Gerald McCoy Blames “The Market” For Lavonte David’s Disrespect
August 5th, 2024
Joe’s not buying this one.
Lavonte David has played in nine postseason games and a load of prime time games over the past four years.
National media and fans have gotten a long and thorough look at his game. Still, despite stellar play, he can’t find his way into the Pro Bowl and he’s often underappreciated and under-recognized.
Six-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Gerald McCoy, the retired Bucs star, told Green Light with Chris Long that “the market,” as in Tampa Bay, is to blame. McCoy said the same thing happened to him during his Bucs playing days (2010-2018).
Joe understands McCoy’s point, since he toiled in Tampa during The Lost Decade of Buccaneers football. That included brutal losing, rare prime time appearances and Team Glazer allowing home games to be blacked out from local TV.
Still, McCoy made six consecutive Pro Bowls.
But David? He emerged from The Lost Decade to play in the Tom Brady era. The nation was watching the Bucs regularly and David was a Super Bowl hero keeping Travis Kelce out of the end zone.
The sad truth is that David’s game is not considered by most to be on a superstar level. It has nothing to do with Tampa, but Joe cannot provide an exact reason.
Luke Kuechly and Bobby Wagner, the linebackers with the giant accolades from David’s 2012 draft class, didn’t play in premier markets. They did play with elite quarterbacks, but so did David for three years.
Per McCoy, if David played for the Cowboys, Raiders, Steelers or 49ers, “we’re not saying he’s undderrated. We’re saying this guy’s a first-ballot guy, he’s one of the greatest of all-time. That’s what we’d be saying about him, but because he’s in Tampa, you know.”
McCoy added that Mike Evans also is underappreciated because he plays in Tampa.
Again, Joe gets the theory, but somebody’s going to have to explain to Joe how/why the Tampa market has been holding players back the past four seasons.
Joe sees plenty of players in smaller markets — Cincinnati, Buffalo, Baltimore, etc. — getting all kinds of love and respect. And none of those teams has been as successful as the Bucs over the past four seasons.
August 5th, 2024 at 10:35 pm
So what is the reason, then?
If he was a New York Giant, it would be a fate accomplis.
August 5th, 2024 at 10:49 pm
The Bucs for an eternity were not only the laughing stocks of the NFL it was ALL professional sports. If there was a football folly on TV you could guarantee it was of the Bucs in those embarrassing orange uniforms. Just recently we had the lost decade. The organization is trying its best to work its way out of that reputation, but even today very few take us seriously. This has been an uphill battle for anyone who plays for the Bucs or coaches them.
August 5th, 2024 at 10:55 pm
Compare Kuechly’s stats during his time with David’s. It does have to do with some kind of loser perception for recent generations. People somehow think Brady and Gronk were the magic that told the story. The rest of the team that Licht had assembled were an afterthought I guess.
Go Bucs, win another Superbowl soon!
August 5th, 2024 at 10:59 pm
The issue is a combination of the market and organization. The two combined, don’t have a lot of reach and have trouble getting their players recognized. For example, Gerald McCoy got noticed because both Warren Sapp and the late Steve White would sing his praises. At the time Sapp was still working for the NFL Network and Steve White would write on different platforms that got national attention. That’s how a lot of non-TB fans found out he was good? But who with national media reach is really talking about Lavonte David? Ronde will sing his praises but he mostly only does it to local media or fan sites. Brooks will sing his praises but he largely keeps to himself. There is not a single national level writer, former player, or streamer that is willing to give him his credit where a lot of people can see it. No one that can point out that he can do anything any top level LB can do and more things that those LBs can’t. If Brady ever decides to go on camera and call David one of the best LBs he has ever seen play, then may he would get his respect (gold jacket) in the end.
August 5th, 2024 at 11:08 pm
The easiest and most logical thing to do would be to stop listening to what blowhard Softy says and then typing it up Joe.
He is/was a loser with a quick first step who lacked any true passion for the game and was just fine with losing.
He’s gone.
He’s been gone.
Let it go.
