“Kinda Stacked” At Inside Linebacker, Says Lavonte David
June 8th, 2025
Lavonte David
Man, the Bucs are loaded at inside linebacker.
That’s the view of Lavonte David speaking this weekend to Peter Blake on The Sports Web.
David hasn’t been participating in spring OTA practices, but he’s been at One Buc Palace and Joe is confident David has peeked at the film of veteran inside linebacker SirVocea Dennis — Todd Bowles’ only named standout in OTAs — and newcomer veteran Anthony Walker, Jr., along with former Pro Bowler Deion Jones and various undrafted rookies at the position.
David didn’t back off taking a little credit for the Bucs’ signing Walker, who played 14 games for the Dolphins last season. The Bucs signed Walker, 29, in the early hours after the free agency dinner bell rang in March.
“My boy A-walk, man. … Kind of like grew up in the same crowd [in Miami],” David said. “I know the Bucs was looking for a linebacker and he was available so I gave them a little nudge. That’s all I did, gave them a little nudge. You know, [Walker is] a guy who can play the game the right way, a guy who can contribute to us defensively, another veteran guy who can help us out tremendously. And he’s one of those guys for sure. Our room is kinda stacked.”
Some Bucs might disagree that the Bucs are “stacked” at inside linebacker. David’s comment likely reveals how much improved David thinks the position is from last year, Joe believes.
The legendary Bucs linebacker talked about the playmaking skills of Dennis and says he likes what he sees from the young newcomers fight for jobs.
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June 8th, 2025 at 2:13 pm
The question isn’t do we have guys there. The Question Is do we have Quality football players that are Above Average in that position.
The way I see it, we have 2. And Dennis IS the second guy. After that…… it’s hard to see anybody else on down the mountain top. Just 2 that make the cut..
So Smoke and Mirrors in the “Quality Department”
June 8th, 2025 at 2:15 pm
Have to listen to the man, he knows a thing or two about the LB position in this league! I am excited to see him and Dennis terrorizing opponents this year!
June 8th, 2025 at 2:17 pm
Hopefully he’s right because they could still use some help there.
June 8th, 2025 at 2:21 pm
this sounds crazy….i can’t believe this…definitely short one solid ilb…
and oh yeah…injuries happen every year
June 8th, 2025 at 2:32 pm
I guess LVD has a lot of confidence in Walker and Jones…. I hope he’s right.
June 8th, 2025 at 2:40 pm
I still think Deion Jones will surprise people!!
He has a massive chip on his shoulder.
June 8th, 2025 at 2:41 pm
Lavonte knows more than me. I’m skeptical.
June 8th, 2025 at 2:52 pm
Talk is cheap.¹
Prove it.
¹ Ref: CB’s Law of Rhetorical Economics
June 8th, 2025 at 3:04 pm
Imagine how good we’d feel if we had Lavonte, Dennis, and 2020 Devin White on this team. Such a shame Devin just kind of fell apart.
June 8th, 2025 at 3:07 pm
How about C.J. Mosley for the Tampa Bay Bucs, strictly as a reserve. This ain’t about the splashy signing, it’s about the depth and hopefully what Mosley can still bring to the table for a few games if necessary.
Now, you look at Mosley’s recent history, it’s a mixed bag. In 2021, 2022, and even 2023, the dude was a tackling machine, racking up over 150 combined tackles each year.
When he’s healthy, he’s even showing some excellent coverage grades, which is crucial in today’s game.
He wasn’t just a two-down run stuffer; he can actually hangs with tight ends and backs.
Historically, played in 3-4 defenses before switching and doing well in a 4-3.
So the fit is there from a conceptual standpoint.
But then you get to 2024, and that’s where the huge concern hits you.
He only played four games. Two concerning injuries: 1. A toe injury, then 2. that herniated disc in his neck.
And at his age, a neck injury for a middle linebacker is a serious red flag.
So, IF (and that is a big if) the Bucs are looking at him, it’s about a low-risk, high-reward proposition. A guy that I would hope that all the announcers are talking about in the playoffs “How did the Bucs get him” “Jason Licht is one of the smartest GMs in the game”
Can he provide depth? Absolutely, but only if healthy. Can he still step in and give you quality snaps if David or someone else goes down? Maybe. Again if healthy.
When healthy, he is more than simple depth. The problem? The biggest concern, the only concern that matters here, is his health.
June 8th, 2025 at 3:40 pm
All the players are at their peak of hype now, some will off the roster soon, and some may play well. In OTAs, the coaches are propping up the players saying they’re doing great. I’m ready for some hitting in camp and Joe’s reports. Camp isn’t as good as games, but I’m still ready for camp and some hitting.
June 8th, 2025 at 3:55 pm
KJ or Russell would be at best 5th on the depth chart. It’s hard to argue that the Bucs aren’t much better on paper at the position this year.
June 8th, 2025 at 4:18 pm
i keep saying it in random threads from time to time…
kyzir white…
then we are good…
very solid and affordable ilb
June 8th, 2025 at 4:31 pm
LVD … ‘You know, [Walker is] a guy who can play the game the right way, a guy who can contribute to us defensively, another veteran guy who can help us out tremendously.’
Wouldn’t be at all surprised to see Anthony Walker start at MLB in Game 1. That’s a game the Bucs NEED TO WIN to make a statement at the opening bell of the 2025 season.
SVD surely has the inside track at the moment because he’s been here, in Bowles’ system, for 2 years now and he’s young. But both Anthony Walker and Deion Jones have LOTS of game experience. They’re quite a bit older obviously, but that just might work in their favor early in the season.
June 8th, 2025 at 4:47 pm
LVD, stud.
SVD, stud.
Deion Jones, former stud and potentially still a stud.
Anthony Walker, unknown.
That’s not a terrible ILB room.
I hear what LVD is saying.
June 8th, 2025 at 5:12 pm
as long as he can cover a tight end or leakout
June 8th, 2025 at 6:13 pm
Every single level of the Defense has improved talent wise. Reddick will help Diaby a ton, teams won’t be able to slide protections his way anymore. Dennis will be great in the middle,if Jones has to play he played great in the Playoff game vs WAS ,guy can still cover well . Winfield healthy,moving Smith to Safety now have Parrish and Morrison to add to Dean and McCollum, Season looks Very Bright!!!!!
June 8th, 2025 at 6:27 pm
Walker and Jones both have massive experience in a spot where we had absolutely zero
June 8th, 2025 at 7:52 pm
There is plenty of film to support Walker being excellent in coverage.
He gets the right depth.
This group is heads and tails better than last year.
The quality of depth at other positions includes younger guys.
4 veterans at ILB can’t hurt.
SVD has all the tools to explode this year with 150+ tackles.
You watch.
June 8th, 2025 at 8:51 pm
You’re right Teacherman!
Deion Jones will surprise many because I believe he has a serious chip on his shoulder. He almost had an int in the playoffs against the Commanders. He will do what we all hoped Devin White would do, ball out in pass defense, n be a team player.