Vita Vea Intimidated By Desmond Watson?
May 13th, 2025
“Lavonte, why did Licht sign this kid? Do the Glazers want me gone?”
Joe is not trying to be mean here. It would be cool to see “Big Gator” Desmond Watson make the Bucs’ regular-season roster.
But let’s be real: The previously 464-pound Florida defensive tackle is an undrafted free agent. He wasn’t drafted for a reason.
Besides, Joe didn’t get all the hype of people connecting him to Vita Vea and claiming the Philly Tush Push won’t work on the Bucs with Watson and Vita on the field.
Maybe Joe is missing something, but the Philly Tush Push didn’t work so well against the Bucs before they signed Watson.
And Joe doesn’t get how folks try to connect Vita and Watson. One guy has an uphill climb to make the team, the other is a strong-as-an-ox Pro Bowler who already has a ring and is one of the best defensive tackles in the game. But to hear Lavonte David talk, Watson is in Vea’s head.
In fact, David thinks Vea is intimidated by Watson. David appeared on “Good Morning Football” yesterday, seen on NFL Network, and was asked about who he would pick in a tug-of-war, Vita or Watson.
David said he would likely take Vea, though he thinks Watson has Vea rattled.
“Me knowing Vita personally, and how strong he is, I’m probably biased and pick Vita,” David said.
“But, I went into facility one day, and I believe they had the kid Watson in there working out. And the way Vita talked about him, he kind of felt a little intimidated.
“So, I might go Desmond Watson, just because of what I heard from Vita. But Vita, he’s my boy. It’s not personal that I picked [Watson].”
This is hilarious to Joe. Why on earth would Vita be intimidated by Watson? LOL Sure, Watson’s heavier. That’s about the only advantage.
Was Vita intimidated by Ndamukong Suh? Suh was a true beast.
Watson is a puppy dog compared to Suh. Watson comes across like a big ol’ teddy bear. Suh, between the white lines, was more like an ornery grizzly bear.
This is hilarious if Vea really is freaked out with Watson on the roster.
One of the more impressive athletic feats I’ve seen!
6-6, 437-pound rookie Desmond Watson showcasing his elite lateral footwork on the ladder. The #Bucs got a gem! 💎
(via @Buccaneers) pic.twitter.com/4Q7ZxpWjEc
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) May 11, 2025
May 13th, 2025 at 5:12 am
I’m going to give Vita the respect he deserves! No I’m not talking about in a physical competition with Watson, that’s for meaningless “bragging rights” anyway.
I’m going to give Vita the respect he deserves as a WINNER! He’s made his bones and I think he’s smart enough to realize that IF Watson could really get in shape and play a few downs it’s going to be GOOD for Vita! It’s going to be GOOD for the team.
I see no reason to even suspect that Vita is anything but a team guy and not a narcissist like Meshaun or AB!!!
May 13th, 2025 at 5:17 am
no worries, vita will prolly suplex the kid on the first day of camp and make vince mcmahon proud
May 13th, 2025 at 5:38 am
I’m sorry, but I just can’t imagine Vita being genuinely intimidated Desmond.
This is the same guy that laughs and jokes in the various promotional videos the Bucs PR team puts out, then goes out on to the field and bulldozes opponents like a Sunday walk in the park.
I’m not discounting what LaVonte said. He would certainly know better than any of us, including me.
Just find it hard to believe.
May 13th, 2025 at 6:33 am
If the kid does nothing besides get Vita moving better this camp, job well done.
May 13th, 2025 at 6:46 am
LVD prob just trolling his buddy V and at the same time giving kudos to Watson.
May 13th, 2025 at 6:52 am
Regarding Tevita Tuliʻakiʻono Tuipulotu Mosese Vaʻhae Fehoko Faletau, aka Vita Vea, Jim Croce said it best, “He’s stronger than a country hoss.” My money is on Vita.
May 13th, 2025 at 7:04 am
Watson CANNOT play in the NFL at his current weight!
There is something fundamentally wrong with this story, a wasted roster spot if he is on the final 53 ….
May 13th, 2025 at 7:38 am
It’s funny to this fan. I am 6-3+ Years ago I was in a South Tampa club talking with some guys from MacDill. One was a retired soldier and two others were special forces dudes. All were taller and obviously fit dudes. I began to get a bit uncomfortable. It finally hit me why I was uncomfortable. I was the short dude and that happens very rarely. I found it amusing once I realized.
