Derrick Brooks: “I Would Hope That He Would Get Better And Start Growing And Knowing”
October 8th, 2015
Derrick Brooks weighs in
Iconic Derrick Brooks weighs in on a question pulsating through the Buccaneers’ fan community.
The simple version of the question is, “What the hell is going on with Lavonte David?”
That wasn’t quite how it was asked yesterday from the dean of Tampa Bay sports radio, Steve Duemig of WDAE-AM 620. Brooks co-hosts Tampa-2 with Duemig every Wednesday at 4 p.m.
Duemig asked Brooks to respond to fans losing patience with David and comparing his lack of production to extraordinary results under Greg Schiano.
“Again, different defense, different assignment, not to say that [David’s] assignment is actually much more important now, because you got to play with that patience and understanding,” Brooks said. “And yes, I would hope that he would get better and start growing and knowing.
“His plays are going to be there to be made. Trust me. They are. But now that’s where a different skill set than what my skill set was playing this position — very different than his. He was more of a blitzer. Do the coaches look at that? To give him more aggressive blitzes, change up some things, to help him out, versus me, versus a cover guy?
“That’s what I was saying earlier, Steve, about tweaking some of the foundation. And maybe they’re doing that. I can’t speak directly to that because I don’t know for sure. But yes, that’s something that the coaches obviously are smart enough to evaluate. But you got to evaluate and do it in the context of, ‘Is it going to make the defense better as a whole? Because everybody has to get better when you make these tweaks. It just can’t be about one individual.”
Great, intelligent, high-level take there by Brooks. And it it’s awfully interesting to hear him talk “about tweaking the foundation.”
Something has to snap David back into the guy who earned a $10-million-per-year contract.
October 8th, 2015 at 2:30 pm
Missed tackles, dropped ints and a general lack of inspiration regardless of the scheme.Dude is way overrated and the mere fact that everyone’s asking what’s wrong with LVD is disturbing. Plus getting paid and be rewarded with a motivational problem speaks volumes. Should be benched to see if it lights a fire under him.
October 8th, 2015 at 2:31 pm
I’m starting to think that Lovie’s scheme is too intricate for most players.
The gap responsibilities and zone coverages seem to leave the linebackers and secondary constantly confused. This isn’t the venerable old Tampa2 from the old days, the leagues caught up to that. This is Lovie’s variation and it seems the league has caught up to this version as well. Add the confusion factor and you have a disaster on your hands.
October 8th, 2015 at 2:39 pm
I am starting to believe that the only time guys have a good season is when they are playing for a new contract. SMH. Most of these players do not love football and have no heart. Just love the $$$.
October 8th, 2015 at 2:45 pm
What whatable d-bags you people are… seriously, David is “overrated”? Maybe you ladies should actually learn something about football then comment – or better just continue being the drama queens you are and hopefully you’ll be in such tears listening to the game you drive into a bridge embankment.
October 8th, 2015 at 2:47 pm
Let’s see we have the following players who were all All Pro’s and now under Lovie they can’t do anything right. Suddenly what were the cornerstones of our defense are lost in the Lovie defense.
McCoy, David, Verner,
Can anyone honestly say Jenkins is better than Verner.
Lovie has overhauled the whole roster except for a few standout players from the Schiano era and now he is working his magic on them.
We can’t fire Lovie him soon enough.
I look for the honesty of John Mckay. John would get in front of the microphone and saw since we can’t win at home or the road we want a neutral site.
Lovie thinks this team is on the cusp of greatness.
October 8th, 2015 at 2:53 pm
Lovie is not for tweaking. Either you play his system or your out. He does not adjust things that help the players he has or put them in the best position for them and the team.
I agree with Rod. Daivd is an All Pro. Suddenly he has a few games where he is struggling and everyone wants to dump on him.
Just a thought – It seems from the last 2 shows Brooks had with Big Dawg, we do not play a traditional Tampa 2 and we are in man coverage a fair amount. If so, why did we cut Revis???????????
October 8th, 2015 at 3:04 pm
@DrHoagy Says – Spot on. Agree. The gap responsibilities and zone coverage confusion seems to be effecting the speed of the LB’s and the secondary. There is a reason this defense is missing so many tackles, dropping potential INT and struggling against the run and pass. The MIKE LB can not be missing tackles in the Tampa2 nor the OLB and Safeties? The problem is that this coaching staff does not seem capable of adjusting the scheme if the players are having difficulty understanding it or adjusting to compensate for player shortcomings. At this point the players should be reacting not thinking. Try playing Bruce Carter some more and see if it helps?
