Misses, Whiffs And Bewilderment
September 14th, 2026
Inside linebacker Alex Anzalone.
Joe has gone back to the Alex Anzalone film against the Bengals.
It might be worse than it appeared on Sunday.
Anzalone had multiple whiffs, tackles broken and a couple of questionable efforts, and issues adjusting in coveage.
Rough day would be an understatement for the Bucs’ well paid defensive captain and the guy calling the defensive signals.
What happened? Joe doesn’t want to think Anzalone is washed out as he turns 32 next week.
It’s easy to say it’s understandable for a guy playing his first game in a new defense with a lot of responsibilities on his shoulders. Also, tackling is rough early in the NFL season as it’s not practiced enough in the summer. But Anzalone’s struggles were below the NFL par for Week 1.
Joe has been critical of the Bucs’ ability to scout and develop inside linebacker talent in recent years. One bad game is way too early to go there with Anzalone.
Todd Bowles acknowledged today that Anzalone missed tackles and struggled in zone coverage but was good in man coverage, calling him “rusty” in his first game.
September 14th, 2026 at 2:03 pm
to me, it was the worst inside LB performance I can recall seeing for a full game by a Buc. Which is a very low bar considering we’ve fielded some pretty bad dudes in the last decade.
September 14th, 2026 at 2:05 pm
Call me simple, but I think Bowles makes it extremely hard for linebackers to line up right by always trying to make it look like he has a zero blitz on. He literally puts everyone out of position because he thinks it tricks the quarterback into mistakes. But then the snap comes and the defense has to make up ground…and often that means they’re sprinting too hard when they should be chopping their feet to slow down and make the tackle.
September 14th, 2026 at 2:07 pm
3-14 im calling it now
September 14th, 2026 at 2:08 pm
As an aging, mid 30s dude with scraggly blonde Viking hair, I also suffer from a declining lack of athleticism and speed. Im no longer the speedster of my youth. I think AA is having a similar veteran reality, trust me bud, it only gets worse from where you are now. He definitely needs to Come off the field on 3rd downs, he was a liability and teams saw that film. If Gesucki got us that bad, imagine what Pitts or Waller will do 2x this year. Woof
September 14th, 2026 at 2:08 pm
Hes not good. You honestly think the Lions are letting go of a good LB? He was sliding so much I had to double check to see if he was wearing loafers. He overran plays and was out of position for other plays. This is the roster that Licht and Bowles have built.
September 14th, 2026 at 2:11 pm
I can’t recall a game where a linebacker’s poor play was so consistently easy to spot in real time during the broadcast. Bowles has claimed his defense isn’t that difficult, and yet it this defense continues to make it look difficult on the players to do their job. Anzalone absolutely needs to improve, but the common denominator has been Bowles.
September 14th, 2026 at 2:12 pm
thor needs to come on like a lightning bolt in the week 2 home game vs the brownies
September 14th, 2026 at 2:14 pm
I just want bowles gone atp. The players play but he continues to make nfl talent look bad in this system. Bring in a whole new staff atp
September 14th, 2026 at 2:15 pm
Jeebs the Honey Bear Says:
September 14th, 2026 at 2:11 pm
I can’t recall a game where a linebacker’s poor play was so consistently easy to spot in real time during the broadcast.
________________________________________
THIS ^^^^^
IT WAS AWFUL
September 14th, 2026 at 2:16 pm
Calling it now!
Cleveland 28 Bucs 27
Welcome back to the cellar of the NFC South!!
September 14th, 2026 at 2:17 pm
Let him know that Dicks Sporting Goods has Football cleats on sale to replace those Ballet shoes he was wearing yesterday!!! Ridiculous, no excuses!!! Go Bucs!!
September 14th, 2026 at 2:18 pm
The LB (not Trot) play was almost as bad as the QB play. Luckily the OL & DL didn’t show up either!
September 14th, 2026 at 2:19 pm
Test
September 14th, 2026 at 2:22 pm
I love Joe Bucs fan, you are the best. Good news is Morrison and McCollum played with effort and toughness. Parrish’s injury looks minor. Maybe Dennis has got a reality check and he can spell Trotter and Anzalone. He had a nice special team play.
Bowles defense for ILB’s is difficult and requires a high degree of awareness and flexibility. Mayfield threw the ball well and his fumbles were more of a result of the offensive line being rusty and trying to make a play. Normally we would recover 1 or 2 of those.
