Props To Ndamukong Suh!
July 26th, 2025
Regularly works with former Bucs teammate.
Joe knew Bucs defensive tackle Vita Vea and his former Super Bowl-winning teammate, Ndamukong Suh, were tight. Joe didn’t know they were this tight.
It began when the Bucs signed Suh in 2019. The future Hall of Famer quickly became a quality teammate. Joe right away saw Suh pulling Will Gholston aside at an underwear football practice and coaching him up.
Joe doesn’t think it’s a stretch to say Gholston likely played his best ball after Suh came to town.
The same with Vea. In fact, when Vea broke an ankle early in the 2020 season against the Bears, Vea did a special rehab on the ankle that Suh recommended. Suh didn’t think Vea’s season would be over if he followed Suh’s advice.
Sure enough, Vea came back for the NFC title game in Green Bay and Joe is fully confident to this day it was Vea’s presence in the middle that day was the tipping point for the Bucs defense.
Well, yesterday Bucs coach Todd Bowles dropped a nugget on the Fourth Estate. Currently, Vea appears slimmed down like he was last summer. It’s July 26. Let’s see what Vea looks like after all the Halloween candy is gobbled up in early November.
Anyway, Bowles credited Vea working out with Suh for slimming down.
“He always works out with [Ndamukong] Suh, but he works out here, too,” Bowles said. “Suh is a big credit – Suh helps him a great deal.
“[Vea] came back in great shape, he looks really good, and we’re happy where he’s at.”
The Bucs are a better team when Vea is on the field. It drove Joe nuts in past years how Vea was on the field less than other defensive tackles.
Yeah, Joe gets it, you don’t want to burn the guy out. Still, the Bucs had to find ways to get Vea more snaps without draining him.
Interestingly, Vea’s snap count percentage has gone up each of the last four seasons. In 2021, Vea was on the field for 56 percent of the defensive snaps. Last year it was 67 percent.
It seems Suh has helped in that regard. Again.
July 26th, 2025 at 9:07 am
The Bucs defense literally run through Vita Vea. Teams have to double team him, there’s only one Vira Vea.
If our edge rushers become relevant, the Bucs defense could have a devastating impact on our opponents.
The key is going to be less injuries for out defense
July 26th, 2025 at 9:14 am
Props To Ndamukong Suh!
I have followed all the references directed at Suh’s workouts with Bucs players. Well it is time for the Bucs to make it official and name Suh as Special Envoy. Then designate Delvin Watson to the PUPLIST and direct him to the Suh training until he is able to meet the Bucs training requirements. Bucs should not let a difference making player escape for some other team grab and benefit from. Bucs should corral this individual to place next to Vea. Spend the extra time, cultivate and reap the benefits. A home grown product that we could have without using a high draft pick, that could add a couple more years to Vea’s career, playing next to him and/or spelling. Bucs should think outside the box with this player. Think “William The Refrigerator Perry”, he could give us three years of that kind of play. It would be worth the time and effort. Jersey sales, media cover, and a defensive line to backup/equal our offense while we have Baker as our QB. Go Bucs,
July 26th, 2025 at 9:24 am
Sure was great having Suh on this team. He really was a unique talent. And his hard work is legendary
July 26th, 2025 at 9:26 am
It’s no coincidence that Vea’s snap count has increased when his weight has decreased, there is a direct correlation. Having a leaner body doesn’t mean losing strength. It means having greater quickness, bendability, leverage. Even mass can be moved from different angles but switching the angle of attack is more advantageous, which is what a leaner, quicker Vea gives. Watson is working in this now, I hope, and yes, direct him to Suh if Suh is willing.
July 26th, 2025 at 10:14 am
Watson would quit football if he had to spend an hr with Suh.
July 26th, 2025 at 10:16 am
Watson wears a muumuu, not a jersey.
July 26th, 2025 at 10:23 am
Oh, how I wish we would have drafted Suh instead of second choice McCoy. Would it have made any difference, Suh, and Cam Jordan. Instead of McCoy and Clayborne, and the other Rockstar choices… I dont know…
Glad Suh, has Vea under his tutelage, for football and financial support.
GO!!!!! BUCS!!!!!
