“I’m Gettin’ There”
June 1st, 2013
Stud Lavonte David, who calls the Bucs’ defensive signals, says he’s working to figure out all the moving parts on D.
It saddens Joe how overlooked Lavonte David is by many Bucs fans.
Joe’s labeled players “manbeasts” at various times, but David truly performed like a manbeast in his rookie season in 2012. David was second in the NFL in solo tackles — second — plus he made the Bucs’ defensive calls out of the gate. Amazing!
Even Bucs icon Derrick Brooks said David is a better player now than Brooks was after his first season.
Interestingly, David, the signal caller, says he’s still learning the New Schiano Order defense. In this team video, David explains, “I’m gettin’ there,” when asked about understanding the ins and out of the defense.
“I’m being more vocal and I’m trying to learn more about each guy at their own position to make myself better,” David said.
David is scary good, and wherever he’s trying to be “gettin’,” it’s going to be something damn special if he can reach that goal.
June 1st, 2013 at 2:51 pm
Well put Joe. We just can’t underestimate David’s role as a playmaker in this defense.
Another forgotten manbeast is our own Carl Nicks. Would love to see a spot on his recovery.
June 1st, 2013 at 2:58 pm
LaVonte David might be Mark Dominick’s greatest draft pick. He was EVERYWHERE last year, and I hope to see this kid build off of that.
Definitely the BEST LB since double nickel.
June 1st, 2013 at 3:03 pm
David was indeed very good. I really like him.
On a side note, the news of the cowboys draft board was leaked and its been noted that Banks was ranked as a 6th rounder.
But many people didn’t notice another item on the list…QB Mike Glennon was ranked as a 5th rounder.
June 1st, 2013 at 3:04 pm
LVD is 2nd most important player just behind GMC on Defense
June 1st, 2013 at 3:05 pm
Spence was also ranked as a 5th rounder, and James & Means were not even considered draft-able.
And this is with Monte as DC.
June 1st, 2013 at 3:37 pm
BuccaneerBonzai
I’m sure Dallas’s draft board was set up more to their own needs. They weren’t in dire need of a CB after drafting Claiborne last year and they feel Romo is their guy and had Glennon in the later rounds. I bet when you take a closer look at their board you’ll see they have players according to need ranked higher. Just like our board if we were able to see it.
June 1st, 2013 at 3:38 pm
@ BuccaneerBonzai
considering the cowboys aren’t exactly the best team when it comes to drafting players, I don’t see why it should matter. every team’s draft board is different, for example their first round pick Fredrick could have been labeled a second or third round pick on our draft board. plus teams draft players they think will fit in their scheme, so that greatly effects what round players are drafted and by what team.
June 1st, 2013 at 3:45 pm
The Cowboys have last went to the playoffs when?
The Cowboys paid Tony Romo bc they “had to”.
The Cowboys are led by a senial GM, whom is not fit to make the draft selections that are made.
I believe Jerra Jones may have turned his board upside down and then drafted, as their Center was a 1st round pick, with a 3rd round grade?
We shall see, but I would rather have the Bucs roster of the Cowboys, as both teams lack a consistently good QB, but the Bucs are at least not married to their question mark players.
June 1st, 2013 at 3:47 pm
the cowboys defense is diff then ours. Do we really run that much zone/tampa cover 2 with revis and banks? Do we trust whoever our SAM is in zone coverage?
June 1st, 2013 at 3:51 pm
now if the ravens draft board was leaked id be much more inclined to pay attention.
June 1st, 2013 at 4:11 pm
If our D-line is as good as we all think it can be. We have stars at every level of defense. Can’t wait to see it all put together.
June 1st, 2013 at 4:32 pm
I never thought I’d see a LB as good as Derrick Brooks in my lifetime.
Lavonte David may prove me wrong.
He was incredible last year. Simply incredible. He may be Dominick’s hall of famer!
June 1st, 2013 at 4:44 pm
imagine how much more effective he would be if we had one other linebacker that was even average to pair him with.
