Bucs Rookie Merriweather Impressing With Intelligence

“A little bit more fast paced,” Merriweather said. “We got a little taste of it in OTA’s and minicamp, but definitely ramped up when the bullets are really flying. It’s definitely been a learning experience. Just continue to learn the playbook. Get more comfortable. It’s definitely been fun.”

Merriweather’s Football IQ Has Shined Through

Picking up the playbook has come easy for the Bucs rookie safety. Merriweather attributes his early grasp of the defense to his time at Iowa. The Big 10 school has pumped out quite a few notable safeties including Micah Hyde, Amani Hooker, Geno Stone and Dane Belton. Each one praised for their smarts coming out of college. Merriweather looks to be the next one in line to stick in the NFL.

“Just coming from Iowa, the type of defense that we run, just being sound in your technique and being able to have a deep playbook,” Merriweather said. “Then having the knowledge of playing safety and to  understand the full playbook at the same time. Especially at Iowa playing safety you have to be one of the smartest players on the field.

“It’s just carrying that over to here. Coach Bowles has a pretty deep playbook and he expects his safeties to be very knowledgeable of that. It’s just taking that knowledge that I had at Iowa and just bringing it over here and just continue to build on that.”

Merriweather has leaned on that knowledge he learned in college earlier on in camp and it has drawn the praise of Bucs head coach Todd Bowles. Who remarked on the safeties intelligence and ability to lay the wood on opposing players. 

“He is very smart,” Bowles said. “He showed up in mini-camp, intelligence wise. We know he can hit, we saw his tape. We saw some things out here tonight, he showed up a time or two. I think he is a very good athlete. He looks like a linebacker but he plays safety. We will have to look for him to keep getting better and better.”

Playing For Former Safety, Bowles, Intrigued Merriweather

One of things that intrigued Merriweather to sign with the Bucs was playing for coach Bowles. Who has a background as a player at the same position. Coming from playing for a coach who was former safety himself in college, there is a different kind of pressure that comes with it. It’s not something that Merriweather shies aways from and embraces the expectations that can be placed on him.

“It’s been amazing,” Merriweather said of learning from Bowles. “I came from Iowa and coach Parker he was a three-time All-Big 10 safety and a really great safety himself. I definitely understand the pressure having a coach that played the position. Having that person on your back to exceed his expectations and play the way he wants you to play. It’s no different and I definitely feel comfortable with that.”

Bowles quipped on Friday night’s practice that he doesn’t think most of the guys on the team even know he was a former player. Though Merriwether is not among them, and relishes from the opportunity to learn from the Bucs head coach.

Bucs Rookie Utilizing All His Resources

In addition to having Bowles and Bucs safeties coach Nick Rapone to lean on, Merriweather has relied on the veterans in the room as well. Winfield Jr. and Neal have been a great resource for the rookie safety and have lent their ear whenever he has questions.

“Aw man they’ve been big brothers,” Merriweather said. “Every single time I’ve got a question or anytime I make a mistake they’re right there to help me and talk me through it. Anytime I have questions, they’re right there to answer them. They’re two incredible football players as you see on the field and they’re pretty much around the ball all the time. Being able to watch them has been amazing.”

While Merriweather might not have high expectations coming in as an undrafted player from the outside, he certainly has them for himself. He’s already grabbed the attention of Bowles, Winfield, Jr., Neal and general manager Jason Licht, and has a good chance to make the roster in a wide open battle for the back up safety jobs. While he’s off to a good start, Merriweather will need to continue his progression to earn a spot on the Bucs 53-man roster.