not to mention the FA signings NOW.
    Don’t get distracted fellow Bucs fans
    ##TRENCHWARFARE

  49. Eric Says:

    I am not going to be shocked if a draft day trade of GMC takes place.

  50. WutdaBucisthis Says:

    @DUKE… DILLY DILLY
    Just keep adding to the TRENCHES

  51. WutdaBucisthis Says:

    I speak for tM@x and some others… @Eric… I WELCOME IT!!! Opinions differ as to why BUT it doesn’t matter. Time to move on from the failed experiment, poor leader. Yea

  52. Lamarcus Says:

    Yea if u draft Vea. GMC will be available for trade no way you spend money on a couple of dts with GMC and draft Vea but right now. No on Vea look like a bust anyway

  53. MadMax Says:

    Yep…all about big V!!! But I can see a small trade back scenario and we land him around 10 or so. I would be happy.

  54. cmurda Says:

    Obviously the Bucs are looking at him in the event of a trade down.

  55. Realbucfan941 Says:

    Hate to break it to you via fans but Allen and unrein will be starting and back up nose on 1st and 2nd. Curry, GMC, Spence, and jpp on passing downs. What are you guys missing???? Allen said he came here specifically cause he wanted to start, don’t you think that was implied by bus staff. Move on, plus that pick would screw up our rb,lg,cb,s pick we need desperately.