Lavonte David Explains, “We Wasn’t Locked In”
January 16th, 2021
Perhaps the greatest and purest insight into the Buccaneers’ losing mentality during The Lost Decade was delivered by Lavonte David after the Bucs tanked their season opener in 2015. Joe still can’t believe David’s historic explanation.
Today, David gave some insight into the 2020 season.
The nine-year veteran and future Buccaneers Ring of Honor member was visiting SiriusXM NFL Radio and was asked what went wrong against the Saints in Weeks 1 and 9, two blowout losses.
The mentality was all wrong, David replied.
“I just believe we wasn’t locked in. We wasn’t locked in, man. We were feeling ourselves a little bit and just going out there trying to play instead of understanding what we have to do,” David said. “So definitely, you know, this weekend is going to be very different from what you guys saw before and what we put out there before.”
Wow. It might be time for Joe to crack a Bromosa from Big Storm Brewery early today. Read that take from team-captain David again; it’s painful.
Maybe Joe could see the Bucs being a little off and overly confident on opening day with Tom Brady’s debut. Maybe. But certainly there was no reason to be “feeling ourselves” and “not locked in” for the rematch on Sunday Night Football with the NFC South crown on the line.
Oh, well. Old news.
But how the heck did that happen?
If Tom Brady is the leader Bucs officials and players and ex-teammates say he is, then there’s no way the Bucs come out with the wrong mentality on Sunday night. Joe is not concerned.
Watch the Bucs with fired up Bucs fans on Sunday evening at the Big Storm Clearwater taproom. What a cool setup outdoors and covered (inside, too)!
Who's ready to watch the NFL on Saturday and Sunday and feast on amazing gumbo @BigStormBrewing Clearwater with an ice cold Big Storm beer? Damn, Joe cannot wait!
Willing to bet @IKaufman76 is there when the doors open Saturday for this special feast.https://t.co/vGcehHQRHu pic.twitter.com/8vEiDkaZNN— JoeBucsFan (@JoeBucsFan) January 15, 2021
January 15th, 2021 at 3:40 pm
Week 1 You can chalk up to being week one. But no excuse for the week nine debacle. That game was for all the marbles. Coaching failed there.
January 15th, 2021 at 3:51 pm
@ Jmarkbuc,
My sentiments exactly! A division opponent who has dominated your squad for years, and you aren’t ready! GTFOH with that bull!!!
January 15th, 2021 at 3:52 pm
I like LVD but he seems to say this every year.
Come on man…… it’s on you at some point.
You’re a badass Beta that needs to speak up when this sh!t is happening.
January 15th, 2021 at 3:52 pm
Im expecting a good show from our guys. Be positive. Go freaking Bucs! It’s now or never!
January 15th, 2021 at 3:56 pm
If Football was life and death I bet they would be always locked in. What a bad excuse.
January 15th, 2021 at 4:09 pm
Why is it this guy is always saying this…..fix it. You all have been saying the same crap for years. Communication, its not ourselves etc step the hell up and play with greatness. If it isn’t now then its never. How long have you waited to be in this situation. It’s here …do something
January 15th, 2021 at 4:17 pm
The defense has to play better than they have all year if they want to stay in the tournament.
January 15th, 2021 at 4:22 pm
Why is it that David is the only one ever telling us the truth On this team?
January 15th, 2021 at 4:27 pm
If the truth is that we weren’t locked in halfway through the season with the division and tiebreakers on the line, tell me a lie.
January 15th, 2021 at 4:33 pm
Exactly jmark.
And look, I love Lavonte as a player, but man is he just the only one who is truthful, or is he just one of the most mentally-weak football players out there? There’s been other times he’s had similar comments besides that week 1 loss to the Jets in 2015.
I dunno, I just don’t know the same things keep happening with him over different years with different staffs, players, etc.
January 15th, 2021 at 4:35 pm
That defense HAS to be different.
