“I Know I’ll Probably End Up Playing The WILL”
April 28th, 2012
- David talks about his position and Chucky weighs in
Chatting it up with a Cornhusker reporter last night, new Bucs linebacker Lavonte David revealed he’s quite certain he won’t be playing middle linebacker.
It seems somebody with Team Schiano might have told David what to expect.
“I know I’ll probably end up playing the WILL linebacker position,” David said. “I think I’ll fit in pretty well.”
While the Bucs have trotted out Jermaine Phillips, Geno Hayes and others at weakside linebacker since Derrick Brooks was booted from the roster, per Chucky, David might be the first to resemble the Bucs icon.
Said Gruden: “I don’t compare people to Derrick Brooks. But Lavonte David has a lot of similar traits. He’s not real tall. He’s slippery, instinctive, passionate every snap.
“Don’t take him off the field. He’ll impact that franchise. They need help desperately at linebacker.”
Joe hopes David comes as advertised, or at least 80 percent as advertised. Of the Bucs’ three picks, this one might be the one they can least afford to miss on.
April 28th, 2012 at 9:11 am
My hubby texted that we got Lavonte David in all caps lol. He has been talking about this guy for months.
ANother note, when will today’s JBF/P&S draft party end?
April 28th, 2012 at 9:26 am
Agree with Chucky on this one. Lavonte David is a great player!
Real happy we got this guy!!
April 28th, 2012 at 9:31 am
I know many fans still want to be leary, and trust me I know we still have a lot of work to do. But preliminary thoughts. Dominik is trying his hardest to both improve both this team, and the fans opinions of both him and the ownership. ALL of their moves thus far in free agency and in the draft show dedication and commitment to the franchise. In MY opinion is a very good and intriguing time to be a Bucs fan. I am very excited, proud, and eager to see how these moves work out. Go Bucs and kudos to Dom and Coach Schiano. Well done.
April 28th, 2012 at 9:47 am
Rich
I never gave up on the team but you are right…Dominick is aggressively trying to make the team better. He’s added 6 starters in the off season so far. Fans would be hard pressed to find a team that has done that in recent years.
If Dominick keeps this up he’ll have to create more cap room.
April 28th, 2012 at 9:50 am
Nice job capt. on saying something positve.
April 28th, 2012 at 10:07 am
Love the off season! We have improved the roster immensely! Now this coaching staff has too do there part and were BACK!
April 28th, 2012 at 10:13 am
This guy does look like the real deal. If the man remotely resembles db it would be awesome.
Still cant figure barron over mo but the following two selections seem solid.
Im especially pleased were not relying only on blount to tote the rock. Thats gonna help.
Good offseason so far.
April 28th, 2012 at 10:18 am
Well, they’re coming around……some of them half-heartedly but coming around nonetheless.
Still waiting for that genius Adam to apologize for wishing Mark Dominik DEAD Thursday night. Whew……
Got to love how this team is being built this off-season. Far cry from having NO off-season last year, huh?
April 28th, 2012 at 10:21 am
@Eric how do you not understand Barron over Mo, we have 5 serviceable, not great, but serviceable CBs but just 1 Safety, I love the fact that Dom and Schiano let the media and the rest of the league believe that Mo was their guy without ever saying it. That’s a smokescreen, we got our RB and our LB as well, this was a great draft.
April 28th, 2012 at 10:23 am
No question the team has improved. Fire RahRah = huge improvement. Schiano leadership = huge improvement.
Schiano not going out drinking with boys = huge improvement.
Bring in offensive fire player = V Jax and Nicks.
Bring in a reliable and talented under tackle = Okoye.
Bring in a complete NFL quality starting RB for the first time since pre-injury Caddy = Martin.
Add 2 tough ball hawks in Barron and David.
Definite improvement! I am excited.
April 28th, 2012 at 10:26 am
Some of us prefer to wait until the ten game losing streak ends before holding a ticker tape parade for management.
