Tough Talk For SirVocea Dennis From Lavonte David
September 7th, 2025
This is not something you hear publicly very often.
In the happy Bucs locker room in Atlanta, iconic Tampa Bay linebacker Lavonte David had tough talk for a teammate.
What a roller coaster game it was for starting inside linebacker SirVocea Dennis, his first taking over the position alongside David.
Dennis was overmatched too often and missed tackles but made strong plays, too. Dennis had 10 combined tackles with 7 solo and 2 tackles for loss and a key deflected pass.
That’s a strong stat line but it didn’t tell the whole story. Bucs fans were screaming about Dennis on social media and in bars from Lakeland to Largo.
David understood why.
“You know, he gotta get his ass going,” David said of Dennis’ rough start.
“You know what I’m saying? You got no time to wait. You gotta come out there ready to go. He had some tough times. It’s one game, but I know for a fact he’s going to be better. And like you said, he came back the very next play in the second half, he stuffed the fullback and made the play. I expect nothing less out of Voss, man. You know, he’s just got to get his feet under him a little bit, but I won’t expect that another time.”
Dennis seemed pensive in the locker room alongside David in the jubilant locker room. Joe didn’t ask Dennis about his showing. David summed it up quite well.
September 7th, 2025 at 6:54 pm
He hasn’t barely played in almost a year, expect some rust as he gets back up to speed. Hopefully it’s out of his system.
September 7th, 2025 at 6:57 pm
I liked the angry way he played after getting benched for a few plays. Hopefully when he looks at the tape of the first half he’ll get even angrier and take it out against Houston next week.
September 7th, 2025 at 7:00 pm
That’s a lot for a quote coming from Lavonte, and I’m sure he let Voss know in real time. Watch the film, self scout, and let’s get ready for Houston. Enough to win, but enough to work on as well.
September 7th, 2025 at 7:02 pm
Yikes ><
He did have some good plays today but agree he has some work to do. LVD will whip him into shape.
September 7th, 2025 at 7:02 pm
…and Go Bucs!!
September 7th, 2025 at 7:03 pm
Watching Houston game right now. They have put up a stunning 9 points with 4 minutes 4th quarter What a juggernaut
September 7th, 2025 at 7:03 pm
Good to hear from David!!
No time to wait.
September 7th, 2025 at 7:05 pm
Bowles ain’t ever tried to hide it. He’s stopping the RUN!! Dennis played well attacking but not so well out in space. Like Rod pointed out he hasn’t played in awhile. Lavonte deserves alot of credit for this run stopping, hustling defense. Team knows what they’ve gotta work on and they will.
September 7th, 2025 at 7:08 pm
I was happy to see him on the field. I saw noted some good plays he made. David is probably grooming him for next year. Hence, the remarks. The team was uneven so there is plenty of room for improvement in next week’s game.
Go Bucs!!
September 7th, 2025 at 7:11 pm
He looked like Britt in coverage.
September 7th, 2025 at 7:17 pm
He had some good plays and some horrible ones. I expect him to play better next game. We need him to be dominant like he was early last year. He did play better after being briefly benched.
September 7th, 2025 at 7:24 pm
There was so much sloppy football across the NFL today I’m sure things will look sharper later. Defenses dominated a lot of the games today with a couple notable exceptions. Dennis had an up-and-down game for sure. But the Bucs D only gave up 20 points against an extremely potent offense and they should be proud of that.
September 7th, 2025 at 7:25 pm
Still don’t think he is starting material. That position needs an upgrade LVD can’t do it all.
September 7th, 2025 at 7:25 pm
He was a liability the whole game. Got embarrassed by Pitts stiff arm. Dove over a diving Penix allowing a first and goal. He was horrible. No sugar coating it. He had some stops, I would hope so. He got worked today.
September 7th, 2025 at 7:26 pm
Yes he picked up his play after being benched for that series
September 7th, 2025 at 7:34 pm
Fire Bowles!!!!