January 15th, 2021 at 4:40 pm
@unbelievable
👍🏻
January 15th, 2021 at 4:45 pm
How can you not be locked in when you only play 16 games a year, unless you are mathematically eliminated from the playoffs? As a person who works in a professional field, I’m locked in every day. Granted, some days are gonna be better than others for everyone, but you gotta be locked in.
January 15th, 2021 at 4:46 pm
2015 we did not play the jets. The article is referring to the “Tennessee ready” game.
I watch all the coach film and yes guys are usually our of position in zone. You got cd3 and smb both covering thr flat on heinicke first completion last week. And multiple other similar inexplicable moves. They just suck at zone plain and simple. When they do guard the right area they have what seems like no anticipation of the route coming andare slow to react. A lot of its over aggression as well. Tom brady is gonna have to put this team (defense too by keeping them on the bench as much as possible) on his back to win, unless the saints beat themselves with mistakes or penalties. Even if we play a ton of man we are still gonna get beat on some routes.
January 15th, 2021 at 4:48 pm
Doosh, there are no betas on a football team. Maybe the occasional kicker. I know what you’re trying to say though, he’s not a demonstrative leader in the Sapp vein. But by that definition Brooks was a beta too, which he was not.
January 15th, 2021 at 5:17 pm
They knew they were playing a garbage offense… they definitely underestimated that Heineken light kid.
January 15th, 2021 at 5:17 pm
That week 9 game, everybody was on the Bucs jock. Especially after we put the beat down on the Packers. Guess they figured all they had to do was show up and Brady would will them to victory. Hopefully they learned their lesson. They have their opportunity to redeem themselves on Sunday.
January 15th, 2021 at 5:23 pm
I can understand his comment. They are so use to losing and playing for nothing this is uncharted territory. Brady came in and offense really struggled, they looked really bad and very undisciplined especially against the 5 teams they lost to but in the ladder of the season the team started seeing the forest through the trees and everyone started believing they can win. I would still like to know his reason for the WFT game. FYI, Detroit, Atlanta and Philly have pretty much secured.their HC positions and it Ain’t Bowles!
January 15th, 2021 at 5:26 pm
You Buc Fans are so lucky to have Brady. I don’t get all the crying you do.
I just don’t get it. I read the comments. JFC. What a Bunch of Debbie downers.
Or when people even bothered comparing Brady to Jameis.
The only thing Jamies Winston is going to be remembered for is: His dating habits in college, his discount for crab legs and eating his fingers.
Pats were down 28-3 in the super bowl with 2:11 left in the third and I still knew were had hope.
God willing Brady plays until he is 50. If Jaromír Jágr can still play hockey at 48 Brady can play football until he is 50.
January 15th, 2021 at 5:27 pm
@unbelievable . And whoever thumbsed up his comment . (It was Probably the doosh.) I just want to say this ……..
Any true Bucs fan knows that week 1 game against the Jets was in 2013 during the Schiano era . Y’all need to check yo sheets .
January 15th, 2021 at 5:28 pm
Brooks was vocal by all accounts….
January 15th, 2021 at 5:32 pm
Jo mama
Your argument is a non argument, first of all. Secondly we’re Debbie down about our Defense. Not Brady.
Go back to your room.
January 15th, 2021 at 5:38 pm
Jo mama,
Let me guess, your a bandwagon fan now that Brady is on the team!
January 15th, 2021 at 5:40 pm
As Rah would say, it’s gray matter – it doesn’t matter.
We in the dance. Let’s Do-si-do baby!
January 15th, 2021 at 5:52 pm
Jo Mama, I do agree with the Jay Miss comparison.
January 15th, 2021 at 5:57 pm
Joe mamas right. You guys are so used to wallowing in your teams past failures that bitching is all you know how to do. Most of u didn’t even enjoy the wins . Loser mentality.
January 15th, 2021 at 6:09 pm
@SmoothBayRider-
you are correct, Jets were in 2013, Titans were in 2015. My bad
Both were embarrassing losses for different reasons, and after BOTH games- Lavonte David talked about how a single play killed their mentality on defense and that they couldn’t snap out of it. (Jets was end of the game instead of the beginning of course)
Simply inexcusable IMO.
