Todd Bowles Doesn’t Want “Splash” From Lavonte David
August 7th, 2022
Bucs ILB Lavonte David.
Watching Bucs legend Lavonte David pick off Tom Brady yesterday immediately brought to Joe’s mind a couple of things.
1. Tom Brady doesn’t look one bit to be 45.
2. David is one quick SOB for being 32.
By the time a linebacker hits 32, he’s just about washed. Especially a guy like David who has made so many tackles. The physical nature of the position takes a toll.
Yeah, Ray Lewis played until he was 37 but by the time he reached 34, he was a shell of his former self. David, at least age-wise, is near that territory.
Joe has already typed how David has sort of remade himself physically, largely with a change in workouts and conditioning (influenced by Derrick Brooks) and diet. David appears quicker than last year. He’s moving as well as guys on the Bucs defense much younger than he is.
David’s pick of Brady was his second of Brady this training camp. And when the old linebacker got that pick yesterday, man did the defense celebrate.
After practice, Bucs coach Todd Bowles was asked about David making splash plays. Bowles said he is disinterested in splash plays. He just wants David to make plays. Everyone.
“It’s not so much splash plays – it’s making the right plays,” Bowles said. “It’s not just him, it’s the entire defense. We’re trying to get turnovers overall.”
Bowles then went on to discuss turnovers, which Joe covered yesterday.
Joe has vividly noticed a different energy with the Bucs defense, especially the secondary. Guys are diving for balls to breakup passes more than Joe seen at training camp. They look like a hockey team in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals trying to protect a one-goal lead.
This new found energy and excitement the defense has displayed really has Joe stoked for real football come September.
August 7th, 2022 at 12:19 am
Love how our focus is turnovers, bet we lead the league. Our D is stacked, look at our depth chart
August 7th, 2022 at 12:20 am
It is All or nothing this yr. We Need all the ‘splash plays’ that we can get. David, per reports, is flying around! If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
August 7th, 2022 at 12:30 am
The defense, from what you are showing us Joes, has really made up their minds to be the difference this year. I think they were a little bit full of themselves last year. The offense with Brady has shown that they will score 27 to 32 points a game no matter who Tom has out there. What the defense does is how far we will go.
August 7th, 2022 at 12:34 am
Man if Lavonte brings it this season we in for one hell of a ride!!! I’m getting all kinds of fired up over this defense in particular!!! Gonna be a tough unit to beat out there, stacked at every position!
August 7th, 2022 at 12:36 am
Lovie focused on turnovers. That led to horrible defense.
How about this, Todd. First have your guys tackle a guy with the ball. Then, maybe cover a guy running for a pass. Then stop allowing 3rd and long conversions because your DBs are playing deeper than the sticks.
That would get my attention.
August 7th, 2022 at 12:46 am
@goatfarmer
Todd Bowles won a Super Bowl.
His defense destroyed one of the best offenses in NFL history.
STFU
Thanks!
August 7th, 2022 at 2:16 am
Goatfarmer is right. Until the season starts in earnest, the grade for his defense remains the same as the night of the loss to the Rams. Who cares about the season before.
Manage to field a terrifying defense this season, win all the games against the hellacious competition coming at it, and then they can brag all they want.
August 7th, 2022 at 3:46 am
I just hope we have really good depth in the secondary this season. Last season we suffered quite a few injuries back there and were lucky to piece together a starting lineup. Licht was working overtime watching the wire for abled bodies. The longer season seemed to take its toll. I say dump 2 QB’s and use it to carry more DB’s
August 7th, 2022 at 3:49 am
I would only keep Trask to backup Brady and maybe sign one of the others to the PS when or if they clear waivers
August 7th, 2022 at 5:44 am
teacher – blind loyalty is cute and all. It also reveals ignorance. Did you watch the games in 2021 or did you just watch replays of the SB when the Chiefs were without both starting offensive tackles and Mahomes receivers were dropping passes hitting them in their helmets.
The one to STFU is you, cupcake.
August 7th, 2022 at 5:46 am
Bowles knows if they all buy in the defense will splash. Expecting our D to be stout this year.
August 7th, 2022 at 7:29 am
Take it with a grain of salt. The defense is seeing the same things in practice, so they should know what’s happening, and make some plays. Also the QBs might make some throws they normally might not in a game. never worried about David getting a few picks, it’s White I worry about. White had as many picks as Joe did last year, clearly doesn’t cut it. He looked lost in coverage so often also.
August 7th, 2022 at 7:39 am
You heard it here….Our defense will be better than last year……much better…..
We have gotten younger yet more experienced…..
Exit: JPP, Suh, McClendon, Whitehead…….Enter Hicks, Hall, Ryan, Neal
More experience: Nelson, JTS. Edwards, Dean, Winfield, Davis, SMB
A healthy LVD, White
And…..a new punter with a huge leg (helps our defense with field position)
August 7th, 2022 at 8:39 am
LVD has been my favorite Buc since we drafted him. Thought I noticed he was slowing some last season and then the injury. Looking forward to how he’s reworked himself for the season.
August 7th, 2022 at 8:44 am
He’s not backing up Brady. Not this year unless Gabbert gets hurt.
August 7th, 2022 at 9:48 am
Man this is music to my ears. LVD is a baller. Have loved watching him play since he came to the Bucs. He was the only bright spot on our team thru most of the lost decade. So glad he n ME13 got rings. It’s even better to hear LVD coming back from that foot injury. So hyped to watch this defense play this year
August 7th, 2022 at 10:59 am
You got several guys in secondary coming up on potential contracts so i get it :
Dean , smb and edwards
And i am sure white is thinking about “his” 100 mil
August 7th, 2022 at 12:40 pm
I wish Trask was playing well enough that we could seriously consider having Trask as the number 2 QB. But here is where reality and wishful thinking diverge.
August 7th, 2022 at 4:34 pm
Goat farmer
Absolutely horrendous take dude. Every defensive coach focuses on turnovers. Just because Lovie Smith did does not it mean it’s a bad thing. Todd Bowles is much better than Lovie. And even Lovie wasn’t that bad years ago, the league just caught up to his defense.
Just because no one is mentioning tackling… Do you think that hasn’t been brought up? You seriously think the Buccaneers coaches aren’t telling their defense that squaring up and tackling better? Of course they are.