The Impact Of Vita Vea
May 7th, 2018
Admits talk is empty.
Last week, one guy who wholeheartedly endorsed Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager’s pick of defensive tackle Vita Vea was a guy who is no stranger to a Pro Bowl.
And that would be Bucs linebacker Lavonte David.
David explained that having a guy like Vea clogging things up in the middle will set Bucs linebackers free.
“I think it’s really big,” David said of the addition of Vea. “With our division, you have a lot of teams that run that zone running scheme. So when you have a guy who can get up field and disrupt or a big guy who takes up two guys, it’s really smooth for linebackers to flow and get down field to make the more [tackles for loss]. So we’re looking forward to that. It’s all talk right now so we just have to put it together first.”
David hit the nail on the head in his final comment. It’s all talk unless it actually transpires on the field.
Joe is just about at wit’s end. The Bucs are going to do this; the Bucs are going to do that. Haven’t Bucs fans heard enough empty talk lo’ these past 10 years? Since Chucky was jettisoned on that dark Friday afternoon in January 2009, all the Bucs have done is post a collective 50-94 record.
Stop telling Joe how the defense is going to play. Instead, show Joe results. After a decade of nonsense, all that matters is wins.
May 7th, 2018 at 9:13 am
Joe, try some positivity. We have suffered with you as fans but why be pessimistic? We all want the Bucs to win, we have all been punched in the gut with their performance but your tone sets the blog – why not make it positive? True, we haven’t won any games next year – but we haven’t lost any either. Just a suggestion from a guy who sees this blog getting darker and darker.
Plenty of positive vibes flow around here. Some people, not necessarily you, are very sensitive to negativity. That’s fine with Joe. Take a snapshot of any 20 posts, you’ll always find a mix. –Joe
May 7th, 2018 at 9:22 am
@SCBucsFan
All Bucs media outlets and 97% of fans were overwhelmingly positive last year. What good did it do? The point Lavonte made with his statement, the same one many of us realistic fans have been making this off season is 100% true.
It doesn’t matter how good things look on paper. They have to go out there and prove it on the field. Plain and simple.
May 7th, 2018 at 9:23 am
I have been a long time reader of this website and my first comment. I must say i agree with the previous post about the negativity on this blog, i find myself on other sites to look for some positivity.
I don’t know if the Joes have it out for this regime, but it sure looks that way. That being said when they stick to the facts, the reporting is excellent.
May 7th, 2018 at 9:27 am
It’s hard not to be synical after a deacde’s worth of atrocious football. While our lost decade may not meet the standard of +dozen double digit-loss seasons in a row, it’s sometimes hard to see the light. Vea has the potential (dangerous word) to be a real difference maker. But he also has the potential to mirror Danny Shelton’s career-to-date. That guy was picked at 12- and is on his 2nd team. He’s not spectacular. What are we really getting in Vita? We’ll see. I hope to hell he’s the guy I think he is. Just like I hope we return to being a relevant football team.
May 7th, 2018 at 9:32 am
Frank that’s true of all draft picks – will the college success transfer to the pros – did we draft 7 heros or 7 zeros – I guess we will find out soon enough, but that’s the same for every team. I think there is talent here – I worry with the start of our schedule and the ‘losing culture’ if the cards are stacked too high against us next year.
May 7th, 2018 at 9:42 am
On paper, it’s the best assembled defensive line we’ve had in a long, long time. It needs to be translated to the field. It SHOULD be a vast improvement over the cereal boxes mimicking DEs we had last year!
May 7th, 2018 at 9:42 am
“So when you have a guy who can get up field and disrupt or a big guy who takes up two guys, it’s really smooth for linebackers to flow and get down field to make the more [tackles for loss].”
Wasn’t this what GMC was supposed to do for the past 10 seasons?
Not hating on GMC here at all. If any of you pay attention to my posts, I feel like either GMC is ignoring the coaches (doubtful) or being totally misused. Buckner will get this group playing.
May 7th, 2018 at 9:45 am
When does rookie minicamp start
May 7th, 2018 at 9:56 am
Rookie minicamp starts Friday May 11
May 7th, 2018 at 10:08 am
Why bring Chucky’s name into any conversation.