Our pass rush kept there lanes and pushed better than all of last year. Irving and Gainwell were both elusive and effective. Thank God Reddick is gone. He was beyond terrible. Our division is the worst in the NFL and it seems the fire is
back on the team. Reddick and Dean were the cancers last year and they have been excised. 10 win season barring major injuries is doable. Our schedule is looking good.
September 14th, 2026 at 2:22 pm
He should try out for the Rays. Did ya see those slides???
September 14th, 2026 at 2:24 pm
Joe why you deleting my comments?
Joe hasn’t deleted any comments that didn’t deserve to be deleted. But since you accused Joe of something he did not do, maybe Joe should delete your comments? — Joe
September 14th, 2026 at 2:24 pm
UG ROBBED….nope Bucs win this week then drop 3 in a row. If Bucs lose fire everyone and start rebuilding.
September 14th, 2026 at 2:27 pm
Anzalone is already giving off that Sabby Piscatelli, Chris Conte stank!
I know it’s a different position, but damn. Bad angles, constantly falling down like a soccer player, and why are his biceps smaller than Baker’s?
Dude made TE I’ve never heard of look like an All Pro.
Just saying. 😁
September 14th, 2026 at 2:27 pm
Until we win a game with this team I will refer to him as *Sabby Anzalone, based on that performance.
September 14th, 2026 at 2:29 pm
Let’s be honest the issue is Bowles defensive scheme is washed up and outdated. Teams know exactly what he is doing are able to beat it easily. Things won’t change until Bowles is gone IMO
September 14th, 2026 at 2:29 pm
5-12 is coming!
September 14th, 2026 at 2:29 pm
Mistermarty, the O-line actually played better than it appeared. Both strip sacks were from Baker holding the ball too long. The O-line is definitely shakey between Bredeson and Barton. Allen #93 was destroying Bredeson all game. Idk why they haven’t swapped those two, Barton would make a much better guard than center.
September 14th, 2026 at 2:30 pm
Wow, one game and the losers are already calling the season a bust with predictions like 3-14 and lose 3 in a row.
September 14th, 2026 at 2:31 pm
I’m not saying I want Lavonte back let him enjoy retirement but he wouldn’t be any worse…
just sayin….
September 14th, 2026 at 2:33 pm
Instead of paying Baker 55 million someone should have been getting LVD on the phone and offering him 15 million to come back for one more season. This is what happens when your HOF linebacker retires and you have no plan to replace him. When the Devin White failure happened they should have had someone else in here to be trained by David before he walked out the door. Piss poor management if you ask me.
September 14th, 2026 at 2:33 pm
It was ugly af the play of #34
September 14th, 2026 at 2:34 pm
He wasn’t getting that heavy pass rush from the defensive front
Like the rush he was getting in Detroit
Like l always say …it start up front
If the front isn’t getting that push, the lbs will pay the price
Anzalone isn’t that good of a LB, if the QB has time to throw
He’s only good, when the picket collapse around the QB
September 14th, 2026 at 2:36 pm
***pocket collapse***
September 14th, 2026 at 2:36 pm
Well yes a little scary by Anzalone after seeing Dennis last year. We were told Dennis was going to be great then came the first game. So it appears we may be going down that long road again. Yesterday nobody covered the TE and Cinn was constantly open in the short field. My question was this Anzalone? If so it could be a long long season. I know they gave up way too many 3rd down plays yesterday. Maybe Detroit knew what they were doing when they let him go. Well as I said this team the defense really needs another influx of talent. Maybe worse the o line not good yesterday. Definitely not a top 5 o line.
September 14th, 2026 at 2:36 pm
Knew his potential impact was overrated. Dude all bark
LVD was special, even as he aged
September 14th, 2026 at 2:37 pm
So do we now call him Rusty Anzalone?
September 14th, 2026 at 2:47 pm
Taking comfort knowing our hole is not at CB1 or CB2, rather a green dot wanna be fabio
September 14th, 2026 at 2:47 pm
0-2 coming up. The Browns are going to put the Todd Bowles led Bucs into submission and tank the season.
2026 is just 2025 on repeat. 2-8 in our last 10.
How is Todd still employed again????
Oh, right, the culture.