October 8th, 2015 at 3:06 pm
mjc…Lovie cut Revis so he could go on a spending spree for players that are sitting on the bench or are no longer here.
That’s the brilliance of Lovely Smith.
October 8th, 2015 at 3:10 pm
If we keep Lovie. How long will it be before he runs out of players to pick up around the NFL that have played in the system.
Because from the looks of it, he sure can’t teach it…
Hmmm I wonder why we went offense offense offense in the last 2 drafts…
October 8th, 2015 at 4:20 pm
What Rod said. F!cking dumbass people…
October 8th, 2015 at 4:31 pm
He can keep his body young by not blitzing and hitting. Then when lovie is gone and a competent regime comes to Tampa, he will still have the youth and exuberance.
October 8th, 2015 at 4:32 pm
@ Rod
Thrill us with your acumen.
October 8th, 2015 at 4:41 pm
Hey at least we have the “Playmaker” Chris conte on the team. #thanksobama #thankslovie
October 8th, 2015 at 5:04 pm
87, I’m not sure if that was a rhetorical question, but I think we went all offense because Lovie thinks he’s a guru and it doesn’t matter who he has playing D. Coaches can talk schemes all that they want, but it’s funny that all of the good coaches have good players. It’s really funny how that works.
October 8th, 2015 at 5:05 pm
DB55, why do we have to thank Southern Alabama??
October 8th, 2015 at 5:20 pm
lol Thanks Southern Alabama
October 8th, 2015 at 5:27 pm
Lol!
October 8th, 2015 at 5:32 pm
It’s so funny to hear “fans” turn on him so quickly, he is the best player on our roster.
Period.
Stop being fair-weather fans because like all players do he’s shown he’s human.
So he missed a few tackles and dropped a pick quit acting like idiots.
That’s why as a fanbase we suck. Our best player whose performed supremely for years has a start to a season that’s not out of the world and because we are so used to seeing him flash play after play we are calling for his head?
What a bunch of tools.
October 8th, 2015 at 6:12 pm
As a fanbase, we don’t suck. All fanbases do this. We are just quicker to turn on players right now because our TEAM sucks. With that said, David is a stud. I’m not worried about him, McCoy or Verner. We have bigger concerns than those players. Lovie and the Glazer boys have done nothing to show a glimmering light at the end of the tunnel. One more embarrassment at home, particularly against the hapless Jags and the Glazers and Lovie will see a fanbase that is at wits end.
October 8th, 2015 at 6:29 pm
In my opinion it’s definitely on the bottom half of fanbases and it does in fact suck.
In your opinion it doesn’t.
Now that that’s over. Next.
October 8th, 2015 at 7:09 pm
Lovie needs to go…simple as that.
October 8th, 2015 at 7:19 pm
Ha ha ha PRB…now you sound like the old me.
Calling out fans and shyte. Ya gotta love it.
Someone has to do it though every once and awhile.
October 8th, 2015 at 7:43 pm
That was a great question on the show yesterday asked by Calvin my Buc Buddy. We are constantly taking about Lovie not getting the best out of his players and being stubborn to the point of low production. He can try as hard as he may, but a square peg won’t fit in a circle, no matter how stubborn you are.
October 8th, 2015 at 8:17 pm
If you turn one of the best OLBs in the league into a mediocre OLB for two years because he has to “learn” your system, your system f**king sucks, and you’re an idiot.
Siege this!
Go Sucs!!!
October 8th, 2015 at 9:07 pm
Said it since the begining when people compare LVD to Brooks in this Tampa 2 style. It doiesn’t play to LVD’s strengths Brooks was much much better in coverage a it was his strength, while LVD’s strength is to play against the backfield. It’s one thing Schiano had right with the defense. Just let LVD terrorize the backfield and watch him become a game changer again!
October 8th, 2015 at 10:15 pm
It’s funny because his numbers are still among the top LBs in the league. Yeah he has had a bunch of whiffs. All LBs do. The only thing that is different is we aren’t used to seeing LVD miss tackles. Compared to any LB in the league he is at their level. So by his own record breaking performances from years past, we hold LVD at a higher standard. But he is still among the best LBs in the league. Even in what is perceived to be his worst year thus far in his short career. “Stops” for a front 7 player are the money stat. Compare LVD with any other player and he is better or right next to them.
October 9th, 2015 at 2:12 am
I can’t believe I’m saying this but I don’t think David has a motivational problem ….cause he was a schiano man …and how many times did we hear about him wanting guys that love football. I think this scheme has pacified him and if there is any lost motivation it’s because he isn’t having as much fun playing the game in this scheme that restricts him