Dave Canales Talks Lavonte David Impact
April 8th, 2026
So Joe asked Panthers head coach and 2023 Bucs offensive coordinator Dave Canales what the NFL world needs to know about Lavonte David.
Joe got private time with Canales last week at the NFL annual meeting Phoenix and asked him to reflect on working with the Bucs legend. (No, Joe and Canales were not holding hands and gazing at the mountains.)
“Command,” Canales replied. “Just what he commanded from the group, not just the [Bucs] defense, but the team. A professionalism about him. An ease in the way that he connected with his teammates is what I saw. And for me being there for one year and just being received by guys like Lavonte, and Vita [Vea]. But just speaking about Lavonte, just how natural the game came to him, it just seemed like he always knew where the play was going.
“If it was a screen, he’s somewhere around the back — somewhere around the ball. If it was a run play, you know, he’s screaming over the tops of blocks. And in the pass game, just making an impact whether it was blitzing or dropping into coverage and showing different looks. Watching Todd’s defense and knowing how versatile and multiple they can be, it really requires guys to be on the same page and between Lavonte and Antoine [Winfield] getting guys on the same page and understanding the looks that go into the week — to know where you’re supposed to be. He was the heart and soul of that whole thing.
“And certainly Lavonte was a special player in the locker room with things that might have happened, like a lot of it never got to the coaches because Lavonte would handle a lot of that stuff — and have conversations and just keep guys on the right track.
“I know he’s a guy they’re certainly going to miss there and certainly somebody I was really fortunate to be around for a year.”
Joe will share more reflections on David from other NFL coaches in the coming days.
April 8th, 2026 at 1:45 pm
Lavonte David is a living legend in Tampa
But last season we had the worst starting Inside Linebackers in the NFL
This season ILB should be our “Most Improved” position
I can’t wait for the season to get here
April 8th, 2026 at 1:55 pm
So if things in the locker room got so bad that David was unable to control things and the defense quit on Bowles and the lack of effort provoked David to an outburst then the problem was more than 1 or 2 players. It was systemic throughout the defense. That being the case it seems plausible that some of the discontent must have bled over to the other side of the ball albeit not having the same effect.
With the lack of competence of Grizzard no doubt having some effect on the offense, it seems to me the leadership of one man kept his side of the ball together. That one man is Baker Mayfield.
The owners need to give that man the new contract he deserves and do it NOW !
If the owners let this drag out it will not end well.
April 8th, 2026 at 2:28 pm
From what l seen last season
Lavonte was a liability on defense, he wasn’t in a position to snap on anyone
If he did try to check guys, I’m sure they ignored him
If you ain’t part of the solution, you’re part of the problem
As great as Lavonte has been, last season he was part of the problem
April 8th, 2026 at 2:48 pm
LVD was playing hurt last season. I believe I read that they were draining a liter of fluid out of his knee every week. I am happy that he went out on top and wish him well in retirement.
April 8th, 2026 at 2:50 pm
Unrelated… video of baker squating 495lbs . Freaky. No wonder he’s hard to bring down. I got a good feeling about his upcoming season…
April 8th, 2026 at 2:55 pm
I think Canales will make a better head coach than coordinator. I was thinking that while he was with us and when he got talked about late that season as HC material.
April 8th, 2026 at 3:43 pm
Everyone is saying Lavonte and Baker was hurt last season
They are leaders of this team, they lead by example
If they are playing poorly, then they lose their leadership
It’s as simple as that
April 8th, 2026 at 3:50 pm
You want guys that WANT to play ball. Period. LD was that kind of player, no one had to prod him. Brady, Suh, a lot of those guys are the mental make up you want on your team and if a guy doesn’t have it his talent will never mean squaduch. Even lesser talented players can make themselves better with practice but they’ve gotta want it. I think that trait is going to be harder to find in younger players unless the NCAA get’s a grip on itself. But those are the guys you want, the ballers. Football players.
April 8th, 2026 at 3:57 pm
Oh Noooo! Not Mr. David again…..Arrrrgh. Please stop.