Or one playoff appearance……
April 28th, 2012 at 10:29 am
Wow, by thomas saying what he just said, this truly is a significant time in Bucs history. GO BUCS!
April 28th, 2012 at 10:29 am
@Eric….it’s easy to understand. If we don’t make that trade we only have Claiborne, we lose out on Martin and David because we used that 4th round pick to secure both of them. That extras pick was crucial to getting the players we wanted by being able to trade. Then factor in that Barron in a beast at safety and we needed a safety and it’s a no brainer.
April 28th, 2012 at 10:30 am
I agree thomas 2.2….
Well said.
Now if free bounces back we should see great improvement.
April 28th, 2012 at 10:31 am
What the…….did I just read a positive post by Thomas??? Look….I don’t know who you are buddy but Thomas is gonna be pissed when he sees that you used his name to post that comment!
April 28th, 2012 at 10:34 am
@bobby
I am dubious that was the grand plan and if it was wouldnt have sacrificed for a safety over elite corner.
But well find out.
Wins over hope would be refreshing.
April 28th, 2012 at 10:46 am
Man, my hat is off to Rockstar. I jumped the gun and freaked out over not getting MO with the first but Dom has come back with 2 guys I coveted. Getting Barron and David to help this defense can mean wins for us. I love the idea and every indication is that Schiano is going to have this team working hard, focused, and determined. A very different look from the previous coaching regime.
April 28th, 2012 at 10:46 am
This draft is working out great! I dreamed of the Bucs getting two out of the three picks so far (Martin, David) and am pleasantly surprised with them going for Barron over Mo (think it will prove to have been the best pick in time).
Still need a physical presence at LB for depth (would love to see Nigel Bradham out of FSU).
Still a bit worried at the CB position but maybe well get lucky and see Talib clean his act up off field and Biggers and Lewis clean their’s up on the field.
The Bucs I think can now pick the best available players with their 4 remaining selections.
April 28th, 2012 at 10:55 am
@Eric….how can you say that??? It ABSOLUTELY WAS the plan and it was a brilliant one at that. If they wanted Claiborne they had him at #5. Barron rated out at 95! That’s as high as Blackmon rated. If you think for one moment that Claiborne was our guy all along and we got punked and then just got lucky with the way things worked out with the trade then I’m having a hard time following your reason. They’ve gone after and gotten everyone they wanted so far. Nicks, Jackson, Wright, Martin and David but you think Barron was a slip up?? I don’t think so. Apparantly in Schiano’s defensive scheme safety is going to be huge and they need a guy like Barron. I happen to still believe that Anthony Gaitor is going to surprise some people by being a very good corner when he gets playing time and with Wright and Talib I believe Schiano just saw Barron as being the greater value pick. Maybe the Wonderlic worried them more than they let on. I don’t know and don’t care. Barron is going to make people forget Claiborne, not that Claiborne won’t be good too but Barron is a thumper and our D needs a guy like that in the secondary.
April 28th, 2012 at 11:06 am
Joe, just wanted to thank you for your excellent coverage this draft. Even when you freaked out over Dom’s getting ‘snookered’ by Dallas, I knew it was just ’cause of your passion for all things red & pewter. This is my primary site for Bucs coverage , for that reason. I even value the takes we get from Thomas & Eric, who, even though I disagree with them, I recognize as at least caring about the same team I love, prolly more than I do. Being a hopeless ‘homer’ I’m really stoked by this offseason & looking forward to a lot of Buccaneer goodness all season long.
April 28th, 2012 at 11:06 am
I agree with Gruden here. NOBODY i repeat NOBODY compares to Mr. Derrick Brooks coming out of college… he may remind him physically but Mr. Derrick Brooks was a special player… I remember when we drafted Geno Hayes (How did that work out?) people said the same thing…
April 28th, 2012 at 11:14 am
” Maybe the Wonderlic worried them more than they let on”
My thinking is not the score itself, but the way he blew it off showed them the guy’s character. I think he MIGHT’A been trying to say that he’s only about football 100% , but that was 100% the wrong way to say it. If I’d known about it b4 our pick (and you can bet the team did) , I wouldn’t have gone anywhere near him.