A. he is a schmuck
B. he is a schmuck
c. more mouth than talent
d. He would be a good O.C and that ends it.
May 7th, 2018 at 10:09 am
I thought we already had one guy taking up two blockers. Isn’t that what Joe and the other GMC apologizers have been saying for years? “Oh but he is ALWAYS double teamed!” Hmmm interesting.
May 7th, 2018 at 10:15 am
My theory is the coaches know they are set at offense except the hole at RB which hopefully now has been filled. We have the weapons to score points but don’t have enough on the defensive side to stop teams from scoring thus resulting in a defensive heavy draft. Plug the trenches and get physical at the line of scrimmage. No more cushion and relying on ppl to hold there own.
May 7th, 2018 at 10:15 am
Tnew,
GMC does a great job of disruption in the passing game no doubt, but he gets man handled in the running game. His quick first step takes him out of position to make the tackle by any decent guard or center. They use his momentum and direction to push him past where the play is developing. Since he isn’t Sapp he seldom chases RB’s down from behind which makes it look like he’s giving up on plays.
May 7th, 2018 at 10:18 am
Smart answer from LVD. Is that his self proclaimed “smartness” trait he was talking about?
May 7th, 2018 at 10:22 am
To all you fans that are talking about “negativity” on this site, since when is reporting the truth negative?!? The past 9 yrs have been pretty much horrible!! When the truth is being talked about, you can’t complain!! It’s not like they’re trying to make stuff up or like this team has been to the playoffs many times lately and they’re trying to just find negatives!!
Chill out and enjoy some of the only truly insightful writing about the team you love and continue to hope they will turn it around!! There are far more important things in this world to stress about!!
May 7th, 2018 at 10:22 am
^^^^ right …right but what was his teammates doing ….as he was making pro-bowls^^^
May 7th, 2018 at 10:29 am
actions speak louder than words!!!!!!
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!…#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!!…GO BUCS!!!!
May 7th, 2018 at 10:34 am
@Joe … “Joe is just about at wit’s end. Haven’t Bucs fans heard enough empty talk lo’ these past 10 years?” Ummm … YES.
And SCBucsFan, I see quite a few negative articles on JBF & on others too. IMO this isn’t one of them. As much as anything, it sets the tone for what fans expect out of this training camp & season.
Bucs have had a grand total of TWO winning seasons in the last 10 years … TWO. I guess we should be thankful because the Browns have had ZERO winning seasons in last 10 years. Of course, flip the coin over, and the Pats have had TEN winning seasons in the past 10 years and have made the playoffs NINE times. But then again, they’re only average when it comes to the Super Bowl (won 2 lost 2 in those 10 years … plus they lost THREE Conference Championships in that stretch). Bummer for those ‘poor Pats fans’ huh.
May 7th, 2018 at 10:43 am
Yes, lets continue to focus on GMC. His outright lack of production is clearly evidenced by the total lack of productivity anywhere else on the defensive line!
In other news, real “fans” are looking forward to the upcoming season with the new additions of JPP, Beau Allen, Mitch Unrein (sp), Vinny Curry, and Vita Vea!!!
May 7th, 2018 at 10:49 am
The new Dline an the man coaching it are going to make this defense great again. Well hopefully lol
May 7th, 2018 at 10:57 am
Bigkev
“i find myself on other sites to look for some positivity.”
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Try Buccaneers.com everything is always pie in the sky and ice cream cones there,
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Bucnjim
“GMC does a great job of disruption in the passing game no doubt
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Not sure anybody from last years D disrupted anything anywhere…You did watch as Qb’s stood in the pocket writing letters to mom, eating a sandwich etc. etc, before anyone got close to them???
SCbucfan
The time for effusive positivity( fake news) is over.. however I see Buc fans that want no talk and more action as a very positive thing. Joe is just piggybacking on what a lot of us have been saying for months #WALKTHEWALK
It sure beats “we won the offseason” All Buc fans deserve less BS, and the best thing we can do is hold the team accountable instead of pandering to a large group of twenty something millionaires..just sayin’
May 7th, 2018 at 10:59 am
Bucs have done is post a collective 50-94 record.
