Todd Bowles Says Inside Linebacker Is Bucs’ Biggest Strength
September 2nd, 2026
Joe wonders what Lavonte David will think when he hears this.
Father Time tackled David from behind last season. The legendary Bucs linebacker was not only playing through a knee injury, his drive wasn’t quite the same. Teammates even called him out for loafing.
How bad was it?
Consider that Todd Bowles now considers inside linebacker is the Buccaneers’ strongest unit, so he told The Drive on 95. FM WDAE yesterday.
Bowles expanded on his bold claim.
“We have more depth at that spot than we’ve had since I’ve been there, and I think that’s really a plus for us,” Bowles said. “We got bigger there. We got more athletic with [Alex] Anzalone or just as athletic. We got a guy with [Josiah] Trotter, plus you’ve got Voss and [Christian] Roseboom, and [Caden] Fordham made the team. And all five of those guys can play.”
So Bowles says his inside linebackers are the team strength, and the Bucs have three first-round picks on the defensive front: Vita Vea, Rueben Bain and Calijah Kancey, alonside strong depth there. The starting safeties are also a strong group.
The phrase “no excuses” comes to mind.
September 2nd, 2026 at 9:31 am
That unit still has Vos which he didn’t mention. Also if he thinks this the inside linebacker room is the strength of the team over DL or OLB then he knows less about this team than we do.
September 2nd, 2026 at 9:33 am
Our LBs and DLine is going to be top 10 in stopping the run this year. Hope this can be said for the passing defense. We’ll see.
September 2nd, 2026 at 9:33 am
The phrase “no excuses” does NOT come to mind. This is Bowles. Of course there will be excuses.
September 2nd, 2026 at 9:39 am
I think he said that last year, too. Didn’t he?
September 2nd, 2026 at 9:39 am
Last season after the 53 man roster was established and about a week out from NFL kickoff weekend, against a division opponent on the road, Week ONE of the season, David said and I quote….
“Physically I’m good, mentally….to be honest with ya….not quite there yet”
While I appreciated the honesty and I love me some LVD, it floored me a bit when I heard it (Team Captain mind you)
September 2nd, 2026 at 9:48 am
TBBF thinks the strongest position group is PK……although, it’s just a group of 1.
September 2nd, 2026 at 9:50 am
“…and [Caden] Fordham made the team,” like an hour before they waived him to bring on Kevin Knowles…
September 2nd, 2026 at 10:03 am
Hc and dc is their glaring weakest!
September 2nd, 2026 at 10:04 am
LVD was washed up these last couple of years. Let’s be honest. He was stealing $$.
September 2nd, 2026 at 10:09 am
@ Kenton,
Yes. I remember the same thing. Delusional. Rozeboom, Voss, a guy you cut from the roster and a rookie are the strength of the team he thinks. Wow. No small wonder he plays not to lose instead of to win. Todd is no Arians. Loser mentality.
September 2nd, 2026 at 10:11 am
LVD had a habit of saying things that make you go hmmmmmm.
September 2nd, 2026 at 10:16 am
If we stay mostly healthy, the bullseye is on Tttttttod!
I’m hoping for the best but being realistic.
September 2nd, 2026 at 10:30 am
could be the “tism” rearing it’s ugly head
September 2nd, 2026 at 10:34 am
Kenton Smith Says:
September 2nd, 2026 at 9:39 am
I think he said that last year, too. Didn’t he?
he definitely did lol
GO BUCS!!!!!
September 2nd, 2026 at 10:45 am
A lot of shine has come off Lavonte in the past year.
From the epitome of what a Buc should be to an admitted loafer who couldn’t provide the grit and leadership this team needed. Not a great way to go out.
September 2nd, 2026 at 10:46 am
Nothing but vomit coming out of Todd’s mouth honestly I don’t even know why I still listen to what he has to say Mr I figured it before last season and then watching a team give up looking forward to it 🙄
September 2nd, 2026 at 10:53 am
Adam. Really?
September 2nd, 2026 at 10:58 am
Voss has been here 4 years now . He missed his first 2 do to injury. He got his chance last season, and looked awful. He’s been hurt again missing all preseason games, in a contract year. I’ve seen enough of him to say he ain’t worth a second contract, and should’ve been cut instead of Fordham. Hell, differant position, but I would’ve kept Pyburn over him. If Todd thinks keeping Voss means they have a deep room, it’s more like deep do do.
