Jason Licht, Bruce Arians, Todd Bowles Talked Lavonte David Into Staying
March 23rd, 2024
Trusted the Bucs.
Very cool words from Bucs legend Lavonte David yesterday.
So to celebrate David’s new contract with the Bucs, the old-timer was offered up to the local pen and mic club. David was asked why he stuck with the team all these years.
After all, in David’s six of his first seven seasons (all with the Bucs) the team was a laughing stock franchise. So why did David stay? Long story short, he trusted Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager, then-Bucs coach Bucco Bruce Arians and then-Bucs defensive coordinator Todd Bowles.
“Honestly, talking to Jason [Licht], when we hired ‘B.A.’ (Bruce Arians) and then having to work with ‘B.A.’ and then having to work with Coach [Todd] Bowles and just talking to those guys and hearing the confidence in their voice,” David said. “Understanding that this is a process and it’s going to take time.
“Those guys came in and made those things work right away. I just remember my first day in the O/D (offense/defense) meetings with Coach [Todd] Bowles, I had never played in a 3-4 and I was always in a 4-3. I didn’t know how it would work.
“I was a little bit uncomfortable because I thought I was undersized – I thought you had to be really big to play in a 3-4. But, just looking at it, I’m like, ‘Oh, I’ll be fine. I’ll be fine.’
“Going through everything and seeing how everything worked for my benefit, it all worked out. I enjoy playing in this defense and it shows.”
Joe thinks this is cool that the braintrust was able to sell their star linebacker that everything will turn around.
And we saw what happened not long after that. David was hugging Tom Brady on a chilly February night at The Licht House with confetti flying and the Bucs being celebrated as Super Bowl champs.
March 23rd, 2024 at 12:30 am
Thank you! 🏴☠️
March 23rd, 2024 at 12:37 am
David is a Bucs legend
March 23rd, 2024 at 1:31 am
Glad he stuck it out and it worked in his favor.
It’s not like he played his whole career for The Jets.
I can’t even imagine. It would take the life out of you being on a team and losing that much. He deserves everything coming his way. Hoping we can get him one more ring and strengthen that HOF resume.
March 23rd, 2024 at 2:41 am
Thank you Joe, so grateful for LD and that 2020 season maybe we can win one more before he calls it a career
March 23rd, 2024 at 4:24 am
LVD … “Going through everything and seeing how everything worked for my benefit, it all worked out. I enjoy playing in this defense and it shows.”
Those 2 sentences together kinda say it all Joe, not just about LVD but even more-so about this TEAM. And now on both defense AND offense. You could hear the same enthusiasm in Mike Evans & Baker Mayfield when they got re-signed. Got a hunch that was a key draw in bringing Whitehead back into the fold too. And that I believe bodes well for the future.
Speaking of the future, Chad Reuter of NFL dot com just did an awesome ‘Four-round 2024 NFL mock draft’ yesterday that I’d LOVE to see come-to-pass. It fills our key NEEDS with some quality talent, although who knows whether they’d actually be there when we pick. Here’s his list:
o Rnd 1 (#26): Center – Jackson Powers-Johnson (Oregon)
o Rnd 2 (#57): Edge – Adisa Isaac (Penn State)
o Rnd 3 (#89): TE – Theo Johnson (Penn State)
o Rnd 3 (#92): RB – Braelon Allen (Wisconsin)
o Rnd 4 (#125): CB – Jarius Monroe (Tulane)
Walter Football has Powers-Johnson (6’3″ & 334 lbs) rated as the #1 Center. They have Isaac (6’4″ & 250 lbs) rated as the #6 DE and Johnson (6’6″ & 257 lbs) ranked as the #4 TE. Then they had Allen (6’1″ & 245 lbs) ranked as the #10 RB, and Monroe (6’2″ & 205 lbs) rated as the #20 CB. There are some pretty big guys in that draft group; beef is good.
March 23rd, 2024 at 4:41 am
My favorite Buc of all time. I’ll bet he keeps playing as long as we’re competitive and he’s healthy.
Licht is rolling out the red carpet for these guys. Can’t wait for the next two big names to sign. More feathers in his cap.
March 23rd, 2024 at 4:42 am
Powers is going 20 at most…and even if he lasts through that one, probably the next two, hes gone. Many teams looking to improve at C. Its a passing league now right? Its not like the old days. Going with 2nd and 3rd rounders there now gets you 2nd and 3rd round talent. Hainsey can be our starting LG (and backup C) to assist him while the guys we just signed are good backups.
btw, wheres the Chris Braswell edge love? Nobody is mentioning him but me….lol, thats usually a good sign….just like with Estime.
Powers
Braswell
Estime
Work your magic Jason 🙂
March 23rd, 2024 at 4:50 am
He gives 110% on every single snap!
I am a teacher abroad.
I haven’t missed one game since he was drafted.
He is the Ultimate Warrior.
March 23rd, 2024 at 6:18 am
LVD Thank you for all the memories and the more to come.
March 23rd, 2024 at 7:02 am
Wonderful! We have Evans, Baker, Whitehead, Winfield, David, and so many more strong players! Good job by Jason, Bruce, and Todd. Looking forward to next season and would love to see the confetti flowing again and another boat parade!
