Lavonte David Has Faith
November 4th, 2023
Still believes.
No, Joe is not about to throw in the towel on this Bucs season.
Even if the Bucs lose Sunday, it’s not over yet. It won’t be good for the Bucs’ chances but a loss Sunday is not fatal.
One guy who also still has faith is long-time Bucs linebacker Lavonte David. So with the Bucs in a three-game losing streak, losing four of their past five games, why should David think recent play isn’t a harbinger of doom?
David said this week the Bucs have winners on the roster. How does he know this? He’s won with them and has the ring to prove it.
“I’ve been here 12 years,” David said. “I’ve seen a lot of things – a lot of good, a lot of bad. I’ve always got faith in whatever team I’m on, especially this group.
“[These are] guys who I’ve won with, and these guys who I’ve played with for a very long time. I know they’ve got a lot of confidence in themselves and I’ve got a lot of confidence in them.
“I’m definitely looking forward to how this thing can turn around, and I know it will.”
The Bucs are only a half-game out of first place. How can anyone want to quit so early with the Bucs so close in a rotten division that can easily be had?
Yes, a loss tomorrow to a rookie quarterback would be a kick in the nuts. But this season is hardly over.
There are a lot of concerning if not disturbing things about the Bucs and how they are playing right now. All are correctable.
The Bucs could easily be in first place within 24 hours. Lighten up, Bucs fans!
November 4th, 2023 at 4:09 pm
I have nothing but total respect for LVD.
I hope he is right.
But this offense is a giant albatross around the team’s neck…
I have seen lots of bad offenses in Tampa and this has to rank as one of the worst I have ever seen.
November 4th, 2023 at 4:29 pm
I don’t think anyone wants this team to quit or tank.
But my eyes see what’s what, and I have far less faith than David does.
This team is the opposite of those San Diego Air Coryell teams with an unstoppable O and unable-to-stop D.
It is hard to believe this O could be WORSE than a Flat Brim O of last season.
But here we are…
November 4th, 2023 at 4:45 pm
all I want to see is 24-27 points put up by the Bucs. Don’t think I can stomach watching this offence continue to do what they have been doing. Immediate improvement has to begin tomorrow with the offense.
November 4th, 2023 at 4:51 pm
Bruce had one thing right , execute 3 or 4 plays and we will score .Not 12 plays which hard
November 4th, 2023 at 5:13 pm
The offensive plays are there to be had if the oline holds up and Mayfield lets it fly. Put up 21 and the heat on Bowles with cool down, for now.
November 4th, 2023 at 5:16 pm
It’s looking really bad for the BUCs but I agree that a loss tomorrow is not fatal.
Should we lose tomorrow though we may need to go 6-3 for the last 9 games to win the division. And they’ll have to fix some of the issues that are fixable.
In past years the Bucs defense under Bowles has tended to get better towards the end of the season. Given that history and given that additional experience will help the rookies who are playing there is a realistic chance for significant improvement. Of course that all depends upon the injury situation as the season progresses.
And given that we have a new OC, a new O-line, a new offense, and a new QB, there IS a chance our offense will get better toward the end of the season.
I won’t bet my life on it but there IS a chance. 😉
November 4th, 2023 at 5:18 pm
The Texans lost to the Panthers. Nuff said if we lose.
November 4th, 2023 at 5:22 pm
I saw signs of life from the running game in Buffalo. I would leave Stinnie in at LG. Maybe there is hope yet. If we could get the run game going it should help the passing game. Then maybe we can work on the red zone offense and start scoring more points. It’s still early and as Joe pointed out, we are only a half game out of first place
November 4th, 2023 at 5:35 pm
Faith and hope don’t always translate into Wins. Lose Sunday and we are toast. No Faith will change that.
November 4th, 2023 at 5:35 pm
Bowles has to be aggressive and play to win. this conservative coaching is going to get him a one way ticket to nowhere.
November 4th, 2023 at 5:40 pm
@ Buccos
I agree.
Stinnie graded out much higher than Feiler or Mauch has all season.
However – the Bills run defense is one of the worst in the NFL.
So no big surprise the Bucs had a little more success than usual.
November 4th, 2023 at 5:53 pm
Here’s the deal….
I am so sick of being in a division of loser teams and having that as a crutch to fall back on when we play absolute crud football and lose games. It’s just such a toxic and slippery slope. It’s like “hey, we suck so bad but so does our division, so we’re still in it baby!” It’s a loser mentality. You want to be the BEST, and you want to BEAT the beat. Not, we’re terrible and so is everyone else in the NFC south so hopefully we can win a playoff spot.
How about we aim and strive for Super Bowl rings cuz that’s what winner organizations and teams do.
If we were any good we’d be crushing this division and loving how easy it was to be in first. But no, we’re fighting dear life to move up to first.
What a joke
November 4th, 2023 at 6:00 pm
Lose all the rest and get a good pic. Also play Trask so we see what we have..
