Lavonte David Said Bucs Would “Freak Out And Act Like We Don’t Know What We’re Doing.”
April 4th, 2026
What went wrong with the Bucs?
Most fans point a huge finger of blame on coaching. Todd Bowles did, too. That’s why he fired a bunch of assistant coaches, including his offensive coordinator and special teams chief.
Lavonte David opened up on the subject during his visit to The Arena yesterday.
Why the collapse, Lavonte?
“A lot of injuries, the main thing. And defensively, we had just a lot of moving parts and we just wasn’t the same page together as a unit like we always used to be,” David said. And when you have that going on and the offense depending on you, everything is going to spiral out of control. People have all their speculations and stuff like that, but what I loved about it as a team, even though we’re going through all that, we still were trying to fight and figure out a way how to win these games.”
David went on to say the Bucs in tight games late last season would “freak out and act like we don’t know what we’re doing.”
Is it on coaching? That kind of excuse is not in David’s DNA. “I would never blame a coach, you got to be able execute,” he said.
In fact, David said players let Bowles down and took notice of his infamous public meltdown in early December.
“You see Bowles in some clip, he’s going off and you never see him go off like that,” David said. “He’s pissed off. Like it was a shock for us. We felt like we let him down. When the fans look in, you know everybody’s blaming [Bowles] and stuff like that. But all along as a player being in the locker room, being a leader in that locker room, like a majority of stuff was on us, we just wasn’t doing what we were supposed to do as as football team.”
David added that he’s been in locker rooms that were falling apart and pointing fingers, but David said the 2025 Bucs absolutely were not that team.
Joe loves listening to the new candid, post-career David.
As for the Bucs’ mental toughness, David’s comments leave Joe encouraged that the Bucs have a lot of new blood on the roster and in the coaching ranks, and that there will be a couple of new core leaders in the locker room.
April 4th, 2026 at 1:08 pm
>>> David added that he’s been in locker rooms that were falling apart and pointing fingers <<<
Gerald McCoy and Aqib Talib nodded their heads in agreement.
April 4th, 2026 at 1:18 pm
Even after David said all this, the mouth breathing morons will still blame Bowles
April 4th, 2026 at 1:21 pm
We’re going to miss that guy. What a refreshingly honest take you can believe. Locker room is diminished even if not on the field. HOF please.
April 4th, 2026 at 1:21 pm
Well, Todd had already started losing the locker room, then that cursing tirade added to it. So!
Here we are now….the ones who’ve left and those who remain. How much of a carry over will still be there? And how much are the new guys going to look over it and “buy in”?
ug, thats why im not optimistic at all. Theres a lot going on there, been going on according to LD54 (which confirmed many of our suspicions after about week 7)
I truly think the main ones in charge are just calling it a wash year….draft as well as possible, BUT………
April 4th, 2026 at 1:22 pm
“David went on to say the Bucs in tight games late last season would “freak out and act like we don’t know what we’re doing.”
Welp….that is exactly what it looked like from my seat. Thanks Bowles for your overcomplicated “Mensa” level defensive scheme. Thanks Glazers for keeping Bowles.
April 4th, 2026 at 1:23 pm
LaVonte is being a gentleman. It’s a direct reflection on the HC. You don’t just suddenly forget how to play.
April 4th, 2026 at 1:26 pm
IDK, it’s still a mystery to me why things went totally sideways. I understand there were injuries, but this defense should have at least been able to save two more games out of the last seven. Epic fail that coaches need to get to the bottom of and understand how to make sure this never happens again.
April 4th, 2026 at 1:38 pm
there were many games and plays where Voss didnt know what he was doing or where he was supposed to be, not just late in the season.
April 4th, 2026 at 1:39 pm
@Buc4evr
They’re probably getting tired of dealing with his stubborness & a bunch of them have probably given up on Bowles. I was saying that even during the season because that team has the talent on it & shouldn’t be looking like this. Bowles doesn’t really blame himself for anything he just blames it on others.
April 4th, 2026 at 1:56 pm
I have always said that
To blame a HC for the performance of a player
It’s a lame excuse, nothing but a copout
Every player has an assignment, it’s his job to carry it out
You can’t nurse maid, or baby sit these players
I do think the assistant coach (position coach) has to have quality depth
And the HC should bench the players that’s not performing
April 4th, 2026 at 1:56 pm
Pretty sure LaVonte isn’t going to be doing games on CBS in 2026.
