Documenting Lavonte David’s Greatness
April 9th, 2025
Underrated, stats show.
There are certain mysteries of the universe that baffle Joe.
For example, why, though they come from far different ages of time, do Zandor and Race Bannon sound exactly alike and have weirdly similar features?
The other unsolved mystery is why the hell the NFL at large shats on Lavonte David.
Yesterday, Joe brought word how NFL great J.J. Watt came to David’s defense as an NFL stud. This on the heels of Luke Keuchly coming out swinging for David.
Watt’s missive on Twitter came as a result of research from Aaron Schatz, the inventor of DVOA and former publisher of Football Outsiders (RIP). Schatz has a stat he calls “defeats,” which is when a defender gets a takeaway, forces a turnover, and prevents a ballcarrier from converting a third or fourth down.
David has been one of the very best at this in the NFL. Basically, this stat details a defender’s impact. And David has had massive impacts. In 2013, only J.J. Watt had more defeats in a season than David, and only by one.
Schatz yesterday published on Twitter that David is one of the best at defeats. Schatz pointed out that if you just go by the first 10 years in the NFL between Watt, David, Kuechly, Von Miller and Aaron Donald, David by far has had the biggest impact on games. By far.
This annual spitting in the face of David and his only getting into one Pro Bowl has to stop. This sad ritual should be a colossal embarrassment for every person involved in selecting players for the Pro Bowl.
April 9th, 2025 at 4:25 am
have you ever had a greatest buc survey? players to chose from for me would be selmon, evans, david, brooks
April 9th, 2025 at 4:28 am
Its part of being a Buc…always overlooked and under appreciated…(except us Bucs fans, we know) Still lucky to have him this season…Thanks Mr. David.
April 9th, 2025 at 6:05 am
“This annual spitting in the face of David and his only getting into one Pro Bowl has to stop. This sad ritual is a colossal embarrassment for every person involved in selecting players for the Pro Bowl.”
What you said sir! And Watt and Keuchly and Zandor too!
However I think the Pro Bowl is a lost cause. All Pro? Might be saved but they have repeatedly screwed all of our dudes since 1976 to include LVD.
Go Bucs!
April 9th, 2025 at 6:30 am
It ain’t about David. The entire country considers Tampa as a tiny little ho-dunk cow bell ringing redneck town stuck in the 1930’s. And with that, we get no national attention. I mean come on Joe, the local baseball team plays in the Yankees practice facility for gawds sake, and it’s real facility has been labeled the worlds biggest flea market! We do put some of this ‘national acclaim’ on ourselves you know… just sayin.
April 9th, 2025 at 6:31 am
Lavonte is and always will be a legend in Tampa. His legacy is signed sealed and delivered Pro Bowl or no Pro Bowl.
April 9th, 2025 at 7:02 am
Lavonte David should really retire
Bucs not winning a Super Bowl under Todd Bowles
We don’t do enough in free agency
We really paid Winfield Jr instead of dropping major stacks of cash on Saquon Barkley.
We all know how that turned out
April 9th, 2025 at 8:08 am
Good to see HOF chatter finally begin for Lavonte. Didn’t know there was a modern version of Johnny Quest. Watched every Saturday way back in the day, even got my own version of Bandit, a badass little Boston Terrier.
April 9th, 2025 at 8:12 am
Schatz will try undoing the “shatting.” Full circle
April 9th, 2025 at 8:29 am
In the many places I have lived in or visited since leaving my hometown, Tampa, that comment couldn’t be further from the truth. Almost to the person, everyone I have ever spoken to about Tampa (who have visited) gushes about the beauty, weather, amenities, low cost, etc., etc., and how it would be a dream to live in the area. Those self deprecating, woah-is- me, victim-hood comments are just excuses for your own failures. Do you own a David jersey? Have you ever traveled into enemy territory wearing sed jersey? Heck, half of you can’t get off your lazyboy to attend a game, much less a playoff game. Tampa fans tend to be fair weather and are often outnumbered at home by opposing teams’ fans at every venue. And this happens throughout time, win or lose, every team. So stop pointing fingers, looking for excuses, and the heresy of other’s opinions regarding the bay area; and, start putting your money where your mouth is
April 9th, 2025 at 8:46 am
Lavonte is such a stud and a HoF player.
I’d love for him to stay healthy and play another couple of seasons and become the iron man like Ronde. His statistics are on another level.
This is excellent, what a stud. Hoping we can make another championship run with Lavonte and Evans to highlight their consistent greatness.
April 9th, 2025 at 9:17 am
IT NEEDS TO STOP. Pro bowl is a joke now days and it’s ridiculous that it’s used for credentials for the HOF. The pro bowl is a popularity contest. LVD has bin putting up great numbers his whole career also while starting for the worst pro team in sports history thru the lost decade. He deserves to be in the HOF
April 9th, 2025 at 10:11 am
ChiBuc
You beat me to it! Tampa as a backwater is an INCREDIBLY dated reference.
I travel but perhaps as importantly for this observation I walk once or twice a week at Weedon Island. (great place btw) I see many, many, vistors on the observation Tower and pathways and have had many wonderful conversations with visitors.
When I return to my native town Cincinnati they have mad respect for the Bucs!
It’s only we self flagellating Buc fans who wish to totally deride and devalue the Bucs FIVE straight playoff appearances and FOUR consecutive Division titles with a bit of irony in that they won their second SB without winning the Division.
FACTS ARE FACTS! You can hate on Bowles or the Bucs or the Glazers all you want but the REACHING is growing weary. 4 straight Division crowns are meaningless because the Division sucks! Really? That’s what you have?
April 9th, 2025 at 11:01 am
It’s about time that Lavonte gets his due. Always underrated and shouldn’t be. So over the Pro Bowl and their decision making. They can do better and should.
#1bucsfan – Right on point. You are absolutely right.
April 9th, 2025 at 1:15 pm
You’re welcome Joes.haha Love you guys and Ira, being a Bucs fan in so cal, I love for The pod casts. Hopefully Ira uses this for the hall of fame. Insane production by #54.