A Night For The Free Agents
October 10th, 2026
Wait a minute. A Bucs player started at safety and played the entire game for Antoine Winfield Jr. on Thursday and the defense had a standout night against a high-powered Dallas offense. But nobody seems to be celebrating the guy?
Joe believes it’s because too many fans can’t pronounce his name: Ifeatu Melifonwu.
(Anyone missing Christian Izien?) Melifonwu, a veteran picked up in early in training camp, was on point Thursday and his tackling was sure. He’s also foten around the ball on special teams.
For those who don’t remember, Melifonwu had a career game against the Bucs in the 2023 postseason. In the division round while playing for Detroit, Melifonwu had 9 tackles, 1 1/2 sacks and a tackle for loss. 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 really was hoping to stick with the Bucs because he lives locally. Melifonwu’s agent told Joe at training camp that his client was on the Bucs’ radar for a long time.
Throw in linebacker Alex Anzalone finishing off the Cowboys with a late interception and special teams ace/safety Myles Killebrew coming up a huge forced fumble on a KaVontae Turpin kickoff return, and it was a special night for Bucs free agent signings. Quarterback included!
October 10th, 2026 at 4:05 pm
But, but, Licht is a terrible GM and cant sign FAs worth a damn! Fake news!
October 10th, 2026 at 4:14 pm
Thanks for the reminder Joe ! Anzalone and Melifonwu were two great acquisitions by Jason Licht !!
Go Bucs !!
October 10th, 2026 at 4:26 pm
Still think Anzalone is a bust but glad he saved the day so the hate can stop. It was really rough.
October 10th, 2026 at 4:30 pm
If and this is a big if Daniels continues to develop and Licht is able to trade Baker, Licht will save his job.
October 10th, 2026 at 4:38 pm
I was impressed with #5 and couldn’t figure out who it was. He made more plays than Winfield had been it seemed. I like his size and he seemed to be in on a lot of plays. Nice game!
October 10th, 2026 at 4:56 pm
Winfield WHO??? I have a long lasting memory of Winfield trailing Cooper Kupp in the Ram playoff game.
Yeah he has made some plays the last couple years, week 1 last year comes to mind against Atlanta making a game saving play. But over all, just not someone playing at a pro bowl level for a long time.
October 10th, 2026 at 4:57 pm
Hey Marine,
It seems Joe wrote this article just for you, bro. Yea, Licht sucks. The FA suck and so do the 4 starting rookies.
Now if we could get someone to coach up Bain and not turn him into a CB, then we would be cooking with gas
Its all in love Marine.
October 10th, 2026 at 4:57 pm
It’s because baker was playing and guess what baker will be back against the Steelers and the losing can continue. Go bucs 2027!
October 10th, 2026 at 5:01 pm
It was a night for every Buc player/fan! Go into Dallas whip their azz in front of the whole neighborhood..GO BUCS!
October 10th, 2026 at 5:05 pm
Winfield was not missed. Trade him to some sucker GM who still thinks he has game.
October 10th, 2026 at 5:18 pm
He looked tough out there. Saw him finishing hits for a little extra pain for those Dallas receivers. Wear them down through the game….
October 10th, 2026 at 5:21 pm
I don’t know why you people can’t see what the problem is, it’s so obvious, this team has enough talent to go all the way. It’s the non disciplined coaching. It’s the stubborn coach that tries to fit round pegs into square holes. It’s been that way since Bowles took over, it’s funny how the team won before he became the head coach and then mediocre after and since and now declining. Jason Licht and his team need to stay demote Todd Bowles take head coaching away and let him keep the defense. Has that ever happened in the history of the NFL ?
October 10th, 2026 at 5:23 pm
You dolts crowing about being 1-4 is hysterical. One good game out of every ten won’t get them far.