How much can Ndamukong Suh help Vita Vea?

When the Tampa Bay Buccaneers picked Gerald McCoy to third in the 2010 NFL draft, it was clear he would be the focal point of the defense.

One could argue the same point when the Bucs took Vita Vea in 12th place in 2018.

McCoy is no longer on the list, but Vea remains. Whatever the reasons, it is now up to Vea to manage the defensive line.

Vea is arguably the biggest key to Bucs' defense in 2019. Its development will help determine the effectiveness of the unit. Without McCoy, things would not have been easy.

But the Bucs managed to bring in Ndamukong Suh, who should break free and take McCoy's place, because he is better able to defend the defense.

More importantly, Suh's presence should help Vea immensely. Maybe it will even help accelerate Vea's learning curve.

The Los Angeles Rams used Suh all the way down the line last season, which the Buc should and will likely want to do. Not only will they be one of the most powerful defensive liners in the league, but they will also be able to play each other.

Let's hope that the versatility of Suh will allow Vea to have recourse to the quarterback in 2019, which he showed he could do in 2018.

Vea's main responsibility in Mike Smith's defense was to eat blocks. Look at the piece below and you'll see what I mean.

As you can see, this has sometimes worked, but you are not good at the 12th overall to be an add-on or a space-grabber. Arians knows that and that's why he called on Suh to make Vea the player he's supposed to be.

It's no secret that Vea is a real beast on the football field. He has an excellent combination of speed and strength for a man of his size – he is 6 feet 4 inches, 347 pounds – and he really improved his game towards the end of the 2018 season.

Of course, the first idea that comes to mind is to let him fill the gaps and allow his teammates to fly and play, but the game of Vea is not limited to size.

This is a perfect example of the great man's agility. He is able to stop for a penny and continue the quarterback of the Redskins Alex Smith – who is rather mobile – for the bag.

Here is a better look in slow motion. Vea starts mainly on the crest of the Bucs logo skull in the middle of the field. Morgan Moses, the Redskins right tackle (# 76) is who's on Vea.

Observe how he is able to stop abruptly, speed up and chase Smith. The hash marks are 18 feet 6 inches wide in the NFL. Vea is on the left and Smith on the right when Vea starts the chase.

It's pretty impressive. Of course, Vea did not have as much ground to cover as Smith – Vea had to run about six yards while Smith had to run 10 yards – but the ability to stop and move sideways in this way is not common for domestic defensive linemen.

With this kind of agility, Vea can certainly be more than just a racehorse: he can also be a passer. It will be fun to see how Todd Bowles will use both of them to defend themselves.

On this bag, he shows his strength as the bull throws Joe Staley while JPP performs the stunt. But if you pay close attention, another factor at play may help Vea reduce the quarterback – apart from the broad alignment and ability to master the technology.

McCoy takes a double team that allows Vea and JPP to get the 1v1 match of which all passes are dreaming.

Look now at the game below and see if you can find similarities:

Suh shoots the double team, which allows Donald the 1v1. Vea has already formed two teams, but seeing Suh ensure that other players, including Vea, will be able to lobby.

This one here is beautiful because the Viking center, Pat Elfein, has to pick his poison between Donald and Suh, which the Bucs hope to accomplish with Vea.

As Vea becomes more of a smuggler, the Bucs will be able to use these wide alignments more often.

Inner pressure is the key to the most effective defense of the NFL. The Bucs have the potential to create havoc inside.

And this one is off topic – BUT – just for fun, here's another example of how Todd Bowles can use Suh in this defense. Bowles' defense has many features in common with those of Wade Phillips.

Suh aligns on the left side of the defense line and uses fast hands to beat the right shooter Rashod Hill at the top of the bow to get the bag.

And here's a last video that shows how the versatility of Suh can help Vea. On this one, it aligns on 1-tech, which allows Donald to master 3-tech. If you remember the previous video, Vea showed that he could actually defeat the opposing quarterbacks from this place, so again – why would the Bucs not be able to do that?

Now I realize that Vea is not Donald – nobody is.

But this example shows how Bowles will be given flexibility and versatility in its workforce.

Suh is better suited to this defense as McCoy and Vea should reap significant dividends throughout the season.