“I Didn’t Want To Go Nowhere”
March 13th, 2021
Calls new contract “fair.”
The way Lavonte David put it yesterday, he has unfinished business in Tampa Bay.
The star linebacker had a Zoom conference call and explained the time simply wasn’t right to walk from the team that brought him to the NFL and the team for which he busted his tail.
In fact, David hinted if the Bucs had yet another losing season in 2020 — something that was way too common here since he was drafted in the second round out of Nebraska in 2012 — he may have left.
It was winning last season that kept David here.
“Dealing with all the stuff I have dealt with for eight years and you finally win one and then you up and leave?” David began. “Nah, man, I want to keep on winning with this team, this organization. This city deserves a lot more. And I want to be a part of it.”
David, who is from Miami, all but said Tampa is his home and he didn’t want to turn his back on his home.
“Honestly, all and all, I didn’t want to go nowhere,” David said. “I have a legacy here that I am trying to chase and just trying to win more Super Bowls.”
David gave major shout outs to Bucs legend Derrick Brooks and confessed he wants to be Brooks II in the sense that he wants to leave a strong legacy as a Bucs teammate, linebacker, community servant and hopefully someday, he said, joining Brooks in the Ring of Honor.
David added contract talks began in earnest about two-and-a-half weeks ago. He also termed the contract offer that he signed from Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht as “fair.”
Joe can only think of one word to describe David properly.
“Class.”
March 13th, 2021 at 10:10 am
LD decided to get very wealthy, or in his case stay very wealthy, with the only team he’s known and earned a championship with. We will see very soon if Shaq is made of the same stuff.
March 13th, 2021 at 10:11 am
No doubt you left a legacy. My favorite Buc for a long time now. Thank you for bringing such great play to terrible teams over your years. Helps fans to not just not even turn on the TV. Much love LVD.
March 13th, 2021 at 10:17 am
So great to have those 2 ILBs. Best duo in the league. They work so well together. Heart of the D.
March 13th, 2021 at 10:17 am
LVD = CLASS GO BUCS!!!
March 13th, 2021 at 10:23 am
Indeed…
March 13th, 2021 at 10:35 am
Never thought I’d say it but…..this defense is better than Brooks, Sapp D
March 13th, 2021 at 10:41 am
“Never thought I’d say it but…..this defense is better than Brooks, Sapp D”
Eeeeeeeasy now.
March 13th, 2021 at 10:45 am
Tony Dungy should feel proud.
Shifting mind sets of people in a positive way is leadership.
March 13th, 2021 at 10:49 am
Chris Thomas
That Brooks and Sapp defense is in like top five if not top three all time. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
March 13th, 2021 at 10:54 am
Can’t compare defenses, a different set of rules.
Players didn’t wear fragile ballet costumes back then, and refs kept flags in their pockets.
March 13th, 2021 at 10:56 am
Smart man that LVD…with an assist to Mr. # 55. Almost guaranteed let down/disappointment for all parties had he left.
March 13th, 2021 at 11:03 am
What the defense of 2002 had was star athletes – recognizable names – Sapp, Brooks, Lynch, Barber, etc. This defense is beginning to build the same thing – David, White, Winfield, JPP, SMB, Vea, and hopefullly Barrett. No need to establish which is better. One was great and the other is building toward great. David has been a star but is only recently getting the recognition he deserves.
March 13th, 2021 at 11:05 am
TBBF believes you have to have 3 things in life…..and I think LVD has all 3…
1. Do what you love doing.
2. Do it in a place you love living
3. Have a good mattress.
That’s how you spend all your time.
I think LVD made the right decision…..he has enough money for himself an future generations of his family…..he made a decision to be happy. Who can fault him for that?
March 13th, 2021 at 11:13 am
Ring of Honor – Yes
March 13th, 2021 at 11:17 am
Glad you’re staying! You’ve been one of the consistent bright spots over the last 9 years. Hope you retire a Buccaneer and I live to see your HOF induction!
March 13th, 2021 at 12:18 pm
The mix of David and White patrolling the middle is really some of the most beautiful football i have saw since the Dungy/Kiffen days.
The afterthought of all this free agent stuff and Im think maybe getting David back was the mist important piece. We can know for sure once they get back on the grass.
March 13th, 2021 at 12:48 pm
So he did want to go somewhere?
March 13th, 2021 at 1:33 pm
Monte is still my DC for life. Represent.
March 13th, 2021 at 1:58 pm
LD54 was the most important FA to bring back for continued success and a legit shot at back to back Super Bowl wins.
He is literally the glue that holds the Buccaneers defense together – making sure pre-snap that everyone on the field knows what their assignment is and where they are supposed to be…….
Also has the experience, football intuition and a real knack for being in the right place at the right time.
Oh – and he’s perhaps the best “cover” LBer in the game – which is crucially important when you have to go through teams like SF and KC to get to your ultimate goal. Kittle and Kelce are damn near unstoppable in the passing game – UNLESS you have a guy like David who can more than hold his own in coverage against them…….
Congrats Lavonte!
Here’s hoping this man never plays for another team and retires as a Buccaneer.
March 13th, 2021 at 2:12 pm
Brooks and him should reshoot the school bus ad where Brooks leads the kids with “Who’s your favorite player…” and then the kids sing “Lavonte David” and Brooks just shakes his hand as David gets up from his seat… David then leads the kids “Ok y’all, let’s go again… who’s your favorite…”
March 13th, 2021 at 4:37 pm
TBBF … Forrest Gump’s mama would’ve added a #4: Wear comfortable shoes.
March 13th, 2021 at 4:54 pm
Glad he stayed
Glad he didn’t want to go Anywhere 👍🏻
March 13th, 2021 at 6:56 pm
@Joe
Agree w/ all, but curious (since you didn’t mention), what did you think of David saying specifically that it’s the “first tight knit team….coaches and players (together)” he’s ever been a part of?
March 14th, 2021 at 4:11 am
Glad to have you back LD54….i wanted this too and just knew it would happen. Probably wouldve got more if we had the cap room and less other stars we have to sign.