“That’s The Type Of Player I Am”
September 8th, 2019
Bucs OLB Lavonte David.
It finally started making sense for Joe last year.
Joe never, ever understood the absolute vile hatred many fans had for Gerald McCoy. It wasn’t like he was Ghost Johnson or Anthony Collins or Mike Jenkins or Myron Lewis or Garrett “Whoops” Gilkey. GMC was a damn good football player. The Bucs lost and lost and lost and lost and it seems the GMC haters blamed him solely, as if he was throwing games.
In fact, if one wanted to play WAR with players, Lavonte David has a worse WAR than GMC, yet David always got a complete and total pass.
Joe couldn’t figure this out. Why did one guy known for being on a losing team get all the rocks thrown at him but no one said a peep over another guy?
Then last year it dawned on Joe. GMC was very visible. He was “out there.” David? Nice guy that he is (there may not be a nicer guy on the team) David is very uncomfortable being a public figure. If it was up to David, he would hide in a closet all week, come out on Sundays, raise hell on the field, shower, and return to his closet.
GMC was the face of losing. It was hard for fans to pin losing on David because they rarely saw him with his grill not hidden behind a face mask.
How quiet and private is David? He absolutely hated “Hard Knocks.” He literally would hide from their cameras. He wanted nothing to do with it and the one time he was featured, it was a forced setup. Hell, the only time David really sought visibility, outside of his weekly show on the Buccaneers Radio Network years ago, was when he was so frustrated that he kept missing out on the Pro Bowl (which eventually meant cash), he went to radio row at the Super Bowl media center one year to get his name out there nationally.
David prefers sitting in a quiet room, whether at One Buc Palace or his home or in a hotel, studying the playbook and film. No wonder former Bucs commander Greg Schiano loved him.
“That’s just the type of player I am,” David said with a smile when he spoke with Joe last week.
David is not a spring chicken. He will turn 30 before the next Super Bowl is played. Once a player hits 30, it’s a good bet he can count on one hand how many more years he has left.
Yet this season is different for David. He missed most of August with a sore knee that required surgery. Perhaps his age is starting to show? And partly as a result, David admitted he doesn’t have Todd Bowles’ defense complete down. Yet.
“Of course,” David laughed at Joe when Joe asked if he was still learning the defense. “It’s not an overnight thing. For me, I took it as being a rookie all over again. I’m learning.”
David has had different defensive coordinators, but the defense was always a base 43. No longer. Bowles has flipped it to a 34.
“I’m getting comfortable,” David said. “I’m getting there.”
A lot of players have said playing for Bowles has been fun because they get to “fly around.” You hear that a lot. David was asked for a deeper explanation.
“He puts you in position for you to make plays with your athletic abilities,” David said. In other words, Bowles’ defense tries to utilize in different ways the best attributes of his players, not fitting a guy into a confined, predetermined position or forcing a round peg into a square hole.
David called it “playing football.”
Many football folks have bemoaned how the Bucs literally wasted GMC’s talents. They did. Only twice did the Bucs have a winning record with GMC and the organization treated the pass rush the way a child reacts to Brussel sprouts. The Bucs really didn’t address a pass rush to help GMC until it was too late.
It was beyond shameful.
With David, it could be worse. He has only been on one winning team since being drafted in 2012. If the Bucs don’t turn this ship around soon, GMC’s fate may also fall on David, one of the best linebackers in franchise history.
September 8th, 2019 at 12:05 pm
or it could be because GMC actually was a bad player. Disappeared in big games and big drives, but annointed himself the next coming of Sapp.
September 8th, 2019 at 12:07 pm
This is the exact same thing we heard about Mike Smiths defense when he was brought in too. Let’s hope it’s actually true this time.
Go Bucs!
September 8th, 2019 at 12:08 pm
Or GMC actually was not a very good player Joe. He disappeared in big games and big drives when a great player would’ve taken over. He put himself out there and thought he was better than what he was. Glad hes gone.
September 8th, 2019 at 12:09 pm
Yup. It was total BS. Just like how Josh Freeman worked hard. Complete con.
September 8th, 2019 at 12:10 pm
No one in their right mind believes this.