Go Bucs
May 13th, 2025 at 7:53 am
No way this guy make the team. I am a gator, so I watch every snap of UF’s games. This guy cannot get off the line….. period. To me he was a novelty that didn’t belong in a big time college team.
May 13th, 2025 at 8:08 am
Vita’s probably scared Desmond will get in line at the cafeteria first.
May 13th, 2025 at 8:18 am
Praying we can get past this carnival side show without him accidentally hurting a real player.
OC’s will scheme plays where he becomes a extra blocker for their offense
Psychologically there is something wrong with him even though he has an engaging personality.
I don’t want to hear about him again until he gets to 360 lbs and then let’s see if he can compete for a roster spot.
May 13th, 2025 at 8:47 am
I’d like to see Watson get down to at least 380 and then see what we have. He’s worth a spot on the 91 man roster this year.
May 13th, 2025 at 9:10 am
I think the coaches will quickly figure out if he’s NFL worthy or not. if he can cut weight, dhows athletic ability and promise with develooment, Watson could maybe stick around. We’ll see what we’ll see.
As far as Vita being intimidated, I think that was LVD joking around. Vita might have seen Watson working out and was joking about how strong he is. He did 36 reps of 225. He treated that weight like a simple warm up and there’s plenty of people posting in here that probably can’t even bench that once (even if they used to be able to). When I was a workout guy in my twenties I used to be able to do over 10 reps of 225 on my way up on the pyramid and I know it’s not a weight to scoff at. I’m 5′ 11″ and back then I weighed about 175… about half of Watson. LOL
May 13th, 2025 at 9:12 am
I hope this works out for Bucs and Watson. Would be an incredible story and Watson has all of the incentive in the world to make it happen.
May 13th, 2025 at 9:13 am
This is a practice squad player who maybe gets elevated from time to time. There’s a reason why he went undrafted. At his weight, he’s physically unable to give you more handful of snaps
May 13th, 2025 at 9:39 am
Watson beats out Refrigerator Perry with the weight. No worries for Vita, but I can understand. Vita sounds like an over-thinker. If Watson can trim down somewhat both he and Vita will be a dynamic duo. Bring on our own Tush Push!
May 13th, 2025 at 9:53 am
Sure hope Watson gets a practice squad spot and can get the weight off.
It might benefit the Bucs late in the year. Especially if the injury bug hits.
May 13th, 2025 at 10:16 am
Watson gotta lose alota with humans arent meant to
Be that big
May 13th, 2025 at 10:25 am
This how a leader motivates.
May 13th, 2025 at 10:26 am
Totally Lavonte doing a little friendly ribbing on his bud.
The competition should be to see whether Vita or Watson can Hurl the Squirrel the farthest.
May 13th, 2025 at 10:37 am
Didn’t Watson put up 225 36 times at the combine? That is impressive and should be developed.
May 13th, 2025 at 10:44 am
Hes talking aboit strength not actual tougher guy puff out ur chest intimidation. I am 6 foot 2 245 lb man. I recently lost 75 lbs. I.wear security vest. I also have a snake tattoo on my head . I have a lot of tattoos. I do security/bouncer.ive got two large Buccaneers tattoos. The amount of dudes that puff up and act tough is.hilarious. they always give me a big fist pound that’s why I wear a lot of skull rings. Vita is not intimidated one iota. That’s horse turd.
May 13th, 2025 at 10:45 am
Thanks Joe for again stating:
Joe didn’t get all the hype of people connecting him to Vita Vea and claiming the Philly Tush Push won’t work on the Bucs with Watson and Vita on the field.
Maybe Joe is missing something, but the Philly Tush Push didn’t work so well against the Bucs before they signed Watson.
May 13th, 2025 at 10:49 am
Joe, the Desmond Watson hype is about potential, and what he may be able to become.
He’s already beastly strong and an athletic freak for his size, and when he gets in shape, look out NFL.
Watson has potential to be the biggest, strongest, and most athletic guy on the team (for his size).
And right now, that title belongs to Vita.
So, I’m sure it’s a bit humbling to an already humble Vita to see someone with that potential.
Have a little foresight, Joe.
May 13th, 2025 at 10:50 am
Exactly JTHV
May 13th, 2025 at 10:58 am
Was that video in slow motion? Watson should go on Dancing with the Stars.
May 13th, 2025 at 11:09 am
On an unrelated note.
I went to Jordan Schutz twitter feed. About the 3rd video down is Derek Carr’s wife with Video’s of his “1st day” of retirement.
Dude is not going to stay retired if he has to listen to her voice every single day.