It didn’t take long for new Bucs inside linebacker Alex Anzalone to realize something was different with this defense when he first stepped into the meeting room at One Buc Place. There were more layers and more nuance about Todd Bowles’ scheme than his previous stops.

The terminology was heavier. The responsibilities have shifted depending on the look. Anzalone described the defense with term that has been a lightning rod of discussion when it comes to Bowles’ defense: “complex.”

It Took Anzalone “A Couple Weeks” To Get Down Bucs’ Defense

Coming from Detroit, Alex Anzalone has a fresh set of eyes on Todd Bowles defense and that allows him to see this defense in a different lens than others who have been immersed in this system for several seasons. While Bowles has been as adamant as possible that his defense is actually not that complex, the fact that Anzalone lobbed that term – “complex” – up on his own would say otherwise.

Speaking after offseason workouts, the Bucs inside linebacker didn’t shy away from the adjustment.

Bucs ILB Alex Anzalone – Photo by: Brian Collera/PR

“It’s good. It took me a couple weeks to kind of really understand it or truly pick up on the verbiage,” Anzalone said. “Everyone kind of runs similar things, obviously he (Todd Bowles) has a little more complex system than what I’m used to.”

However, Anzalone followed that up by saying it’s easier to pick up what Bowles wants to do as a coach, and he’s excited about the opportunity it presents for the team.

“But it’s been pretty easy to pick up and communicate and understand what he’s trying to accomplish,” Anzalone said. “I think for me as a linebacker, the biggest thing now is trying to see what he likes to call in certain situations, understand him as a play caller as opposed to the actual playbook.”

For a linebacker, complexity in terms of schemes and play calls can go one of two ways. It can slow you down as a player, or it can unlock you to have more responsibility and make playmaking ability.

Anzalone, who is entering his 10th season in the NFL, believes he’s stepping into the second version.

For someone with Anzalone’s experience and instincts, his game can be simplified once he gets the system down. Less thinking means more attacking.

“You’re not guessing,” Anzalone said. “You know where your help is. You know where the ball is likely to go. So you can just run.”

Bucs ILB Alex Anzalone – Photo by: Cliff Welch P/R

That’s exactly what he plans to do.

Alex Anzalone Will Be Freed Up In The Bucs Defense 

The Bucs have been looking for an energetic inside linebacker that can fly around for quite a while. Yes, they had a legend in Lavonte David, who played at age 35 last year, but age caught up to him in recent seasons. Tampa Bay has a reboot in progress at the inside linebacker position this season with three new players coming in – Anzalone, rookie Josiah Trotter, the team’s second-round pick, and Christian Rozeboom. Only SirVocea Dennis, who is entering a contract year after his first season as a starter in 2025, is a returning player that’s been on the team for more than one year.

The 31-year old Anzalone, a former team captain with the Lions, was brought in to be the new leader in that room. To be the guy calling the plays in the huddle, wearing the green dot as Todd Bowles calls in the play. Anzalone has that new energy that the team is looking for. It’s a great match as well for Anzalone, who is looking to show parts of his game that maybe he wasn’t able to put on display in previous systems in Detroit and New Orleans.

Bucs ILB Alex Anzalone – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Anzalone believes he’s going to have a fantastic opportunity to be extremely productive with what Bowles and the Bucs defense will ask of him.

“I think that I’m definitely going to have some free runs at the quarterback,” Anzalone said, when asked about the opportunity to blitz in Bowles’ scheme. “Get some stats and forced fumbles and things of the nature. As a linebacker that’s what you really want to do – make those splash plays. I’m excited for that.”