If you do believe this, please see a shrink before you go all El Paso Walmart.
September 8th, 2019 at 12:11 pm
Hooefully ourD has a great game. Most of us wont get to see it because our local broadcast decided that we shoukd be treated to the Cowboys giants game. I bet the farm if the dbag kaepernick was on our team, the game would be on, lest Fox35 be accused of not airing the game due to Kapernick being on the team.
Thank Fox35 for ruining opening day.
September 8th, 2019 at 12:13 pm
Screwed on the schedule.
Screwed on the home games
Screwed on the TV broadcast.
Bucs life.
September 8th, 2019 at 12:15 pm
You shoukd proba ly delete that last post Joe.
Uncalled for and inappropriate.
September 8th, 2019 at 12:20 pm
I don’t think it really has anything to do with that. Maybe it does get his overall attitude out there more if he is in front of the camera, but the main problem is Gerald McCoy’s overall attitude. Fans often saw the goofball -i don’t really care -attitude; couple that with the fact that the guy disappeared consistently when the game was on the line…that’s the overall issue. Now, the Joes obviously see a side of McCoy fans don’t, so they have some perspective, but the side the fans often saw was the superhero crap, his dumb costumes, him dancing on the sidelines during an ass kicking etc. He essentially defined buccaneers football all the years he played here.
September 8th, 2019 at 12:20 pm
I like it LED! Bucs 31, Niners 20. 1-0..
September 8th, 2019 at 12:21 pm
*LVD
September 8th, 2019 at 12:21 pm
It’s much appreciated when David takes some kind of “blame” for the losing unlike GMC.
David doesn’t cry about scheme, coaches, fans, and he showed up big like creating force fumbles and an example of being a leader by example and has a quiet mean streak in the games
You can insert David in any of the 100 years the NFL has been around he will be a top 10. He is that talented
September 8th, 2019 at 12:23 pm
The reason for all the hate for GMC is quite clear. If you cant see it, its because you dont want to see it. But heres a hint, just listen to some of his interviews since he’s joined the panthers. Heck how about the simple fact he signed with the panthers, our rivals, after refusing to restructure his contract then pretending he has any right to tell us what should be done with his jersey number.
As far as his play goes, I wouldn’t say he was bad, but highly, HIGHLY over rated. Average, and once in a while above average.
September 8th, 2019 at 12:23 pm
GMC was not a bad player. He was a garbage player massively overrated. One move. 1 quick step and then quit
September 8th, 2019 at 12:34 pm
This is the kind of article that proves the authors of this site don’t really get football at all. It’s one of those if you can’t see it we can’t help you deals.
September 8th, 2019 at 12:35 pm
come out on Sundays, raise hell on the field,
————-
Hard stop 🛑!!!! End of article! You answered your own question Joseph.
And I’m not convinced McIceCream wasn’t throwing games. Teams literally ran right at him (still do) to score TDs or get 1st downs on short yardage.
September 8th, 2019 at 12:36 pm
There is definitely something to be said about shutting up and quietly working to get better when you’re losing. When you start winning then go ahead and start making some noise
September 8th, 2019 at 12:36 pm
Poor Poor wittle Gerald McLoser we should film a movie in honor of his tenure in Tampa called “Dances with Clowns” we can premiere it on FS1 with Skip and Shannon get over this clown already. BTW he’s going to continue LOSING today thank god it’s with the Pink Panthers where he belongs.
September 8th, 2019 at 12:38 pm
Also actions speak louder than words. Let your actions on the field do your talking. I’d you’re dominating trash gal can be used to get into oher teams head. That might be the exception
September 8th, 2019 at 12:45 pm
David is one of my favorites Retire a buc
September 8th, 2019 at 12:52 pm
LVD is a monster that can work in space from the WLB position, as seen when he previously thrived under Schiano. Manned up on the RB and free to make plays.
I’m looking for the same now that there is an extra body on the line (three DL and two OLBs) and LVD and White should thrive being free to move on the ball and make plays in space.
If anything, the additions of Minter and Buchanon were crucial to the LB crew during the defensive scheme transition. Their play during the preseason has shown that, IMO.
