Gamechanger Tykee Smith
December 8th, 2024
The best rookie on the field today was the Bucs’ No. 23, not superstar tight end Brock Bowers.
So the Raiders came out of the halftime break today and marched on the Bucs to the tune of a 15-play drive that ate up about 10 minutes.
Joe was about ready to sprint to a toilet.
What did the Bucs do at halftime, eat cookie dough?
This was the Raiders and backup QB Aidan O’Connell, not a good offense.
But the next play on 2nd-and-8 at the Bucs’ 10 yard line was a beautiful interception in very tight space by rookie third-round pick Tykee Smith. Back from a bad knee bruise, Smith was sharp today. And all season he’s forced turnovers and made impact plays.
Without a shred of sarcasm, Joe can say this red-zone pick may have been his biggest play of the season, with the Bucs leading 14-10 and an ominous hush having overtaken The Licht House.
Smith played the underneath throw perfectly and patiently, not getting too hyped and drawing a flag with a push of the receiver. Smith jumped the route smoothly and his hands were money. (Video below.)
In just nine games, the rookie has two interceptions and three forced fumbles, and he’s tied for the team lead in both categories. Plus, Smith had another forced fumble wrongly taken away from him by referees.
What a Round 3 snag by Buccaneers Ring of Honor General manager Jason Licht!
When Smith is on the field, it feels like the Bucs can do more defensively, in addition to executing better than without him.
š„·š¾ https://t.co/UMfXIw9kCm
ā Tykee Smith (@TykSmith) December 8, 2024
December 8th, 2024 at 10:03 pm
āThe best rookie on the field today was the Bucsā No. 23, not superstar tight end Graham Bartonā ???
December 8th, 2024 at 10:04 pm
Whatās the chances tykee wins DROY ?
December 8th, 2024 at 10:05 pm
Check your captions Joe
December 8th, 2024 at 10:16 pm
What kind of throw was that thoā¦.?
FFS! š
December 8th, 2024 at 10:30 pm
The Nelson strip last week was, without question , the season-saving play of the year.
December 8th, 2024 at 10:34 pm
Wasn’t he 3rd round?
December 8th, 2024 at 10:38 pm
Agree Let em Bake. Lose that game and season is all but lost
December 8th, 2024 at 10:47 pm
He is definitely a playmaker, which was desperately needed in the back seven.
Need Yaya to step up down the stretch.
December 8th, 2024 at 11:02 pm
If we didnāt have to fight the refs so much the gang would have been over before 4th quarter 2 ints token away the glazers need to undo whatever they did to make people hate Tampa players
December 8th, 2024 at 11:43 pm
It was a fantastic interception for Tykee Smith, Zyon McCollum also had a pick but they took it away. IMHO it was a clean interception/catch. In any case Tykee is a fantastic player. He reminds of Lavonte David, always good and always reliable and likely a Buc for life.
December 8th, 2024 at 11:43 pm
GJ Tykee…keep it up bro!
December 9th, 2024 at 2:24 am
O’ Connell should be cut from the league. How do you stare down your TE who is blanketed and throw the ball anyway.
Good hands and big play by Smith
December 9th, 2024 at 3:33 am
Spectacular player always playing to win .. LEVELSā¤ļøšŖš¾
December 9th, 2024 at 5:19 am
Tykee, Izzy and Merriweather gave Zyon some juice too. Dean should never see the field again for the Bucs.
December 9th, 2024 at 7:03 am
They moved Barton to TE…no way we’re making the playoffs now!!
lol
December 9th, 2024 at 7:15 am
GRAHAM BARTON lololol
December 9th, 2024 at 7:17 am
He certainly is a game changer. He made the play of the game yesterday. What a rookie! We had another rookie caught 2 tds. Braswell made some plays. Barton keeps learning. Didnāt even mention Bucky. Somebody buy that front office a beer! Or two!
December 9th, 2024 at 7:41 am
Itās things like the caption on this photo that make me love this site.
December 9th, 2024 at 8:52 am
Joe was half asleep when he penned this one. Tykee ran practically into LVD’s arms with that pick. Go Tykee, LVD and Defense. Beat the Chargers! Win 6 in a row!
December 9th, 2024 at 9:21 am
That was the play of the game. If the Raiders go ahead 17-14, that’s a completely different game, and the Raiders get energized,
December 9th, 2024 at 5:46 pm
Joe says this,āThe best rookie on the field today was the Bucsā No. 23, not superstar tight end Graham Bartonā Joe? anyway will just take it that Tykee is the best–on that I agree
December 9th, 2024 at 5:46 pm
Jamel Dean was weak
December 9th, 2024 at 7:30 pm
Definitely another mini Winfield jr out there. Heās all over and making splash plays often. Thatās what you want to see. Tykee is the real
Deal just stay healthy. šÆ