The defense didn’t know what it was doing last year. Maybe the new crop of players will do better than throw their arms up in exacerbation and then point at each other after another explosive play by an opponent. Of course, RodMunch has been reassuring all that the Bucs defense was great last year. Munch also liked the 4th string OG’s and special teams play as well. As per Munch all the Bucs need is Shedeur Sanders.
April 4th, 2026 at 2:00 pm
“ The always entertaining JoeBucsFan is NEXT,” Baby!!!! On 95.7 WDAE. As long as this current episode of Rock Reilly is LIVE, and not a repeat LoL.
April 4th, 2026 at 2:16 pm
Excuses…
It’s plain to see….
Lifetime.500 winning head coach
April 4th, 2026 at 2:18 pm
David went on to say the Bucs in tight games late last season would “freak out and act like we don’t know what we’re doing.”
Not ONE LEADER in the building? The HC, the architect of the defense had no answers? The gutsy, tough as nails QB couldn’t rally the troops? The HC and the QB are supposed get everyone on the same page.
These interviews need to stop, they dont help. Its just excuse after excuse. But don’t worry guys, adding a backup LB and RB will bring the necessary leadership and juice this season. The rookies should help the team from freaking out too. Great plan….since they want to tank.
April 4th, 2026 at 2:18 pm
Have to agree with your take there Lakeland! Especially the last part with putting guys on the bench and giving someone else a try at it if they can’t get it done!
April 4th, 2026 at 2:22 pm
MadMax Says:
“Well, Todd had already started losing the locker room, then that cursing tirade added to it.”
I don’t think he lost the locker room UNTIL the tirade.
Up until then, they were at least trying very hard…they just were not finding their feet, so to speak.
Also, by the tirade, they were 2 backups deep at most positions. Those guys are not starting for a reason.
April 4th, 2026 at 2:24 pm
Bee Says:
“Not ONE LEADER in the building?”
I wonder what JPP was acting like in those final 3 games? He’s normally a big leader.
True, he isn’t the stallion he once was, but man, I would love him to become a defensive coaching assistant.
April 4th, 2026 at 2:25 pm
Well said, Lakeland.
April 4th, 2026 at 2:27 pm
MadMax Says:
“I truly think the main ones in charge are just calling it a wash year…”
I do too.
And I don’t know if they are wrong for doing so or not.
I mean…no point in letting it ruin this year, I guess. New year, new season.
I do feel like they are quietly doing more than fans realize. These FAs are not spectacular, but they are pretty solid. And mostly healthy.
April 4th, 2026 at 2:31 pm
5-12.
April 4th, 2026 at 2:35 pm
Hey, Bee
A fighter jet got shot down in Iran. No doubt that was Baker’s fault as well!!
There is truly something stuck in your craw
April 4th, 2026 at 2:44 pm
The Bucs are bringing in 30+ proven veterans
I said we needed more proven veterans, and less young Loafers
Now, we will see how Licht draft players
What type of players he draft
April 4th, 2026 at 2:46 pm
Anyone knows he is not going to throw Todd under the bus. This would create chaos for the team.
Action speaks louder than words. I’ll give you some numbers to prove my point.
ME13
3 and 28
4 and 14
0 games miss by Baker while injured
Down 14 Atlanta still spanked Todd again
2 rushing TDs by the Patriots rookie rb Henderson
April 4th, 2026 at 2:52 pm
So why do we have six team captains on the team? If no one can be a Leader, (Captain) when you need them too…. This team is becoming a Joke, We need a new GM, QB & HC. Immediately.
April 4th, 2026 at 2:52 pm
Lavonte is a great dude and loyal to “him” to a fault. So, in translation, Todd is among the worst leaders in the history of the NFL, even a worse coach, and should have been sent packing instead of Mike.
April 4th, 2026 at 3:05 pm
Purplebeard
Nothing is stuck in my craw sir. But what’s the point of giving a QB $100 for 4 seasons if he can’t help stop the team from freaking out? Isn’t that part of his job, to be a leader? Like HeavyE said, why do they have team captains if no one can stop the tailspin? No one steps up when it matters most.