September 8th, 2019 at 12:59 pm
David at least 500 tackles, 20 sacks,10 ints and 10 forced fumbles since 2012. Does former 93 have any statistical line no other player in the league has since entering the league. Hold up,I thought of one. Crying on the d@#$ sideline during a televised game. Psst,f outta here.
September 8th, 2019 at 1:04 pm
Davis is a far better LB than McCoy is a DL.
David has made a huge number of “splash” plays (and at least one dumb one against the Jets.) McCoy’s resume is thin.
September 8th, 2019 at 1:26 pm
Fitz is absolute garbage and most of youz are completely stupid and should real shut up. That goes for McIceCream fans too.
September 8th, 2019 at 1:34 pm
Batgirl was the most overrated player in Bucs history. Never made a clutch play all the years as a Buc. Needed to move on years ago.
September 8th, 2019 at 1:36 pm
Joe,
Are you watching the Carolina game right now….cause I am and I am purely focusing in on softie GMC.
He’s doing the same ol disappearing/non affecting game act like he was doing Tampa Bay.
Same player, same results but on a different team and city.
September 8th, 2019 at 1:37 pm
Hmmm, LVD has been a Buc since 2012. Missed 7 games in 7 years. Averages a tad over 125 tackles and 3 INTs per year. Very solid LB. Is there anyone in Bucsville who doesn’t know that he’s the quiet type? Probably not. Next.
Oh wait, let’s use this as an excuse to pick on Gerald McCoy instead. Makes perfect sense, in Bucsville I guess.
September 8th, 2019 at 1:39 pm
….and just because fans like me and other truly dedicated fans decides to call it like it is doesn’t make us blind to him or unfaithful to our team either.
GMC will go down…..just like Jameis will go down as the most over-rated players in Bucs history….
September 8th, 2019 at 1:54 pm
What kind of cupcake are you that you need someone to “lead” you? You’re getting paid big money, you’re a pro, go run through a wall because that’s you’re job. If you need someone to give you a douchey hype speech to get motivated, then you’re a loser.
September 8th, 2019 at 1:56 pm
Because David had 94 total tackles last year to McCoy’s 17. Because McCoy had only 6 sacks last season when his primary role was rushing the passer. David had 3.5 sacks when it wasn’t his primary role. Because Joe is a McCoy homer and he always looks for a way to deflect by crappy on other players. Does that pretty much some it up? Maybe we can find a wee bit of positive before we take the field for the first time this season?
September 8th, 2019 at 2:03 pm
Anyone else notice that McCoy is not playing every down? He’s playing in a rotation. Something he refused to do in Tampa.
September 8th, 2019 at 2:03 pm
Panthers and Falcons getting their tails whooped right now.
And Cam looks awful.
September 8th, 2019 at 2:07 pm
McCoy isn’t even being doubleteamed and has yet been able to get off his block. What a waste of $12,000,000.00 dollars.
September 8th, 2019 at 2:09 pm
@ Jean
Same ol GMC……
same ol GMC exploding of the block just to see the runner going right past him again…..lol
September 8th, 2019 at 2:10 pm
Yeah Cam does seem a bit “off”…….maybe it’s that Vegan diet affecting his Judgement????
Someone quick!……get Cam a steak!!!!!!!
September 8th, 2019 at 2:12 pm
Wow.Eric Weddles just took a knee to the head on a play and blood gushed out. Ouch!
September 8th, 2019 at 2:13 pm
@Jean Lafitte
Apparently you are not paying attention. McCoy has consistently been applying pressure to the QB. The announcers even said so.
September 8th, 2019 at 2:16 pm
Ha ha ha
The commentors are commenting on why the Panthers defense seems off???
Looks like Cancer93 GMC has already infected the defense
September 8th, 2019 at 2:17 pm
@Jean Lafitte
Thats exactly what he is good for. A situational pass rusher. Thats what hes been for years. Our rivals knew this better than we did. We tried to make him the face of the defense when hes only a rotational piece. Its sad we wasted so many years on him.
September 8th, 2019 at 2:21 pm
The Chiefs have no idea how to play football, they’ve barely ran the ball. Without a running game you can’t win, everyone knows that.
