The SirVocea Dennis Factor
July 30th, 2025
Will gamble pay off?
Joe understands folks like to harp on the Bucs defense, specifically the pass defense.
Joe is obsessed with trying to get this team to (finally) embrace sacks from the edge.
And while a number of people want to run Jamel Dean out of town and throw a rookie cornerback to the fire, perhaps the most important element of the defense is a guy who makes Dean look like a rock of stability. That would be inside linebacker SirVocea Dennis.
Joe thought the Bucs took a major gamble this offseason not bringing in a quality starting inside linebacker, or drafting one. The Bucs will tell you that they like their inside linebackers. Joe also would like them if Dennis could stay on the field.
Dennis, in his two NFL seasons, has missed 17 games due to one physical ailment or another. Banking on him to play 10 games this season seems like a prayer.
When Dennis does play, he’s an impact player. Bucs coach Todd Bowles has stated the only game in which the Bucs tackled well last season was a win at Detroit. Dennis was on the field then, too.
Coincidence? Joe doesn’t believe in coincidences in football.
Riffing on the Bucs Monday on Twitter, prickly Pete Prisco of CBS Sports believes, too, that Dennis is a key for the defense.
It absolutely is big for Dennis to return. And it’s just as big, if not bigger, that Dennis stay on the field.
The Bucs are taking one helluva gamble with their faith in Dennis. Joe sure hopes that gamble doesn’t blow up in their faces.
July 30th, 2025 at 12:04 am
I can’t remember for sure but I think it was the first Washington game where I heard a loud “pop” when a Buc tackled someone, and the replay showed it was Dennis. Later on in the game, Dennis again demolished a Commander. I was like, “wow, this guy can lay the lumber”.
Hope he stays healthy.
July 30th, 2025 at 12:18 am
He tackles very well, and is a fluid athlete.
He moves very well, but yes must stay healthy to show off his skills.
I also wouldn’t rule out Deion Jones, he can still get after guys I think. Lot of talent there and splitting reps wouldn’t be a terrible idea until regular season comes around.
Wirfs is already out what (4) games now minimum, let’s take it easy.
Injury bug is here.
July 30th, 2025 at 1:05 am
he’s a beast that might be our best defensive player, winfield’s recovery not withstanding. hopefully LVD can do it again.
July 30th, 2025 at 2:07 am
I don’t know what I’m more excited for-
To watch Reddick lead the D line
To see how Tykee Smith does in back with Winfield
Or SirV flying around healthy!
July 30th, 2025 at 2:11 am
McCoy ripped his bicep twice his 1st two seasons and I don’t remember everyone saying it’s a huge risk expecting him to stay healthy. I’m more concerned with Kancey getting injured, again. Voss had a bum shoulder and was told it would heal with rehab. It didn’t. Now that he’s had the surgery and is healthy why is everyone so concerned about him staying healthy? I think he’s got about as much chance of getting injured as anyone else at this point.
July 30th, 2025 at 3:25 am
The whole defense is a walking mash unit. I just don’t understand it, and old man LVD just keeps chugging along. What’s the odds on Dean and SVD making it 10 games w/o a major injury? pretty low I would guess.
July 30th, 2025 at 4:16 am
Jeffrey Becker … ‘He (SVD) is a beast that might be our best defensive player’.
Bucs have solid players throughout their defense, guys who’ve made Pro Bowls & All-Pro & who’ve done very well in past seasons. Vets like Vea, LVD, Winfield, Reddick. SVD to many represents HOPE, but all we’re really seeing is flashes of promise. Not consistent, game-after-game top performance.
Joe nailed it when he finished the above piece with … ‘The Bucs are taking one helluva gamble with their faith in Dennis’. BUT … SVD hasn’t be awarded starting MLB yet. He’ll have to beat out Deion Jones & Anthony Walker for that starting honor. He’s got the advantage of youth, but that’s it. But if he can’t stay healthy, that advantage means nothing.
I agree with Todd Bowles that we’ve got some solid ILBs. I still think it’ll be an interesting competition for the starting gig.
July 30th, 2025 at 6:27 am
Big year for Voss coming…. BIG year!
How is it such a “gamble” to count on Dennis now that his shoulder is fixed??
There’s 3 solid and capable players behind Dennis if he does miss games or get injured (A. Walker, Deion Jones and UDFA John Bullock out of Nebraska. I think the Bucs also believe Antonio Greer Jr – 2nd year player out of Arkansas can play at the NFL level as well).
