LVD had 114 comb tkl, 61 solo, and 53 assists with 8 TFLs, 6 QB Hits, 3 PD, 3 FF, 3.5 sacks and 1 INT in 17 games.
Anzalone had 96 comb tkl, 52 solo, 43 assists with 4 TFls, 6 QB Hits, 9 PD, 0 FF, 2.5 sacks, and 1 INT in 16 games.
Again, Anzalone isn't that big of an upgrade even with LVD in the twilight of his career. Other than pass defense Anzalone is just about more of the same if he is taking over the money backer spot.
opposing running backs had finished with 79 catches, the 10th-highest total in the league."
"Those 79 receptions resulted in 860 yards allowed, the most in the NFL."
"opposing tight ends latched onto 100 catches against the Bucs. Only seven teams yielded more."
Ignoring the facts as usual to push a narrative:
Good grief. Everything is. not some conspiracy or narrative.
The "narrative" is that the Bucs LB corp was one of the worst in the league in 2025? I DONT SEE YOU DISAGREEING?
You said this
"Bucs Diaby and Nelson are not suited to defend RBs and TEs in the flat why are the ILB taking flak for this? Every single ILB that has started in Bowles scheme is catching strays for things they do not control since 2019."
Maybe you're the one pushing the narrative? No one said OLBs done drop as blitz and that doesn't play a part, but that stats are TE receptions, touchdowns and RB yards in the flat. In the 2025 Falcons game a pas s was thrown in the flat to an RB in the flat and it went for a 52 yard TD . . the LB there who had zero chance . . SVD.
Anyway, HERE IS THE POINT
Anzalone 2025 coverage grade: 65.3 grade
LVD 2025 coverage grade: 45.1 (69th out 88)
SVD 2025 coverage grade: 30.5 (maybe dead last?)
Anzalone had a 88.8 passer rating allowed in 2025, LVD was 132.2.
So if you wnat to defend YOUR position that Anzalone is NOT an upgrade . . . you might not concede the OBVIOUS point you did IN BOLD:
Other than pass defense Anzalone is just about more of the same
LMAO, wtf? Other than pass defense? Talk about pushing a narrative . . the Bucs defense is not bad against the run and its pretty easy to draft ILBs to stop the run. Britt was decent against the run, SVD too. The tougher thing to find . . . coverage ILBS
@alldaway - say Anzalone is himself on the decline. That might be a better argument, but obviously its hard to say that if you are defending LVD as equal or better.
any rational human being with eyes can see the bad play of our LBs. Literally why a ILB tops many Bucs mock drafts