September 14th, 2026 at 2:48 pm
Trade him to Cleveland
September 14th, 2026 at 2:52 pm
Watson will look like an All Pro against this soft Defense, Browns 27 Bucs 20
September 14th, 2026 at 2:53 pm
David f’ing sucked last year. Y’all are insane. This dude sucked yesterday too, but bringing David back wouldn’t have prevented Baker from turning the ball over 3 times. Where is the article on how Baker held onto the ball for an average of 3.03 seconds. One of the slowest releases of all QBs yesterday and yet he only managed to average 9.3 yards per completion. Let’s keep blaming everyone else though. Next we’ll hear how the receivers couldn’t get separation because it can never be “moxy’s” fault
September 14th, 2026 at 3:05 pm
He has the look and feel of a guy who has made his money due to an aggressive style of play and strength and burst that was greatly aided by roids. Now, he looks like a player that is going to coast the last few years and try to get another 15 or 20 million while off the juice and weak and slow. I have no proof, but he looks like a completely different player who is now old and weak. How did that happen in a year? I watched him run into a tight end in the fourth quarter when we were trying to desperately get the ball back for one last try—and he was pushed back 15 feet. It looked like an offensive lineman running over a cornerback. If I had to predict, this does not get better, and we are starting someone else by week six. Looks like another Reddick. I hope I am wrong.
September 14th, 2026 at 3:09 pm
At least he tried. That is improvement over last year.
September 14th, 2026 at 3:12 pm
NerdsAreCool Says:
September 14th, 2026 at 2:52 pm
Watson will look like an All Pro against this soft Defense, Browns 27 Bucs 20
The only people that ever say “nerds are cool” are…. nerds.
Huge overstatement. Burrow didn’t even look that good against us. If we could cover a tight end, he would have looked mediocre.
And you obviously didn’t watch that Browns game yesterday.
Anzalone should be pissed with his performance and play with his hair on fire next week, and given the amount of hair, he should be hurting some Browns players.
I’ll never make a flat judgment on a player based on a single game. Let’s see how they look through the month of December. Just hope the line plays better, both sides of the trench, and Trot keeps it up.
Go Bucs!
September 14th, 2026 at 3:28 pm
The turf in Cincinnati was challenging yesterday but it’s often deceptively mushy like that and worse in Tampa. He looked like a rookie who only ever played on turf. He couldn’t make breaks or deliver pop. The way ball after ball went right between he and Trotter to Gesicki on top the tackling fails added up to a very, very inimpressive debut. I didn’t expect he could be that bad but I’m still expecting good things.
September 14th, 2026 at 3:41 pm
Rasta, don’t disagree with your comments. Think they were more rusty than bad. The only thing is they are to supposed to be our strength. Have not rewatched game so only going on sight. Morrison and McCollum playing to there expectations gives me hope for the season.
Godwin is going to be the star this year if he can stay healthy. Egbuka also showed nice acceleration and awareness from first glance. The one fumble Mayfield held on a little long but he was looking for the game changer. Wirfs
thought his block was done and kinda quit on the play and he came from behind Mayfield. Was happy Mayfield’s reads and passes were pretty good. His accuracy worries me sometimes but he was pretty sharp yesterday from that standpoint. Curious on the helmet communication issue. That can’t happen.
September 14th, 2026 at 3:44 pm
Not sure what rusty is. Being lazy & without effort is more like it. Get rid of the coach & rebuild
September 14th, 2026 at 3:58 pm
Anzalone looked terrible.
Dare I say we need to start Dennis over Anzalone?
September 14th, 2026 at 4:04 pm
At the start of the year, we were worried that QB’s would avoid Anzelone and target Trotter. Now it’s the other way around.
September 14th, 2026 at 4:06 pm
Detroit tried to improve their defense from last season. One way was not resigning Anzalone. Licht pounced on the bargain basement linebacker. Thinks he got a steal. You truly get what you pay for.
September 14th, 2026 at 4:07 pm
Right after they signed him, I posted here I have family in Detroit who have been lifetime rabid Lions fans and they said he was cooked. And that Dan Campbell never lets a defender who can still play get out of their building. Especially since their defensive issues have been holding them back.
September 14th, 2026 at 4:18 pm
I’m convinced now that Bowles def is too difficult/complex for the bulk of defensive players in the NFL. He may have had a year or two where it all came together based on personnel, but for most years it isn’t feasible. Simplify it…let the players do what they can but in no cases should a def player, whether rookie or veteran, not be 100% sure of their assignment. Getting blocked or beaten are other issues, but I’m tired of seeing receivers, tight ends and receivers running free with no defenders around. I know every team has moments, but we have like 8 or 10 plays a game. idk. Go Bucs. And as much of a Baker fan that I am, he’s not the answer long-term. He’s Jameis 2.0…and I love me some Jameis. He’s entertaining as hell to watch….