Are we “loaded” at MLB? No. And I’m sure Jason would have liked to have gotten ahead of LD54s impending retirement by drafting a high end talent at MLB in this year’s draft… But there were really only 3 “good” MLBers in this year’s class – none were true first round talents and all 3 were off the board long before the Bucs were on the clock in rd 2.
Anthony Walker btw was somewhat hand picked by Lavonte David as a good player (and person) to bring in. So I’m inclined to believe 54’s evaluation and knowledge of what’s best for this team at ILB – and trust that Walker can play pretty well if called upon…..
If a slew of injuries hit the position this year – then yea – that’s trouble…
But if LVD and SVD can stay mostly healthy in 2025 – then we are in very good to great shape at MLB.
July 30th, 2025 at 6:41 am
“”” Voss had a bum shoulder and was told it would heal with rehab. It didn’t.”””
Gee that sounds familiar. Who’s running the Bucs medical staff a witch doctor?
July 30th, 2025 at 8:04 am
Some guys just come out of “it” year 3 and either blossom or bust, this is year 3 for him so we’ll see.
July 30th, 2025 at 8:32 am
Stanglassman. Profootball Doc a few years ago said that shoulder tears for linebackers can become a recurring problem. Not so much on the first tear — but when Noah Spence had his 2nd tear – he basically said dont expect him to do anything
July 30th, 2025 at 9:03 am
Seems like we have some depth now…..but it would be nice to have LVD & SVD playing together the entire year.
July 30th, 2025 at 9:08 am
There are some real Keys on the Bucs Defense. Reddick if he can return to his pre Jets form. AWJ can he be his 2023 superstar self and SirVocea Dennis can he stay healthy and be a starter for the Bucs. If all are true we have a top 10 defense and will make a run at the Super Bowl
July 30th, 2025 at 9:29 am
There was so much reporting about how 1st round Eagles pick ILB Jihaad Campbell was too risky to pick after a relatively minor shoulder position – that he might miss a big chunk of the season.
From Day 1 of training camp, Campbell has been on the field in Philly take snaps with the ones.
Maybe Bowles has pieced together a passable ILB group. But, the pre draft Pollyanna reporting on Campbell’s health seems to have been quite wide of the mark.
Hopefully for the Bucs, Egbuka outshines Campbell. But, if ILB and middle of the field pass defense are again weaknesses for the Bucs, taking Egbuka over Campbell will look like taking Trask in the second round – maybe not bad value, but not what the team needed at the time.
July 30th, 2025 at 9:58 am
Dennis is not injury prone if it’s the same known injury from college that he finally with surgery. It has ended his season yes but Kancey has been injury prone with his leg issues
July 30th, 2025 at 10:40 am
It’s not.
July 30th, 2025 at 11:18 am
Of course.
“ Bucs coach Todd Bowles has stated the only game in which the Bucs tackled well last season was a win at Detroit. “
Tackling can be coached. Or not. Seems Mr Twojobs is in the second camp.
July 30th, 2025 at 11:37 am
That’s some huge breaking news if it’s not the same injury from college that just never got repaired. You should report that out if that’s the case.
Geno. That’s a fair point.
Pickgrin. You are always dead on correct. Excellent points per usual. The only thing I’d add is those 3 quality ILBers flew off the board well before they normally would have because it was such a limited class.
July 30th, 2025 at 1:36 pm
were banking on reddick to do what devin white is supposedly doing in las vegas….
if white had done his job in the first place vocea would be a special teamer and not injured as much because he wouldnt have to play as much.
as far as reddick, his production had a lot to do with other edge rushers around him in philly…when that changed in ny, his stats left, and we dont have any success stories at edge that are still playing football.
depth is so important, most players are going to lose time weve either been really healthy or a mash unit on a lot of guys.
so i really want to know more about what we have when dennis isnt available (other than coachspeak)
July 30th, 2025 at 6:08 pm
Jeffrey Becker Says:
he’s a beast that might be our best defensive player, winfield’s recovery not withstanding. hopefully LVD can do it again.
^^^^^^^^
Definitely AWJ. Possibly CK.
July 30th, 2025 at 11:57 pm
Not coaching up the many defects across the defense is a Bolwes specialty. No time to do it, plus he’s got to get busy masturminding in his office all the new mad scientist stuff.
July 31st, 2025 at 8:29 am
reddick is going to make the bucs better just by being on the field, offenses have to respect that, it should take attention away from diaby vea and calijah