November 4th, 2023 at 6:11 pm
Just what else is he supposed to say? “We suck…can’t get off the field on third down, can’t make plays when we have to, can’t make interceptions, and the offense… man, we really suck.” It’s player-speak, much like coach-speak. No stock in the words, sorry.
November 4th, 2023 at 6:22 pm
Zwak Says:
November 4th, 2023 at 6:00 pm
Lose all the rest and get a good pic. Also play Trask so we see what we have..
^^^^^^^^
The good pick would be Trask’s replacement. We know what Trask is, a backup. You really, honestly haven’t figured that out yet? How many years has it been?
November 4th, 2023 at 6:49 pm
Well ay least all the good guys got their rings.
November 4th, 2023 at 7:08 pm
Joe in Michigan … ‘We know what Trask is, a backup. You really, honestly haven’t figured that out yet?’
I’m a huge Bama fan & followed Mac Jones for his 3 years at Bama. Excellent control of the offense, which coincidentally had some quality players. Jones was drafted #15 in the 1st Rnd of the 2021 NFL draft after completing 74.3% of his passes for 6126 passing yards, 56 TDs against only 7 INTs in 31 college games. Impressive.
Kyle Trask also showed excellent control of the offense in his 3 years at Florida (they didn’t have quite a many quality players IMO but not that shabby either). Trask was drafted 64th overall in the 2nd Rnd of the same 2021 NFL draft after completing 67.9% of his passes for 7386 passing yards, 69 TDs against 15 INTs in 27 college games. I’m impressed there too.
Of course Mac Jones went on to start 17 games his rookie year (2021) for the Patriots, another 14 games in 2022 plus 8 games thus far in 2023. Kyle Trask OTOH had the bad luck to sit behind Tom Brady in 2021, then again in 2022, and now behind Baker Mayfield in 2023.
Tell me again Joe HOW you know that Trask is ‘a backup’? Had Mac Jones been drafted by the Bucs in 2021 he would’ve sat behind Brady in 2021 & again in 2022. Good chance actually that he’d also be sitting behind Baker Mayfield on the Bucs as long as Bowles is the HC.
November 4th, 2023 at 7:22 pm
Really hope tomorrow goes well. Bucs need a win, if not some serious decisions are going to have to be considered. A 4 game losing streak could spiral into worse following this game. Considering the schedule going beyond tommorrow.
November 4th, 2023 at 7:24 pm
Call it what you will, tomorrow is a HUGE swing game for the sanity of the players and fans
3-5 would be a major obstacle
November 4th, 2023 at 7:36 pm
Nice post DR. Right on the money. There is absolutely no way that we know that Trask is a backup. All we know is that he was dominant in college and has drastically improved while backing up the GOAT. There is actually much more evidence that he can be a quality starter in the NFL. Does that mean he should be starting now. I don’t think so. I believe that Mayfield has done a pretty good job and should continue to lead this team while we are still in contention. The minute that it becomes evident that we are not a playoff team then Trask needs to play so that we can see what we have for next year
November 4th, 2023 at 7:44 pm
I am a optimistic Buc fan, scream my as off every 3rd down at Ray j, but if they drop a egg Sunday…… Idk man, I think it’s done.
November 4th, 2023 at 7:45 pm
I think the Bucs will take this to a 6 game losing streak. I just don’t think the offense can score more than 20 points. I want the Bucs to win, our coach is a good defensive coordinator but crappy head coach.
November 4th, 2023 at 7:50 pm
The Glazers should put him in the ROH in the last home game!
November 4th, 2023 at 7:56 pm
George, in another post I said the NFL stands for “Not For Long”. If our motivational speaker of an OC can’t find plays the offense can run his tenure will be not for long. It’s clear the Oline doesn’t know who to block and if they do they are out-muscled. So, this season is a lost season. New coaching staff might be the solution.
November 4th, 2023 at 8:04 pm
“I’m definitely looking forward to how this thing can turn around, and I know it will.”
WOW, basically calling for Mayfield to be benched there. He knows it will turn around, it’s only a matter of time, ie, until Baker is riding the bench.
Man, David must hate Baker, I’ve never heard him throw a player under the bus like that.
November 4th, 2023 at 8:12 pm
If the Bucs season continues to go in the wrong direction. Think next season’s head coach needs to be a guy with a track record of success. Belichick could be available that would be something insane if that happened by the way lol, Harbaugh could be available. I was going through the list of candidates who are coordinators on other teams that could be available next season. None sound promising to me. So I’m digging into old names now. Hey, here is an old name from the past. Now just hear me out. Jon Gruden could be available next season if the legal stuff goes his way. I know his relationship with the Glazers is probably iffy after that email thing. But he is a brilliant offensive mind. And I bet if he is able to come back next season. He will probably be humbled considering what he has had to endure. He win Super Bowl here and if Gruden were able to come here and turn this ship around into a winning direction. Then why not bring Gruden back to Tampa in 2024. If he wins and that may mend things with the Glazers right? Crazy idea, I know. Also why not consider bringing Arians back too if all options are on the table. Anyway, just thoughts.
