Eye In The Sky comes to you from PewterReport.com contributor Steven Cheah, who has been breaking down the Buccaneers All-22 on Twitter since 2015. Cheah will be joining PewterReport.com with video analysis for a monthly feature to closely examine the top plays you may have missed. Here are a few plays that stood out when watching the tape.
While this column will be monthly, I’m not going to mandate a Top 10 or Top 5, but simply take a look at the plays from a four-game stretch and decide which ones specifically are worth of being denoted as a ‘Top Play’ from that quarter of the Bucs’ 2019 season. From Weeks 5-9 we’ve got five plays that really stood out on the All-22 that you may have missed on TV or even in-person. Let’s build some suspense by going bottom to top:
No. 5 – O.J. PAVES THE WAY FOR THE ROOKIE
O.J. Howard has the size, speed, and strength to be the best tight end in football.
Howard had a great block here in space where he could better utilize his size/speed combination on a smaller defender. Really nice job paving the way for Scotty Miller to gain 18 yards. #Bucsfilm2019wk5 pic.twitter.com/dgnnHF4YIO
— Steven Cheah (@StevenCheah) October 9, 2019
While his season so far has been marred by inconsistency, in Week 5 he threw a heck of a lead block to open up a big hole for Scotty Miller on an end around. Bucs fans would welcome more plays like this from the third year tight end.
NO. 4 – HELLO GERALD MY OLD FRIEND
Ryan Jensen isn’t the most technically sound or the strongest center in football, but he might be the nastiest.
Love seeing guys on the O-line looking for work! Ryan Jensen drops the BOOM on an unsuspecting Gerald McCoy. #Bucsfilm2019wk6 pic.twitter.com/4x29rwy7cD
— Steven Cheah (@StevenCheah) October 18, 2019
He’s constantly looking for work and here sees an old friend. Gerald McCoy thinks he’s 1-on-1 here with right guard Earl Watford, but Jensen comes in the clean up. Good to see you again Gerald!
NO. 3 – I CAME IN LIKE A WRECKING BALL
While his sack numbers aren’t overly impressive, Vita Vea’s impact on the game is felt by everyone, especially those on the offensive line.
Part of this is the Center isn't able to anchor because Carl Nassib is in his way, the other part is he's doesn't see Vea loop in, but either way he's still a 300 pounder and Vita Vea TOSSES HIM on his back. #Bucsfilm2019wk8 pic.twitter.com/bZJA6cu0Sx
— Steven Cheah (@StevenCheah) October 30, 2019
Here Vea is a looper on a stunt and they catch the Titans center looking the other way. Vea shows off his incredible strength and just throws a 300 pound. man about 10 feet onto his butt.
NO. 2 – ALI’S CAT
The left guard position often goes unnoticed on offense, but when you pop on the tape, plays like this really stand out.
That being said, Ali is still our best lineman. He was even serving pancakes in London! pic.twitter.com/v8DHBlEdzU
— Steven Cheah (@StevenCheah) October 18, 2019
Look at how quickly Ali Marpet gets into position here vs. this defensive tackle. He gets complete control of him almost instantly and walks him down the line before burying him in the turf. These are the kinds of plays that make me love watching game film.
NO. 1 – THE ONE ARMED MONSTER
Alex Cappa broke his arm in the Week 5 game in New Orleans, but he somehow managed to finish the game.
This is AFTER his left arm is broken. Cappa initially gets jolted back, recovers, then throws the DT down. How many guys in the NFL can pancake a guy with a broken arm?? #Bucsfilm2019wk5 pic.twitter.com/QC8LYC60Sr
— Steven Cheah (@StevenCheah) October 8, 2019
Not only that, but on this play Cappa is able to throw the defensive tackle to the ground using one arm! Unbelievable strength and toughness from the second-year right guard out of Hombolt State.
Did I miss any you thought should have made the list? Let me know in the comments section below or feel free to reach out to me on Twitter at @StevenCheah
I’ll be back next month with even more plays from the Bucs’ third quarter of the 2019 campaign.