Lavonte David Explains Signs The Bucs May Be Better Defensively
June 15th, 2024
Lavonte David
Coaches always talk about wanting to see juice from players at practice. Many football folks believe passion leads to harder work, better preparation and, therefore, better play on Sundays.
In that way, iconic Bucs linebacker Lavonte David wouldn’t be surprised if the Bucs are better defensively this fall. It’s because he’s seen this spring how his defensive teammates brought the juice to underwear football practices.
“I’m seeing it out here,” David said this week. “Guys are competing. Guys are trash-talking. That’s just something I really like. It just shows everybody is getting comfortable doing what they are doing. That’s just stuff I love to see.
“Once gametime comes and we get the gameplan, it will show on the field.”
David also believes if players are having fun at practice, they are better dialed in to the task at hand, as opposed to dreaming for the final whistle of the day so they can hit the showers.
“It’s fun to see guys having fun,” David said. “No one is, ‘Aw man, we’re practicing.’ Everybody is out here practicing to get better and have fun.”
That’s good to hear. The next step is production on Sundays. Great to have enthusiasm. Better to have results. And yes, results often breed enthusiasm.
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June 15th, 2024 at 5:12 am
Joe … ‘Great to have enthusiasm. Better to have results. And yes, results often breed enthusiasm.’
Love the bottom line Joe. Have come to believe over the years that not only do ‘results often breed enthusiasm’ like you said, but that it often spurs a reciprocal behavior pattern where even more enthusiasm often breeds even better results. And the wheel keeps turning, faster & faster …
June 15th, 2024 at 5:34 am
This coming from the elder statesman of the Bucs, I think it bodes well when a team leader takes note of it publicly. Good job Lavonte.
Makes me wonder how youthful this team is compared to the rest of the NFL.
It is hard to manufacture enthusiasm at practice. Especially in the dog days of summer.
Go Bucs!
June 15th, 2024 at 7:07 am
They’re ALSO better because no DW, no Ryan Neal, but I expect he wouldn’t say THAT part out loud
June 15th, 2024 at 7:38 am
Not surprised. That’s exactly what J. L. said he was going for 2 years ago . Youth , speed , strength and enthusiasm.
On another note Lavonte should not be allowed to play for any other team unless he just wants to play elsewhere . He should be allowed to play for the Bucs for as long as he is able and wants .
I can see Lavonte being a head coach one day . He has the intelligence and charisma to be a very successful one .
As always GO BUCS !!!
June 15th, 2024 at 8:14 am
Agree with all of the comments above except the “ad coach one day” part. No offense Noclu but Mr. David has made it clear that his future is the ministry. I don’t think he even cusses. Good on him.
June 15th, 2024 at 8:25 am
Whitehead back. Davis gone. White gone. Kancey healthy. New blood from the two most prolific and best coached college teams, Alabama and Georgia.
And most importantly, an Offense that can improve time of possession.
Yes. This Defense has a chance to not just be better, but lead the NFL.
June 15th, 2024 at 8:27 am
We have enough veterans to hold it all together and lead. We have enough youth to bring the juice. This is going to be a fine defense.
June 15th, 2024 at 10:00 am
LVD is a hall of famer, but I’m cautious when football players use the term “fun”. It reminds of Gerald Mccoy. Hopefully it shows up on the field this fall.
June 15th, 2024 at 11:28 am
Getting rid of the Diva tumor has to help. Now LVD doesn’t have to wonder every play what assignment the moron will miss next.
June 15th, 2024 at 1:12 pm
Lt Dan none taken . No reason he can’t minister and coach too. Lots of young people to minister to when being a coach . In fact one of the biggest things a coach does is mentor your players into being good men . I remember many times Warren Sapp said the worst thing ever for playing for coach Dungy was having to face him when he new he had done wrong . All the players had the utmost respect for Coach Dungy because of the man he is (A devout christian) . However I agree with you that there is no higher calling than the ministry. If your called it takes precedent over all else .
June 15th, 2024 at 1:25 pm
Agreed being in Ministry doesn’t mean you are a PASTOR.
Not sure David wants to coach, but he would be a good one.
That is if he has the patience for it.
He certainly KNOWS which character traits to stay away from after playing with DW, Swaggy Baker and even Vernon Hargreaves. That dide celebrated an errant throw like he was the one that caused it.
June 15th, 2024 at 2:30 pm
I do remember that about VHIII. His man would be wide open and either drop it or the pass would be high or wide, and he’s woofing like a pit bull.
June 15th, 2024 at 3:53 pm
3 YEARS
It takes a new coach 3 years to get a roster of his players. Sounds like Bowles is building a Tony Dungy-like culture. Hard working guys that love football.
I like it!
June 15th, 2024 at 4:27 pm
Having fun means playing with energy, playing loose and enjoying the process of getting better together. It’s a good thing for sure.
June 15th, 2024 at 10:01 pm
One thing to add to the comments about the terrific infusion of youth is that for whatever reason Vita Vea has bought in. Is he in a contract year? I don’t know his motivation, perhaps he grew tired of not reaching his TRUE potential, whatever kudos to Vita for losing the Pillbury Doughboy physique.
It’s great to see a vet up his effort a couple of notches. Maybe the rookies have fired him up? Maybe it’s time to thing about the “Benjamins”. Whatever glad he’s improved his Dad bod.
June 16th, 2024 at 4:56 am
STOP!!!!!