The Buccaneers’ injury-depleted defense headlined a huge 20-16 road victory during week two. It was unlikely heroes that needed to step up big in order for this team to walk away with a win, and they did just that. Missing Antoine Winfield Jr., Calijah Kancey and Vita Vea after the half is just the start of the Bucs’ injury woes already in 2024.
Those absences led to the likes of SirVocea Dennis and Tykee Smith, two players Tampa Bay fans aren’t used to seeing, make big impact plays, just when you’d think Jared Goff and the Lions’ offense was about to figure it out.
Dennis dealt with a hamstring injury in 2023, his rookie season, the reason his name is just now showing up at the top of the box score. He was limited to a special teams role for the most part in 2023, with both Devin White and K.J. Britt listed above him on the depth chart and seeing reps on defense. But now with more opportunities, SirVocea seems to showcasing his starter-level talent.
He was involved in ten total tackles, tied with second-most on the team, despite only playing 51.8% of snaps. The other reps went to Britt, who did well, but didn’t match Dennis’ energy or impact in the week two win. Lavonte David was the opposite middle linebacker and saw 100% of the snaps.
This breakout game from the second-year player out of Pitt will have coach Todd Bowles making decisions this week, in terms of how he will continue to implement Dennis into this defense, with Bowles' trust surely growing in the young linebacker. Britt has proven to step into a starter role well, but in SirVocea’s limited time on the field, there seems to be a different level of play between the two.
Inserted on all third and fourth downs on Sunday, SirVocea Dennis is beginning to stick out with his single-number from the linebacker position. He collected three fourth quarter tackles, including a huge third-down stop on Lions’ RB Jamhyr Gibbs and should see his role increase as the season continues.
Buccaneers’ head coach Todd Bowles will surely speak on all of the unknowns that shined on Sunday, but Dennis has to be one of coaches bright spots so far this season. With injuries still to be dealt with this week, the team hopes their key starters can return. But if not, Bucs’ fans shouldn’t worry about the depth this team has after traveling to Detroit and taking care of business.
The Buccaneers’ injury-depleted defense headlined a huge 20-16 road victory during week two. It was unlikely heroes that needed to step up big in order for this team to walk away with a win, and they did just that. Missing Antoine Winfield Jr., Calijah Kancey and Vita Vea after the half is just the start of the Bucs’ injury woes already in 2024.
Those absences led to the likes of SirVocea Dennis and Tykee Smith, two players Tampa Bay fans aren’t used to seeing, make big impact plays, just when you’d think Jared Goff and the Lions’ offense was about to figure it out.
Dennis dealt with a hamstring injury in 2023, his rookie season, the reason his name is just now showing up at the top of the box score. He was limited to a special teams role for the most part in 2023, with both Devin White and K.J. Britt listed above him on the depth chart and seeing reps on defense. But now with more opportunities, SirVocea seems to showcasing his starter-level talent.
He was involved in ten total tackles, tied with second-most on the team, despite only playing 51.8% of snaps. The other reps went to Britt, who did well, but didn’t match Dennis’ energy or impact in the week two win. Lavonte David was the opposite middle linebacker and saw 100% of the snaps.
This breakout game from the second-year player out of Pitt will have coach Todd Bowles making decisions this week, in terms of how he will continue to implement Dennis into this defense, with Bowles' trust surely growing in the young linebacker. Britt has proven to step into a starter role well, but in SirVocea’s limited time on the field, there seems to be a different level of play between the two.
Inserted on all third and fourth downs on Sunday, SirVocea Dennis is beginning to stick out with his single-number from the linebacker position. He collected three fourth quarter tackles, including a huge third-down stop on Lions’ RB Jamhyr Gibbs and should see his role increase as the season continues.
Buccaneers’ head coach Todd Bowles will surely speak on all of the unknowns that shined on Sunday, but Dennis has to be one of coaches bright spots so far this season. With injuries still to be dealt with this week, the team hopes their key starters can return. But if not, Bucs’ fans shouldn’t worry about the depth this team has after traveling to Detroit and taking care of business.
.jpg)
.png)
.png)
.png)
