Is Lavonte David The Bucs’ Next 10-Sack Guy?
May 15th, 2017
It was a throwaway line toward the end of an early-May news conference, but Joe was paying close attention and raising an eyebrow.
Last week, Lavonte David noted he had five sacks in 2016 (four in the final three games) but missed five sacks that he filed under the “shoulda had” category.
Joe’s no math genius, but 5 + 5= 10.
Now Bucs fans know the team hasn’t had a double-digit sackmaster since Simeon Rice had 14 in 2005, an inexcusable drought. Consider the feat has been accomplished about 180 times since then, but never by a Buccaneer.
Keep in mind that David said he had just reviewed a good-bad-and-ugly tape provided to him by Mike Smith — targeted film of his 2016 performance. You can bet those missed sacks were on the video.
So can David really be a 10-sack guy?
David thinks he’ll be unleashed/primed for more big plays because of his and his team’s familiarity in the defense — Year 2 of Mike Smith.
Man, that would be amazing if David pulled off 10 sacks. If that happened, Joe would lobby for a David statue to be erected outside Abe’s Place.
May 15th, 2017 at 3:53 pm
I would love to see him unleashed more from all over the field because he is smart and he is quick and could get 10 sacks.
It all depends on the coverage as to whether or not he gets unleashed more
May 15th, 2017 at 4:01 pm
Whatever he is going to do, he needs to do it soon. I suspect his drop in performance is one of the reasons Licht is looking for a good OLB.
May 15th, 2017 at 4:02 pm
Quite funny Joe because this was exactly my thought this morning while going to work !
Still think that he will be kind of a surprise this season, because we all know Lavonte is a very talented player !
May 15th, 2017 at 4:04 pm
if that happens all this man deserves a spot in the top 10 best bucs ever imo i know there’s been some greats but what he’s done since he’s been here plus the fact that he would be the one that ends our sack drought combined should get him consideration
May 15th, 2017 at 4:07 pm
I am not so certain it is going to be David, but I do believe this is the year we will have somebody get there, Spence being the most obvious choice. Improvements on the offensive side both running and passing the ball will only help the defense get more big time plays.
May 15th, 2017 at 4:07 pm
It be wrong but I swear last few games of the season he was putting a hand in the ground and rushing did I see that right?
May 15th, 2017 at 4:11 pm
You know Joe, this team has some striking comparisons to the 02 bucs defense. Sapp= McCoy, Brooks= David, Quarles= Alexander, Lynch= Evans, Barber= Hargreaves/Grimes
May 15th, 2017 at 4:18 pm
Sorry, I don’t see it.
May 15th, 2017 at 4:18 pm
I didn’t see a whole lot from David last year.. haven’t really seen much from him since Schiano was coach
May 15th, 2017 at 4:22 pm
We’d have 4 or 5 “10 sack” players from last year if they all made the 5 sacks that they “almost” got in 2016 – LOL
May 15th, 2017 at 4:25 pm
Obviously he has the “ability” to be a 10 sac player, doing it involves a bit of luck.
May 15th, 2017 at 4:29 pm
GMC WILL NEVER BE = to SAPP
May 15th, 2017 at 4:35 pm
If GMC starts off the season skipping through the other teams pregame stretches then I’ll reset my thoughts! This defense needs to have an attitude from the start…
May 15th, 2017 at 4:44 pm
It all depends on how much he asked to blitz. Some full time pass rusher have a hard time getting 10 sacks. Lavonte is asked to do 100 other things besides blitzing. I do think LVD has the talent and knack to be a high sack guy. He just doesn’t get the opportunity that your 3-4 OLBs get. But then again it is rumored we will see more 3-4 this year. So who knows. If Lavonte can focus and really build on his pass rush abilities, I wouldn’t be surprised at all. I love me some LVD!
May 15th, 2017 at 4:45 pm
“GMC WILL NEVER BE = to SAPP”
——–
Neither will any player in the NFL. Fans need to wake up and get over it.
May 15th, 2017 at 4:47 pm
Lavonte is too good in coverage to send him after the passer enough to get 10 sacks. Every player can probably list 5 “should have had” sacks, just like any QB can list 5 “should have had” TD’s. Missed opportunities happen to even the best of players. I think Lavonte will have a great season, but it just won’t consist of 10 sacks.
May 15th, 2017 at 5:14 pm
I’ve said it before and I’ll keep saying it until it’s proven otherwise – David is the best pass rusher on this team. Why it took Mike Smith 12 games to figure that out I don’t know, but if Smith lets David loose, he’ll put 10 sacks. Obviously David is such a good coverage LB and such a good tackler they don’t want to take him out of his role there – but in my mind make David not a Brooks clone, instead make him a Ronde clone – have him line-up everywhere so QBs don’t know if he’s rushing the passer or dropping into coverage and you never know where he’s going to be used.
May 15th, 2017 at 5:51 pm
Lavonte had a monster year in 2013 under Schiano (5 INTs, 7 sacks, 106 solo tackles, 2 forced fumbles, 9 passes defensed) and deservingly made 1st team All-Pro. Yet the Bucs went 4-12 on the season, ranked 21st defensively and had 35 team sacks. Fast forward to 2016 under Smith, and Lavonte had 1 INT, 5 sacks, 67 solo tackles, 4 forced fumbles, 3 passes defensed. His numbers weren’t nearly as good, yet the Bucs record improved to 9-7, we ranked 15th defensively and had 38 team sacks.
