Ifeatu Melifonwu
Tampa Bay Buccaneers safetyWikipedia
13
MENTIONS
10
EPISODES
9
PODCASTS
Search complete. 13 mentions across 10 episodes found for "Ifeatu Melifonwu".
Oct 17, 2026
Jon LedyardGUEST
Yeah, the big question with Tampa Bay is just what are they, the single high defense, what does it look like? They play a lot of single high.
Jon LedyardGUEST
Who plays in that role with Antoine Winfield injured? You know, last week it was Ifeatu Melifonwu and Tykee Smith at safety.
Jon LedyardGUEST
Melifonwu is, you know, has been on the practice squad at the beginning of the season.
Jon LedyardGUEST
Obviously, he started earlier in his career for a couple teams.
Jon LedyardGUEST
Yeah, the big question with Tampa Bay is just what are they, the single high defense, what does it look like? They play a lot of single high.
Jon LedyardGUEST
Who plays in that role with Antoine Winfield injured? You know, last week it was Ifidu Melifonwu and Tykee Smith at safety.
Jon LedyardGUEST
Melifonwu is, you know, has been on the practice squad at the beginning of the season.
Jon LedyardGUEST
Obviously, he started earlier in his career for a couple teams.
Jon LedyardGUEST
Like, he's been a player, a guy who's played in his career.
Jon LedyardGUEST
He's rarely gonna be in the wrong place.
Jon LedyardGUEST
Um, maybe he could take a few more chances at times, but he's rarely gonna be in the wrong place.
Jon LedyardGUEST
I don't know that you would say that with Melifonwu, uh, in his game, and I also think Tykee Smith is just not a single high player.
Drew DinsickHOST
He'll be fine.
Drew DinsickHOST
So more Melifonwu as Winfield probably sits again.
Drew DinsickHOST
My market number is, like, 3.1 here.
Drew DinsickHOST
I'm slight Steeler love, but not enough to get, get crazy with it.
Jon MacriHOST
As for the safeties, Antoine Winfield Jr. is likely out again.
Jon MacriHOST
He was replaced by Ifeatu Melifonwu last week.
Jon MacriHOST
Not a great option, but he's playing an every down role, so there's that.
Jon MacriHOST
And then I know people are still fed up with Tykee Smith's low outputs.
Scott ReynoldsHOST
Thank you.
Scott ReynoldsHOST
I mean, uh, Ifeatu Melifonwu played very well in place of Winfield too.
Scott ReynoldsHOST
He, he did.
Scott ReynoldsHOST
Um, and I think sometimes when you're stepping in for a starter and, and you're not really noticed, that's a good thing, right? [laughs]
Ricky RoderickHOST
And then even maybe some A.J. Halsey.
Ricky RoderickHOST
For one to three weeks, a long list including Kamari Ramsey, Wydette Williams or Rabbit Taylor-Demerson with, with Car-- uh, with the Cardinals, Malik Mustafa, Jason Pinnock if he's active, but it may be Ardarius Washington, Ifeatu Melifonwu, Devon Key, Rayon Lane, Tony Adams, and Keith Abney II, who will also be on bye.
Ricky RoderickHOST
At cornerbacks, some of the new n- uh, names for four-plus weeks include Rasu'al Douglas, a Caleb Evans with Carolina, Roger McCreary and D.J. Reed.
Ricky RoderickHOST
We have Christian Benford and Davison Igbinosun, Jerian Jones and Asante Samuel.
59 MINS LATER
Ricky RoderickHOST
Now, there were a couple of times that I saw him blitz that he came close to several sacks that, you know, he got picked up late, or the guy, or the quarterback got rid of the ball, uh, Dak, just in time.
Ricky RoderickHOST
But unfortunately, he did get a quar- couple of quarterback hits out of that, but no, no, no real sacks to help us out, unfortunately.
Ricky RoderickHOST
Uh, Ifeatu Melifonwu played in place of Winfield.
Ricky RoderickHOST
We were concerned how that alignment worked out.
Scott ReynoldsHOST
He's better in the box.
Scott ReynoldsHOST
Is it going to be Melifonwu, who You know, it has not as much experience as Winfield and Smith in this Todd Bowles defense, although he was here during training camp.
Scott ReynoldsHOST
So you're right.
Scott ReynoldsHOST
It's not ideal.
Ricky RoderickHOST
The bad news though, from a safety perspective, Antoine Winfield, late in the game, after playing, by the way, a season high 67% of his snaps deep, Winfield left with a rib injury, was announced on Monday that he's gonna miss, miss two to four weeks.
Ricky RoderickHOST
Ifeatu Melifonwu, who we talked about on the waiver wire as the one that came in, now Melifonwu played 100% of his snaps deep.
Ricky RoderickHOST
Historically, particularly like when Melifonwu was with the Lions, he was way more productive closer to the line of scrimmage than deep.
Ricky RoderickHOST
Tykee Smith has experience as a deep safety, a box safety, and a slot cornerback.
Rondé BarberHOST
I mean, uh, uh, Taquii is already that guy, 'cause I think he has been as, as good as a player on this defense through four weeks.
Rondé BarberHOST
Um, I mean, you're ta- I mean, is it Melifonwu? You know?
J.B. BiunnoHOST
Mm-hmm.
Rondé BarberHOST
He's the only one on the, on the roster right now currently, right? Uh, we probably sign somebody this week.
Peter BlakeHOST
In that span, Winfield also has nine interceptions, 10 fumble recoveries, and 18 sacks as one of the NFL's most productive safeties overall.
Peter BlakeHOST
Now, who's gonna take his place? Well, it looks like it's gonna be six-year safety Ifeatu Melifonwu, uh, picked up his first four defensive snaps with the Buccaneers.
Peter BlakeHOST
Uh, Melifonwu was promoted to the active roster from the practice squad last week after, uh, he had used his, uh, after the Bucs have used his allotted game, uh, day elevation options for the season.
Peter BlakeHOST
Now, Melifonwu, uh, definitely has, uh, experience.