Let’s discuss Vita Vea, we could?
The extra thrilling durations of the Bucs offseason are over with, as pre-draft scouting, free company, the NFL Draft, OTAs and mini-camps are over. Which means it’s time to settle in for what feels just like the longest of waits earlier than coaching camp will get underway in late July.
The canine days of the NFL offseason are all about storylines for the upcoming season. Media and followers alike spend the times of June and July passing the time with discourse surrounding all kinds of rankings, in addition to the large tales which are sure to come back up when the season begins in September.
So, with that in thoughts, the concept right here is to slender in on among the Bucs’ greatest stars and go player-by-player to dive into the large storylines which are in retailer for the 2024 season. After looking at six gamers on offense (quarterback Baker Mayfield, large receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, working again Rachaad White, tight finish Cade Otton and left deal with Tristan Wirfs), we flip over to the protection right this moment and begin with nostril deal with Vita Vea.
Bucs Storylines: Vita Vea
Listed here are three huge storylines surrounding Bucs nostril deal with Vita Vea in 2024:
Will Vita Vea’s Offseason Physique Transformation Lead To The Desired Outcomes?
Bucs DT Vita Vea – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
Vita Vea’s physique transformation was one of many huge tales of the Bucs’ summer season, because the 29-year-old nostril deal with arrived to the AdventHealth Coaching Heart slimmer and in total higher form after placing in some arduous work this offseason. The massive man spent a part of his offseason coaching with former Buccaneer Ndamukong Suh, and it seems to be to have paid off in a giant method as normal supervisor Jason Licht, head coach Todd Bowles and others have raved in regards to the situation Vea is presently in.
Vea didn’t share simply how a lot weight he misplaced through the offseason, and contemplating he’s been listed at 347 kilos since he was drafted in 2018, attempting to quantify the transformation he’s gone by means of for the reason that finish of the 2023 season is finally futile. After all, it doesn’t actually matter. What issues is whether or not slimming down and (forgive the cliché) coming into the season in the most effective form of his profession will result in the specified outcomes that Vea and the Bucs are on the lookout for.
There are a number of methods this might repay for Tampa Bay’s No. 50. Carrying much less weight than he has in previous seasons may assist him keep away from among the lower-body accidents which have impacted his availability and effectiveness. That may then have a direct impact on his capacity to play the next proportion of snaps for the Buccaneer protection and a long-term impact of prolonging his profession. That was a big a part of the concept behind Vea going to work out with Suh this offseason, as the previous Buc performed deep into his 30s and remained efficient.
However past staying on the sector and prolonging his profession lifespan, Vea will look to translate his physique transformation into higher and extra constant play. He was already ridiculously fast for his dimension, and his energy definitely hasn’t been a difficulty. However with the way in which he’s taken care of his physique this offseason, he might be even faster this season whereas sustaining his spectacular play power. That must be a scary proposition for opposing facilities and guards.
Can Vita Vea Attain A Dominant Stage In 2024?
Bucs DT Vita Vea and Titans QB Will Levis – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
The Bucs are happy that Vita Vea returned to One Buc Place this summer season in such good condition, as they — particularly defensive position coach and co-defensive coordinator Kacy Rodgers — need the veteran nostril deal with to take his recreation to a different stage in 2024. He’s lengthy been an excellent participant for Tampa Bay, however Rodgers spoke earlier this summer season about wanting him to be “the dominant man” moderately than “the nice man.”
Vea definitely has been good all through his six years in pink and pewter. He eats up double groups on the inside of the defensive position and stuffs the run effectively, plus he has progressed as a cross rusher over time. He went from 2-3 sacks per season earlier in his profession to a four-sack Professional Bowl season in 2021, a career-high 6.5 sacks in 2022 and one other 5.5 sacks in 2023.
However Rodgers and the Bucs need Vea to be much more dominant in 2024 as he performs out his age-29 season. The longtime defensive position coach pointed to Vea’s robust arms and stated when he makes use of them appropriately and performs with correct method, he’s arduous to cease. That’s what Tampa Bay wants extra of in 2024.
Vea had a great season in 2023, posting 5.5 sacks over 15 video games and a career-high 43 tackles. However nagging accidents hampered his effectiveness at factors all through the season, and he went particularly settle down the stretch. His remaining sack of the season got here on Nov. 19, which means he performed six extra video games through the common season with out taking down the quarterback. Not solely that, however he didn’t register a quarterback hit throughout that span both. It was finally the story of two seasons for Vea:
Vea’s first 9 video games in 2023: 31 tackles (23 solo), 5.5 sacks, 9 quarterback hits, eight tackles for loss, two compelled fumblesVea’s final six video games in 2023: 12 tackles (5 solo), 0 sacks, 0 quarterback hits, 0 tackles for loss, 0 compelled fumbles
The Bucs need Vea to take his play to a extra constant and extra dominant stage this season. The query is whether or not he’ll give you the chance to take action as he nears 30, however that’s the place his productive offseason comes into play but once more. Maybe he can attain that subsequent stage and earn his second profession Professional Bowl nod.
How A lot Will Vita Vea Profit From Taking part in Subsequent To An Even Higher Calijah Kancey?
Bucs DTs Calijah Kancey and Vita Vea – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
One of many huge pluses that got here with the Bucs drafting Calijah Kancey with the No. 19 total choose within the 2023 Draft was what it may open up for Vita Vea. The 2 are very completely different gamers with completely different physique varieties, however collectively they type a formidable duo of defensive linemen.
Throughout Kancey’s rookie season in 2023, there have been indicators of the whole lot coming collectively as Tampa Bay hoped it might. Opposing offensive strains needed to account for each Vea and Kancey, and each guys usually opened up alternatives for the opposite. Vea praised his youthful teammate this summer season, noting that his quickness and athleticism attracts consideration from the opposition and creates probabilities for him to get into the backfield.
After all, the early days of the Vea-Kancey duo producing good outcomes was particularly encouraging contemplating Kancey’s stunted improvement early on. The previous Pitt standout suffered a calf pressure through the first padded follow of coaching camp, which price him the prospect to get helpful camp reps. It additionally saved him out of the group’s preseason video games and whereas he briefly performed throughout Week 1, he ended up having to exit once more after which missed the subsequent three video games earlier than coming again in Week 6.
So, on condition that taking part in alongside an inexperienced Kancey helped Vea in 2023 regardless of Kancey lacking a lot helpful time, it’s going to be intriguing to see how a lot profit the veteran will get from taking part in subsequent to a extra skilled and extra seasoned Kancey in 2024. The second-year defensive lineman has 16 NFL video games below his belt now, plus he’s gotten a full offseason to this point to proceed sharpening his recreation. By the point the common season rolls round, the Bucs may have a good higher Kancey to plug in subsequent to a good higher Vea. That ought to result in even higher outcomes for Todd Bowles’ protection and for Vea himself.