November 4th, 2023 at 8:13 pm
I just thought of another name. Think some of you may find this one intriguing. For next season HC, this guy has a relationship with Licht and the Glazers. He use to to be our OC. I know from listening to podcast episodes of the Ira show over the years that this guy is well liked by the Joe Bucs Fan trio. This guy had success coaching in college at Georgia, helped them win a championship and had success with Baker to at Cleveland and is the current OC for Baltimore Ravens. How about Todd Monken for your next Tampa Bay Buccaneers HC for 2024?? What say you all to that huh?? I think it sounds intriguing. What say you???
November 4th, 2023 at 8:25 pm
With that ‘charmin secondary’ and playing a rookie QB away, Sunday could be a long day for our Bucs.
November 4th, 2023 at 8:37 pm
Todd Monken for next Bucs HC in January 2024, he has over 30 years of coaching experience and use to be HC at Southern Miss and was OC at Georgia University 2 yrs ago and they won a National Championship that season. Is currently the Baltimore Ravens OC and Baltimore’s offense is doing well this season.Todd also use to be on Clevelands staff when Baker was there too. So if Todd Monken came back here. Baker would already be familiar with that offense too and the coach. Todd Monken use to be our OC here from 2016 – 2018. Todd Monken for your next Tampa Bay Buccaneers HC in 2024. I’m excited thinking about it.
November 4th, 2023 at 8:59 pm
Todd Monken has 35 years of coaching experience after looking it up.
November 4th, 2023 at 9:24 pm
I hope David is right and yeah, we’re still very much alive in the division but when you look at our remaining schedule compared to the Falcons’ remaining schedule, it kind of looks like it’s theirs to lose. Add in they benched their turnover machine Ridder in favor of Heineke who is a solid “game manager” with a competitive streak to complement their running game and we need a BIG turn around ASAP. They already hold a tie-breaker advantage by beating us once (even tho we beat ourselves) but if there’s a “must win” on our schedule, it’s game #2 against ATL if we’re still battling for the division lead at that point.
Oh and N.O. is starting to get their offense in gear now too. Can’t sleep on them either.
Whether they make the playoffs or not, I’d just like to see a game or two that didn’t make me want to vomit or throw a beer at my TV.
November 4th, 2023 at 9:49 pm
THIS SEASON IS OVER TRADE YOUR BEST PLAYERS NOW WHILE YOU CAN GET SOME decent draft picks.. Who cares if we make the playoffs do we really think we can win a superbowl or a even a play off game. Either go big or go home.. we cant beat a good team so why are we scrathing our butts!
November 4th, 2023 at 10:23 pm
David has seen a lot more bad than good. Let’s be honest most of his career was wasted except for the two good years he had with Brady.
November 4th, 2023 at 10:41 pm
I feel for David. He has seen some bad offenses and now he’s watching the worst. It might be his last year here too.
November 4th, 2023 at 11:06 pm
Defense Rules: You could be right, I could be wrong, Trask might start games in the NFL. He’d probably be a Mac Jones-type, a guy you’d want to replace as the starter as soon as he lost you games.
November 4th, 2023 at 11:24 pm
Trade deadline came and went on Tuesday. Too late.
November 4th, 2023 at 11:28 pm
To win the division we can really only afford to lose to the 49ers, Jags, and either the game against the Titans or the Colts. All other games are must wins.
November 5th, 2023 at 1:42 am
I love me some LVD, and if any Bucs player has earned the right to insist on having optimistic views of this years team it is him.
However unless the light bulb goes on for quite a few guys at One Buc,(to include some coaches) that is not likely to be well placed optimism.
I see some improvement from the offense. But still very disjointed and sloppy play to include Baker. Young gun WRs wanna be here next year? Now is the time. Coach Canales let’s see some creative OC stuff please.
Defense Our DC needs to get his posterior out of his backside and quit with the Big cushion zone crap. Start using our man corners and safeties to their talent levels. Shaq and Nelson step forward please. Diva White want some millions? step up!
Go Bucs!
November 5th, 2023 at 4:46 pm
To let a rookie throw over 450 yards is pathetic. Davis is not a def back. I would sit him down. He cannot stay man to many. He has no speed! The so called defensive mind Bowles needs to go! He sucks at play calling. Get rid of this so called o c fire him as well
November 6th, 2023 at 12:46 pm
Now that the game is over, and it was an exciting game, in the long run, it does not count towards the NFC South Championship.It has been said before, we have to pay for the Lombardi trophy this season. We had no cap space. So we still have a shot at the NFC South title, but realistically, we will not represent the NFC in the Superbowl. Let’s focus on what we can accomplish. Time for the coaches to study the opponents weaknesses and exploit it in the upcoming games. I did see improvement in our running game from the previous game. We need improvement in clock management.