Breakout!
May 12th, 2025
Better at safety?
Could a coveted Bucs defensive back find stardom in a new position?
That seems to be the line of thinking from Jonathon Macri of the PFF tribe. And Macri is referring to Bucs second-year defensive back Tykee Smith.
The rookie played nickel corner last year, starting six games and playing in 13. He had two picks and three forced fumbles. But the Bucs releasing Jordan Whitehead a few months ago left a monster hole in the Bucs secondary.
Bucs coach Todd Bowles has floated as far back as the combine in February that Smith might be the answer — or at least he wants to be the answer — at safety.
Joe isn’t sure Smith was the answer at nickel corner. But with Bowles already crowing about rookie corner Jacob Parrish, who some believe will be the Bucs’ new nickel, Smith may be flipped to safety.
Macri seems to think wherever Smith plays, he will be the Bucs’ breakout candidate for second-year players. Macri seems to think Smith is elite at stopping the run.
The Bucs had a bottom-five pass defense for the second consecutive season. Joe doesn’t want to hear any more about a run defense in a passing league. The Bucs didn’t advance any further than they did the last two postseasons because the pass defense, specifically edge rush, was trash.
Defensive backs need to worry about defending the pass first and foremost. Teams can find dudes to play safety who are run defenders-first. They all over the place, a dime a dozen.
If Smith can defend the pass better at safety, so be it. Get him over there.
May 12th, 2025 at 12:14 am
Or Izien starts at safety, Smith stays at nickel, and Parrish unseats Dean. Morrison pushes for playing time as well. Tons of options for Todd. He must be licking his chops.
May 12th, 2025 at 12:36 am
New CB Morrison has Nickel experience.
The other new CB, Parrish, has Nickel and Safety experience.
I suspect that Smith should play Box Safety in the base defense.
And, I suspect that Parrish and Winfield should play Safety in Nickel packages with Morrison at Nickel and with Dean and McCollum at CB.
May 12th, 2025 at 1:15 am
The Eagles just won the Super Bowl thanks to running the ball.
Last year, we had 3 liabilities.
1. Whitehead was invisible.
2. Winfield was hobbled and slow.
3. KJ Britt was too slow to cover the middle
4. Josh Hayes and Funkmaster shouldn’t have been pushed to play! They are #6 and #7 corners in this league! Not backups!
Izien outplayed Winfield.
Tykes Smith is going to be amazing at SS.
He hits like a LB. Covers like a CB. Forces fumbles and makes interceptions.
If Winfield sucks again, he must get cut so we can sign other players. Izien couid replace Winfield and we wouldn’t notice. But at 20 million dollars less.
May 12th, 2025 at 1:30 am
Often times Bowles puts too much resources in stopping the run at the expense of the pass defense. Points come out of the passing game and not running.
May 12th, 2025 at 1:42 am
The numbers are also skewed because teams can’t run against us!
Teams abandon the run against us all the time. So they pass 75% or more of the offensive snaps!
Our run defense is so good, we always beat the Eagles!
We have the type of defense that can beat the Eagles in the playoffs. Which we will have to do if want to play in the Super Bowl.
And fhe AFC? The Ravens and Bills love to run the ball.
We were just a few DBs and a a better ILB away from an elite defense.
Now we have Tykes Smith at SS. Hopefully, a healthy Winfield.
We have 3 new options at ILB: Walker, Dennis and Jones
We have 3 more corners: Bryce Hall, Parrish, and Morrison
We added two badass lineman in Elijah and David Walker.
I’m only concerned about DT. Watson is a gamble. Not a sure bet.
I wish we had signed Grady Jarrett.
We need another DT/NT.
Vea only plays half of the series. That’s a problem!
May 12th, 2025 at 3:14 am
Tykee Smith was a ball hawk. He also only had half as many snaps between passing TDs allowed as any other starting DB.
Tykee Smith should play box safety and come off the field for nickel packages if everyone is healthy.
Consider the snaps/passing TD allowed from 2024 when Josh Hayes and Tyrek Funderburk were the only DBs to play fewer snaps per passing TD allowed than Tykee Smith:
– Josh Hayes gave up 4 passing TDs on 265 snaps = 66.25 snaps/TD
– Tyrek Funderburk gave up 2 passing TDs on 162 snaps = 81 snaps/TD
– Tykee Smith gave up 5 passing TDs on 612 snaps = 122.4 snaps/TD
– Jordan Whitehead gave up 3 passing TDs on 732 snaps = 244 snaps/TD
– Zyon McCollum gave up 4 passing TDs on 1,053 snaps = 263.25
– Antoine Winfield, Jr. gave up 2 passing TDs on 529 snaps = 264.5 snaps/TD
– Jamal Dean gave up 1 passing TD on 697 snaps = 697 snaps/TD
– Chris Izien gave up 0 passing TDs on 697 snaps = 0 TDs allowed
– Mike Edwards gave up 0 passing TDs on 184 snaps = 0 TDs allowed
May 12th, 2025 at 3:50 am
Sounds like the perfect definition of “potential”: haven’t done it yet. Hyping potential only creates frustration when it doesn’t happen. Let’s wait and see. What we have now seems to be a boatload of potential working out at One Buc. Wait and see. This is the NFL after all.
