Lavonte David Has A Message For Fans
December 17th, 2018
After a banged up Lavonte David talked to some reporters, showered, visited the training room, dressed and was the last Buccaneer standing in the locker room yesterday, Joe caught up with David for a private chat.
David has been a monster the past three games after returning from a two-week knee injury. In that time he’s led Tampa Bay in tackles and racked up three sacks, including two yesterday against the Ravens.
Among other things, Joe asked David what fans should know about this struggling 2018 Buccaneers team.
The defensive captain says he sees a team more special than any he’s seen in his seven years as a Buccaneer.
“It’s the most close team since I’ve been here. The most close team, the most caring team, most hard-working team I’ve been a part of since I’ve been here,” David said. “These guys out here, they want to win. I know they want to win. I can tell by the way they prepare, by the way they work in practice. I can tell they want to get the job done. Fans should appreciate everybody out there even though things are not going too well. Appreciate the hard work; these guys are going out there fighting and busting trying to bring this city wins and the fans deserve that. We’re all disappointed. We all sad the way stuff is going right now. But you won’t never find nobody in this locker room not going out there and playing their hardest not only for their brothers but for our city.”
Joe followed up with David to confirm whether this team really worked harder in practice than last year, as well as with Commander Greg Schiano and Lovie Smith.
“Definitely,” David said.
Joe doesn’t think David is throwing a pile of BS. And, if true, this was yet another commentary on how badly this coaching staff is performing on game days.
The game-preview edition of TAMPA TWO is always a must-watch, with Derrick Brooks and Ira Kaufman looking at match-ups and more. TAMPA TWO is presented by Caldeco Air Conditioning & Heating, with The Identity Tampa Bay and JoeBucsFan.com producing.
December 17th, 2018 at 9:10 am
Bla Bla Bla
December 17th, 2018 at 9:10 am
Lol ok I and most fans don’t think it’s a talent issue, it’s a coaching issue and it’s always been a coaching issue with this team. Now you’ll start over and the team will be purged of underperformers and celebrated veterans who are actually playing below average like Geraldine and Demar.
I get what he’s saying and being a close unit is all good in the locker room and in training camp but if it doesn’t result in wins it’s irrelevant. Liking each other isn’t the recipe for wins. The team is working hard I believe you just have a pretender at head coach who knows nothing except how to be a coordinator
December 17th, 2018 at 9:12 am
Well…they have not quit…and we have seen that from the Bucs before and other teams in the NFL and other sports for that matter….and JJ(from yesterday) yes not quitting is a prerequisite in all commitments in life…that does not mean it does not happen
December 17th, 2018 at 9:13 am
If this is true….then one of these two things exist.
Either our players really want to win are working hard and are not being coached properly with poor game plans & gameday coaching…..
Or
Our players aren’t good enough…..are outmatched by other teams..
Or
Both
December 17th, 2018 at 9:13 am
To sum things up. It can’t be both. The team’s issues can’t be both on Licht on Koetter. It seems the defense (which folks knock Licht on the most) is finally playing better under BETTER COACHING.
So now that the offense is sputtering, after a great start, we’re going to blame Licht? Okay….
As Joe mentioned in other stories here, it’s becoming painfully obvious that Koetter is a big source of our issues in One Buc Place. I’m not defending some of Licht’s poor decisions, but he’s not the source of our BIGGEST issues either….
December 17th, 2018 at 9:13 am
Obviously, they’re still not working hard enough. David, one of our team leaders, just doesn’t know it.
December 17th, 2018 at 9:14 am
“this is the most close and caring team” – soft team led by the big fat softie gerald mccoy
December 17th, 2018 at 9:15 am
Strong words but no action to back them up make them meaningless
December 17th, 2018 at 9:19 am
the D gave up 250 yards rushing yesterday, quit saying their playing better.
Go after Cowher, make him president of football operations, then talk to him and go after Arians to be HC/OC. Let Bill bring in a GM and build the defensive staff, Arians handles all things on offense.
