Lavonte David Has It Going On Above The Shoulders
March 26th, 2024
Bucs GM Jason Licht explains.
Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht has a famous saying.
He maintains that the main reason a draft pick busts out isn’t necessarily because he cannot handle the game physically. Licht’s belief is a guy busts out because he can’t handle it mentally. There is a lot of truth to that. It’s a big reason teams shy away from headcases.
So when the Bucs were celebrating all things Lavonte David as he re-signed with the Bucs, Licht discussed how David’s head is screwed on perfectly.
“Everything about Lavonte, and what makes him the player that he is, is elite – his preparation, his competitiveness,” Licht said. “His desire and his passion are a 10 [on a] 1-10 scale. We won’t put him on the other [pr!ck] scale we talked about, but as a player, he’s a 10 on that, too.
“Everything about him is elite. That’s what makes him who he is. That’s what makes it special to be around him every day. You want to be around people that are the best. It’s just fun to watch.”
Joe remembers when linebacker Mason Foster was with the team and he used to say how when the Bucs were on the road, he and David used to brainstorm during hours-long chalktalks. The two were always studying tape, always studying gameplans, always trying to discover an edge.
Joe also remembers talking to former Dixie Chicks quarterback Matt Ryan at the Super Bowl. Ryan remarked that, yeah, David was a sensational player and a big reason was his mental preparation.
Ryan said David’s experience combined with all of David’s homework, it was awfully hard to fool him. David has seen it all, Ryan said, and was prepared for it all.
Like Licht has explained, it’s very much about what’s above the shoulders. And David wins there.
March 26th, 2024 at 4:34 am
Good article Joe,
It has always puzzled me why LVD was not the one calling the signals on defense.
March 26th, 2024 at 5:02 am
How many times have you seen LVD blow up a screen for a loss? Why? Preparation, recognizing the situation and then being able to take action.
March 26th, 2024 at 6:32 am
Devin White should be taking notes, but he’s too busy changing Daisy Mae’s oat bag.
March 26th, 2024 at 6:34 am
We are lucky to watch this very talented man do what he loves.
He is finally starting to get the recognition Nationally, that has deserved for so long!
March 26th, 2024 at 6:36 am
Let him pick his next partner. We all want another trophy and boat parade.
March 26th, 2024 at 6:46 am
Put the green sticker on JVD in 2024, who diagnoses plays better?
LFG BUCS
March 26th, 2024 at 6:46 am
^LVD
March 26th, 2024 at 7:48 am
he’s pretty much mastered the game at this point…it’s a shame DW kinda went sideways on him in the process – those 2 on the same page were beastly at one point…
with lavonte, you can probably go with the slower britt this season because lavonte will always be on point…
and more so…
i think they also brought whitehead back because he’s alway been such a strong player up inside the box – and will help out some as well, potentially covering area with britt
March 26th, 2024 at 10:00 am
It was awesome seeing Licht call out the Sage in the first minute of the presser. Do your job! lol
March 26th, 2024 at 11:42 am
STUD! HOFer!!!
Bucs fans have been fortunate to watch 2 of the BEST off ball Linebackers to ever play the game dominating that weakside area – week in and week out for almost the entirety of the last 30 years….
March 26th, 2024 at 11:43 am
I loved how Licht was taking about his prototypical player being LVD. How they have an image of a silhouette of a guy in their war room and he represents the guy they all want to draft. The image doesn’t show the players face but that image is LVD. Even though Licht didn’t draft David, he is the player all GM’s seek in the draft every year. The hall of fame is watching LVD this year
March 26th, 2024 at 4:31 pm
I noticed Vita Vea is big. Evans seems pretty tall.