Not Enough Love For Lavonte
October 23rd, 2018
Gets national props.
Joe remembers a couple of years ago Bucs linebacker Lavonte David was so frustrated that he wasn’t named to a Pro Bowl, he decided to go to Radio Row at the Super Bowl to do countless radio and TV interviews to help get his name out there.
David is a good dude but he’s not much of a media guy. He almost always is cooperative but David would much rather let his play do the talking.
So when David decided to go to step inside the belly of the beast at Radio Row, that was a huge step outside his comfort zone.
Sunday, David very well may have made a play on Cleveland quarterback Baker Mayfield that saved the game. And none other than Mike Florio-arguing, L.L. Bean-wearing, Second Amendment abolitionist, parrot-insensitive, chewing-with-his-mouth-open, soup-gulping, California train-romancing, anti-football proliferation, outhouse-admiring, airline-napping, steerage-flying, Yogi Berra-worshiping, urinal picture-taking, video game-playing, Taylor Swift-listening, pickpocket-thwarting, Bucs-uniform-frowning, Allie-LaForce-smitten, Big-Ten-Network-hating, pedestrian-bumping, olive oil-lapping, popcorn-munching, coffee-slurping, fried-chicken-eating, oatmeal-loving, circle-jerking, craft beer-chugging, cricket-watching, scone-loathing, college football-naïve, baseball-box-score-reading, NPR-honk, filthy-hotel-staying, fight-instigating, barista-training social activist Peter King, star of NBC Sports fame, noticed David’s solid play and also noted how David is sort of a forgotten linebacker playing with the Bucs.
Lavonte David is hidden pretty significantly in Tampa Bay, but just watch him catch Baker Mayfield from behind you and rake the ball out of his grasp. Terrific play by a linebacker we don’t regard highly enough.
That’s pretty serious props from King. And he is right. Folks, for reasons unknown (likely due to so much losing), don’t know about David.
While one could argue David’s strip of Mayfield was the play of the game, if the Bucs go on a winning streak and make a push for a wild card, that very well could be the play of the season.
On Twitter, Joe was all over that play when it happened, and even the great Derrick Brooks “liked” Joe’s interpretation.
That's Lavonte David playing for every single blade of grass. @DBrooks55 had to love that forced fumble.
— JoeBucsFan (@JoeBucsFan) October 21, 2018
October 23rd, 2018 at 9:04 am
we need him to step up with kwon being out…..
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!…#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!
October 23rd, 2018 at 9:23 am
Yep, 6 games played and lets write an article because a Buc made a play for a change… Carl Nassib also played Sunday…. Love Lavonte, but he hasn’t had a great year so far!
October 23rd, 2018 at 9:23 am
Just imagine how much better David would b if coached by DC Greg Williams. I read an article on Sean Peyton after the saints defeated the ravens Sunday. He spoke about playing aggressive n not taking ur foot off the gas, something that leaves Koetter clueless. I listened to mj Stewart Bucs Access interview in he mentioned playing aggressive n tough. Until the culture of passive demeanor on this team changes, we’ll never be respected by any nfl team. They take us for a joke. Every team we play tries to bully us…we get no respect. Read Saints comments below:
A few minutes earlier, Cameron Jordan, the Saints’ star defensive end, put it this way: “When you’re going against a defense like the Ravens have, you have to do that — why be afraid of anything? They’re trying to play Bully Ball. Well, we’re bullies too. [Payton] told us, ‘We’re gonna take the fight to them.’ He’s been preaching that all week. And he backed it up, right from the start.”
October 23rd, 2018 at 9:28 am
Who’s my favorite player? Mr.54
Dude is great! I don’t understand the hate.
Yet we are heartbroken over a Teflon don who is the worst lb on the historically worse defense in the history of the league. Lmao. Buc fans are funny
October 23rd, 2018 at 9:34 am
Sure guys. Why applaud a good play when it’s so much more satisfying to whine about your pet peeve.
October 23rd, 2018 at 9:34 am
Dmatt
Not sure if you’re new but in Tampa that type of attitude is frowned upon. We MUST have high character, high morals, men of faith. Choir boys are preferred. We here in Tampa USA only vote for deplorable bullies thugs we don’t allow them on the football field.
October 23rd, 2018 at 9:34 am
Lavonte David biggest mistake was re-signing with the Bucs. He’s as talented as any 4-3 OLB in the NFL. But the Bucs and their crappy defensive schemes are holding him back. He shined in Schiano ‘ One Gap’ defensive scheme. His strength is attacking the ball. And Schiano defense allowed him to attack the ball, play aggressive. But Lovie and Mike Smith schemes are more zone defenses, and he has to play soft.
October 23rd, 2018 at 9:36 am
Readers here might care more about what King has to say if you would drop the TIRED link laden introduction.
It’s REALLY old.
October 23rd, 2018 at 9:40 am
Wombat Says
“Yep, 6 games played and lets write an article because a Buc made a play for a change…”
Thanks for the positive reinforcement.
October 23rd, 2018 at 9:47 am
SB Says
“Readers here might care more about what King has to say if you would drop the TIRED link laden introduction.
It’s REALLY old.”
Honestly? No…I still wouldn’t care what Peter King says. He;s wrong more than right.
