Lavonte David Says He Wants To Blitz A Lot
October 14th, 2015
Lavonte David speaks
Perhaps every linebacker wants to blitz on every play, but it’s noteworthy when Lavonte David says he does.
Why? Because David had more success in a defense that let him blitz repeatedly.
David hasn’t had the same statistical production since he left the loving cleavage of Greg Schiano. David had seven sacks in 2013, and still managed five interceptions. In 19 games under Lovie Smith, David has zero interceptions, two sacks and fewer tackles per game.
“54 going to blitz every chance he get (laughs). Coverage is for the back end guys,” David said on the Buccaneers Radio Network this week. “It’s funny, because every time in meetings, coach will pull up a down and distance and then he’ll ask me, ‘What play call [will we] do right here?’ And I’ll say a blitz that I’m involved in.”
Free Lavonte David? Joe’s not going to play defensive coordinator today.
But however Lovie proceeds with David, who has blitzed a little bit more this season, Lovie has to find a way to make David more productive. It also would help if David would squeeze footballs in his hands and wrap up ball carriers, the latter he did well on Sunday.
October 14th, 2015 at 9:45 am
Letting our best players play to their strengths? And having a gameplan that centers around that? Why, that’s Buccaneer blasphemy!
But no, seriously, let the man blitz.
October 14th, 2015 at 9:51 am
Kwon was a blitzer too at LSU. Its not just us but the league is requiring LBS to cover more and more, especially our scheme
October 14th, 2015 at 9:53 am
Yeah LVD is a great blitzer, but he still has to cover. There are too many passes completed over the middle where linebackers are not getting to their marks. Also, if David finish some of those TFL’s that he’s been missing this year, there will be more opportunities to blitz on third and long. It all works together, do your job a properly and the splash plays will come. Trust you coaches and your system. I’m just saying.
October 14th, 2015 at 9:59 am
If LVD wanted to blitz he shouldn’t have resigned here. Lovie has no idea what to do with his best players.
October 14th, 2015 at 10:13 am
Well if that’s what 54 wants then why did he sign the new contract? He should have signed with a 3-4 team. 4-3 teams need the linebackers to tackle and cover not come off the edge like a 3-4 linebacker. Do your job!
October 14th, 2015 at 10:18 am
@ TT
I disagree, along with the DB’s these linebackers do not know how to play coverage. Remember in Schiano’s schemed we blitzed all day and left Leonard Johnson on an island. Blitzing is great, but we don’t have the DB’s to play that style every snap. LB’s will have some coverage responsibilities. Also if the LB’s were better in coverage we could get more pressure and qb sacks. Playing downhill is all good but, you must do what is required first.
October 14th, 2015 at 10:19 am
@ Whoming
Agreed!
October 14th, 2015 at 10:19 am
Imagine that, letting your players do what they do best. I hope Saint Lovie Smith was listening.
October 14th, 2015 at 10:30 am
LVD is a blitz weapon. He was better blitzing under Schiano. I don’t know if they were called blitz’s or if David was free to blitz when he determined the timing and opportunity was right. There were chances to sack Bortles when he took more time to find the open receiver. Lovie has his plan, part of that is holding David back for whatever reason. Lovie is responsible for David’s blitz total fall off.
October 14th, 2015 at 10:31 am
Hey guys, you know you can do both. Just because we blitz David does not mean he won’t also play in coverage. Lovie has to find that balance which is there within this scheme. Lovie said himself that he wants David to be a 5 and 5 guy which means 5 ints and 5 sacks. Blitzes are most effective when they are unexpected. Therefore I do not see Lovie selling his soul to all of a sudden going all out blitz majority of the time. I for one hope they blitz David more because he has shown to be very good at that and we should utilize that strength as well. Who knows, that may help him play better in space like in 2013 (you know when he was voted all-pro).
October 14th, 2015 at 10:34 am
Not that he could come off the edge like some idiots say he can. I have heard Joe say “imagine what the Patriots could do with David” on the radio. David is barely linebackers size. To play in. A 3-4 at outside linebacker you need to have some size to take on Oline every play. David is very good at beating running backs and that’s what he needs to stick to.
October 14th, 2015 at 10:35 am
To me Schiano was a far better defensive coach than Lovie could ever be. Yeah I believe that.
October 14th, 2015 at 10:36 am
David missed several key tackles last week.
October 14th, 2015 at 11:23 am
we showed lots of blitz looks last week, and often bailed out into coverage…but we also got sacks and pressure from the CB and LB spots. even if lavonte, kwon, our CBs, or any back-7 guys are bluffing and play traditional coverages 90% of the time, that fake blitz look forces offenses to worry about more potential threats pre-snap. i think we will see more blitzes and fake blitz looks, but better teams will destroy our corners. i don’t think tim jennings one-on-one will frighten eli manning or Odell Beckham Jr in week 7
October 14th, 2015 at 11:32 am
@WhomingBucsFan – Patriots roll out plenty of 4-3 looks. No true shape to that defense.
October 14th, 2015 at 12:14 pm
Lovie already showed he doesn’t know how to use the players he has when he cut the best cornerback in the league.
October 14th, 2015 at 12:15 pm
Same $hit I’ve been asking Lovie to do for a long a$$ time. #UNLEASHTHEBEAST
October 14th, 2015 at 12:33 pm
Hasn’t the tampa-2 traditionally blitzed cornerbacks and safeties far more than the linebackers? I remember Barber coming in on lots of blitzes and safeties as well…
October 14th, 2015 at 5:03 pm
Smithers – Release the hounds…