[](https://www.joebucsfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/VearightChiefs.png)So New Orleans lost its two-time Pro Bowl center to a bicep injury last week. Erik McCoy was and is the heart, soul and force of the Saints’ offensive line.
For the Joe typing here, this is the key to today’s game.
Vita Vea has had arguably his best season. Joe is talking about the film, not just the stats. Vea seems to have hit a new level of consistency. And he’s also playing a higher percentage of snaps than ever before. (Was former Bucs defensive line coach Kacy Rodgers holding Vea back?)
Vea is capable of wrecking this game facing Saints backup center Luke Fortner. Yes, Vea will be double-teamed all day, but those only slow him down to a degree.
Fortner is the former Jaguars starting center. He lost his starting job there last season and then new Jaguars head coach Liam “El Serpiente” Coen traded him to New Orleans in August.
McCoy is a top-shelf player and his loss will be felt by the slimy Saints regardless, but the Bucs have an opportunity to turn that loss into something catastrophic. Joe’s looking forward to it.