December 17th, 2018 at 9:24 am
Losers all of them and low standard bucfan loves them so mediocre career losers…. winners win losers make excuses and talk about being close…
December 17th, 2018 at 9:40 am
David played his best ball under schiano along with GMC…..it is definite lack of talent coupled with some horrible coaches esp OL/secondary…the OL which is solely built by licht is terrible along with the RBs…jaquiz rodgers is a significant contributor to this team WTF
December 17th, 2018 at 9:42 am
Not there yet Says
“Lol ok I and most fans don’t think it’s a talent issue, it’s a coaching issue…”
It’s actually a little bit of both.
On the coaching side, the honest truth is that outside of RB and OL, the offensive coaching staff is fine. Pretty much all of the defensive coaching staff needs replacing, as does the ST Coordinator. In evaluating Koetter, I could see statements like this being taken into consideration by the Glazers. Unlike every other Bucs coach since Dungy (and yes, I’m including Gruden), Koetter has not lost the respect of this team. They still play hard for him.
Considering how the players gave up on all those previous coaches, that;s pretty huge to consider.
It may not be popular with the majority of fans, but they may sign him to a multiyear extension because of it. I could see a one year contract with options for two additional years. That way the Glazers give him another year to prove himself, and they can fire him without penalty after next season.
That would also maintain stability for Winston…which some fans may not care about, but the Glazers probably would.
I’m not saying this is the way I would go…I’m just trying to get into the heads of the Glazers.
I’m sure Steelers fans have wanted Tomlin fired many times, but the owners have stayed with him. It seems stability makes an impact in the good clubs.
And when I look at the coaching options to replace Koetter, I’m not really impressed. All I see is more coaches we can ‘hope’ will do well, either as rookie coaches, old timers returning, or recently fired coaches who were fired fore good reason.
Considering that, unless the Glazers can hit the ball out of the park with a huge hire of a coach with a stellar win/loss ratio, I would rather stay the course with Koetter and replace assistant coaches who have not done well.
December 17th, 2018 at 9:42 am
I gather that Dotson and David don’t hang out together.
December 17th, 2018 at 9:43 am
JP… agree 100%. The Ravens did whatever they wanted in the second half. The Bucs only had 4 possessions in the second half. One of those after a muffed punt and one was a turnover on the very first play. Yes the middle linebacker is a 4th stringer, but the thats the only of the front 7 that wasn’t an opening day starter.
BEING SAID,
I believe LVD is working harder than he ever has. He is playing high level football. Wish it was rubbing off on the others on the team.
Sure looks like the team has quit on the head coach to me. Kind of like, hey we showed we can compete in first half… Now lets lay down. How Koetter wasn’t fired after the Redskins game when he took back play calling, albeit for one game, I will never know.
December 17th, 2018 at 9:43 am
All I know is that it is time to start looking at Mock Drafts. Again.
December 17th, 2018 at 9:45 am
Here’s my message to David. You’ve been part of, and captain to some of the worst defenses in Buc history. Although you’re still playing with great effort, and perhaps have another good year in you, it’s time for the Bucs to move on without you. The team will be going through yet another reboot, you know you’ve been part of about 4 of them. Time for a new direction you don’t need to be part of. Thanks for the memories, and please take cancer93 with you.
December 17th, 2018 at 9:46 am
Locker room BS LVD. If this defense prepared so hard and wanted to win so badly they wouldn’t be gassed by the beginning of the second half every week.
These guys get paid millions of dollars to play for a team I watch and love so I’m not gonna give them a break.
With Vita Vea such a big body, we need to replace stay puft 93 with a faster, strong DT that can quickly get to the QB. Ed Oliver in the first round. LT/OG in the second.
December 17th, 2018 at 9:47 am
Yes unfortunately there have been many many teams that have won Superbowls that probably werent close or tight knit but got the job done in the end. I like that they all want to win but who doesn’t? If this wasn’t a broken record then I might feel differently but it seems Lavonte or some buc player have always come out at the end of the year and tell fans “Hey we are trying we all want to win.”
