“Stevie T” Released
May 29th, 2019
A 2017 seventh-round draft pick — basically one step above camp meat — is no longer with the Bucs.
Steve Tu’ikolovatu, otherwise known as “Stevie T,” was released by the Bucs today.
The mammoth defensive tackle who seemed the perfect size for a nose tackle tackle (6-1, 310) in a 34 defense, never took a snap in a game for the Bucs. Each of his two seasons with the team the USC product never made it past preseason. Last summer, he was “waived/injured” during training camp and returned this season.
Ironically, this move comes just a day before new Bucs defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh is scheduled to arrive in Tampa.
May 29th, 2019 at 11:35 am
Good luck wherever you land. Not sure why it’s ironic. Maybe if Suh was his brother it would be ironic, maybe I just don’t understand the word.
May 29th, 2019 at 11:37 am
I had hoped he’d be a diamond in the rough, but not surprised he is being released…two seasons on IR. So he did indeed ride a gravy train for a bit, and is probably done in the NFL. Hopefully he’s saved up at least $400K and can get solidly on his feet in the real world.
May 29th, 2019 at 11:39 am
So our last coaching let this guy sit on the team for years and clogged up our roster. Rather than finding a better replacement and improving our team……… Bruce comes in for a couple weeks and figures out what they couldnt in years………. Anybody whining about depth needs to wake up and realize we have a fresh set of eyes evaluating these players now.
Reminds me of Caleb Benechot…….. Rots on the roster for 3 Seasons and our coaching staff does not even realize that he is not a starting Right Guard and they do not realize what his position is. A perfect example of horrible player evaluation and the horrible development.
May 29th, 2019 at 11:40 am
It has to be really tough for players like him. To be in the building, to have a locker, to be part of an organization, but to never get that dream opportunity to play a snap in the NFL. This may have been his only shot. Meanwhile, the league is full of players that don’t appreciate the opportunity (See Hargreaves III, Vernon).
May 29th, 2019 at 11:42 am
To be fair, the dude got hurt each year before the regular season started. Maybe he hasn’t fully recovered?
He was placed on injured reserve each of the last two seasons. Those guys do not count against the roster so in fact he wasn’t eating up any depth.
May 29th, 2019 at 11:46 am
Joe for God’s sake please stop using facts to call out the incorrect posters!
May 29th, 2019 at 11:47 am
So are we just going into 2019 with 2 NTs, Vita and Beau?
May 29th, 2019 at 11:51 am
Not sure the Bucs have given up on Beckner this soon. It’s only May. The kid has yet to practice with shoulder pads.
May 29th, 2019 at 12:01 pm
I just figured he was gonna be a DE in this scheme since (unless I’m mistaken) he’d be a 3T in a 4-3 scheme.
May 29th, 2019 at 12:11 pm
Thanks for the correction. Jumped the gun. Defiently unfair to Work and Smitty.
My distain towards that coach staff tends to lead to some irrational comments.
May 29th, 2019 at 12:11 pm
Dirk**
May 29th, 2019 at 12:14 pm
Can’t Suh play nose?…..I thought he played everywhere on the line….
May 29th, 2019 at 12:50 pm
if terry beckner is healthly, he’s an upgrade over stevie t…..
GO BUCS!!!!
May 29th, 2019 at 12:51 pm
Was not aware he was still on team 🤔
May 29th, 2019 at 12:53 pm
I’m glad we are having record high temperatures in May
Get these guys ready for September football
Appears Vea already looking in better shape
May 29th, 2019 at 1:15 pm
Why do we keep these Jason Licht dud picks around for so long?
May 29th, 2019 at 1:20 pm
Not sure what Stevie T showed thus far this year, but I hope they are not cherry picking minimal NFL salary guys this early because they can’t pay the rookies. Of course, that is better than letting Brate go to buy most or all of them. Still way too bummed out over Hump.
May 29th, 2019 at 2:25 pm
I remember Stevie T playing well at USC and had hoped he could hold down the backup NT spot but I also heard at one time since USC he was homeless and living out of his van so he likely didn’t keep himself in good shape like other rookies do and that may be why he broke down with injuries in practices the last two years. BA had no NFL film on him likely and let him go.
May 29th, 2019 at 3:42 pm
Let’s not forget the guy was 25 when he was a rookie. And now 2 tears hurt.
I can understand why the team might want to move on: older guy with no track record who is injury prone.
Too bad because he was a great story.
May 29th, 2019 at 4:45 pm
This is a good sign for Beckner. Never like seeing someone lose their job but we need contributions from every level of the roster. Thats what makes the good teams good.
May 29th, 2019 at 6:19 pm
Bird
Gotta be happy that oil spill scam money got us the OBP dome.
May 29th, 2019 at 6:50 pm
I always believed in the possibility here, and yet I still believe in the possibility. If not here, if not NFL, if not football, I believe in the man.
May 29th, 2019 at 7:55 pm
Yah, SC!
SCBucsFan Says: May 29th, 2019 at 11:46 am
Joe for God’s sake please stop using facts to call out the incorrect posters!
What’s wrong with Joe, anyhow? :’-D
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Go Bucs!!!
May 29th, 2019 at 8:08 pm
Bucs let Stevie T as a roster move.
Greg Auman ✔
@gregauman
“Bucs have signed some depth at receiver — Xavier Ubosi, who was with Patriots and Jets this spring, signed today. Had 837 yards and 8 TDs as a senior at UAB last fall …”
We have 8 guys listed as DL by my count. I’m guessing that all will be prioritized for nose tackle play by BA and staff. We will have enough qualified for a good rotation.
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Go Bucs!
May 30th, 2019 at 4:09 am
About time. You cannot develop a guy who is never healthy.
Now, give Caleb Benechot the boot.