Latest news with #VitaVea
USA Today
09-08-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Kay Adams asks the one question no one has an answer to with the Vita Vea
NFL media personality Kay Adams has never been shy about sharing bold takes, but her latest suggestion has Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans buzzing for all the right reasons. In a recent episode of the Up & Adams Show, Adams floated a playful yet intriguing idea: putting 350-pound defensive tackle Vita Vea in on goal-line situations on offense. 'You've got a 350-pound freight train in Vita Vea,' Adams said with a grin. 'Why not give him the ball at the one-yard line? Who's stopping that?' Could the Bucs realistically weaponize one of the NFL's most dominant interior defenders on offense?" The idea isn't without precedent. Vea has lined up on offense before in heavy goal-line packages, serving primarily as a lead blocker. In fact, the 6-foot-4 nose tackle even scored a 1-yard rushing touchdown back in 2019, bulldozing into the end zone to the delight of teammates and fans alike. Tampa Bay's coaching staff has occasionally hinted at using Vea creatively, and his freakish combination of size, strength, and agility makes him a rare breed, even among elite NFL suggestion falls in line with a long-running NFL fan tradition: imagining larger-than-life players in unorthodox roles. From William 'The Refrigerator' Perry's touchdown runs with the 1985 Bears to J.J. Watt's red zone appearances in Houston, fans have long loved seeing defenders moonlight as offensive weapons. Vita Vea might just be the next cult favorite to fit that mold, if only the Buccaneers are bold enough to try it again. Whether or not it happens, fans will certainly be watching next time the Bucs get to the 1-yard line, just in case No. 50 trots onto the field with more than just blocking in mind.
Yahoo
04-08-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bucs' Baker Mayfield cracks the top half of NFL's Top 100 Players for 2025
The NFL has started rolling out its Top 100 Players for the 2025 Season. They are doing it exclusively on social media this year, compared to specials on NFL Network, compared to years past, in hopes of garnering more engagement, one can assume. That leads us to the latest player from Tampa Bay to make the list, joining Lavonte David and Vita Vea, who made the list in Baker Mayfield. The veteran quarterback cracks the top half with a placement at the number 50 spot on the list. He is coming off a career year in nearly every statistical category, and it has both him and the rest of the offense. Coming into the season, Mayfield is missing some time with a hand contusion, but he is expected back this week. The Bucs may not use him much this preseason, but for Week 1 and beyond, the offense should be humming with Mayfield proving why he deserves to be higher next year when these rankings take their next step. This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Baker Mayfield cracks the top half of NFL's Top 100 Players for 2025
USA Today
21-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
5 Burning questions on the Bucs defense that need answered ahead of 2025
As the Buccaneers finalize their roster and coaching setups under Todd Bowles and Larry Foote, every defensive unit enters camp with a defining question. Answering these will shape Tampa Bay's performance in a competitive NFC South. Defensive Line: Can Vita Vea and Calijah Kancey sustain dominance and health? The interior thrives on the presence of Vita Vea, a force against both the run and the pass, and Calijah Kancey, whose quick interior pass rush made a national impact in his sophomore season. However, Kancey has dealt with calf injuries that have forced him to miss multiple games in his first two seasons. With depth from Logan Hall, Greg Gaines, and rookie Elijah Roberts providing rotational support, the question is: Can this interior line stay healthy and consistently disrupt offenses from Week 1 to the (hopefully) postseason peak? Safety: Can Antoine Winfield Jr. maintain elite play while mentoring youth? Antoine Winfield Jr. remains the backbone of Tampa Bay's secondary, excelling in the deep zone, the slot, run support, and turning plays over. He'll have a new running mate in the secondary in Tykee Smith, as the defensive Swiss Army knife makes the transition from corner to safety. Behind the duo is Kaevon Merriweather, JJ Roberts and possibly UDFA Shilo Sanders The core question: Can Winfield Jr. continue to play at an All-Pro level while grooming these young safeties to fill his sizable shoes? Edge Rushers: Will young talent translate to consistent pressure? The edge group holds high upside but has inconsistencies. Yaya Diaby, the team's most successful pass rusher in 2024, looks to turn his pressures into sacks with the help of newly acquired Haason Reddick, while Chris Braswell enters his sophomore season with the opportunity for more snaps with Joe Tryon-Shoyinka moving on to Cleveland. Depth includes Anthony Nelson and Rookie David Walker rotating in. The question is: Can the young rushers sustain a high level of play and generate pressure weekly, rather than flashes? Cornerbacks: Will Zyon McCollum emerge as a true CB1? After a breakout 2024, Zyon McCollum is expected to anchor the back end. Jamel Dean, when healthy, adds veteran presence, while Christian Izien and possibly rookie Jacob Parrish play nickel. Behind them, depth pieces like rookie Benjamin Morrison, Kindle Vildor, and Josh Hayes fill out the rotation. The question: Can McCollum cement himself as a top-tier CB1 while emerging depth holds up during the inevitable NFL attrition? Linebackers: Can Tampa stabilize the linebacking core through youth and new signings? The linebacker unit presents the biggest question mark. Lavonte David still commands respect and production at 14 years in the league. Free-agent addition Anthony Walker Jr. brings experience, and SirVocea Dennis returns full-time after an injury. Backup names include Deion Jones and Antonio Grier Jr., who are mostly special-teams contributors at this point. The primary question: Can the younger linebackers and free-agent additions absorb responsibility and form a reliable corps alongside a Hall of Famer?
