Lavonte David Getting Rave Reviews
August 6th, 2013
In 2011, the Bucs linebacker unit was no less than disgraceful. For every play Geno Hayes made, he blew three. Rookie middle linebacker Mason Foter was not only playing out of position at the time, he was also overwhelmed. Quincy Black was lost.
Things began to change last year when rookie Lavonte David almost single-handedly turned the Bucs into the most fearsome rush defense in the NFL. There was no question David, even as a rookie, was the best linebacker on the roster, and one could argue he was the Bucs’ best defender.
Greg Schiano thought so much of David, as a rookie no less, David called defensive plays from Week 1.
Impressed by David as a rookie? Well, hold on. He should even be better than last year.
“Without a doubt,” Bucs linebacker Dekoda Watson said after practice today. “He is a lot smarter than he was last year and that’s not to say he was dumb or anything. He is way ahead of a lot of us. He is still climbing that ladder. He is a phenomenal player.
“He is our leader. He is the leading tackler on the team. When he speaks, people listen. He doesn’t speak a lot but when he does, it is meaningful. So he is definitely a leader.”
Even Bucs coach Greg Schiano simply gushed about David during his daily post-practice press conference.
“Well, I think Lavonte is a really good football player,” Schiano said. “You can see improvement in his game, which I thought he played very well last year. But, he’s better now than he was any time last year, which is good for us. Physical, can run, smart, loves the game, studies the game. Those are pretty good traits to have.”
Joe never in his life thought he would see the next Derrick Brooks. But the second-year linebacker out of Nebraska seems to be a Brooks clone. He has every quality Brooks possessed. Though it may be heresy, David may just be the second coming of Brooks.
August 6th, 2013 at 3:11 pm
I was just watching replays of the Bucs Raiders last night were Doug Martin scored 4 touchdowns. What I had forgotten was how close we came to almost losing that game. Our secondary was pathetic except for Johnson and the player of the game on defense was Lavonte David. Without him I think we would have lost a game where our running back had historic numbers at least for the Bucs. Thank the lord we have Lavonte David the guy is lights out!!!
August 6th, 2013 at 3:11 pm
I think so as well, Brooks said he was ahead of him as a rookie last year ….pretty good compliment …
Lavonte is a stud LB , should be an all pro this year.
August 6th, 2013 at 3:12 pm
One more thing, Josh Freeman was pretty much lights out in that game too. We had over 500 yards of offense and barely won.
August 6th, 2013 at 3:13 pm
Joe never in his life thought he would see the next Derrick Brooks. But the second-year linebacker out of Nebraska seems to be a Brooks clone. He has every quality Brooks possessed. Though it may be heresy, David may just be the second coming of Brooks.
lol Joe and his number 54 is kind of symbolic too or just coincidence. Like I’m not quite 55 but I’m right behind him.
August 6th, 2013 at 3:27 pm
Why cant he be Lavonte David, Brooks was great, but i dont need the next former player for every year on out. He may be similar size to Brooks, but i have not seen Brooks with the backfield ability that David has, this guy is different.
August 6th, 2013 at 3:58 pm
I would like to think he’s the first coming of David.
August 6th, 2013 at 3:59 pm
It was a travesty that David didn’t get more accolades for his outstanding play last year. I was always a huge #55 fan, so the early comparisons annoyed me. David will write his own chapter in Bucs’ lore, and our beloved Bucs’ will have been fortunate to have two of the best to ever play the position!!
August 6th, 2013 at 4:14 pm
^^^^ I agree with the last 3 post.
let him carve out his own place in bucs history.
August 6th, 2013 at 4:26 pm
This is where I feel the “experts” are going to be wrong about us. Our team has so many guys that played well last year that have the ability to be much much better. Lavonte David is case #1. Doug Martin, McCoy, Leonard Johnson, Mark Barron, Demar Dotson, Mike Williams, Mason Foster, etc. all should be even better this year. Not to mention that there is much more stability than we’ve had in a while as far as coaches and schemes. Plus, having guys like Revis and Goldson are only going to make those guys better. Our OL, if healthy, should dominate as well. I just pray we can stay healthy, something that seems to be a problem year in and year out.
August 6th, 2013 at 4:38 pm
I was so excited that he fell to us in the draft last year. He’s my favorite Bucs defender now that Barber retired.
How is Mark Barron progressing? He disappointed me a little last year. I haven’t heard much about him flashing in training camp.