September 14th, 2026 at 4:20 pm
bring back svd, better than baloney anzaloney
September 14th, 2026 at 4:26 pm
So, are we all confident it is all the players we are bringing in that all of a sudden forget how to tackle, rush the qb, etc. or is it the screwed up defensive scheme they are being coached on here in Tampa? Well, there wont be any excuses at the end of the season.
September 14th, 2026 at 4:42 pm
Anzalone is past his prime. Typical pickup for the Bucs in order to save a few bucks
September 14th, 2026 at 4:46 pm
Rusty? That metal looked seized up.
September 14th, 2026 at 5:01 pm
He had no clue what to do.
September 14th, 2026 at 5:03 pm
Bologne Anzalone lolol
September 14th, 2026 at 5:15 pm
Looked like a stuck tinman on a dozen plays
September 14th, 2026 at 5:31 pm
35 year old Lavonte > 32 year old Alex.
Not sure why anyone expected anything different.
September 14th, 2026 at 5:42 pm
Guys chill. It was week 1 on a crappy Ohio turf. I will reserve judgement till after week 3.
September 14th, 2026 at 5:45 pm
Pepsi, if you think that’s the worst ever by a Buc ILB you are not a Bucs fan. Dial back one year and watch SVD. I’ll help you, start with the Atlanta game first play Bijan makes a long TD run. I could go into more Bad LBs but , why. As an optimist I was really happy with Trotters performance.
September 14th, 2026 at 5:49 pm
I really hate to bash #34 so early in the season but, it looks like he came to South Florida to retire! That was embarrassing to watch him slide around and look like a lost rookie.
September 14th, 2026 at 5:55 pm
Get rid of him NOW
September 14th, 2026 at 6:14 pm
Barrett Ruudzalone.
September 14th, 2026 at 6:17 pm
garbs65 Says:
September 14th, 2026 at 4:18 pm
I’m convinced now that Bowles def is too difficult/complex for the bulk of defensive players in the NFL.
Ronde Barber agrees with this.
September 14th, 2026 at 6:18 pm
The Putrid Pass defense has not left the building.
September 14th, 2026 at 6:25 pm
Garbs65. Preaching to the choir my friend.
September 14th, 2026 at 6:28 pm
Put svd back in
September 14th, 2026 at 6:38 pm
Haason Reddick # 2. I don’t know why Jason Licht likes old washed up players.
September 14th, 2026 at 6:41 pm
He came back home to Tampa and dropped his pack. He looked bad, that is true. Hopefully, everyone improves going forward. I had higher expectations for the team with revamped D-line, and O-line healthy. I imagined Bain and Walker, having more of an impact. Trotter, looks the part and played great for his first NFL game. GM was all over Walker during preseason.
September 14th, 2026 at 6:52 pm
Please stop the BS he wasn’t well prepared by the HC
Rusty isn’t on him , that’s on the HC !! he’s watching practices. It has been around long enough that he should know what players need and clearly he doesn’t !! bulls is the perfect government official. He thinks if he comes up with a reason, it’s acceptable and it’s not on him. Just another bowls performance unacceptable excuse.
September 14th, 2026 at 6:57 pm
Last I checked he didn’t have any of our four fumbles. He sucked. So did plenty of players. Fix it against Cleveland and let’s get back on schedule.
September 14th, 2026 at 7:17 pm
Anzalone will come around. He’s got Coach Bowles to teach him.
September 14th, 2026 at 7:28 pm
Seems weird for a guy the other players thought well enough of to just name him a team captain.
September 14th, 2026 at 7:34 pm
Bengals were picking on Trotter in coverage, although he did make them pay on the the pick 6.
TE coverage was bad by both inside linebackers.so was coverage to the backs.
We didn’t replace Lavonte David. We just added bodies in fill his spot.
It was sad to watch. Our highly touted O line couldn’t protect Mayfield at all.
Wirfs struggled.
Barton, Mauch, and Bredesen were horrible. Middle of the line collapsed every single play.
Other than Godwin and EE, our WRs and TEs couldn’t get open- and couldn’t catch.
And, the dagger in the heart. STILL.
Our D line can’t pass rush. Burrows enjoyed a comfortable, relaxing day.
