Deserved Honor
January 6th, 2021
Love from a statgeek.
Though this seems like recognizing a guy for a career-worth of service, a stathead believes a case can be made to make a Bucs defender an All-Pro.
No, not Devin White, who has developed into a dangerous pass rusher. Rather, it’s White’s partner in crime on the second level, veteran Lavonte David.
Like Joe, follicly-challenged Billy Barnwell of BSPN has been a long-time fan of David. Like Joe, Barnwell believes David is shamefully underrated by the NFL world.
As a result, Barnwell believes David’s body of work this year is enough of a resume to vote him an All-Pro linebacker.
The perennially underrated David doesn’t have the sack totals of teammate Devin White, but his range as a run defender makes him an invaluable member of the league’s best run defense. David is always going to rank among the league leaders in tackles, but even beyond that sheer volume, the 30-year-old has added 11 tackles for loss, six passes defensed and a pair of forced fumbles.
Back in 2013, the league didn’t honor David with a Pro Bowl nod in the middle of an incredible season. I put him on my All-Pro list and was delighted when the actual voters recognized his talent. Since then, he has inexplicably made it to just one Pro Bowl. Here’s hoping to get David the attention he deserves for a second time.
Unlike White, David isn’t much of a blitzer. Though he’s not awful at it, it’s not his cup of tea any longer.
What is David’s cup of tea? Everything else. Tackling, chasing down ballcarriers, open-field tackling, tackles for loss, passes defensed… what more do you want?
If David was as good of a blitzer as White is, the man would be a holy terror. In Joe’s eyes, David is a reason why the Bucs are so good against the run, just as much as White is.
January 6th, 2021 at 8:14 am
The talking heads should be ashamed of themselves for ignoring David for so long. Solid player every play.
January 6th, 2021 at 8:16 am
Joe off topic but can you tell Areis that the WFT may/will play two different QBs and to be ready for that so they don’t focus on how to sack a Alex Smith who cant run to a Taylor Heinicke who can run. Please
January 6th, 2021 at 8:27 am
Lavonte is a stud. I am looking for him to be all over the field on Saturday night. Hair on fire like a man possessed.
January 6th, 2021 at 8:40 am
Sadly, noone notices linebackers or linemen unless they get sacks
January 6th, 2021 at 8:48 am
Awesome point LUV. I watched that game and Heinicke looked pretty dam good at times.
January 6th, 2021 at 9:00 am
Yet the Browns who’ve been worse than us sends people to the toilet bowl every year. Even MFLdotcom puts up stories about them but nada about us no matter how good we’re doing. Too bad David had to suffer because of that, he deserves the accolades!
January 6th, 2021 at 9:01 am
That was NFLdotcom
January 6th, 2021 at 9:14 am
no one has never really said lavonte has lost a step…
at least not yet…
so he is perfectly capable of being the blitzer he was earlier on in his career where he racked up seasons of something like 5 and 7 sacks respectively…if i’m correct…
#LavonteCanRushThePasser
they just choose not to do it with him…
maybe this weekend bowles will let him hunt a few times
January 6th, 2021 at 9:20 am
Wearing my LVD jersey for Saturday game
Respect
I think he is most tenured buc on team and never in playoffs
January 6th, 2021 at 12:06 pm
On my way to work, I was thinking to myself “who’s jersey are you wearing this Saturday?” The only name that came to mind was David.
I will wear his jersey with pride!
January 6th, 2021 at 1:08 pm
BUCFAN951 >>>> CRUCIAL TOPIC!!! What are you going to wear Saturday?
Superstitions are REAL. The football gods are watching.
There really is only one right answer. Wear the exact cloths you wore during the playoffs of 2002. Don’t wear anything from 2017 or 2018. Absolutely burn anything from 2014 and 2009.
Finally, do not under any circumstances talk about our kicker while he’s kicking!!!
Get your superstition game plan together. The team needs you.