Tykee Smith’s “Big-Time” Play Wasted
November 9th, 2025
Couldn’t duplicate a magical play from Bucs history.
Any old school Bucs fans out there?
Anyone remember the win over Washington in the 1999 playoffs at the Stadium on Dale Mabry Highway? Was anyone at the game?
Joe was.
And there was a play Joe will never forget. And it wasn’t one of Mike Alstott’s greatest touchdown runs.
The game was somewhat like today’s against the Patriots. It was late in the third quarter. The Bucs were losing by two scores. The offense was stagnant. Something had to happen soon or the Bucs were going to lose.
John Lynch intercepted a Brad Johnson pass (Johnson then was the Redskins’ quarterback) and returned the ball in front of the Bucs’ bench. The defense has played great. The offense had been shutout by a meh Redskins defense.
Then, Lynch Gronk-spiked the ball right in front of Bucs coaches as if he was saying, “Will you guys get off your arses and dial up plays to score points?”
It was the fuse that lit the Bucs. The Bucs would score the final two touchdowns of the game for a 14-13 win (highlighted by Alstott’s improbable two-yard run, in which he reversed field and appeared to run through half of the Washington defense).
Joe thought a repeat of that was coming today.
The Patriots appeared to be on the cusp of the knockout punch. They had a third down from the Bucs-2. Three plays before, New England quarterback Drake Maye was pushed out of bounds and Bucs safety Tykee Smith went high and blasted Maye as he went out of bounds.
Joe thought surely the zebras would flag Smith. They did, but it was reversed on review.
Two plays later, Smith made a diving interception near the right side of a Maye pass into the end zone.
Joe immediately thought of Lynch’s pick in the playoffs some 25 years prior. Surely this would be the spark to light the Bucs’ offense.
“It definitely was a big-time play to try to change the momentum of the game,” Smith said afterwards when Joe spoke with him in the locker room.
Alas, Lynch’s magic could not be duplicated no matter how cool that Smith pick was. The ensuing drive for the Bucs fizzled out on the New England-27. On fourth-and-three, Bucs offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard strangely called for a screen pass for Rachaad White that lost three yards.
Smith was not in the mood to point fingers. He said if the defense only played better, the Bucs could have won today.
“I think we have to play better overall on defense,” Smith said. “We gave up a couple of explosives. That was the main thing.”
Smith isn’t exactly wrong.
November 9th, 2025 at 6:05 pm
Would’ve like to see smith covering diggs instead of Winfield at the end of the half….smith has been the most consistent player on the defense and reliable
Grizz needs to lean on Tom Moore and stick to the run
GO BUCS
November 9th, 2025 at 6:06 pm
I was at that game, Joe. Local TV news person, Kelly Ring, was sitting right in front of me for some reason. Huge moment and big celebration.
November 9th, 2025 at 6:08 pm
The D gave up some big plays today, but when it mattered the most they came up with a huge TO! Baker 5 weeks ago would have taken that and turned it into a win!
November 9th, 2025 at 6:14 pm
I complained loudly on this here site last year about the lack of passion shown by our head coach. Shockingly and much to my surprise someone must have seen that comment as Bowles showed up at the podium very soon afterward and made a very peculiar effort to show that he was indeed passionate. I didn’t buy it then and I don’t buy it now. I don’t see but one beating heart and it belongs to Baker Mayfield.
November 9th, 2025 at 6:15 pm
So what players did Baker have 5 weeks ago? He doesn’t have them now.
November 9th, 2025 at 6:21 pm
DBS, you mean when Evans was out with hammy, Godwin was out and the whole line was playing in other positions. Thats the Baker I was meaning.
November 9th, 2025 at 6:25 pm
Saw that game on TV.
November 9th, 2025 at 6:31 pm
Agreed with most. Defense gave up some bacon but man the offense didn’t do squat. Grizz n baker have got to be better. Trash play calling and trash play by baker.
November 9th, 2025 at 6:32 pm
Thanks Joe for forcing my somewhat aged diminished memory to recall that episode. I was watching on the tube. It seems there is nobody for the players to disappoint these days. For differing reasons I would (as a player) not want to disappoint Lynch, DB 55, Ronde, or especially the big fella #99. I remember those four among others saying how much they did not want to disappoint the fans. In my opinion the coaching staff and the team has been a disappointment to our first true franchise quarterback. FOX 13 is a disgusting disappointment and should APOLOGIZE ! But they won’t because they are weak pathetic usefull idiots like most of the community that should be supporting the home team.
November 9th, 2025 at 6:41 pm
Good news is the Bucs retain their Offense and Defense Coordinators this offseason.
November 9th, 2025 at 6:48 pm
Miller5252 thanks. That’s why I asked. I believe Baker is hurt. He just isn’t running anymore. Also DC’s are ready for what we have left for receivers.
November 9th, 2025 at 6:50 pm
This team has just about enough heart to make excuses after the game. They take after their head coach. Heartless. You can see the players on the Patriots go through walls for Vrabel. Just like he would for them. Not Todd. He’s only good after the game is over making excuses.
November 9th, 2025 at 7:53 pm
Both sides of the ball sucked. Stop talking like the defense was good when it gave up 3 long touchdowns on 3 plays. Offense was very pedestrian.
November 9th, 2025 at 11:18 pm
I was at that game with my father and two brothers! Thanks for reminding me of the great memory! Happy moment. We made some great plays today but not enough. I don’t think we have the horses this year. Hate to say it, but that’s my take.
Buffalo is an injured animal(dangerous)but so are we if we get hungry. Should be interesting. Go Bucs