defensive lineman has been among the better nose tackles in the acro s his six seasons in the sport. Now, Vea is being challenged to become a world-cla s force.Buccaneers defensive line coach Kacy Rodgers detailed where he wants to Wayne Gallman Jersey see Vea improve next season, while also implying that the defensive tackle has shed some weight this offseason."When you're looking at plays he was leaving out there, Vita's a really strong man. When he uses his hands properly and proper technique, he's going to be hard to stop," on Tuesday. "That's the thing. He plays hard. He does everything we ask of Benton Whitley Jersey him. It's just when you go back, and you look at some plays, 'you know you should've made that play. You know that guy should not be blocking you.'"That's kind of what we need for him to take the next step because he does everything else we ask. Now, it's just kind of being the dominant guy, not the good guy."ADVERTISEMENT Last season, Vea totaled 5.5 sacks, 43 combined tackles and two forced fumbles. He was part of a Tampa Bay defense that surrendered 248.9 pa sing yards (29th in the NFL), 95.3 rushing yards (fifth), 313.0 total yards (23rd) and Marcellus Johnson Jersey 19.1 points (tied for sixth) per game in the 2023 regular season.Herd Hierarchy: Chargers, Lions, Rams, Bills take a big leap in Colin's Top 10 post-draft Vea was a Pro Bowler in 2021. The Buccaneers selected him with the No. 12 pick in the 2018 NFL Draft out of .Rodgers has been on Tampa Bay's coaching staff since 2019, also serving as its run game coordinator and co-defensive coordinator. He was also current Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles' defensive coordinator when Bowles was the head coach of the from 2015-18. Golden Tate III Jersey The two also coached together with the and from 2005-11.The Buccaneers are coming off Aldrick Rosas Jersey their third consecutive NFC South division title and trounced the in the NFC wild-card round, 32-9, before losing to the in the divisional round. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily. FOLLOW Follow your favorites to personalize your FOX Sports experience National Football League Tampa Bay Buccaneers Vita Vea