It’s been a strong start to the season for Bucs defensive tackle Vita Vea, who is abusing offensive linemen weekly. But despite ample pressure, Vea has yet to record his first sack of the season. His bull rush has made life uncomfortable for opposing quarterbacks, but the Bucs remain at the bottom of the league in sacks with just three.

“Oh, he’s huge, he’s a huge part of the defense [with] his interior pressure,” Arians said on Monday. “I’d just like to see him finish a little bit more because he’s been really close about eight or nine times. He’s one of those guys that could have multi-sack games from the inside, and we expect it from him.

Bucs NT Vita Vea – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

“Obviously, no one’s trying to run the ball on us anymore so it’s a matter of him getting the interior pressure that pushes them to the outside. He’s getting close, he’s getting better.”

Coming out of college, Vea was billed as an elite run stuffer with a low ceiling. As powerful as he was, there were concerns about his agility to maneuver around blocks at the NFL level. Five games into year three, it looked like Vea was about to prove everyone wrong. The Washington product picked up two sacks in the first five games of last season, looking to surpass his career-high of three quarterback takedowns as a rookie.

But Vea broke his ankle and was sidelined the rest of the regular season. His impact was felt clearly in the playoffs, leading to optimism that 2021 would be a breakout year. Vea piled up pressures in Weeks 1 and 2, but was quiet in Week 3 against the Rams. The next challenge for Tampa Bay is the New England Patriots in Week 4. If the Bucs are to turn around their slow start as pass rushers, Vea will need to be dominant.