Tag: vita vea

How Vita Vea is setting up Calijah Kancey for success

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have the perfect veteran/understudy combo along their defensive front

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were thrilled to land defensive lineman Calijah Kancey in the first round of the 2023 NFL draft, giving them another disruptive interior defender to pair with one of the league’s best nose tackles in Vita Vea.

After a slow start to his rookie season due to a calf injury, Kancey was a dominant force throughout the rest of the 2023 campaign, making it clear the Bucs had a steal on their hands.

Speaking to the media Monday as the Bucs kicked off their 2024 offseason program, Kancey detailed the ways Vea’s presence is aiding his development at the pro level.

“I learned a lot from Vita, just being in the room with him and being on the field with him,” Kancey said. “My first day, I actually took a rep with him and he told me everything to do before we even got out of the huddle. I’m like, ‘Damn, it’s that easy?’ That just let you know what type of guy he is. He’s on top of everything – he knows the formation, he knows what to expect, he knows the person you’re going against because he’s been in the league and he’s [gone] against everybody. It was really a plus for me. Going into this year, it’s [about] really following his steps and being a sponge towards him because he does everything the right way.”

Vea and Kancey have differing skill sets that match one another perfectly, and the sky’s the limit for what they can accomplish for Tampa Bay’s defensive front in the coming years.

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2024 Buccaneers offseason preview: Defensive line

The interior defensive line is among the more stalwart units Tampa Bay has, but it could still benefit from some rotational depth.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have invested heavily in their defensive line over the past several years. With a blend of steady high-end talent and promising up-and-comers, Tampa Bay’s defensive front does not need any wholesale changes this offseason but a tweak here or there is likely.

Defensive line is clearly a priority position for the Bucs front office. In the past two years, they drafted tackles with their first picks in addition to signing Vita Vea to a four-year, $71 million extension in 2022. No position on the team has received a greater injection of young talent and financial investment.

Vea remains the centerpiece of the line, now both physically and financially. Tampa Bay’s largest player now has its largest cap number on the defense at $20.9 million. Vea has certainly earned the distinction as no Buccaneer has more sacks (15) over the last two seasons.

He is now joined by Logan Hall and Calijah Kancey, Tampa Bay’s top picks in each of the last two drafts. Hall, who was taken with the 33rd-overall pick in the 2022 draft, is still finding his identity in the NFL, posting modest stats in his first two seasons: three sacks, 35 total pressures, 34 tackles and seven tackles for a loss. While he has not quite lived up to his draft status, Hall was taken knowing he would be a long-term project. 2024 will be a formative season for him.

Kancey had a very successful rookie season, recording 10 tackles for a loss, four sacks and 34 total pressures, third-most among rookie defensive linemen despite missing four games. Though he is certainly small for an interior lineman, Kancey’s rare burst and refined technique made him a nightmare for pass protectors.

The trio of Vea, Hall and Kancey should form the principal starting line for at least the next two seasons. The steady presence of Vea and the promise of Hall and Kancey will likely preclude any significant additions this offseason.

The line’s depth is another matter. After Vea, Hall and Kancey, the Bucs have just one lineman, Mike Greene, who took defensive snaps in 2023 under contract for 2024. Veterans Greg Gaines, Will Gholston and Pat O’Connor are not guaranteed to return.

Gaines was steady if unremarkable as a rotational nose tackle. Gholston is Tampa Bay’s second-longest tenured player, providing solid play in run support. O’Connor primarily plays on special teams.

Re-signing or replacing any of them is far from impossible. Gholston is firmly in the “sign after the high days of training camp” portion of his career and still could be on the roster by Week 1. O’Connor also appears to be on the “Tampa Bay or bust” track.

In free agency, the Bucs could bolster their nose tackle depth with journeyman Sebastian Joseph-Day or Kansas City’s Derrick Nnadi. Veteran tackles like Shelby Harris or Grover Stewart would be valuable additions to the tackle rotation.

The Bucs probably will not target interior defensive linemen with one of their premium draft picks, but a Day 3 pick or priority undrafted free agent is not out of the question. FAU NT Evan Anderson has the size, strength and violent demeanor to fit in Tampa Bay’s tackle rotation.