Bonzai
It felt so desperate bringing JPP in and I really like him. I’d love to see him on staff as well but I’m not sure what impact he had last season on the sidelines or what he can do for the team in the future. It was an indictment on every player that they needed to get a player off the couch to motivate the team.
April 4th, 2026 at 3:06 pm
Mouth breathing morons = ppl that blame the guy who’s responsible for all of it.
Incredible insight there.
Take a look at the HC record, not only here but in NY.
April 4th, 2026 at 3:20 pm
Soft ass walk through practices and a subpar staff as a whole.
I’m sure they DIDN’T know what they were doing. That’s on the HC.
April 4th, 2026 at 3:20 pm
I never heard of a HC responsibile for developing 53 players
Plus developing another 17 players in the Practice 5
But this is the logic in here
April 4th, 2026 at 3:21 pm
Not having ANYONE who can rush the passer and no backers and below average DB talent is hard for any coach to over come. It’s like feeding 10 with 3 cans of tuna fish
April 4th, 2026 at 3:21 pm
***17 players on the Practice Squad
April 4th, 2026 at 3:35 pm
With all this stuff coming now, has anyone figured out an answer to Richard Sherman’s “I know some things” comment. And WHO did he get this get info from?
Was it Shady via Mike? Was it someone else? Was Sherman just blurtin’ stuff out? 🤷♂️
April 4th, 2026 at 3:40 pm
David is one who keeps it real. It also validates what the Glazers said in response to keeping Bowles…
Even though it all went down the pooper, they were still fighting, fighting, fighting
While I love Bowles as a person and he’s a good man, I thought he should’ve been canned following the collapse. But it does say and mean something that the boys were still fighting and not giving up (albeit not winning).
April 4th, 2026 at 3:49 pm
Well said Lavonte. “The offense depended on us….”
Yes we all saw the offense collapse when the games were within their reach
April 4th, 2026 at 4:10 pm
>>> Even after David said all this, the mouth breathing morons will still blame Bowles <<<
You don't think it's the defensive coordinator's job or even the head coach's job to make sure the defense is prepared so that they don't freak out in close games?
April 4th, 2026 at 4:22 pm
When this article said, Gerald, and Aqib acknowledged and knew what was going on, was something that the Bowles haters a check yourself moment. This ain’t pee wee football these are grown men, getting paid. Like Lavonte said not on the same page mentally, and as time goes on it only gets worse. Players getting upset with themselves and each other, unless you were truly there, how can you honestly come up with a real answer? Grizz didn’t do real great either, Coen was a god compared last season. But to much going on as a team..
April 4th, 2026 at 4:47 pm
and the band leader of the Titanic stubbornly plays on ~~~~
April 4th, 2026 at 4:49 pm
He’s just helping his buddy out. Anyone who knows anything about football knows it’s the HC/DC who is responsible for having his players in the right spots. Otherwise, no coaches would ever get fired. Has anyone asked Lavonte why Bowles’s defenses constantly get scorched by rookies and backups?
April 4th, 2026 at 4:55 pm
Mad Max … ‘Well, Todd had already started losing the locker room, then that cursing tirade added to it.’
Lavonte David … “I would never blame a coach, you got to be able execute.”
I still believe Max that the REAL issue lies someplace in-between. LVD obviously believes in holding players on the field accountable to executing the play that’s called. On LOTS of defensive plays, they executed poorly and our opponents capitalized.
Were the players at fault? He11 yes; they’re professionals & make big bucks to do their job (yet they all too often didn’t do it). Was Bowles (and his assistant coaches) at fault? I’d say so, to a degree, and that almost surely varied play-to-play. They train the players; they make the game-plan; they call the plays. But once the play is called, it’s up to the players to execute it properly. So yes, it’s a shared responsibility.
No doubt in my mind that Todd Bowles & his coaches have already gone through what went wrong last season play-by-play. And the team is attempting to FIX THINGS with some coaching changes, some player changes, and I’m willing to bet with some changes in scheme & training. About all any of us can do now is sit back & see how all these changes fit together. Hopefully they work & the Bucs return to the playoffs.