As I said since March. It’s gonna be a long season.
Already started looking at Mock drafts!
September 14th, 2026 at 7:58 pm
He looked like he was on ice, and everyone else wasn’t.
September 14th, 2026 at 8:33 pm
Is Kwan Alexander or Devin White free? Shelton Quarles still have any get up and go? Surely James Harrison has gas left in the tank.
September 14th, 2026 at 9:14 pm
Same hype, Same lousy scheme and execution. Gotta coach it better and play it better. I hate that we are wasting a long stretch that we should be dominating this division.
Also, I hope Bain can coach himself up this year cause he sure wont get any help from this staff.
September 14th, 2026 at 9:21 pm
I am getting weary of Joe’s argument that preseason games are worthless. The lack of preseason is why we give this and 4 fumbles from baker. Players need to play in every sport to get to a high level. This is a painful wzste of an afternoon.due to a choice that never made sense on the first place
September 14th, 2026 at 10:33 pm
Rusty, huh? Remember when I said Lovie Bowles would have the defense “Cincy Ready”? Exactly. There was a couple guys who had good games, which is more than I expected.
September 14th, 2026 at 10:43 pm
So the Bucs have gone from Devin White to KJ Britt to S Dennis to Anzalone, and none of them can cover anybody, yet Bowles had/has them in coverage? Is there a common denominator to this sh!t show of a defense?
September 14th, 2026 at 10:58 pm
I’m convinced Licht doesn’t review tape when signing FAs. He signs so many washed guys that were clearly washed the previous season. And then, shockingly, they’re still washed when they get here.
Anzalone
Nacho
Reddick
Whitehead
Browning
Skule
Heck
Gregory
…just to name a few recent ones. The guy hasn’t hit on a FA in years.
September 14th, 2026 at 11:03 pm
PFF claims Analzone only missed 3 tackles yesterday, which is complete nonsense. I counted at least 4.
But even using the bogus PFF stats, that’s a 17 game pace of 51 missed tackles.
PFF’s leader for missed tackles last year was Geno Stone with 25 missed tackles.
Dennis last year had 14 missed tackles.
Analzone was horrendous – not just missed tackles but also terrible in coverage.
September 14th, 2026 at 11:32 pm
So many of the “Fire Todd” crowd and closet Panter/Falcon/Saint fans on this board are predicting 3-14 for Tampa. So who are all you experts picking to win the NFC South: the Carolina team that got 59 hung on them after Canales blew the future cap on adding all those defensive players which everyone wanted in Tampa? Or is it the Falcons who are on QB#3 or is it the Saints who let Detroit run up a 21-0 lead before Detroit went to the Todd Bowles’ soft D playbook and let them back in only to watch the Saints choke when it really mattered?
I am not saying you are wrong beacuase the bottom could fall out but one game does not make a season and the Bucs actually looked better than both the Falcons and the hapless Panthers. The Saints are the team I am keeping an eye on. Bowles is more likely to lead the team to 8-9 rather than 3-14 which is worse when you think of next years draft. Todd Bowles is Mr Mediocrity but let’s see how the team does in its home opener. Now if the Bucs lose to Cleveland, then it is time to start a GoFund me for a Fire Bowles Billboard on Dale Mabry though for all we know, the Glazers might already be talking to Sean McDermott or Mike Tomlin about replacing Todd, maybe that is why Todd did not get launched last January….
September 15th, 2026 at 12:27 am
Rusty wtf its the nfl
September 15th, 2026 at 5:14 am
Seems like the Bucs are the junkyard for all before they retire. Anzalone is a major bummer, he played worst than Dennis. How can he be a captain, and thank goodness Trotter took that interception in for a touchdown. Good going young man. Your my new favorite player.
September 15th, 2026 at 6:47 am
He’s done congrats to him for fooling the bucs into one last contract
September 15th, 2026 at 1:28 pm
I’ll never understand how the lions even played him the last 2 years. He has been horrible. Misses tackles, gets run over, and can’t cover. I really don’t get what anyone saw in this guy ever. He might be serviceable, however I always thought he was a severe weak link that was made to look better because of Jack Campbell
September 15th, 2026 at 11:53 pm
It looked to me that when the tight end made receptions that the corners were playing man and the linebackers were playing zone. That is why the tight end only had to get to open space. Dont know if that is scheme or lack of coaching or not communicating.
September 16th, 2026 at 8:16 am
play the Cleveland TE this week in your fantasy league