Alex Anzalone Gets A Strong Grade
March 22nd, 2026
Needed juice.
Joe likes how the Bucs got a quality starting linebacker in free agency.
When Joe learned the Bucs signed Alex Anzalone, Joe loved it because Joe knew Anzalone brought fire to the football field. Man, if there was one thing the soft Bucs defense needed aside from an edge rusher, it was juice.
Anzalone brings all the juice of an orange grove.
Maybe as a result of this (and more), Daniel Popper of The Athletic, not to be confused with John Popper, gave the Bucs an A+ grade for signing Anzalone.
Top 150 ranking: 47
Reported deal: 2 years, $17 million
Grade: A+Longtime Bucs off-ball linebacker Lavonte David is a free agent, and he clearly took a step back last season. David turned 36 in January. The Bucs get younger at the position by bringing on Anzalone, who is a superior athlete as he enters his age-32 campaign. Anzalone is fast, flexible and fluid. He is slippery when evading blockers, especially as a blitzer. His 29 percent pressure rate ranked second among linebackers, according to TruMedia. Anzalone is also a versatile coverage player. The one knock on his game is a slight lack of physicality as a run defender. But this is an excellent value deal for the Bucs at a position of need.
If Lavonte David returns, he starts. That’s how Joe sees it. Maybe try to limit his snaps so he is sort of fresh in December. But David starts, period.
If you want to put David in a rotation with a rookie linebacker, Joe’s OK with that as well. The less SirVocea Dennis sees the field the better.
March 22nd, 2026 at 12:19 am
That’s was an excellent pickup by Jason Licht
Now go draft another ILB in the 2nd round
C.J Allen
Jacob Rodriguez
Kyle Louis
Anthony Hill
Either one of them will do
March 22nd, 2026 at 12:22 am
Love the combo of Anzalone and David followed by our Rd2 pick as ILB3.
Dennis is a 4th spot special teamer
March 22nd, 2026 at 12:33 am
Yeah Lavonte can teach the rook
March 22nd, 2026 at 12:36 am
But l think CJ Allen is pro ready now
Kirby Smart has his players at Georgia NFL ready
March 22nd, 2026 at 12:37 am
Definite upgrade over SVD, speaking of which, who owns having to start that guy last year more: Bowles or Licht? Bowles looks as if he had faith in the kid and Licht dropped the ball by trusting Bowles.
March 22nd, 2026 at 1:58 am
I’m sure with the way things are gonna go with that scheme Vita will be moving to LB soon.
March 22nd, 2026 at 2:17 am
Fort MD
Isn’t it both of them? Licht drafts the guy, then doesn’t get anyone else.. Bowles has to play him because he has input on the draft. Kinda speaks to our whole defense. They keep thinking that they are geniuses finding diamonds in the rough when all they are finding is garbage.
They’re both dolts. Will be glad to see them gone.
March 22nd, 2026 at 2:20 am
Glad we got him but we know whats up…..todd is still here.
March 22nd, 2026 at 6:58 am
I don’t know this Anzalone guy from Adam. I hope he’s great. But I do know that most of these mid level, cheap FA’s never amount to much.
I hear … excellent pickup—steal, etc.
We got him for 8.5 mil a year.
“Boy, Licht sure was crafty with this signing.”
Now sit back and think. If he was so great, why did the Saints allow him to go to Detroit and why did Detroit let him get away for a measly 8.5 million?
I hope he plays well for us, just like I hoped Reddick played well last year. But the question remains: Is Licht making good deals or is he getting fleeced?
So tired of these bargain basement signings that never amount to much.
March 22nd, 2026 at 8:10 am
Lakeland, I hope our Rock Star GM is listening to you
March 22nd, 2026 at 8:13 am
Watched the Lions a fair amount in recent years, Anzalone always stood out. I’m sure the hair had alot to do with that but the guy was always in the frame and around the ball.
March 22nd, 2026 at 8:22 am
I like this signing but do see a lot of high tackling (like Devin White) in the highlights. Grabbing guys by the shoulder pads and swinging them to the ground. Anything is better than the lost SVD look though.
March 22nd, 2026 at 8:42 am
If David returns he starts? I don’t get that logic. Great Buc, all that, but this is the NFL, not make a wish. The best should start, jobs shouldn’t be given, they should be earned. Don’t give a hoot who you are. You’re not a serious contender if you’re not trying to get better. Besides, Anzalone is the weakside backer, not the MIKE. We’re going to draft a MIKE, and pair him with Anz. That will be a huge upgrade over Dennis, and David, the weak links in the middle last year. Anzalone got David’s bag. David hasn’t resigned because the Bucs aren’t giving him the 8 million he wants to play. Bucs number is probably 3, or 4. That’s why David hasn’t resigned yet. Probably a little butt hurt. They said they welcomed him back with open arms, but they never said for how much.
March 22nd, 2026 at 8:49 am
Pick up a ILB in rd2 who is good in coverage too. LVD plays early downs with Anzalone, but LVD comes out on passing downs for the rookie ILB or a safety. Let’s hope LVD’s knee surgery allows him to play better this year.
March 22nd, 2026 at 11:19 am
He’ll blow out his ACL in one of Todd’s patented super slow walk through practices that don’t improve tackling, assignment recognition, or desire to win.
March 22nd, 2026 at 2:12 pm
if david doesn’t take league minimum, let him leave. this a brutal business with no room for kumbaya moments. anzalone got 2 yrs. = bucs need to draft 2 solid LB to take over and be some what productive this year and beyond.