TAMPA, Fla. – There can never be enough contributors in a defensive secondary in the NFL. In fact, offensive attacks contain more continuity each year, and safeties and defensive backs have to use their talents more and more against the run as the dynamics of each player in the defensive backfield need to be multiple.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers brought Tavierre Thomas as a multi-talented, athletic defensive back, who is currently listed by ESPN.com as the backup nickel back.
He spent his first three seasons in Cleveland and then Houston was his address from 2021-2023 where he recorded 17 games in 2021 and scored a pair of touchdowns in 2022 for the Texans.
Thomas has three interceptions, so far, during training camp and almost had a fourth on Wednesday when wide receiver Chris Godwin separated him from the football.
“Chris is super strong,” explained Thomas. “No excuses, but my hands were wet from sweat and I bobbled it; he just took the ball. He is a savvy vet.”
Thomas had an interesting four-year playing career at Ferris State, a Division-II program in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He transitioned his playmaking to the NFL where he currently has 225 career total tackles with six pass deflections and six forced fumbles.
He runs a 4.38, 40-yard dash and will work as another speedster in the Bucs’ secondary.
“That’s the mindset – to go out and play hard,” he said. “Each opportunity I get, I just go out and play hard. Each and every day, I just learn something and get one percent better.”
Thomas plans to contribute in any way possible. He has been given a role as of now, but has the confidence to properly fortify the area where the Buccaneers place him.
“If that’s special teams, I’m going to be the best special teams player in the NFL,” commented Thomas. “If it’s defense, I want to go out there and help the team win.”
Meanwhile, Tyrek Funderburk was an undrafted free agent who played for Appalachian State where he could jump passes as a playmaker from the secondary.
He was first-team All-SunBelt as he recorded four interceptions last season with 46 tackles, sixth on the team.
He was able to create the scores when App’s opponents were deep in their own territory. He had an 18-yard return for a score in a 22-19 loss at Wyoming and a touchdown return of 23 yards as the Mountaineers took a 41-40 decision at Louisiana-Monroe.
“I think, just route recognition and understanding the concepts of offenses,” said Funderburk of his talents. “I think that’s kind of been one of my strengths since playing corner.”
Funderburk named former Auburn Tiger Jamel Dean, Zyon McCollum, and veteran Bryce Hall as Buccaneer veterans who have helped him to push his game upward since becoming a Buccaneer on May 10.
“Whatever questions I may have, they’re willing to put their two cents in and just give me a lot of football knowledge,” said Funderburk, who also alluded to Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles and Rashad Johnson, who is an assistant secondary coach.
Funderburk also has confidence in his game as he noted the level of knowledge he is picking up from day to day. He has transferred his knowledge to the NFL as he picks up new things about his position each day.
“Whether it’s personnel groupings, down and distance, whatever it may be, I just trust my instincts,” summarized Funderburk. “Trust what the offense presents to me, the things I see, and just play 100 miles an hour.”
As Thomas and Funderburk come from two different football spectrums, their football abilities are going to be key in establishing depth in the secondary.
