Tykee Smith Could Replace Lavonte David In One Aspect
August 1st, 2026
The return of forced fumbles.
In the last two seasons, Lavonte David may not have been his normal self. Father Time, as he always does, had different plans.
Still, David was a dangerous man on the Bucs defense. He had five forced fumbles the past two years. Yesterday, Todd Bowles mentioned how David was one of a handful of Bucs (along with Antoine Winfield) with a knack for forcing fumbles.
Tykee Smith, as a rookie in 2024, had three forced fumbles. He had a goose egg last year. But Bowles seems to think Smith can help pick up the slack with David’s retirement.
Guess who agrees? Smith.
“I think that’s been a big part of my game,” Smith said of punching the ball out, which he did in practice on Thursday. “I think that’s one of the reasons I [was] brought here.”
It was. Bowles mentioned that when he visited Smith’s old team, the University of Georgia, he noticed how Kirby Smart emphasized takeaways, specifically punching the ball out.
That made an impression and it was a key reason the Bucs drafted Smith.
Smith now hopes to pick up where he left off as a rookie.
“This season, I’m trying to create as many turnovers as possible just to change the momentum of the game and help the offense in any way possible to get the ball back,” Smith said.
Joe thinks the Bucs will need it. Too often teams with bad defenses use takeaways as a crutch because otherwise they struggle keeping teams out of the end zone.
The Bucs had the worst red zone defense in the NFL last year. The only way they could get bailed out was a takeaway.
So yeah, Smith will be counted on to make more game-changing plays.
August 1st, 2026 at 10:05 am
I still think there is a chance we see Lavante plugged in at some point this year.
August 1st, 2026 at 10:09 am
T. Smith has been a steal.
I hope he continues his upwards projection and earns that “C” badge soon…
Baller.
I love them dawg defensive players – NASTY.
August 1st, 2026 at 10:11 am
Don’t try to strip the ball unless there are others there and you are gang tackling. Which the team should be doing on every down.
August 1st, 2026 at 10:18 am
“The Bucs had the worst red zone defense in the NFL last year. The only way they could get bailed out was a takeaway.”
but, but, but, THATS BAKER’s FAULT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
August 1st, 2026 at 11:04 am
@ Mad
“but, but, but, THATS BAKER’s FAULT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
Serious question – have you ever played poker?
My friend you are “tipping your hand”…
Stop it.
Shilling for Baker non-stop has to be getting extremely boring at this juncture.
Baker bought the ticket (3 year $100M) now he takes the “ride”.
Sit back and enjoy the show my friends.
August 1st, 2026 at 11:09 am
Wonder how Tykee felt in that Patriots game when he caught that pick off Maye targeting Hollins, only for the offense to run 9 plays and return the favor with a turnover on downs after falling to renew the sticks on 3rd & 3 nor 4th & 3 only 9 plays later.
Even the redzone turnovers, don’t mean nothing if your offense can’t turn’em into points. Funny thing is taking the ball away 23 times last season was a massive improvement over the 7 takeaways we posted in 2024, but again means nothing but the defense getting a quick rest of the offense cannot turn takeaways to points
Remember, pre-bye 12:5 turnover margin +7
Post-bye 11:11 turnover margin 0
That played as big a part in us losing games as it was not having Mike, or any OLmen you can think of, because those guys not making plays being unavailable can’t speak for the plays we made with who we had available good and/or bad
August 1st, 2026 at 11:22 am
Keep being an idiot mari e, but dont tell me what to do!!! Oh, i hit a nerve in your agenda!!!!!
August 1st, 2026 at 11:56 am
3 yrs/52 B
2yrs/26 V
August 1st, 2026 at 11:59 am
If we keep this distraction going until game one, the locker room will see how CORNERSTONE and FOUNDATION players are treated when they just want to be paid fairly! TRUST me, they will take it with them too.
August 1st, 2026 at 12:04 pm
@ Mad
“Oh, i hit a nerve in your agenda!!!!!”
My “agenda” is aimed at winning a Super Bowl trophy.
What is your agenda aimed at?
August 1st, 2026 at 12:07 pm
Bucs are ready to take the league by storm with these young players, no injuries and a great roster.
August 1st, 2026 at 12:08 pm
same as you mari e
August 1st, 2026 at 12:08 pm
@ Mad
I am also curious – why do you keep calling me mean and nasty names just because we have a difference of opinion?
Doesn’t seem like a very nice thing to do…
August 1st, 2026 at 12:11 pm
“YOU CANT HANDLE THE TRUTH” Jack Nicholson
August 1st, 2026 at 12:15 pm
@ Max
“Why Can’t We Be Friends”
– WAR
August 1st, 2026 at 12:17 pm
Im friendly until someone crosses me….These hands are rated “E” for Everyone!
