“He Does Have A Chance”
September 28th, 2018
Dirk Koetter speaks.
[UPDATE] Could Sunday be the day?
Bucs first-round pick Vita Vea missed virtually all of training camp and did miss all of preseason due to a mysterious calf injury (a calf like that could bring a nice piece of change on an open market — rimshot!). Vea has yet to play in a game.
Last week, Vea resumed practicing but was inactive for the Steelers game. After practice today before the Bucs fly to Chicago to face the Bears, Koetter was asked about Vea’s status. For a guy who hates talking about injured players, Koetter opened the blinds a bit.
“He does have a chance,” Koetter said of Vea playing Sunday. Of course, how much of a chance is another question.
But Jenna Laine of ESPN pointed out something on Twitter this morning. Unless today’s injury report documents something different, Vea has yet to be a full participant in practice, per official injury reports.
Yeah, guys are able to play despite not being a full participant. But for Vea who has yet to wear a Bucs game day uniform, he may need to be a full-participant in a practice before getting into a game. We shall see come Sunday morning.
With the final injury report released late Friday afternoon, Vea was a full participant in practice today and was listed as questionable for Sunday.
September 28th, 2018 at 2:21 pm
Per ProFootballFocus yesterday:
Derwin James has been the highest graded defensive rookie in the NFL so far this season.
1) Derwin James 87.7
2) Denzel Ward 81.9
3) Ja’Whaun Bentley 81.5
September 28th, 2018 at 2:22 pm
The Bucs passed on a lot of good players for Vea
The pressure is on
September 28th, 2018 at 2:23 pm
No Jim Carry caption?
September 28th, 2018 at 2:28 pm
I’d say Vea has about a 1 in a million chance to play this Sunday…
So you’re sayin there’s a chance!
September 28th, 2018 at 2:29 pm
I always follow the ole adage to give rookies 3 years for final judgement. Vita is no different. I give Vita 3 years just like I’ll give Shaun Wilson and like I gave Humphries.
A tough one will be VHIII…Gotta say he was not worth the pick.
September 28th, 2018 at 2:30 pm
Why does that moron keep talking about Derwin James?
Does he think I’d he keeps talking about him he’ll magically appear on the Bucs?
How dumb
September 28th, 2018 at 2:32 pm
Why is the calf injury “mysterious”…….is a groin injury “mysterious”….a knee injury “mysterious”……a shoulder injury “mysterious”….a hamstring injury “mysterious?…..Inquiring minds want to know.
September 28th, 2018 at 2:35 pm
Remember the chance twins?
SLIM AND FAT
September 28th, 2018 at 2:37 pm
The Vita Vea Bucs are 2-1, the Derwin Chargers are 1-2, Ward’s Browns 1-1-1, and Bentley’s Patriots 1-2. Just sayin’!
I’m excited to see this kid play. We need him for depth.
September 28th, 2018 at 2:37 pm
the pressure is on? on who, vea? you ever hear of an injured player getting a settlement from the league because he was injured permanently and no longer can play, i am sorry but what is this so called “CALF” injury huh that’s kept him out for what now 10-12 weeks give or take, man this dude has a walking get paid and get out tag hanging out his jersey, i have lost all faith in big boy, be lucky to see this clown before nov imho if at all
September 28th, 2018 at 2:38 pm
I just don’t see the Bucs rushing him out before the Bye Week. I’m more concerned about Beau Allen at this point honestly. However I do look forward to seeing Vita Vea after the Bye and what he brings.
Question: Why has so much been made of Vita Vea losing so much weight? Wasn’t his draft specialty the fact that he was so athletic as it is at his previous heavier weight? I trust in Coach Brenston Buckner so I am just anxious to see him finally play!
September 28th, 2018 at 2:41 pm
I wanted Derwin James
I wanted Aaron Donald, Laremy Tunsil, Ryan Ramczyk also
But Vita Vea is a Buc now, I have to pull for him
September 28th, 2018 at 2:55 pm
I’d be shocked if he plays given that he hasn’t logged a full participation practice per Laine. I could have swore I read they were waiting until he was able to do that before he gets to play.
