Block You!
March 28th, 2026
Bucs special teams coach Danny Smith.
When is the last time the Bucs blocked a field goal? It seems like it has been a while. That’s just one of many reasons why the Bucs were downright horrible on special teams in recent years.
It’s also why the Bucs brought in veteran special teams coach Danny Smith from Pittsburgh.
(A cursory Google search shows the immortal Tavierre Thomas blocked a Younghoe Koo field goal attempt against the Dixie Chicks in Week 5 of the 2024 season. Thomas’ block was the only one for the Bucs the past three seasons.)
The fiery, animated Smith believes in blocked kicks, which includes field goals, extra points and punts. So much so that Smith’s special teams units the past nine seasons lead the NFL in blocked kicks with 17. Since the start of the 2021 season, Smith’s Steelers had the most blocked kicks with 11.
Smith explained to Brianna Dix of Buccaneers.com his philosophy on denying opponents. It’s a “block culture” Smith said. In other words, Smith gets off on blocked kicks. It’s a burning desire for him to see his special teams reject field goals and punts.
Smith sort of noted he is a firm believer in something Nick Saban always preached: It’s players, not plays.
A cool thing Dix pointed out is Smith was part of a committee that devised the new kickoff rules the NFL instituted in 2024. What better way to improve your special teams than to hire a guy who helped craft the kickoff rules?
Think about it: If you own an auto repair business that specializes in restoring Fords, who better to hire than a Ford engineer?
March 28th, 2026 at 11:24 am
I hate to be Mr Pessimistic
But if the Bucs go into the season with their current secondary
There won’t be many opportunities to block a FG
I serious doubt these potent offenses won’t light up the sky against us
It will touchdowns galore against this secondary
They better have to offense to respond
March 28th, 2026 at 11:27 am
They may block a few extra points
They will have loads of opportunities
But l don’t see teams punting that much against us
Don’t see a lot of FG attempts against us
March 28th, 2026 at 11:31 am
Not that I’m a big fan of making special teams becoming more relevant, but the kickoff rules have changed the game quite a bit, especially when field goal kickers are trying more at 60 yards out. I think this is an area where the Bucs brass has slept, they got their kickers, but in regard to strategy, coaching and having the right ST players to execute. NFL has made it tougher to decide on who makes that 53 roster, it’s not always the most talented that wins the job, it’s the player with the most versatility. In general, given how close games are, Danny’s hiring could be huge.
March 28th, 2026 at 11:54 am
Lakeland…your right your half empty kinda person. Smith is an outstanding special teams coach and great motivator, it can only improve. Also last year defense has already changed drastically.
March 28th, 2026 at 11:55 am
Keep in mind, bucs lost two games due to lack of special teams having blocked field goals and punts
March 28th, 2026 at 11:59 am
What Mick said–absent incompetent special teams, we are 10-7 last year
March 28th, 2026 at 12:00 pm
These are some of the WRs that McCollum, Parrish, Morrison will be facing
Puka Nacua
Devante Adams
Amon Ra-St Brown
Jamerson Williams
George Pickens
CeeDee Lamb
Chris Place
Tetairola McMillan
Drake London
Tee Higgins
Jamar Chase
D.K Metcalf
Michael Pittman Jr
Christian Watson
Jordan Addison
Justin Jefferson
Rome Adunze
These are a few of the WRs they will be facing
March 28th, 2026 at 12:01 pm
This is a huge upgrade from last season. Blocked punts and kicks killed us last years. Excited to have this guy on our side.
March 28th, 2026 at 12:02 pm
One thing about life
Reality always wins over Hopes and Dreams
March 28th, 2026 at 12:03 pm
His special teams are considered elite in coverage, and all phases of kick blocking, including kickoffs.
March 28th, 2026 at 12:04 pm
“””Meant Chris Olave””
March 28th, 2026 at 12:10 pm
Special Teams was a huge focus last season
They even kept players based on their ability to play special teams
And they neglected good position players
Because they wasn’t better Special Teams players
I will say they will have opportunities for kick returns
Not as many opportunities for punt returns
March 28th, 2026 at 12:11 pm
New offensive coordinator, check. Special teams upgrade? Check. Defensive coordinator? Ughhh….. Todd, dude, it’s now or never. Do or die. You better have your unit playing with attitude, speed & confidence because last year was a joke and you’re lucky as hell to still have a job. Nothing to lose at this point, so make it count!