Stop telling Joe how the defense is going to play. Instead, show Joe results. After a decade of nonsense, all that matters is wins.
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Amen 🙏🏽
May 7th, 2018 at 11:01 am
We don’t need to be Paper Champs 2.0
May 7th, 2018 at 11:31 am
McCoy doesn’t really take up 2 lineman in a way that frees up space for LBs to get through. He doesn’t have any good power moves that he can use to come right at his opponent physically.
He doesn’t tie anybody up with his hands or body. He moves laterally more and Vea moves straight upfield.
Vea will attack the guy in front of him, they wil try to chip him or use a second guy and Vits has to be prepared to hit hard enough that he ties up both blockers. If Vita can succeed it will open up the middle of our defense and make a huge difference.
May 7th, 2018 at 11:42 am
It is simple.. If you double GMC, Vea will blow up his lone blocker. If you double Vea, GMC will blow past his blocker. If the back helps on JPP, Vinny will come off the edge. If he helps on Vinny, JPP is coming off the other edge. You need talent on the lines in addition to doing their jobs. This is a significantly more talented group at line as opposed to Gholston, Ayers and McDonald or Cheeseburger Baker. ON PAPER, this years defensive line SHOULD be pretty damn good. We will see.
May 7th, 2018 at 11:58 am
The Bucs had the worst defense in the NFL, an awful running game and a bad field goal kicker.
The Bucs do have a strong group of linebackers, a great group of receivers and a franchise QB. Those are areas to build on.
Jason Licht has done as much as you could ask to alleviate the Bucs weaknesses.
I am guessing I am like most fans in that we are cautiously optimistic.
May 7th, 2018 at 12:12 pm
It’s hard to be positive but like people who pointed out that a teams new game schedule is irrelevant to the new season since teams have changed so much during the off season. I say bullspit, but I’m going to try to be open minded and force myself to be positive until we see some meaningful games. I’m guilty of skepticism and it sometimes may reflect in my comments but negativity is an imprinted behavior when you’ve been let down as much as Buc fans have been. Try to be positive! Go Buc’s!
May 7th, 2018 at 12:13 pm
Thanks you David. Its all talk. 5-11 indicates thats what our Bucs were last year..Rah/Rah..Opps I lost..Jameis pulpit sermons of..we gotsta get better. Winning is all that matters. Everything else is Bullsh..!!!!
May 7th, 2018 at 12:16 pm
Carolina runs the RPO….man will they struggle against the Buccs with Vea in the middle!
May 7th, 2018 at 2:01 pm
I think the weakest link on the Bucs last season was the coaching staff. The defensive players were a close second. Well maybe it was special teams. Red zone offense was pretty bad too. Yeah they were all pretty bad. I wish Koetter would give Jameis the playbook, select some key plays for certain reads and let Jameis call all of the plays himself, audible at the line and see how it goes. Run hurry up and no huddle offense more frequently. Let Jameis run when he wants to run and just be Jameis. I’d like to see Koetter be The Head Coach and not try to wear any other hats, because he can’t do it or at least hasn’t effectively.
Go Bucs!
May 7th, 2018 at 2:03 pm
If you practice QB sneaks they actually work more than they don’t.
May 7th, 2018 at 5:38 pm
Jameis has the freedom to audible, until he protects the ball better and moves the ball efficiently all game long ,he is not yet ready to call his own plays on a full time basis.
May 7th, 2018 at 6:48 pm
Joe if you are sick of the all the talk then stop asking questions.
What are these guys supposed to say? Should they just answer wait and see to every question?
As a fan I understand your comment. As a journalist it is confusing.
May 7th, 2018 at 7:33 pm
Bob you’re wrong. Koetter gives him like 3 different plays at the line. Jameis was under pressure on 90% of his snaps which should improve this year. I think Jameis can call all the plays and anything is better than Koetter calling plays. He sucks at it.
May 7th, 2018 at 7:40 pm
I wont expect much out of the bucs this year my main concern is coaching I do not think we have the coaches in the building . I am looking for next year besides jamis will be suspended 1 /4 games 2019 go bucs