Lavonte David Talks About The Shaft
May 27th, 2020
Still irked.
Lavonte David can be his own worst enemy.
David, who has been one of the best linebackers in the game since being drafted in 2012, annually has been shafted for a Pro Bowl nod.
A reason is the Bucs, but for one season with David, have been the NFL’s doormat in the NFC South. Unless a guy has a real outgoing personality or sick stats that cannot be ignored, the player is often overlooked.
Enter David. While a top-shelf player, David isn’t comfortable in interviews. He’s not nasty or hostile, it’s just not his cup of tea. When “Hard Knocks” came to town, David did his best not to be involved in any way (though he did make a cameo at a dinner). This doesn’t help promote your game.
A few years ago David was so upset by being overlooked for the Pro Bowl, he popped on radio row at the Super Bowl to promote himself.
Knowing David as Joe does, this must have really been tough for him to do. And what do you know, the next year David made his only Pro Bowl team.
So when David appeared last week on popular national sports TV and radio personality Adam Schein’s show, heard exclusively on SiriusXM Radio, Joe was surprised. David does few radio shows and even fewer TV spots.
Of course, Schein asked David about so many Pro Bowl snubs. You could tell David is still irked but he took the high road.
Adam Schein: Do you think you’ve gotten enough credit for doing what you do Lavonte?
Lavonte David: Aaahhh… (chuckled). Nah, not exactly. I haven’t. But you know, it is what it is. A lot of people say it is because of the record and not winning many football games. So, we haven’t put ourselves into position to be on national television. So people have forgotten [about the Bucs]. Now it is a different story. But I can’t get too high on it though. I have to keep doing what I am doing and play great football.
The residual effect of the Bucs having five primetime games this year will be guys who should be getting a lot of run might finally get it because of the exposure.
Guys like Chris Godwin and Shaq Barrett and, yes, David.
If David has good games in primetime and his standard season among the league leaders in tackles, Joe guesses he will see a Pro Bowl game in January.
Unless the Bucs are practicing for a game. Which would be even better.
May 27th, 2020 at 10:27 am
The Pro Bowl is a nothing game to begin with, and less now that it has moved to Orlando. Who, living in Tampa, really wants an all expense paid trip to Orlando ??
May 27th, 2020 at 10:43 am
LVD and Mike Evans are burning to play with a team that much many believe could make the playoffs. Put LVD back at OLB and Minter ILB. LVD be sick if he were back at OLB.
May 27th, 2020 at 10:44 am
In Real Estate it is ” location, location, location”
In the NFL it is “exposure, exposure, exposure”
May 27th, 2020 at 10:55 am
I don’t blame him.
He’s the most underrated, overlooked LB in the league.
With Brady here now, he and the rest of the team will get the looks they deserve.
May 27th, 2020 at 12:16 pm
SOEbuc Says:
May 27th, 2020 at 10:43 am
Armchair defensive coordinator. If David goes to OLB, who goes to the bench? JPP or Barrett?
There’s a reason he’s on the inside. In a typical 3-4 these days, the OLBs are like 4-3 DEs. David is not big enough for that. Barrett barely is, but manages to rush the passer effectively. If Barrett went down, I could see David maybe going out there because he’s an effective blitzer and might be a better pass rush option than anyone else on the roster.
May 27th, 2020 at 12:21 pm
No doubt the players who will benefit the most from the Brady acquisition are on the defense. The nation is going to discover: LVD, White, Vea, Shaq, Suh, JPP and 1-3 emerging studs in the backfield. Hopefully they can handle the attention. Oh wait …
There’s an article, Joe … Can the Bucs handle sudden fame?
I’d love to hear if/how BA and JL plan on managing the psychological aspect of sudden fame. Full stadiums, nation media microscope, everyone wanting an interview, fans around every corner. It’s going to be a whole new world for some of these guys. Makes me appreciate having vets like Suh and JPP a little more. The Bucs should pickup a vet DB for the young bloods.
May 27th, 2020 at 2:37 pm
Bucs are going to be this years ravens…