New Bucs Defender Exposes Bond to Current Tampa Bay Icon

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have added some key players to their defense this offseason.

One of those new additions is linebacker Anthony Walker, who signed a one-year deal to play in Tampa Bay after the 29-year-old spent last season with the Miami Dolphins.

The former fifth-round pick was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in 2017 and spent three seasons with the Browns before arriving in Miami.

While speaking with the media on Wednesday, Walker revealed Bucs current linebacker legend Lavonte David had a lot to do with his decision to play in Tampa Bay.

"Obviously, the respect that he has in Tampa, on this team, in the city, everywhere he’s been, he’s touched a lot of lives and for him to help me get here is amazing as well," Walker Jr. said. "Obviously, a chance to be teammates with him would be pretty dope and I kept telling him that. He said one day he was going to make it happen. 

"We’ve been trying to get this done since I was getting drafted but [we were] finally able to get it done.”

Walker revealed he's already spoken with David about the defensive scheme and expectations ahead of offseason workouts.

"They do come after the quarterback a lot, as well, so one of the first things he told me is to just be ready to go, doing everything – blitzing, coverage, stopping the run, all that stuff," Walker Jr. said. "The last thing he texted me just now was, ‘All right. It’s time to get to work.’ I’m like, ‘Dude, it’s still the offseason [laughs]. 

"What’s wrong with you?’ But that’s just kind of how we always competed, me and Lavonte, in the offseason and everything like that."