Bucs’ Vea, Grimes back at practice
As a Monday matchup with the Steelers looms, Tampa Bay first-round defensive stalwart Vita Vea and talented cornerback Brent Grimes both returned to practice Thursday.
TAMPA — For the first time in seven weeks,
played football Thursday.
At least, it looked like he was playing football when he walked to the practice field wearing a helmet and full pads and took a three-point stance for the first time since he injured his left calf muscle July 29.
Cats didn’t start chasing dogs, and rain didn’t pour from the ground and back into the clouds.
But for Vea, the firstround pick from Washington, it was an unusual sight.
For the Bucs, who host the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday night, it also was a welcome one.
“You can ask any single player that’s been out,” coach said.
“They all go through the same thing. Not part of it. Bored. Rehab is a lonely process and it is what it is. It’s the worst part — injuries, period. This has been a process and we’re still in it [with Vea].”
As if that wasn’t reason enough for the Bucs defense to celebrate Thursday, cornerback
also returned to work after missing two games with a groin injury he sustained a couple days before the season opener at New Orleans.
“The training staff did a good job of letting me get it all the way right,” Grimes said.
“Now I just have to do my thing, make it through the week and hopefully have some fun Monday.”
It’s hard to imagine a better game for the Bucs to add a pass rusher and their top defensive back than this Monday against the Steelers.
Sure, Pittsburgh is off to a slow-as-cold-molasses start, tying the Browns and losing to the Chiefs to wobble into Tampa Bay at 0-1-1.
But if Vea is back, he changes the dynamics of a Bucs defense that is allowing 30.5 points per game this season.
Last Sunday, the Bucs did well to hang on for a 27-21 win over the Eagles.
The feels-like temperature at kickoff was more than 100 degrees.
Undermanned on the defensive line, they were unable to have much of a rotation.
Consequently, defensive end
(67 snaps), defensive tackle (65) and defensive end
(50) played too many snaps. Defensive tackle
had to leave the game and missed practice Thursday with a foot injury.
Vea, at 347 pounds, would not only add to the defensive-tackle rotation, he would occupy most of the Steelers’ offensive line. Defensive coordinator
said, even with limited practice time, Vea could have an impact if he plays Monday.
“Absolutely. Vita is a big man,” Smith said.
“He’s going to demand four hands on him. If they try to put two hands on him, he’s going to be a guy that’s going to be able to get penetration in the offensive backfield.
“We’re just waiting where he can go out and help us.”
Grimes is the Bucs’ best cover cornerback, and his role is even more crucial with on injured reserve.
“It’s going to be great to have him back [Thursday], first out on the practice field and getting him re-acclimated to playing football,” Smith said.
“He’s a very good defensive back that is going to make us a better defense. We’d love having Brent out there. He knows and understands the scheme, and he’s going to help the other guys as well because he’s a guy who really studies and understands splits and how people are trying to attack us.” “Defending
and the offensive attack they have, it’s going to be a tough challenge.”
Face it, Smith will look like he downed smart pills if both Vea and Grimes are in the lineup Monday night.
Despite their record, the Steelers still look like a tough out for the Bucs.
While the Bucs have the NFL’s top offense, Pittsburgh is No. 2, averaging 473.5 yards per game.
Roethlisberger’s 787 passing yards are second only to the Bucs’
“Strong arm. He can shrug off people. He’s a big dude,” Grimes said of Big Ben. “He can shrug off things that would be a sack for a normal quarterback.
“He’ll have someone hanging on him and still throw the ball. He can get the ball downfield. His body of work also is really good. Those things I just mentioned are his things.
“Obviously he knows the offense. He’s been playing in the league for 15 years. He’s a smart quarterback that can make plays. “[Wide receiver
obviously has a lot of athletic talent and he makes plays.
“He’s hard to bring down. Great quickness and speed. When he gets the ball, it’s like a punt return.”
The Steelers are averaging 29 points per game.
Unless Fitzpatrick can keep lighting up the scoreboard, Smith will have to find a way to slow the Steelers.
Having Vea and Grimes will make that job a little easier.