Vita Vea Lives In Dan Campbell’s Head
October 18th, 2025
Joe loved the angst in tough-guy Lions head coach Dan Campbell’s voice when answering a question about Vita Vea this week.
Joe is confident saying Vea is having the best season of his eight-year career. The consistency has been better and he’s just been ferocious.
Look at his half-sack Sunday against the 49ers. On a three-man Bucs rush, Vea knifed through his double team and blew up the play.
Campbell knows the challenge.
“Look, the size is one thing, but his quickness to get off the ball, he’s got explosiveness and he’s got really good feet,” Campbell said of Vea. “You know, and when you’re a man that big and you can move like he moves, then you gotta do everything right [against him], man. You gotta play with leverage. You gotta have the get-off of your life. We have double teams; we gotta be able to fit the double teams together. You’re off just a little bit and he will split you. He’ll crease you. He’ll get an edge. He’ll do that in the pass game, too. He’ll swim sometimes, you know. So if you’re not locked in and you’re not perfect fundamentally, he’ll get on you. So it’s just another one of those, ‘We gotta be locked in on every stinkin’ play.'”
To win Monday night, to duplicate their stunning defensive performance in Detroit last year, the Bucs likely need Vea to have one of his best games. He’s certainly capable.
October 18th, 2025 at 9:20 am
Tsunami of power 🌊
October 18th, 2025 at 9:24 am
When you hear a guy like Campbell throwing accolades at a Buc player, you know you’ve got something special. Let’s just hope our secondary can keep their receivers in check. Just a little! We won’t win if we don’t get a few 3rd and outs.
October 18th, 2025 at 9:43 am
I do have know. I have a feeling that something is about to come together for us. It maybe the starters that need to catch up to the new ways once they return that is.
It’s a gut feeling but It’s a STRONG feeling. In our favor and going our way. It feels Inevitable. Evans will be in this game but I’m not so sure he’s the story in this game..
That’s how I feel about the offense. The defensive feelings is Also moving forward and In A BIG Way concerning the secondary and the D line HAS BEEN getting it done with 3 and 4 rushing the passer. It gives Bowles a whole New dimension to play with.
I Do believe there Will Be a bit more blitzing but not to the point of obscurity. Just more than we’ve seen in the last two games. I can’t remember how Goff responds to the blitz but I’d bet fairly well. More blitzing in this game but not to the point of fanatical UNLESS it’s constantly working and they can’t stop getting hurt by it.
Btw, Bowles is playing a new game that Carberry hasn’t quite seen before in the years he coached here. This has been Different lately.
October 18th, 2025 at 9:46 am
and this is why the bucs did not give up on Desmond Watson. He’s lost enough weight to get back on the practice squad, claims he has changed his mental relationship with food and keeps people around him who hold him accountable.
imagine two vita Veas on the line next season.
October 18th, 2025 at 10:00 am
Hope SVD has his head on straight..
From BSPN:
That’s absolutely perfect for the Lions, who already attack linebackers plenty. This season, 34% of Detroit’s targets have been directed at linebackers, the third-highest in the league per NFL Next Gen Stats. Running back Jahmyr Gibbs and tight end Sam LaPorta could have big receiving days.
October 18th, 2025 at 10:10 am
@PSL Bob, I am not so worried about they WRs. The Bucs will finally have a lot quality depth coming back with Dean and Morrison.
I am worried about stopping the Lions run game. Yes, we are good at that, 6th best in the league in total yards and 5th best in giving up only 3.7 ypc.
But the Lions run game is dangerous, and if they can run on us it keeps the ball out of Baker’s hands. That would be smart.
One team that is better than our Bucs at stopping the run are the Browns who are ranked #4 in total yards given up and they average only 3.1 ypc. I don’t know if you remember the pregame trash talking between Myles Garret and the Lions OC about how the Lions are going to run the ball, but the Lions destroyed the Browns that game 34 – 10 behind Gibbs running for 91 yards on 15 carries for 1 TD and Goff only threw for 168 yards.
