Safeties Coach Tim Atkins detailed how Antoine Winfield Jr. and Tykee Smith developed from versatile nickel players into safeties in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ defense. Both players started at least one season at nickel in Todd Bowles’ defense before transitioning to safety. Atkins discussed their development on “The Coaches’ Room” while explaining the demands of the position.
Atkins said nickel defenders must defend the entire width of the field while handling fast, changing assignments. He said the position tests mental intelligence, mental toughness and athletic ability. Winfield and Smith also bring body control, instincts, play recognition, pursuit leverage, short-range burst and the strength to take on blockers.
Nickel experience creates flexibility
“That nickel spot is so much harder because you are sitting there in the slot and that player that you are on, he can go anyway on the field,” Atkins said. “You have to guard 53 yards at all times and that is just this way [motions with hands].”
Atkins said both players’ experience starting at nickel made their transitions to safety especially impressive. He connected those moves to their mental toughness and overall athletic ability. Their backgrounds give Tampa Bay safeties with experience handling responsibilities near the line of scrimmage and in coverage.
The Buccaneers have rushed for at least 100 yards while holding opponents to 99 or fewer rushing yards six times in 2026. That total ties the New England Patriots for the league lead in such games. Tampa Bay also has the National Football League’s top-ranked rushing offense and second-ranked run defense, allowing 80.0 rushing yards per game.
Practice backs test Tampa Bay’s safeties
Atkins said practice work against Bucky Irving and Kenneth Gainwell has elevated the play of Tampa Bay’s safeties. He described both backs as explosive runners and pass catchers who provide demanding open-field tackling opportunities. Their ability to create space forces defenders to maintain leverage and stay focused on sound tackling technique.
“During training camp was really really tough because both Bucky and Gainwell give you the best looks that you are going to have as an open-field DB trying to make the tackle that you are going to get across the league,” described Atkins. “They probably simulate a guy like Bijan as well as you can simulate, so every day in training camp they have a chance to work on staying fundamentally sound inside/out, keeping leverage and keeping your eye riveted on the near hip to go make that tackle, and I can see where it is a problem for other teams having to gameplan.”
Atkins also said Irving and Gainwell can turn short checkdown or swing passes into big gains by making a defender miss. Their work in the passing game adds another challenge for Winfield, Smith and the Buccaneers’ defensive backs. The repetitions reinforce the tackling and leverage fundamentals needed against backs who can affect a game as runners and receivers.
Run production reinforces the approach
The Buccaneers rushed for a franchise-record 324 yards against the Atlanta Falcons in Week Eight after producing 258 rushing yards against the Carolina Panthers in Week Seven. The team has paired that rushing production with a defensive approach centered on stopping the run and forcing opponents to win through the air. Tampa Bay’s run offense and run defense reflect the approach described by Atkins.
Winfield missed several games with a rib injury before returning against Atlanta. His return came as Tampa Bay continued relying on safeties who can handle responsibilities near the line of scrimmage and in coverage. Smith’s nickel background gives the Buccaneers another safety with experience defending from the slot and the back end.
FSB Take
Winfield and Smith’s nickel backgrounds support Tampa Bay’s need for flexible safeties in a defense focused on stopping the run. Daily practice against Irving and Gainwell gives the secondary repeated work against backs who can run, catch and create space. With the Buccaneers ranking first in rushing offense and second in run defense, that combination of versatility and preparation is directly connected to the team’s defensive approach.
Source: Original report