Anthony Walker Says He Was Handpicked By Lavonte David
March 19th, 2025
New Bucs inside linebacker Anthony Walker, Jr.
Very interesting chatter between new Bucs linebacker Anthony Walker, Joe and Zoom-assembled Tampa Bay media this afternoon.
Joe kicked off the action asking Walker to explain his relationship with Lavonte David, who noted Monday that he knows how hard Walker works and knows him well.
Joe did not expect the response that the veteran Walker delivered.
Anthony Walker, Jr.: I know Lavonte pretty much most of my life. Being from Miami, actually one of his close friends, I played football with his little brother. So I was just always around. Once I made the NFL, they kind of let me get into the group, the older group, to hang with the cool kids, I guess. Yeah, we’ve trained together every offseason since like my third year in the NFL. You know, obviously a mentor of mine, a guy that I’ve learned from, tried to model my game after and just a very good friend of mine.
JoeBucsFan.com: Do you feel like he’s part of the reason that you’re here? Maybe that connection or speaking up for you?
Walker: (laughs) Yeah, a huge reason. Obviously, the respect that he has in Tampa, on this team, in the city, you know, everywhere he’s been he’s touched a lot of lives. And for him to help me get here is amazing, as well. Obviously a chance to be teammates would be pretty dope. And I’ve kept telling him that. He’s said one day he was going to make it happen. We’ve been trying to get this done since I was getting drafted [in 2017] but, you know, finally able to get it done.
Walker has made 83 starts in his eight seasons covering time with the Colts, Browns and Dolphins, including eight starts in 14 games played for Miami last season.
There’s very interesting depth brewing in the Bucs’ linebacker corps. Joe said interesting, not “good.” That’s to be determined — if SirVocea Dennis can stay on the field and Walker, who turns 30 in August, hasn’t lost a step.
Man, if the Bucs’ draft an inside linebacker with a premium pick next month, all of a sudden they’ll be loaded at the position.
March 19th, 2025 at 2:47 pm
Cool insight. Great question Joe.
March 19th, 2025 at 2:51 pm
Am I the only one that sits and wonders that if they didn’t draft for special teams the year after they won the Super Bowl their depth would (potentially) be better? I feel like that has a bigger impact than what people think.
March 19th, 2025 at 3:01 pm
this Team is stacked. Need more secondary help and LB via Draft and FA. Go Bucs!!
March 19th, 2025 at 3:01 pm
I definitely would rather us picked up a couple defensive players than the kicker and punter we drafted over the last few years that didn’t pan out… AT ALL.
Licht’s done a great job so I’ll give him a pass. LOL
Based on the punter he picked up this offseason, I think maybe he’s learned his lesson.
March 19th, 2025 at 3:20 pm
Great scoop, Joe!
Would love this guy to be able to step in as a starter. No idea if Dennis will be healthy.
March 19th, 2025 at 4:34 pm
Just read that LB Jihaad Campbell confirmed that he had surgery for a torn labrum in his left shoulder following the NFL Scouting Combine.
Noah Spence had surgery as well for the Bucs on a torn labrum in his shoulder.
It is not to say that the surgery cannot work. But I think the medical science suggests that if the player ever reinjuries that shoulder again, he is essentially useless as a pro athlete.
Therefore, Campbell would be off my draft board for both the 1st and 2nd round.
March 19th, 2025 at 4:43 pm
Gipper, will this Emmanwori dude be on the board at #19? Boy those shoulder injuries can lead to a can of worms.
March 19th, 2025 at 5:30 pm
Emmawori…but shhhĥhhhhhh!
March 19th, 2025 at 5:39 pm
I always thought the dude had the talent at Northwestern. I guess maybe Lavonte sees something in him, too!
March 19th, 2025 at 5:59 pm
Cool stuff.
Didn’t know Campbell was injured and had surgery
March 19th, 2025 at 6:20 pm
Per CBS Sports on Campbell “The severity of Campbell’s injury is currently unknown; however, Jay Robins of SB Nation reports labrum surgeries typically require six to eight months for recovery.”
The #2 ILB in the draft is Carson Schwesinger who hurt his hammy at the combine and shut it down. The UCLA pro day was earlier this week and he is still shut down.
On the CB front, Shavon Revel is highly rated despite blowing out his ACL last September. Benjamin Morrison is still lauded by some scouts despite going down with ankle and shoulder injuries last year.
Licht will need a full medical team to evaluate prospects this draft!
March 19th, 2025 at 6:36 pm
Seems like a given a MLB will be added in the first 3 rounds considering Dennis’ health is far from a given and David’s not playing forever. A successor needs a year to get his feet under him and acclimate to the league so he’s up to the task of taking over in ’26.
March 19th, 2025 at 6:44 pm
I’m just saying this, I think we made a good decision on Walker. I don’t think Lavonte would knowingly bring in a bad apple. These little pieces that they are picking in free agency are for rotation, and I hope the draft goes the right way. Time will tell, Let’s Go Bucs!!!!
March 19th, 2025 at 7:24 pm
I doubt that we will be drafting anyone that needs rehabilitating with our first pick. Now if someone with special potential falls to a later round. We may be able to afford to take a chance.
March 19th, 2025 at 8:15 pm
There are a couple interesting linebackers available in the later rounds, including Jack Kiser from ND, Danny Stutzman from OK, Chris Paul from Ole Miss, Jeffrey Bassa from Ore and Tedye Buchanan from Cal. I suspect we may pass on Campbell in favor of a CB. There is also a lot of depth at NT/DT. So, I’d guess CB or Edge in the first round.
March 19th, 2025 at 8:37 pm
So I’m guessing Joe he’s an inside backer ?
March 20th, 2025 at 12:31 am
I got a bad vibe going on with this guy! Hand picked? PFF grades? Fans need to watch the tape? Nah dude you just made a real bonehead first impression. We just got rid of a dude like you that loved to say stupid stuff.
Go Bucs!
March 20th, 2025 at 12:52 am
FlBoy84 Says:
March 19th, 2025 at 6:36 pm
Seems like a given a MLB will be added in the first 3 rounds considering Dennis’ health is far from a given and David’s not playing forever. A successor needs a year to get his feet under him and acclimate to the league so he’s up to the task of taking over in ’26.
^^^^^^^
The good news is there seems to be several good ILB prospects that’ll be there in the 3rd Round range.
March 20th, 2025 at 1:10 am
Can’t wait to see what SirV does. Showed a lot of speed and promise
March 20th, 2025 at 9:17 am
Joe! Don’t forget about Dion Jones was playing good towards the end of the season.
March 20th, 2025 at 9:52 am
Campbells injury could drive into the late 2nd rd. or farther depending on teams medical evaluation. That would lead one to believe a D-line or backfield look in 1st.
March 20th, 2025 at 10:27 am
I like the way that Licht uses free agency to shore up deficient positions just enough so that he ends up with a ton of viable options come draft day. I think that’s a big part of his success.