Lavonte David Says Defense Is Getting “Comfortable”
August 9th, 2023
Hard work beginning to show.
Yesterday after the Bucs defense had five picks total of Baker Mayfield and Kyle Trask, head coach Todd Bowles said the defense was starting to “come together.”
It seems Bucs legend Lavonte David agreed. Speaking with the local pen and mic club, David said this is the time of training camp when defenses gel.
“I would say [it’s] guys just getting comfortable,” David said. “This was the 11th day of training camp, so guys are just getting comfortable with what’s being called and understanding how our offense is trying to attack us and stuff like that.
“Guys just making plays. We make an emphasis on creating turnovers, whether it’s punching the ball out or taking it away while the ball is in the air, or sack fumbles – which, we can’t do.
“But since guys are making an emphasis on it, we’re working on it and it’s showing up in practice.”
This is odd to Joe because the vast majority of players on defense have been with the Bucs for a couple of years. Outside of Greg Gaines and Ryan Neal, the defensive starters are all Bucs veterans (Joe isn’t counting Calijah Kancey because he’s been out a week and isn’t expected to return for a few weeks).
This isn’t the first time that Bowles has emphasized turnovers. And it’s not like Bowles overhauled his defensive staff.
Not sure why guys would need nearly a dozen practices to get “comfortable,” unless you are telling Joe they were uncomfortable with each other last year.
Besides, the Bucs have played offenses similar to Dave Canales’ in the Rams and Seahawks as recently as last year (both Bucs wins) where the defense shined.
Could it be that Bowles added several new wrinkles to his defense that were foreign to his squad last year?
August 9th, 2023 at 8:22 am
It is because the offense is so limited. The downgrade at QB, to the O-line being held together by a thread will be so exposed once the season begins.
4 win season.
August 9th, 2023 at 8:52 am
Jose, to be fair, they haven’t played together in seven months or so. And just like offenses, defenses make a few changes in the offseason. Add in a couple of new guys and you have a situation where it takes a few days to get “comfortable”. Also, you can include that maybe they’re just looking for something to say and this is neat and tidy pablum for the masses.
August 9th, 2023 at 9:11 am
I think you hit the nail right on the head in your last sentence Joe. Let’s hope this defense steps it up a couple notches because with these guys at QB, we are going to need all the help we can get from the defense. I would include special teams in that but with Keith Armstrong still here (why is he still here??), they won’t be much help again unfortunately….
August 9th, 2023 at 9:59 am
LOL the company line Joe.
LVD isn’t stupid.
What he should have said… “thats a good question, but I don’t know” like his coach. LOL
Go bucs!
August 9th, 2023 at 10:28 am
&dabucsguys
Our o line is much improved from last season , even without jensen starting hainsey has gotten better , mauch is a rookie and learning somewhat of the same with goedeke since he switched back to RT this year , you have to give them time . and we couldn’t have really downgraded that much from qb when Tom was terrible last year and I love him , all we need is a decent / good run game and Mike / cg to catch some easy passes to get us scores . our defense will be top 5 !
August 9th, 2023 at 10:35 am
The defence is converting to a lot of faster, but smaller players. Plus, they have to shake foo the rust.
August 9th, 2023 at 12:30 pm
Joe … ‘Could it be that Bowles added several new wrinkles to his defense that were foreign to his squad last year?’
You definitely win the ‘Reading More & More Into What Was Said’ Award Joe. I think LVD’s analysis of where the defense now stands speaks for itself given that we’ve got a total of 43 defensive players in camp right now, not just 11 starters …
‘“This was the 11th day of training camp, so guys are just getting comfortable with what’s being called and understanding how our offense is trying to attack us and stuff like that. Guys just making plays.’
I’m sure that with the upcoming preseason games and the practices against the Jets that things will be changing somewhat. Some guys will show a lot more than others more than likely.