Okay, we have AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht, coach Bucco Bruce Arians Joe, we need a ‘positive and catchy nick-name’ for our Bucs coach Todd Bowles.
March 23rd, 2024 at 7:07 am
Classy from a classic. I agree on the “thought you had to be big to play in a 3-4.” Just show that speed kills.
March 23rd, 2024 at 7:22 am
Defense Rules Says:
March 23rd, 2024 at 7:25 am
Defense Rules Says:
I like the center choice if available.
But the second round has to be a WR.
The team can’t afford to pass on talent in a deep draft.
March 23rd, 2024 at 7:26 am
Great player. Hope Father Time takes some time off for him.
March 23rd, 2024 at 7:29 am
Makes me wonder how good Geraldine McCoy would have been in a 3-4 defense. They’d probably have to kick him off the field on run downs lol
March 23rd, 2024 at 7:30 am
Sounded like this was his last year from some of the words used.
Great to see this organization have the integrity and loyalty to lock it up.
March 23rd, 2024 at 7:31 am
Defense Rules
I thought the same thing when I saw that mock draft.
If that were to happen I would be really impressed. Not sure I see Isaac falling that far, who could actually be better than Chop, but the rest is doable. I really like Tykee Smith instead of Monroe, even though he projects as a safety and is smaller, his tackling ability is stellar and route recognition elite. He plays Nickel really well also. I think the Bucs are high on the Georgia boys, so Kamari Lassiter could slot there as well.
I also think we need to dip our toes in the WR well and would love a receiver like Wilson in the 3rd instead of TE. We need a true outside receiver if Godwin plays in the slot and Wilson is 6’7”. Cornelius Johnson is another option. If not JPJ or Barton, trading back would give us more ammo to meet ALL of our needs. There is awesome value for n the middle rounds.
March 23rd, 2024 at 7:54 am
Cool story…
Except it didn’t happen….
LD54 was in the middle of a 5 year – $50M contract at the time in question.
His deal was signed in 2016 and expired in 2020 – AFTER we won the Super Bowl
So NO – Licht and Arians and Bowles didn’t have to “talk LaVonte David into staying” – because he was already under contract for 2 more years when BA and TB were hired in 2019.
Just sayin….
March 23rd, 2024 at 8:04 am
Yes, we don’t want to be asking “where’s the beef?”
MadMax -yes, Powers & Braswell or Darius Robinson & Frazier/ (possibly Van Pran) would work too
^^mtn^^
Since ’76
March 23rd, 2024 at 8:19 am
Team needs to do everything they can to raise his profile nationally. LVD is one of the all time greats and needs a fitting for that gold jacket
March 23rd, 2024 at 8:25 am
I would’ve assumed LVD stayed to make up for blasting Geno Smith out of bounds in the first game of 2013.
March 23rd, 2024 at 8:46 am
Now Lavonte,
The photo in this post, are you wearing the ‘Bro’ or the ‘Mansiere’?
Seriously tho, you’ve more than made up for what Lt. Dan mentioned.
^^mtn^^
Since ’76
March 23rd, 2024 at 8:53 am
Agree with what the NFL.com mock looked like. IF Licht pulls that off he will be more than just the money manager, he’ll be a magician. That’s literally filling every hole…OL…Edge rush..power RB..TE…
March 23rd, 2024 at 9:34 am
It really sucks but I have a serious question? Has the associated press ever voted someone into the hall of fame with only one pro bowl birth?
March 23rd, 2024 at 10:01 am
Off topic – but has any player in NFL history made the pro bowl / all pro playing two different positions? Would Wirfs be the first? Guess I could google that.
March 23rd, 2024 at 10:06 am
I don’t mind the Bucs picking a receiver if they see value there in one of their picks but this theory that we would have to pick one in the 2nd round is absurd to me.
The guys in this year’s draft who are picked in the 2nd round almost for sure will not be as good as Evans.
And 80 percent of them will likely have less productive careers than Godwin.
But even more importantly, Palmer seemed to produce last year more like a 3rd round rookie than a 6th round rookie, so I am not sure why that position has to be taken.
If the Bucs have a late 1st round grade/high second round grade on a receiver like 25 to 35 overall grade and he is available there at 57, I will not complain. But if they pick a guy at WR at 57 that they have a grade in the 50’s on, I would be shocked. There are much bigger needs.
March 23rd, 2024 at 10:09 am
74 Bucs Fan Says:
March 23rd, 2024 at 10:01 am
1st that came into my head was probably Calias Campbell at both Defensive End and Defensive Tackle.
March 23rd, 2024 at 10:13 am
74 Bucs Fan Says:
March 23rd, 2024 at 10:01 am
Charles Woodson.
corner and safety
probably about 20 guys
March 23rd, 2024 at 12:13 pm
What a career the determination to get pass those losing years to achieve greatness what a story ! Much love LVD role model for us all
March 24th, 2024 at 1:57 am
Unburdened by letting Diva go elsewhere. LVD will have his best season yet in 2024. Except for one obstacle – the Head Coich.