March 28th, 2026 at 12:17 pm
Unfortunately Todd is afraid of benching Baker when he is hurt. December was a reminder of what happened in Cleveland. Injuries plus Bakers stubbornness sealed the season.
What does Todd does as a Head Coach? Oh that’s right blow the whistle in practices.
2026 is RINSE AND REPEAT
March 28th, 2026 at 12:27 pm
They fired Kevin Ross as the Cornerbacks coach
And they promoted Rachad Johnson to Cornerbacks coach
Now they setting him to be the fall guy
He’s replacing Josh Grizzard as guy taking the blame
I hope the Bucs succeed this season, and many seasons to come
But l feel they are putting too much pressure on Morrison and Parrish
I just don’t see these 22 year old CB with very limited NFL experience
Going up against all of these top notch seasoned veterans
I’m all for improving the Special Teams
But l just feel at some point the secondary has to a focus
They have to improve the secondary
It’s that simple
March 28th, 2026 at 12:31 pm
The secondary will be fine if the front 7 can pressure the QB.
Looking forward to improved special teams.
Curious as to why Joes haven’t posted any stories on OLine prospects – there are several good ones in this draft.
March 28th, 2026 at 12:37 pm
Adding Ira to the special teams coaching staff is exciting…but it’s a lot like putting a $50 saddle on a $5 horse. I like the move nonetheless.
March 28th, 2026 at 12:38 pm
Loss of 2 starting guards ended our season. Not Baker.
March 28th, 2026 at 12:43 pm
Jacob Parrish had a 103 8 passer rating allowed
14 missed tackles
Benjamin Morrison had a 110 8 passer rating allowed
7 missed tackles…….he played half the snaps of Parrish
And Zyon McCollum was Zyon McCollum
I hope they be fine
But I’m definitely not putting all of my eggs in their baskets
And the Bucs shouldn’t either
These young guys are a few years away
March 28th, 2026 at 12:55 pm
Or a few months away from outta the NFL…Not For Long.
March 28th, 2026 at 1:15 pm
That’s what happens when you make buddy hires. Now Todd hired his son? Baker was not a buddy hire. Bakes impressed Todd in the pre draft workouts but the Brown’s got him first. Even Todd,s backup plan Darnold eventually worked out. Todd does have good judgement on QBs but he needs a good OC to make it happen on a day to day basis.
March 28th, 2026 at 1:22 pm
Stpetematt Says:
March 28th, 2026 at 12:38 pm
Loss of 2 starting guards ended our season. Not Baker.
__________
Agree, but ReTodd’s defense also had a heavy hand in our ability to to totally suck.
March 28th, 2026 at 1:38 pm
It was the Falcons backup WR (David Sills) that help beat us last year
Remember, Drake London didn’t even dress out for the game
Sills caught 2 passes for 38 yards on the winning drive
Including a 17 yard pass on 4th and 14
If we can’t stop backup WRs, especially practice squad players like Sills
We don’t have a chance against top notch receivers
March 28th, 2026 at 1:41 pm
I just hope our CSO (Chief Stoicism Officer), the purposely non-animated on the sidelines during games, doesn’t rub off on this firey new hire.
March 28th, 2026 at 2:03 pm
hey wait a minute . I thought Arians fixed all this with the 2021 “special teams” draft – whoops – lol – didja ever notice how this team looks ready for a complete tear-down-rebuild after this season ? there currently 15 players on the roster over 27 years old – 6 of them are older FAs recently signed to short term deals – Dixon and McLaughlin are FA specialists – Bredeson Feeney Mayfield FAs on short-term deals – Kieft Godwin Vea Nelson are aging draft picks – all are dispensable – Mayfield is the only one who could get a lucrative longer-term deal if Moron JL pulls a Deshaun Watson and extends him – but if the Bucs crap out again this year any or all of these players could leave
March 28th, 2026 at 2:09 pm
a good hire but a low bar. i’m surprised todd jr wasnt appointed.
March 28th, 2026 at 2:11 pm
Never fear Lakeland
We have Hayes and Funderburk. We’ll fill in with rookies or cast-offs. Come on, they already patched up the lb room with duct tape and bubble gum. You can’t expect a guru and ROH genius to take care of everything. They’ve done all they can do. Players have to do the rest.
March 28th, 2026 at 2:13 pm
We have needed ST improvement for many years. I sure HOPE that this guy can make a difference. I like the emphasis on a “block” culture.
I am a “glass half full” guy.
Go Bucs!!
March 28th, 2026 at 2:28 pm
Baking with Robinson Says:
“Unfortunately Todd is afraid of benching Baker when he is hurt.”
