Vita Vea has become the leader on the defensive line for the Buccaneers after the departure of Ndamukong Suh, and the newest captain is ready to go.
It feels like this one has been a long time coming for the Buccaneers.
Vita Vea’s arrival with the team was not filled with as much pomp and circumstance as it should’ve at the time, but the fans who hated that pick in the moment look silly now. The past few seasons of Vea have been nothing short of spectacular, and the Bucs are acknowledging this in the right way.
Alongside the other returning captains from last season, Tampa made the right decision to bring Vea into the official leadership fold.
Bowles says Tom Brady, Mike Evans, Vita Vea, Lavonte David and Devin White will be this year’s Bucs captains. They’ll add one on special teams later.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) September 5, 2022
This comes at a perfect time for Vea, who should be on the verge of the best season of his career.
Whether you are looking at the defense as a whole or at Vea as an individual, everything is looking up. The additions on the defensive line and to the secondary are going to help across the board, and they are specifically going to help Vea.
Going back through the past few seasons, Vea has been a fringe All-Pro option, and it looks like a full season alongside Akiem Hicks and playing healthy could make it impossible for the voters to ignore Vea any longer.
From a sacks/pressure created standpoint, abilities against the run, or as a leader in 2022, Vea is going to check all of the boxes in a major way. This growth has been happening for a few years now, and this season should be no different when it all comes together to work perfectly for one of Tampa’s best pieces.
Offensive lines, quarterbacks, and running backs better watch out for Tampa’s newest captain. He’s coming.
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