Organized Team Activities (OTAs) are completely optional, with some senior players choosing not to participate until the mandatory mini-camps come June. But when a veteran shows up, it can be of great help. So do the Bucks and veteran nose tackle Vita Vera.
Vea attended last week’s OTABucks head coach Todd Bowles said this is important as the defensive line looks set for the 2023 season.
Bucs DT Vita Vea – Photo Credit: Cliff Welch/PR
“It’s big. They obviously have to develop friendships,” Bowles said. “You have speed and power, you’re a power man. It won’t be the same for them to learn under each other, but it’s great to have him here and they’ll learn from him.”
The Tampa Bay defensive line appears to be in transition this offseason. The current unit is very different from 2022. Will Golston and Akiem Hicks remain unsigned, but Rakeem Nunez-Roshus signed with the Giants as a free agent. Pat O’Connor re-signed with the Bucks, but Vita Vare is the main player.
Vita Vea helps coach new Bucks defender
Vita Baer will support a younger, quicker defense this season, with 2022 second-round pick Logan Hall and 2023 first-round pick Kaliyah Kansi heavily involved in the team’s plans. there is Veteran Greg Gaines is also a rookie who could be a key contributor this year after spending 2019-2022 with the Rams.
So with so many transitions and some new young faces to get acquainted with, it makes a lot of sense for Vea to show up at the AdventHealth Training Center for OTAs. This will allow him and the rest of the defensive line to build a foundation early on before continuing to build upon it during mandatory minicamps, training camps and preseason. Having that cohesiveness up front would benefit the entire defense, especially when the pass rushing element kicks in.
Safety fourth-year Antoine Winfield Jr. said he liked the upgrade to his defensive line this offseason, noting how useful it would be in the secondary.
“Oh, I love it because when you have a good front seven that puts pressure on the quarterback, you get more balls,” Winfield said last week. “So I love everything” [draft] This year’s pick. “
Vita Vea continues to grow into Bucks leader
Bucs NT Vita Vea – Photo Credit: Cliff Welch/PR
Last year, Vita Wer found herself in a leadership position on the Bucks’ defense. With Jason-Pierre-Paul and Damkong Hsu gone, Bear and Will Golston will lead the Tampa Bay defensive line.
Goulston had seniority, but Baer’s larger role, and the fact that he just finished a Pro Bowl appearance in 2021 and just received a new contract extension, made it a natural next step for him to become the Bucks leader. meant to be
Sure enough, When the captain was announced, The Vita Vea name joins a group that includes Tom Brady, Mike Evans, Lavonte David and Devin White.
“Vita got a lot of votes,” Bowles said at the time. “He prepared very well, had a good offseason, got back in shape, and he lost some weight. That says a lot about him.”
Vair was never seen as the type of leader who was hungry for loud attention. Rather, he is a role model and values his play and work ethic. And his appearance on a voluntary OTA to work with his new line of defense mates is the latest example.
Bucs DT Vita Vea – Photo Credit: Cliff Welch/PR
Vea’s name could be included again when the captain vote takes place later this summer. Tristan Wirfs will likely replace Brady as offensive captain, and Evans will be locked again. Like David, White may not want an offseason trade request. That could pave the way for Winfield, Carlton Davis III, Jamel Dean or potentially third offensive captain Ryan Jensen? — Join a group.
Whatever White’s position, it’s somewhat of a shock that Vita Vare won’t wear the ‘C’ patch for the second season in a row. He remains one of the key players in Tampa Bay’s defense and may be the team’s strength again in 2023.
And with David’s career on the decline and the future of White’s Bucks so uncertain, Via’s role as future leader suddenly feels like a big deal. With a career-high 6.5 sacks and looking even slimmer and ready for 2023, Vea looks solidly committed to the task.
