How The Bucs Can Keep Lavonte David And Save Money
February 25th, 2023
Creative accounting.
Alright, the Bucs have an overdraft checking account and a car payment and the heating bill is due in almost two weeks. What can they do?
A man who types for a popular stats site said one option is to re-sign Lavonte David.
The best Bucs defender since Rondé Barber, David, 33, is a free agent. Rarely is it smart to resign a 33-year old star. Those guys are much closer to the end than the beginning. And it pains Joe to type that because Joe is a huge David guy.
And even though the cell phone of Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht is getting jammed by collectors calling, Bryan Knowles of Football Outsiders believes the Bucs can re-sign David and save Team Glazer loot.
Interestingly, they may be able to save money by re-signing Lavonte David. David had three void years on his last contract, so he is slated to count $6.9 million against the 2023 cap even if he leaves in free agency. By signing him to a new deal, that bonus money would shoot back down to $2.3 million, so some creative accounting tricks could keep him on the roster and lower his cap hit for 2023.
Easier said than done. Joe understands that David wants to return to the Bucs and if everything was even, the Bucs would love to have him back. He led the team in tackles last season. You have to believe a good team out there thinks it’s just one linebacker away and would love to have David.
Shoot, imagine David playing for his hometown Dolphins, for example? Don’t think he wouldn’t like to get another ring while back home?
If the Bucs truly can save cash by signing David, then cool. The release of Bobby Wagner should drive David’s market down as well.
February 25th, 2023 at 8:12 am
Re-Sign
Lavonte David – Savings $2.3M
Trade
Devin White – Savings: $11.7 (For Multiple Premium Drafts Picks)
Totals Savings
$14M
February 25th, 2023 at 8:14 am
Big Sale! Why pay the bills? Honey look how much we can save.
February 25th, 2023 at 8:24 am
If it can be done, Mike Greenberg is the man to do it.
February 25th, 2023 at 8:25 am
Now folks are starting to think outside the salary CAP box. We obviously don’t ‘save’ money per se, just backload it to future years, BUT … we don’t have a huge number of choices. Bucs have so many NEEDS that re-signing LVD to a team-friendly deal is a no-brainer. And no, another $12 mil per year is NOT team-friendly, but surely something in the $8 mil range should be. And it gives Lavonte the CHOICE as to which way he wants to go. Worth a shot.
February 25th, 2023 at 8:25 am
Creative accounting tricks…>BS…..like more void years down the road…..It’s time to pay the piper…..and get younger…..Love LVD but he’s not the future….
Draft his replacement.
February 25th, 2023 at 8:27 am
Draft Potential Replacements (For LB Devin White)
• Drew Sanders – Height: 6’5 | Weight: 232 | 40: 4.53
• Daiyan Henley – Height: 6’2 | Weight: 230 | 40: 4.52<–
• Dorian Williams – Height: 6’2 | Weight: 228 | 40: 4.56
• DeMarvion Overshown – Height: 6’4 | Weight: 220 | 40: 4.53
February 25th, 2023 at 8:27 am
A partial house cleaning will not work. Bucs have to reboot the entire franchise. Until they get a QB, don’t bother keeping any of the elderly pieces around.
February 25th, 2023 at 8:28 am
The Bucs have tons of cap space in 2025.
February 25th, 2023 at 8:29 am
No reason to reboot just retool and “Pick the right Players”
February 25th, 2023 at 8:33 am
If sure like to keep Lavonte
February 25th, 2023 at 8:44 am
Lavonte David’s, leadership and expertise have proven invaluable in shaping the skills of:
• Kwon Alexander
• Devin White
Give him an extension for 3 or 4yr with the last two years of the contract voided.
This way he’ll be able to train Devin’s replacement; as well as his own.
February 25th, 2023 at 8:51 am
@ DR
I agree.
If possible we should bring back LVD.
I would also consider re-signing Hicks, Gholston and Nacho as well… That would at very least solidify the D-line and ILB group.
Then we could focus on CB with pick #19… Let Dean walk and get overpaid by someone else.
February 25th, 2023 at 8:53 am
Simple math–if LVD leaves and plays elsewhere next season, it costs us ~$6 mill or so in cap next year. Signing him actually HELPS the cap situation for ’23
February 25th, 2023 at 8:57 am
LUV – with cap savings like that if we could get the picks the Bucs could sign Wagner. Question is would anyone trade for White and what would we get?
February 25th, 2023 at 8:57 am
Pretty sure Lavonte was the teams leading tackler this year. Probably not the guy that you don’t want to bring back if you want to win a couple times this year
February 25th, 2023 at 9:00 am
Luvmybucs forgot about Ivan Pace Jr looked pretty good in one of the college all star games. Trade White now while you got the chance.
February 25th, 2023 at 9:07 am
Re-sign.
February 25th, 2023 at 9:16 am
@ Usfbuc Says
The Detroit Lions have been searching for a talented playmaker at the inside linebacker position for a long time. Based on his skill set and experience, he could be an excellent addition (Devin on Turf) to their team.
