Jun 4, 2019; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers nose tackle Ndamukong Suh (93) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Vita Vea (50) share a laugh as they work out at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Defensive lineman Gerald McCoy’s release from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers signaled that the Bucs weren’t interested in dealing with whether or not any player on the roster might be out for a while, as the change in coaching staff means that absorbing information is a must in the offseason.
The overriding factor was the contract. McCoy had three years remaining at $39 million, but as McCoy is 31 years old, there was questions about slippage and maybe the ability to rush passers that he once had. Not re-upping McCoy meant that the two parties could mutually part ways and move forward. In any event, new head coach Bruce Arians and General Manager Jason Licht expressed their sentiments about McCoy’s release which was still a surprise to many around the Tampa Bay area.
The Bucs wasted little time in signing Ndamukong Suh to a one-year deal worth 9.25 million dollars. He joined the team for OTAs after announcing his engagement and celebrating in Paris with his new fiance’.
“A dominate player, inside penetrating, but he’s a great run stopper,” said Arians. “He’s a pass rusher, but he’s a great run player.”
Suh heads into his 10th season in the NFL after spending the first five in Detroit, three in Miami, and then last season as a member of the NFC champion Los Angeles Rams. While he doesn’t have the pass rush numbers of McCoy, he will make a huge difference in the run-stop alongside Vita Vea.
“With he and Vita, it’s going to be really tough to run the ball inside against us, but they’re both going to be able to rush the passer for us effectively, so I think a great addition,” noted Arians.
The Bucs were 24th against the run last season as opponents rushed for 123.9 yards per game.
However with Jason Pierre-Paul out for the foreseeable future due to injuries from a car crash, Tampa Bay will probably start William Gholston at the right defensive end with Carl Nassib on the left and Suh and Vea inside. It shores up the rush defense, but the combination of Pierre-Paul (12.5) and an injured McCoy (6) accounted for 18.5 of the team’s 38 sacks last season. The pass rush has to suffer, regardless.
“We’re not where our defensive line grabs two guys, gets in the backfield and makes a play,” explained Arians. “Make two guys block you penetrating rather than standing on the line holding guys for linebackers. We’re not that style of defense, but we do it anyway because of penetration.”
Vea is an up and coming player as he enters his third season after being named Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year in his last season on the defensive line for the Washington Huskies. He accumulated 28 tackles last season as his 347-pound frame was a force at the point of attack.
Arians thinks Suh can help Vea become an even bigger force and an even better player.
“All he’s got to do is ask him questions,” explained Arians of Vea. “When you bring in a veteran guy and a young guy, if he doesn’t ask him questions, there is something wrong. He either thinks he knows it all, but he’s not that type of kid, so I would think it would help.”
