Ifeatu Melifonwu Is Driven To Stay Home
August 4th, 2026
So at Bucs practice yesterday, Joe saw super-entertaining NFL agent Sean Stellato.
Joe absolutely had to chat with the guy.
If you don’t know Stellato, then Google him. At 5-10, Stellato played D-1 football and basketball, Arena League ball and he’s trying to make Italy’s flag football team for the 2026 Olympics — at nearly 50 years old. He rose to national prominence as the unknown agent representing former Giants starting QB Tommy DeVito. Stellato was all over the media — from sports shows to late-night network productions.
But Joe isn’t here to gloss Stellato. Most important to share is that Stellato represents the veteran safety the Bucs signed early in training camp: Ifeatu Melifonwu.
Hardcore Bucs fans remember Melifonwu. He had a career game against the Bucs in the 2023 postseason.
In the division round of the playoffs against Tampa Bay, Melifonwu had 9 tackles, 1 1/2 sacks and a tackle for loss while starting for the Lions. After the 2024 season, he signed a one-year deal with the Dolphins for $4 million.
Melifonwu is a big dude at 6-3, 210 pounds and appears to represent quality depth. Joe is eager to see what he looks like in preseason and in joint practices against the Jets and Jagaurs.
Stellato is fired up about his client, explaning to Joe that Melifonwu lives locally and has been on the Bucs’ radar for a long time — and that Melifonwu is excited to prove himself daily.
August 4th, 2026 at 10:36 am
I do really believe that the Bucs have improved in one area without even seeing 1 down played yet. That would be TACKLING. They have been horrible at it the last 2 years. It looks like they have brought in some MANEATERS, willing to bring the lumber. Even without superior CB’s having Safeties that will smack the crap out of you will make a receiver slow down a bit.
Defense Top 15?
August 4th, 2026 at 10:45 am
Good depth in the secondary has eluded the Bucs for a while now. Melifonwu has had 2 of his seasons shut down by injuries, and was active for 37 games over 4 years with the Lions. Hopefully he stays healthy and contributes.
August 4th, 2026 at 10:46 am
From what I’ve seen of Melifonwu, he looks like he blends in well with what we ask of our safeties. Good box presence, can cover the intermediate stuff, and doesn not shy away from initiating contact in the open field.
August 4th, 2026 at 10:57 am
Not a bad pickup for a freebie. Now about that CB room…………..
August 4th, 2026 at 10:59 am
i like this signing…improves the depth and creates a little flexibility…with Parrish playing out, if k.scott goes down we can slide T. Smith back into the nickel position where he was successful…
lets just hope he everyone stay relatively healthy all year
GO BUCS!!!!
August 4th, 2026 at 11:14 am
Can he play corner?
August 4th, 2026 at 11:43 am
He played CB in college, great size and very high RAS Score, and likes to get physical. I thought at the time that he fit our scheme.
But non-fluid hip, and straight line speed had him more of a box safety. He doesn’t wrap up, and has high missed tackle rate.. there’s lots of tape on him
August 4th, 2026 at 12:56 pm
BakerFan did you wince at that picture??? Of course you didn’t say anything specifically good about him because he’s making life hard on Mayfield there
August 4th, 2026 at 1:28 pm
Ifeatu converted to Safety in 2022 with Detroit. He was drafted as a CB so I guess TB could always use him in a pinch if CBs starting getting injured.
August 4th, 2026 at 1:32 pm
@BakerFan says:
Defense Top 15?
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Absolutely….we ranked 19th last year total defense last year although you’d never know it by the people with a blame the D/Todd agenda around here 👍🏼
Red zone D sucked bad but that’s only 1 metric. We can EASILY make the jump to top 15 (or top 10) D . I expect it with the addition of talent and attitude!
August 4th, 2026 at 2:42 pm
How about a quality CB? Licht just brought in special teams CBs.
August 4th, 2026 at 3:51 pm
Same hc/dc will result in the same mental lapses and disinterested players once they see the futility of the toilet bowl defense which does not put them in the best position to win. Fans who support him do so because he loves Mayfield not because he’s a good coach. He doesn’t coach anybody up nor does his staff. His draft picks do not last here and he is horrible at player evaluation.