One of many Bucs’ 2023 draft picks out of Pitt is breaking out in his second season — and it’s not defensive sort out Calijah Kancey.
Inside linebacker SirVocea Dennis, also called “Voss,” is placing collectively a formidable sophomore NFL season and taking part in a significant position in Tampa Bay’s protection. After the query as as to whether the workforce correctly addressed the place after Devin White left for the Eagles in free company, Dennis has begun to reply it by piling up tackles and persevering with to develop in a much bigger position subsequent to veteran Lavonte David.
Talking to the media this week, David believes in Dennis’ capacity to take over his spot when the 34-year-old decides to hold them up.
SirVocea Dennis Is “Prepared To Be Nice”
Lavonte David is nearing the top of his NFL profession, and the Bucs are certainly contemplating who will likely be his successor when he hangs up his cleats after a prolonged reign as one of many league’s finest inside linebackers.
David believes that SirVocea Dennis might be the one to do it.
“Yeah I consider so,” David mentioned. “Me and Voss are actually comfy with one another. He asks questions, I attempt to educate him sure issues and stuff like that. He’s a man who’s prepared to study, and if you received a younger man who’s prepared to study, prepared to be nice, taking teaching, and simply attempting to take what he learns in a sure second on the observe subject and put it on the sphere.
“That’s anyone who you need in your soccer workforce. Voss is a type of guys. At any time when I do determine to hold it up or no matter, I’m positive he would be capable of fill that position eagerly.”
Head coach Todd Bowles has deployed a two-man inside linebacker rotation between him and Ok.J. Britt, and it’s as near a 50/50 break up because it might be.
Ok.J. Britt vs. SirVocea Dennis 2024 Snap Counts:
Ok.J. Britt — Week 1: 39 (66%), Week 2: 41 (48%), Week 3: 35 (51%)
SirVocea Dennis — Week 1: 21 (36%), Week 2 44 (52%), Week 3 34 (50%)
After solely logging 101 defensive snaps by way of 13 video games as a rookie, Dennis is already nearing that whole with 99 defensive snaps throughout the primary three video games this season.
Regardless of Ok.J. Britt and Dennis competing for snaps and never taking part in practically as a lot as the opposite defensive starters, Dennis is third on the workforce with 22 whole tackles. “Voss” additionally recorded his first profession sack within the season opener and notched a career-high 11 whole tackles in Week 2 in opposition to the Lions.
He has shortly asserted himself as a bodily participant and succesful tackler with improved protection abilities. It comes as little shock then that David sees Dennis as the way forward for the place.
SirVocea Dennis Discusses What Has Allowed Him To Come Into His Personal
SirVocea Dennis appeared on the Pewter Report Podcast within the offseason discussing his objectives going into yr two, and Dennis just lately detailed how he has began to succeed in them as the sport has slowed down for him.
Movie research has been an enormous a part of his growth, however so has being on the market with the blokes, Lavonte David included.
“I consider it’s slowed down for me,” Dennis mentioned. “I can credit score that as a result of a whole lot of movie, simply being on the market with the blokes. Lots of observe reps. I believe the sport has positively slowed down for me and I’m simply excited the place it goes on from right here.”
Relating to the place he has seen probably the most development in his sport, information is energy.
“I’d say information of the sport, actually,” Dennis added. “On the finish of the day, soccer remains to be soccer. However yr after yr, the velocity of it adjustments. Because it slows down, you get extra educated. As you get extra educated, the sport simply involves you a bit of higher. I believe that’s been the most important factor for me this yr, simply getting extra information and letting it decelerate for me.”
SirVocea Dennis is simply beginning to come into his personal, and if he continues his sturdy play, he’ll work himself into the long-term plans as a beginning Bucs inside linebacker.