Lavonte David’s Savior: Lovie Smith?
June 25th, 2014
Joe really doesn’t give a damn about the NFL Network Top 100 players. Hasn’t watched a second of it. The series is nothing more than filler to get the network through the NFL summer siesta.
Joe would much, much, much prefer to watch an “America’s Game” episode.
It is sad that NFL players either do not know or do not understand Bucs lineback Lavonte David. The guy is an absolute stud. What does it say about NFL players if they cannot elect David to the Pro Bowl or don’t think David is one of the top 30 players in the NFL?
Guess he doesn’t get on SchlockCenter enough for these grizzled football minds. If only David could hit home runs or dunk basketballs.
Well, former NFL safety Matt Bowen believes David’s career is about to make a sharp turn — for the better. The reason for this expected spike in David’s career? That would be Bucs coach Lovie Smith, the Bleacher Report analyst believes.
I believe David has only begun to showcase a skill set that will be developed even more under Smith and his coaching staff. Smith is going to teach technique, discipline and footwork within his scheme. Those are the main keys that will be on display during positional drills and teaching periods during camp. And it’s all done at top speed, with multiple hats to the ball-carrier.
In my opinion, this is a great defensive scheme to play in. It allows you to read your initial keys, get to a landmark and just play football.
It sounds simple and almost a bit high school-ish, but this defense works when you have the personnel to play with speed and attack downhill. However, every defense in the NFL needs a playmaker who shows up consistently in crucial game situations. Given his speed, lateral quickness and ball skills, that should be David this year under the teaching of Smith. The production should continue to climb for the linebacker in Tampa.
Remember when Joe and many Bucs fans once thought it was heresy to suggest Lavonte David was the next Derrick Brooks? Well, that soon could turn from an insult to Brooks to near reality.
Simply put, Joe isn’s concerned about the Bucs defense. It is in good hands.
June 25th, 2014 at 6:56 am
Damn!!!! Who needs coffee!! Let the show begin!!!
June 25th, 2014 at 7:02 am
This isn’t news, anybody who’s watched David while at Nebraska knows, it’s only the tip of the iceberg. Forget a splash play, it’s going to be a splash season for this guy.
June 25th, 2014 at 7:12 am
These are picked by current players right? I respect this more than any of the other crap out there.
June 25th, 2014 at 7:16 am
“Joe really doesn’t give a damn about the NFL Network Top 100 players.”
I feel the same exact way about the PRO BOWL. The All-Pro list bears more weight to me. And with that being said my only bold prediction I’m going with this year.
Lavonte David will become the 4th player in our organization to win AP Defensive Player of the Year.
AP Defensive Player of the Year
• 1979 NFL Lee Roy Selmon Tampa Bay Buccaneers
• 1999 NFL Warren Sapp Tampa Bay Buccaneers
• 2002 NFL Derrick Brooks Tampa Bay Buccaneers
• 2014 NFL Lavonte David Tampa Bay Buccaneers
June 25th, 2014 at 7:33 am
I think Lovie being here and, hopefully, a winning record will bring more widespread attention to the team. With attention comes the acclaims for our standout players that they didn’t get when we were being led by a pair of clown head coaches. Couple that with actual professional coaching and not only will they have more eyes on them but they will be playing at a higher level while being seen by more people.
June 25th, 2014 at 7:38 am
@LMB – BOLD prediction my friend. Here’s to a truck load of faith in your clairvoyance
June 25th, 2014 at 7:47 am
Joe
Don’t forget a coach named Nickerson, he may help him also with what he knows.
Based on what you have said, is 30 days correct?
June 25th, 2014 at 7:53 am
@Patrick in VA
Top of the morning brotha. Sure we don’t have a lot of prime time games (for the world to see). But Lavonte’s play will speak for itself.
June 25th, 2014 at 7:57 am
@LMB
For him to win Defensive Player of the Year the team will have to win.. When I mean win I mean go to the playoffs at the MINIMUM…
It’s been since 2006(Jason Taylor) for a player to win that award and not be in the playoffs..