April 28th, 2012 at 11:18 am
@bobby,
ok ok bucs are the champions of the offseason yet again.
Now stop Cam Newton in the opener………….
Other teams are liking their drafts too ya know.
April 28th, 2012 at 11:39 am
I don’t care about other teams. I care about the Bucs. Don’t forget, we upgraded our offense big time and Carolina is gonna have the same problem stopping us. This is a new season with new coaching, a lot of new players and last year is over and done with. I think we will be a force this year and will surprise a lot of teams that will come out expecting the 2011 Bucs and will get a wake up call from the first snap that this is not the 2011 Bucs. I’m loving that we play Carolina in the opener. I want to wipe that stupid smile off of Newtons face.
April 28th, 2012 at 11:50 am
I still don’t know why people are freaking out on us poassing on Mo”ron” Claiborne. We hiored his college DB coach a few months ago. Obviously, if his DB coach was that high on him, I would think we would have picked him at 5.
Bottom line…you DO need to have intelligence to play at the next level.
Can’t wait to go to the September Cowboys and Bucs game to see who has the better game. Mo”ron” or Barron.
April 28th, 2012 at 11:58 am
@bobby
I dont care about other teams either but unless were gonna play with ourselves all year it cant be avoided.
I hope talib comes back or the mo blunder may be magnified.
Starting game one followed by eli and romo.
April 28th, 2012 at 12:09 pm
Rright on Bobby!
April 28th, 2012 at 12:11 pm
@eric stop being negative sir.
We added someone to the DB’s over all. It may not have been the CB but we also had more glaring needs at Safety anyways.
Plus Claiborne was known for not being very physical, Doesn’t shy away from hits. But isn’t the most physical person out there.
Mark Barron IS that kind of player and also can play coverage nearly just as good. In the long run this could end up helping us out better.
Plus (even with character concern) Alfonzo Dennard is still on the board and is another player the Bucs coveted. I understand that he just recently had an altercation with the police. But i feel If anyone can keep the kids nose clean Schiano can do it.
April 28th, 2012 at 12:12 pm
Some of you people kill me since when is safety not as big of a need as cb??? I have seen jimmy graham and tony g destroy us and lets not forget how we make even 4th string undrafted rookie runningbacks look like pro bowlers every time they play the bucs. Let’s be real Claiborne may or may not be a shutdown corner only time will tell but I strongly doubt he will come in the league his rookie and dominate. We need a impact player and I believe with a hard hitting safety that can cover as well was the best pick. I don’t think Claiborne is Deion sanders and I dont think he’s as physical as Darrell’s revis so I’m not crying about it this is the Nfl and stars are made every year from every round so get over it or become a GM and run your own team… BUCS ALL DAY!!!
April 28th, 2012 at 12:33 pm
If we can get Ronnell Lewis, I’ll be happy with our OLB core. Still want L.Green, and we migh be able to get him in the 5th
April 28th, 2012 at 12:34 pm
Okay, the remaining guys on my mock as options are:
OLB Nigel Bradham
S George Iloka
TE Rhett Ellison
OLB Miles Burris
WR Chris Owusu (for KR)
DT Markus Kuhn
DT Marcel Jones
QB Nick Foles
4 picks left, 8 possibilities…unless we trade again. There are still plenty of other good choices…more than I expected this late.
That Kirk Cousins guy was impressive when he talked with Gruden…he almost seemed to be teaching Gruden as he talked, lol. The skins taking him screwed him out of a starting role though.
Charismatic…he could enter the media if he fails in the NFL.
