Body Language Alert
December 16th, 2016
Hurting or healing?
Joe’s heard Dirk Koetter talk about various players’ injuries since taking over as head coach.
So as a student of Koetter, Joe’s going to say Koetter’s body language at One Buc Palace today didn’t look promising when it came to the health of Lavonte David.
David appeared on yesterday’s injury report with a hamstring issue after practicing fully on Wednesday.
He was limited again today and Koetter was asked about David’s status. You can watch the answer here on Buccaneers.com. Koetter, after a slumping shrug, looked toward the ground.
Joe has a bad feeling, primarily because David’s injury seemed to come out of nowhere and, despite not having his best year, David absolutely is not replaceable. The Bucs don’t have a stud-in-waiting linebacker sitting on the bench.
If David is out, look for veteran Daryl Smith to get more snaps and play on third down.
December 16th, 2016 at 12:42 pm
This stinks for LVD54!!! He was just getting over a banged up shoulder, now onto another injury!!!
Go Bucs!!!!!!!!!!
December 16th, 2016 at 12:46 pm
I’m not sure it’s terrible to have Smith fill in. He’s a season removed from playing at a high level in Baltimore, and he’s probably got 1 game of significant game time in him still. I’d say he’s past his years of putting in a full 16 games of full time duty, but he can likely be a serviceable 1 game stop-gap.
December 16th, 2016 at 12:58 pm
Next man up. Every team deals with injuries. It sucks but you have no choice but to move on with whos available.
December 16th, 2016 at 1:01 pm
@STBU – good call. Texans had JJ Watt go down and they’re still headed to the playoffs. If we’re going to thump our chests and want to be considered with the powerhouses, then we can’t get upset when we are expected to overcome the trials that they are as well.
December 16th, 2016 at 1:06 pm
So he had a limited practice? Which means he’s still running around? If he isn’t in full recovery mode, then I’d say he has a decent shot at playing. If it were a serious hammy issue, he would be shut down and told to ice it up for the next 7 days. No point in pushing a hammy. That only makes the recovery longer.
December 16th, 2016 at 1:16 pm
Guys this sucks but we still got kwon but I believe David is not sitting this out with the season on the line
December 16th, 2016 at 1:19 pm
Gamesmanship.
December 16th, 2016 at 1:29 pm
I disagree. I watched the video and my take home was that he is a veteran and knows his body. Doesn’t need to practice hard Wed-Fri. 54 will be good to go come Sunday night. Go Bucs!!
December 16th, 2016 at 1:29 pm
He’s gonna play, lavonte isn’t going to sit out prime time unless he physically can’t move, he’s a trooper.
December 16th, 2016 at 1:32 pm
I didn’t take Koetter’s body language and words the same way Joe did at all. I saw it as positive if anything, with some poker face in there. A reporter said he was out there running around and seemed to look fine. Dirk said “He’s going to be on the injury report. He will be questionable.” Then he said “These players know if they can go or not. Lavonte knows. It doesn’t do any good to push these players on Monday, Wednesday, Friday.” Bad would have been if he said “next man up” or “doubtful” entered the conversation.
December 16th, 2016 at 1:44 pm
What Trubucfan and J 2.0 said. Lights too BIG this young man hungry for recognition. He playing.
December 16th, 2016 at 2:01 pm
Guys. Lavonte is a Warrior. We got this. Kwon, Vonte, and Bradley are gonna light
Zeke up.
Bucs Win 28-17
December 16th, 2016 at 2:06 pm
If the Cowgirls’ coaches and owner can play games with the injury reports thinking that it gives them some sort of competitive advantage, then the Bucs can, too.
December 16th, 2016 at 2:07 pm
Insert Chris conte into the lb spot and leave Tandy at safety a smart coach would do it.
December 16th, 2016 at 2:42 pm
Wow Joe, you edited the story and removed the other article after I called you out on that oversight? Seems petty.
Don’t ban me man, I’m just pointing out the facts.
December 16th, 2016 at 2:49 pm
@ Tmax
You must be happy David is out and now if only Mccoy was out you’d be real happy right?
December 16th, 2016 at 3:00 pm
Next Man Up! Injuries and missed games are part of the life of most all NFL players.If Lavonte can’t go, Smith will have to step up while everyone around him needs to step up there game. If they do…..we shouldn’t have any problem. The team can’t allow a key player missing an important game do anything but help them all to step up.