Rightfully so with Teddy Bridgewater as the backup. Hopefully they’ll have a better backup this year…there are plenty of guys out there atm.
March 28th, 2026 at 2:31 pm
Lakeland Says:
“I hope the Bucs succeed this season, and many seasons to come
But l feel they are putting too much pressure on Morrison and Parrish
I just don’t see these 22 year old CB with very limited NFL experience
Going up against all of these top notch seasoned veterans ”
You are just a ray of sunshine these days, lol.
CBs develop more slowly than other positions (outside of QB). That’s why they were drafted first.
Sure, you can find exceptions to this, but in general it is true.
And the fastest way for them to develop is by playing against great players.
March 28th, 2026 at 2:32 pm
Moves in March:
03/23
Signed LB Christian Rozeboom to a one-year contract
03/16
Re-Signed TE Ko Kieft to a one-year contract
Re-Signed G Dan Feeney to a one-year contract
03/13
Signed DL A’Shawn Robinson to a one-year contract
Signed QB Jake Browning to a one-year contract
03/12
Re-Signed TE Cade Otton to a three-year contract
Signed RB Kenneth Gainwell to a two-year contract
Signed S Miles Killebrew to a one-year contract
Signed LB Alex Anzalone to a two-year contract
Signed OLB Al-Quadin Muhammad to a one-year contract
March 28th, 2026 at 2:34 pm
Only 2 players got more than a year. That tells me they are going big in the draft.
5 Defense
5 Offense
I doubt Jake Browning is the projected backup though…unless he blows coaches away, which I doubt.
March 28th, 2026 at 2:36 pm
Lakeland,
Who do you suggest they sign to ease your secondary concerns? Or sre you suggesting another rookie CB be drafted and start?
March 28th, 2026 at 2:43 pm
Fanofdabucs,
They are behind the curb
They should’ve had a plan B, when they let Dean, Izien, Vildor
I’m not sure what their plans are
They probably don’t have a plan
But l would draft two more CBs,
March 28th, 2026 at 2:45 pm
**Let Dean, Izien, Vildor Walk
March 28th, 2026 at 2:47 pm
Have to agree with a prior post. Love the new St Coach, however given our current starting corners absent Parrish their won’t be to many field goals and punts. Look for the other teams to score lots of touchdowns. Sad to say but believe Bowles and Licht have their head in the sand if they think we have anything close to legitimate starters in the secondary. I see a lot of 3-28 this year
March 28th, 2026 at 2:49 pm
They signed special teams players
DE/DT
OG
TE
QB
ILB
OLB
RB
But no CB or Safety
I don’t understand it
March 28th, 2026 at 3:03 pm
I wonder? Baker is a smart football guy. Wouldn’t surprise me if he had a set of demands before he would even consider contract negotiations. A new special teams coordinator that Baker had to approve of? A new offensive coordinator Baker had to approve of? Baker thinks Todd is a good coach and he would have wanted him to stay. It’s not too far fetched at all to think Baker hasn’t got alot to do with how this offseason is going down. And if Baker has a say in the draft, and I’ll bet he does, then he knows that Todd needs some football players. He has enough receivers. Might pick up an offensive lineman if the right one is there. But we’re drafting defense this year. Licht carried on about how it’s the offense that carried us and will continue to carry us. That’s a bluff heading into the draft. As far as will Danny Smith be an upgrade? You’re kidding me, right? We’re fixing to draft about 5 defenders and you can Coach Smith will have the opportunity to use all of them. Anyone else notice he looks exactly like Ira Kauffman except for he looks like he’s about to shlt a brick?
March 28th, 2026 at 3:13 pm
Lakeland, we signed that Steelers special teams leader that it looks like coach Smith wanted to bring along with him. He’s a safety, coming back from injury but oughta be good to go to give us some safety depth.
March 28th, 2026 at 3:23 pm
Kenton Smith
I listed Miles Killebrew as a Special Teams player
Same as Josh Hayes
March 28th, 2026 at 4:22 pm
Lakeland. There you go. Hayes is a corner. He’s a good player, too. Still, wouldn’t want him to have to play too much corner yet. That’s why we need to draft a corner or 2. Never have enough good corners.
March 28th, 2026 at 4:26 pm
Ira Kaufman. One F. Sorry Sage.
March 29th, 2026 at 6:29 am
Well it’s a start. Optimistic
March 29th, 2026 at 10:44 am
Love this hire.