You're comparing a run stuffer in Vea
We hear announcers say this all of the time, but it’s simply not true. “Run stuffer” implies Vea is like other huge players in the past like Haloti Ngata. He was a “run stuffer” in that took up blocks and double teams so other guys (usually Ray Lewis) could stay clean and make tackles. That’s not Vea. He much more a penetrator, which is really rare for his size.
That’s not to say Ngata couldn’t bull rush a guy to get to the QB, of course he could. And that’s also not to say Vea can’t take on double teams, of course he can. But while those guys may be similar in size, their games were/are very different.
Ok fair point maybe a misuse of the term. I'm saying he's known more for his ability to play the run and eat up space than rush the passer.
But I do agree he does get in the backfield.
I'm not sure what his double team rate is but I'd assume it's pretty high.
When teams can throw on you, you don't run the ball.
when team cannot run on you they throw the ball
Its sort of chicken v egg
My point is the the run defense is the START of Bowles defense, not the blitzing. He just mentioned run defense yesterday as one of three keys to playoff winning. He arguably overemphasizes it, for example taking so long to pull an otherwise useless LB and go dime
In 2019 the Bucs run defense was #1 by a mile. Same in 2020. In 2021 maybe number 5, like this year.
in each of those years our offense is middling time of possession so the offense isn't shielding the defense lol
In 2019 we are one of the worst scoring defense sin the league because of turnovers, as soon as that was gone the Bucs JUMP to 7th
If the Bucs has some talent on the filed in the DB spots and LB spots (except for LVD) they would be 7th again\and would've probably had 12 or 13 wins
I'm saying he's known more for his ability to play the run and eat up space than rush the passer.
I think you’re correct in that is how he is known and viewed by most folks who don’t pay attention to the team on a regular basis. I just think that “run stuffer” is a misnomer for what he actually does. The big man deserves more credit than that.
While we’re on it, I’ve criticized him in the past for his lack of snaps, as he has only played over 55% of the defensive snaps once in his career prior to this season. He played in 63.1% of the defensive snaps this season. I’d still like to see him get closer to 70%, but credit to him for improving his conditioning this season.
Vea is the Bucs defensive MVP this year. Nobody else is even close.
I just think that “run stuffer” is a misnomer for what he actually does. The big man deserves more credit than that.
Agreed
He is not only an amazing athlete he’s a very smart football player
Vea and Lavonte David were very good for the season. It is a shame the rest of the young players were very inconsistent. Maybe they show out more for the playoff game today.
Lavonte David were very good for the season.
Huge David fan and he has played well FOR WHERE HE IS IN HIS CAREER AND HOW LITLLE HE HAS AROUND HIM
But, the Bucs' defensive talent has really degraded since the Super Bowl and LVD and PFF make that point because this is PFF talking about Super Bowl era LVD:
"Over the last three seasons, David ranks seventh in PFF run-defense grade (85.9) and second in PFF coverage grade (92.1) among the 78 linebackers to see at least 1,000 defensive snaps. Perhaps with Kuechly out of the picture, this is the year that David gets his well-earned recognition. After all, he is playing some of the best football of his career — he ranked fourth at the position with an 88.2 PFF grade in 2019.
His coverage grade this season is 59.5.
That means he's gone from the #2 coverage LB to 92nd . . . according to PFF
and the revolving door of LBs next to him . . . . WORSE
and then a lot of rookie, special teamers playing out of position behind him
I'm saying he's known more for his ability to play the run and eat up space than rush the passer.
I think you’re correct in that is how he is known and viewed by most folks who don’t pay attention to the team on a regular basis. I just think that “run stuffer” is a misnomer for what he actually does. The big man deserves more credit than that.
While we’re on it, I’ve criticized him in the past for his lack of snaps, as he has only played over 55% of the defensive snaps once in his career prior to this season. He played in 63.1% of the defensive snaps this season. I’d still like to see him get closer to 70%, but credit to him for improving his conditioning this season.
How would you characterize him?
He does a little of everyone and I'm certainly not calling him Vince Wilfork.
But I think his best skill for his career has been disrupting run plays... Whether that is in the backfield or eating up double teams or throwing linemen around.
Vea and Lavonte David were very good for the season. It is a shame the rest of the young players were very inconsistent. Maybe they show out more for the playoff game today.
David has solid stats and made some splash plays and was very good FOR HIS AGE.
But he looked soo slow in coverage and just in general.
We had the worst LB core in the league by a mile.
Is Dennis done for the season?
How would you characterize him?
I’d say he’s a penetrating DT that plays both the run and rushes the passer.
David has solid stats and made some splash plays and was very good FOR HIS AGE.
Mediocre by PFF
How would you characterize him?
I’d say he’s a penetrating DT that plays both the run and rushes the passer.
That's how is characterize McCoy. I'm not saying you're wrong but Vea has far better gap integrity.
You can be a penetrating DT and still maintain your gap integrity.
Fire - Kancey in the backfield MULTIPLE times. Stands out because he didn't FINISH any of the plays he should have