And to be hearing again about how they’re weren’t mentally ready, I just can’t understand it. ESPECIALLY in such a critical game.
January 15th, 2021 at 6:09 pm
*how they weren’t mentally ready
January 15th, 2021 at 6:30 pm
What happened before matters not.
January 15th, 2021 at 6:42 pm
Alvin Scissor hands,
Good point about the low number of games that a player needs to be performing at his peak.
Did you mention in the past that you are an Atty.?
You said you are locked in every day . If you don’t mind sharing your profession, I just think it’s interesting when someone makes comparisions across professions.
Personally, I am not surprised by LVD’s comments . Not in the least! I also think it’s insanely off the mark to claim LVD is “mentally weak” . The mindset that He is expressing is what you should all expect from a player/team that has been losers for almost 2 decades.
Nick Saben is a great example of the exact opposite mindset. He’s won for years and years and winning for Saben is not a thing to celebrate as much as it is a burden lifted for a brief period.
The players on the team like LVD have no clue how to achieve and sustain success. They win a couple of games and they believe the losing is finally over but they don’t know what it takes to win week in and week out. Multiply that by 17 weeks in a season and it’s predictable that they don’t show up for a number of games. It’s not weak minded , in fact, that’s lazy and preposterous all at once. It’s guys learning about what it takes to sustain success. They simply don’t know , what they don’t know.
Tom Brady knows what it takes and players like LVD are getting to see it firsthand for the first time. Now, if he and several other older players don’t learn from watching Brady then, then we can entertain the possibility of him being mentally weak, mentally challenged or mentally retarded. I don’t believe he’s any of those. He will learn and this team will be better next season for the experience gained this year.
Last, funny that the fan base believes anyone on the team is mentally weak!
The players aren’t nearly as fragile and weak minded as the fans. Then again, they haven’t experienced 20-30-40 years of losing like the fans have.
Point is, losing is not just about the scoreboard. It’s like a virus or an octopus something that keeps spreading it’s tentacles into every corner of the field, the facilities, the fans …..it makes everyone and everything associated with the team infected.
A few more W’s isnt the cure, TB12 is. Hes the vaccine for guys like LVD, the team, franchise and the fan base. One more year with him leading the team, and players and fans alike will be mentally rehabilitated and healthy. Finally!
Next year fans won’t sweat a match up with a crappie team , won’t say it’s a trap game or believe we’re playing the old 49ers team or the 90s Cowboys in disquise. They will believe it is a win before the game is ever played.
January 15th, 2021 at 6:52 pm
agree with jmark
GO BUCS!!!!
January 15th, 2021 at 7:33 pm
LD was truthfull.
He wasn’t speaking about just himself though I’m sure he blamed himself.
His comments were about the whole ‘D’ and absolutely correct.
Lets hope they are dialed in on Sunday and don’t get distracted by bad officiating (something we have NEVER seen [bad officiating])
January 15th, 2021 at 7:58 pm
All I know is it’s taken LVD nine years to get here, and he may never again, so I hope he has it in him to get everyone including himself locked in.
The time is now. No weak excuses accepted.
January 15th, 2021 at 7:58 pm
I think what David was saying is that players on defense were not staying in their spot. They didn’t just show up they were trying too hard and getting out
of position. If you listen to Devin White’s press conference he said they have to just do your job. That doesn’t mean they won’t get beat just it won’t be because of lack of communication.
January 15th, 2021 at 8:43 pm
So if I’m not mistaken when teams start the playoffs it’s with a fresh record.
OK so we’re now 1-0. Nothing about records means anything Sunday. LVD is correct though the Bucs better be locked in.
If we get into the locker room at the half one TD or less behind I like our chances.
January 15th, 2021 at 8:55 pm
stpetebucsfan Says:
***If we get into the locker room at the half one TD or less behind I like our chances.***
I get what you’re saying but
Entering the half with a lead would make me feel much better!