May 12th, 2025 at 3:57 am
This is THE critical discussion of the summer of 2025 IMO … How to best structure & employ this year’s defense. IF we do it right, we’ve got a great shot at the Super Bowl. IF not, we might be lucky to have a break-even record.
We’re starting with quite a few possible pieces on defense (44 on the current camp roster), but that’ll obviously get skinnied down considerably over the next few months to probably 25 on our 53-man roster. We’ve got some good talent in those 44 players, but the question at this point is still … ‘Do we have ENOUGH?’
The answer to that IMO is, as always … ‘It depends’. Biggest factor there is injuries, just like it was last season. IF we can keep guys healthy, we can play with anyone (ask the 15-2 Lions or the 14-3 Eagles after we beat them both at the start of last season). But if the injury bug hits hard once again, all bets are off. Having good depth is one thing; but having to replace 3, 4, 5 starters in a game with backups 1 or 2 levels down is a whole nuther animal.
Look at the availability of guys on last year’s defense:
o Vea (DLine): 16 games … 705 def snaps
o Gaines (DLine): 15 games … 395 def snaps
o Kancey (DLine): 12 games … 541 def snaps
o Hall (DLine): 16 games … 539 def snaps
o Gholston (DLine): 17 games … 202 def snaps
o Brewer (DLine): 12 games … 160 def snaps
o Greene (DLine): 3 games … 58 def snaps
o Brown (DLine): 3 games … 21 def snaps
o Stille (DLine): 3 games … 14 def snaps
o Diaby (OLB): 17 games … 785 def snaps
o JTS (OLB): 15 games … 539 def snaps
o Nelson (OLB): 17 games … 573 def snaps
o Braswell (OLB): 17 games … 329 def snaps
o Ramirez (OLB): 4 games … 30 def snaps
o Watts (OLB): 5 games … 10 def snaps
o Shaq (OLB): 1 game … 12 def snaps
o LVD (ILB): 17 games … 1078 def snaps
o Britt (ILB): 14 games … 613 def snaps
o Russell (ILB): 16 games … 249 def snaps
o Dennis (ILB): 4 games … 104 def snaps
o Vi Jones (ILB): 7 games … 55 def snaps
o Grier (ILB): 7 games … 2 def snaps
o Deion Jones (ILB): 2 games … 0 def snaps
o McCollum (CB): 17 games … 1056 def snaps
o Dean (CB): 12 games … 697 def snaps
o Hayes (CB): 15 games … 265 def snaps
o Funderburk (CB): 13 games … 162 def snaps
o Thomas (CB): 17 games … 45 def snaps
o Bryce Hall (CB): 1 game … 17 def snaps
o Isaac (CB): 5 games … 0 def snaps
o Hill (CB): 2 games … 0 def snaps
o Flowers (CB): 2 games … 0 def snaps
o Winfield (S): 9 games … 529 def snaps
o Whitehead (S): 12 games … 732 def snaps
o Izien (S): 14 games … 697 def snaps
o Tykee Smith (S): 13 games … 612 def snaps
o Merriweather (S): 14 games … 259 def snaps
o Edwards (S): 5 games … 184 def snaps
o Neal (S): 2 games … 17 def snaps
Quite the season: 9 guys required to fill 3 DLine spots; 7 guys to fill 2 OLB spots; 7 guys to fill 2 ILB spots; 9 guys to fill 2-3 CB spots; and 7 guys to fill 2 Safety spots. Discount Isaac, Hill & Flowers (0 def snaps), and the Bucs’ defense used 36 players to fill 11 defensive spots in games last season.
I just hope that we can keep guys healthy this season. Good news is that of the 44 defensive players we have on the current roster, close to all of them (minus the rookies of course) have experience in Todd Bowles defense. That’ll work in our favor I bet as the season rolls on and the need for more backups builds, like it always seems to.
May 12th, 2025 at 5:46 am
Teacherman says,
If Winfield sucks again, he must get cut so we can sign other players. Izien couid replace Winfield and we wouldn’t notice. But at 20 million dollars less.
