Bargain Shopping

June 22nd, 2014

lavonte david 0805

Joe knows Bucs fans were outraged last year when Lavonte David was snubbed for a Pro Bowl by his peers (had the votes only come from coaches and fans, David would have been eating pineapple).

Some Bucs fans also are irked that David is not higher on the NFL Network’s Top 100 Players list.

And for good reason. David is easily one of the top three linebackers in the NFL and may very well be the best weakside linebacker. Joe can’t think of another weakside linebacker better than David in Joe’s Sunday morning fog.

As good as he is on the field, David may be even better for Team Glazer’s accountants. ESPN.com Pat Yasinskas looks at what a value the Bucs have with David.

I just went through the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ contract numbers for 2014 with an eye out for guys that produce but aren’t getting paid a lot (relatively speaking). When it comes to the Bucs and bargains, you have to start with linebacker Lavonte David.

The guy is an All-Pro, but his base salary is only $705,612 and his cap figure is $946,836. David undoubtedly will make up for it when he signs his second contract. The Bucs can’t extend him until next year and you can bet they won’t waste any time.

Soon, perhaps during the NFL summer siesta, Gerald McCoy will get a fat new contract.

Not too long after that, David will get one, too. One with lots and lots and lots of zeros. That’s two huge contracts the Bucs are going to bite in the next 12-24 months.

38 Responses to “Bargain Shopping”

  1. The don Says:

    Do it. Wonder if he’ll hold out like brooks did

  2. finishers Says:

    let’s get McCoy done first! what’s hold up?!!

  3. finishers Says:

    let’s get McCoy done first! what’s hold up?!!

  4. Owlykat Says:

    David is a future Hall of Famer and deserves every honor and to be paid handsomely!

  5. Harry Says:

    @finishers Says:
    “…let’s get McCoy done first! what’s hold up?!!”

    They are likely monitoring Suh’s negotiations to see what he ends up with, since he was drafted just ahead of McCoy. And nothing seems to be going on with Suh’s deal. So it could take a while.

  6. Orca Says:

    Anyone irked by David’s position in the NFL Networks top 100 needs to find a few more hobbies.

  7. finishers Says:

    let’s be one to set the president and get him locked up before scum bag Suh! can’t sand that guy! so happy we drafted McCoy.but i understand they want to see what he gets first.

  8. The_Buc_Realist Says:

    Joe, how can David be considered good when he led the # 17 ranked defense in the NFL? Can we get a little consistency on this site???

  9. Buccaneer Bonzai Says:

    I don’t think the McCoy negotiations have anything to do with Suh. McCoy isn’t the type to care what someone else is making.

    He’ll take a respectable contract that doesn’t bootstrap the team…and he’ll likely be willing to make it more cap friendly in later years, like Brooks did.

  10. INDYbucsfan Says:

    I don’t know how team friendly McCoys contract will be, didn’t he hold out rookie year?

  11. Louis Friend Says:

    I read that article by Pat, he’s an idiot for not including Wright on his list of bargains. Then again, he’s an ESPN blogger – they get lazy after sitting over there for a while.

  12. Snook Says:

    People keep freaking out over what McCoy will get. It’s not much more per season than he’ll get in 2014…

    As for David…. These are good problems to have. Bucs fans just aren’t used to draft picks working out well and getting 2nd contracts….

  13. Louis Friend Says:

    @The_Buc_Realist

    Are you f**king serious? Nobody is good if a team ranking is mediocre? So by your statement Adrian Peterson isn’t a good RB because the Vikings had a crap offense?

    Jeez.

  14. Captain Stagger Says:

    Don’t hold your breath waiting in a response Realist….I’ve asked similar questions….never got an answer.

  15. BoJim Says:

    Pay them whatever they want. We need David and McCoy to get back to the SB.

  16. Hawaiian Buc Says:

    “Joe, how can David be considered good when he led the # 17 ranked defense in the NFL? Can we get a little consistency on this site???”

    —–

    Really, so you think it’s reasonable to compare QB to OLB? QB is the most important position on the field, by a mile. In fact, it’s the most important position in all of sports. He touches the ball every single snap. You can run or throw away from and OLB, and completely take him out of the game if need be. Also, you can cover up for a below average OLB. You can’t cover for a bad QB. You should really attempt to think before you type.

  17. Hawaiian Buc Says:

    You go ahead and find me a great QB that runs a last place offense. Go ahead, I’ll wait.

  18. The_Buc_Realist Says:

    @louis Friend
    it is a jest to what joe was arguing about from the previous comment section. Read Joe comments and you will get it.

    @ Captain Stagger
    All I can say is that I don’t like to waste my time, I can’t talk sense to the senseless.