July 26th, 2025 at 10:33 am
It was interesting to hear just how much the Bucs tried to trade up to get Suh. Apparently ‘All of them’ wasn’t enough to swap spots with Detroit.
July 26th, 2025 at 10:39 am
Suh has a podcast he’s trying to get off the ground, guess who was his one of his first guests? They talked about everything but X’s & O’s those two are more than just former teammates and friends. It’s like Suh has taken Vita in as a “little” bash brother was my take away. Also, 2 dudes I wouldn’t want to get on the wrong side of at the same time before/after sunset lol
July 26th, 2025 at 10:54 am
I think Vea has benefited greatly from Suh and it will extend his career as a result, and same can be said of Evans learning how to take better care of his body from Tom Brady. Would love to see these guys all retire as Bucs for life (Vea, Evans, David, Godwin, etc.)
July 26th, 2025 at 11:12 am
I think Vita Vea may be one of the most underrated players in the league. Ive said it before, but so much of what he does simply does not show up on the stat sheet. He is one of the most impactful Run defenders that the league has ever seen (hence our always stout run defense since he’s been here) and he has very much evolved as a pass rusher. I know we have some great players on this squad, with HOFers like Mike and LD54, but at some point we have to start the Vita Vea HOF push. One of the most unique and dominant players that the league has ever seen.
July 26th, 2025 at 11:26 am
The one year with Suh Bucs had the NFL’s 3rd best Run Defense since the merger in 1970. Historically Good. All the notoriety about the Bucs Run Defense for a couple of years, really was a tribute in LARGE part to Suh. Yes it is always about more than one player. But look at the Run D with Suh and without Suh. That and Suh never missed a game in his career. Amazing and he played in the trenches, that is close to miraculous lol in the NFL.
GO BUCS!!!!
July 26th, 2025 at 11:27 am
great to hear about the snap count…vea was off the field way to much at 57%
July 26th, 2025 at 11:31 am
“Y’all “
You might have it backwards…
July 26th, 2025 at 11:53 am
Vita should not be gaining weight during the season.
A real head coach would hold him accountable and closely monitor his weight and his conditioning.
July 26th, 2025 at 12:01 pm
Allen Lofton- I gotta disagree, there’s at least 1 1/2 of him.
July 26th, 2025 at 12:50 pm
Rusty Suh was picked ahead of McCoy we did not have a shot at him I believe Suh was #2 pick in draft that year.
July 26th, 2025 at 1:02 pm
Aqualung… Vita is a grown a$$ man. You can’t force him to do anything. What are we going to do if he gains weight, sit him on the bench? One of our best defenders? He’s still effective and there’s only so much coaches can do. You have to be very much closer to the situation and know more about Vita’s life to make a judgment like that…. but, you’re just a Bowles hater… judgement locked and loaded with or without understanding or wisdom.
July 26th, 2025 at 1:21 pm
Suh and JPP were snap monsters. Both had many seasons where they were some of the highest at their positions in snap counts.
Always felt that was somewhat underrated/utilized by the Kacy Rodgers. Their ability to play so many plays.
July 26th, 2025 at 2:00 pm
Vea crushed that pocket in Green Bay in the playoffs. Just destroyed it. Rodgers was frazzled all day.
The great thing about Suh is that he’s a throw back. Has that Bob Gibson demeanor. When he’s on the field don’t go near him.
July 26th, 2025 at 2:24 pm
Some are so ignorant. You weigh him every day and if he’s up too many pounds, you enforce proper diet rules. Other teams have rules for certain players, but it’s not surprising that Todd lets the chickens run the henhouse.
July 26th, 2025 at 5:35 pm
if we can get this D line playing like Sapp and the boyz? We just might go somewhere this season. We get a pass rush and look out.
July 26th, 2025 at 11:51 pm
If our ends can finally force qbs into the middle before they’re ready to, Vea will have a better chance at crushing them and Diaby will have fewer pressures and more sacks as well helping our dbs with a little less time they have to cover receivers.
July 26th, 2025 at 11:54 pm
Never fear. Todd is calling Al the shots and he’s a Jeenius.
July 27th, 2025 at 4:56 am
Play more downs and then we can believe