Bucs Sign Yet Another Safety

This year, the Bucs ended up signing a former safety again, given the incredibly unfortunate series of injuries in their secondary.

2 weeks ago, Tampa Bay claimed Mike Edwards. He was released from waivers after being released by the Tennessee Titans. Earlier today, the Bucs signed second-year safety Kayvon Merriweather from their practice squad after it was revealed that Edwards suffered a Grade 1 hamstring injury and would be sidelined for at least a week.

This was first reported by ESPN’s Jenna Lane.

Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports that the team plans to sign Ryan Neal to the practice squad to fill the spot vacated by Merriweather’s promotion to the active roster.

Bucks unlucky as they deal with an incredible series of injuries

Bucs CB Bryce Hall – Photo by Cliff Welch/PR

Mike Edwards is just the latest in a long line of injuries in the Bucs’ secondary. Below is a list of players and the number of games they missed.

• FS Antoine Winfield Jr. – 4 games (walk)
• SS Jordan Whitehead – 1st game onwards – Currently on injured reserve (chest)
• NCB Tykie Smith – 4 games in progress (concussion, knee)
• CB Jamel Dean – 4 games (hamstring)
• S Mike Edwards – Scheduled to miss next game (hamstring)
• DB Christian Idzien – 1 game (elbow)
• CB Bryce Hall – After 11 games – Missed season on injured reserve (broken foot)

That’s 25 games in total and growing. The Bucks have been looking to build depth in their secondary this offseason. They drafted Tykie Smith in the third round and signed Jordan Whitehead and Bryce Hall in free agency. Still, nothing prepared them for this.

Ryan Neal’s disappointing 2023

Tampa Bay originally signed Ryan Neal to be the starting safety opposite Antwaun Winfield Jr. He was scheduled to replace Mike Edwards, who left in free agency after 2022, and Jordan Whitehead the year before. This was initially reported as a nice, low-key move after Neal had a strong 2022 season with the Seahawks. He was named Pro Football Focus’ top-rated safety that year.

However, Neal was unable to sustain that level of play in 2023. He was often taken out of position and his deep vertical plays led to big coverage busts. He also had trouble getting a good line when chasing after the catch, which led to big plays. Perhaps none was bigger than the catch-and-run he allowed to tight end Brock Wright in the NFC Divisional Round game against the Detroit Lions.

neil finished a year 76 total tackles, 4 tackles for loss.

How can Ryan Neal help now?

Bucks SS Ryan Neal – Photo by Cliff Welch/PR

The obvious answer is that Ryan Neal provides a body familiar with Todd Bowles’ defensive scheme at a position they don’t have enough bodies to run around. There’s a world out there where he might be able to give a bit of a boost to a defense that has struggled all year. Tampa Bay’s two biggest problems this year are coverage and tackling in the middle of the field. The team missed a total of 119 tackles on the year, which equates to a missed tackle rate of 14.3%. Last year, they missed just 138 shots all season, for a clip of 11.1%.

Neal has historically been a solid tackler with a career missed tackle rate of 11.7%. And while he struggled as a deep safety last year, he likely has more athleticism and skill than any of the young linebackers the Bucs have flushed out this season since losing Sarvosia Dennis in Week 4. .

And that’s something Tampa Bay desperately needs. As a 10-cent overhang player, he could be an upgrade over a group of unathletic linebackers who seem to get stuck in the mud when 34-year-old Adam Thielen runs across.

Tampa Bay has been trying to find success on long and late downs in recent weeks. But the best-laid plans of mice and humans are continually thwarted by injuries. Neil offers them an unlikely opportunity to try to gain access to that talent group again if they wish.