A big factor in that game was Flacco had 2 INTs (Goff had 1). Who wins the TO battle on Monday night will be HUGE.
October 18th, 2025 at 10:53 am
Here are some stats that don’t fit well with Todd’s passive (and annoying) “bend but don’t break D”. In Todd’s defense, many, if not most teams play this kind of defense in the NFL. The theory being, don’t give up the big play and shrink the field to make it smaller to defend. Sounds good if your team is good in red zone defense.
For rushing TDs allowed, the Bucs are ranked #17, allowing a total of 5 (Lions have also given up 5; to compare, 4 teams are tied at the top giving up only 2). That surprise me for a team that prides itself on stopping the run to be in the middle of the pack inside the red zone.
Against the pass, the Bucs have given up a total of 10 TDs, ranked #18 (Lions are #27 having given up 13; best team is the Texans having given up only 3 TDs).
And what counts the most is points allowed, right? That is one semi positive we looked at in 2024 where the Bucs were an ok middle of the pack defense at #16 in the NFL, then giving up an average of 22.6 ppg.
In 2025, the Bucs are ranked #25 in the NFL, having given up 151 total points or an average of 25 ppg. But its still early… Disappointing tho when you factor in the significant addition of Morrison, Hasson and Parrish.
Not the sign of a good “bend but don’t break D”. Its ALL on you Baker.
October 18th, 2025 at 10:59 am
He seems like an All Pro this year. I like the rookie, too. Hopefully healthy corners will help give the big dogs time to eat on Monday Night Football.
October 18th, 2025 at 11:48 am
If Bowles ever moves on, Hire Dan Campbelll as Head Coach. Can you imagine him with Baker. 4th and 15, no problem go for it.
October 18th, 2025 at 12:21 pm
MikeBuc says: “is why the bucs did not give up on Desmond Watson. He’s lost enough weight to get back on the practice squad, claims he has changed his mental relationship with food and keeps people around him who hold him accountable.
imagine two vita Veas on the line next season”
Listen, Vita is a special athlete that combines sizes, strength, power, quickness amd hustle.
Watson is just a really fat guy that has no quickness, no stamina, and lacks anything Vita offers except size.
There is a reason Vita was a top 15 first rounder and Watson was undrafted. I watched just about every game Watson played in college and despite his enromous size, he never did much other than take up space for a play or two then waddle off the field. He’s no Vita..not evem close.
October 18th, 2025 at 12:38 pm
@Fanofdabucs
calm yourself. NO one was saying they are the exact same player but it was reference to size and yeah a bit athleticism.
“Watson is just a really fat guy that has no quickness, no stamina, and lacks anything Vita offers except size.”
Nonsense. he is known also for his quickness given his size. OF course he doesn’t presently have stamina at that weight. You are analysis has no depth. The bucs didn’t pick him up for the practice squad based on a comparison TODAY but what they think he may develop into. NO one said any different. I am fine with an anonymous blogger disagreeing with me and the Bucs.
most of you were wrong on Baker, Tez and even Ebuka who many said shouldn’t have been drafted so my take there is potential is already looking good.
October 18th, 2025 at 1:10 pm
VV is definitely having a good year, he seems a tad quicker this year.
Charlie Strong also has the platoon DL improving with some good ball: CJ Brewer, Elijah Roberts, and Elijah Simmons.
October 18th, 2025 at 1:19 pm
Watson DOES have some upper body strength–did 36 bench reps of 225 pounds at pro day, 5.9 40, SOMEhow managed a 25″ vertical
October 18th, 2025 at 1:31 pm
Yes, Beeej, and that’s what people are forgetting. Yes, I’m pulling/rooting for Watson.
If that cat could get down to 400 (never thought I’d say THAT! LOL) and getting his conditioning/cardio to where he could give us 25-30 snaps a game???
I realize he’s far off, but I also see his potential.