September 7th, 2025 at 7:40 pm
he’s rusty he’ll be alright and if not put in bullock!! he was the most picked on exposed player today and he made some good plays but what a roller coaster game for vos
September 7th, 2025 at 7:44 pm
He had2 tfl led team and a batted ball with double digit tackles better than solid. If he had hit the qb on the dive he would have gotten a penalty.
September 7th, 2025 at 7:54 pm
Man. I’m So Happy that we won. It was SO CLOSE! But why was it close?
You just have to ask yourself where is the training? Why aren’t these men ready to play and play sharp?
What was that in the secondary? They looked worse than ever! Who’s training and coaching the secondary again?
If a fire isn’t lit, because regular humans are not self starters then the results are going to be Exactly what we got today going forward. And these guys play like they’re “entitled” to the MILLIONS of dollars versus Actually having to work and Work Hard for it!
I’m of the mind that it didn’t have to be so nerve racking. It’s great if it goes our way. But when we don’t get lucky like we did today but sooner or later it isn’t going to go our way….
These guys don’t seem concerned with impressing any of you. Must be nice when not even the fans will hold them accountable.
September 7th, 2025 at 7:55 pm
Started out rough, but looked better later..give him some time imo..not like we have much choice. Hasn’t played for a while. Either way we will need to add to.tbr position next year I think. I don’t know I I can even blame him for penix 1st down..it’s become far too typical for players to pull up with a qb near sideline..clearly didn’t want a penalty, especially with what happened earlier im the drive with the 2 15 yarders
September 7th, 2025 at 7:55 pm
Too often Dennis looked weak and slow. Can’t keep himself out of the hurt locker. Clock is running on this guy. Very little depth at ILB is his only friend. He embarrassed himself the way Pitts smacked him around today.
September 7th, 2025 at 7:56 pm
Yeah, he really did get off to a horribly SLOW start to begin that game. LVD is 💯 spot-on CORRECT. But, it wouldn’t had really mattered on that first Bijan TD run… He never stood a chance (in the open-field) with all THAT. Was still bad instincts and a TERRIBLE angle. Made a REAL WEAK effort at another missed-tackle right after that too, but eventually got it goin. The whole team looked the same as they always do right outta the gate. SOMEBODY has got to get them GOIN from the jump. ATL did not look like a very good team. I was impressed with Big-Penix. He made the plays he needed to make and kept them in the game EVEN when London went out (and no Mooney). They have NO depth at WR.
September 7th, 2025 at 8:02 pm
They should put LVD in the Ring of Honor while he’s still playing in a surprise ceremony.
September 7th, 2025 at 8:07 pm
@SDK
Hell yes!
September 7th, 2025 at 8:07 pm
Btw I know a lot of people were shaking their head when we kept kameron Johnson. Just wanted to give a shout out of appreciation to that dude with his big return
September 7th, 2025 at 8:16 pm
I know David is great, but he didn’t exactly light it up today.
September 7th, 2025 at 8:24 pm
Some sloppy play is to be expected. They don’t play hardly any if at all in preseason.
The defensive woes seemed to be about the same.. cough.. Jamel Dean.. cough cough
September 7th, 2025 at 8:26 pm
He should be fine. He made a number of very good plays, but he also horribly blew two plays that resulted in scores. The negative gets highlighted a lot more when the other team scores off those plays. After a year out he needed to adjust to game speed and it’s clear he still needs to adjust some. We’ll see how he does on MNF. He wasn’t the only part of this defense that was pissing me off, though. Zyon needs to get in front of the jugs machine until catching is second nature. Can’t keep dropping picks like that. At least Koo missed that FG. Sweet justice after the refs practically handed the game to the Falcons on that earlier drive with BS penalties on us. Dennis needs to see we won the game and just shake it off and get better next week.
September 7th, 2025 at 8:28 pm
Dennis didn’t look like an NFL player today, let alone a starting defender for a team with SB aspirations. It wouldn’t surprise me at all to see Jones start next week. That was as bad as I’ve seen.