I believe they will….
December 16th, 2016 at 3:39 pm
That hurts. The key is stopping the run, need more healthy lbs in this game than secondary
December 16th, 2016 at 3:44 pm
Something tells me he is just fine..
December 16th, 2016 at 3:49 pm
He will play. Make no mistake about it.
December 16th, 2016 at 3:53 pm
It’s a trap. Koetter playing mind games. LVD would have to be missing an entire leg in order to stay off the field.
Some people talk about it, others like LVD be about it.
#Rejoice
December 16th, 2016 at 4:15 pm
Who are these people that watch Conte play and think he doesn’t suck? Sure he’ll make a play every once in 20 attempts, meanwhile he’ll get burned or make a stupid penalty 5 in 20 attempts. Conte is terrible and Tandy is absolutely better and I hope he stays in the lineup. Conte meanwhile I hope he’s out of Tampa after the season – since if he’s back the defense is in serious trouble. Fantastically amazing defensive line play isn’t something we’re going to get every week and those weeks we don’t get it, it’s consistently Grimes and Conte that give up huge plays.
December 16th, 2016 at 4:46 pm
Ya’ll remember how Will Goulston was on crutches and a boot after the San Diego game? Bucs went all the way to Wednesday afternoon…first practice…to fine where he’s not even on the injury report. I think Lavonte is okay too. Yeah, team captain tweaks something and they tell him to take it easy as they install the game plan. If he’s on the field for it…he’s playing. But it does make Dallas waste some time. I’m betting Dez Bryant’s back is just fine too We’ll see.
December 16th, 2016 at 6:20 pm
Breaking news! Congratulations to Bucs safety Keith Tandy who has been voted Castrol EDGE Clutch Performer of the Week for Week 14! He is the second Buc player this year after Aguayo.
December 16th, 2016 at 7:47 pm
I watched the video and think Joe is seeing ghosts. Not saying LVD will play but DK does that move a lot.
December 16th, 2016 at 8:10 pm
Lotta nonsense been posted on here that LVD wasn’t up to his earlier all star performances. Why’s that? Cos he’s been playing with a compromised hammy. The truth comes out. He will be playing Sunday nite even if he doesn’t start. The vets here who have survived the HC musical chairs smell playoffs. I feel sorry for the Cowdungs. GO MIGHTY BUCS!!
December 16th, 2016 at 11:38 pm
I’m really surprised at JoeBuc. He’s posted a lot of crap lately. It’s like he doesn’t know how to be optimistic when the Bucs are winning. He doesn’t know how to act.
December 17th, 2016 at 12:42 am
It’s easier to be pessimistic – then when the team wins you’re happy and excited, and if they loss then it doesn’t hurt as much since you weren’t expecting much. What really sucks is getting all excited then going to Dallas and getting blown out. The defense has been playing lights out, but it’s all been because of the amazing play of that defensive line and LBs. If David isn’t 100% and that offensive line of the Cowboys lives up to the hype and quiet downs that Bucs d-line, then the Cowboys will move up and down the field all day long and probably have 250 yards rushing. If they do that then the Bucs get blown out since they’ll control the ball for like 42 minutes and the Bucs won’t have the time to do much – certainly not the run it up the middle on every play offense that Dirk has been running for the last month.
See, I’m being pessimistic and expecting the worse. If the Bucs come out and play like they have been playing and pull off a giant upset, then man – it’s all gravy, it’s awesome, I have nothing but great feelings. But if not, well, I called it and can start doing my mock drafts for 2017. But seriously, I badly want the Bucs to win, but can’t help wondering if the Bucs are what they’ve been lately, or the team that gave up 600 yards to Oakland and got embarrassed by the Falcons on national TV.
December 17th, 2016 at 8:13 am
No matter who steps in, if needed, same accountability is running through this defense
December 17th, 2016 at 9:18 am
“David absolutely is not replaceable”
I disagree. I like Lavonte bunches, but with the most recent additions, no one player isn’t replaceable now on defense.
Cream rises to the top. If he can’t play, it might be a good thing. Another player could step in, do really well, and that will push Lavonte to play harder in the future.
Glass half full.