Whereas Tampa Bay’s 2026 draft class has generated many of the offseason buzz, particularly on the defensive aspect of the soccer, the Bucs shall be counting simply as closely on veteran linebacker Alex Anzalone to stabilize the center of Todd Bowles’ protection.
Anzalone is coming into his tenth NFL season, having realized and seen so much throughout his stops with the Saints and Lions. Becoming a member of the Bucs in free company, he shared with group reporter Casey Phillips why it has been an ideal match to this point and the way he desires to do his half to spark a defensive turnaround.
Alex Anzalone Discusses Why Bucs Are A Good Match For Household And Soccer
For Alex Anzalone, free company was not nearly soccer.
Bucs ILB Alex Anzalone – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
Married with three children, he sought a brand new dwelling in free company that will be straightforward for everybody to make a life-changing transition. Despite the fact that Tampa Bay is a great distance from Detroit, it’s nonetheless dwelling. Anzalone has educated within the space prior to now, together with with a number of of his new Bucs teammates. It’s also not too far of a drive from Gainesville, the place he performed school soccer for the Gators and the place he met his spouse. These components have made it a seamless adjustment for the Anzalone’s to change into full-time Florida residents.
“It’s perfect, honestly,” Anzalone stated. “Now I have three kids, and that transition has been getting harder and harder as the years have gone on and the kids have gotten older. It’s a lot less on my family, and now it’s almost like I can focus more on football because the family life is set up perfectly. They’re good, there’s no moving parts… all that crazy stuff you have to do that you don’t really think about. After nine years, it has a little toll on you.”
Not having to fret as a lot about all of the logistics that include a cross-country transfer has allowed Anzalone to pour his focus into being the most effective inside linebacker he may be for the Bucs’ protection.
Bucs ILB Alex Anzalone – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
At 31 years previous, he’s a seasoned veteran with 111 video games of expertise beneath his belt. After 4 years with the Saints, Anzalone’s profession took off when he joined the Lions in 2021. He spent 5 seasons within the Motor Metropolis, serving to to remodel the group from a laughingstock to playoff contender. Staying comparatively wholesome in recent times, he put collectively two 100-plus deal with campaigns and contributing in quite a lot of methods.
From blitzing, relaying defensive calls, to being apt in protection, he checked a number of the packing containers that Tampa Bay sought in changing Lavonte David. Anzalone is able to be a supply of information for the youthful gamers on protection, which incorporates the linebacker room because the group chosen Josiah Trotter within the second spherical. He’s set to be a productive linebacker who can function a mentor, and he spoke about how main by instance and being relatable will enable him to take action.
“I feel like as you get older, you have so much I guess football knowledge that you want to share or give back,” Anzalone stated. “You wish to see your teammates succeed. Whether or not it’s like a state of affairs that I’ve been in earlier than, as a result of there are one million dynamics that may occur inside a season or whatnot.
“I feel like I’ve seen a lot of different things and can just offer my perspective to teammates in that regard. Just try to be relatable, have fun, and lead by example. Say what needs to be said when the time comes and not overdo it, either. Have some awareness too, I feel like that’s big.”
Alex Anzalone Prepared To Take Management And Run Bucs Protection
Alex Anzalone shall be relied upon closely, particularly early within the season. As Josiah Trotter adjusts to the NFL and will get reps, he’ll play off and look as much as Anzalone. A beginning position in head coach Todd Bowles’ protection is admittedly not the best activity, although.
Given the unique defensive appears to be like Bowles likes to run all through a sport, the veteran linebacker shall be requested to put on a number of hats. That would imply being the inexperienced dot linebacker, though that is still to be seen. It doesn’t matter what is requested of him, he shall be prepared.
Bucs HC Todd Bowles – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
“Obviously, early talks,” Anzalone stated concerning the conversations he has had with Bowles about his position. “Playing linebacker, you have to take control of a lot of different things. Whether that’s being the green dot calling plays or not, we’ll see how it shakes out. I’m excited to do my part, help the guys around me, and make my teammates around me better, too.”
He has had conversations along with his former offensive teammates concerning the defenses which have given them the toughest time of what to anticipate on a down-to-down foundation. After going up in opposition to the Bucs lots in latest seasons, Alex Anzalone has heard lots concerning the system he’s now part of.
“I know this defense has come up a lot just from playing the Bucs so many times. You know how difficult it is to really process it and diagnose what’s going on, the looks. It’s a defense that I feel like it’s complicated for the offense but in some ways it’s simple for the players on defense.”
Anzalone helped remodel the Lions’ protection, and the Bucs are relying on the veteran linebacker to supply comparable stability, management and communication in the course of Todd Bowles’ protection. If he delivers, one in all Tampa Bay’s greatest questions coming into the yr shall be answered and the defensive overhaul may actually pay dividends in 2026.
If you wish to take a look at Alex Anzalone’s full feedback throughout his latest interview with Casey Phillips, the hyperlink to the video is under. It’s a nice likelihood to get to know Tampa Bay’s new inside linebacker.
