Lavonte David In Elite Company
June 21st, 2021
Big-time numbers.
Joe has always said Bucs linebacker Lavonte David was (and is?) the most underrated defender in the NFL.
Even though David has put up Luke Kuechly-like numbers — and Kuechly will surely be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame someday — Joe used to think David would never get a sniff. Despite his numbers, he’s only been in one Pro Bowl. Even then, David had to politick hard for the honor, something he hates doing.
In an “Ira Kaufman Podcast” a couple of months ago, Ira, who is a Hall of Fame selector, shrieked when Joe said David might be in the Hall someday. Joe asked Ira if Kuechly would get in, and Ira answered with a strong affirmative, “Yes.” Then Joe asked, why not David? Ira thought the lack of Pro Bowls may kill David’s chances.
Joe reminded Ira that David has Kuechly-like numbers and David has something now that Kuechly doesn’t: a ring.
Then Joe came across the following:
Players with 120+ tackles, 5+ INTs, and 5+ sacks in a season…
• Darius Leonard
• Brian Urlacher
• Rodney Harrison
• Lavonte David— NFL Stats (@NFL_Stats) June 18, 2021
So let’s see: Brian Urlacher is already in the Hall of Fame. Last year, Rodney Harrison was a semifinalist for the Class of 2021. He didn’t “get into the room,” however, but he’s close. So given David’s stats, Joe thinks it’s reasonable that David someday should be a serious Hall of Fame candidate.
That big ol’ shiny ring David will get next month will make folks change their minds about him.
June 21st, 2021 at 12:32 am
David has played for mostly horrible teams and most of the sports writers that vote for the pro bowl, all pro, and HOF do not deserve their credentials. Too much cronyism, blah, blah, blah, and I’m tired of b!tching about it. It is what it is.
June 21st, 2021 at 12:33 am
The lack of respect for David is a damn shame. Sickening to be honest.
June 21st, 2021 at 12:54 am
Yeah Joe is right and fact of the matter, lavonte David was an essential part of the superbowl win– as in– it would not of happened without him–he played his best game ever that night.
June 21st, 2021 at 6:50 am
Lets get him another ring and it should make it a no brainer.
You are making the keukley comparison
Wait for the DB comparison when their numbers look very similar if lavonte can play for same length of time. Lavonte has more sacks and brooks has more ints. But everything else will look very similar. Lavonte problem is he not only played on some bad teams , but some bad defenses except this past year.
June 21st, 2021 at 8:43 am
I believe he will get in. The problem has been lack of visibility. Dreadful Bucs teams over the time he’s been here got few nationally televised games and little attention by sportswriters other than those in the Bay area. Last year he was in 5 prime time games and the playoffs and won a SB. A similar showing this year will get him the exposure he’s been lacking. The stats will not lie nor will the two SB rings he will be sporting.
June 21st, 2021 at 10:02 am
The fact that Probowls are even relevant to HOF voters is sad. When you look at probowl selections every year it is glaring that it isn’t about being the best at your position from a numbers or impact standpoint, it is strictly popularity.
June 21st, 2021 at 10:38 am
Pro bowl doesn’t mean sh!t but it did before to people and players. All the ratings and they didn’t have a chance in the den. All-Pro first, second, third team selected by players and coaches. Or maybe All-Pro first and second team by division would be cool. That could really get amazing players that might be unrecognized out there for fans to remember . We don’t need some bullspit game that no one watches.
June 21st, 2021 at 11:32 am
David is an All Pro and now a Super Bowl champ. Hope he gets a gold jacket one day, but for now, I am more focused on him getting another ring!
June 21st, 2021 at 4:09 pm
Joe is getting pro bowls a criteria for getting into the hall of fame ? Honestly the pro bowl is a joke. It’s more of a popularity contest then it is about stats. By the time LVD retires he will have better stats then LK. and just like you said he’s got something LK doesn’t have which is the greatest achievement in the NFL which is winning a SB. LVD might even get another ring.
June 21st, 2021 at 5:36 pm
Joe, you know by now that most everything in sports is a popularity contest. As someone who agree 110% that David has been hosed year after year, I think he’s gonna have a hard time getting in unless he has a few good years in front of prime time games. Shaq couldn’t even get first team all pro leading the year in sacks, so poor David has his work cut out for him. I also think the Bucs haven’t done him any favors as well getting David’s name out there. Sad to see.
June 21st, 2021 at 7:27 pm
David’s numbers are there. He just needs a little more playoff exposure. 2 or 3 NFC championships or superbowls should do it.
June 21st, 2021 at 9:49 pm
David is better than kooky ever was.