Lavonte David Nearing Magic “40” Mark
March 29th, 2023
The Hall of Fame debate for iconic Bucs linebacker Lavonte David will be a meaty one when he retires.
One stat should send up a huge red flag for those who think David is unworthy.
Like David, retired superstar Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly was drafted in 2012. He amassed a combined total of 25 interceptions and forced fumbles in his career. Also drafted in 2012 was David’s good friend and Senior Bowl roommate, linebacker Bobby Wagner, who has eight Pro Bowl appearances and is still going strong. Wagner has a combined 19 interceptions and forced fumbles.
David? Well, he dwarfs those guys with a combined 39 interceptions and forced fumbles.
Think about that for a moment. After all those tackles and games for Kuechly and Wagner, David has almost doubled them in the turnover department.
Today on SiriusXM NFL Radio, David was presented with the fact he’s one shy of the iconic 40 mark when it comes to that stat. He said he was unaware.
For those wondering, Derrick Brooks played 14 seasons for the Bucs and combined for 49 interceptions and forced fumbles. David is entering his 12th season.
Bone-crushing Hall of Fame safety John Lynch? He recorded 16 forced fumbles in 15 seasons. David has 27.
Joe sure hopes David can keep cruising along at a high level. This is going to be a huge season for his eventual Canton consideration.
March 29th, 2023 at 2:07 pm
And how many Pro Bowls does he have compared to Wagner or Kuechly? Proof positive that Tampa Bay players are routinely overlooked and disrespected on purpose by the national media and Pro Bowl voters. Watch in the future how that will effect whether he makes the Hall of Fame or not.
March 29th, 2023 at 2:10 pm
LVD had the misfortune of playing for the Bucs during the Lost Decade. He should have been a Pro Bowler practically every single year, and in the running for All-Pro most years. Instead he was often overlooked. I absolutely think he should be in the Hall of Fame discussion, and hope that the Super Bowl year and playing with Brady increased his exposure enough to bring him to the table.
March 29th, 2023 at 2:11 pm
A second ring wouldn’t hurt his chances
March 29th, 2023 at 2:11 pm
A solid pass rush and he easily adds 3 more turnovers
March 29th, 2023 at 2:21 pm
So glad we were able to keep him. Here’s to a healthy season and to ride off into the sunset and enjoy all your money and ring(s).
March 29th, 2023 at 2:23 pm
I fully expect that LVD will play 14 years like DB55 did. IF that turns out to be the case, I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see LVD hit 50 combined.
March 29th, 2023 at 2:29 pm
LVD is amazing. Too bad he spent so much time playing for horrible head coaches and clueless defensive coordinators.
And now, the Bloweszo. Poor LVD.
March 29th, 2023 at 3:06 pm
David should be a Hall of Famer.
March 29th, 2023 at 3:09 pm
The ONLY stat where David doesn’t Dominate Kuechly is INTs
March 29th, 2023 at 3:49 pm
Fantastic player. Hope he can keep it up when he gets to Brady’s age. Probably not, though.
March 29th, 2023 at 4:08 pm
David is surely a HOF’er. It doesnt help though when Tampa’s only Hall of Fame voter wont even think about it or go to bat for Lavonte. David’s stats speak for themselves. For some reason Hall voters care about are WORTHLESS pro bowl nods. What a dumb hangup. LOL
March 29th, 2023 at 4:45 pm
Should have cut him. It’s full rebuild time. He’s so passive it’s not like he’s going to set the tone for the D or anything. He’s a career B+ player that will never be in the HOF. Don’t feel bad for him, he’s made a fortune in his career!
March 29th, 2023 at 4:52 pm
Jeff, by now you should know that sniffing glue is not good for,you.
March 29th, 2023 at 4:59 pm
Jeff don’t know ball….
March 29th, 2023 at 5:22 pm
Alex, a lack of a ring doesn’t seem to be hurting Luke’s perceived chances. David is superior to him in almost every meaningful category. If you’re talking about Kuechly for the Hall of Fame, you can’t ignore David.
