Shouldering The Load
July 27th, 2018
Lavonte David had issues with his body last year and wasn’t shy about sharing after the season.
The easiest way to explain it, per David, was his shoulders didn’t hold up. So David set out this offseason to strengthen them and prep them in a new way for this season.
Joe asked David about the shoulders this week and David smiled. “It went awesome, man, I’m ready to bang. Ready to bang,” he said.
David said he had a specific shoulder sessions during his workouts and he feels they’ll hold up.
It was a red flag when David mentioned the shoulder issues after the season. It felt like a sign of wear and tear and age, since David didn’t have any kind of significant injuries there.
The Bucs need a Pro Bowl and fully-healthy season from one of their stud linebackers. David’s best shot is staying healthy consistently, which has eluded him the past two years.
July 27th, 2018 at 9:47 am
Did anyone ask how his big toe was?
July 27th, 2018 at 10:06 am
If the front 4 pan out the LB’s will be lights out.
July 27th, 2018 at 10:26 am
Yeah, I wouldn’t be surprised if he and Kwon both have 6-8 sacks. The O Line will definitely be busier than last year.
July 27th, 2018 at 10:35 am
Hey he isn’t 21 anymore he is in the tail end of his career good for him to get some work done to extend his time
July 27th, 2018 at 10:35 am
LD54 is a stud OLBer. One of the best in the NFL. Probably THE best playing in a 4-3 defense.
LaVonte is going to have a huge year if he stays healthy. Kwon too.
July 27th, 2018 at 10:45 am
Don’t remember reading a thing about LVD’s shoulders not holding up last season. He did miss 2 games near the start of the season (Giants & Pats) then another late (vs the Falcons) but nothing comes to mind about what his injuries were. Still led the team in tackles & forced fumbles, even with only playing 13 games. Good to hear that the shoulders aren’t an issue any longer.
July 27th, 2018 at 11:09 am
DR
LD54 had a grade 2 inner ankle sprain in the 4th quarter of the Minnesota game that caused him to miss 2 games and it took him another 3 weeks or so to get back to his normal level of play once he came back. Also missed 1 game in Dec with a hamstring sprain.
July 27th, 2018 at 11:41 am
Oh, come on. Joe ran a photo he took himself of Lavonte David being carted to the locker room after the Minnesota game and Joe wrote extensively about how he had to be carried into the locker room because he couldn’t walk on his ankle.
Joe even had that photo on Twitter seconds after he snapped it.
July 27th, 2018 at 11:57 am
@DR … “Don’t remember reading a thing about LVD’s SHOULDERS not holding up last season.” I remember the ankle sprain & the other Joe, but what I don’t remember is ever hearing anything about LVD’s SHOULDERS being an issue. After what Noah went through with his shoulders, that’s potentially a big deal. I hope that his new way of prepping works for him this season.
July 27th, 2018 at 12:34 pm
@DR
He never mentioned the shoulders until after the season.
You could tell something was up with him though. Actually the last 2 seasons in a row, I believe LVD was playing through several upper body injuries that never showed up on the injury report. It’s crazy to think he’s already been here for 5 or 6 years now. Those beatings start to add up.