One of many Bucs’ 2023 draft picks out of Pitt is breaking out in his second season — and it’s not defensive sort out Calijah Kancey.
Inside linebacker SirVocea Dennis, also called “Voss,” is placing collectively a powerful sophomore NFL season and enjoying a significant function in Tampa Bay’s protection. After the query as as to if the staff correctly addressed the place after Devin White left for the Eagles in free company, Dennis has begun to reply it by piling up tackles and persevering with to develop in an even bigger function subsequent to veteran Lavonte David.
Talking to the media this week, David believes in Dennis’ skill to take over his spot when the 34-year-old decides to hold them up.
SirVocea Dennis Is “Prepared To Be Nice”
Lavonte David is nearing the tip of his NFL profession, and the Bucs are certainly contemplating who can be his successor when he hangs up his cleats after a prolonged reign as one of many league’s greatest inside linebackers.
David believes that SirVocea Dennis may be the one to do it.
“Yeah I imagine so,” David stated. “Me and Voss are actually snug with one another. He asks questions, I attempt to educate him sure issues and stuff like that. He’s a man who’s keen to be taught, and whenever you acquired a younger man who’s keen to be taught, keen to be nice, taking teaching, and simply attempting to take what he learns in a sure second on the observe subject and put it on the sphere.
“That’s any individual who you need in your soccer staff. Voss is a type of guys. Each time I do determine to hold it up or no matter, I’m certain he would be capable of fill that function eagerly.”
Head coach Todd Bowles has deployed a two-man inside linebacker rotation between him and Okay.J. Britt, and it’s as near a 50/50 cut up because it may very well be.
Okay.J. Britt vs. SirVocea Dennis 2024 Snap Counts:
Okay.J. Britt — Week 1: 39 (66%), Week 2: 41 (48%), Week 3: 35 (51%)
SirVocea Dennis — Week 1: 21 (36%), Week 2 44 (52%), Week 3 34 (50%)
After solely logging 101 defensive snaps via 13 video games as a rookie, Dennis is already nearing that complete with 99 defensive snaps throughout the primary three video games this season.
Regardless of Okay.J. Britt and Dennis competing for snaps and never enjoying practically as a lot as the opposite defensive starters, Dennis is third on the staff with 22 complete tackles. “Voss” additionally recorded his first profession sack within the season opener and notched a career-high 11 complete tackles in Week 2 towards the Lions.
He has rapidly asserted himself as a bodily participant and succesful tackler with improved protection abilities. It comes as little shock then that David sees Dennis as the way forward for the place.
SirVocea Dennis Discusses What Has Allowed Him To Come Into His Personal
SirVocea Dennis appeared on the Pewter Report Podcast within the offseason discussing his objectives going into yr two, and Dennis just lately detailed how he has began to succeed in them as the sport has slowed down for him.
Movie research has been a giant a part of his growth, however so has being on the market with the fellows, Lavonte David included.
“I imagine it’s slowed down for me,” Dennis stated. “I can credit score that as a result of a variety of movie, simply being on the market with the fellows. Plenty of observe reps. I feel the sport has undoubtedly slowed down for me and I’m simply excited the place it goes on from right here.”
With regards to the place he has seen probably the most development in his sport, data is energy.
“I might say data of the sport, actually,” Dennis added. “On the finish of the day, soccer continues to be soccer. However yr after yr, the velocity of it adjustments. Because it slows down, you get extra educated. As you get extra educated, the sport simply involves you just a little higher. I feel that’s been the largest factor for me this yr, simply getting extra data and letting it decelerate for me.”
SirVocea Dennis is simply beginning to come into his personal, and if he continues his sturdy play, he’ll work himself into the long-term plans as a beginning Bucs inside linebacker.