Would be a great game to have him since the Bears are so reliant on a run game with Howard; but worst case sounds like he should be ready to go after the bye.
September 28th, 2018 at 3:00 pm
Only the 4th week of his rookie season. Give it some time folks.
September 28th, 2018 at 3:01 pm
The poor thing about Vita being injured is that all the depth that was supposed to surround him is on ice.
I think the plan was to develope Vita and bring him in a little more slowly. The injury slows it more now …….Either way I am very scared for the middle of our D-Line. The guys we got are soft, soft, soft…….We don’t need another Conte-Moment!!!
September 28th, 2018 at 3:02 pm
LC
I said that at the start of the season….he wont be back until after the bye week…..that’s the smartest move…..
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!…GO BUCS!!!!
September 28th, 2018 at 3:03 pm
We’re pretty beat up on the DL… It’s nice and cool in chi-town. I expect Vea to play at least a few snaps. Let him see how the injury reacts and heals. Another week of practice in the bye… He should play.
September 28th, 2018 at 3:06 pm
Gobucs Says:
September 28th, 2018 at 2:30 pm
Why does that moron keep talking about Derwin James?
Does he think I’d he keeps talking about him he’ll magically appear on the Bucs?
How dumb
This is a Bucs site and I believe it has relevance when evaluating the Bucs top draft choice.
Also, I am pretty sure this is the first time I have posted anything about Derwin James since the draft, but to answer your question I think the conventional wisdom was the Bucs were going to draft Derwin James if he was available after the Bucs traded down.
The Bucs took Vea and I hope he ends up great, but after only three games James already does look great, while Vea has not been able to get on the field.
My apologies though if my post bothered you.
September 28th, 2018 at 3:15 pm
Wausa………Derwin James is an FSU grad. Since he’s from FL Tampa will have tons of fans who will follow Derwins career. It’s just the way it is bro.
September 28th, 2018 at 3:15 pm
I wanted Minkah…the dolphins are 3-0. Ok, silly game, people. Defensive tackle is arguably the top position on defense in today’s nfl followed by free safety and defensive end. It all starts with pressure up the middle. If Vea can pass rush and develops an up the field mauler mentality, the kid will be an absolute stud anchor for this defensen.
September 28th, 2018 at 3:17 pm
I with you @JimmyJack.
Good news is Vea fully participated in practice today.
Looks like he will play and my guess is Ronald Jones is active also.
September 28th, 2018 at 3:29 pm
It does not help that word on the street is that VV does not care for the Tampa Bay Area
September 28th, 2018 at 3:43 pm
Do you have any source for that Sharthappens? Anyone can say “word on the street” and make an unsubstantiated claim.
September 28th, 2018 at 3:48 pm
Sharthappens
I am sure that ALL the players hate the area. Its a boring small market team that treats under achieving has beens like legends…. franchise is more like a farm team than competitive NFL franchise.
September 28th, 2018 at 3:48 pm
A run stuffing 3-4 NT, it’s exactly what a 4-3 defense needs!
September 28th, 2018 at 3:51 pm
SHUT THE F#CK UP ABOUT DERWIN JAMES!!!!! GO TO A CHARGERS WEB SITE AND S HIS D OVER THERE!!!
September 28th, 2018 at 3:51 pm
Wausa good job bringing up Vita and RoJo……Two guys on the roster we haven’t seen yet. Both have a ton of upside.
Say what you will about both of them but each have the same potential that was touted on draftday. If they get into games and play flat we can talk but I won’t lower my expectations on them til they show me what they got.
September 28th, 2018 at 3:56 pm
LOL Tampa fans jealous of San Djego. So dumb
September 28th, 2018 at 3:56 pm
I think VV is going to make noise when he makes his debut
September 28th, 2018 at 3:58 pm
I love watching my TV
Waitin on Vita Vea
Hangin on some wins
and Twins!!!!
September 28th, 2018 at 4:11 pm
You can not expect much from a rookie defensive lineman, in particular an interior lineman, they rarely do anything their rookie year. Even Warren Sapp only had 3 sacks his rookie year, and his college production was worlds better than Vita. I still have no idea how exactly Vea fits into this defense unless the idea all along was to go to a 3-4, sure he has good speed and quickness, FOR A GUY OF HIS SIZE, but his speed and quickness in generation isn’t very good compared to your normal 300 pounder, but that doesn’t get you to the QB any faster. He seems like a straightforward run stuffer, and his college production is not one of a NFL pass rusher, which production is that of a NFL run stuffer.