As to the links…no point in complaining…Joe will never remove them.
October 23rd, 2018 at 9:51 am
Bucs would be wise to make a move for Peterson at CB…..He’s got 3 yrs left in him, Grimes is nearing the end. Give guys like McCoy, JPP, David, etc a chance to max out as a defense. That’s our only chance at making Winston a viable option at QB….He’s proven he can’t carry a team no matter how many weapons you give him. Build the defense and the wins will come.
October 23rd, 2018 at 9:52 am
Take the lease off and let this guy play
David will make the plays
October 23rd, 2018 at 9:55 am
Another mediocre player bucfan thinks is a legend…. lvd is average at best physically and extremely below average mentally. He is ready for bucs laughable ring of underachievement though…. no one celebrates mediocrity like bucs organization
October 23rd, 2018 at 9:56 am
Lavonte 2 years in Schiano ‘ Attacking’ defense
219 SOLO tackles
9 sacks
6 INT
15 PD
37 TFL
October 23rd, 2018 at 10:35 am
Sorry Guys, But I’m gonna always say what I feel. And I’ve never been high on David or Qwon pluggin up that miffle. Sure, they play decent in spurts and spots. But they are not consistent. Noe have they ever been. Expect continued average
play from both of them here with the Bucs. Next man up for Qwon. To hell with the excuses. Better get to 8-8 Dirk or you can go fishing with countless other ex-Buc coaches. Smitty has your reel and rod ready!
October 23rd, 2018 at 10:57 am
Lakeland again 100% spot on, schiano despite what happened last week with OSU, knows defense and his a really good defense and had 54 at the top of his game and his way on the move to an elite LB, but the defense employed now doesnt work with his game, he would excel in LA for the Rams & Chargers as well as in ATL right now and a few other spots in the NFL. Dont understand why coaches dont become more creative and adapt defenses to their players, the top coaches in the NFL 100% do like in LA, Philly, New Orleans, Chicago and definitely New England
October 23rd, 2018 at 11:30 am
Thanks Dusthty
October 23rd, 2018 at 11:37 am
I wish we were a lot tougher at the LB position. While I think LVD is a good player, he needs to channel some Hardy Nickerson.
October 23rd, 2018 at 11:45 am
Dusthty
Schiano defense were about attacking the ball
QB, RB whoever has the ball
Lovie and Mike Smith defense were about
Waiting on the ball to come to you
October 23rd, 2018 at 11:51 am
@Wombat
” Love Lavonte, but he hasn’t had a great year so far!”
LVD on my fantasy team:
@NO:7.50
Phi:9.50
Pit:8.50
@Chi:7.00
@Atl:6.00
Cle:10.50
Have pretty basic LB point system and that’s a good weekly average so far.
October 23rd, 2018 at 12:55 pm
David was awesome under Schiano’s attacking downhill scheme. Since then he’s been ok but nothing special
When your d is this bad every year can you consider any player special?
October 23rd, 2018 at 2:45 pm
I don’t think people realize the power of coaching. A bad coaching scheme, like the one Mike Smith deployed could make Lawrence Taylor look bad. For instance, look how good our young DB’s looked after one week with a new coach. David and Kwon looked better, the Dline got 4 sacks. They freakin had a goal line stand. You can’t judge any of the players for bad play up to this point because Smith could scheme the talent out of a good player.
October 23rd, 2018 at 3:14 pm
LVD makes a few splash plays every few games but he too is out of position far too often, just like Kwon was the last few years.
Truth is he’s never played as well as he did under Schiano.
I will say all the linebackers looked much better last week. Shame about Kwon.
It will be interesting to see if their elevated play continues or it was just a flash in the pan.
October 23rd, 2018 at 3:36 pm
All of the “fans” here saying negative things of Lavonte likely wouldn’t know naturally gifted talent and athleticism if it hit them in the balls. Its really hard to get my mindset in a place where I feel it’s worth discussing our team with other presumptive fans on this message board. More often than not I decline to engage, because it’s simply not worth it.
Many of the things I read here make me roll my eyes, to the point I just close the screen. I’ve never seen more complaining combined with less understanding of the game in my entire life.
Go Bucs!
October 23rd, 2018 at 4:36 pm
^^^^what he said!
October 23rd, 2018 at 8:45 pm
@dirty, shack! Go Bucs!
October 23rd, 2018 at 11:05 pm
LakeLand is dead on.
David has regressed since the Schiano days. In fact I think the the biggest failure of Mike Smith’s scheme was how he utilized his LBs. They were never allowed to get aggressive and attack, instead he had them in space, often over reacting to every misdirection or fake that a savvy QB and OC threw at them. David and Kwon looked like different players vs the Browns.
Love what I saw on Sunday. Too bad about Kwon and Cichy too. I think Beckwith if he can get back on the field this year, will also benefit greatly from the change of DC.
October 24th, 2018 at 9:08 am
Some great thoughts expressed above by everyone. I had sort of, in my own mind, decided that it seemed Lavonte had sort of fallen off a bit over that last year or two.
But it is a great point that maybe the defensive changes will truly allow #54 to become the great LB again that we know him to be.
That play against Baker was sensational, and definitely a game saver.