Comeback Complete For Alex Anzalone
November 1st, 2026
Through the first two weeks of the season, it looked like inside linebacker Alex Anzalone might be the worst Bucs defensive free agent signing since Haason Reddick.
He was struggling with tackling and looked slow, and then Anzalone snapped out of his funk a bit in Week 3.
Anzalone, 32, has been improving ever since, and today was a new Bucs level for the 10-year veteran in Tampa Bay’s 16-0 shutout of the Falcons. He had interceptions in the second and third Falcons’ series of the game. The Bucs only turned those turnovers into three points, but the Anzalone ball-hawking seemed to take the Falcons out of their game plan completely.
“Rattled” is probably the appropriate word.
Anzalone’s interceptions were his second and third of the season. That’s the most by a Bucs linebacker since Lavonte David in 2015.
What an upgrade Anzalone and rookie Josiah Trotter have been for the Bucs this season at inside linebacker. Night and day difference.
November 1st, 2026 at 4:39 pm
“No Bolognese” Anzalone
November 1st, 2026 at 4:39 pm
Analzone is no longer playing sh!tty.
November 1st, 2026 at 4:40 pm
What a fantastic game for our defense…..4 interceptions….shutout……Atlanta rushing less than 100 yards…..total dominance!!!
November 1st, 2026 at 4:42 pm
I apologize for calling him the Baker Mayfield of the defense earlier this season.
November 1st, 2026 at 4:44 pm
Amazing performance by the defense. Oline and backs too
November 1st, 2026 at 4:44 pm
Those two are developing into an awesome ILB tandem. Next week will be more of a test as the Bears offense is much more balanced.
November 1st, 2026 at 4:45 pm
Dont celebrate and dont sleep yet….just like Bucky! Keep doing you!
November 1st, 2026 at 4:49 pm
I’m impressed. The conditions were just as bad for us, yet Anzalone and our defense won the game with a shut out. Defense wins Superbowls. My only complaint, no defensive touchdowns. I just love to watch them score points. Thank you guys, great game. Go Bucs!
November 1st, 2026 at 4:50 pm
Great free agent signing by Licht. His less than stellar free agent picks are his weak point. Not this one. His drafts are usually solid over time.
November 1st, 2026 at 4:52 pm
Sorry, I can’t just forget about the rest of Assalone play because he had 2 pics. Dude still spends a lot of plays in the wrong spot or completely overrunning plays. Assalone still needs to put multiple good games on film before he seems to have turned things around. Trotter has made them both look better than last year because he’s playing so good.
November 1st, 2026 at 4:57 pm
This had to have been the best game of his career.
November 1st, 2026 at 5:00 pm
I would also say the secondary is playing so good that it’s really helping the first 2 levels on D. If it was t for Winfields crappy missed tackle those guys are really on another level making the DL and LB look a lot better. I don’t think there’s a team with 2 better corners in the league than what Tampa has right now. Those 2 against the Bears is gonna make for a heck of a game!! Those 2 are on fire!
November 1st, 2026 at 5:02 pm
It wasn’t just the picks. The guy was delivering hits all day. Great game.
November 1st, 2026 at 5:10 pm
I have zero issues crediting him for playing a lot better the last few games, as opposed to earlier this season when he was flat out terrible. Hopefully he can keep it up.
November 1st, 2026 at 5:19 pm
Hes been bad for 7 games pff grade in 30s he had 2 ball thrown directly to him
November 1st, 2026 at 5:29 pm
Played like the REAL Anzalone.
November 1st, 2026 at 5:41 pm
Miller, Miller time must have come early at your house. He played terrible the first two games. He’s played better ever since. So more than double the games that he played poorly he’s been playing well. If that’s not good enough for you, continue to make up some Middle School name for him and enjoy that warm feeling.
November 1st, 2026 at 5:48 pm
Dennis Says:
November 1st, 2026 at 5:19 pm
Hes been bad for 7 games pff grade in 30s he had 2 ball thrown directly to him
——–
True, but he caught them – as opposed to earlier this year when he would have batted it into the air, then whipped out 3 teammates trying to catch it, giving up a long TD to the offense.
November 1st, 2026 at 6:16 pm
Miller5252 Says:
November 1st, 2026 at 4:52 pm
Sorry, I can’t just forget about the rest of Assalone play because he had 2 pics. Dude still spends a lot of plays in the wrong spot or completely overrunning plays. Assalone still needs to put multiple good games on film before he seems to have turned things around. Trotter has made them both look better than last year because he’s playing so good.
Assalone?! What are you twelve years old? So childish. Same goes for the “Bowels” crowd. Grow up
November 1st, 2026 at 7:07 pm
Alex has gotten more in the groove over the past three weeks. He’s now in the middle of more plays instead of on the periphery. He had some good tackles as well today.
The team started slow this season, but they’ve gained some steam and momentum.
We’ll see if they can keep the ball rolling in Chi-town! Go Bucs!!
November 1st, 2026 at 7:08 pm
@FirstTimePoster I’m sorry you were raised to be as soft as the charmin you use. I’ll make sure in the future to check with your feelings before posting.