Stop it Teacherman.
Winfield has been consistent since entering the league then had a few bad games last year n u feel we should cut him😬
The best of the elite will at some point have a so so game, e.g.,Ed Reed,Ronnie Lott, John Lynch,Brian Dawkins, Leroy Butler.
Now had u mentioned Jamel Dean, who is injury prone (consistently), has poor hands eye coordination, does not know how to use his speed, is a PASSIVE tackler, n plays stiff, then ur point is valid. I’ve been waiting on him to be cut since 2019. He’s a dud. Has speed n size but it does not show it on the field. In the game against Eagles last year, SBarkley proved how fragile n soft Dean is. That was embarrassing. Winfield is not the problem.
May 12th, 2025 at 5:57 am
There’s been a lot of hype around this 2025 draft class and rightfully so… But I’m hyped to see a lot of our second and third year guys who have been developing break out like Tykee. Kancey had a great year two but I want to see Diaby hit 10 sacks. Let’s see some action from Braswell. And honestly, I want to see Culp get some action the most. He can outrun linebackers and a lot of safeties… give the kid a shot!
May 12th, 2025 at 6:23 am
Great to hear there are PLANS. Especially at Safety. Less good to see we are hoping to get strong and consistent results out of undersized players. Safeties need to be hard hitters, so guys under 200# are endangered — for themselves and for the team.
Winfield has good size. Tykee does not. Hope does not make it so.
May 12th, 2025 at 7:47 am
What I’d like to see in 2025 with Bucs d-backs;
Winfield fully healthy.
Tykee at safety
Parrish at NB (need that speed and those hands out there)
Morrison starting instead of Dean… eventually
Izien as uber backup … rotational use to keep guys fresh
McCollum even more experienced and starting
May 12th, 2025 at 7:55 am
@DMatt
Agree completely with your take on Winfield. He was NEVER truly healthy last year. I do NOT know if he’ll regain his health but his talent and ability are clear and NO he’s not going to get cut..AGAIN if he’s healthy.
May 12th, 2025 at 8:01 am
Teacherman, excellent points about having a good run defense. However, a good run defense and a good pass defense are not mutually exclusive. We don’t have to build a better pass defense (which we must) at the expense of our run defense. Let’s hope Bowles is able to improve one without sacrificing the other. If he can do that, we’re SB bound!
May 12th, 2025 at 8:40 am
I love Winfield. He played like an All-Pro two years ago.
And I know he was hurt last season.
But he’s also the most expansive safety in the league.
If he sucks again this year, we simply cannot afford him after this season.
I hope he returns to form. But if he doesn’t? He’s just too expensive to keep.
May 12th, 2025 at 8:51 am
Jacob Parrish 3 pick 6s in 2 practices . I’m telling ya we got a Superstar in the making.
May 12th, 2025 at 9:19 am
Someone might want to tell the Eagle that it’s a “Passing League” and to start playing fair. Bring in the Tush Push and then Play dirty and run the Ball.
Commanders were under that same impression and Philly ran for 229 yards and 7 TD’s on the ground.
1 of the top 10 pass heavy teams made the playoffs.
4 of the next 10 pass heavy teams made the playoffs.
9 of the last 12 made the playoffs.
3 teams passed slightly less than they passed. Green Bay finished 12-5. Ravens finished 11-6. Eagles finished 14-3 and won the Super Bowl.
Bucs passed 55.46 % of the time but in the last 3 games when they rally needed to win they passed 47.25%. Final game vs Saints 43.18. Maybe then just ran the ball in the final game because nothing was at stake like the Division. Pfff.
You can call it a Passing League for the excitement and maybe sell more tickets but it is the run game that will win the Championships. Better be balanced at the bare minimum.
May 12th, 2025 at 10:08 am
Defense Rules: Thanks for the numbers. That is why the defense sucked last year. You can’t have 2nd and 3rd string players filling in across the board and not expect the unit to suffer, just no way. And many 2nd stringers got hurt, guys that were brought in to shore up the unit, ie Mike Edwards and others that then went down. Coach’s every year site the same 2 biggest reasons for success in the coming year. #1 is injuries, #2 is turnovers. If they can be last in injuries and first in plus turnovers it should equal a good year.
May 12th, 2025 at 10:14 am
Injuries are a part of the game. Dan Campbell never whined about it, and they had it worse than anyone. What did he do? Simplify, so at least the bartenders and lawn care specialists he picked up off the street would know they were supposed to cover “that guy.” No they didn’t do it very well but at least it wasn’t because of paralyzing confusion.
And Joe nailed it. It’s a passing league. Better worry about stopping the pass as priority one.
