We were able to stop the tush push because we have Vita Vea. But that's not something to take for granted.Well, only if we want to beat the Eagles. But if that's not a big deal then don't worry about it.
Again, you’re right.
Our struggles against them recently have been well documented.
The player most compared to Vea is Kenneth Grant.We were able to stop the tush push because we have Vita Vea. But that's not something to take for granted.Well, only if we want to beat the Eagles. But if that's not a big deal then don't worry about it.
Again, you’re right.
Our struggles against them recently have been well documented.
NFL.com
Gennaro Filice, NFL.com (Apr.11)
**Projected Trade with Los Angeles Chargers**
Pick: DT Kenneth Grant, Michigan
Comments: Who wouldn't like to see Grant line up alongside Vita Vea to block out the sun with 700 pounds of BEEF? Opposing offensive lines, presumably. Like Vea, Grant offers a rare blend of colossal size, raw power and eye-popping athleticism. With those two clogging run lanes, Calijah Kancey can do what he does best: rush the passer.
We were able to stop the tush push because we have Vita Vea. But that's not something to take for granted.Well, only if we want to beat the Eagles. But if that's not a big deal then don't worry about it.
Again, you’re right.
Our struggles against them recently have been well documented.
The Buccaneers have won 6 of the last 7 meeting vs. the Philadelphia Eagles, with the last two finals averaging a score of 33-13.
Pipe down about the fuggin' gimmick play, FFS. It hasn't been a problem for Tampa, and the team certainly doesn't need to formulate draft plans and strategies for it.
There's one reason it hasn't been successful against the Bucs and that's Vita Vea. DTs who weigh 350 pounds and are still mobile enough to chase down a running back don't grow on trees. You can't just take for granted that 30-year-old Vita Vea going into his 8th year will be healthy and effective for the foreseeable future. The miserable pass defense notwithstanding, the goal of the Bucs defense is still to stop the run first and make the opponent rely on the passing game.We were able to stop the tush push because we have Vita Vea. But that's not something to take for granted.Well, only if we want to beat the Eagles. But if that's not a big deal then don't worry about it.
Again, you’re right.
Our struggles against them recently have been well documented.
The Buccaneers have won 6 of the last 7 meeting vs. the Philadelphia Eagles, with the last two finals averaging a score of 33-13.
Pipe down about the fuggin' gimmick play, FFS. It hasn't been a problem for Tampa, and the team certainly doesn't need to formulate draft plans and strategies for it.
Of course, there are multiple positions where you can make an argument for using the first rounder on which have been discussed ad nauseum and I'm not disagreeing with any of the needs that have been identified, but if there's a surprise position that is taken in Round 1 it would be DT or TE IMO.
As for TE if you go back to the Superbowl year there was this guy named Gronk who keeps showing up in the highlight film. I'm not going to say there's another Gronk in this draft, but Colston Loveland might be on the Bucs radar. There's been speculation that the Bucs could draft a WR, but if you are going to draft a receiver then you might as well draft a guy like Loveland who is weapon at the TE position, and he won't be competing with Evans and Godwin for playing time.
There's one reason it hasn't been successful against the Bucs and that's Vita Vea.
This isn't true. Vea is part of the reason, a literal big part. But he's not stopping that play by himself.
Your obsession with this play is a little ridiculous.
I like Scourton better than EZ.
Not sure why the Bucs brought in Darius Alexander for a top 30 visit. Really going to consider a 25 year old DT on Day 2? Already have Vea, Kancey, Hall, Gaines, Brewer. I don't think he's athletic enough to play 4 or 5 tech.
Me and the NFL owners who want to ban it.There's one reason it hasn't been successful against the Bucs and that's Vita Vea.
This isn't true. Vea is part of the reason, a literal big part. But he's not stopping that play by himself.
Your obsession with this play is a little ridiculous.
Me and the NFL owners who want to ban it.There's one reason it hasn't been successful against the Bucs and that's Vita Vea.
This isn't true. Vea is part of the reason, a literal big part. But he's not stopping that play by himself.
Your obsession with this play is a little ridiculous.