January 15th, 2021 at 9:41 pm
What I’d really like to see is our DB’s making the receivers fight for the first 5 yards. Not just a bump and definitely not a 5 or more yard cushion.
The Aint’s thrive on timing routes, mostly short yardage, allowing Brees to unload quick to stymie any pass rush.
Screw up their timing, give the line time to pressure Brees, stifle their offense.
January 15th, 2021 at 9:43 pm
My son is a Browns fan and when they jumped out to that 28-0 first quarter lead over the Steelers…the Browns New Orleans…he told me he got really nervous.
Who wants to blow a 28 point lead but with three quarters?
Yeah GP I get what you’re saying as well…I’d take that Browns 28-0 first quarter lead over the Saints Sunday in a heartbeat.
January 15th, 2021 at 9:46 pm
stpetebucsfan
YUP!!
Don’t blow it!!
January 15th, 2021 at 9:50 pm
Brady waxed the Saints last year in NOLA with some pretty interesting play-calling that had the NO defense really off rhythm. I believe the Pats beat them 36-20. I suspect they’ll try some stuff they haven’t in previous matchups.
January 15th, 2021 at 10:39 pm
“We just weren’t in sync” is the Buccaneer go-to excuse.
January 15th, 2021 at 11:25 pm
I’m sure these guys get tired of making up answers to some of these stupid questions. Those games mean nothing. Brady got beat by the Chiefs one year I believe 41-14 then waxed them in the playoffs. It’s a one game season now.
January 16th, 2021 at 12:45 am
Hey Ira….
Great News….
Been told Buccaneers will be wearing White Jerseys with Pewter pants….
Not folding to Aints Color suck😁
January 16th, 2021 at 12:46 am
The original 1976 Buc Fan since that time I’ve seen the Good, Bad and Ugly. However, I’ve not seen a time that Tom B lose three time to ANY Opponent and when Tom is allowed to use All the Talented Play Makers by keeping his offensive game short and to the point which will help neutralize the Saints Defensive Front .When Tom B not doing All of of the Heavy Lifting the dynamics change. Complementary is the order of the Day this Sunday. Make No Mistake this Divisional Playofg comes down the two 40+ QBs Brady vs Brees with little Help from his Friends Tom will be headed to another Conference Playoffs Again .
January 16th, 2021 at 12:57 am
Irish Tony the last time Brady played the saints wasn’t last year it was 2017 but he did wax their defense that day, it was week 2 after the chiefs rocked new england in the season opener
January 16th, 2021 at 1:01 am
Also kentucky buc the Monday night beat down the chiefs put on new england was in 2014 and the pats did not play them in the postseason that year although they did go on to win the super bowl. Brady and the pats played the chiefs in the playoffs in 2015 and 2018 and both were close games
January 16th, 2021 at 2:20 am
i can only hope that the level of preparation for this matchup has ramped up to an intensity that makes it seem like they weren’t ready in the past by comparison
January 16th, 2021 at 4:34 am
He also apparently “wasn’t locked in” English class at Nebraska. Pronoun agreement, Lavonte. Pronoun agreement.
January 16th, 2021 at 6:28 am
The beauty of football is that it’s the opposite of basketball and hockey where there are only five players and one can make a huge difference. Get two or three stars and you’re ready to go in basketball.
Even baseball only has a dozen or so guys who play in a game.
Football is eleven each side plus ST’s….it not only takes a lot of talent, it takes balance and coordination of a lot of moving parts. And football…unlike baseball and basketball doesn’t have a round ball. Luck is a factor in all sports and perhaps nowhere near as much as football.
It takes a lot to get 3 dozen guys on the same page and at the same level intensity.
TB12 has enough intensity for the entire team but he’s not on the field when our D is. That’s why I’m glad to D White returning…Minter is a nice backup but he doesn’t bring a fraction of the fire, confidence and speed of White.
January 16th, 2021 at 8:03 am
Let us not forget the DC has a recent losing history as well, and now losing as a HC candidate, will he buy in???