Lavonte David on Game Evolution, Sterling Shepard playing with Baker Mayfield

Lavonte David returns to the bay for his 14th season, equaling the temple of renowned professional football Derrick Brooks for the second seasons most played in the history of the franchise and dragging only the temple of the renowned professional football Ronde Barber (16 seasons). David, the club’s off -ball phenomenon, is the holder of the deductible record in forced escapes (31) and the escaped recovery (19), in addition to ranking second in the plated (1600), the third in games played (198) and the games began (198) and equally for the sixth in the bags (39.0). In addition, David holds the records of the franchise eliminatory series for total plated (79) and solo plated (57). David’s campaign in 2024 marked its 11th career in a total of 100 or more plated, the third largest number of the NFL since 2000 behind London Fletcher (14) and Bobby Wagner (13). Since he entered the League in 2012, no active player has no more plated for loss (169). The undisputed chief of the defense of the BUCs continues to occur at an elite level and sets the tone. Throughout his career, David has maintained consistency with instinctive play and rare recognition. While the league has become more focused on passes with a horizontal section and a sprinkled movement, David revitalized his game to correspond to the opposing offensive patterns. One of the most well -balanced seconds in the NFL is locked up for another year with the Buccaneers.

“During my 14 years of play, I probably played with five defensive coordinators,” said David. “Each defense, I adapted myself to that and I did it what is good for me – I prevailed in each. So, just by adapting, taking what I learned from these defenses, and putting it in my game right now … The game does not change, people do the same thing, but in different ways. Now and put it in conclusion and look at your product, how do you go in the field You adapt to the game as it is played now … It’s a great feeling for you, personally. “

After the departure of Justin Skule in a free agency, the Buccaneers have a new swing tackle. Tampa Bay signed Charlie Heck, who participated in 50 career games, making 23 departures, between the Texans of Houston (2020-23), the Arizona Cardinals (2024) and San Francisco 49ers (2024). Heck played mainly in the right tackle – recording 1,334 clichés in the right career – but saw most of his action in the left tackle in 2024, seeing 80 snaps compared to 25 snaps in the right tackle. In the past three seasons, Heck has only produced two bags through 311 passenger blocking snaps. He discussed his state of mind to stay ready to play on both sides of the training.

“When you are in this role of safeguarding as a swing, you must enter the week, there is that you are going to be the starter,” noted Heck. “You are probably not going to get as many representatives in practice, so it comes down to watching the starter there and visualizing how you would do this. Anything can happen – you have to be ready.”

Sterling Shepard returned to the Giron in 2025, after having signed a one -year contract with the club of the last off -season. The first goes earlier with Baker Mayfield. Shepard appeared in 14 games for Tampa Bay in 2024, making five departures and bringing 32 receptions for 334 yards and a receiver touch, while adding eight races for 69 yards. Its 403 melee yards for the BUCS last season have marked its highest production since the 2020 season. During his career, Shepard began 79 of the 104 career games between the Giants of New York and the Buccaneers, totaling 404 receptions for 4,429 yards and 24 affected with 32 attempts as a soldier for 255 yards and a soldier score. He helped to light the BUCS offensive last season when injuries accumulated and emerged as the three-three option.

“Baker is one of those quarters for which you want to give everything and it is so from university,” said Shepard. “It’s like that since my last year when I had the chance to play with him. Obviously, I was on the road to retirement last year, and he gave me this call. I would not want to come back to play for someone else. If I had to choose between football, I wouldn’t be much more. The position I am right now and I can’t wait to put a helmet and go to work.”

The Buccaneers separated from KJ Britt and signed Anthony Walker Jr. to join Lavonte David and Sirvoaa Dennis. Walker Jr. started 83 of the 99 games in his career, sharing time between the Indianapolis (2017-20), Cleveland Browns (2021-23) and Miami Dolphins (2024). He recorded 571 career plated (26 for the loss), 21 defensive assists, nine quarters of a quarter, 5.5 bags, four interceptions, four escaped recovery and two forced escapes. Walker began his three career competitions in playoffs, recording 12 plated (one for loss). He plays with an exceptional consciousness on the ground and is able to limit the screens and the return routes in the middle of the field. Walker will increase the defense of BUCs in situations of passage.

“Obviously, the defense consists in knowing where your place is and everyone knowing where its place is and to understand how the offenses can attack us and ensure that we limit the games where they throw it there,” said Walker. “It starts with me by doing my job and my work consists in covering the middle of the field. I am proud not to let the ball to be thrown deep behind me or deeply in front of me. This is my work. It is me knowing what the defensive call is and perform my work at this time the defensive call is. [are] Like, “his note Pff …” and all that. I’m just here to tell you that you can watch the film – the ball does not end behind me or in front of me in the middle of the field and that’s what I feel. “”