The Tampa Bay Buccaneers made a staff change this offseason that already looks like it could matter. After the front office decided to give Todd Bowles another season, the team went inside the building and hired Danny Smith to take over special teams - and in Week 1, the early returns were strong.
Smith arrived in Tampa after 13 seasons running the Pittsburgh Steelers’ special teams unit. His long run in Pittsburgh ended when head coach Mike Tomlin stepped down on January 13, and Smith soon landed with the Bucs, saying Tampa’s culture helped make it the right fit.
He also brought safety and special teams specialist Miles Killebrew with him. Killebrew, a 2023 All-Pro, signed a one-year, $1.8 million deal this offseason.
Bowles made it clear why the hire stood out.
"Danny is one of the most respected and highly regarded special teams coaches in our league," Bowles said. "He is an extraordinary teacher and has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to all areas of special teams. I am confident that he will get the most out of our players and take our special teams unit to the next level."
On Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals, Tampa’s special teams looked much cleaner. The Buccaneers allowed just 23.7 yards per kickoff return and shut down all six return attempts. That number ranked among the league’s lowest averages and offered an encouraging sign for a unit that has been a problem area in recent seasons.
The broader issue has been hard to miss. On Saturday, Gridiron Stats posted a graphic showing Tampa leading the NFL in blocked punts and blocked field goals since 2020. Last season alone, special teams was part of the reason for the team’s inconsistency: Tampa had two punts blocked while failing to block any, and the Bucs also had three field goals blocked.
Smith’s arrival should help tighten up that protection, while also giving kicker Chase McLaughlin better cover. McLaughlin had what might have been the best kicking season in franchise history last year, hitting 32 of 38 field-goal attempts and going 11 of 12 from 50 yards or more.
In Other News...
Warren Sapp Lands In An Awkward Off-Field Tampa Scene
Warren Sapp found himself in an uncomfortable off-field scene in Tampa this week, drawing attention at a City Council meeting tied to a flood-prevention project. Council chairman Alan Clendenin and Tampa Police intervened after Sapp was allegedly causing a disturbance, and the council asked that he be trespassed for the day.
Sapp said he was at City Hall only to pick up paperwork and disputed the authority to remove him from the public building. It was the sort of public dustup that has little to do with football, but for a former Buccaneers star still known around Tampa, it was enough to put his name back in the local spotlight for all the wrong reasons. [Read more 🡒]
Bucs Head Into Home Opener With One Lineup Concern Still Lingering
The Buccaneers are heading into their home opener with a little more clarity on the roster, thanks in part to another look at safety Ifeatu Melifonwu. Tampa Bay elevated Melifonwu from the practice squad for its Week 2 matchup, giving the secondary another option as the team sorts through a handful of injury questions on the eve of its first game at Raymond James Stadium.
Miles Killebrew, Jacob Parrish and Jalen McMillan all landed on the questionable list, leaving at least one lineup spot worth watching as kickoff approaches. Sean Tucker is expected back after sitting out Week 1, but Melifonwu remains part of the subtext here too: he was active last week without getting into the game, and this elevation also leaves Tampa Bay with one more practice squad call-up available later in the season. [Read more 🡒]
Bucs Rookie WR Suddenly Has A Week 2 Opportunity Fans Will Notice
Ted Hurst III made a quiet but useful first impression in his debut, catching all three of his targets for 36 yards and showing the kind of steadiness Tampa Bays staff has already noticed in practice. General manager Jason Licht has also pointed to Hursts consistency behind the scenes, a sign that the rookie wideout is not just hanging around for developmental reps but is already carving out a place in the Buccaneers plans this season.
Now comes a chance to turn that early trust into something more visible. With Week 2 bringing Cleveland to town, Hurst is positioned for another opportunity to contribute, and it will be worth watching how the Bucs continue to work him into the offense as the year gets rolling. [Read more 🡒]