Detroit Lions (Premium Picks)
• 1st Round #18 Overall
• 2nd Round #49 overall
• 2nd Round #56 overall
• 3rd Round #82 overall
February 25th, 2023 at 9:17 am
@ Allbuccedup
LUV the kid. He’s a thumper; plus he’s scrappy as hell. But that 4.82 40 time!
February 25th, 2023 at 9:39 am
@LUV From a cap savings point this might be the most original idea I have heard. What do you think he brings back in picks?
February 25th, 2023 at 10:06 am
@ Usfbuc
Yeah, teams can effectively leverage their salary cap space, they can utilize a variety of strategies, including restructuring contracts, signing bonuses, incentivizing performance-based bonuses, and adding voided years on the back-end of contracts.
It’s monopoly money lol. Jk
Either their 18th pick or both of their #49 & #56 picks, for Devin White & our 3rd round pick.
February 25th, 2023 at 10:13 am
LUVMYBUCS & USFBuc … Love thinking outside the box (and I didn’t even know that we had a box), but pretend for a second that you’re the Lions GM with the #18 pick. Why not just use that for drafting a premier ILB instead of trading with the Bucs for a player on his 5th year contract? Wouldn’t they be just leasing Devin for a year THEN having to work a potentially huge contract for him? Wouldn’t it be cheaper for them in the long-term to just draft an ILB in the 1st Rnd & keep him for 5 years at bargain prices? It’s not like ILBs are the first picks off the board on draft day.
February 25th, 2023 at 10:20 am
why are we not resigning Gabbert and keeping Lavonte David how well can Gabbert play we really do not know but why not give him a try. You would have to think standing behind Brady for these years he would have learned a lot.
February 25th, 2023 at 10:23 am
@ Defense Rules
On of few reason why NFL teams might be willing to trade premium draft picks for young proven talent that is a year or two away from signing a big contract is because they can LEVERAGE their cap space more effectively by acquiring established players who have already demonstrated their ability to perform at a high level in the league
Given Detroit’s failed track record (drafting) at position it’s more than understandable.
February 25th, 2023 at 10:29 am
@ Defense Rules
By trading for a young proven NFL talent who is a year or two away from signing a big contract and offering them an extension with front-loaded bonuses, NFL teams can leverage their salary cap space more effectively, minimizing the impact on their cap space in the current year.
This allows the team to acquire an experienced player, who may also be a team captain, to contribute on the field immediately, as opposed to a less proven rookie.
February 25th, 2023 at 10:31 am
My bad didn’t mean for the 2nd one to go through
February 25th, 2023 at 10:49 am
LUVMYBUCS … Assuming that the Lions did that (sent us their #18 pick for White), would you then use that #18 pick for an ILB to replace White on the Bucs?
February 25th, 2023 at 11:14 am
I don’t think any of the linebackers will go first round maybe one if their combine is crazy. If we could pull off that trade having that 18th pick would give the Bucs great position to trade back and acquire more picks.
February 25th, 2023 at 11:31 am
Trading Devin White saves even more money. Draft his replacement this year. Re-sign LVD for another 3 years (w/Bucs option to cut) and draft LVD’s replacement next year.
February 25th, 2023 at 12:30 pm
Would love David to spend his full career in Tampa! I’m not ready to move on from White though. At times he can take over a game and dominate, but I know other times he can get lost and pushed around. He can’t get Roquan Smith money now, so let’s see how he does this year, but I hope he is part of our future.
February 25th, 2023 at 1:02 pm
@ Defense Rules
I would strongly consider trading down with the #18th or #19th pick to obtain extra draft capital in the 2nd round.
My aim would be to secure two IMPACT players for either the offense or defense by the end of the 1st round. Then use the additional draft capital and flexibility in the 2nd round to as I please.
February 25th, 2023 at 1:13 pm
don’t really know what white could do as an outside linebacker rushing the passer- he hasn’t done it in his career yet. however in bowles defense the olb often drop into pass coverage during frequent blitzes and we do know how he covers … but covering outside is different than covering middle and deep.
so if they are thinking of moving white to olb we don’t know what we have. if they’re not planning that, see what you could get in a trade.
February 25th, 2023 at 2:26 pm
LUVMYBUCS … I’ve seen the trading down thingie work & not work. I tend to think it all depends on the situation in terms of (1) your particular NEEDS; and (2) is there a player coming up who fills one of those needs.
Example: 2018 draft. Bucs swapped 1st place positions with Buffalo & picked up TWO extra 2nd Rnd picks. Buffalo got Josh Allen, their franchise QB. Bucs chose Vita Vea in Rnd 1, then RoJo in Rnd 2, PLUS MJ Stewart in Rnd 2 AND Carlton Davis in Rnd 2. So by moving down just 5 places we got 2 extra picks (Stewart & Davis).
IF our primary NEED had been a QB, we might very well have stayed put and chosen Josh Allen, then used our 2nd Rnd pick on a DT (I assume that was viewed as a primary NEED when we chose Vea). So we would’ve missed out on Stewart AND Davis, but we would’ve gotten a pretty good franchise QB in the process.
