Bucs’ Vita Vea Praises New Offensive Line Additions in Preseason

As the Tampa Bay Buccaneers prepare to face the Cincinnati Bengals in their first preseason game, nose tackle Vita Vea has praised the new additions to the offensive line for their strides and contributions during training camp. With full pads on, the Buccaneers are now getting a true feel for their trenches, both offensively and defensively, as they gear up for the regular season.

Vea, a star on the defensive line, spoke highly of the fresh faces he’s been competing against in practice, noting that these matchups help both sides improve. “It's always good going against new people,” Vea said . “They figure us out, we figure them out, and we go from there. Iron sharpens iron.”

Vea specifically mentioned free agent acquisition Ben Bredeson and rookie first-round draft pick Graham Barton . Bredeson, who joined the team to compete for the starting left guard position, has been stepping up significantly, especially after Sua Opeta suffered a season-ending injury. This injury has allowed Bredeson to focus on his development without the pressure of a position battle.

“Bredeson is also, being the leader that he is, coming in and picking everything up and hitting it in stride,” Vea noted , emphasizing Bredeson’s leadership and quick adaptation to the team’s schemes.

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Graham Barton, the rookie center, has also impressed Vea with his progress. “I think Graham has been showing big strides and is taking big steps as a young guy – especially as an O-lineman and being the center for the most part,” Vea said . Barton is still learning the intricacies of the NFL game, but his development is promising for the Buccaneers.

The Buccaneers’ trenches were inconsistent in 2023, so the team is relying on a rejuvenated Vea and the contributions of Barton and Bredeson to bolster their performance this season. As the Bucs head into their preseason opener, the new offensive linemen's ability to step up will be crucial in setting the tone for the season ahead.