Tough Decision On Lavonte David
March 7th, 2021
Bucs OLB Lavonte David.
The Bucs — namely AC/DC-loving Bucs general manager Jason Licht — have a lot of hard decisions to make, one in particular in a few days.
Just who gets tagged? The Bucs have until 4 p.m. Tuesday to make a decision, one that likely will signal how the Bucs will play out the rest of free agency.
Joe has zero knowledge of the following, it’s just a guess; the tag will either be applied to Bucs sack king Shaq Barrett or receiver Chris Godwin. The player who is furthest from signing a contract will be the one who gets tagged. And Joe has a sneaking suspicion that is Shaq, since he is repped by oily Drew Rosenhaus, who is ruthless in getting his clients paid.
Joe has repeatedly stated that after those two, Joe would focus strongly on locking up kicker Ryan Succop.
So what about and long-time Bucs linebacker Lavonte David? A former NFL suit who once got his team to a Super Bowl appearance said while it would pain him and may very well hurt the defense in the short term, he’d have a hard time justifying re-signing David.
That would be Joe Banner typing for The33rdTeam.com.
After [Barrett and Godwin], I think [The Bucs] next toughest decision is LB Lavonte David. I understand he has been there since 2012 and has been a team captain, but I would have a hard time spending big money on a linebacker over 30, especially knowing Devin White will be eligible for his extension after next season. I think we have seen the value of linebackers that can cover increase significantly over the past 10 years, so I am not underestimating how big of a loss this would actually be for them.
It would make Joe ill to see David walk away, but there is only so much pie to go around. Joe would understand if the Bucs waived goodbye.
If David goes, Joe would almost certainly try to sign an inside linebacker with coverage skills as a cheap alternative and definitely draft Missouri linebacker Nick Bolton at No. 32. (Check out how Bolton lays out a receiver with just a forearm shiver in the second highlight of this video.)
March 7th, 2021 at 12:31 am
Next man up, right Kwon?
March 7th, 2021 at 1:06 am
Lavonte David is different though. I don’t think we can replace him and losing his speed on defense will surely show. I hope he we are able to keep him. Go Bucs!
March 7th, 2021 at 1:07 am
We need Lavante back way way way way way way way very much!
March 7th, 2021 at 2:43 am
This defense would not be the same without Lavonte David. Particularly his speed and coverage ability would be extremely hard to replace. I think they get a deal done with him.
March 7th, 2021 at 4:59 am
Note to Joe Banner: We don’t have a 33rd team. You’re out to lunch.
Lavonte David WILL be back. Not just because of his proven performance on the field, but even more-so because of the LEADERSHIP he brings. Some who we all know tend to undervalue that, but not Bruce Arians & Todd Bowles.
Odd man out is Chris Godwin. And we MAY also end up losing Shaq Barrett if he’s REALLY serious about ‘breaking the bank’. But there’ll be LOTS of quality DEs/OLBs on the market shortly, and we could find a replacement (or two) if absolutely necessary for reasonable cost.
And still don’t think we’ll franchise tag anyone. Simply too expensive. Here’s an estimate of how much the franchise tag would cost (based on low-end 2021 Projection of $180.5M Cap) for a player who gets tagged the FIRST time (typically 20% MORE for 2nd-time tags):
Quarterback – $24.829M
Offensive line – $13.602M
Wide receiver – $15.808M
Tight end – $9.495M
Running back – $8.561M
Defensive tackle – $13.736M
Defensive end – $15.893M
Linebacker – $14.630M
Cornerback – $14.894M
Safety – $10.496M
Punter or kicker – $4.433M
With numbers like that, it makes a LOT more sense for any team to simply do a long-term contract (with some guaranteed money) and slide much of it to the outer years to minimize this year’s impact. The player’s average yearly salary would almost surely be less expensive for the team (long-term contracts provide better financial security?).
March 7th, 2021 at 5:52 am
David is more important than Godwin, period, the end. The playoffs and super bowl is all the proof you need. 16-20 million per year for an injury prone receiver who practically disappeared in the post season is insane! Sign Shaq unless he wants Khalil Mack $ and tag Godwin. If he proves that he deserves to be paid like a number one then pay him next year.
Now, if Lavonte is looking for a 4-5 year deal averaging more than 12 million per year, I’d wish him well with his new team. I was to kick are defense together as much as possible, but we shouldn’t be foolish either.
