The Lavonte David Waiting Game Begins
January 26th, 2024
Can still lay the lumber.
Thirteen tackles, two tackles for loss, a sack and a quarterback hit.
Does that sound like the work of a 34-year old? In an NFL playoff game? Well, that was what ageless Bucs inside linebacker Lavonte David put up in the Bucs’ loss to the Lions on Sunday.
Two days later, David turned 34.
He plays like he’s 24.
Joe doesn’t know if David will hang it up for good this offseason. He certainly has the skills to get the job done. Does he have the want-to? When he does step between the lines, he’s a pure warrior.
Joe doesn’t think it’s obnoxious to suggest David has been the Bucs’ best linebacker not named “Derrick Brooks.” Yes, better than Hardy Nickerson, Scot Brantley or Batman Wood.
A Bucs defensive assistant wished David a happy birthday this week on Instagram and mentioned that David plans to start a ministry when his playing days are done. When that is, only David has an idea. It could be this offseason.
But dang, David can still play. And if he does retire. boy oh boy the Bucs’ defense is going to feel the hole left by David.
OOOOOWEEEEE‼️@JasonMcCourty’s top defensive plays from the Divisional Round
😱 @Ifeatu_Mel @Lions
😱 @LavonteDavid54 @Buccaneers
😱 @kyledhamilton_ @Ravens
😱 @DreGreenlaw & @fred_warner @49ers pic.twitter.com/8JKXTYqjks— Good Morning Football (@gmfb) January 24, 2024
January 26th, 2024 at 12:07 am
Lavonte David has been our best linebacker every season, pay the man whatever he wants
January 26th, 2024 at 12:12 am
Too many holes. Need to keep him for at least one more year — maybe two.
January 26th, 2024 at 12:13 am
I can never think of a play where I screamed at Lavonte David for making a mistake but I can think of plenty of plays where I screamed at our future hall of famer Mike Evans for making mistakes
January 26th, 2024 at 12:19 am
Don’t go LVD! Pay the man!
January 26th, 2024 at 12:26 am
After experiencing Todd Bowles’ inability to teach zone coverage or implement corrective action to address the same mistakes being made over and over and over and over and over, I would imagine the timing of LVD’s ministry project would be now. I mean, why prolong the obvious?
Wish you wouldn’t yet, Lavonte, but understand if you do. It’s probably either that or start drinking heavily.
January 26th, 2024 at 12:56 am
Jack Clark I remember LD directly lost us a game to the jets by hitting Geno Smith while he was out of bounds for a game changing penalty. I yelled my ace off at the TV for that it was about his 2nd or 3rd yr with us.
January 26th, 2024 at 12:57 am
Sounds like a mass exodus to me.
Bowles mental errors will push all the talent out the door.
Might be time to see what Bill is up to.
Drop the sideline statue.
January 26th, 2024 at 1:49 am
Things or getting a little shaky in Tampa. Evans, David, Winfield are all free agents I hope they can resign becayse with the draft you never know. They need a OC and most likely a WR coach and what are they gonna do at QB
January 26th, 2024 at 2:04 am
fire TB
January 26th, 2024 at 2:09 am
Man, this new ‘Fan”base is depressing.
January 26th, 2024 at 2:28 am
ProudBucs fan, the game was the season opener of the 2013 season, the one where Schiano went 4-12 and got run. Lavonte David had a personal foul with 2 seconds left that allowed the Jets to kick a long FG and edge the Bucs 18-17. That was Lavonte’s second year, I think where the Bucs started like 0-8 and allegedly got the wheels turning to hire Lovie by October 2013. Yeah I was cussing at the TV too.
January 26th, 2024 at 2:33 am
Fort meyers guy
I remember that hard hitting defense.
Remember Josh Freeman showing up late?
Hahaha!
January 26th, 2024 at 2:39 am
Fort Meyers Dave I remember that play.
Watched it from the Southpoint Casino in Vegas.
Lost us the game.
I believe that play is the reason Lavonte has never gotten Love from the media.
I feel like he got so much negative press from that and never recovered his reputation nationally.
May sound silly, but I remember it clearly
January 26th, 2024 at 2:40 am
canales jumping ship was like a bombshell today…
geeeeez
January 26th, 2024 at 2:42 am
do you think bowles faux pas at the end of the lions game had disco dave thinking “i’m outta here and fast”
just a thought
January 26th, 2024 at 2:43 am
because he boogied on outta here quick!
January 26th, 2024 at 5:53 am
The Bucs have zero options at QB and will sign Baker Mayfield either long term or franchise tag. If Baker stays, Evans will stay but at a reduced number. If Wirfs and another player restructure, David and Winfield Jr can also be signed.
A new OC is the most important decision the Bucs will make this offseason. Remember last off season and the ridicule Licht and Bowles received for signing an “unknown” Dave Canales and a “washed up” Balker Mayfield.?
Turned out Bucs management knew EXACTLY what they were doing. Hoping for more sound decisions this off season. GO BUCS!
January 26th, 2024 at 6:24 am
Dude is 34….. you do not sign a 34 year old who depends on speed.
Sorry, but unless he is a qb or OL you have to get a short term team friendly deal
January 26th, 2024 at 6:46 am
Lavonte is a legend here. If he wants to play another year you sign him. Straight up.
January 26th, 2024 at 6:58 am
He will wait to see what the Bucs do with their other FA. I think he only signs a deal if he thinks we have a chance to make the playoffs.
January 26th, 2024 at 7:26 am
Dave left because he’s working with Dan Morgan who he worked with for eight years in Seattle. He also got a SIX year guaranteed contract to be one of the 32 head coaches in the NFL. It was a no-brainer.
January 26th, 2024 at 8:33 am
ProudBuc I was about to bring up that same play! It’s the only time I’ve ever been mad at him lol. What a career if all we can remember is one bad penalty! Love #54!!
January 26th, 2024 at 8:46 am
LVD is listed as the second most desirable FA Lber. He’ll get paid.
The question is will he continue to give the Bucs a hometown discount. Perhaps Miami pays him what he’s worth…a good team in his actual home town.
Other than that he should just hang em up. He had nothing left to prove. If he’s desperate to get in the HOF then perhaps he plays a couple more years.
Or the best of all worlds…he LOVES the game and the Bucs and wants to go another year in Tampa.
January 26th, 2024 at 8:59 am
What a person, player, teammate, so sad to see him possibly hang it up after this season. He deserves the utmost respect for the way he represented the Bucs and himself. Shame on anybody that would say anything bad about this man. Despite whatever his decision may be THANKS 54 for all you gave on and off the field, truly one of the greatest to ever step on the field!!
January 26th, 2024 at 9:42 am
Look at the data, Lavonte David has surpassed Derrick Brooks in some major categories, he is more of a 1B to Derrick Brooks than #2
January 26th, 2024 at 3:42 pm
Better for longer than Brooks. Insane stats for a 33 year old player
January 26th, 2024 at 9:50 pm
When u hear over & over 6 year guarantee is that anything like the deal m.rhule got last year for the Panthers how long was he there 8 games?
January 26th, 2024 at 10:01 pm
Canales with Morgan for 8 yrs wasn’t Morgan his boss in Seattle why wud he want to be 2nd in command to a wet behind the ears rookie Morgan will probably be his go to guy when it’s time for him to be fired for impersonating a NFL coach tepper might as well hired me for that HC job for a lot leas cash for a really bad team & a worse midget QB wanna be they r dumb as dirt welcome to NFC circus