Well as fans we all want them to win. Now what?
December 17th, 2018 at 9:48 am
And by both, I meant to add, considering the talent level, the rookies still need to develop. As I’ve pointed out before, Sapp didn’t even start to do well until his second year. He even got demoted for 8 games. Vea may just need until the second season to get in his grove.
Davis has been improving…he will only get better, even if he isn’t there yet. And Stewart may just need an off season to process his experiences of this season, and I’m sure he’ll get tutoring from his cousin. Rojo hasn’t had enough opportunities to even start to get into his grove. Why they play Rogers over him is beyond me. Rojo will continue to do poorly until he racks up some experience.
The other rookies will only get better in their second year as well. So sure, there are talent issues. Not to mention the guys we have had on defense for years are entering their injury years…McCoy, David, Grimes (for into them) and others.
And let’s be honest…Peyton Barber has been doing okay, not great. And the oline with Caleb, Dotson and SMith is struggling.
December 17th, 2018 at 9:50 am
Personally, I think the time has come to trade some defensive players like David and McCoy. Get some picks and replace them in the draft. We need to get younger on defense in order to reduce the injuries we’re being plagued with.
December 17th, 2018 at 9:52 am
This wasnt some historic offense they were playing…shut down the run play man on the back end and let lamar jackson, the 2nd coming of temow beat you. Jameis looked like trent dilfer out there yesterday and that is not what you want the franchise qb to be esp when the OL is garbage, the defense is garbage and teh running game is pitiful. Mike Evans and OJ are the only 2 that need to be kept for the new regime and make a complete turnover of this 6-10 licht regime
December 17th, 2018 at 9:54 am
I think what Dotson said is more accurate
December 17th, 2018 at 9:55 am
NEVER MISTAKE EFFORT FOR RESULTS!
December 17th, 2018 at 9:56 am
Yeah, like Lavonte David is going to say, “We definitely don’t work as hard today as we did under Greg Schiano or Lovie Smith….but we’re working hard!”
We all saw last year’s training camp. Many were calling it the softest training camp they ever watched.
December 17th, 2018 at 9:57 am
BUCK has totally turned this d-line around second half of the year.
Nassib/Vea/Oliver/JPP. Not gonna be a line gasping for air.
December 17th, 2018 at 9:58 am
Reminds me again of San Diego a couple of years ago. The team lost every close game, people said Rivers was nothing but a turnover machine and couldn’t get it done, they suck so bad they might as well leave the city.
Well they did, and they got a new coach, and suddenly those close loses are wins and they’re one of the top teams in football.
Amazing what a competent coach can do .
December 17th, 2018 at 9:58 am
This team has so much potential we needed new coaches last season it’s like a waste of a year
December 17th, 2018 at 9:58 am
Lavonte, shut up.
December 17th, 2018 at 9:59 am
JPP said it well when talking about Dirk, he “likes” the coaching. What a ringing endorsement!
December 17th, 2018 at 10:02 am
I am looking at one main thing right now. I don’t care if this defense gave up 500 yards rushing and passing. They held them to 20 points. Not 30, 35,40 or 42. If this offense can’t put up 21 points? This as I said a couple a weeks ago has been constant under Jameis. Usually 17 to maybe 27 points. So where is the problem? We went the “Weapons for Winston” route. Now they are not performing. They can’t even put up 21 now.
December 17th, 2018 at 10:03 am
I miss the Lavonte that played next to Mason Foster in 2013.
145 tackles
7 sacks
5 picks
10 passes defensed
2 forced fumbles
1 fumble recovery
21 TFLs
13 QB hits
1 safety
Where is that with guy with all the additional talent now?
Lovie and Mike Smith have done very bad things.
Damn shame.
December 17th, 2018 at 10:07 am
Buc Bonzai
“Peyton Barber has been doing okay, not great.”