April 28th, 2012 at 12:50 pm
I dont know if anyone watched the niners play much last year but their two safeties were ballers and were constantly making plays and making big hits. We need that toughness..I like the Barron pick but hope we can find someone else to complument him.
April 28th, 2012 at 1:07 pm
im excited abt the team it feels good im just rdy to c it on the field!!! Go bucs
Off topic : gents im gettin married today so pray for me
April 28th, 2012 at 1:08 pm
I can’t believe S George Iloka hasn’t been taken yet. He’s the top safety on the board.
April 28th, 2012 at 1:16 pm
Good luck Deminion! Best decision of my life! Yes men there was actually a hot, bright woman that married and had 3 children with me! That means there is at least 1 for everybody!
Very funny Bobby!
I know you guys think I am negative, just to be negative – not true.
I am negative where warranted: rahrah, gerald, the Glazers, Tanard and Aqib etc. (I an usually right on these observations)
I am also positive where warranted: Free, Schiano, Ronde, the O Line and this offseason.
It is hard to expect much more in 1 offseason than what we have obtained so far. It is unlikely to gel in 2012 but the signs should appear!
April 28th, 2012 at 1:21 pm
@Bobby. You keyed on an important point. According to the way Schiano describes his scheme, safety is as important if not more so than CB. It’s easy for us to think of CB as so necessary rather than safety but Barron brings a heck of a lot to the table. The theme I’m seeing and liking is we are drafting guys that we feel are high character, leaders, and good all around at their position. Case in point is Martin. Many of us coveted him and that’s because the guy knows how to protect and is patient. He’s a 3 down back that is a complete NFL ready package. With what has to be a very solid O Line, we have a guy that can let the blocks develop, hit the hole hard, and get through with a burst. Let us not forget Blount who wasn’t too shabby his first couple years. The pairing of these two gets me giddy. The heck with the new pass happy NFL. Lavonte David is the most intriguing pick. I love his style and can’t wait to see him improve our miserable LB corps. I expect another LB in rd 5 or 6 at the latest. A project guy we hope will be a diamond in the rough.
April 28th, 2012 at 1:31 pm
Pete,
RE: George Iloka from CBSSports NFL Draft Prospects
Has questionable on-field attitude and needs to play more disciplined and calm — taken out of games in the past by coaching staff for minor scuffles and poor sportsmanship (has also gotten into a few shouting matches with head coach Chris Peterson after being removed from the game). NFL Comparison: Kam Chancellor, Seattle Seahawks — Dane Brugler
April 28th, 2012 at 1:32 pm
I know it’s WAAAAY to early to say this, but I’m going to say it anyway: If the old-school Bucs defensive success was built around Sapp/Brooks/Lynch, then might we not see that again with McCoy/David/Barron? Just food for thought.
April 28th, 2012 at 1:34 pm
Just watched all 6 or so games of his on youtube. David will be a star for us. Incredible athlete with incredible instincts…enough so that I’m no longer devastated about passing up Kuechly. David is the most talented player we’ve drafted so far and we got him at the end of the 2nd round! Huge steal and will be an instant major upgrade at WILL.
April 28th, 2012 at 1:40 pm
BucoooobruceAlsttot- dude, I’m always positve. First, I’m a Bucs fan since 1976, when my dad took my lil 4 year old butt to the games.
Second- I have the advantage of knowing a lil about football.
The people who accuse me of being a hater, really just disagree. If you read my post, I Always start out stating facts. I don’t insult anyone, until the dumb ones get rude
Who was arguing with me lately? The “We will draft Richardson” crew.
They were clueless. I pointed out that we had a RB, and the worst defense in Football- gotta draft defenders!
They got nasty- I shot’em down, then the draft shut’em up. Dominick saying that we never had in any interest in Richardson just futher proves my point. But they never learn
And will be the first ones trashing the team when we lose a game. They are like viably behaved lil ape children
And now they want to salvage some pride, by acting like Barrin was their guy all along
As Waltfootball, Ryan, and the rest of the “real” analyst agree- Dom blew it!