May 12th, 2025 at 10:21 am
I never do the crack before 9am. Others should abstain as well…
May 12th, 2025 at 10:35 am
Not sure why this is such a hot topic. Smith is 100% going to ne the starting strong safety and he will be an upgrade at the position from last year. As far as Nickle we have izien/parrish/vildor and will be just fine.
May 12th, 2025 at 10:57 am
It seems obvious that Tykee and Parrish start and safety and nickel and Morrison being super subs, playing nearly as much as the starters. Bowles seems to keep those starters in there all game, however.
May 12th, 2025 at 10:58 am
Izien and Morrison.
May 12th, 2025 at 11:32 am
Defense Rules – Great data! Hoping the players stay healthy and luck is on our side.
May 12th, 2025 at 12:03 pm
Starters:
CB – Zyon (Morrison will be CB2 pushing for starter reps)
CB – Parrish
NB – Izien
S – Winfield
SS – Tykee
May 12th, 2025 at 1:12 pm
I suspect majority of snaps we will only have one ILB out there. Thin at ILB and deep at DB
May 12th, 2025 at 2:03 pm
Thanks DR, I made a similar post a few days ago when someone was complaining about the defense. We were absolutely ravaged with injuries at basically every position except OLB, which wasn’t a strength to begin with.
May 12th, 2025 at 2:21 pm
@Aqualung
Dan Campbell’s defense sucked worse than TBs over the last 1/2 season fyi
May 12th, 2025 at 3:00 pm
sethery Says:
May 12th, 2025 at 5:57 am
I want to see Culp get some action the most. He can outrun linebackers and a lot of safeties… give the kid a shot!d third year guys who have been developing break out like Tykee. Kancey had a great year two but
Famu_Rattler Says:
That’s what I am talking about! More comments like mine. CULP IS OUR MISSING LINK….not the 1st rd pick. We had the key all the time. Just need the new OC to scheme that speed, size and weight to take advantage of it. And we need Devin to come thru when his # is called. Go Devin Culp, Go Bucky, Go Tuck, Go ME13, GO CG14, GO RW1 and Go Bucs Go
May 12th, 2025 at 3:38 pm
Last year what… 6 or 7 interceptions.
In the 2002 Super Bowl run the Bucs had 31 interceptions.
That’s the difference between winning and losing in the playoffs.
And Bowles has to own – his guys aren’t doing it.
May 12th, 2025 at 4:09 pm
Teacherman … ‘teams can’t run against us! Teams abandon the run against us all the time. So they pass 75% or more of the offensive snaps! Our run defense is so good, we always beat the Eagles!’
Yea verily! Todd Bowles is a master at stopping the run because … that’s what he focuses on. Stopping the run = Job 1 to any Bowles’ defense. He’s been our DC for 6 years, and our defense has ranked in the Top-5 in Run Defense (measured by least run yards allowed) FIVE of those 6 years. And our Pass Defense sucked in all 5 of those years. PLUS … we blitzed a ton in each of those 5 years.
o 2019: #1 Run Defense – #30 Pass Defense … 613 blitzes
o 2020: #1 Run Defense – #21 Pass Defense … 542 blitzes
o 2021: #3 Run Defense – #21 Pass Defense … 532 blitzes
o 2022: #15 Run Defense – #9 Pass Defense … 250 blitzes
o 2023: #5 Run Defense – #29 Pass Defense … 341 blitzes
o 2024: #4 Run Defense – #29 Pass Defense … 461 blitzes
Not hard to see the consistency there, EXCEPT IN 2022. Todd obviously decided to ‘change it up’ by (1) blitzing less; (2) focusing on Pass Defense more; and (3) being willing to sacrifice a little in terms of Run Defense. Personally I think that was driven by the personnel changes that the defense had to accept (lost Suh, lost JPP, lost Whitehead, added Hicks, Devin White imploded, etc).
Still, even with all the personnel changes, our Pass Defense improved from #21 to #9 in 2022 (12 spaces), although our Run Defense fell from #3 to #15 (amazingly 12 spaces yet again). The irony is that our overall Defensive Ranking fell from #5 in 2021 to #13 in 2022 and our Win-Loss record went from 13-4 in 2021 to 8-9 in 2022. Must be a sweet-spot in there someplace?
Interestingly, Todd returned to his ‘old ways’ in 2023; our Run Defense improved to #5, our Pass Defense fell to #29, but our overall Defensive Ranking rose to #7 and we only surrendered 325 total points, the least since 2008 with Monte Kiffin. MAYBE TB has a better feel for the ‘long game’ than most of the rest of us? Find the ‘sweet spot’ and do whatever it takes to give up the LEAST POINTS?