CBS: Alex Anzalone “A Significant Improvement Over Lavonte David”
March 16th, 2026
Lavonte David comparison.
Whoa, hold up!
When Joe was read a breakdown of the Bucs’ sad week of legal tampering/free agency last week, which saw the greatest offensive player the franchise has ever drafted and its best cornerback bolt for what both said was a chance at a ring, it wasn’t just a gutpunch to the Bucs.
It was a slap-in-the-grill to Bucs coach Todd Bowles and a backhand to Baker Mayfield. Maybe spittle in Jason Licht’s mug, too.
So along those lines, “this Joe” agrees with Zachary Pereles of CBS, that the Bucs took a major step back last week.
However, Joe can’t buy what Pereles was selling. Pereles claims the signing of linebacker Alex Anzalone was fantastic because, Pereles typed, Anzalone is “a significant improvement” on Lavonte David.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: C-
Key additions: LB Alex Anzalone, RB Kenneth Gainwell, DL A’Shawn Robinson
Key re-signings: TE Cade Otton
Key departures: WR Mike Evans, CB Jamel Dean, DL Logan Hall, RB Rachaad WhiteThe Evans departure is a gut punch, and the Dean departure is a massive blow to an already-questionable secondary. It’s safe to say this has not been a good few months for Tampa Bay, which collapsed down the stretch to miss the playoffs. Neither player is easily replaceable: Emeka Egbuka and Jalen McMillan need to step up, and the Buccaneers will have to hope for good health from Chris Godwin. The Anzalone addition is a good one, as he is a significant improvement over Lavonte David. Keeping Otton helps, too. Overall, though, the Buccaneers have taken at least one step back thus far in free agency.
Joe cannot go there at all. Nothing against Anzalone, but Joe is pretty sure Anzalone would have a hard time with someone claiming he’s a “significant” upgrade to David.
Was David playing peak football last year? No. He started fine and wore down, likely because of his bad knee. David should be in the Hall of Fame someday. Joe is pretty sure few think that about Anzalone.
Hey, if Anzalone really was a Hall of Fame-level player, Detoit would have never let him escape.
Anzalone said David is not underrated, but “unappreciated.” That certainly seems to fit Pereles’ eval of David.
March 16th, 2026 at 9:16 am
The comment wasn’t comparing careers, but rather how they’re playing now. LVD looked like Brooks did at the end last year. Was it the knee or father time cashing a check? Regardless, it’s an upgrade if LVD doesn’t raise his level of play significantly. But if you were to compare the two in their prime, I’d take LVD everytime.
March 16th, 2026 at 9:22 am
Keep fighting for those limitations Joe!!
The Glazers appreciate your continued support of their propaganda blitz.
LVD is past his prime and it is clear as day he needs to retire.
Anzalone can still play at a high level and actually be effective on the field.
Bringing back a LB that can’t cover the field anymore would be insane.
March 16th, 2026 at 9:24 am
LVD wasn’t even a speed bump in pass coverage (allowed passer rating 132) New Guy? 82. Was a good portion of that 132 because of LVD’s knee? No idea
March 16th, 2026 at 9:29 am
Very factual statement in the year 2026!! I wouldn’t even be surprised if the thought hasn’t crossed Jason Licht’s mind to kick the tires on Bobby Wagner instead of resigning David but I figger he wouldn’t go there out of respect for David!! Simply put when you lose a few steps cause you’re 36 being undersized is magnified👁️👁️!! Gerald McCoy was a better than average player BUT let’s be honest Suh was always better FROM THE GATE just my opinion don’t think I’m wrong thou
March 16th, 2026 at 9:32 am
I saw a top 20 list of free agents left unsigned Bobby Wagner is inside the top 10 Lavonte David didn’t even SNIFF the list
March 16th, 2026 at 9:34 am
In a perfect Fantasy Island episode LVD comes back for one more rodeo, defies Father Time with the help of Anzalone giving LVD another pro level starter caliber LB beside him once again…the Bucs as$-whip the 49’ers in the NFC Championship and win the SB (vs Steelers or Jags…pick your most butt-hurt Bucs fan scenario), Bowles and LVD retire on a high note (one of them goes to Canton when they become eligible…the other gets to flip the bird to all of us who called him “mediocre”).
March 16th, 2026 at 9:40 am
This review was done a little while back because there are a few free agents missing.