  19. Buccfan37 Says:

    Realist… Without David the Bucs defence would of been ranked closer to the high 20’s. You are kidding right?

  20. Joe Says:

    Joe, how can David be considered good when he led the # 17 ranked defense in the NFL?

    LOL Don’t be dumb. 🙂

    And, yes, Joe gets the sarcasm. Had a good laugh.

  21. Chris Says:

    Signing David and McCoy won’t be a problem. McCoy makes 15 mm this year. His new deal will average out less then that.

    Goldson and Nicks 8 and 9.3 mm per will be off the books in 2015. So signing David to goldsons money won’t be an issue. And the cap is set to go up 15 mm over the next 1-2 years.

  22. ARealBucsFan Says:

    The bucs realist: look at the numbers. Lvd like some many other great linebackers can’t do it ALL by himself! And if you are the type of bucs fan that can’t enjoy the positive things that are going for this team you do not deserve
    As a “Bucs fan” to enjoy the greatness that this team will bring in the years to come. Stop being so damn negative.

  23. Hawk Says:

    @ The_Buc_Realist
    O.K., from now on, you *MUST* type (sarcasm), at the end of a snarky remark. Apparently your sarcasm is filled with helium and gently floats right over everyone’s’ head (sarcasm). See? Everyone with two brain cells can see that I was being sarcastic. ;^)

  24. The_Buc_Realist Says:

    @Hawk
    Not my fault that there is no Blue Font (real)
    And since the end of last season, I have been saying the Licht should ask everyteam that everyone is available for trade except McCoy and David. (real)

    Also Hawk, what is funnier? My attempt at sarcasm, or the 20 other commenters like HawaiinBuc getting his pineapples in a bunch to reply to it with there outrage?

    P.S. Rhonde barber is my favorite player ( sarcasm )

  25. buc89 Says:

    Buc realist is a 10 out of 10 retard

  26. Miguel Grande Says:

    “He’ll take a respectable contract that doesn’t bootstrap the team…and he’ll likely be willing to make it more cap friendly in later years, like Brooks did”

    That’s why a doofus like Dini has a shark agent.

  27. CigLeaf Says:

    McCoy deal probably should get done first, although this would be good too.

  28. Hawk Says:

    Oh, I get your sarcasm. AND I enjoy the responses of those who don’t. :^)
    Can’t be a long-time Buc fan unless you have a sense of humor.

  29. Chris Says:

    Man to be a Buc fan we all should have a sense of humor. At work as one of very few Buc fans, I get the “cellar dwellers” busting consistently lol

  30. You go Joe Says:

    At 700k it is a steal but at 700k it is unacceptable. I understand rookies can’t get a new contract till whenever, but DAM David deserves his money

  31. Chris Says:

    You go Joe Says:
    June 23rd, 2014 at 12:35 am
    At 700k it is a steal but at 700k it is unacceptable. I understand rookies can’t get a new contract till whenever, but DAM David deserves his money

    He deserves one but I’m actually happy the new rookie wage scale exists. Rookies coming out should earn the big pay days like Lavonte has done already. We all know bowers didn’t. Lol. He’ll get his (David) when the guidelines allow it. He just has another opportunity to up his cost which I’m sure the bucs will gladly meet.

  32. Buc the Haters Says:

    @ Buc Realist

    I’m really looking forward to 2-3 more years of sarcastic remarks related to your boy Glennon and how he’s STILL not starting. ‘The future’ might be starting by 2016. (just trying to help u get mentally prepared)

  33. Vincente Says:

    I believe 54 knows he’s gonna get paid. Just like he plays his position he will be patient than attack. That guy is solid all around and yes joe he IS the best weakside linebacker in the game.

  34. Bucfan77. Says:

    There are some writers on this site that are grossly inconsistent I in their arguments but are constantly correcting others with usually a little name calling thrown in to boot. Don’t you realize when you do that you loose the argument because it means you have no legitimate reply.

  35. RustyRhinos Says:

    Hey Realist
    Can we get a little consistency on this site???

    That consistency is only available for those who are willing to use stats.

  36. Swaggy64 Says:

    I thought Joe was the only acknowledged expert on this site and the rest of us are just enthusiastic amateurs offering our opinions and limited insight. If somebody offers an opinion or makes a sarcastic comment that shakes my confidence in the Bucs’ chances this coming season I don’t let it deter me from hoping for the best. I’m not confident enough in my own knowledge to assume I’m right and the other guy is always wrong. Anything can happen. The beauty of that is that includes a winning stretch for my Bucs.

  37. RustyRhinos Says:

    I would love to have both David and McCoy have new contracts going into this season. Both Have Earned it. and it might help us with future cap space?

  38. Hawk Says:

    The Bucs are not allowed to even talk about a contract with David. It will have to wait until next year.