August 5th, 2024 at 11:21 pm
GREAT PLAYERS IN TAMPA GET LOVE TOO
Derrick Brooks played MLB in Tampa
>Pro Bowls – 11
>All Pro – 9
>DPOY – 1
>NFL MVP Votes in 2002
LVD hasn’t gotten the attention for the same reason Evans hasn’t. Year over year they consistently perform at an extremely high level but they are never the best at their position in a single year. You appreciate them when you see the full body of their work. I’d rather have a consistent performer than a splash performer. How much value is Carolina getting from Luke now?
August 5th, 2024 at 11:41 pm
Joe, I know you’re here to stoke the flames, but Gerald has a good point.
Joe’s not here for stoking anything. Bucs have become household names over the past four seasons (9 postseason games). The “Tampa” excuse doesn’t hold water any longer. This is the 12th-largest TV market in the U.S.–Joe
You can shine on a bad team and get masses of recognition for it in large markets. What’s the record of teams Saquon Barkley was on? Still a household name – New York right? How about DeAndre Hopkins, a lot of stink in his career. Good thing he had Houston and Arizona markets. And so on..
August 6th, 2024 at 1:39 am
SlyPirate, when was David not the best LB in his prime? He’s been top 3 in coverage for most of his career and he’s the undisputed king at attacking plays behind the line and its not even close. He’s been the best all around LB in league until recently when his speed has started declining.
August 6th, 2024 at 6:40 am
F Kuechly and Wagner. I wouldn’t trade Lavonte’s career here with any of those so called big names.
August 6th, 2024 at 7:34 am
@joebucsfan, couldn’t agree with you more. Tampa has been a prime time televised team since Tom Brady got here. Even now with Baker Mayfield, the world wants to see how he’s come along! We have had major exposure the last four years so there should be no excuse for Levante David under appreciation but yet it exists lol he is definitely one of the greatest
August 6th, 2024 at 8:14 am
David never really self-promoted and was never a “look at me” peacock on the field.
If David peacocked like the Red Rooster, his accolades would be different.
August 6th, 2024 at 8:17 am
Those team are in established markets where those teams rule. The Bucs are a newer team and the majority of the people here are from somewhere else and root for other teams in addition to the Bucs. Besides, there are so many other things to do in Tampa Bay. What else is there in Buffalo, Detroit or Cinci. Those fans are rabid despite their records. Tampa Bay is seen by the rest of the country as a meh market.
August 6th, 2024 at 8:32 am
I think there were 7 postseason games not 9. And Tampa is a top market. It was 9 games. –Joe
The issue IMO is that Lavonte is a nice respectable player and is one to not show off or make any waves. I blame the NFL journalists and reporters for not doing their job to make it known about how good a player he is. Most only speak of players who make a scene, it plays to the ratings.
August 6th, 2024 at 8:50 am
Lavonte is another Buc player under appreciated. I agree with McCoy and others that have commented in the past about Mike Evans being underrated too. If they were on the Cowboys, 49ers, and other teams we would hear about them all the time. That is okay! We have them on our team, they don’t. I am one that loves watching the pro bowl. But to be honest, it shouldn’t be a prerequisite for getting into the Hall of Fame or other accolades.
August 6th, 2024 at 9:49 am
Yeah Joe you are way off on this one. Its definitely the market. Also being the 3rd wheel in the Kuechly Wagner race (in the national media landscape) is to blame. Wagner garnered attention and fame young in his career playing in the legion of boom and winning a superbowl as a captain. Kuechly also was labeled a star early and was a HIGH draft pick Like Devin White who gets alot of attention, maybe more than Lavonte) Kuechly hasn’t played since 2019. –Joe
So basically he was left out early on and nobody has paid any mind to him since. You’re making part of Joe’s point. He’s had a lot of attention the last four seasons on big stages.–Joe
Heck Devin White is a more popular Linebacker for Tampabay media wise the last 5 years
August 6th, 2024 at 9:51 am
I just saw NomadicPosters comment about Devin White and am rolling laughing. WHATTTTTTT PEOPLE ACTUALLY THINK HE IS/WAS A TOP 3 LINEBACKER?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?! Is that real??
August 6th, 2024 at 9:56 am
Dr bucenstein. It is 9 games. 4 out Super Bowl year. Two the next year when we lost to rams second playoff game. Then the loss to cowboys the next year. Then last year win over eagles loss to lions. That’s 9
August 6th, 2024 at 10:15 am
Obviously the doctor doesn’t do maths.