You must be watching the wrong games. Peyton Barber has 4.47 Y/A behind this BS o-line. Doesn’t break for a lot of TDs but get him a sick RG and he could go over 1,000 yards.
December 17th, 2018 at 10:14 am
bonzi,
there is NOT a single buc defender that HAS any trade value… NO GM that wants to keep his job is going to give up anything for has-beens that never were over 30 who CLEARLY do not understand how to play on a winning team. Neither cancer93 or lvd have any value outside of the low standard Tampa fan base who confuses popularity with greatness time and time again. Results matter everywhere but Tampa and your little girls are undisputed PROVEN career losers with no heart and the inability to learn how to win…. results prove that your delusional optimism and asinine assumptions all offseason once again fall short of reality!
December 17th, 2018 at 10:15 am
ELiot
It’s harder for LVD to put up those numbers playing with a 3rd string LB corp.
December 17th, 2018 at 10:16 am
SOEbuc
He’s averaging 54.43 yards per game on the ground. That’s absolutely horrible. He;s a hard hitting back…that makes up for some of the oline weaknesses…and he still isn’t producing.
Unless he has a huge game, he isn’t even going to break the 1,000 yard mark…and good RBs do 1,200+ these days.
December 17th, 2018 at 10:19 am
DBS
“I am looking at one main thing right now. I don’t care if this defense gave up 500 yards rushing and passing.”
Then you really don’t know how the game works. Defense allows that means the offense is on the field way less.
December 17th, 2018 at 10:20 am
DBS Says:
December 17th, 2018 at 10:02 am
I am looking at one main thing right now. I don’t care if this defense gave up 500 yards rushing and passing. They held them to 20 points. Not 30, 35,40 or 42. If this offense can’t put up 21 points? This as I said a couple a weeks ago has been constant under Jameis. Usually 17 to maybe 27 points. So where is the problem? We went the “Weapons for Winston” route. Now they are not performing. They can’t even put up 21 now.
Well you had one TD dropped yesterday that probably goes for 70 yards and another one that was called back for a bogus Offensive PI call. So you throw those on top of a missed extra point and you get 24 points total against one of the best defensives in the league on the road in a bad weather game. State facts not hate and useless garbage. This is what I hate blame Jameis for mistakes he makes like the poor throw on the pick but blame others as well as Godwin was horrible yesterday Brate dropped a ball Evans dropped a ball Joens dropped a ball and we had a easy pick that we dropped as well. But yeah lets just blame the QB cause we didnt score. That is why you let good players leave you look through your hate colored glasses and miss the truth.
December 17th, 2018 at 10:20 am
Bonzai,
You seem to be incapable of being objective when it comes to the Bucs. Tomlin would have been fired years ago if his teams didn’t win. Mike Tomlin has a .657 winning percentage as head coach. Dirk Koetter is approaching Lovie Smith territory in terms of winning percentage (i.e. under .400).
You seem to be under some delusion that it takes a long time to turn a franchise around. In today’s NFL it doesn’t. The only teams that can’t turn it around in 2-3 years are teams with bad leadership in place.
If the Bucs fail to win another game, the Buccaneers under Jason Licht will have a worse record over five years than they did under Mark Dominick. They haven’t earned the right to continue leading this franchise.
December 17th, 2018 at 10:20 am
I’m all for LVD playing better than ever…it might increase his trade value. The way I see it, he;s entering his declining years so far as health. Now is the time to move on, regardless of how good he is so far.
Same with McCoy, who I love, but he has trade value to a lot of teams. The haters probably will not agree, but he is well-liked throughout the league, both for his play and for his off field activities.
We can’t trade Grimes…he’s on a one year deal and is probably retiring.
To me, the most tradeable players we have are Lavante David, Gerald McCoy and Desean Jackson.
December 17th, 2018 at 10:26 am
I’d love to see the Bucs trade McCoy for a 4th Rd pick, maybe a 3rd if the next GM gets lucky.
His time here is done, and in all fairness, he is a good guy and deserves to experience some winning before his career is up.