Point being that our TEAM has improved defensively in those 3 yrs even though Lavonte is apparently being used differently (he was ‘featured’ a lot more under Schiano and most likely had a lot more flexibility in terms of blitzing in Schiano’s system than he has in Mike Smith’s system). Now this year with the addition of Beckwith (he’s now bigger than Noah Spence?) & Chris Baker (who’ll get his share of sacks), plus a healthy Jack Smith returning (and Noah being healthier too), I suspect there’ll be a lot of competition among LBs & DLinemen for putting pressure on the QBs. LB blitzing (like Schiano seemed to favor) might not be as pronounced as some seem to think. Tend to think Smitty will selectively use that option depending upon how well the DLine is doing.
May 15th, 2017 at 6:06 pm
I’m hopeful that Smitty is going to make us far more unpredictable especially in terms of blitzing….I wouldn’t even see VHG do a Ronde impersonation on a corner blitz.
Who knows how many LVD might get…Noah…GMC…it could get very exciting this year with a jailbreak or two crushing an opposing QB. I can’t wait!
May 15th, 2017 at 6:07 pm
If the Cowboys and Saints game are any indication how Smith calls d against good offenses we are in trouble
May 15th, 2017 at 6:15 pm
I’m a big fan but he’s been just as inconsistent as Martin since getting paid. Of all the people on this team that could get double digits sacks I doubt it will be a linebacker. Sorry LVD but you’re in prove category with GMC
May 15th, 2017 at 6:24 pm
Your obsession for a ten sack guy is about as bad as you wanting cook or Johnny Football. I’m so glad you have nothing to do with building our football team. But you do crank out some good Buc nuggets hear and there. But seriously do we need an article every other day about getting a 10-sack guy? It’s already bad enough a Buccaneer fan site refers to Raymond James Stadium as the den of depression. You know we’re supposed to be fans of this team
May 15th, 2017 at 6:34 pm
Rob, you must be new here.
May 15th, 2017 at 6:46 pm
As long as the refs don’t hurt his feelings it sure its possible….
…. https://www.joebucsfan.com/2015/09/lavonte-david-says-penalty-broke-bucs-mentally/
David get some Alexander in you and you will get 9 sacks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
May 15th, 2017 at 6:47 pm
@Rob SPOT ON!!!!!!!!
May 15th, 2017 at 8:02 pm
lvd has started the last two seasons slow. he is not an all time great by any stretch. if anything he has regressed the last few years under smith and smith. time to be honest with yourselves folks and let people earn greatness and stop confusing popularity with greatness.
May 15th, 2017 at 8:11 pm
Idk if David will get ten sacks but I am excited to see the team this next season. With the possibility of more 34 defense we should see some more pressure coming from the LBs.
May 15th, 2017 at 8:24 pm
We draft for a 3-4 Defense. we already have the 4 LB’s in David, Known, Spence and Beckwith. with Mccoy, Baker and one of the rest DL. David and Spence are going to aim for the 10 sack mark
May 15th, 2017 at 8:30 pm
I commit Right Here to you Joe. If LD does and a statue somehow does get made, I will fly down there and install the statue for free. Not a small undertaking but I will do it! My way to contribute to 41 years of fandom. (And have a Totally reasonable excuse to give my wife to go back to St Pete for a couple weeks)
May 15th, 2017 at 8:38 pm
LVD is a Freakin Monster guys! However he IS a system guy. There is no way to argue that given his 5? different DCs in 6 years when you match his numbers per year. Schiano had the right formula for LVD Sad his input has been damaged. I think if MSmith turns him loose then we will see why he was paid so much money.
May 15th, 2017 at 8:50 pm
Everyone loves Kwon, including myself, but you aren’t going to have 2 LB’s with huge numbers. There’s not enough tackles, sacks, and INT’s to go around, just like you aren’t going to have 2 WR’s put up 1500 yards. This defense is clearly set up for Kwon to make the majority of the plays, and that is fantastic. He’s younger (presumably healthier as a result), and as the MLB he is the QB of the defense. It doesn’t mean Lavonte isn’t doing his job. We have some question marks on this team and on this defense in particular – Lavonte David isn’t one of them. Obviously we’d all love for him to do more, but he’s certainly not a weak link.
May 15th, 2017 at 8:51 pm
Bucj Says:
May 15th, 2017 at 4:11 pm
You know Joe, this team has some striking comparisons to the 02 bucs defense. Sapp= McCoy, Brooks= David, Quarles= Alexander, Lynch= Evans, Barber= Hargreaves/Grimes
………………….
Unfair to say about Hargreaves as a rookie who played 97% of the snaps for us last yr. How many snaps did Ronde play in his rook year.
May 15th, 2017 at 8:57 pm
Kwon led the league in Solo tackles last yr
BGrimes led the league in Passes defended
VH3 led the league in snaps by a rookie cb
ME 13 led the league in 3rd down receptions!
Cameron Brate lead the league in TD catches for a TE………………
Don’t be myopic guys….When is the last time we could say good things like this?
May 15th, 2017 at 9:04 pm
Considering the fact we draft a true MLB and haven’t signed any others not sure where the “Licht is looking for other OLB” is coming from
May 15th, 2017 at 9:48 pm
Let him rush the passer. Its not like he, or any other LB, is covering a TE or anything.
May 15th, 2017 at 10:15 pm
LVD ALL EYES ON ME -KEEP YOUR HEAD UP – I AIN’T MAD AT YOU
May 15th, 2017 at 11:04 pm
LVD is better at rushing the Passer than he is in coverage. He is more see ball get ball than wait then attack. Let him loose like Schaino did and we will be much better for it.
May 16th, 2017 at 4:11 pm
10 sacks would be cool and all, but one of the more under-the-radar aspects of LaVonte’s production is TFLs. They don’t count as sacks but you are still planting the ballcarrier on his own side of the line of scrimmage, so i’m just as happy with those. Based on the stats i can find, he’s averaged about a TFL per game in his career.