David Finally Sees The Other Side
January 5th, 2021
Bucs LB Lavonte David.
Joe can’t help but be happy as can be for a guy who deserves to finally play in a meaningful January game.
That would be Bucs veteran linebacker Lavonte David. The Nebraska product was drafted by Tampa Bay in the second round early in the lost decade (2012). For a while there, Joe thought that David may end up as the best Bucs player who never took the field in a playoff game.
(Joe guessed Scot Brantley was playoff-less, but he played in two with the Bucs, starting one game. James Wilder also played in the same playoff games as Brantley. So who would have been the best Bucs player to never play in a Bucs playoff game, Gerald McCoy?)
David is so used to having January off, he even mentioned this is the time of year he’s going through his season-exit interviews.
“The past eight years, I haven’t been in this position,” David said. “I’ve been in a position where I was having my exit meeting and getting ready to head on to what I need to do in the offseason. It’s different now.
“I was kind of joking around about it after the game [Sunday], but it’s different now. This is what I’m here for – to be able to compete in the tournament. It’s finally here and now I have to do what I have to do [and] the team has to do what we have to do to continue to survive.
“The level of excitement is crazy, but at the same time, you know what’s at stake. … Every day, the moment is right now and we’ve got to be able to stay in that moment.”
If Joe had to put a photo of one player on this season, a playoff season, where the 12-season playoff drought (finally) came to an end, it would be a picture of David. The consummate pro is finally getting to see what real January football is all about.
January 5th, 2021 at 1:33 pm
I’m not crying – you’re crying!
January 5th, 2021 at 1:35 pm
Big fan of Lavonte through thick n thin.
Really Really BUMMED about Devin White sitch…
January 5th, 2021 at 1:39 pm
Paul Gruber?
January 5th, 2021 at 1:41 pm
Congrats to David! Also, happy for @JOE… he Built a great site and he too came on board at the bottom of the Abyss. GO BUCS!!!!!!!!!
January 5th, 2021 at 1:42 pm
class act, darn shame I did not get to see more of him as I could not stomach to watch much when they hired you know who.
January 5th, 2021 at 1:42 pm
Hey Joe, how long will I have to stay in moderation. Its been some time now. Don’t even know what I did to get in there.
January 5th, 2021 at 1:44 pm
So happy for him, and Evans. And Gholston too.
January 5th, 2021 at 1:44 pm
Played in two playoff games (1997).
January 5th, 2021 at 1:47 pm
No idea. Never knew you were in moderation.
Without going into a major explanation, unless you committed a Crime Against Joe at some point in the past, this is not a jail sentence. The WordPress spam filter sometimes puts people in moderation. WordPress is software not a human and Joe doesn’t know how to write code. Why this happens, again without going into a major explanation, just know unless you committed a Crime Against Joe in the past, you are not being singled out.
January 5th, 2021 at 1:56 pm
@henry… i always felt bad for Gruber. Probably a HOFer if he played somewhere else. He saw the playoffs in 97 but missed the great 99 run and that sucked.
January 5th, 2021 at 2:03 pm
But the real question is: will anyone recognize that Lavonte played in a playoff game, or will that be ignored too? What if he wins the Super Bowl? Will they even honor him with a ring?
January 5th, 2021 at 2:19 pm
henry, moderation is like herpes, big deal at first then you just live with it and it’s a little inconvenience you notice once in a while.
January 5th, 2021 at 2:19 pm
lol I just got moderated.
January 5th, 2021 at 2:20 pm
glad he’ll finally get a crack at it!!!
GO BUCS!!!!
January 5th, 2021 at 2:31 pm
hahahaha! @Dewey
January 5th, 2021 at 2:43 pm
I get moderated all the time……sometimes, I put in a word like Tmax….and…..whoops…..moderation…..waiting for it on this one.
The good news is practically 100% of my posts are eventually cleared.
January 5th, 2021 at 2:44 pm
I find it interesting that simply including another poster’s name gets you moderated.
January 5th, 2021 at 2:50 pm
David is about to beastmode… him and white are going to man handle teams. They’re insane talents and the playoffs make talent rise higher. Expect a hugeeee defensive push.
January 5th, 2021 at 3:28 pm
Dewey OMG 😂😂
January 5th, 2021 at 3:47 pm
This will be Brady’s 42nd…forty freakin’ second…postseason start. Might wanna follow his lead this week.
January 5th, 2021 at 3:55 pm
@tbbf-
it’s only certain names though… like the one you mentioned.
January 5th, 2021 at 4:45 pm
Mike Evans
January 5th, 2021 at 7:08 pm
Awesome stuff.
January 5th, 2021 at 7:31 pm
LVD: major human being class act, both on and off-field. I know he (and Gholston) are super psyched about playing this weekend. Pin your ears back you 2, and kill the WFT. Go Mighty Bucs Saturday!!
January 5th, 2021 at 8:41 pm
Like everyone I’m totally happy for LVD.
I’m just as happy for Gholston. He’s been a glue guy for 8 years not only missing the playoffs but also largely unrecognized on a team with some star DL’s.
I think Gholston is underrated and underappreciated.
January 5th, 2021 at 9:37 pm
I’m happy for David , Evans , Goldson , to be playing in the playoffs .
January 5th, 2021 at 10:35 pm
I would use Evans… Too bad Dotson isn’t at least a backup to experience this
January 6th, 2021 at 1:02 am
Lavonte was off the last two games I hope he bring it for the playoffs. He looked injured. That knee! I haven’t seen him in the opposing teams back field lately. His play recognition was slipping. I’m use to my guy beating blocks get to the ball carrier before the play start. I need that from you this game Captain Lavonte David.
January 6th, 2021 at 1:06 am
Put some sleeves on under your jersey because you looked cold in that Giant game. You been in Tampa enjoy that good weather now it’s time to practice in your draws to prepare for this cold journey to the Super Bowl. Buckle Up!
January 6th, 2021 at 1:09 am
I can tell the weaklings that run this site moderate who they want. You need to quit putting viruses on your site. I lost 10 phones tryna drop jewels on you non talented talent evaluators.
January 6th, 2021 at 1:11 am
All the profanity I see on your site . I said Buckle Up! Go ahead you can steal that swagu . Buckle Up Buckle Up
January 6th, 2021 at 9:08 am
Poor Brady, has more than two and a half’s season’s worth of playoff games accumulated, he must be all worn out. Or not; we’ll see.
January 6th, 2021 at 10:17 am
Thanks joe and company, I completely forgot Gruber was indeed in the playoffs. Guess I am still bummed he got hurt in his last year and missed those playoffs. Dude was a pillar on the Oline for years.