April 4th, 2026 at 5:03 pm
The Bowzo discombobulated defense plan. Even the stiff did not understand it. Bowzo is simply incompetent. It will not matter who they put in there. It just does not work.
April 4th, 2026 at 5:11 pm
The best defense in the league was the simplest defense in the league. Houston lined up, covered their man, stuck with them, rushed the passer and that was it. DAVID is a great player, but hes obviously too loyal to see the flaws in his coaching. He would have been a complete animal in a well.coached defense
April 4th, 2026 at 5:22 pm
There’s a huge difference between a bad game and a slump or a complete and utter collapse.
The only reason we won that very last game is because he had a tiny lead after the half and it was just a biblical deluge after halftime.
That said, if we get the Offensive line healthy again and the defense can at least refrain from completely crapping the bed we can still probably win this division. If the Panthers stumble.
April 4th, 2026 at 5:30 pm
He right. They look like they do not know what they are doing.
April 4th, 2026 at 5:30 pm
None of David’s statements make any sense. For example “freak out and act like we don’t know what we’re doing.” What does that mean? Players losing their nerve in clutch situations? Player know what to do but still don’t do it?
I am actually disappointed by David’s post retirement comments. He just doesn’t sound like he knows what he is talking about.
April 4th, 2026 at 5:37 pm
Lakeland: Do you remember when Bowles said that the DB’s play as far off the line of scrimmage as they want to? Does that sound like a real defense to you, where the players decide where to be? If the Corners line up 10 to 15 yards off the line of scrimmage, you’re basically running a “Prevent” defense. So, there’s more to it, IMHO.
April 4th, 2026 at 5:48 pm
we just wasn’t doing what we were supposed to do as as football team
——————————————————————————–
That’s called bad coaching!
April 4th, 2026 at 6:01 pm
It’s bad management to have the Bums on the team in the first place
April 4th, 2026 at 6:04 pm
Remember when all the dopes in the comments thought Winfield blew the coverage vs the Falcons. I bet you 90% of those dummies still think he blew the coverage, despite the fact the tape shows he didn’t – not to mention Bowles literally coming out and saying Kindle blew the coverage and didn’t switch off his man as he was supposed to. But don’t let those facts get in the way of morons calling for the head of the best defensive player on the team.
April 4th, 2026 at 6:24 pm
Is LVD aware of the word “weren’t?”
April 4th, 2026 at 6:35 pm
Vildor was playing David Sill at the LOS, he tried to jam Sills
But Sills avoided the jam and cut inside, and got behind Vildor
He then cut back outside and Cousins hit him in stride
When Winfield got there, Sills had already made the catch
Winfield tried to knock the ball loose, but Sills held on
Posters on here say Bowles want his CBs to play off
But that wasn’t the case, Vildor wasn’t playing off, he missed the jam
And Sills made him pay for it
April 4th, 2026 at 6:36 pm
DoooshLaRue Says:
April 4th, 2026 at 6:24 pm
Is LVD aware of the word “weren’t?”
———–
Did you learn that fancy talk from Chris Meyer’s autobiography?
April 4th, 2026 at 6:46 pm
Joe already confirmed it was winfields responsibility munch.
April 4th, 2026 at 7:10 pm
But that play or the 3-28 play, was the worse play in my opinion
To me the worst play was 2nd and 14 , when Baker threw behind Emeka
Emeka had beat Dee Alford in man coverage, but Mayfield threw behind him
If Mayfield place the ball out in front of Emeka, the game is over
April 4th, 2026 at 7:11 pm
***wasn’t the worst play
April 4th, 2026 at 7:16 pm
Rod Munch Says:
April 4th, 2026 at 6:36 pm
DoooshLaRue Says:
April 4th, 2026 at 6:24 pm
Is LVD aware of the word “weren’t?”
———–
Did you learn that fancy talk from Chris Meyer’s autobiography?
_________
No Muncher.
I gleaned that from your heavily soiled JayMiss love journal that
I found at Ol’ Gummie’s yard sale back in 2019.
It was nestled in between a Batman comic book and an oversized silk komono with many ice cream stains.
Quite a compelling read even though most of the pages were stuck together.
