Joint training camp practices between the Bucs and Jaguars gives each team a closer, intimate look at their opponent that they maybe wouldn’t get in any other season. The amount of reps that every player gets is invaluable no matter how long they’ve been in the league.
Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson had a particular Tampa Bay player on his mind as he watched him during Wednesday’s practice. He also commented on another leader in Tampa Bay that he has seen over several years. Those two players were nose tackle Vita Vea and inside linebacker Lavonte David.
Doug Pederson Compliments Vita Vea And Lavonte David
Bucs NT Vita Vea – Photo by: USA Today
It’s safe to say that Vita Vea caught the attention of Doug Pederson early in the joint practices. On Wednesday, Vea had a sack on Trevor Lawrence and also tipped a pass at the line of scrimmage.
During Thursday’s practice, the Bucs did a great job of stopping the run, and usually it’s Vea who’s at the forefront of running backs going nowhere.
Pederson was asked specifically about his own Jaguars’ offensive line, but had to give a nod to Vea as well.
“Vita Vea is a big, strong, powerful human being,” Pederson said. “But that’s good for us. That’s good for Mitch (Morse) and the guys to go against. It’s a unique scheme, we haven’t seen it for a year.”
The Tampa Bay defense wouldn’t be where it is today without Lavonte David holding it together at times. We’ve long talked about how amazing it is that David is still doing this at the pinnacle of his position at age 34. It was interesting to get another coach’s perspective on it who has faced against him on several occasions.
“Obviously a tremendous player,” Pederson said. “A good leader, veteran presence. Still playing at a high level. I think that’s what you want in players like that. Every roster is looking for guys that can do that. It just gives your team confidence, it brings energy, it brings leadership and just somebody that I think as the season goes you just lean on more and more to get more out of your team.”
Doug Pederson Describes The Challenge Of Facing Todd Bowles
Bucs head coach Todd Bowles and Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson – Photo by: USA Today
The Bucs and Jaguars don’t play against each that often, but they did square off last season on Christmas Eve. That quickly become a lopsided affair as Tampa Bay’s defense beat down on an injured Trevor Lawrence and Jacksonville team in a 30-12 victory. In that game, head coach Todd Bowles flexed his defensive muscles as Tampa Bay recorded two interceptions and four sacks, and held to the Jaguars to just 3-of-9 on third down conversions.
Bowles is considered a defensive mastermind and Pederson saw it firsthand. There have been countless looks that the Tampa Bay defense has given its opponents. Sometimes their opponents haven’t even seen it until that week.
The Jaguars did a good job in these practices of not turning the ball over, but come the regular season, that may not be the case for Tampa Bay’s opponents.
“It’s a versatile defense in the sense that you can mix fronts,” Pederson said of Bowles’ scheme. “You can play with more linebackers and less D-linemen and vice versa. Pressures, disguises – he does a great job of that. Just go back to our game last year (a 30-12 defeat in Tampa Bay) and some of the things that he did. That’s what makes it a challenge, because what he shows you maybe the week before is not necessarily what you’re going to see in your game. He does a great job with that.”
