Really bad numbers.
When opposing offenses threw in the flat against the Bucs, the results were flat out embarrassing.
Joe is on record the Bucs need two starters at inside linebacker and probably a backup as well. Whether Lavonte David returns or not, that doesn’t change Joe’s conclusion.
The Bucs’ inside linebackers were awful last year. Joe is a huge David guy and he earned the street cred that provides him a pass.
Besides, at 35 (last year), what did folks expect? David’s much closer to the end than his prime years. But SirVocea Dennis, the other Bucs’ inside linebacker, was terrible, especially defending the pass.
In fact, Dennis was damn near rock bottom in 2025, documents Jenna Laine of ESPN.
In fact, the Bucs’ 581 receiving yards given up in the flat were the most of any team. David is clearly on the back end of his career, but he was still the best option they had there, while SirVocea Dennis has been a huge liability.
Dennis surrendered 606 yards as the nearest defender — second most in the league among linebackers last year, according to NFL Next Gen Stats. His 420 yards after the catch surrendered were also second-most in the league.
Joe has seen enough of Dennis. The first two years he had promise but couldn’t stay on the field due to injuries. Hey, it happens.
But last year, when Dennis was finally healthy for a full season, he demonstrated he had no business being an NFL starting linebacker.
First, there were his struggles in the flat on opening day and later was that 29-yard Jalen Hurts scramble up the right side in Week 4; Dennis looked like he was blocking downfield for Hurts, running stride-for-stride with Hurts two steps in front of him. Good grief, talk about zero awareness!
And then Dennis later watched Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert take a shovel pass from Hurts and run right past Dennis. #Sad!
Joe has no earthly idea how the Bucs could sell to fans they are serious about making the playoffs if they believe Dennis is worthy of starting in 2026.