😉
April 4th, 2026 at 7:25 pm
If it wasnt a coaching issue, why then did Bowles fire most of the coaching staff? A coaching staff that he hired I might add.
The players on the field were chosen by Bowles. I don’t believe for one second that Bowles doesnt have almost complete control of the defensive roster. If he looks at a player and believes he can make chicken soup out of chicken poop, then the failure of that player on the field is on him as well as the preparation that went into putting that player on the field.
Bowles was elevated to a position above what he’s capable of. End of conversation.
April 4th, 2026 at 7:28 pm
Todd Bowles is getting rid of players, and coaches too
And there’s a lot more to come
April 4th, 2026 at 8:11 pm
Disaster is nigh !
April 4th, 2026 at 8:31 pm
That’s pretty kewl LaDouche, with all the call-backs. I’d do the same for you, but all I remember is your love of Chris Meyers, because it’s such absurd take. I’ve literally never heard another individual say anything good about Meyers commentary, yet you claim he’s the best in the business. But outside of that I’m drawing a blank – you’re just not that interesting I guess.
April 4th, 2026 at 8:32 pm
Can someone be clear and tell me who messed up that play once and for all?
April 4th, 2026 at 8:34 pm
In my opinion, when all you are doing is walk-throughs, practicing should help when things get tough and tight in the games. But again, since all you are doing is walk-throughs, you are practicing the plan but not the basics, like taking the proper angles on plays. Hitting and wrapping up, not just getting a big hit on someone. You can’t just walk through a defense and expect the players to be able to respond when the game is tight. They have to have confidence that their film work and what the coaches are teaching will help. I hope that Bowles has learned that this strategy was not a winning one and will not do that crap again.
April 4th, 2026 at 8:42 pm
There is too much talk about leadership from the organization. It’s not there, well, hasn’t been there. David, Vea and/or Winfield could have done more in that regard to keep the Bucs from soiling themselves so throughly.. It’s not their fault exclusively by any stretch- Bowles failed, YaYa and McCollum are just-happy-to-be-here dudes as far as their temperaments on and off the field go and the rest of the 2025 crew were greenhorns. Licht also has his accountability spending and drafting for offense like he has been and rolling with a pack of disinterested and befuddled potted plants on defense.
It was so bad David left and I don’t blame him.
April 4th, 2026 at 8:43 pm
LOL, youre killing me Doosh…..
April 4th, 2026 at 8:47 pm
Doosh, Lakeland, and ButtMunch have all kinds of jokes
April 4th, 2026 at 8:51 pm
@DR, it was also the scheme, way too many times. Pass rushers built to rush but dropping in coverage. Guys running to open spaces in the field where an opponent is nowhere to be found….what are they doing? At least man cover someone! So many times i saw that. Its like todd thought he was clued in on someone about to be at that spot, but no, there wasnt…wasted a guy in coverage.
I dont know, im not a DC, just a fan but it left me and so many others frustrated too many times.
April 4th, 2026 at 8:56 pm
Sorry, but the buck stops with the head coach. If the head coach doesn’t get the players to play right, that’s on him.
These morons that say they’d never blame the coach — if true, then they must think the head coach has nothing to do with the game. That’s just stupid.
These are the kind of fans that get out a coloring book after a loss and say things like “they played really well!”
Losers lose. Coaches coach. The Bucs had loser players and bad coaching last year.
Anyone who says otherwise simply has no clue.
April 4th, 2026 at 9:02 pm
The HC is still here
Players are gone, coaches are gone, fake fans are gone
I got my money on the HC
And it’s up to the Owners to boot him out
Not the Fake Fans
April 4th, 2026 at 9:31 pm
eh, dont be low iq, i like you man…nobody fake here
April 4th, 2026 at 10:08 pm
Sure would like to see someone ask him why he thinks Evans really left and why Rachaad White seemed so anxious to go to another team. Dean received the ultimate dis from the team last year when he was basically told to restructure his deal in a way that almost guaranteed he would not be with the team again, so he didn’t leave so much as he was shown the door, which is why Dean suddenly became a productive corner, knowing he would be a free agent this year.
