In a Thursday column on PewterReport.com, two Pewter Reporters will debate a Bucs subject with completely different viewpoints. Which Pewter Reporter wins the talk? You get to resolve within the feedback part beneath.
This Week’s Subject: Is Vita Vea A Candidate For The Bucs Ring Of Honor?
Level: Vita Vea Already Has Bucs Ring Of Honor Credentials
By Scott Reynolds
Let me preface my remarks by saying that long-time Tampa Bay defensive deal with Vita Vea isn’t a lock to be within the Bucs Ring of Honor. I can consider a number of extra worthy candidates that ought to get in earlier than Vea needs to be thought-about. These embody linebacker Lavonte David, quarterback Tom Brady, vast receiver Mike Evans, linebacker Hardy Nickerson and legendary radio voice Gene Deckerhoff. I would even take into account outdoors linebacker Shaq Barrett forward of Vea within the induction course of, however that doesn’t imply that the 2018 first-round decide shouldn’t get in.
Vea is a two-time Professional Bowler and considered among the finest defensive tackles within the recreation in the present day. Even at age 31 he’s a game-wrecker for opposing offensive coordinators. And in 2022 he led Tampa Bay in sacks with 6.5, which is extremely laborious to do for a nostril deal with, who is usually double-teamed. And I do understand that former Buccaneers defensive deal with Gerald McCoy really had six Professional Bowl berths, which is 4 greater than Vea.
Bucs NT Vita Vea – Picture by: USA In the present day
The Glazers don’t have a selected set of standards for Bucs Ring of Honor induction. They’ve inducted two gamers who by no means made a Professional Bowl in legendary left deal with Paul Gruber and quarterback Doug Williams. However the Glazers have by no means inducted somebody who has by no means been on a playoff staff in Tampa Bay, and I feel that’s why McCoy has but to get in – and should by no means get in.
Vea has 35 profession sacks, which at the moment ranks eighth in staff historical past. With 4 extra he’ll go David Logan, and with eight extra he’ll go Lavonte David and transfer into sixth place all-time. With 10 extra sacks, he’ll tie Barrett for fifth place in Tampa Bay annals, which might be a exceptional feat for a 6-foot-4, 347-pound nostril deal with. To ensure that Vea to proceed to climb this ladder he’ll have to obtain a contract extension, as he’s getting into a contract 12 months in 2026.
Vea has been figuring out with former Tampa Bay defensive deal with Ndamukong Suh over the previous three offseasons to be in nice form with the expectation of extending his profession. If he has one other excellent season and his contract calls for aren’t too excessive I might see the Buccaneers extending him for 2 extra years after this upcoming season. That will afford him the time to proceed to maneuver up the sack chart and proceed to assist Tampa Bay.
Bucs DT deal with Vita Vea – Picture Credit score: USA In the present day
Vea was a part of the Buccaneers’ 2020 Tremendous Bowl staff, though he missed chunk of the common season as a result of a fractured leg. However there’s little question that Vea’s presence was felt in his return to motion at Inexperienced Bay within the NFC Championship Recreation. Jason Pierre-Paul and Shaq Barrett mixed for 5 sacks in Tampa Bay’s 31-26 win, largely as a result of Vea’s stress up the center, which flushed Aaron Rodgers into their arms. Vea was additionally a pressure per week later in Tampa Bay’s Tremendous Bowl LV win over the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs.
Profitable issues on the subject of the Bucs Ring of Honor, and the final word expression of an incredible, successful season is a playoff berth. The Buccaneers have made the playoffs in 5 out of the eight years Vea has anchored the center of Tampa Bay’s protection, together with 4 NFC South championships. That’s probably why Vea would possibly get some consideration over McCoy for Bucs Ring of Honor enshrinement after he retires. And I additionally occur to suppose that Vea is the second-best defensive deal with in staff historical past behind Warren Sapp and forward of McCoy, regardless of having a couple of much less Professional Bowls.
Counterpoint: Vita Vea Has Been A Nice Buccaneer, Simply Not An Elite One – But
By Josh Queipo
I’m going to maintain my Counterpoint temporary. I get it. Vita Vea has been a franchise stalwart since he was drafted within the first spherical of the 2018 NFL Draft.
Since then Vea has manned the inside for some stout Tampa Bay run defenses below Todd Bowles. Vea’s impression lies in how he permits his defensive coordinator to implement varied schemes.
Bucs DT Vita Vea and Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr. – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
However Vea’s particular person impression makes a tough case for his enshrinement within the Bucs Ring of Honor. Vea has a Tremendous Bowl ring, however he missed nearly all of that 2020 season as a result of a leg damage. He returned for the NFC Championship Recreation and the Tremendous Bowl throughout the playoffs, however managed just one deal with mixed throughout these two video games.
With 35 sacks throughout eight seasons, Vea’s impression as a go rusher has been inconsistent at greatest. He ranks eighth all-time in franchise historical past in that space behind former defensive deal with David Logan and two sacks forward of one other former nostril deal with in Brad Culpepper. Neither Logan nor Culpepper is a member of the Bucs Ring of Honor.
And with two Professional Bowls on his resume, Vea, who has served as a multi-year staff captain, has fewer Professional Bowl appearances than heart Tony Mayberry (three), tight finish Jimmie Giles (4) and linebacker Hardy Nickerson (5). Giles is the one Bucs Ring of Honor member in that group.
Don’t get me fallacious. Vea is a superb participant and he’s been a useful member of the Buccaneers. However he might want to add one other Tremendous Bowl or one other Professional Bowl or an 8-10 sack season earlier than he will get over the road for Bucs Ring of Honor enshrinement for my part.