August 6th, 2013 at 4:41 pm
55-1=54 is very good number
August 6th, 2013 at 4:51 pm
Its a joke he didnt win DROY last year. That award was given on stats only. I’d much rather have David over Kuechley (sp?).
August 6th, 2013 at 4:52 pm
I would rather him turn out better than Brooks. Don’t get me wrong, Brooks was the best. But I would like to see even better.
August 6th, 2013 at 5:05 pm
Hey Joe, thanks for the overabundance of reports since training camp began. I’ve been really busy but don’t feel as if I’ve missed anything. Just wanted to say thanks for sweating it out in the heat (I’m right there with you bro) and delivering day in and out as only Joe can. Keep up the great work.
August 6th, 2013 at 5:12 pm
LaVonte is DB 2.0 without a doubt…I had him and Mark Barron on my draft board that draft; Doug Martin was the “unexpected” Bonus player…
I expect our run defense to be top 5 at the worst this season…if we can pair the run defense with a top 10 pass defense this Bucs defense can be something special…I also expect Freeman and the offense to be ridiculously good; this offense is balanced and explosive…Get ready Buc fans, starting this season the Bucs will be the “Bully on the NFC South block” for a while…
…I think the world of Schaino and the structure he brought to this team this team…the ceiling for this team this year imo is 13-3…Contenders…Go Bucs!…
August 6th, 2013 at 5:17 pm
I fought it too last season, the utter travesty of believing there could be a followup to DB, but there it was. The guy is everywhere.
August 6th, 2013 at 6:08 pm
He deserves all the accolades he gets. What a great Buc Man. I sure hope he gives 55 a run for his HOF skills. He has become my favorite. My next jersey will have the numer 54 on its back.
Keep up the great work LD!
August 6th, 2013 at 6:10 pm
Cody gets it!
August 6th, 2013 at 8:20 pm
I don’t think it will be Lavonte, but someone is going to have a serious Sophomore slump. Who will it be?
August 6th, 2013 at 8:42 pm
Mark G…answer : Russell Wilson Seattle Seahawks.
Now if we could only clone Barron into another John Lynch.
August 6th, 2013 at 9:02 pm
As with all professional athletes, it is about 2 things. The drive and commitment to excellence, and more importantly the ability to stay healthy.
August 6th, 2013 at 9:41 pm
My favorite play from David was during the Vikings game. He was hawking down Adrian Peterson from behind and gaining on him. If it wasn’t for a legal (but blind sided) Block from out of no where. David would have caught AP from behind to stop that TD run and peoples heads would have turned.
i know what happens, happens and there is no what if’s in the NFL today. But that was the single play they made me realize this kid is something special! I am looking forward to seeing what he can do to top last years performance!
August 6th, 2013 at 9:49 pm
The NFL’s past is littered with players with incredible potential.
The ones that are remembered are the ones that manage to have an extended career, who stay healthy, and perform well above the current standard. The standard seems to constantly change based on the changing evolution of the players. Look at the avg weight of an offensive lineman 35 yrs ago.
August 6th, 2013 at 10:03 pm
I found it!!!
Well it shows both Martin’s 64 yard TD and then AP’s. watch AP’s though, David would have caught him with that angle and there wouldn’t have even had this comparison! Even the announcers say that was a really close call for the “block in the back” on David.
August 6th, 2013 at 10:03 pm
0_o Forgot to post the link.
http://www.nfl.com/videos/tampa-bay-buccaneers/0ap2000000085500/Dueling-64-yard-touchdowns
thanks NFL films!
August 6th, 2013 at 10:10 pm
I was ticked that everyone was raving about Kuechly last year when most of his tackles were assists and not solos like David’s. Luke Kuechly is good but Lavonte David is something special. Should have been a pro bowl selection. Certainly had the stats to be a pro bowler.
August 6th, 2013 at 10:29 pm
David is super impressive after one year but let’s slow down on the Brooks comparisons. Not fair to either player and is such a reach at this point. Go bucs
August 6th, 2013 at 11:20 pm
^^^ true
August 7th, 2013 at 11:02 am
People need to give some props to Mark Dominique for this fantastic pick! All you ever hear is where he picked players that did not pan out but I can assure that if you study other teams that they have just as many draft picks that never see the field as Tampa! Give credit where its dew and this pick was an awesome pick!