Might work out similarly this year. IF we don’t re-sign Dean, I expect that CB will be our #1 NEED (even if we re-sign SMB). But then again, IF we can’t re-sign LVD, then ILB could be a #1 NEED (since White may very well bolt next year). IF there’s a great CB (or ILB as the case may be) who’s available when our number draws near, I can’t see why we’d swap with someone & lose out on a potentially great CB (or ILB). What do they say in show business … ‘Timing is everything’?
February 25th, 2023 at 2:29 pm
Sign lavonte and trade Devin white and then sign Bobby Wagner…we would be better at linebacker and smarter…Devin white will never be good in coverage
February 25th, 2023 at 2:42 pm
@Defense fortunately I think this draft is aligning well with the Bucs needs. I think the top few CBs and S will be gone when we pick but there are a number of good CBs who will be available in the middle rounds.
Once we get through free agency we will all have a better idea of what the Bucs needs will be. I think the Bucs lean towards signing David and the secondary being the top need.
February 25th, 2023 at 2:59 pm
Much needs repair. Instant results improbable. Last season is
not too difficult to improve upon
Cut JTS or get a late pic for Him, Anyone think we need to watch him run around for another year? Not me.
Biff had a medical issue and had to gave it up drinking 2.5 years ago. Its near impossible to watch JTS sober. Next Up, Logan the invisible man.
February 25th, 2023 at 4:09 pm
Trade or Release Devin White.
Re-sign Keanu Neal and convert him to an ILB on passing downs.
Keanu Neal and Lavonte David on passing downs would be 100 times better than Devin White and Lavonte David on passing downs.
White is too moody. not steady. He needs to go.
Lavonte should stay.
February 25th, 2023 at 4:41 pm
@ teacherman777
Trading Devin White is easier said than done. He had a pretty lackluster year in 2022 and he is on the last year of his rookie deal.
Would you be willing to trade him for a 4th round pick?
February 25th, 2023 at 4:44 pm
This defense has so many holes to fill already. I’m not sure trading D. White and creating another hole on defense will be a good idea.
Bringing back LVD and letting White play out his 5th year would at least solidify the ILB group until 2024…
February 25th, 2023 at 5:37 pm
@ Defense Rules
Teams sometimes make the mistake of solely prioritizing their primary positional needs when selecting players. However, this approach can lead to overlooking a player’s true value, as seen in the case of Luke Goedeke.
It is short-sighted to rely on a single player to solve all of a team’s problems. Instead, a strategic approach involves bringing in a diverse range of young talent to help elevate the team.
An excellent example of this approach is Bobby Beathard’s NFL draft philosophy. Beathard believed that building quality depth on the roster was key to sustained success, and he was willing to trade down in the draft to acquire additional picks. His philosophy led to six Super Bowl appearances and four Super Bowl wins.
Additionally, high-caliber draft prospects can be found throughout the first round, from picks #24 to #31 and beyond. However, there are occasions where a team may come across a true generational talent earlier in the draft (Do you know anyone?), and stay put at their draft position.
Ultimately, remaining FLEXIBLE and ADAPTABLE in the face of unexpected opportunities is crucial for success.
February 25th, 2023 at 7:53 pm
LUVMYBUCS … ‘Beathard believed that building quality depth on the roster was key to sustained success’.
Agree with Beathard 100%. Lack of depth is what killed us last year. I don’t really have any problem with trading down, unless you lose on the transaction (love it when we win though).
Last year is a good example. We were set to pick at #27 of the 1st Rnd, but moved down to #33 (top of the 2nd Rnd) and picked DT Logan Hall. ASSUMING that we NEEDED a DT (to replace Suh & McLendon) or a DE/OLB (to replace JPP), we could’ve had:
o #28 – DT Devonte Wyatt (Georgia) … 6’3″, 315 lbs, drafted by Green Bay (suited up for 16 games, got 224 def snaps, with 1.5 sacks, 3 QB Hits & 0 TFLs … not very impressive obviously).
o #30 – DE George Karlaftis (Purdue) … 6’4″, 275 lbs, drafted by Kansas City (started all 17 games, got 730 def snaps, with 6.0 sacks, 11 QB hits, 8 TFLs … Wow; I’d take that every day; love the kid’s nickname … Furious George).
Instead we ended up with Logan Hall, who may very well end up being an excellent pick but his rookie year was less than stellar. But we also received picks 106 & 180 from Jacksonville, with which we got Cade Otton then packaged the other to move up to get McCollum. Obviously the jury’s still out on our rookie class from last year, but overall I’d say for a first look that we at least broke even.
February 25th, 2023 at 8:58 pm
Sign David and trade White. That would save cap space and give a draft pick to groom a new LB behind him.
February 26th, 2023 at 6:02 pm
I could see getting a late 2nd rd pick for devin white. Other teams/coaches will feel they can coach him up and correct things. he is still young and no major injuries.