Lavonte David Has NFL Record Goals, Too

August 1st, 2024

Underrated? Lavonte David agrees.

UPDATED 7:15 a.m.: Mike Evans isn’t the only Bucs player chasing a legend.

If Lavonte David has a typical Lavonte David year he will move into fourth place all-time in solo tackles. (Officially, the NFL did not start tracking tackles until 1994.)

At No. 3 is none other than Mr. Derrick Brooks, who finished with 1,300 career tackles. David currently has 1,035, which has him at 11th all-time. (Rondé Barber is ninth at 1,044.)

Interestingly, of the top-10 tacklers in league history, only six are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team recently launched a podcast where the focus is underrated figures in the NFL. His first guest is David.

And yeah, David confessed he believes he is always overlooked by the NFL intelligencia.

Ari Meirov: I think it is kind of criminal you’ve only made it to one Pro Bowl. … Do you feel like you are the most underrated linebacker during your playing career?

Lavonte David: Now I can say it since I’m a little older. Yeah, of course, I think so. I feel like every time I’m on the field, I’m one of the best out there on the field. People always say numbers speak for themselves. And you can bring up any kind of stat or whatever, my name is in there.

David is right. Joe knows some of the stuffed shirts who select the Pro Football Hall of Fame look at Pro Bowls as a contributing factor in a player’s worthiness.

Joe cannot remember where which one, but this summer a national sports radio host said if David is kept out of the Hall of Fame due to a lack of Pro Bowls, that’s an indictment on the selection process for Canton, not a knock on David.

Joe couldn’t have said it better.

11 Responses to “Lavonte David Has NFL Record Goals, Too”

  1. Dave Pear Says:

    PREACH and Amen.

    LVD HOF no brainer unless there are no brains

  2. Saskbucs Says:

    100%. It’s shameful. I know it would be asking too much at age 34 but he’s still a hell of a player and I would love nothing more than to see Lavonte have a Winfield 2023 type season. 120+ tackles, 5 sacks, 2 FF, 2 FR, 1-2 INT culminating in his 2nd SB victory. Keep him out of the conversation after that dipsticks.

    I’m still reeling from seeing that CBSSports bracket that had Shaq Leonard and Roquan Smith on it but no Lavonte.

  3. Buc1987 Says:

    Dave Pear …12 am?

    Get a life buddy.

  4. Dave Pear Says:

    What, yours?

  5. BA’s Red Pen Says:

    Buc1987 ….12:19 am?

  6. JimBobBuc Says:

    Bobby Wagner is sometimes touted as a HOF guy. Bobby is now in Washington, so I hope the Bucs PR staff bring LVD’s facts to the game 1 telecast crew to show that LVD is better than Wagner. LVD belongs in the HOF!

  7. BucsFan55 Says:

    with his numbers, he should be HOF worthy, maybe 2nd ballot. Some more sacks or INTs and maybe another superbowl he’s for sure in

  8. Cobraboy Says:

    What about Whitehead? I read he limped off at the end…

  9. Cobraboy Says:

    Wrong thread.

  10. SlyPirate Says:

    TACKLES FOR A LOSS

    The tackle record is a great accomplishment, but TFL is significantly more notable. LVD had 17 TFL last year (just above his average). If he repeats LVD will rank 3rd all time. Check out these names …

    EOY TFL PROJECTIONS
    Terrell Suggs 202
    JJ Watt 195
    LVD 177
    Aaron Donald 176

    All of the TFL Top 10 are HOF or locks for the HOF.

  11. Rod Munch Says:

    The Pro Bowl is a complete joke since they started letting stupid fans vote, and they are really really stupid.

    The only award that matters anymore is ALL-PRO awards, those are the gold standard.