September 7th, 2025 at 8:33 pm
ILB first rd next draft Jason….you know
September 7th, 2025 at 8:33 pm
Rarely do you see one player ID’d over and over again on missed plays, and Voss was that guy. These early games are perfect for him to work out the rust. Texans and Jets will not be pushovers, but they’re not world beaters either. We will be able to make some mistakes against them and still win. This team will need to pull it all together for the better teams, whoever they may be.
September 7th, 2025 at 8:37 pm
After the quick benching he played a lot better.
September 7th, 2025 at 8:44 pm
Dennis made plays missed plays but overall was pretty good. Give him some time to get his sea legs and I think he’ll light it up.
September 7th, 2025 at 8:45 pm
As well as for the defense a s a whole, they will get nastier as the year goes on
September 7th, 2025 at 8:52 pm
I thought Voss had an up and down day, too.
More surprised at LaVonte calling out a teammate like that.
Not that Voss didn’t deserve it. Just highly unusual for LaVonte to have so much to say. He’s normally pretty quiet.
September 7th, 2025 at 8:52 pm
Lots of rust which is normal for week 1. But Dennis struggled and looked lost in coverage but was solid in the run. Our kicker almost lost the game too. Hope they both bounce back next week.
September 7th, 2025 at 9:00 pm
Veryyyyuu rough day for Dennis. Watching the nfl YouTube replay highlight after I’ve sobered up, this dude is getting thrown directly at and whiffing every tackle. On one hand, if he’s our weakest link I feel very good. On the other hand, he was actively selling the game and we are very lucky to come out of that with a win. Can’t play like that and expect to be a starter in this league
September 7th, 2025 at 9:01 pm
I second that coburn! Voss will be fine he hasn’t played in a good while. He will be back dominating again like he once was! Go Bucs!
September 7th, 2025 at 9:01 pm
Thank the football gods for Lavonte and Zyon this week.
September 7th, 2025 at 9:02 pm
I second that coburn! Voss will be fine! Go Bucs!
September 7th, 2025 at 9:03 pm
I gotta pay off the beers posting twice!!
September 7th, 2025 at 9:03 pm
HOW DO THEY REVIEW A PLAY AFTER THEY LET THE NEXT PLAY RUN
September 7th, 2025 at 9:22 pm
I felt jameal Dean was the biggest liability today. Bucs d looked and played very similar to what im used to seeing. A win is a win. I was so happy to watch him muff that FG. We do not excel in ot. Raheem has got our number, pretty sure we fired him
September 7th, 2025 at 9:29 pm
Has anyone heard yet why the last minute O-line shuffle? Doesn’t that take away some of our exiting runs and stuff when everyone is confused about their responsibilities? I thought CONTINUITY in our O-lime was one of our biggest advantages? Didn’t we kind of throw that away doing that? I mean- yeah, they pass protected pretty well but it’s gotta hurt our run game!
September 7th, 2025 at 9:36 pm
Good leadership by LVD. Let’s go SVD! Get it done
September 7th, 2025 at 9:40 pm
Bucs alone in first place in the NFC South.
September 7th, 2025 at 9:47 pm
It’s hard to win when you’re playing 11 on 16. Through a lot of the game, especially late in the 4’th quarter. They let Baker get stood up and hammered and then called touch fouls on the Bucs. Officials should be held accountable and those clowns today should all be fired. I swear they bet on the games. Complete $#!+ show. Thanks yung way kookoo.
