Todd Bowles Thinks Tykee Smith Will Be Just Fine At Safety
June 15th, 2025
Meeting expectations.
The middle of the Bucs’ pass defense stunk last year.
And it wasn’t just inside linebacker play outside of Lavonte David that allowed opposing quarterbacks to slice up the middle of the defense.
All-Pro Antoine Winfield got hurt at the end of the first game. His injuries limited him so badly, Joe didn’t even recognize it was the same player who made opponents know where he was at all times.
If fact, Winfield fell off so much, Joe wondered if he should have been off the field because of how those injuries affected him. And the Bucs had a revolving door at the other safety position post, too. That didn’t help.
So with Bucs coach Todd Bowles recently bumping slot corner Tykee Smith to safety, where he played a Georgia, at least Smith will return to a familiar position.
So far, Bowles said Smith has fit in at safety like a old glove.
“He’s a very smart player, so he understands football,” Bowles said about Smith moving to safety. “He fits in the spot well.
“When we get in pads, you’ll see a lot more of the physicality and the things that take place with the linemen. Right now, I’m very happy with him.”
Joe thought this was intriguing about waiting for Smith to get in pads. It sounds like Smith is the type of safety that will lay wood to receivers.
What Bucs fan doesn’t want to see a safety put the fear of God into receivers coming across the middle? That’s football!
Not only couldn’t Bucs safeties cover well last year, there was very little to any physicality there, certainly when Jordan Whitehead wasn’t on the field.
What a fresh breath of air that will be to see a safety pop some receivers.
June 15th, 2025 at 11:57 am
I’m looking forward to seeing him line up back there with Winfield. My guess is Parrish will start at slot, and it wouldn’t surprise me, fact I think Morrison beats out Dean, and starts. Three new starters in the secondary, and good depth backing them up.
June 15th, 2025 at 12:03 pm
Tykee Smith moving to Safety will have an incredible impact for the Bucs defense.
As well as a very positive impact helping Antonio Winfield Jr. Tykee’s last year dominating at Georgia he led the team in tackles allowing Malaki Starks to roam more freely and become a consensus All American. Starks of course was a 1st round selection this year for the Ravens still but his overall play was better when Smith was playing with him.
A healthy Antoine Whitfield Jr with a motivated Tykee Smith will be a night & day difference for the pass defense. Go Bucs!
June 15th, 2025 at 12:12 pm
He aint no Lynch.
June 15th, 2025 at 1:30 pm
He creates turnovers. Izien too.
And they both hit hard!
I love Izien as our 3rd safety. And backup nickle.
Merriweather also looks legit as our #4.
Tykes Smith may become one of the greatest Bucs of all time.
I saw flashes last year.
If Winfield gets hurt. I’m confident in Izien to replace him.
June 15th, 2025 at 2:03 pm
He’ll do fine there. Nobody wanted to see Lynch bearing down on them
June 15th, 2025 at 3:26 pm
As long as they are smart when they pop the receiver. No penalties.
June 15th, 2025 at 3:38 pm
Thanks HC……… good information…….
June 15th, 2025 at 3:45 pm
With Smith at safety, move Zion to
Nickel and then let the rookies and Dean figure out who starts.
Either way, it’s gonna be fun this year as long as the injury bug stays away
June 15th, 2025 at 4:18 pm
This nonsense about Winfield is just ridiculous. Winfield was fine, the issue was the scheme, and Winfield trying to cover for everyone else while also being told to stand around in that awful zone defense. If Bowles is smart enough to go back to the defense he won a SB with, Winfield will return back to his HOF trajectory that made him the highest paid safety in the game.
June 15th, 2025 at 4:20 pm
@Sapp 2 Fundamentally Sound
Exactly right 👍🏼
June 15th, 2025 at 5:30 pm
Tykee was great creating fumbles last year so it will be good for him to get more snaps. Tykee needs to be in the film room with AW3 so they 100% understand their coverage roles so communication is clear with no busts.
June 15th, 2025 at 10:18 pm
First he has to show Todd’s that he can play all 15 other position variants in Todd’s’ defense. If he can’t penetrate a double team filling in at NT for Vita, by golly, keep him there until he does. No safety work until he shows full comprehension of the NT job.
June 15th, 2025 at 11:51 pm
Lynch style hitting is frowned upon by the shield anymore.
Man, John could pop.