“I’m Gonna Say It!”
June 2nd, 2016
Bold talk by Bucs Pro Bowl OLB.
Bucs stud outside linebacker Lavonte David is a cool cat. Joe has never seen him get worked up about anything when he’s talking to the pen and mic club.
Not today.
For the first time, Joe noticed David take a stance and raise his voice. Professional that he is, Tampa Bay Times humorist Martin Fennelly struck a nerve with David. In a good way. And David stepped away from his normally guarded, controlled self and took a stand.
Look out NFL. Be prepared Derrick Brooks and Warren Sapp. No offense, Lee Roy Selmon, watching from afar in that great sombrero in the sky. David has news for all of you.
The Bucs will post the best defense in team history with defensive coordinator Mike Smith.
“I think we can be the best defense, ever, to be honest,” David said, when asked about what he sees the defense doing with him and Gerald McCoy as the anchors, and the new additions to go along with Kwon Alexander and others. “I’m going to go out there and say it.”
Fennelly then asked David if he meant in Bucs franchise history. David thought for a brief second and then took a stand, for all to hear.
“Yeah, I’m going to say it! I’m going to say it. Put it on me! … That’s just the attitude we have. That’s the attitude we want to have. We’re trying to challenge ourselves.”
It all starts here at the 0:50 mark.
Sure, it is June 2, in the middle of the underwear football season. The Bucs likely don’t have the entire defense installed, maybe not even close.
If it takes David to bark how the goal is to go down in Bucs history as the all-time best defense, a Mount Everest-like goal, to motivate himself and his teammates, so be it. If that is what it takes to win, then go for it.
Joe was more than a little surprised to hear David say it, and own it.
He said it.
June 2nd, 2016 at 4:55 pm
Says the guy who admitted that the Defense mentally broke after Major Wright’s penalty in game one vs. the worst team in the league and multiple times after that.
“Everyone’s got a plan till they get hit”
Prove it!
June 2nd, 2016 at 4:56 pm
Fennelly should ask him this question on September 11th prior to the game against the Falcons. No one really cares about quotes like these when they’re made in springtime.
June 2nd, 2016 at 5:07 pm
I really like that!!!!! I think the players now are starting to know how the Tampa2 was holding them back!!! They now know how antiquated the Incompetent one’s defense was!!! How they were getting laughed off the field because coach my scheme had no in-game adjustments!!!!!
It is starting Buc fans!!! They may have just found the light switch in the basement and now it is time to start climbing those stairs!!!!!
Go Bucs!!!!!!!!!!!!!
June 2nd, 2016 at 5:12 pm
That’s the attitude a player in any sport must have to be the best.
Fans don’t always like but oh well, too bad.
Go get ’em Bucs!
June 2nd, 2016 at 5:15 pm
Refresshing… Glad to seet he sentiment of the actual players is afar cry from many the low expectation hsving fans thst visit this site.
June 2nd, 2016 at 5:16 pm
I guess you can add “not stifling the team” to the list of things Koetter is doing differently.
June 2nd, 2016 at 5:16 pm
Yawnnnnnnnn Words, bluster, machismo, words, just words
June 2nd, 2016 at 5:19 pm
If it does turn out to be the best defense in Buc History, I want to be there when NFL GM Licht does the Triple Lindy dive to celebrate in his pool!!!!!
June 2nd, 2016 at 5:26 pm
Some of us must have taken an afternoon nap………..wake up jackass, I said wake the hell up!!
June 2nd, 2016 at 5:32 pm
It’s obvious that ALL of our returning defensive players are very happy with the new coach smith, and even happier that the old one is gone. This may very well be the reason Lovie got fired. If the Glazers had enough evidence that the defensive players hated playing for Lovie, while the offensive players were rallying around Koetter. David has set the bar…. We’ll see.
June 2nd, 2016 at 5:32 pm
Cough cough….Bullsh*t.
June 2nd, 2016 at 5:34 pm
Does this mean Rhealist might actually attend a game?
June 2nd, 2016 at 5:40 pm
Nice to strive for that LVD. If you guys can be 1/2 as good as those Bucs then we win 10 games this season.
I think you guys are a couple of safeties and 1 LB short right now.
I’m looking forward to seeing it though, like everyone else. Well not Hog of course.
He’d much rather root against the backstabbers.
June 2nd, 2016 at 5:47 pm
Reporter: what improvements have you seen over the past few weeks?