March 29th, 2023 at 6:45 pm
The pro bowl is s pretty princess popularity party. David is a better linebacker than Wagner. He has and had the high and rainy 12 on his side and a owner eith limitless money and sway.
March 29th, 2023 at 8:07 pm
David is in. He got a superbowl and longevity. He also has locker room leadership on a super bowl team. Any doubt of him getting in was erased with the lombardi
March 29th, 2023 at 8:11 pm
Why are you combing the stats Joe?
Can’t you just lay it out, INT and FMB and let us figure it out?
March 29th, 2023 at 9:50 pm
Pro bowls mean nothing. As ronde said Fk the pro bowl I’m going to San Diego!
March 29th, 2023 at 10:06 pm
He’s a very good LB, but I don’t know think he’s a HoFer. He’d need to put together at least one dominant season… game changing plays. The 2002 Bucs don’t win without Derrick’s incredible season. David needs that kind of impact year.
March 29th, 2023 at 10:37 pm
Jeff is out of his mind. David is a HOF number don’t lie. Yes he played with us in the lost decade so that’s not gonna help. But if you put on the film & look at the stats he’s a lock. Can’t deny the man. Great leader & is still playing at a high level at his age. Hope the he has another solid season & keeps proving the haters wrong.
March 29th, 2023 at 11:07 pm
LOL @ LOL!
Are you saying Buc treasure Irv CoughMan won’t go to bat for David? You do know that a player/coach has to be retired for 5 years to be eligible? David is obviously still playing and Irv’s record for getting Bucs in…immediately in some cases ( Sapp, Brooks ) is beyond reproach. 4/4 last I checked…and Lynch was borderline but given extra credit for now illegal hits and being the Gerry Cooney of defensive backfields.
LOL indeed.
March 29th, 2023 at 11:19 pm
People always rank Kuechly in top 5 all time LB.
1. Diaper bin decade
2. When Carolina was good
3. Same division
4. Drafted same year
B!tch plzzzzzzz…Lavonte and real Bucs fans know who Lavonte is. Shame how unrecognized he has gone through for most of his career and still killin it.
March 30th, 2023 at 12:24 am
Bone crushing John lynch hands down put the fear of god into players you came near him. Loved watching him play. As for LVD one of the best to put on the red n pewter n also in the league. He’s a stud n people like Jeff are miserable Wanka
March 30th, 2023 at 1:05 am
I’m biased. I believe he deserves consideration.
Strong Consideration.
Even if some wanted him cut in Sept. 2013 for the hit on Geno Smith.
March 30th, 2023 at 2:22 am
He’s been a godsend.
March 30th, 2023 at 7:48 am
Lavonte David > Luke Kuechly.
Hands down. David is a much more complete player than Kuechly ever was.
Kuechly couldn’t carry his jock. Yet he’ll get more HOF run than David, because of the publicity/national exposure the Panthers had during his run, while David played the majority of his career on some of the worst teams in history, run by a succession of coaches who had no business ever being hired in Schiano, Lovie and Koetter.
As for the troll who wanted him cut to ‘tank’. GTFO with that loser’s mentality.
March 30th, 2023 at 10:50 am
LINEBACKER EDU 101
(Apples and Oranges)
Kuechly and Wagner play MIKE. LVD plays WILL. MIKE is the QB of the defense. It’s like comparing Wirfs to Jensen. You can’t really do it. It’s two entirely different positions.
LVD doesn’t get props like the other two guys, because the other guys run the defense. If you want to compare Kuechly/Wagner to someone, that someone would be Ray Lewis. If you want to compare LVD to someone, that someone would be Brooks. LVD is not Brooks. I don’t care what the stats say.
March 30th, 2023 at 2:42 pm
LVD has my vote for HOF – Now I just need to find a way to get it casted…