I’ve been harsh on Lavonte for not being a leader but I’d be willing to give him another year, under a new DC.
Not sure if Kwon is coming back and I’d like to see what David can do with Beckwith in the middle.
December 17th, 2018 at 10:27 am
Nah, no team would ever touch Lavonte David or JPP.
December 17th, 2018 at 10:29 am
bonzai
its coaching and scheme not talent and players……
you, along with @realist have been dead wrong about this staff….
the offense sucks…defense sucks….game plan sucks….and the player development sucks….
that all points to coaching…or lack there of…
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!…#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!…GO BUCS!!!
December 17th, 2018 at 10:31 am
This is all very damning to the coaching staff. Nothing else to say.
December 17th, 2018 at 10:31 am
we are close if we get the right coaches in here…..
look at the colts….look at the chargers….look at the bears….look at the rams….
a first time HC can turn this thing around in 1 offseason and make the playoffs…..
KRIS RICHARD 4 HC!!!!!
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!…#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!…GO BUCS!!!
December 17th, 2018 at 10:36 am
Joe
lvd is good 2 out of every 30 games similar to your girl cancer93… JPP has value I’ll give you that… you are just like bonzi when it comes to confusing popularity with greatness.
December 17th, 2018 at 10:41 am
[Please do not try that stunt again. — Joe]
December 17th, 2018 at 10:46 am
Ndog. If you were not such a little girl and run everytime the name Jameis comes up you would see what I wrote. It is ALL the offense!! RB’s, Line WR’s They are not getting it done. Where is this high powered offense that should be keeping the defense off the field and putting points on the board?
December 17th, 2018 at 10:47 am
Bonzai
Okay but the thing with those stats is he gets very little carries most games. Did you hear them say we are 5-1 when he gets over 16 carries (now 5-2)?
I’d say his average carries per game throughout the season are about 12-13. Once again the awesome Koetter and Monken game plan.
December 17th, 2018 at 10:49 am
SOEbuc
Please tell me you did not take the 500 yard statement seriously?
December 17th, 2018 at 10:55 am
Joe
“Nah, no team would ever touch Lavonte David or JPP.”
Or Nassib.
December 17th, 2018 at 11:08 am
They lost their speed receivers (DJax and Howard) and the others, except Evans, can’t get open because coverage is tighter.
OLine isn’t coached to run ball,
So now offense sucks
December 17th, 2018 at 11:21 am
SOEbuc
typical low standard bucfan acting like Nassib is a PROVEN NFL talent. he was let go by a much better organization than bucs. Looking good on a pathetic bucs roster does not make a player NFL good. bucs are a minor league roster trying to play in a big boy league. He has had a few good games that does not make him valuable or a keeper.
December 17th, 2018 at 11:24 am
Kiss my arse LVD I don’t care what you or any of your overpaid homies have to say anymore! You ALL suck!!!
December 17th, 2018 at 11:26 am
DBS
No not literally 500 yards per game but last in passing defense most the year (Now 28th) and rushing defense (27th), the opposing offenses are on the field way more. And when referring to yesterday, they ran the ball up our ass all day eating clock. Not sure if Jackson completed to a receiver over 30 yards but I could be wrong. He definintly wasn’t looking sharp going deep all day.
December 17th, 2018 at 11:27 am
In the words of Bill Parcells:
Don’t tell me about the pain… show me the baby!!!
December 17th, 2018 at 11:43 am
tmaxcon
Everything you just said makes zero sense.
He was let go by a better organization (so says you. Bucs win in OT resulting in a crying Mayfield) to come to a lesser organization with one of the worst defenses in the “big boy” league and get 6.5 sacks and 2 FF? He runs hard every game and no team would not want to trade for his gutter contract? Pass on you as GM in 2019.
December 17th, 2018 at 11:56 am
tmaxcon
Everything you said was wrong.