Thanks to some long-term planning by the Bucs’ front office, it should be a relatively quiet offseason for the Bucs’ defensive tackles. It should allow Tampa Bay to reload at other positions that are in much greater need of a shakeup.

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Dan Campbell ‘Hard Knocks’ speech to the Lions has come to fruition

Dan Campbell ‘Hard Knocks’ speech to the Lions has come to fruition with Detroit playing for the NFC Championship

It’s been over three years since the Detroit Lions tabbed Dan Campbell as the head coach of the team. From the very beginning, people had their doubts. From the fans to the national media, there were a lot of doubters.

Much of it was due to what Campbell would say during his press conferences. Whether it was him referencing the team biting kneecaps or when he wore a racing helmet after being named grand marshal to a local race.

He got bashed again and again and again.

Taking it a step further, the Lions were picked to be on the HBO series Hard Knocks. Being featured on the show before winning anything of significance put Campbell and the Lions in an odd spot. People started to fall in the love with him and all of the speeches and catchphrases. Rightfully so, they were darn good.

One of the most popular speeches from Dan Campbell was the one above from an episode of Hard Knocks. At the time, the biggest takeaway was Campbell saying, “I don’t care if you have one ass cheek and three toes, I will beat your ass.”

No doubt, that’s awesome, but there’s more to it than that.

In addition to saying that, Campbell defined what the word “grit” meant to him. He talked about the distance the team will need to be willing to go. He said, “we’ll go a little longer. We’ll push a little harder. We’ll think a little deeper and little sharper.”

Following up with that, he said, “…normally I’m 100% but I only need 85% to beat you.”

Thinking back to just that, the first thing I thought of was the goal line block from Frank Ragnow against Vita Vea against the Buccaneers. This weekend, Ragnow blocked Vea from his knees while having a sprained knee, sprained ankle and other injuries sustained from the season. Far from 100%, Ragnow only needed 85% or possibly less than that to beat Vea on that specific play and it led to a Craig Reynolds touchdown on 4th and goal.

The more you listen to that specific speech from Dan Campbell, the more you can see the vision he had for a football player on the Detroit Lions. Changing the culture for any coach in any locker room is always tough. However, Campbell seems to have found a way to make it happen in Detroit.

It’s happened much sooner than most people have expected. Much of that is due to the Detroit Lions success this season. Winning the NFC North wasn’t unexpected and winning a playoff game felt somewhat likely for the Lions. Being one game away from the Super Bowl didn’t seem possible but right now, we wait for the Lions matchup against the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship Game.

Love them or hate them, this Detroit Lions football team is different. Much of that is due to the locker room buying into their head coach and adapting to the culture he’s helped build. Everything Campbell said in these pep talks is the team the Lions have become.

 

The Lions’ Frank Ragnow showed absurd toughness blocking Vita Vea on 4th and 1 TD while visibly hurt

The Lions’ Frank Ragnow is the definition of tough.

In the playoffs, injuries that may have otherwise sidelined players aren’t as significant of a concern anymore. When it’s win or go home, guys more or less decide to grit their teeth and tough it out if they can.

Detroit Lions All-Pro center Frank Ragnow did exactly this during his team’s divisional-round matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Early in the game, Ragnow had his leg rolled up following a sack on Jared Goff. If there was one player the Lions could ill afford to see missing any time, it was Ragnow, the fulcrum and leader of their dominant offensive line. At the time of this writing, it is unclear what Ragnow’s ailment is.

Even still, rather than come out of the game, a visibly hurt Ragnow soldiered on with Detroit’s season on the line:

Later, with the Lions facing a critical fourth and goal near the end of the third quarter, Ragnow had the unenviable task of taking on the mammoth Vita Vea one-on-one. He passed with flying colors, paving the way for a clutch Craig Reynolds touchdown:

Ragnow didn’t pancake Vea, but he didn’t have to. He just had to stay in front of him long enough for Reynolds to cross the plane. Even while hurt, it is these kinds of heroic efforts that propel teams like the Lions to greatness.

Eagles eliminated from playoffs after 32-9 loss to Buccaneers

Eagles eliminated from playoffs after 32-9 loss to Buccaneers

The Eagles are set for a dramatic overhaul following the team’s shocking 32-9 loss to the Buccaneers in the wild-card round of the NFC playoffs.

