Tykee Smith Has Strong Words About Rookie Defensive Backs
June 11th, 2025
Curious choices.
So Tykee Smith had some interesting choices.
The likely Bucs starting safety — though the second-year man out of Georgia admitted yesterday he is still working at nickel corner — Smith was asked who on defense has been practicing well.
Smith could have rattled off all sorts of names. You know, Antoine Winfield, Lavonte David, Jamel Dean, Zyon McCollum, SirVocea Dennis.
Nope. He didn’t mention any of them.
He went with rookies, Benjamin Morrison and Jacob Parrish.
“I think Ben [Morrison] has been standing out,” Smith said. “I think ‘J.P.’ [Jacob Parrish] stood out also.”
Now that was an odd choice. The rookies are out-practicing everyone else on defense?
“They’re just younger guys that we’re going to need to rely on this season,” Smith said. “So we just need them to keep coming along and keep stacking days.”
Smith is a good guy as in he’s an excellent team guy. Joe has a hunch Smith citing Morrison and Parrish was an attempt to let the two rookies know they are part of the team — that they are welcomed into the Bucs family and they only need to worry about football and their teammates will have their backs with anything.
Hey, it’s not like coaches and players ever send messages through the media. Nah! #Sarcasm
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June 11th, 2025 at 9:01 am
Not only is Tykee propping up the rookies, but he’s making plays in practice.
Hey Joe, no highlights from Winfield. Is he on the field?
June 11th, 2025 at 9:04 am
Both Morrison and Parish will be opening day starters.
June 11th, 2025 at 9:07 am
Time for the Tampa 7!
Rush 4.
Drop 7 DBs.
Like the Tampa 2 but with 3 fast safeties instead of linebackers.
We shall call this new group of DBs.
“The Swarm”
June 11th, 2025 at 9:13 am
I think our defense is gunna have a resurgence similar to what we saw from Philly last year, from worst to first. Hopefully that resurgence ends in some new hardware like there’s did. I might be drinking the cool aid but I really think this could be a special year for us Bucs.
June 11th, 2025 at 9:14 am
Young players trying to prove themselves to the team. Always fun to watch as long as they aren’t injuring veterans in the process.
June 11th, 2025 at 10:23 am
Teacher its possible with David’s comments our ILB situation is better than we all think, but with all these DBS I would not be surprised to see more and more formations with David as the only ILB, but of course if SVD stays healthy and balls out that could be moot
June 11th, 2025 at 10:30 am
Meh, all the hype with Bowles track record of soft/passive/weak coverage schemes leaves me unimpressed
I need to see the coverage has changed before getting excited. Talent and players can’t over come a weak defensive scheme
June 11th, 2025 at 10:57 am
He is not propping these guys up, they are Dawgs and all of the other players see it already too, Great Things Coming For BUCS!!!!
June 11th, 2025 at 11:22 am
Nice. All pro locker room and HR department.
June 11th, 2025 at 11:45 am
Vets just showed up and are older. Honestly it would be foolish to show up and go 100% the first few days. Young guys can handle it. Let the young pups play.
June 11th, 2025 at 11:46 am
This draft class is going to be another GREAT one….GJ Licht and Co.
June 11th, 2025 at 11:47 am
Shame what happened with Doug Martin. He was so fun to watch, at least in his good seasons. The muscle hamster was one of a kind no doubt
June 11th, 2025 at 12:07 pm
The Bucs, from the top suits all the way down to the players, have been very consistent both on and off the record that they are good with their current ILB room.
June 11th, 2025 at 12:16 pm
No Mercy…what the hell does that have to do with this?
June 11th, 2025 at 12:18 pm
2002 Bucs gave up 12.25 points a game thru the season (16 games) and in their Super Bowl run gave up 6,10, and 21 against the AFC 31 Seed that had put up 30 and 41 points in their first two games..
Best (16 games) was the 2000 Ravens that allowed 10.31 a game and gave up 3, 10,3, and 7 on their 4 game run to the Lombardi.
#40 on the list is 1997 Chiefs @ 14.50 points a game.
Great defenses are playing better at the end of the season. Average 20 and give up 20 in Playoffs and there is a pretty good chance you are going home soon.
So based on the players in the building are they capable of cracking the American To 40?
If Bucs are 9.214 thru 14 games they are as good as the 1977 Falcons but finished second in the Division to a Rams team that gave up 10.24 and missed the playoffs altogether. Rams lost in the 1st round giving up 14 points.
Just get better everyday from now until January.
June 11th, 2025 at 12:21 pm
Go Bucs!!! Tired of the NEGATIVITY about our Bucs
— Better than Joe ??? Complain, Complain, kick the dog again.
June 11th, 2025 at 12:32 pm
Winfield better be back to all pro status this year after he got that big payday last year and fell off due to injuries.
June 11th, 2025 at 3:35 pm
@smarter than Joe
What coverage scheme did we run most last season? What “scheme” should we be running?
If you’re going to bash the defensive scheme and coach I’m sure you have more specific suggestions/complaints or at least an understanding of basic defensive strategies/schemes and how/why they’re deployed.
June 11th, 2025 at 6:31 pm
@
Coburn Says:
June 11th, 2025 at 10:23 am
Teacher its possible with David’s comments our ILB situation is better than we all think, but with all these DBS I would not be surprised to see more and more formations with David as the only ILB, but of course if SVD stays healthy and balls out that could be moot
@Famu_Rattler Says: If SVD shows out. We could use SVD and the DB’s and save LVD some wear and tear during the season. Then unleash him in the meaningful game at the end of the season….. Go Bucs, ,,, Go SVD and LVD.
June 11th, 2025 at 7:20 pm
I think we had an epic draft.
Wow can’t believe I am saying that haha