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Football_League_Defensive_Player_of_the_Year_Award
On a positive note I hope if we don’t make the playoffs he is the first since 2006(Or McCoy) to win it! I just ordered my LVD(pewter) and Mike Evans(white) jersey for the season so I’m pumped about that as well! 🙂
June 25th, 2014 at 8:05 am
@Phillip
Can’t wait brotha. Yeah ordered my Mark Barron & Lavonte David (Red Game) jerseys. And yes HE WINS means WE WIN. So Lets GO !!!
June 25th, 2014 at 8:18 am
@LuvmyBucs
Mark Barron and LVD jersey, you must be a Coach Schiano fan! thank goodness he took over the last 2 years.
June 25th, 2014 at 8:21 am
Hey Phillip, where did you find pewter jerseys at? Thanks!
June 25th, 2014 at 8:32 am
@The_Buc_Realist
I appreciate his effort. Wish him the best. Glad we’ve turned the page on that chapter though
June 25th, 2014 at 9:09 am
I was loud about “not comparing him to Brooks”. He is still not at the level Brooks, but only because he needs sustained success over a career to match Brooks. However, it is definitely time to start talking about him approaching Brooks. He definitely could be better than Brooks, if everything works out. And you have no idea how hard that was for me to type.
June 25th, 2014 at 9:13 am
Bought a $5 tampa wins the Super Bowl ticket in Vegas this weekend. The odds were 60-1 and the payout is a gazillion dollars. Go buc’s!
June 25th, 2014 at 9:15 am
This is the year. Pulled my Super Bowl helmet out of storage and am proudly displaying it on my office desk.
June 25th, 2014 at 10:34 am
@LMB
The white is growing on me alot and so is the pewter ones didn’t think it would but it has..
@Dewey Selmon
I don’t believe in paying the NFL any more money than they already make(billions) so I bought the Chinese ones with the stitched on numbers(which I prefer over the screen printed crap) got them both for $50 with free shipping and the elite versions.. If Joe says the site is allowed I’ll post it here or if you have Twitter I’ll post pictures on my account later today (@philbob2004 BTW Joe could you unblock me please! lol 🙂 )
June 25th, 2014 at 10:45 am
Swarm to the football and hit people. David is the second coming of the guy who defined the position. 55 is a HOF legend.
It’s going to be a huge year for David, and yes, Castillas too. Both can read, run and hit.
Too bad for us that Mason Foster simply isn’t built to be a T2 Mike. Good player, a willing thumper, but whomever gets behind him will torch us. Barron and DJ Moore will be very busy in the seam this year.
June 25th, 2014 at 11:08 am
Insult to Brooks?? Brooks was one of the first guys to suggest it.
June 25th, 2014 at 7:29 pm
He will never be the equal to Brooks because of the tainted pro bowl these days. In Brooks day getting named to the pro bowl meant something. These days all it means is enough fans wasted their days cast votes over and over again.
As long as the Bucs do not make the playoffs, they won’t get the attention required to get honored like this. Face it, few people outside of Tampa care about any of the Bucs players.
The pro bowl game itself is ruined. If I can’t root for NFC over AFC, why bother watching?
They should rename it the rookie bowl and just play rookies.
June 26th, 2014 at 4:45 am
WOW!! Great takes in this thread!
@Dooley: I didn’t see him @ Neb., but I found out real quick how special he is. I said it on the radio after Week 1 last season, LVD58 was my favorite player before Week 1, and he’s STILL my favorite player, with all due respect to GMC93.
@LUVMYBUCS: I sure hope you’re right!
@Patrick in VA: (First post) +1!
@Drew: When you in Vegas, look me up!
@biff barker: I feel that you’re right on all points. I sure hope MF59 shows us a TON of improvement in pass coverage. The MLB doesn’t necessarily need to have ballhawking skills, he just basically needs to get into the passing lanes, right?