He wanted Claiborne, but thought he could trade down, get more picks, and still get him. Dallas outflanked him.
The value for Barron isn’t close to Claiborne.
Dom blew it badly. No ifs, ands or buts
Barron is a very good player, and his next two picks were both A+ , so he’s recovered
But to the “helpless homers”- any critism of any move makes you a hater.
Even thought we are a 4-12 team
Even though we are on a 10 game losing streak
Even though we had the leagues worst Defense
Any critism- yer a hater
I can’t help but laugh- you should have read their post by about week 12 last year- they hated all things Buc!
It’s a hilarious cycle, and I can’t help by torment them
Richardson! Damn,what were you guys smoking!!
April 28th, 2012 at 1:49 pm
I grade the FA signings a A.
C- for the draft.
But thats improvement on both fronts for rock.
April 28th, 2012 at 2:01 pm
deminion
Biggest mistake you’ll ever regret…not the getting married part…the getting married on draft weekend.
April 28th, 2012 at 2:04 pm
Macabee
Thankls…didn’t know all that.
Eric…you are out of your mind. This draft has been perfect so far.
Dominick has added 6 starters this off season…that’s not bad at all.
April 28th, 2012 at 2:05 pm
Bunch of Cornerbacks available atm
April 28th, 2012 at 2:10 pm
Najee Goode LB
April 28th, 2012 at 2:20 pm
This team still needs speed, a cb with return skills, I hope the Preston Parker experience is over
April 28th, 2012 at 2:30 pm
@pete
Are u as confident in the draft as u were Raheem Morris’ coaching abilities?
April 28th, 2012 at 2:32 pm
I am actually a little scared for Captain Tim. You are ALWAYS positive? Who exactly do you think is dumb enough to believe that? Wow!
You also don’t read and/or comprehend very well either. The TR crew all WANTED us to draft him, but we were saying all along Cleveland would take him. They gave up 3 picks to move up one spot! We would have had to give up more! That would have cost us a couple starters. No way we make that deal.
You were saying he would fall to the teens or twenties. How did that work out for you? Please please please deny anything I’ve just written. I dislike you enough to go back and pull out the quotes. Of course we all know you will just ignore this, because that’s all you can do, because you know the truth. Problem for you is, everyone on this board does too.
April 28th, 2012 at 2:35 pm
Grading a draft right now is fun, but pointless. I love what we did, but we will have to wait to see how it really works. I don’t, however, see how anyone could not be excited.
April 28th, 2012 at 2:56 pm
And dom attempted to trade up for TR.
That woulda got me excited.
Ho hum is my feelings on our picks.
Nicks and jackson were outstanding additions.
April 28th, 2012 at 3:03 pm
@Eric
I wanted TR as bad as anyone. You know that. But seriously, if we did, we would have had to have had a Mike Ditka-style draft. It would have probably cost us 4 picks. Do you really want to do that? Sometimes the asking price is unreasonable and you have to move on. Damn I wanted Richardson though.
As for not getting Claiborne, are you really upset about that? Did you read his comments about the Wonderlic? Does he not seem like the ultimate diva to you? You want that in Tampa? Do you want someone who’s biggest weakness is tackling? I didn’t jump up and down either with the Barron pick, but it makes a lot of sense now. Read up about the type of defense Schiano and Butch Davis ran. The safety is probably the most important position of that scheme. Sometimes (actually, usually is the more appropriate word) the unpopular decision ends up being the better decision.
April 28th, 2012 at 3:50 pm
…that’s Mr. Derrick Brooks, sir.
April 28th, 2012 at 4:33 pm
@hawaiian,
Valid points all and I’m feeling better about it, I put the loaded gun down.
He did play for Saban which means he’s well coached. Well see.