When the legendary Lavonte David hung up his cleats, it left a void on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' defense that’s hard to fill. But stepping into the role of weakside linebacker, known as the Moneybacker or Mo’ ‘backer in Todd Bowles’ scheme, is Alex Anzalone. At 31, Anzalone brings a decade of NFL experience, including five standout seasons with the Detroit Lions where he emerged as a top coverage linebacker.
Tampa Bay's linebackers have struggled in coverage recently, and Anzalone’s arrival is expected to bring a much-needed boost. While the new middle linebacker, Christian Rozeboom, may not be a coverage specialist, his productivity is undeniable, racking up 135 and 129 tackles over the past two seasons. Rozeboom will be competing with SirVocea Dennis, who’s in a contract year, and a rookie yet to be drafted, as the Bucs aim to inject youth into their linebacker corps.
Bowles is optimistic about the lineup, stating, “Alex is positioned to be the Mo right now and then we’ll see. Rozeboom can play the Mike.
Voss can play the Mike. They all three have to learn both spots anyways, but right now I see Alex as my Mo.”
Rozeboom’s addition has been particularly praised by Bowles, who noted his impact last season when he sacked Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield and snagged an interception. “I think he was a very good addition,” Bowles said.
“He’s tough, versatile, and adds depth to our linebacker position. With Alex and him on board, we’ve got guys who’ve played a lot of football, and I’m really happy to have them.”
Lavonte David’s legacy in Tampa Bay is cemented, with hopes of a future Hall of Fame induction. Yet, Anzalone is poised to carve out his own path and lead in his own style, having served as a captain with the Lions.
Bowles expressed confidence, saying, “We’ll never replace Lavonte, but Anzalone is a very good linebacker in his own right. He commands respect and will be very good for us.”
The Bucs aren’t stopping with Anzalone and Rozeboom. With the departure of veterans Deion Jones and Anthony Walker Jr., and David’s retirement, the team is eyeing the draft for fresh talent. Bowles and GM Jason Licht are keen on finding starting-caliber inside linebackers, with a draft class that’s rich in talent.
“I feel like there are some guys in this draft that can really play,” Bowles noted, highlighting the depth at the position. Prospects like Georgia’s C.J. Allen and Texas Tech’s Jacob Rodriguez have been linked to the Bucs in mock drafts.
Bowles emphasized the importance of instinctiveness in linebackers, saying, “You look for instincts, how they read, how they scrape and how they go. I think there is a bunch of those in the draft.”
As the Bucs transition into this new era without David, the pieces are being put in place for a defense that can build on his legacy while forging its own identity.