Lavonte David Makes A Play
November 27th, 2016
Play of the Game.
It was midway through the fourth quarter. Every Bucs fan in the Den of Depression was gripping.
Doug Martin had just fumbled. The Seahawks were marching and it appeared they could pull within a field goal … or worse.
And then, a certain linebacker who has played all too invisible this season made a play. And it was a huge play. Likely the play of the game.
The Seahawks were facing third down needing seven to continue to move the chains on the Bucs-27. Russell Wilson went back to pass and hit tight end Jimmy Graham for a five-yard gain when Graham was upended by Vernon Hargraves. As Graham fell head-first into the turf, the ball came loose, bounced off David’s knee and after scuffle for the ball, David came up with the fumble and rumbled 53 yards to set up what appeared to be the Bucs’ third touchdown of the game.
That score was called back on a penalty and America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, later threw into double-coverage hoping Mike Evans would make a play but instead, it was Kam Chancellor.
Still, it was David who may have made the biggest play of the game, one that surely kept the Seahawks from scoring and all but sealed a win.
“Just hustling to the football,” David said. “Just tackling like I am always supposed to do. I kind of ran out of gas [on the return]. But that play, that momentum, is what we needed.”
The way the defense suffocated one of the most dangerous offenses in the NFL was almost otherworldly for Joe to watch. David told Joe the play of the defense today, especially when the offense was put in a sleeper hold in the second half by Seattle, is what Jameis refers to as a family.
“Everybody having each others’ backs,” David said. “Defense complements the offense; offense complements the defense. Things may not go our way but don’t get down and keep playing football.”
November 27th, 2016 at 8:17 pm
6-5 baby!
November 27th, 2016 at 8:20 pm
Why were they gripping Joe?
Was there something sticky on their seats
Go Bucs!
November 27th, 2016 at 8:22 pm
I live in NC, just got home from work and the damn game didn’t record for some reason… Do any of you guys know how get the game on the internet? Please and thank you!
November 27th, 2016 at 8:27 pm
“…David came up with the fumble and rumbled 53 yards to set up what appeared to be the third touchdown of the game for the Bucs but it was called back on a penalty…” Let’s be clear: the penalty was called on Demar Dotson, and my initial thought was that #69 commits at least one penalty per game as sure as the sun rises in the East. However, the replay didn’t appear to show any infraction and then I thought that the refs blew it once again. Did anyone else get a better look at it? Then, I thought that Pete Carroll was working his magic with the refs because he was chewing their ears off the entire game. Every time the camera was on him, he was having a “heart to heart” with the side judge. I am glad that the apparent bad call didn’t impact the result of the game!
November 27th, 2016 at 8:29 pm
Seahawks o-line was starting 3 rookies, but all teams are banged up this time of year.
November 27th, 2016 at 8:35 pm
I cant wait to hear all the McCoy haters! Damn that guys sucks and never makes a play. Idiots!
November 27th, 2016 at 8:47 pm
I don’t know the last time I’ve seen such a dominant defense…..Seattle was 9.1% on 3rd down. 7 total sacks on defense. Only 250 yards of total offense for Seattle. ….that is defensive dominant. Now if we can just pay like that constantly. …
GO BUCS!!!!
November 27th, 2016 at 9:12 pm
David’s knee caused the fumble.
November 27th, 2016 at 9:20 pm
Just about to say the same thing… it was a flukey fumble. But so was DM22’s .
November 27th, 2016 at 10:36 pm
@NCFlorIdiot
If you search for it on YouTube tomorrow, you might be able to at least find the condensed game. Try searching by upload date if you don’t find it right away.
November 28th, 2016 at 10:35 am
Thanks SCBucsFan, I’ll try that