Lovie: Lavonte Is Best In The Game
July 17th, 2016
Lovie Smith’s final takes as Bucs head coach largely were ignored by mainstream media. No surprise there.
About 48 hours before Team Glazer shocked the NFL and fired Lovie Smith — two days after the NFL’s infamous Black Monday — Lovie’s last public breaths as head coach came on the spectacular Buccaneers Radio Network.
As part of Lovie’s chat with TJ Rives, Lovie explained his belief that Lavonte David is the best all-phases linebacker in the NFL.
Lovie also lauded David for his relentless drive and approach against the Panthers in the season finale. Trailing 31-10 in the third quarter, David’s hard, trailing pursuit to the ball led to his forced fumble and recovery (video here). Lovie was even more impressed that David had the presence of mind to attempt to run with the ball.
“He’s thinking the right way — always,” Lovie said proudly. “Lavonte David played it like it was a Super Bowl. That’s what we get every day.”
Lovie fingered David as a model Buccaneer and said he represents true hope for the future. And the booted head coach shared extreme frustration that David is not part of every postseason honor.
So Joe wonders, is David, in fact, the best all-around linebacker in the game? Another season approaches with the Bucs possessing arguably the best defensive tackle in the game, and the best linebacker. Tampa Bay also has a Pro Bowl cornerback in Brent Grimes, plus an ex-Pro Bowler in Alterraun Verner and an extreme talent in rookie corner Vernon Hargreaves.
It’s really time to for a season in which the defense with a few games for the Bucs.
July 17th, 2016 at 11:22 am
lvd can become the best in the game i totally believe that. it is too bad that lovie did not know how to use lvd… hopefully those 2 years of lovie does not stunt lvd”s development.
July 17th, 2016 at 11:25 am
Other teams Offensive Coordinator when game planning against the Bucs in 2015!!!
OC says:What does the scouting report say???
staff says: lovie does not have enough Hall of Famers and Probowlers to run his old, tired defense!!!!
OC says: What about GMC??
staff says: We double team him and he will disappear!!!
OC Says: What about LVD?
staff says: Do not worry, lovie has neutralized him with his scheme!!!
July 17th, 2016 at 11:46 am
Lavonte’s still got a ways to go to be rated ‘the best LB in the game’. He’s got great instincts, but has yet to be really turned loose. Hopefully that happens this year under Mike Smith. We could all see the potential in his first year under Greg Schiano, but he hasn’t improved as much or had the impact of say Luke Kuechly. Different positions and different defenses I know, but still, that’s the competition when someone throws around labels like ‘best LB in the game’.
July 17th, 2016 at 11:48 am
LVD was a monster w schiano hope new coach smith uses him like that
July 17th, 2016 at 12:20 pm
LD54 is absolutely the best all around WLB in the game. He does it all – tackle, defend, rush – sideline to sideline. We need more “splash” plays from him this year. Scheme played a big part in his lack of splash plays the last 2 years.
July 17th, 2016 at 1:25 pm
LVD was a Beast in Schiano’s D. An anklebiter in Lovie’s Defense.
July 17th, 2016 at 1:53 pm
But Joe thinks Lavonte David is mentally weak… What gives?
July 17th, 2016 at 3:01 pm
Nobody on the Bucs team is the best at anything. Maybe according to last yrs performance? Only Doug Martin. Other than that, there is no best on a losing team. Wanna start using the word Best? Start winning some games..a lof of games.Get to the playoffs then you create a few..Best. Our record as of this date says..Mediocre. Accept it for now and live in the present. Wishful thinking does not win games. You gotta go out and bust A.. and win them!
Now eat that for Breakfast!
July 17th, 2016 at 3:22 pm
Lovie went mum after that huh? Nothing?
July 17th, 2016 at 3:43 pm
“It’s really time to for a season in which the defense with a few games for the Bucs” literally again missing words -_- wth
July 17th, 2016 at 3:51 pm
They all have an opportunity to prove it this season. Every man on the team can prove he’s the best, win games, make the playoffs and get accolades. If you’re on a perennial loser, what do on the field goes mostly unnoticed. You have to step up and do more to win.
July 17th, 2016 at 4:52 pm
salish_seamonster
Lvd himself said the defense was mentally weak and gave up and never recovered after big plays and penalties last year. That was from lvd direcyly not joe.
July 17th, 2016 at 5:12 pm
I’m sorry I can’t let it go, there is no argument to be made that McCoy is the best DT in the game. Top 10 yes, best NO WAY! And no I am not being a hater but we got to keep it real here. McCoy has never played like Donald did last year and even after Atkins had a major injury he was still better than McCoy last year. Maybe the best outside linebacker, probably not but maybe, but again no way do we have he top DT.
July 17th, 2016 at 8:37 pm
tmaxcon Says:
July 17th, 2016 at 4:52 pm
I understand where it came from, but have also read Joe accusing David himself of being mentally weak because he admitted the defense had the wind taken out of them due to big plays and/or penalties. I’m just putting it out there. I don’t think he’s mentally weak, but Joe has spewed that nonsense on more than one occasion.
July 17th, 2016 at 9:20 pm
salish_seamonster
The entire team and especially the defense needs to impeove thier mental toughness… too many penalties and mental mistakes
July 17th, 2016 at 9:27 pm
@tmax-
Sure, but calling LD mentally weak is ludicrous. If the rest of the team played with his passion, we would not be having this conversation. This is that thing called culture, that Joe likes to dismiss. Winning and losing is contagious. Even good players can be weighed down by a team that expects to screw up. I really don’t think that’s going to be a problem this year now that Coach MyScheme is gone.
July 17th, 2016 at 11:32 pm
I think LVD is certainly in the running. He can do anything on the field. Run stuff, pass coverage and pass rush. He is the teipke threat. Most of those notable “LB” are good at one thing, pass rush specialists or run stuff specialists. Not many can do what LVD does at the level he does it at. LVD is in the conversation with maybe 2 or 3 other Lbs for best all around LB.
July 18th, 2016 at 9:58 am
Joe can you call the KittyCats and let them know the Dogs are off the lease and Supercat is about to find out how the ground feels …
LVD and Kwon ARE COMING!!!!!