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.