June 1st, 2013 at 4:59 pm
@ John – Mason Foster is at least average and still has room to go. He’s a solid player for us.
And as for David, if there is a Bucs fan overlooking him then they are blind. That guy is going to be a terror for us for years to come.
June 1st, 2013 at 5:12 pm
David is the MAN, and Foster, I think, gets too much criticism. I think he has done very well too. Would love to see Foster at OLB and have them get someone else in the middle but it doesnt look like that is their plan
June 1st, 2013 at 5:20 pm
Gee golly, us bucs fans are the dumbest lot of pitchfork carrying fans in the freaking NFL. Thanks joe.
June 1st, 2013 at 5:41 pm
Sssshhh!!! Hush now!
This will ruin the narrative of the Dominik haters.
June 1st, 2013 at 5:46 pm
And Jerry Jones as the general manager.
BTW, wasn’t it Monte who lobbied for Gaines Adams? 🙁
June 1st, 2013 at 5:55 pm
LVD has got to be my favorite LB, i like foster but David just out preforms everyone. As someone mentioned it earlier he has to be the second most important person in our D behind GMC. I know revis and goldson bring in the veteran experience but as of now with Ronde out and retired I’ll be sticking to GMC and David.
A lot of responsibility has been given to David last year and he has performed above and beyond what the coaches wanted out of him. I do hate it that keuchly gets more attention but as it was mentioned before David always our quiet player that doesn’t speak much but his actions speak more than in the field.
June 1st, 2013 at 6:09 pm
Yeah its not like the Cowboys are known for their great drafts.
On a side not, remember when everyone wanted Claiborne and Richardson and were so mad we picked up Barron/Martin/David instead. Yep Dom killed that one.
June 1st, 2013 at 6:29 pm
As to Banks on the Boys’ board, there are two wholly diff schemes involved (unless Monte has changed his ways a lot), requiring different sterngths & talents; I am sure Barber would have been rated low by say, the Raiders, the year he came out.
June 1st, 2013 at 7:16 pm
I for one haven’t forgotten about LaVonte. I was amazed by how well he did last year. He may be my favorite player on defense. Quiet guy that ldts his play speak. I hope he has another great season. He’ll never replace 55 but i think he has the potential to hang in ring of honor like Brooks will be.
June 1st, 2013 at 8:30 pm
@ Joe,
Not sure how anyone can be hating on Dominick nowadays? He has done wonders for this football team,post 2011 season. GMC is looking like a great draft choice too.
It all falls back to #5. Is Freeman the answer? If not, Dominick should have a chance to bring in his guy.
June 1st, 2013 at 9:04 pm
BUCS superbowl 2013!
June 1st, 2013 at 9:13 pm
David is going to be my next jersey since Barber retired! Overlooked and underrated by many…until you face his ferocious determination…need I remind our foes, DO NOT discount his size!!!
June 1st, 2013 at 11:24 pm
MadMax
That’s sacrilege, I would never give up Barber’s jersey.
June 1st, 2013 at 11:31 pm
Whoa Tim, I never give them up, lol. I still wear my Alstott and Sapp jerseys sometimes….will do so with Barber too. But a new one is needed to represent the fresh crop and stay current, and it’s #54. Come on man!?! 🙂
June 2nd, 2013 at 2:37 am
Who overlooked David? All real Bucs fans love great defensive players. LD performed exactly as he did at Nebraska. He is such a likable player.
June 2nd, 2013 at 9:47 am
I’m not one of them, Joe. David is a freak and one of the best players on the team. That he didn’t go to Hawaii last year is a travesty. And is exactly the problem w the pro bowl. The wrong people go. Every year.
June 2nd, 2013 at 9:51 am
Joe, lol!
David commanded the defense from day one. He made the minor adjustments, and the the adjustments to counter the offensive shifts/ play changes.
That alone is an incredible feat as a rookie.
Then to constantly be a factor in the Run game- AND provide good coverage in the flats( meybe the only good coverage on last years team!!) is something I’ve only seen once before- one any team, at any time!
And that guy was a home town kid. Wore #55