I hope I’m wrong, I hope he goes out there and has a great career and creates chaos, but that would be just hope, there’s nothing on paper that would make me believe that he’ll do that on the field, at the NFL level. Not rooting against the guy, I want him to be a key chog in a great defense, but realistically, I don’t get the pick, haven’t gotten since it happened, it doesn’t seem like much of a fit unless they were already drafting for the post Mike Smith error.
September 28th, 2018 at 4:27 pm
Wausa: taking the high road. Well done.
September 28th, 2018 at 4:32 pm
missed this update:
“Vea was a full participant in practice today ”
If the dude’s good to go then put him out there!
September 28th, 2018 at 4:38 pm
Perhaps, but trust Joe, they love the relatively low cost of living, and yeah, the no-state-tax checks.
September 28th, 2018 at 4:41 pm
Who???
September 28th, 2018 at 4:53 pm
Oh look – maxi pad is a beotch is back to troll/torture comments readers once again…
Nowhere to be seen for 2 full weeks when the team comes out the gate kicking ass on offense and winning. But as soon as the team loses a game – she’s back…
How predictable.
September 28th, 2018 at 5:00 pm
@Rod
Vea isn’t going to win with speed as much as it’s athleticism + brute power / strength. Most DL are 300 and speed rushing disruptive DTs are typically 280-290.
Vea ran his combine at 347. I think he’s around 330-335 now. He used to be a RB in high school; and his 40 time / 10 yard split were much better than any typical run stuffing NT.
Per PFF – he was a top 4 interior rusher in terms of pressure generated on the QB; while being a top 2 run defender.
He won’t put up big stats but he should hopefully be a huge force in the run game and help free up McCoy/JPP while collapsing some pockets. McCOy wins with speed of the snap while Vea will win by shoving the OG back into the QBs face.
GO BUCS!
September 28th, 2018 at 5:02 pm
Thanks HSR
September 28th, 2018 at 5:17 pm
soft and softer gmc & vv ,cream of the cheese and flop of the crop, doesn’t get any better than this, until i watched the rams, wow what a concept a pass rush that works
September 28th, 2018 at 5:17 pm
Ummm conte is out and Jordan Whitehead was listed as limited participation with a bad hammy. That’s a bigger deal than the guy who has not been seen since first day of full pads at least in week 4 it’s a bigger deal
September 28th, 2018 at 5:51 pm
Every time I see VV typed out I think of the V W logo on the front of the Microbus.
The Steelers had “The Bus”, maybe if he’s a baller, he can be our Microbus.
Beep! Beep!
Koetter said Ronald Jones had a rocket up his ass, maybe unless he’s a dud, we can call him………Rocket Jones.
Whoooooosh!
September 28th, 2018 at 6:15 pm
Heat won’t be an issue on Sunday for VV ‘s coming out party….upper 60’s and cloudy
September 28th, 2018 at 6:30 pm
Disgusting. The way some ‘fans’ are acting.
Here’s a question for you: Even if he is cleared to play, do you think he will be starting?
If you do, you are wrong.
Unrein is the starter. Unless he gets injured, that’s not changing. So all of this whining is about a backup. Just like Rojo is a backup. I don’t see people whining that Griffin isn’t seeing the field. Rojo is currently a 4th stringer. At best, he’ll move to 3rd.
At best, Vea will start out as a 2nd stringer. So even when active, you won’t see much of him.
September 28th, 2018 at 6:34 pm
What’s puzzling to me is.
We signed 2 dt’s And 1 DE and we traded for jpp in the offseason.
You can never have enough depth on the line but Jason can’t draft lineman so we had to do something drastic.
Our secondary was awful as well because again Jason can’t draft for the secondary.
The 2019 draft is the deepest defensive lineman draft in history they are saying
So after signing all those linemen and having a need for safety
Wouldn’t James had made more sense?
Again especially with the depth of the defensive line talent in 19.