March 7th, 2021 at 6:31 am
Nick Bolton is NOT worth the pick at #32, period! If Lavonte somehow isn’t resigned, his replacement should be a free agent. I’d feel more comfortable with Deonne Buchannon returning to play his old “money-backer” position than drafting Nick Bolton at #32. Bolton is limited athletically and smaller than his listed 6’0 height. I promise I’d take Chaz Surratt out of North Carolina way before Bolton. But free agents like Patrick Onwuasor and Jayon Brown would be better options, though just as costly as David. Perhaps Avery Williamson would be an option, his market value is around $6M/yr. But NO on little Bolton! Idc what Jeremiah says. Jeremiah swore by Raekwon McMillan before also!
March 7th, 2021 at 7:34 am
Well, I certainly don’t want to lose David. Prior to the season, I was very concerned about starting a rookie safety and making a serious run at a Super Bowl. But low and behold, look what our rookie did. Let’s just hope, if it happens, another rookie can be such a big hit on defense.
March 7th, 2021 at 7:39 am
i’m expecting that the NFL will extend their tag deadlines due to their late decision on cap…..
This is making negotiations very difficult…and it’s adverse to both teams and players.
March 7th, 2021 at 8:49 am
I think he is more important, or at least harder to replace than the other two.
March 7th, 2021 at 8:52 am
I agree with tbbf: I won’t be surprised if the3/9 deadline is extended several days to resolve cap strategery.
FWIW: it was also very, very painful to see the Bucs walk away from Lynch, Brooks, and Sapp.
But it happens.
March 7th, 2021 at 8:59 am
Gotta keep LVD!
March 7th, 2021 at 9:03 am
You don’t over pay for an aging LB period. All roads come to an end, ask the greatest Buc LB of all time Mr. Brooks.
March 7th, 2021 at 9:04 am
As I have advocated repeatedly , keep the whole D(Sans Gholston) together and they will become the most dominant unit in the league. Brate is gone as are Gholston , Fournette , and Godwin.
Sign FA James White and our offense gets even better and more potent with his legendary pass catching ability out of the backfield.
March 7th, 2021 at 9:17 am
There are other players that can do what Shaq does , there is nobody in the league that can do what Lavonte does.
March 7th, 2021 at 9:55 am
Letting David walk would just be stupid….id let godwin go if I had to before David. Oj howard returns next season and rhler johnson looks like another smart draft pick.David isnt as easily replaced as Godwin. Or trade Evans and extend Godwin but David needs to stay until a worthy replacement is already in house
March 7th, 2021 at 11:42 am
LD54 remains…we lose Barrett, draft Zavin Collins, pick right back up on it w/o any hiccup…may have to trade up a few spots for him, all good.
March 7th, 2021 at 12:40 pm
“Joe would understand if the Bucs waived goodbye.”
I see what you did there.🤐
March 7th, 2021 at 12:46 pm
Just read an article on CBS sports, didn’t know CBS had a sports division, lol.
They project landing spots for free agents. This article has Godwin to Jags, Shaq to Jets and David to Carolina !
Are these tards telling us the Bucs won’t sign one of the top three we have to retain ?
What a stupid article. Have to go back and look who the author is ! WTF, I suppose this time of year is so slow in football you can half ass your effort and still get a paycheck.
March 7th, 2021 at 12:47 pm
Author is Cody Benjamin, looks like he’s a trans, and there’s nothing wrong with that, just sayin.
March 7th, 2021 at 12:50 pm
Just can’t get the Aerosmith song “dude looks like a lady” out of my head when I see his pic !
March 7th, 2021 at 12:54 pm
I think if Tom had to choose, he would pick Godwin over LVD. Remember Tom left New England due to lack of WR threats.
Shaq Barrett trumps them both though in terms of priority.
March 7th, 2021 at 3:17 pm
The Bucs have $148m in cap space next year, that’s before it goes up, which will probably be another $20m, at least.
The Bucs CAN afford to keep everyone if they want to. Backload the deals with guarantees and you’re set.
To me, I wonder if they’re waiting to get the Brady deal done before finishing off everything else. If Brady is resigned for one year, then you got a two window. BUT what if they resign Brady for 2 years, so 3 years in total. Again, the Bucs have an open cap AFTER this season so they can set themselves up however they want and they can keep everyone.
The answer is simple, whatever Brady’s deal is, is how long you keep the team together, understanding when he leaves you’re in ‘cap hell’ for a year – which would be a rebuilding year in any case so who cares.
March 7th, 2021 at 4:10 pm
LVD is a great cover LB. Contrary to what the media says, Devin White is not. Bucs fans know that`s his weakness. That’s why he blitzes instead of LVD most of the time. Keep LVD!!!
March 7th, 2021 at 5:12 pm
David and Fournette will be gone.
March 7th, 2021 at 10:29 pm
If we tag LD, what is the cost?