September 2nd, 2026 at 11:11 am
Last season our defensive front were too small
They was getting pushed, shoved around too much
They were a big problem for our undersized ILBs
For one thing they failed to keep blockers off our ILBs
But, this year things are different, we have the physical beef up front
September 2nd, 2026 at 11:15 am
My BS meter blows up when JL and TB talk. Their words are empty and meaningless.
September 2nd, 2026 at 11:25 am
There’s a reason Voss is there. I wish he was released to go somewhere and thrive and nothated by a bunch folk who probably never played a snap on any level who think know more than Todd.
September 2nd, 2026 at 11:49 am
Biggest strength?
If a paraplegic can only lift one finger- then that finger is his biggest strength.
It would be fair to worry about Anzolones age. Trotters speed. Voss pass coverage skills.
Roseboom is here for special teams.
Meybe Bowles is right.
But to me, it’s like the OLine and the Cornerbacks.
One injury to a starter, and it’s a house of cards.
Hope I’m wrong. I really do.
But our defense was horrific last year.
Then we lost Lavonte and Dean. We got even worse!!
There are counting on rookies to improve the defense. Good luck with that.
That’s not a team with a concentrated effort to improve.
That’s a team crossing its fingers and praying.
September 2nd, 2026 at 12:29 pm
His comment is not a knock on David. It was about depth. So it’s a knock on Licht for not getting the right players in years past.
September 2nd, 2026 at 12:46 pm
Joe … ‘The phrase “no excuses” comes to mind.’
Yup, there’s the dig. You never disappoint me Joe with your ‘bottom line’. I’m so impressed I’ve run out of kudos.
Thank you!?–Joe
September 2nd, 2026 at 12:51 pm
Who is more untrustworthy when they speak Bowles or Licht?
September 2nd, 2026 at 1:11 pm
😬 Yikes!!! now I’m scared because he said the exact same thing about inside linebackers when he interviewed with Joebucs last year
September 2nd, 2026 at 1:17 pm
Lucky and Bowles are DELUSIONAL. They are soooo far outta touch from REALITY. Calling THIS “Depth,” is just all you need to know. It’s Absurdity. And, INSANITY.
September 2nd, 2026 at 1:33 pm
Some coaches are good to listen to. Gruden, Arians, even Cohen. You can actually learn from listening. Some coaches will put you to sleep. Some coaches there is zero reason to listen to them ramble and say NOTHING like Bowles Lovie Leftwich, any coach on this staff, except maybe the s.t. coach. Boring nonleaders. Players play for paycheck with this guy’s instead of for the team and love of the game. All we have is hope. Go Bucs
September 2nd, 2026 at 1:38 pm
Lakeland … ‘Last season our defensive front were too small
They was getting pushed, shoved around too much. They were a big problem for our undersized ILBs. For one thing they failed to keep blockers off our ILBs’.
Exceptional description Lakeland of what was happening up front in our defense. I think it came down to that the size & talent of our DLine & LBs didn’t fit what Bowles’ scheme needed to happen up-front.
Like you, I’m convinced that thhings will be different this year. Being ‘beefier’ will help, but I’m thinging that this defense will also be a lot ‘nastier’, and that’s what will make a huge difference.
The least number of points that it took to make it into the Top-10 over these past 4 years was 346 pts … 20.3 PPG average. So to be on the safe side, I’d say that 340 pts … 20.0 PPG average … is a worthwhile goal for this defense. It might take several games to get into a ‘groove’ (since we have so many new faces), but I’m convinced that goal is attainable with this roster. And IF our offense can get back into the Top-10, this team could have a very good year.
September 2nd, 2026 at 2:40 pm
Bumbling idiot
September 2nd, 2026 at 9:23 pm
Ridiculous. Those are 3 brand new players in the scheme with one rookie who had pass coverage issues in college. Maybe the unit is strong against the run, maybe not…but there is no reason to believe the obvious hole in the scheme of RB’s prancing like gazelle’s in the flats and TE’s setting up concession stands between the hash marks has been plugged. Another year of great scheme and penetration on first down and then complete inability to get off the field on subsequent downs…
September 2nd, 2026 at 10:49 pm
“RB’s prancing like gazelle’s in the flats and TE’s setting up concession stands between the hash marks”. Nothing like a good belly laugh before bedtime. Thanks B.
September 2nd, 2026 at 10:51 pm
Sadly, B, that good humor has to mirror truth.