Philadelphia was 0-11 on third and fourth downs combined, tallying 268 total yards on ten offensive drives in a sloppy affair that saw missed tackles and no answer for the Tampa blitz as the Eagles were held to 38 rushing yards on the night.

Baker Mayfield outplayed Jalen Hurts, going 22-36 passing for 337 yards, three touchdowns, and 0 interceptions with a 119 quarterback rating.

Rachaad White was strong on the ground, rushing 18 times for 62 yards on the night.

The Eagles will now head into an uncertain offseason, having lost six of the final seven games played, and an overhaul could include head coach Nick Sirianni with the likes of Jim Harbaugh, Bill Belichick, and others available after mass changes around the league.

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Eagles Twitter reacts to humiliating 32-9 loss to Buccaneers in wild-card round

We’re looking at the social media reaction from Philadelphia fans after the Eagles loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Wild Card round

The Eagles are set for a dramatic overhaul, and there’s nobody safe outside of Jalen Hurts, A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Jalen Carter following the team’s shocking 32-9 loss to the Buccaneers in the wild-card round of the NFC playoffs.

Philadelphia was 0-11 on third and fourth downs combined, tallying 268 total yards on ten offensive drives in a sloppy affair that saw missed tackles and no answer for the Tampa blitz as the Eagles were held to 38 rushing yards on the night.

With a long offseason set to begin, here’s how Twitter reacted to the madness.

Eagles vs. Bucs: 10 takeaways from first half as Tampa leads 16-9 in NFC wild card game

We’re looking at then takeaways from the first half as tthe Buccaneers hold a 16-9 lead over the Eagles in the NFC wild card game

The Eagles were nearly run out of Raymond James Stadium, but after some timely drops by the Buccaneers and a renewed effort on defense, they trailed 16-9 at halftime.

Julio Jones had three catches in the first half for 22 yards before exiting with a concussion, and Philadelphia held Mike Evans and Chris Godwin to a combined two catches for 30 yards on seven targets.

With the second half set to begin, we’re looking at takeaways from a hard-fought first half.

Eagles vs. Bucs inactives: Avonte Maddox to start at safety with Reed Blankenship ruled out

Reed Blankenship is among seven Eagles ruled out for Philadelphia’s wild card matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Eagles will be without two key starters for tonight’s NFC Wild Card Round game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after Reed Blankenship was ruled out with a groin injury.

Blankenship was listed as questionable, but after a light pregame workout, the talented safety will miss Monday’s matchup at Raymond James Stadium.

All-Pro wide receiver A.J. Brown will also be out with a knee injury suffered in the Week 18 loss to the Giants.

Jalen Hurts was a limited participant during Thursday’s practice before being upgraded to a full participant on Friday and Saturday.

Cornerback Darius Slay, wide receiver DeVonta Smith and D’Andre Swift were full participants in the final practice of the week and had no game status designations.

Eagles vs. Bucs wild card matchup: Who has the edge at each offensive position?

We’re looking at who has the edge at each position when the Philadelphia Eagles meet the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in an NFC Wild Card Game

The Eagles will face a familiar foe on the road when they travel to Tampa to face the 9-8 Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium without an injured A.J. Brown.

The most recent postseason meeting came just two years ago, in 2021, in Jalen Hurts’ first road playoff start; Tampa won 31-15.

With kickoff a little over eight hours away, we’re looking at who has the edge at each position on the offensive side of the football.

6 burning questions ahead of Eagles-Buccaneers Wild Card matchup in NFC playoffs

We’re looking at seven burning questions ahead of the Philadelphia Eagles vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Wild Card round of NFC playoffs

Philadelphia went 1-5 down the stretch, but Nick Sirianni’s team advanced to the postseason for the third year in a row, and they’ll look to flip the switch in the NFC playoffs.

They face a familiar foe on the road when they travel to Tampa to face the 9-8 Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium without an injured A.J. Brown.

The most recent postseason meeting came just two years ago, in 2021, in Jalen Hurts’ first road playoff start; Tampa won 31-15.

With kickoff a little over eight hours away, here are six burning questions that must be answered.