This has nothing to do with the price of tea in China, Professor. But you can let those owners worry about drafting players to stop a gimmick play from the Eagles. The Buccaneers, who have beaten Philly 6 out of the last 7 times they've met, don't really need to concern themselves with this gimmick play in their draft preparations.
Do you draft a player just based on a gimmick play? No. Does if factor into the equation? Yes. Is beating the Eagles important for a team that wants to be a Superbowl contender? Very.Me and the NFL owners who want to ban it.There's one reason it hasn't been successful against the Bucs and that's Vita Vea.
This isn't true. Vea is part of the reason, a literal big part. But he's not stopping that play by himself.
Your obsession with this play is a little ridiculous.
This has nothing to do with the price of tea in China, Professor. But you can let those owners worry about drafting players to stop a gimmick play from the Eagles. The Buccaneers, who have beaten Philly 6 out of the last 7 times they've met, don't really need to concern themselves with this gimmick play in their draft preparations.o
Do you draft a player just based on a gimmick play? No. Does if factor into the equation? Yes. Is beating the Eagles important for a team that wants to be a Superbowl contender? Very.
The Buccaneers have won 6 of the last 7 meeting vs. the Philadelphia Eagles, with the last two finals averaging a score of 33-13.
For the love of God, dude. At what point does new information influence your inferior opinions?
Beating the Eagles hasn't been a problem for Tampa. Stopping the Tush Push hasn't been a problem for Tampa. Making draft plans around beating the Eagles by stopping the Tush Push is a foolish stance to take. Carry on with your nonsense.
Do you draft a player just based on a gimmick play? No. Does if factor into the equation? Yes
pick one, but that is what you were suggesting, right?
If Vea is injured and we can't stop the tush push, we are basically ceding the NFC to the Eagles. So keep an eye out for one of the big fellas like Kenneth Grant 331 pounds or Tyliek Williams 344 pounds.
@firebowles2023 - there are 3 guys that could very well fall to us, that are top 15 talent. If one of them is there, I’d hope we wouldn’t trade down.
If someone drops that's different. Hopefully a bunch of QBs go too early.
But I think the players mocked between 16 and 30 are all close enough in talent that I'd prefer to trade back if possible
Do you draft a player just based on a gimmick play? No. Does if factor into the equation? Yes. Is beating the Eagles important for a team that wants to be a Superbowl contender? Very.
The Buccaneers have won 6 of the last 7 meeting vs. the Philadelphia Eagles, with the last two finals averaging a score of 33-13.
For the love of God, dude. At what point does new information influence your inferior opinions?
Beating the Eagles hasn't been a problem for Tampa. Stopping the Tush Push hasn't been a problem for Tampa. Making draft plans around beating the Eagles by stopping the Tush Push is a foolish stance to take. Carry on with your nonsense.
I agree with all of this but also have zero issues taking a DT.
Ethan Downs!! I am banging the table for this guy in 6ht round! 6'4 269lbs high character guy
Ethan Downs has Day 3 value as a high-floor run defender who brings immediate special teams impact and developmental upside as a rotational edge setter. His standout run defense (significantly better than his pass rush metrics) makes him an ideal fit for teams needing a disciplined strongside defender who won't compromise containment. The tape shows a player whose technical refinement and power at the point of attack compensate for his middling athletic traits and pass rush limitations.
Teams with multiple-front defenses will covet Downs' versatility. The Baltimore Ravens, Seattle Seahawks, and Miami Dolphins stand out as potential fits where his blue-collar approach and run-stopping prowess could earn him a defined role. His exceptional motor and physicality project well to special teams units while he develops a more nuanced pass rush plan. Don't be fooled by his mid-260s ranking – his performance against the run indicates a player with staying power in the league despite limitations as a pure pass rusher.
The bottom line: Downs won't be the flashy edge defender that sells jerseys or racks up double-digit sacks, but he'll be the reliable force that defensive coordinators trust on early downs and in short-yardage situations. His football character, positional versatility, and run-defense acumen suggest a 6-8 year career as a valuable rotational player who outperforms his draft position by doing the thankless work that winning defenses require...per draftbuzz
