Alex Anzalone’s Tackling
September 24th, 2026
Can inside linebacker Alex Anzalone turn it around?
If a few unsolved Bucs mysteries aren’t solved like Sunday, they’re likely to doom the season.
The first mystery — a longstanding mystery to Joe — is why KitKat-eating Bucs coach Todd Bowles is so averse to sacks from edge rushers.
Another mystery is what the heck happened to Alex Anzalone. The Gators product was once known throughout the NFL as a solid tackler, a smart guy known for hard-hitting, defending the pass and being a smart, fundamentally sound player.
Right now, virtually every other time Anzalone tries to make a tackle, he looks like he’s swinging on a stripper pole.
Bowles believes Anzalone will work his way out of this slump.
“Very confident in Alex tackling,” Bowles said. “It hasn’t been a problem for him (in his career).
“He missed one or two here and there, but a couple people missed a couple here and there. Alex is going to be fine.
“He’s calmed down. We have great confidence in him. He’s going to be fine.”
Joe hopes so (there’s that ugly word again) because tackling is the most elementary part of defensive football. The Bucs need everyone, not just one or two guys, getting the job done.
Could it be that Anzalone, who previously played in 43 defenses in the NFL, is lost in a 34 defense?
If a starting inside linebacker can’t tackle, then your defense then has a low ceiling.