USA Today
17-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Key Buccaneers players to watch on defense during training camp in 2025
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are ushering in a youth movement on the defensive side of the ball. While veterans like Lavonte David and Vita Vea continue to anchor the unit, the rest of the depth chart is filling with hungry young players ready to seize their moment. With spots open across the secondary and edge rotation, the 2025 training camp will be a proving ground for the next generation of Buccaneer defenders. Here's one rising player to watch at each defensive position group as the battle for roles intensifies in Tampa. Defensive Line: Logan Hall Logan Hall is running out of time to establish himself as a reliable contributor. With the starting spots locked in by Vita Vea and Calijah Kancey, Hall must prove he belongs in the regular rotation. His size and athletic profile are undeniable, but coaches are looking for better leverage, pad level, and discipline in run defense. A strong showing in camp could finally solidify Hall's place in Tampa Bay's long-term plans. Edge Rusher: Chris Braswell Chris Braswell is one of the most intriguing young defenders on the roster. With Haason Reddick expected to lead the group, Braswell is in a prime position to compete for significant reps opposite him. His strength and tenacity off the edge stood out at Alabama, but training camp will reveal how quickly he can adapt to NFL-level pass protection. A strong showing in joint practices and preseason games could accelerate his climb. Linebacker: SirVocea Dennis With KJ Britt gone, SirVocea Dennis has an open runway to a starting job alongside Lavonte David. Dennis impressed in limited action last season with his instincts and sideline-to-sideline range. At this training camp, coaches will test their ability to handle communication responsibilities, defend in space, and read blocking schemes. He's a cerebral, high-effort player, and this is his shot to prove he's ready to lead the next wave at linebacker. Cornerback: Jacob Parrish Rookie Jacob Parrish is quickly becoming one of the most talked-about players in camp. After a standout career at Kansas State, Parrish arrived in Tampa as an under-the-radar signing draftee, but he's already pushing for meaningful reps in a wide-open cornerback room. His quick feet, ball skills, and confidence have translated well so far. With questions behind Jamel Dean, Parrish has a legitimate shot to carve out a rotational or even starting role if he continues to flash in coverage drills and preseason action. Safety: Tykee Smith After arriving from Georgia, Tykee Smith is expected to step into a major role at strong safety. With Jordan Whitehead no longer in the fold, Smith's versatility, toughness, and physical presence will be tested early in camp. Coaches want to see how well he holds up in coverage against tight ends and how quickly he builds chemistry with Antoine Winfield Jr. If Smith plays fast and clean, he could be one of the Bucs' most important defensive changes in 2025.
USA Today
17-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
NFL Top 100: Tampa Bay Buccaneers DT Vita Vea is No. 76, will play Cardinals in 2025
Bucs DT Vita Vea was named the No. 76 player in the 'NFL Top 100.' He and Tampa Bay will face the Cardinals in Week 13. Beginning this past Monday, the NFL began its third week of revealing players in the "NFL Top 100." After revealing two players on Monday that the Arizona Cardinals will face in 2025 and one more on Tuesday, they revealed another they would face in 2025 on Wednesday. The No. 76 player in the top 100 was Tamp Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Vita Vea, whom the Cardinals face on the road in Week 13. It was Vea's debut in the top 100. In 2024, Vea had a career-high seven sacks, a career-high 10 tackles for loss and a career-high (tie) 13 quarterback hits. He made the Pro Bowl for the second time in his career. Tackle Tristan Wirfs, his teammate, describes Vea like this, "for being how big he is, somebody that big shouldn't move that fast." He weighs nearly 350 pounds. Former New Orleans running back Jamaal Williams said he does not like running the ball and getting tackled by Vea, comparing getting him by him as when you get tackled on top of the football. Getting hit and tackled by Vea makes him question why he even plays football. He is a big space-eater in the run game and can get to the quarterback. Quarterback Jameis Winston, now on the New York Giants, was Vea's teammate in Tampa. Winston said, "he's powerful, just dominant, no flash." The Cardinals have not been dominated by Vea. In one game, Vea had three tackles and a tipped pass in a 30-27 win in 2019. 'NFL Top 100' opponents for Cardinals in 2025 Of the 26 players in the top 100 revealed as of Wednesday, the Cardinals face the following: Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire's Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.