August 1st, 2026 at 12:18 pm
Just love the weekend comments!
People hit their liquor supply early and often.
August 1st, 2026 at 12:21 pm
lol, jcs, i havent even started yet…and beer only for me, just finished doing a 12 hr night shift at work.
August 1st, 2026 at 1:24 pm
@ Mad
“Im friendly until someone crosses me….”
OK.
When did I “cross you”?
August 1st, 2026 at 2:01 pm
You constantly speel about Baker, negatively, like thats the only thing you can come here and post about. Vea, not quite as much but still.
I have a history here, been here a long time. I pushed for us to draft Vea, pushed for us to go after Baker….pushed for many we have on our team now…pushed for getting Brady before we got him…. so to sit here and watch you and a few others relentlessly hate on Baker, well, I have my limits….and its not just me, its some of the others you go after who Ive known here for a long time.
I havent seen your name here that long btw…..
August 1st, 2026 at 2:08 pm
@ Mad
You do have a history here.
That is why I am giving you respect and engaging with you.
You like Baker… So what?
I like Baker… So what.
I just don’t like him as much as you do and there lies the problem amigo.
August 1st, 2026 at 2:22 pm
Plus
I want Baker to honor his commitments…
Like the $100M contract he was jumping for joy to sign after we recovered him from the NFL scrap pile.
Where is the loyalty?
Where is the respect for this franchise?
Sad.
August 1st, 2026 at 2:29 pm
“You constantly speel about Baker, negatively, like thats the only thing you can come here and post about. Vea, not quite as much but still.“
Sounds like you need to man tf up
August 1st, 2026 at 2:32 pm
“ so to sit here and watch you and a few others relentlessly hate on Baker, well, I have my limits“.
Sawft, you could’ve all this to yourself tbh
August 1st, 2026 at 2:38 pm
Jesus – can the Baker bickerers take an article off ?
Article was about Tykee
August 1st, 2026 at 2:39 pm
And you never point any finger to the D and Todd’s reckless abandonment there….its always Baker’s fault. WHERES YOUR LOYALTY TO BEING HONEST?
Now you question Baker’s loyalty to honor his contract? HE’s DOING THAT MARI E…but you apparently cant see that. The low IQ like you and some others who keep pushing the Bake hate narrative will never see that….doesnt fit your agenda, does it?
Sad sigh….
August 1st, 2026 at 2:43 pm
Yep, back to the program….my apologies….Tykee is kicking arse out there. Another good draft pick by Jason.
And Warren, nice cheap shot….its a forum, we’re supposed to keep stuff to ourselves? you first my friend
August 1st, 2026 at 2:45 pm
@ simple T
Your right.
Sorry for my interjections into this amazing and stimulating conversation regarding Tykee.
It will Never happen again.
I promise…
As I was saying Madmax – Baker is simply
August 1st, 2026 at 2:45 pm
Don’t question the professionals. Todd is great.
August 1st, 2026 at 2:47 pm
a mediocre QB who is now complaining because he is angry about the contract he signed 2 years ago…
So come on man!
August 1st, 2026 at 2:47 pm
@ simple t
I lied…
August 1st, 2026 at 2:50 pm
I remember pushing for Javon Bullard that year, but he went before we could pick him so Jason got his teammate, Tykee, who is turning into just as much as a disruptor. I work with one of Bullards cousins.
August 1st, 2026 at 3:24 pm
there are some pundits that are saying bucs are a top 10 defense with the additions in offseason. bowles has to step up. Even with that super bowl team with all the great players on defense bucs were fortunate brees was aging, brady put up more points than rodgers , chiefs oline decimated heading into super bowl.heck heinicke gave them fits. i just dont see bowles doing it with this group but on papers it looks good.
August 1st, 2026 at 3:38 pm
bowles being the head coach now his preparation is even worse. give bowels a couple of weeks or 3 looks at the same team in the season and thats when he is at his best and as a coordinator
August 1st, 2026 at 3:43 pm
Offense won’t be so impotent this year.
Defense won’t be so pitiful. More sacks. More takeaways
Tykee and AWJ will be one of the top safety duos in the league.
D-line will finally have the dogs to stop the run and get pressure consistently.
Can’t wait til the “worthless preseason games” to see some of the new blood 👍🏼
August 1st, 2026 at 3:49 pm
Top 10 units = offense/defense/special teams.
LFG Bucs 😎
August 1st, 2026 at 4:17 pm
I see our D very much improved, especially with Bain and Trotter….we WILL make some noise….Keionte too. But we still need Big V….if he’s gone, that changes everything.
August 1st, 2026 at 4:18 pm
This guy is a 60 something year-old defensive guru and he just learned about punching a ball out
Are you freaking kidding me
Yeah, it’s all Baker’s fault