Koetter: our defense in general and our defensive scheme. (Boom pow!!!). Players embracing coach smith, the energy they’re bringing to practice.
Translation = the defense is kicking our butts and it FINALLY looks like a real D.
Side note: that pick Smith got, isn’t that the same play that Thomas Davis picked off last season? (Top 100 show). It’s probably best to throw that play in the gutter. Mike Evans should NEVER run a hitch route. Posts, streaks and fades that’s what ME13 needs to run, period.
June 2nd, 2016 at 5:53 pm
I like it too, Lavonte David you ain’t the only one thinking that way and I’m happy to hear you say it. Another notch up on the confidence meter. Pow! Right to the moon. Take that you opposing scheduled NFL teams.
June 2nd, 2016 at 5:54 pm
Best QB we’ve ever had plus the best defense we’ve ever had equals multiple super bowl victories. A fan can only dream.
June 2nd, 2016 at 6:04 pm
I can see nothing wrong with that attitude from LVD……I respect it greatly coming from him. I’m sure it reflects the difference in coaching styles along with some new assistants…..he also might be excited about the additions to the defense with VH3 & Spence & others.
Let’s hope he is even close to being right.
June 2nd, 2016 at 6:49 pm
Jamies had a presser last week , first words put his mouth were “they’re alot of talent on that side of the ball. Not surprising these dudes feeling like they about to take the league by storm.
June 2nd, 2016 at 7:06 pm
Confidence.
That’s good to hear.
He was so defeated last season.
Great to hear good vibes, and clear message.
GO BUCS!!!!!
June 2nd, 2016 at 7:38 pm
Some of you “fans” are really sad. Just go root for the Jags or Dolphins please.
June 2nd, 2016 at 7:38 pm
We don’t need hype, we need results.
June 2nd, 2016 at 7:49 pm
’87 – it’s not “we”?
June 2nd, 2016 at 8:42 pm
Speaking for Pablo
“Pablo is very happy to hear that Bucs will have a #1 defense…..this means El Asesino….Pablo’s favorite Buc…..can win games….3-0…..6-3…..9-7…..Pablo doesn’t think that will be necessary with Hamus at the helm…..Pablo loves Haboo too”
June 2nd, 2016 at 8:44 pm
Amen Pablo.
June 2nd, 2016 at 8:56 pm
Can we just get to September so I can drink beer and yell “WOO!!” already?
June 2nd, 2016 at 9:23 pm
I like his attitude. I hope he is right. The past was amazing that being said some bucs fans live in the past with loyalty to fools l8ke lovie, dungy, and especialy the defense without offense can win crowd etc… Living in past does no one any good. I respect and appreciate the past but it’s never coming back .
June 2nd, 2016 at 9:42 pm
Buc1987: you wishing for a miracle turnaround……the ride will be ruff on you!
June 2nd, 2016 at 9:44 pm
LordCornelius Says:
June 2nd, 2016 at 8:56 pm
Can we just get to September so I can drink beer and yell “WOO!!” already?
……………………
And LordC reminds us of what is Really important and the sad reality that we have a while before we have stuff to cheer for.
June 3rd, 2016 at 12:55 am
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKt2qvW9IWA
June 3rd, 2016 at 1:02 am
As opposed to the Tennesee attitude he had where everyone got down on themselves for one penalty….it is refreshing, Joe.
June 3rd, 2016 at 7:35 am
Obviously there’s never gonna be a defense as good as the dungy-Chucky Era but u gotta set the bar right?? That’s what he’s suppose to say. He can’t say we’ll we want to be the second best defense in the league. No. It seems this teams confidence is growing more and more. One thing they have lacked in the past imo. But with all the young talent and great coaching staff aboard it’s hard not to be filled with excitement and confidence, especially when u have #3 leading the way now.
June 3rd, 2016 at 8:42 am
Exactly what the defense has lacked for the last two years,competitive fire.New way of doing things,new scheme,and renewed optimism for the players and majority of
Buc fans.Hope this defense flies all over the field and plays to win the game.
GO Bucs!
June 3rd, 2016 at 9:23 am
It takes talent and we missed out chances in past drafts to be a 9 win team and top 15 defense.
Without a violent d line you will never be a top 10 defense.
I would be shocked if we are even a top 15 defense
June 6th, 2016 at 3:25 pm
Could be..Would be..Should be..All talk. Hell, I could be a millionaire. But I’m not. Just WIN Bucs. Get us to the playoffs and beyond. Then you WILL BE..the best!