September 7th, 2025 at 9:54 pm
The Bucs had a make shift OLine had a center playing LT no star LT who’s out No JMac No Godwin the offense will crank up just wait the defense missed Several Sacks the Secondary wasn’t bad DLine got pressure wish they made some pressures sacks big thing today was penalties for the Bucs They contained Bijan an London Bucs Will get better Baker was off missed Otton on wide open TD an Chase was off to missed FG an Extra point which would have been 11 more point on the board but guess what They won an still looked like doodo that’s what you want the Bucs won a close.game Kam Johnson is a Real Returner I guess thats why Tez isn’t that guy but I think Grizz could have used Backs out of back field more an screens he tried a cpl White was so close to breaking that one UGly game BUCS win 1-0 an the whole NFC south Lost which is great Bucs can run this just clean it up Grizz an Baker will.start Geling Bakers had 3 OCs in 3 years let them gel go Bucs
September 7th, 2025 at 9:58 pm
Not gonna freak out about one game. When he actually was on the field last year he was a stud. Dude got benched today so damn the stat line you played like trash. Come out next week lit
September 7th, 2025 at 10:00 pm
D Says:
September 7th, 2025 at 9:03 pm
HOW DO THEY REVIEW A PLAY AFTER THEY LET THE NEXT PLAY RUN
Good question and I thought the same, but they stated that the “upstairs” refs were already reviewing it before the next snap. I think that’s a recent rule change or new thing.
September 7th, 2025 at 10:10 pm
Agreed on review. But these zebras were so incompetent that they didn’t blow a whistle or hold the ball before the next play. I’ve seen better officiating at a Pop Warner game by 70 year old one legged, half blind men.
September 7th, 2025 at 10:26 pm
Did they win?
Then lets move on and hope Voss improves going forward.
Enjoy the win for a couple days.
September 7th, 2025 at 10:29 pm
Can we get Zyon McCollum a pair of hands?
September 7th, 2025 at 10:36 pm
Sometimes leaders use the media to coach up a young player. David is this team’s Brooks.
September 7th, 2025 at 11:40 pm
Wow, what an ending in the SNF game. I wonder how many tuned out, and are going to wake up tomorrow and realize they missed a classic.
September 7th, 2025 at 11:45 pm
Bills vs Ravens was great to watch. Bucs was an ugly slow sloppy win. Thankfully for the Bucs they count the same.
September 7th, 2025 at 11:50 pm
^great game, i stayed tuned in….enjoying a vacation day today and soaked it all in, when i know I’ll be working 12 to 12 on weekends.
September 8th, 2025 at 1:33 am
I watched the game tonight and my Bills player props all hit. It was a telling game between 2 of the best AFC teams. I was pulling for them Bills and again how did the officials and booth screw up Josh’s slide for a first down late? With the ensuing plays that almost cost them the game. I feel it’s more important to get it right than be in a hurry. I can only imagine how many other games got screwed up today by inept zebras. At least the Bucs squeaked it out.
September 8th, 2025 at 1:38 am
And Todd Bowles O line shake up, and botched don’t run a play timeout to help the Falcons, is his own worst Enemy. He will call out players, but needs to hold himself accountable too.
September 8th, 2025 at 5:02 am
What has Dennis shown to think this guys going to be fine? He’s a 5th round China doll who got worked today. If Heck was benched without even been given a chance to show what he could do, Dennis should be benched for showing us he can’t cover, or tackle backs in the open. That’s his job, and he couldn’t get it done. Don’t understand the leash this 5th rounder is getting. As far as him not hitting a diving Penix, he’s allowed to hit a running QB!! Penix wasn’t sliding, he was diving for a first down, he was a runner! Dennis avoided hitting a runner diving for a first down! Wake up people. Bullock is a real hard nosed MLB. Might not have elite skills, but I want a baller in the middle, not a cupcake. Dennis is a cupcake!
September 8th, 2025 at 11:01 am
BigMacAttack Says:
“I’ve seen better officiating at a Pop Warner game by 70 year old one legged, half blind men.”
Here here. Standing ovation and kudos.
September 8th, 2025 at 12:03 pm
Oh, well thank god, the Bills won. Ravens get plenty of help from the striped brigade. Just ask CG14 on the QT, of course. LVD (future HOFamer) went public on SVD cos he knows how smart and potentially good a player this dude will be. Believe me, LVD’s actions stung SVD a lot more than Bowles could. There will be an improvement by the young man next Monday night. Man, do I hate MNF!