Muhammad & Killebrew aren’t shown.
Muhammad might be a nice surprise, if an edge rusher is taken in the draft and David Walker pans out as a solid pick, plus Yaya’s continued improvement (please keep going to Sack Summit!), we might actually be able to put pressure on some QBs this season.
And how many games last year were lost due to special teams failures. At least a couple.
Killebrew along with the hiring of Danny Smith and the return skills of Gainwell (what a perfect name for an RB/kick returner!), plus the return of Kieft to the lineup, could lift special teams to end up being a strength beyond just good kicking only.
March 16th, 2026 at 9:57 am
Who cares worst some ham and egger thinks?
March 16th, 2026 at 10:02 am
Is he taking David’s spot, or Dennis? My guess he’s the new MLB, and not the weak side backer? Although they welcomed David back I find it interesting they signed Anz so quickly. Something tells me they said the right things but want to move on from David, as they should.
March 16th, 2026 at 10:28 am
Emeka Egbuka and JMac is an upgrade over Mike Evans
Bucs fans miss Mike Evans the legend, not the player
He stunk the field last season, simple as that
He came back from injury, and wet the bed
He had a 49% catch ratio
He had less than 100 yards receiving his last 3 games
His only decent game against the Falcons, and their 3rd string CB
When Mayfield forced about 20 passes to him
Emeka and Jalen is a huge upgrade over that
I’m telling it like it is, don’t care who disagree
March 16th, 2026 at 10:50 am
Like an astute commenter above said – we arent comparing careers here. David wasnt just bad last yr, he was bad the year before. Lets not pretend he hasnt been. Between him and KJ Britt, then Dennis – that was more of a weak spot than edge. THEY are the reasons why the Kirk cousins of the world throws for 400 yards and gets first down after first down AFTER FIRST DOWN
March 16th, 2026 at 10:50 am
Even Lavonte were to come back, Anzalone makes it so David doesn’t have to be our coverage back full time which is a big part of Anzalones’ game.
If that’s the case, my question would be where and how would David fit? Early downs? early game? I’m not down on his ability to read and react in run fits or his overall football IQ, but I am curious if that’s enough to make up for the step he’s lost as an athlete.
David was able to play in every game and finished the year with 114 tackles, 3.5 sacks, an interception, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries on a bum knee. Idk if I’m ready to say “he’s washed” like some of the rest of you, because that’s solid production from the LB position.
March 16th, 2026 at 10:51 am
Hodad … ‘Is he taking David’s spot, or Dennis? My guess he’s the new MLB, and not the weak side backer?’
Exactly Hodad, he’s taking SVD’s MLB spot, not LVD’s weak side slot. Everyone’s confident we’re gonna draft a starter-capable ILB fairly high in this draft (probably Rnd 1 or 2), and that guy will be the other starter.
The real question should be ‘Is Anzalone AND a top rookie ILB better than what we fielded last season with LVD & SVD?’ Obviously we won’t know until we see them play, but they couldn’t be any weaker than what we saw on the field last season.
LVD was targeted 67 times & allowed 49 completions, while SVD was targeted 60 times & allowed 51 completions. So together they allowed opposing QBs to complete 78.7% of their passes. Not to mention that LVD missed 13 tackles for a career high 10.2% Missed Tackle Rate, while SVD missed 15 tackles for a 12.9% Missed Tackle Rate.
March 16th, 2026 at 10:53 am
I actually think the Bucs are in better shape right now then when the season ended/FA started.
QB – better backup
RB room – as good if not better, Gainwell is at least as productive as White is not more so
WR room – equal to last year, possibly better with another year experience (Evans is a legend, he was not a legend last year)
OL – still needs better depth and to stay healthy
DL – much better than last year – still need another solid sack producer
LB – upgraded – still need more bodies
Secondary – the true weak link. losing Dean hurts as he was capable but making him out to be something special is disingenuous. Sure he was the best CB ….. in a room full of average CBs.
