Another Challenge For SirVocea Dennis
November 16th, 2025
Targeted again?
Last week Bucs inside linebacker SirVocea Dennis had a pass defensed.
He also had a tackle.
So aside from two plays, you didn’t know Dennis was even on the field. Joe doesn’t know how an inside linebacker only has one tackle. That’s damn near Chris Braswell territory.
(If you didn’t actually see a guy on the field last week wearing No. 43 in a white jersey, you’d never know it.)
One guy who has been consistent in pointing out that Dennis may not be a credible starting linebacker is a guy who never met a number he didn’t like, Seth Walder of BSPN.
Walder regularly points out how Dennis is subpar in pass coverage. Joe thinks Dennis has been better at pass coverage than the first month of the season. That’s not to say Dennis is a lockdown linebacker. Not close.
As a result, Walder believes Bill squarterback Josh Allen is going to target Dennis early and often and the main beneficiary will be Buffalo running back Ty Johnson.
Bold prediction: Bills RB Ty Johnson will record at least 40 receiving yards. Johnson could be the latest running back to take advantage of Bucs LB SirVocea Dennis’ coverage struggles.
That’s a polite way of saying Dennis can’t defend the pass.
Joe would sure love it if Dennis got a pick-six.
Joe can say this about Dennis: He’s stayed healthy this year (so far).
November 16th, 2025 at 1:02 am
I want the Bucs to win but I’m just having a hard time seeing them win this.
November 16th, 2025 at 2:08 am
Against the 49ers and McCaffrey, the Bucs gave the ILBs a lot of help, and they better do it again this game against Buffalo.
Sometimes, they had both ILBs bracketing McCaffrey, and sometimes they had DBs and OLBs helping the ILBs; even the DTs a few times IIRC.
With the wind likely playing havoc with long passes, I would like to see the two tallest and fastest DBs, Dean and McCollum spit the field deep so that they can rocket under any deep passes and contest catches on balls swirling around in the wind.
And, I would like to see the quick and nimble safeties and nickelback helping the LBs shutdown the first 20 yards downfield from the line of scrimmage. And, playing the two fastest guys deeper gives a bit more of a chance of stopping breakaway runs sooner.
November 16th, 2025 at 4:57 am
Easy to stay healthy when you only have one tackle in a game.
November 16th, 2025 at 7:52 am
I have EVERY confidence in SVD–He’s got his PFF up to 49, I believe after today he’ll reach 50!
November 16th, 2025 at 9:44 am
Hi Joe, Yes, we have real trouble at the ILB position. Dennis is really hurting the defense aside from the occasional play he makes. This is the second year in a row the Bucs have failed with aquring a person who can play the position. Maybe I do owe him an apology. Initially I blamed him for the big run up the middle that went for a touchdown against the Patroits. However, many are saying that was due to the rookie DT being out of his gap. However, in watching that play over and over Dennis was nowhere in sight. Don’t MLB cover the middle?. The same for the play at the end of the game. Barber and others blamed Winfield. I saw David make an attempt to tackle the guy but he just wasn’t quick enough. However, I did not notice Dennis close to the play.
November 16th, 2025 at 10:13 am
There are 2 MLB and the plays were usually run toward lvd side and gap. He is also targeted as much or more in pass. Lvd has more missed tackles than sad but his legacy doesn’t allow for much criticism. As far as the 1 tackle he continues to lead team I’m tfl and solo tackles
November 16th, 2025 at 10:18 am
And Jason Licht STILL hasn’t fix it. Not thru the draft, FA, or the trading deadline. 3rd straight season this position has gone unaddressed.
November 16th, 2025 at 10:56 am
If this teams plays well we win. Simple. If they play bad then we still got a chance. Go Bowles!
November 16th, 2025 at 12:26 pm
Signature loss for Todd but not as bad as next week. Bills will right their ship on the Bucs.