October 18th, 2025 at 1:33 pm
PS: And I’m sorry if some will disagree, but a 4.9 40 for a 460+ pound man? That is ludicrous athleticism, IMO.
October 18th, 2025 at 1:33 pm
Grrrr sorry, 5.9 40.
October 18th, 2025 at 2:50 pm
We all know VV is gonna be kicking butts and taking names. I absolutely hope they are gonna use the running game plan against the Bucs to try and control our TOP. Because if they do, our Buccaneers will hang 20 points to their 0 so fast.
They are not going to run the ball on us !! We know that, but I hope the Lions don’t know it.
If ME 13 and EE 2 are healthy, that’s going to make things very very hard on the Lions defense. Having those two healthy completely opens up the Bucs offensive passing and running play books.
It’s not going to be easy for our Bucs, but I predict Buccaneers 35, Lions 17 !!
Go Bucs !! Beat the Lions !!
October 18th, 2025 at 4:17 pm
Got to stuff the run early..
Todd will be able to mix up his coverages with a full strength secondary and we should get a pick or 2. SVD is improving, Morrison is going to be a factor, Zion is due, Tykee and AWJ and Dean. Won’t be surprised if any of them get a takeaway.
Going to be very big challenge… They’re healthy on offense and are very explosive.
If we can get pressure, especially from a 4 man rush, and stop or slow down their run game, I like our chances.
Bucs Krewe 👍🏼
October 18th, 2025 at 4:52 pm
This game sets up as last QB with the ball wins…
So I expect a physical, back and forth battle with Bake bringing home another spectacular victory…
Vea tips a pass into LVD hands late n the 4th to set up Bakes heroics
You heard it hear first!
October 18th, 2025 at 4:59 pm
This game has the potential to be a back and forth game.
Bucs usually don’t play well at night…but they did win @ Houston already this season on Monday night.
I hope they win the shootout.
Go Bucs and Vita Vea!
October 18th, 2025 at 5:16 pm
The big worry needs to be Goff. He’s gonna have a giant game if we don’t get pressure on him with the front. If you don’t get to him he’ll pull a 500+ game like Cousins and carve us up. Depending on who’s playing at WR for us, if Goff has a big game I don’t know if we’ll have the weapons to keep up. I dont want to see the Bucs lose, but if they can’t get pressure, I hope it’s bad enough where the owners force the staff to go get some DE help. Maybe another DT as well. If they beat the lions. They’ve got a hell of a chance to run the table as everyone gets healthy. They’re good enough to beat the Bills and Rams, the last of the really good teams after the Lions
October 18th, 2025 at 6:45 pm
This game will come down to 2 things. #1–Refs, and #2–Who wants the game more? I don’t bet but I am rooting for the Bucs. Campbell is not happy about the character issues with Branch. That secondary is their weak spot, and Bucs have been studying it all week. GO BUCS!!
October 18th, 2025 at 7:13 pm
Okay, now why are the Bucs playing Detroit in Detroit again this season? According to all the NFL talk about different conferences and divisions and shaking them up? Not happening here. So, what’s the deal? I am, after the Bucs, rooting for the Lions cos they have never been in a SB. OG educated Buc fans know what I am yapping about. I want this to be a fair game and no gambling paid off BS. Go Bucs!! Sic a couple of youngsters on Hutchinson. You would not believe all the FB fans around here who are rooting for Feisty Bake. GO BUCS!! Hope I can get Bucs Radio.
October 18th, 2025 at 7:53 pm
Miller, 500 yards???
October 19th, 2025 at 6:15 am
If they double the big man then the others have no excuse not to shine big time.
Get after it dudes!
Go Bucs!
October 19th, 2025 at 6:33 am
The key to this game is we have our starting secondary and the Lions don’t.
Bucs by 13.
October 19th, 2025 at 6:33 am
If Egbuka plays Bucs by 17. Otherwise, 13.
October 19th, 2025 at 4:22 pm
If the Bucs can handle Hutchinson somehow, I think we’ll come home 6-1! Beat the Lions!!