April 4th, 2026 at 10:14 pm
Rod Munch Says:
April 4th, 2026 at 8:31 pm
That’s pretty kewl LaDouche, with all the call-backs. I’d do the same for you, but all I remember is your love of Chris Meyers, because it’s such absurd take. I’ve literally never heard another individual say anything good about Meyers commentary, yet you claim he’s the best in the business. But outside of that I’m drawing a blank – you’re just not that interesting I guess.
________
For the absolute final time Rod:
I said Chris Meyers wasn’t the worst, but
I will admit he’s gotten worse over the last few years.
I believe you got your panties in a wad because I said I found Ronde Barber pretty annoying as an announcer and you took it personally, literally.
Anywho…….. please keep on being the true genius we all know and loathe.
April 4th, 2026 at 10:33 pm
Lavonte’s message was broken up. He has a rambling style.
Translation: We got out of synch with the injuries, often not on the same page, and the guys would freak out. But everybody was doing everything they could to win.
April 4th, 2026 at 11:16 pm
All the Bowles defenders are the ones quickest to insult the other Bucs fans in here.
I played professional sports for 12 years. I’ve seen talented rosters miss the playoffs and mediocre rosters make deep runs. Coaching matters!
Bowles inherited a SB caliber roster and is still a .500 coach after 4 years.
1-3 in games after the bye. He beat the Giants in 2024. I thought he was 0-4. Still ridiculous considering one of the losses was to the Browns.
I love Lavonte, but I laughed at Joe or whoever posited that Lavonte would go into media. He can’t articulate. I’m not saying he is dumb, he obviously isn’t but David isn’t some authority on how good a coach Bowles is when clearly players love the man Todd is and he was the DC when Lavonte won a ring.
3rd and 28 – 4 and 14…. Those aren’t spots where a coach needs all 11 to execute perfectly. That’s the offenses job in that situation and Bowles is constantly roasted by it.
April 5th, 2026 at 12:10 am
I could actively see defensive players biting on play action, dropping out of their zones, taking terrible angles and missing tackles. That’s on the players. No wonder Bowles was so pissed off. I’ll bet that’s why Dean and McCollum ended up on the bench late in the season too.
April 5th, 2026 at 12:58 am
@Saskbucs 💯. How anyone can defend this HC imposter is beyond comprehension. The Accountability that BA instilled and then The Goat came in to take that to a whole new level, it resulted in Excellence and Dedication…which in turn resulted in a Lombardi Trophy. This HC now is in no way going to win that Trophy.
April 5th, 2026 at 1:36 am
I can’t argue that Bowles’ characteristic post-bye incompetence, or incontinence in the case of this past season’s post-bye collapse merited a pink slip but if the Bucs jumped into that pool of 10 NFL teams seeking a new coach and made it 11 they would have had to make questionable concessions to the incoming coach to even land a guy in the top ten talents available. Evans and David left for good reasons. No one with an eye on their future wants to come to or be in Tampa right now. Evans wasn’t the only unhappy player. He isn’t a malcontent, the performance was beyond shameful and his leaving is a normal and healthy reaction.
Curse words don’t help confusion. That tirade was a desperate attempt at maintaining an illusion of control and his job. It wasn’t justified or helpful as far as wins and losses but, it rallied his cult to circle the wagons. Even the NFL didn’t fine him? The Bucs sucked that bad that Bowles can curse like that? Not that fines fix anything I care about but it is just more permissive acceptance of unacceptable everything that is tough to swallow as a fan.
All this said, even if the Bucs managed to bring in a top 5 candidate as their new head coach I doubt he could put a better product on the field than Bowles will.
Once more into the breach, but as a Bucs fan, we’ve faced far bleaker. This team will be respectable and won’t quit. We ask for years now, “Will the Bucs win 10 games?” It was always, “Will the roster make it 10 games before it’s obvious they have collectively given up on their coach and the season?” for me for decades but for the first time since Arians’ arrival that’s what happened last year and I have to be concerned will happen this coming season. Firing Bowles would not preclude that fate. We’d just have a roster giving up on a new hapless head coach who can’t self-evaluate productively but has carte blanche to keep screwing the pooch for years to come. It’s not like if Bowles gets fired Sean McVay pulls up and makes dreams come true. It could be worse.