Another Tykee Smith Strength Emerges
November 7th, 2024
Tykee Smith
No, this isn’t a post about forced fumbles, which rookie Tykee Smith is darn good at producing.
The Bucs’ impact nickel cornerback is good at plenty of things.
Interestingly, head coach Todd Bowles noted on his Buccaneers Radio Network show that Smith has become one of the team’s top edge setters in the run game — despite being 5-10 and barely 200 pounds.
“He’s one of our best ball players over there,” Bowles said of Smith. “I mean, he’s always around the ball and he always gets the ball out. I mean, he caused one fumble [in Kansas City] and he had another [pass breakup]. At the same time, he makes a bunch of tackles. He’s one of our best edge setters, which usually goes to outside linebackers or defensive ends, but he’s strong enough to take tight ends on at the point. And he’s very valuable for us.”
As for those forced fumbled Smith is racking up, “he does it in practice, it translates to the game,” Bowles said.
Joe has been super-impressed by Smith, the Bucs’ 2024 third-round draft pick. Nickel is no easy position for a rookie, certainly not in Bowles’ defense. And Smith’s ability to force fumbles is no accident. His ability to handle tight ends in the run game is exciting, though Joe can’t admit to seeing Smith in that position very often.
What a rookie class this is turning into for the Bucs’ front office.
November 7th, 2024 at 10:13 am
Another great pick by Jason.
November 7th, 2024 at 10:22 am
Kid is a player. West Philly product !
November 7th, 2024 at 10:39 am
He has me the most excited on his defense. Kid looks raw can’t wait to see how he progresses.
November 7th, 2024 at 11:09 am
If we did not have Antoine Winfield, Tykee Smith would be our starting safety.
November 7th, 2024 at 12:23 pm
HomerSimpsonRocks … ‘Another great pick by Jason.’
It’s taken me awhile Homer, but I think I finally figured out how JBFers evaluate players.
If a player, offense or defense, does good, Licht gets credit for picking him but Bowles gets no credit for developing him.
If a player, offense or defense, does bad, Bowles gets blamed for talking Licht into picking him AND for not developing the player.
This makes player analysis soooo much easier. Thank you.
November 7th, 2024 at 12:28 pm
This is a Todd pick
November 7th, 2024 at 3:34 pm
This kid has been paying attention to LVD.
November 7th, 2024 at 3:43 pm
Smith looks like a great pick.
November 7th, 2024 at 4:22 pm
We have a lot of really good young players that are getting valuable experience for next years new head coach
November 7th, 2024 at 4:59 pm
Love Tykee. Great player attacks the ball consistently. Odd that 5’10” is the best we have setting the edge and the outside linebackers who should be doing that are dropping into coverage instead. Pretty sneaky