2020 – WFT, Aints, Fudgers, Chefs (4)
2021 – Beagles, Rams (2)
2022 – Cowgirls (1)
2023 – Beagles, Lions (2)
4+2+1+2 = Nine
At least it does in most cultures.
August 6th, 2024 at 10:47 am
Simple. The success under Brady was entirely due to Brady. Now that there’s success post-Brady, it’s a fluke due to a weak division. What will be the excuse be when we win the division again? Stay tuned
August 6th, 2024 at 11:07 am
I think what he said is just part of the equation. Also, his position and not being a big ‘sack’ guy! He’s a quiet leader, very consistent, no drama, & just goes about his bidness. Wagner played on a championship DEFENSE, with a cute little nickname LoL… A loaded All-Time Defense. And, with that great Bucs team… There were just way too many STARS on that team sucking up all the oxygen, while garnering the most attention. Even, a young DWhite got most of the attention from the Defense, due to his youth, potential, & number of so-called splash-plays. I think he should start doing as many national interviews as possible moving forward, on shows such as The Herd (as he has previously), etc. He does a really good job and it would give his HOF prospects (which I believe he is an eventual ‘no-doubter’), a HUGE boost.
August 6th, 2024 at 11:21 am
Gerald has a habit of sticking his foot in his mouth every so often. This is one of those times. He needs to stick to what he knows when he is on the tube. The “market” is fine.
This organization has done a piss poor job of promoting the team and its players, locally and nationally. News media is corrupt and thinks the only folks that really matter live in a half dozen places. None of them are Tampa.
We have local journalists in the Tampa area who know the team, coaches and players but if there is any breaking news it is brought to us via an “NFL insider”? That folks is one way they control things. Joe had to fight folks at the Super Bowl as I remember.
Roger and the other owners treat us like the proverbial step child and there ain’t diddly we can do about it.
Go Bucs!
August 6th, 2024 at 12:40 pm
Those teams, Cincinnati, Seattle, Buffalo, Baltimore has a crazier fan base than the Bucs. Charlotte is similar to Tampa, but like you said, an elite QB and Kuechly showed up. when Tom was here , it was only about Tom and everyone else was part of the band. We know that he was here, but it was the defense that did the work when he was here
August 6th, 2024 at 1:35 pm
Lmao of course it’s playing for Tampa. That’s the reason he’s been disrespected his entire career.
Same as Mike Evans.
This about as “duh” as it gets.
August 6th, 2024 at 1:49 pm
I think part of the problem Is how the last four years played out.
First of four years was the Covid Super Bowl And it took Brady and Gronk and Super Bowl Lenny and Antonio Brown to get us over the line. All good players that had their best years with other teams. Bucs didn’t win the division that year (though they ran a string of impressive road wins against some of the toughest playoff teams util they had their home Super Bowl game against an O tackle deficient Kansas City Chiefs).
Second year of 4 years we ran everybody back for the most part but made one simple mistake in the NFC Championship Game and didn’t get back to the super bowl. We were that close. Of course, we had the same offensive guys that had their best years with other teams… so there’s that. Most of our best defenders were homegrown though.
3rd and 4th years of the four years, we won our division but hovered right around .500. We also didn’t go very deeply into the playoffs. Now the last 4 years if we won every season by double digits and made it to the NFC Championship game each time, I think things would probably be different for the Buccaneers perception wise, but we haven’t been dominant the entire 4 years.
August 6th, 2024 at 2:12 pm
I met Lavonte briefly at training camp in 2019 and he is a humble soft spoken guy . A Bucs fan said to him, “Lavonte, I think you are the 2nd best linebacker behind Keuchly” and Lavonte basically took it as a compliment in a very humble way.
I like guys like Lavonte that don’t run their mouth but let their play speak for themselves. And he’s been a great Buc for us. He “should” be a 1st ballot hall of famer.
August 6th, 2024 at 5:23 pm
Luke Kuechly is white……………(somebody had to say it)………😒.
August 6th, 2024 at 8:37 pm
Whether the below is meant to be a joke or not, it’s not cool. Racism should go both ways.
Anyhony Says:
August 6th, 2024 at 5:23 pm
Luke Kuechly is white……………(somebody had to say it)………😒.