Am I crazy to ask this question ?
September 28th, 2018 at 6:40 pm
I think he gets in just for the fact he will get 2 weeks to see how his calf responds.
September 28th, 2018 at 6:46 pm
I wonder what his personality is like and how he has fit in with his team mates ?…this has been a strange story for a 1st round pick
September 28th, 2018 at 8:14 pm
I too am tired of the Derwin James posts. So what? But kudos to Wausa for his humble highroad reply. I aspire to be as nice as you.
On another note. I screamed from the hilltops that I wanted Luke Keuchly over Trent Richardson and the bust CB the Cowboys drafted and we went with Mark Barron. I was bothered and I knew we screwed up but I pretty much let it go… only to mention it on rare occasions like these. It’s really unproductive to keep bringing it up. The Bucs obviously didn’t want him that badly, neither Keuchly or James. We have to get over it. I have…pretty much.
September 28th, 2018 at 8:20 pm
Buccaneer Bonzai Says:
September 28th, 2018 at 6:30 pm
Disgusting. The way some ‘fans’ are acting.
Here’s a question for you: Even if he is cleared to play, do you think he will be starting?
If you do, you are wrong.
Unrein is the starter. Unless he gets injured, that’s not changing. So all of this whining is about a backup. Just like Rojo is a backup. I don’t see people whining that Griffin isn’t seeing the field. Rojo is currently a 4th stringer. At best, he’ll move to 3rd.
At best, Vea will start out as a 2nd stringer. So even when active, you won’t see much of him.
___________
Bro, I agree with you usually…. but Unrein is our starter and unless he gets injured…. what dimension are you in? Was Jameis Winston suspended in this dimension or does he play baseball?
FWIW. Beau Allen is the starter. He is injured and Gholston got the start against Pittsburgh. Worthy is his primary backup. Are the Rams still in St. Louis in your world? 🙂 BTW…. these are attempts at humor. Not trying to piss you off. That Wausa guy got to me with all his damn niceness.
September 28th, 2018 at 9:08 pm
I am not sure some of you are paying attention. VV is not a “run stuffing 3/4 NT”- he is a 3 technique and has been listed that way on every Bucs depth chart. If he and GMC are out there together it will probably be with GMC playing end.
September 28th, 2018 at 9:20 pm
Vea has not played 1 down in the nfl yet, not even a preseason game. He is not going to light it up. I think they rest him until the falcons game after the bye. No production from him this year.
September 28th, 2018 at 11:31 pm
It would be nice to at least see the kid get 20 snaps and some real game time action! Praying he can go on Sunday!
September 29th, 2018 at 7:18 am
Bad draft choices put us in position to draft a franchise QB. What’s done is done. Root for the guys we have or follow your college favorites to another team, but it’s a waste of time worrying about what could have been. We have a team on the rise. It’s not perfect but there is a solid foundation to build on. I like our future with Licht, Koetter, and Winston. The Tampa Bay Area has everything these young players could possibly want. I have lived and worked in several NFL cities and I have been to all of them. I retired to Pennsylvania because my wife works in NYC, and I can’t take the heat in Florida, but Tampa tops the list as the best NFL city. The only drawback is it’s infested with fans from other teams. If their cities were so great they would have stayed there.
September 29th, 2018 at 7:52 am
Unleash the Beast lol!
September 29th, 2018 at 8:13 am
Let him rest this week and the bye week, then play week 6. Not worth risking making it worse
September 29th, 2018 at 9:07 am
Let him play in running downs, they need a big body in the middle as the Bears run a power running game. He doesn’t need to be in the game in passing situations as rushing passers requires more stretching and bending than clogging up the middle and just holding ground. So he’s sore, so what, he should be playing limited snaps to help the team. This is a “must win” game” with a BYE coming up. If he gets hurt thats just the nature of the game. He’s had enough time to heal with an injury that was at the time considered a 4-6 week rehab. I would definitely play him, an 80% Vea playing a running team is better than using undersized tackles that are 100%. The guy is going to be tough to move even if he was playing on one leg so WTF, suit him up, next man up!
September 29th, 2018 at 11:39 am
How much playing time does Spence get?