Alex Anzalone Cites Three Defenders Rising Up
June 12th, 2026
Inside linebacker Alex Anzalone.
There’s not a whole lot anyone can glean from underwear football when trying to figure out who is a star or not.
If a corner is breaking up a bunch of passes or a receiver or tight end is catching a bunch of passes, well, OK.
Still, one must be careful. Tommy Streeter and Kenny Bell looked like Pro Bowl receivers in underwear football but vanished when the pads came on.
Yesterday, KitKat-eating Bucs coach Todd Bowles still refused to gas anyone up when asked who was shining in practice. Bowles sarcastically remarked everyone looks good in T-shirts and shorts. But newcomer and veteran Alex Anzalone went where Bowles has refused to go.
Asked who was having a good underwear football season, Anzalone rattled off three guys still on rookie contracts.
“There are young guys stepping up and coming into their own,” Anzalone said.
Anzalone then gave props to Calijah Kancey, YaYa Diaby and Tykee Smith.
“It’s cool to see guys like that develop,” Anzalone said. “And start becoming a dominant player in their own right.”
Bowles and the Bucs are really leaning on those three players to play key roles if the Bucs are to return to their winning ways.
If Kancey can finally stay healthy and YaYa can finally get after the quarterback on a regular basis, that would be huge for the defense. We all know Smith can play.
June 12th, 2026 at 9:18 am
What a breath of fresh air and intensity this guy is going to bring after a washed up and all of the sudden talkative LVD was in control of the D. This Putrid Pass Defense should be vastly improved. Get Baker signed and LFG!!
June 12th, 2026 at 9:36 am
Joe says:
“YaYa can finally get after the QB on a regular basis”
Funny how folks perspective can be so different from person to person.
I hear how the Panthers had such a great off-season because they signed Jalen Phillips to a huge 4 year 120 deal.
Philips sack totals the last 3 years:
2025: 5 sacks
2024: 1 sack (injured)
2023: 6.5 sacks
YaYa:
2025: 7 sacks
2024: 4 sacks
2023: 7.5 sacks
YaYa has had very little, to no help opposite him the last 3 years. I’d say he’s been pretty good considering his running mates have been JTS and Braswell.
Add Bain and a much better DL and I think YaYa will be just fine at FINALLY getting after the QB.
June 12th, 2026 at 9:40 am
Anzalone represents what this team has truly been lacking in the center of the field, a leader. Yes, imo, LVD is an all pro player worthy of Canton, but he lacked in leadership. He made up for shortcoming around him; he did not motivate to lift the level of play of those around him…just look at the long list of players who lined up right next to him (SVD, Britt, White, etc).
I know one Joe views “leadership” as a page filler for a losing team, but I believe it is the one intangible that creates legacy. I know we love to say how Baker is rich in intangibles. Unfortunately most of Baker’s intangibles are just stupidity: playing hurt, making poor decisions when riled, letting opponents (or an interim coach) push your buttons… These are all great WWF attributes that are fun to watch and exhibit the grit of a player. But note how you cannot attribute any of those intangibles to Tom Brady. Tom’s legacy is that of a leader, getting everyone on the same page and locked in to perform at max. Tom is a leader, Baker is a smelling salt. Leadership matters
June 12th, 2026 at 9:42 am
It’d be great to see Bain pick up a handful of sacks and eat some chips and double teams and watch ya ya go off for 12 – 13 sacks.
In no way am I expecting anything out of Kancey.
June 12th, 2026 at 9:54 am
@Joe,
“IF” is “HOPE’s” parasitic twin
June 12th, 2026 at 10:13 am
If yaya didn’t have to drop in coverage so much I honestly believe he has no less than 10 a year I watch his snaps and he is in coverage way to much don’t get me wrong once in a while to throw off the qb drop him but can it be less obvious that he is gonna cover a zone
June 12th, 2026 at 10:23 am
Kancey (pray to the Gods of health) and Bain on the field with YaYa and Vita, would be absolutely huge. A better rotation of Walker and Muhammad can only help. Add in A Robinson and a better 2nd yr version of Roberts and this front looks completely different than last year.
I still have concerns with the lack of depth at CB. It’s giving my vibes of the ILBer position last year. Where almost everyone saw the lack of depth and talent, yet Bowles thought it was one of their deepest positions. Delusion-Bowles.
Fast forward after Bowles made that proclamation and all the did was sign 2 FA ILbers and draft another with a 2nd round pick. Clearly what we all saw was the reality of the LBer situation.
I would be bringing in a couple FAs and even looking hard to possibly make a trade for a vet CB. Doesn’t need to be an All-Pro, but a solid capable starter to push Zyon and Morrison.
Dont make the same mistake
June 12th, 2026 at 11:52 am
ChiBuc Says:
ChiBuc you are full of crap… Everyone said Brady was very aloof would not be seen around guys outside of practice and locker room…. He was just surrounded by better players on offense and defense. When those players were no longer around he put up a losing record. Amazing how people can make up crap without being around the team. I take my clues from what players, coaches and management say.
I am NOT saying Brady is not a leader, I am saying you are full of it.
June 12th, 2026 at 11:54 am
I’m interested to see how the two Roberts have improved.
June 12th, 2026 at 1:16 pm
The Dread Pirate Roberts will have a great season!
June 12th, 2026 at 1:34 pm
Correction Joe ! YaYa has been getting after the quarterback. Putting the quarterback on his A-s is the issue.
June 12th, 2026 at 2:16 pm
YaYa keeps saying he was double teamed and couldn’t get to the passer. I don’t recall seeing any double teams on passing plays. I saw him bull rushing on every pass play with zero moves. He’s great against the run, solid at creating pressure, but can’t seem to sack the QB. I HOPE he steps up this year but for now I want AQM on the field with Bain on passing downs.