“We Always Come To Him”
July 27th, 2016
Lavonte David speaks
Lavonte David’s chat with assembled media today at One Buc Palace was reminiscent of Joe’s private discussion with Herm Edwards at the NFL Owners Meetings in March 2015.
The topic then was Lovie Smith and reviving the defense of a 2-14 team.
Edwards explained that the Bucs were going to benefit so much from adding veterans familiar with Lovie’s defense at every level: defensive tackle Henry Melton, safety Chris Conte, cornerback Sterling Moore and linebacker Bruce Carter.
It was all “a big part of his plan,” Edwards said of Lovie adding guys who believed in his defensive system. (You can read more from Edwards here.)
Well, things didn’t go as planned and Lovie’s defense was dreadful and sank Tampa Bay last season. Carter, Moore, Melton and Lovie are gone.
David was asked today about the offseason addition of linebacker Daryl Smith, the veteran who played many years for defensive coordinator Mike Smith’s suffocating defenses in Jacksonville during the last decade.
“He’s been helping us out a lot since his first day here,” David said, noting Smith has played every linebacker position in Mike Smith’s defense.
“Every time we see something. We reach out and get advice. We always come to him because he basically knows [the defense] inside out. He’s a great guy to learn from, and a great guy to watch, as far as trying to be a professional.”
Smith is a veteran of 174 NFL games and truly is a valuable asset. Joe’s not denying that, but Joe can’t get overly hot in the pants about the impact of his leadership.
In many ways, leadership is overblown. Lavonte David was a stud rookie out of the gate in 2012. Kwon Alexander was a stud in a hurry, too, last year. And that came shortly after he turned 21 and while wearing the green dot helmet and calling the defensive signals. Those guys should be able to adapt quickly to whatever Mike Smith throws at them.
Also, Daryl Smith himself said the Mike Smith defense of old wasn’t nearly as complex as what the Bucs are cooking up in 2016.
July 27th, 2016 at 5:23 pm
LVD the true leader of the defense. Put some respeck on his name. TB stand up!!!
July 27th, 2016 at 5:47 pm
DB55
I love LVD as much as any Bucs fan, but I see Kwon as the leader of this defense already. The guy is as intense as they come and one of the hardest workers in One Buc Place.
July 27th, 2016 at 5:51 pm
young padawan Kwon is. Not the leader he is yet. But the force is strong with Kwon yes strong.
July 27th, 2016 at 5:55 pm
Defensive Tripplets-Kwon,Spawn and VH3. I call’em New Breeds.
July 27th, 2016 at 6:01 pm
Leadership isn’t overblown. I team just needs a proper combination of leadership styles on it.
David isn’t a leader. He’s a good guy.
Kwon is a leader because of his desire to win and his willingness to do what it takes…and because he is so vocal its contagious.
July 27th, 2016 at 6:07 pm
@Joe … “In many ways, leadership is overblown.” Lovie might agree with you on that one Joe, but I just can’t. Field leadership especially is critical. The leadership provided by franchise QBs like Brady & Brees & Manning & Rothlesberger has been critical to the success of their teams. So was the leadership provided by defensive standouts like Sapp & Brooks & Ray Lewis & multiple others.
Bucs have suffered a leadership drought for too many years. Jameis and Kwon, plus several veterans, are finally starting to turn that around. In the words of one well-known car dealer, ‘That’s HUUUGE!’
July 27th, 2016 at 6:10 pm
Pretty sure Jameis won’t have to have a meeting with Kwon at some point about his role as a defensive leader…….why you ask?
Because some men are born leaders and others…..93…..aren’t.
Let’s have some fun now fellas!
July 27th, 2016 at 6:16 pm
Leadership is overblown? Ok Geraldine McCoy.
July 27th, 2016 at 7:35 pm
F this LVD guy…..Just cause he is constantly a Top 5 LB means NOTHING without Wins. Tackles, ints. sacks, forced fumbles are MEANINGLESS without wins. Jeeeeeesh Guy is getting paid like a top 5 LB, He should be getting us some wins. Cut this guy!!!!!
July 27th, 2016 at 7:37 pm
Plus I saw him help a guy up once and I’ve seen him smile.
July 27th, 2016 at 7:44 pm
If won-twon-kwon (my fave by the way) LVD and spawn are the “New breeds,does that make ME13 a half breed?lol you know since he drops all those passes?
July 27th, 2016 at 7:49 pm
We might not win 19 games this year.
We may even start 0-5.
But we will win 8 games at least.
And make the playoffs next year.
Be patient everybody.
Kwon and LaVonte have 3 more years together Kwon needs an extension. On a cheap 3rd round deal.
If they can stay healthy, they could be the next Luke Kuechly and Thomas Davis combo.
We just need more pressure from up the middle.
McCoy needs some help inside AND outside. We were nasty with Michael Bennet.
If we were serious about a Super Bowl run THIS year, we would trade and extend michael Bennett for 4 more years.
July 27th, 2016 at 7:50 pm
*10 games not 19. lol.
July 27th, 2016 at 7:58 pm
So you think his leadership is overblown, but his legs can play on all 3 downs? Pass that ish this way please, Joe.
July 27th, 2016 at 8:34 pm
SB with Jameis Says:
July 27th, 2016 at 7:37 pm
Plus I saw him help a guy up once and I’ve seen him smile.
————-
Lol, lies! If no pictures it didn’t happen.
July 27th, 2016 at 8:38 pm
teacherman777..I think that was wishful thinking..lol..a much longer game season..I can’t deal with this drought too long..lol..
Love LVD! Love Kwon! Love VH3! Love Noah! Love Ayers! Love Jameis! Love ALL the Smiths, all 30 of them..lol..
Love all my Bucs!! Group Hug with my Bucs!!
July 27th, 2016 at 8:42 pm
Group hug! I like that life.
July 27th, 2016 at 9:35 pm
I’m with ya DB…We are all Brethren. !!
Go Bucs!
July 27th, 2016 at 9:52 pm
Pardon me. Except for Life that is. She is our sister
July 27th, 2016 at 10:02 pm
@Nole
Wow I hope you’re correct about our defensive “triplets”. If they are as effective as the Lightning’s “triplets’ we are on our way!
July 27th, 2016 at 10:36 pm
LVD, Kwon and Daryl Smith represents the best set of starting LBers in the whole league IMO.
Add up their individual stats from last year and you will see that its true.
July 27th, 2016 at 11:32 pm
Nice perspective Pick
July 28th, 2016 at 1:35 am
Yep JB..I’m the sista around here..or the substitute mum to all of you under 25..can’t wait for more group hugs when we start winning all games.
On that note lifey is going to sleep and hopefully dream that no fans from Denver will be able to buy any tix here.
July 28th, 2016 at 6:53 am
I think alot of fans are underestimating Daryll and what he brings to this defense.yes Kwon and LVD can adapt quickly but not as fast I we would like, evident of last year’s start. As good as they are they can still learn slot from the old man who hasn’t missed a game in how long? Our 2 stud LB are still young and still have alot to learn, specifically Kwon in coverage so I think Smith will be a huge help in getting him acquitted to the new scheme. He’s the perfect guy for this defense right now, we need a veteran that is familiar with the defense and not to mention is a very reliable and provides consistent producting even at his age.