Whilst many of the on-line posts about the all-time roster had current and recent players because of the lack of knowledge of many fans in the Bay area, it would have been easy with this process to ignore current players because of a lack of seasons compared to others who came before them. Not with the safety position where Antoine Winfield has earned his place alongside a Hall of Famer. But the two back-up positions belong to a pair of players who were alongside each other for most of the first nine seasons in franchise history. STARTER - S - JOHN LYNCH One of the iconic faces of the franchise and a member of both the Buccaneer Ring of Honor and the NFL Hall of Fame. Having been drafted in 1993, it was not until his fourth season that he became a regular starter and then spent the next eight seasons terrorising receivers and tight ends who came across the middle into his hitting zone. Was an excellent NFL game analyst and now the GM of the 49ers proving he had what it takes in every aspect of the game. STARTER - S - ANTOINE WINFIELD Has started every game he has been healthy for in his five Buccaneer seasons having been a 2nd round pick in 2020. A Pro Bowler and an NFL All-Pro, he has made multiple big plays for the Tampa defense and is just as adept as a blitzer and run-stuffer as well as his excellent pass coverage skills. BACK-UP - S - MARK COTNEY Played the first nine seasons with the Bucs and started for the best part of seven of them at strong safety. Remains in the top 10 on the all-time franchise list for interceptions with 17 in his nine-year career. Originally a 7th round pick of the Houston Oilers, he came to the Bucs in the veteran allocation draft in 1976 and was voted an All-Pro by Sports Illustrated in 1983. A real fan favourite during his playing days, he went by the nickname of “Captain Crunch”. BACK-UP - S - CEDRIC BROWN Played the inaugurual nine seasons with the Bucs and made 95 starts at safety and occasionally cornerback. Remains third in the all-time interception table with 29 picks as a Buccaneer. He and Cotney played many seasons alongside each other in the defensive backfield with Cedric being more of a free safety in nature. HONORABLE MENTIONS Dwight Smith would get some consideration for his two touchdowns in the Super Bowl as would Dexter Jackson for being the MVP and the likes of Jermaine Phillips, Marty Carter, Harry Hamilton, Mark Robinson and Jordan Whitehead all had their moments but none of them come close to the quartet selected.