“He left a better organization” (Bucs W in OT for a crying Mayfield) to come and play on one of the worst defenses in the big boy league and get 6.5 sacks and 2 FF. And that gutter contract, who the hell would want to pick that up. Plays hard every week. No tmaxcon for GM 2019.
December 17th, 2018 at 12:04 pm
tmaxcon
Sorry my first statement didn’t look like it went through and I had to tell you the truth. And I wasn’t talking about a huge pick for him from another team and he’s been sh!tting on Vinny Curry all year so he’s definently a keeper.
December 17th, 2018 at 12:04 pm
SOEbuc
If our high powered offense did what it is supposed to. Put points on the board. Not field goals. Not 3 and outs etc… Keep their offense off the field it would not be a problem. The bitching before was the defense was giving leads away after large comebacks. Now it is the days of Glennon scoring in the first half but not the second followed by the next year he could not score in the second half but not the first.. What is wrong with this offense? 3 points against the Redskins? 2 different QB’s. This defenses is not giving up 35 points. Make up any excuse you want. You can not lay it on the defense.
December 17th, 2018 at 12:07 pm
2 things made offense struggles reappear
To the demand of joe Bucs and some Buc fans :
1- the desire to run the ball as much as passing ( I mentioned plenty of times I take 30 points and 4 running plays over 13 points and 15-20 runs just to prove balance.
2- the absence of DJ to spread the field and open underneath routes. THAT IS WHY YOU NEED SPPED THE LEAGUE RESPECTS, Goodwin lacks speed and has fallen short of praise at number 2
December 17th, 2018 at 12:41 pm
If Joe is listening to any player on the Bucs roster then the joke is on him. You quote these same fools every year and the same answer every year. The cons on the team, also known as players, do this at the end of every year to save their damn hide. Pathetic.
December 17th, 2018 at 12:53 pm
Soe
Lol, have you seen the DEs on the browns? Smh
December 17th, 2018 at 1:22 pm
I would rather root for a team that hates each others’ guts but wins 11 games a year. I could not care less if the team is close. They suck.
December 17th, 2018 at 2:31 pm
DBS
Straight up. These Glazer kids don’t know how to run a pro football team. Don’t know how to recruit coaches, GMs, and other staff members and yet we spend tons of money. That’s why we have a 4-year coaching rotation.
If they wanna have any chance at turning this team around, they need to wipe the slate clean. Go talk to every great manager and coach retired or not and scout President of Operation and GM. If they were smart they would’ve started this at the beginning of the year because Koetter was on the hot seat last year. Hope for a great staff that can get them a great HC. I prefer NFL vet with HC and playoff experience.
Throw Bill Cowher or Bruce Arians some cash for President.
December 17th, 2018 at 2:59 pm
Blah Blah…don’t tell us…show us! December is Mock Draft time for Bucs fans!
December 17th, 2018 at 3:00 pm
Shove your “close.”
December 17th, 2018 at 3:59 pm
One thing missing is….. speed!! When Djax is on the field safety is back but without him or O.J. the lb nightmare we are predictable with no deep threat
December 17th, 2018 at 5:14 pm
we need more talent and that falls on Jason Licht and that is why he should be fired,, his ability to draft good players is poor–he has done a very bad job.
December 17th, 2018 at 6:05 pm
The coaching staff has made mistakes,but IMO the talent level is the issue much more than coaching. I am sitting here pondering if Joe is a Jason Licht shill or not.
Watch any good team, and its painfully obvious that the talent level on the team
isn’t at the same level as others especially on defense. Below average O line, lack
of game breaking running back, aging and practice squad corners,not enough
starters or quality depth at linebacker. Just a few of the things that point directly
at Jason Licht. We are who we are because of Bruce Allen,Mark Dominic, and Jason Licht.
December 17th, 2018 at 6:41 pm
Jason Licht free agent signings often spend more time on injured reserve than on the field. Others are part time players that Licht expects to be full timers. Bringing a player like Swaggy Baker here who had a history of being lazy and not wanting to practice. He has failed to do the proper vetting on too many players.