R-E-S-P-E-C-T
January 23rd, 2020
Mad respect for Bucs LB.
It is really a stone in Joe’s shoe how badly Lavonte David is dissed year after year by the so-called football experts who annually ignore his strong play and rarely award him a Pro Bowl nod.
In David’s dynamite career, he has only made the Pro Bowl once. And that was as an alternate.
Sad!
So as the NFC wrapped up Pro Bowl practice yesterday in Orlando and Bucs linebacker Shaq Barrett had his press conference, there were a few NFC players lingering on the field. One was Kirk Cousins. The Vikings quarterback faced the Bucs when he played for the Redskins. He was the architect of the notorious “Capitol Collapse.” You know, when Couins came off the field and barked at Redskins beat writers, “You like that? YOU LIKE THAT?“
Well, Cousins dropped a little nugget on Joe which Joe truly didn’t remember. When Cousins played for Michigan State, his Spartans got blasted on the road by Nebraska led by a standout senior linebacker, David, who had 13 tackles that afternoon.
“He’s a special player,” Cousins said of David, who also is surprised David hasn’t made more Pro Bowls. “I played against him in college. He was the real deal.”
To hear Cousins talk, David is the complete linebacker.
“He’s all over the field,” Cousins said. “I played with him at the Senior Bowl. He’s a smart player. He’s a great tackler. He plays with intensity. I have a lot of respect for him, as both a player and a person.”
And Cousins noted dating back to college, when his offenses were facing a David-led defense, David has always been a focal point of a gameplan. As in, if David isn’t accounted for, you are in for a long day.
“Yeah, you have to block him in the run game and you have to understand if he is blitzing,” Cousins said. “He can cover in the pass game.”
David is going to go down as one of the best linebackers in Bucs history. Maybe second to Derrick Brooks. And it really bothers Joe that the folks who are supposed to know football most give David the shaft year after year.
January 23rd, 2020 at 8:37 am
Is that a Russian singer Joe?
Leonid and Friends are a Russian tribute band that primarily does Chicago.
Saw them a couple months back at the Capitol in Clearwater. It was like having a ticket to a Chicago concert. They are terrific! Got discovered on Youtube and then I think it was Robert Lamm who caught it and added them to the Chicago website.
This year if we can resign enough of our D we are going to be stout for sure.
Perhaps then LVD can get his props. My biggest fear for LVD is that D White blows up and gets all the attention.
January 23rd, 2020 at 8:39 am
LVD should have at least 4PBs and 2APs imo…..
but im sure all he cares about at this point is a chance at the playoffs….a ring….
GO BUCS!!!!
January 23rd, 2020 at 9:09 am
It’s the proverbial problem when good players play for bad teams. No respect! But you’re right Joe, the pundits who follow this game should recognize talent. The problem is they’re just not paying that much attention to the Bucs. When we get into the playoffs next year, that will change!
January 23rd, 2020 at 9:09 am
The only thing that makes this bearable is that Lavonte truly doesn’t appear to care. In a few years when he’s done playing he’s likely to resent it more but for now he’s happy to let his play do the talking. He was hurt by having to play with teammates like Grimes, GMC and Kwon. A few more years with his young guns White, Dean and Vea under the attitude tutelage of Suh and JPP… he should collect a few more PBs if there is any justice in the world. This D was special down the stretch and could lead the way to the playoffs next year if we make DL FAs the priority.
January 23rd, 2020 at 11:26 am
My favorite player.Pro Bowl sucks.Lavonte is a fan favorite.Never heard a bad remark concerning his play
January 23rd, 2020 at 12:10 pm
St Pete:
Not sure about band but Russian singer. She does front a Russian Zeppelin tribute band. Stuff on YouTube.
January 24th, 2020 at 12:51 am
Think if he played on Dallas or in New York you would never stop hearing about him regardless of how good the teams are, just the market. But man he is awesome, hope to never see him play in another uniform, also hope he hoisting a Lombardi in the near future!!