Vita Vea Versus Luke Fortner

October 26th, 2025

So New Orleans lost its two-time Pro Bowl center to a bicep injury last week. Erik McCoy was and is the heart, soul and force of the Saints’ offensive line.

For the Joe typing here, this is the key to today’s game.

Vita Vea has had arguably his best season. Joe is talking about the film, not just the stats. Vea seems to have hit a new level of consistency. And he’s also playing a higher percentage of snaps than ever before. (Was former Bucs defensive line coach Kacy Rodgers holding Vea back?)

Vea is capable of wrecking this game facing Saints backup center Luke Fortner. Yes, Vea will be double-teamed all day, but those only slow him down to a degree.

Fortner is the former Jaguars starting center. He lost his starting job there last season and then new Jaguars head coach Liam “El Serpiente” Coen traded him to New Orleans in August.

McCoy is a top-shelf player and his loss will be felt by the slimy Saints regardless, but the Bucs have an opportunity to turn that loss into something catastrophic. Joe’s looking forward to it.

11 Responses to “Vita Vea Versus Luke Fortner”

  1. Alexandre Nascimento Says:

    Let’s make it happen!
    Go Bucs!!!

  2. Cdog76 Says:

    Isn’t Vea injured and questionable to play? If he does there’s no telling how effective he will be.

  3. BA’s Red Pen Says:

    The Bucs should try to get Jeffery Simmons out of Tennessee. Can you imagine that guy next to Vita? That would be amazing!! Never going to happen though, Licht ain’t trading his precious picks.

  4. Vanessa Anne Says:

    Agreed, Joe. Vita is having a heck of a season.

    This bodes well for us because we can’t afford to let our guard down.

    The Saints may be 1-6, but this is a division game and they don’t like us any more than we like them.

    We need every advantage we can get.

  5. Oxycondomns Says:

    raheem the dream might accidentally find out cousins is the better qb today.

  6. Beeej Says:

    I picked up the Bucs defense just for this ONE game

  7. mj Says:

    look for the saints to try and hurt vea

  8. Jeff and Jack's grandpa Says:

    Fantasy land ba

  9. JimBuc2 Says:

    Panthers losing badly to Bills, and Falcons getting drilled, too. All is well in NFC South. Joe is correct about Andy Dalton, he’s your 40% winner. Back to 2 game lead for our intrepid Pewter Pirates. Aarggh, matey!
    Go Bucs!!

  10. JimBuc2 Says:

    Falcons and Panthers tumbling out of revelance.
    Go Bucs.

  11. Bucsfan951 Says:

    Look for quick throws by the saints against Todd’s soft defense.

 

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