September 8th, 2019 at 2:24 pm
NFL Redzone is just the best thing ever. You welfare slobs have no idea what you’re missing.
September 8th, 2019 at 2:25 pm
“Klueless waiting for the 4th quarter to crank in the yards”
Kobe Faker
September 8th, 2019 at 2:30 pm
That Browns defensive line is getting a lot of pressure.
Mayfield meanwhile looks like he looked against the Bucs.
September 8th, 2019 at 2:34 pm
Klueless’s offense not looking so good…..
September 8th, 2019 at 2:39 pm
Where the ghost of Darrell Henderson at? Is he hiding like his boy Darrell Henderson today with his 0 Carrie’s for 0 yards?
September 8th, 2019 at 2:40 pm
Surprise…….GMC invisible in first half vs. LA Rams……he only stopped playing in the second half in Tampa
September 8th, 2019 at 2:41 pm
Rod
I’m all over the Chief game. Jax rookie is balling out.
September 8th, 2019 at 2:41 pm
It’s really amazing all these cupcakes obsessed with GMC and gossiping about him like they’re a 12-year old girl.
September 8th, 2019 at 2:42 pm
Falcon Cook is a bad bad man > OJ for our purposes but it’s the same argument as Evans > Donald
September 8th, 2019 at 2:43 pm
DB55 – Minshew 9/9, 128 yards, it’s a nice stat line for sure. Been mostly watching Redzone so they’re dropping in and out of the game. Would love to see him lead a comeback and win the game, for no reason other than to see KC lose the game.
September 8th, 2019 at 2:44 pm
Looks like Trevor Lawrence will be a Dolphin next year.
September 8th, 2019 at 2:44 pm
Fitz is Miami’s leading rusher and passer at halftime.
September 8th, 2019 at 2:46 pm
What’s the crowd look like for the 2pm, 115 degree, could be watching football instead, pre-game concert?
September 8th, 2019 at 2:51 pm
That’s classic from a guy who calls himself cok munch
September 8th, 2019 at 2:57 pm
Whichever Joe wrote this is a worthless, whining drone. Your man-crush GMC gets forced out years after he overstayed his welcome and your reaction is to lament that LVD isn’t as hated as Batman? And then you reach for an El Paso Walmart snark to quiet someone pointing out the vacuous flatulence masquerading as your thoughts? You are one sick puppy.
September 8th, 2019 at 2:58 pm
The worst that can happen this week is that we could be tied for second place in our division after todays game.
September 8th, 2019 at 3:01 pm
MCCaffrey runs through a hole a Mack truck could’ve drove through
September 8th, 2019 at 3:02 pm
Let’s pick on a guy that’s got anxiety up the ying but balls on Sunday’s
If joe doesn’t want to mount you then open season
Yah. I got to stadium in no time from hotel
Hope that means people are inside ( even though looks empty )
Seen many 49ers fan
Sweaty ball index will be 9.5
Hot and hot.
Bucs ball today
Starts slow
Bucs score 24 in second half
Jameis throws only 1
Bucs win
September 8th, 2019 at 3:13 pm
@ Bird
“Sweaty ball index will be 9.5”
ha ha ha ha ha ha ^^^^^
September 8th, 2019 at 3:14 pm
Mccaffrey on steroids and yes redzone is awesome. I don’t like when they go to 3 screens though.
September 8th, 2019 at 3:15 pm
Lol for all the chit I talked about djax he’s killing it today and I drafted him on my ff team. Me’s smart
September 8th, 2019 at 3:16 pm
McIceCream is garbage thank god buckwheat and the panthers signed his sorry ass
September 8th, 2019 at 3:16 pm
Boneheaded penalty by McCoy
September 8th, 2019 at 3:17 pm
Well DJAX is killing it because he’s now actually playing with an accurate QB that actually knows how throw a deep ball instead of that imposter Jameis
September 8th, 2019 at 3:39 pm
Djax coulda been great here if he wanted to be. Instead he wanted to screw over Jameis.
September 8th, 2019 at 3:47 pm
Honestly we ain’t ready. Cleveland getting pummeled