“Be Playmakers”
December 10th, 2019
Motivating words.
One interesting aspect to this Bucs team is the emergence of Lavonte David as a vocal conscience.
Of course, Joe does not have access to private team meetings or the locker room on gamedays until after a game. But from many sources, David, arguably the best linebacker the Bucs have ever had not named “Derrick Brooks,” has shed his quiet image and become a loud voice among his teammates.
David (along with Ali Marpet) jumped on his teammates at halftime of the Colts game to tighten things up and start playing like winners.
Bucs coach Bucco Bruce Arians suggested in his postgame remarks that David’s outburst may have contained foul language.
Things didn’t look so bright for the Bucs to start the second half. Mike Evans was out. Donovan Smith was hobbling badly. And Mr. Excitement, America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, was on the sidelines as he couldn’t start the second half with a bum thumb.
But boy, how he finished the game!
With things looking bleak, Joe asked David if doubt was beginning to creep in as the Bucs tried to fight back and take the lead.
“Not at all,” David told Joe after the game. “I didn’t sense that from a soul on our sideline.”
And David told Joe what his message was to defensive teammates in order to get the team back in the game.
“Something is going to give,” David said. “Something is going to give if we keep playing our butts off. Be playmakers. Make a play and get the ball back to our offense.”
Simple words but that is exactly what happened. The Bucs defense made enough plays late to get the offense the ball back and Jameis took care of the rest.
December 10th, 2019 at 3:04 pm
Man I remember when people were saying mc icecream was infecting david who was just as soft as him. now look
December 10th, 2019 at 3:16 pm
Poor Poor Poor LVD……………he has to suffer being on such a crappy team.
LVD deserves better
December 10th, 2019 at 3:17 pm
Panthers lead NFL in rushing td’s allowed- what a surprise!
December 10th, 2019 at 3:19 pm
LVD has always been an “under-rated, Under-the-radar” player.
He’s been the only player here that’s been solidly consistent since being drafted.
December 10th, 2019 at 3:26 pm
It’s all good Bucsanthem. Our years of losing most of our games are over starting in 2020.
December 10th, 2019 at 3:39 pm
We have a very good chance to win 4 in a row this weekend.
December 10th, 2019 at 3:42 pm
TexBuc- I certainly hope so. In the past, this is the game where we “expect” to win and the Bucs get too high on themselves and come out flat.
Actually that was last week, and we were able to overcome it. Hopefully we also learned from it.
December 10th, 2019 at 3:51 pm
There has been a huge culture change this season. It’s more than just about winston. This team is mad and they are being called out by lvd, jpp, marpet, etc. I am so shocked koetter couldn’t do anything with the mentality.
In the same breath, vh3, mccoy, and djax were addition by subtraction. Look at all of their teams implode.
I cannot wait for 2020. You guys don’t realize how good were gonna be. WITH JAMEIS!
December 10th, 2019 at 3:56 pm
Buccernutter- great post. This culture is definitely different. Go back and watch All or Nothing and see how big Arians is on having veterans leading in every position room. The only room lacking a vet is that secondary. Without VH3 in that room, their mentality has too changed.
Arians said he never really believed in sports psychology UNTIL he me the BUCS!!!! Trying to overcome over a decade of losing culture is not easy to do and many have failed.
I have faith Bruce Arians 2x Coach of the Year, will get the job done. If nothing else he will set us up on the path and change the culture. The evidence already exists.
December 10th, 2019 at 4:06 pm
lvd is overrated never has been consistent…. anyone says otherwise is flat out lying to themselves… low standard bucfan confuses lose quiet mediocre players with being good all the time…. he is recovering nicely from cancer93 disease. still think is average most games / series. best year still with schiano
December 10th, 2019 at 4:46 pm
*Alaskan AS
that is too funny…I rewatched ALL OR NOTHING last night to just recheck my assessment of coach BA. His development style is that solid making stuff…that some of Buc’s fans can’t understand.
Coaches coach, players play, and some fans just demonize!
Go Bucs!
December 10th, 2019 at 5:10 pm
I think getting rid of VH3 was a huge factor…….players got serious about winning.
December 10th, 2019 at 6:02 pm
T-maxicon…
I’m so curious, what is your definition of a good linebacker?
December 10th, 2019 at 7:07 pm
Most natural and Instintive tackler we have had since ronde
December 10th, 2019 at 7:09 pm
Great to hear LVD is no longer suffering quietly… all respect to JPP and Suh for teaching team mates how to lead. Lesson 1: Speak up!
December 10th, 2019 at 7:13 pm
To Tmaxcon, other trolls and general dwellers in darkness.
We are in the midst of a significant culture change here in Tampa Bay. This phenomena is AKA as a franchise turnaround!
Don’t take my word for it. Disregard other commenters and commentators here as well. Do find Evan Winter on his North & South podcast and hear what he had to say. Listen and think about what he said about the Colts game and the status of our Buccaneers.
In BA We Trust!
December 10th, 2019 at 7:45 pm
Jimbo don’t bother. When the Bucs start winning they will change their names and be the biggest fans.
December 10th, 2019 at 8:48 pm
As a long time Buc fan..and critic on this website, I’m liking what I am seeing hearing from this team and its coaches. Coach Arians says you go into a ballgame expecting..knowing you are going to Win. And the players are sayin, they are sick & Deeyam tired of Losing. Its hard to change a losing culture people. Real hard. Our Bucs just might..get there. its a slow process. But we are seeing signs of it.
December 10th, 2019 at 8:56 pm
Thanks, SC and Mike! You’ve cheered me up.
Happy holidays, all!
December 10th, 2019 at 10:35 pm
Nickerson is the only other one other than Brooks who has had more of an impact than David in my opinion. All three are/were fantastic players for us though.
December 10th, 2019 at 11:54 pm
@JOE
joe you need to do a story on why the DBs are now suddenly taking things more serious and playing much better with the dismissal of VH3…
it really is an interesting scenario…
what was he doing to the group to hold them back and hold them down???
he is gone…and now they are flourishing…
also, he did dress and look kinda like a mini GMC imho…lol
December 10th, 2019 at 11:59 pm
Already have. Spoke about it on Ira’s pod as well.
December 11th, 2019 at 12:03 am
Good info. Lucky me I came across your blog by accident I’ve bookmarked it for later! You have brought up a very excellent points, thanks for the post.
December 11th, 2019 at 12:34 am
ok joe…cool…i’ll have to backtrack on the stories and check the podcasts…i must’ve been sleeping or zoning out
December 11th, 2019 at 1:25 am
Defense wins championships. Javon Kinlaw with the first round pick and stack the trenches one through four. Pay 25 year old FS Justin Simmons. Dominant young leader for secondary that continues to grow.
December 11th, 2019 at 1:28 am
Joe – I’ll put this one in the column of Leadership and Culture being important. In the past you have railed how it’s not important and overrated.
Or it could just be this is rational Joe.
In BA I Trust!
December 11th, 2019 at 5:13 am
Alaskan Abdominal Snowman Says:
“Arians said he never really believed in sports psychology UNTIL he me the BUCS!!!!”
.
.
LOL I missed that one. Classic Bucs!
December 11th, 2019 at 8:55 am
Being called out by lvd, jpp, marpet, etc. why not Jameis ?
Because being called out only works when your called out by people you respect!
December 11th, 2019 at 9:10 am
alaskan appreciate it bro! our future is going to be very bright and i cannot wait for this offseason where free agents are finally going to find tampa as a preferred destination now that weve been winning and bruce is here.
ou why you gotta twist this to be a negative? like i said its fans like you who embarrass our fan base. We are winning dude, get a life.