Special Teams – just the coaching change was a major upgrade, throw in Killebrew
March 16th, 2026 at 11:00 am
Presently , he is an upgarde over both David and Dennis. However, David also was not healthy and played way to many snaps. Dennis, there is nothing to say except he needs to play special teams at best. David I believe would still be great for 2 reasons: his experience and mentoring skills for the young guys, second with reduced snaps and used appropriately at the right time he could be a great value to the team. Dennis, I am not sure even belongs on the team, maybe as a reserve or special teams player. How Bowles thought he was a starting LB is beyond me . Add Mc Column and Morrison to the mix and you begain to maybe see what Evans was seeing. Bowles and Licht are making poor choices on the personnel they are putting onn the field. When you look at the free agent draft class, all short term contract, rotational players, you get the feeling the are rebuilding the defense. They certainly are not trying to win now. We still need at least one corner that can play, 2 more MLBs and a stand out Edge Rusher. They definately are not going to get all that in the draft for this year.
Yes the Bucs are worse off now than they were before free agency and before free agency they were really really bad. So where are they now?
March 16th, 2026 at 11:00 am
We still need a better QB!
March 16th, 2026 at 11:04 am
Alex Anzalone is an upgrade over Dennis and David
David is too far up in age, he’s lost a step
But l like Dennis, but he need to work on his coverage skills
Dennis had 12 TFL, 3 Sacks, 100+ tackles
That’s not bad for a 1st year starter
I think Pitt Kyle Louis will be a perfect fit at ILB for us
He’s a bit undersized at 6’0 220, and he’s a hybrid SS/LB
But he has excellent coverage skills, and can get after the QB
We probably can get him in 2nd or 3rd
March 16th, 2026 at 11:33 am
Maybe a little long in the tooth, but I still really like our signings. If attitude is everything, which is what I believe, I would say we upgraded every single player we lost. Attitude wise. Don’t know why our discards developed gloomy outlooks these last several years. But they did. There may be a few others. I expect Licht will finish what he’s started. It only takes one bad apple to spoil the barrel. We had more than one. We’re going to be so much better you’ll think we’re a new team this season. Malcontents on a football team doesn’t mean they aren’t good players. They just need another team. Good luck to all of them but I hope the Bucs kick all y’all’s a$$es.
March 16th, 2026 at 11:44 am
We’re trying to get bigger not smaller Lakeland. Are you playing him at safety? Plenty of real LBs in this draft. No reason to get another Tweener. It’s not 2000 anymore. We could have gotten Bush or Dean or even Edmunds if JL wasn’t sleeping. Depending on the draft gamble now.
March 16th, 2026 at 11:50 am
Don’t know why our discards developed gloomy outlooks these last several years. But they did….Kenton Smith
Ask the average fans on this site. They will tell you.
March 16th, 2026 at 11:52 am
Kyle Louis is too small for LB. Plenty of real ones in the draft.
March 16th, 2026 at 11:54 am
BS he isn’t significantly better than David, but he is substantially better than Dennis. This team still needs 2 more linebackers (middle lbs). I would say edge rushers, but Todd Bowles is allergic to edge rushers who actually rush the passer, I guess that is why he doesn’t want or need one.
March 16th, 2026 at 12:18 pm
BucsfaninOregon. I know you have been around long enough to know a thing or two. I respect that. As for me, I’m giving Bowles one more shot. I watched him beat a bunch of playoff teams last year. Good teams. If his players gave up on him they beat a good playoff team in our last game. I do think Bowles got in Liam’s ear in the Commanders playoff loss. And I think he got in Grizz’s head last season. If he stays away from Zac Robinson and Baker- it might be a good idea. Licht needs to get Todd a difference maker or 2 in the draft and I think Todd will do great. If he doesn’t then I think he’s gone. But he’s here and I’m behind him being the head coach.
March 16th, 2026 at 12:22 pm
Joe needs to stop living in 2021. LVD was AWFUL last year. He couldn’t cover anyone out of the backfield or a TE with any speed. He also was late filling holes in the run game.
This isn’t about who had the better career, anyone would say LVD by far, not on the football field in 2026, Anzalone is a definite upgrade.
Same with EE and Jmac in 2026 over Evans.
The Bucs have been carrying hold overs on their roster for too long in order to stay competitive. It was time to move on to get younger at WR, LBer and in the secondary. Last few years they started in the secondary with Tykee, Parrish, Zyon, Morrison and JJ Roberts. Then WR with JMac, Tez and Emeka. Also, got yound upfront on offense with Wirfs, Luke, Barton, Mauch.
All these guys were draft picks or UDFAs.
I think they do the same now on DL, Edge and LBer.