The Funderburk Files
October 23rd, 2024
New starter and rookie cornerback Tyrek Funderburk.
One note of intrigue regarding the sad Bucs defense is that undrafted rookie starter Tyrek Funderburk hasn’t been a significant piece of the problem.
Funderburk entered the Saints game in the first half for injured No. 1 cornerback Jamel Dean and didn’t look overwhelmed. That’s an accomplishment for any rookie in that situation, especially a guy out of Appalachian State.
Then Funderburk got the start Monday against the Ravens. Before kickoff, Funderburk got praise from general manager Jason Licht on the team’s pregame radio show. More important, Funderburk got postgame accolades from head coach Todd Bowles for playing solid ball and not getting beat deep.
Funderburk also blew up a Derrick Henry run play behind the line of scrimmage, one that drew love from Bill Belicheat on the Manningcast.
The development of Funderburk will be interesting to gauge as Dean will be out with a hamstring issue for at least three more games. Dean has had a rough year and the Bucs can get out from his huge contract after this season with minimal penalty.
October 23rd, 2024 at 11:13 am
Britt is the main part of the problem, and Bowles is also at fault for refusing to acknowledge and address the issue, especially after cutting a punter who was averaging more yards per punt than the player he chose to keep.
Ultimately it’s the lack of a pass rush that has this defense looking absolutely terrible….
October 23rd, 2024 at 11:13 am
Please trade Dean. We’re all sick of watching the social distancing coverage scheme.
October 23rd, 2024 at 11:19 am
Devon white just signed with the Texans… Bucs are just pissing away a great season
October 23rd, 2024 at 11:19 am
Gotta love that name. I’m rooting for the kid. He’s doing a nice job. Helluva lot better than Whitehead & Dean are back there… I mean, there is no way his ‘ball-skills’ could be any worse than what the rest of them (outside of ‘Junior’) are.
October 23rd, 2024 at 11:19 am
Yup the lack of pass rush is why our defense looks bad at times. The blitz will work against average to bad qb.. but the elite ones will pick us apart. We didn’t rely on the blitz when we had jpp and shaq. They were effective but we were able to get pressure with four. Until we address our edge rush we’re going to continue to be exposed against good qbs.
October 23rd, 2024 at 11:35 am
They all are part of the problem, if they are part of this pathetic defense, then they are part of the problem.
You can’t blame Jamel Dean for this, he wasn’t even playing
If you ain’t part of the solution, then you’re part of the problem
October 23rd, 2024 at 11:35 am
Its tough to get beat deep when you line him up 10 yards off the line and start backpedaling when the ball is snapped. Todd’s soft zone is embarrassing.
October 23rd, 2024 at 11:42 am
Exactly, Greg. Good quarterbacks thrive against the blitz. A single high safety? Yes, please! The real issue is having to bring six players to generate pressure. It’s not the offense, the wide receivers, or even Britt, whom I’ve been critiquing all season. The lack of pressure with just four rushers is what’s hurting this Buccaneers team.
October 23rd, 2024 at 11:42 am
Dean blows. He for sure needs to be gone at the end of the season. He’s either hurt or in a different area code when a ball is thrown his way…
October 23rd, 2024 at 11:58 am
Great, White is with the Texans and we are stuck with Britt….. that sucks.
October 23rd, 2024 at 12:03 pm
No matter how many stories about how good Dean has been, I’ve never had any respect for him after seeing fear in his eyes against Dallas a few years ago. Unfortunately for Mr Funderbunk here, he has the coaching staff of the great Mike Lovie Todd Bowels-Smith to teach him how to be an NFL cover corner
October 23rd, 2024 at 12:04 pm
Blitz or pass rush will never work if receivers don’t have a defender within 15 yards of them
October 23rd, 2024 at 12:05 pm
Y’all act like White wanted to come here in the first place
October 23rd, 2024 at 12:24 pm
I am cheering for Funderburk! He has been sort of staying out of the radar. Sounds like he is getting a lot of impressive accolades too.
October 23rd, 2024 at 12:24 pm
We should probably blame Dean for weak defense Monday night
October 23rd, 2024 at 12:26 pm
I think some of you idiots just like to have a player to bash
Idiots
October 23rd, 2024 at 12:28 pm
White was never gonna fix anything on this defense bucs got rid of him cuz he was part of the problem with the defense in the first place.
October 23rd, 2024 at 12:29 pm
According to Bowles communication is the problem. Maybe the real problem is just Bowles and his scheme sucks. If communication really is the problem maybe he needs to make the defense less complicated and let these guys play fast and less thinking.
October 23rd, 2024 at 12:33 pm
Bowles is really turning into a broken record with the bad communication line, try flash cards todd.
October 23rd, 2024 at 12:40 pm
Funderburk was less of a problem than Winfield and Whitehead Sunday 😔
October 23rd, 2024 at 12:43 pm
Devin White got cut from the Eagles for a good reason(s).
October 23rd, 2024 at 1:06 pm
Funderburk was good against the Ravens, but not against the Saints.
October 23rd, 2024 at 1:20 pm
I like Funderburk based on what I saw in preseason. But in 2 games thus far, he’s been targeted 10 times … and allowed 10 completions & 1 TD. Uhhh, 100% is not a good Completion Percentage Allowed for a starting outside corner.
What concerns me even more is his size. At 6’0″ he’s got the height, but at 185 lbs he gives away a LOT against bigger WRs, TEs & RBs.
October 23rd, 2024 at 1:23 pm
Britt needs to be out more than he is in. Let JJ and Grier get some snaps. If cutting Dean and saving 10+ million is how we bring Godwin back let’s do it. Sign a new CB and draft one top 3 rounds. DL, LB and CB are top priorities.
Hopefully we see good growth from Funderburk next couples weeks. Let’s see you stick to Mooney this week young man.
October 23rd, 2024 at 1:46 pm
Winfield bothers me. He seemed to show up once and then mostly vanished. He missed tackles.
Todd seems to have a ridiculously difficult HC job.
October 23rd, 2024 at 2:17 pm
Dean is history. I hope Bowles goes with him.
October 23rd, 2024 at 3:29 pm
I wouldn’t just say the scheme sucks, cause I don’t know enough about defenses to make that case, BUT I have begun to wonder if that (simpler scheme) might be the answer. Hard to imagine Todd would abandon his defensive philosophy or make drastic changes to his scheme tho, especially mid season.
October 23rd, 2024 at 5:37 pm
We will see how Funderbunk holds up against a QB tactician like Cousins. If the Bucs let him stand unharassed behind his line we will see the true measure of Funderbunk.
October 23rd, 2024 at 6:00 pm
JJ RUSSELL ???
October 23rd, 2024 at 6:58 pm
Not hard to replace Dean.
October 23rd, 2024 at 7:03 pm
This kid has talent and desire to play well.
Too things Dean lost years ago.
Keep Dean on the bench. The only place where he might stay healthy
October 23rd, 2024 at 7:26 pm
Really proud of Tyrek 24 Funderburk !! A kid from a small college gets a chance to become an NFL star !!
Go Bucs !! L G !!
October 24th, 2024 at 9:40 pm
You guys keep typing, that’s why you’re not the Glazer Family. They know who and what they want. Look at the Detroit Lions whom had multiple loosing season yet their fans never bashed them and continued to support them no matter how bad they were. Bucs fans feel you are entitled and clueless about the game. You bash the head coach and all the players. Pathetic!!!!!