“Things Needed To Be Said”
October 1st, 2024
Laid down the law.
One nugget Joe unearthed prowling the Bucs’ locker room after the beatdown of the Eagles is that a Bucs captain last week tore his teammates a new rear end for how they stunk up the joint against the lowly Broncos.
And it is also a guy who does his best not to be in the limelight. That would be Lavonte David.
Joe was told David really tore into teammates for not being prepared, not playing hard from the opening kickoff and embarrassing themselves against the Broncos by playing like a Sun Belt team.
His words must have still been ringing in everyone’s ears Sunday because the Bucs played with energy, fire and emotion in beating down the Eagles. The offense was precise, sharp or, as Bucs coach Todd Bowles called it, “crisp.”
It looked like two totally different Bucs teams in a span of eight days.
Today, Joe asked David if he “raised hell” last week and David chuckled and admitted, yeah, he did.
“It is what it is,” David smiled. “[I] just had to lead. Things needed to be said. To be the football team we want to be, there were standards that we needed to uphold.
“So things needed to be said. And I think [those words] were taken well.”
They certainly were. The Bucs played last Sunday like they were on a mission. The coaching was spot on. Guys who normally struggled held their own. And of course the Bucs stars were, well stars.
Mike Evans probably had his best game of the season. Rachaad White easily had his best game. Chris Godwin was Chris Godwin. Baker Mayfield was sharp as a tack. Vita Vea was unstoppable.
If David was waiting to choose the right time to unload on teammates, it appears he picked the perfect time.
October 1st, 2024 at 3:47 pm
Maybe this should be a weekly thing?
October 1st, 2024 at 3:55 pm
Keep that fire for a few more days then get Healy with the mini bye. Tough stretch coming up
October 1st, 2024 at 3:59 pm
Hey Lavonte, This should be a weekly thing now, you earned the right to chew out anyone at anytime.
Captain !
October 1st, 2024 at 3:59 pm
You can lead the Horse to the water
But you can’t make him drink it
I’m still not sold on the Bucs consistently
There’s loafers on this team
We never know which team will show up
October 1st, 2024 at 4:23 pm
A question for the growing group of posters here clamoring for DW45’s return to fill in SirVocea’s injury absence.
LVD is an enigma to me. Total class, fierce competitor, and a great athlete. Until the past few years however he didn’t come across as a “vocal leader”. He let his play do the talking and LVD’s play did far more…it freaking SHOUTED!
But what was the chemistry between LVD and DW45. They still check on each other and appear to be friends. But was LVD to constrained with DW45 when he went off the reservation and started loafing and missing assignments.
Warren Sapp had no problem pointing it out. Ian Beccles as well I believe. And we all saw the DW45’s play and demeanor had changed significantly.
IF the Bucs resign DW45 will the current excellent team chemistry remain in tact? I think DW45 considers himself a “leader” as well. But can he shut his yap and lead by example like LVD? LVD has EARNED the right to call out the team. DW45 earned after that SB but then he squandered it!!!
Perhaps if everything fell into place DW has learned his lesson and matured.
Imagine if DW45 came back to the Bucs with a chip on his shoulder as large as Baker Mayfield’s. What if he resurrected his career and regained his form just like Baker did his?
A man can dream can’t he. Just imagine a D with a healthy motivated DW45 alng with LVD, Winfield, Whitehead, McCollum, Vea, and a healthy Kancey!!!
October 1st, 2024 at 4:33 pm
DW45 has been benched. Carlton Davis was tagged with 3 holding calls(although he made a few splash plays the penalties mostly negated those). Gene said Mayfield was “hotter than a match”. It was so fun to watch football this weekend.
GO BUCS!
October 1st, 2024 at 6:03 pm
Team needs to play that interview with David and M. Stark in which the opening was bucs getting trashed on national TV in Atlanta right before kick off. If that doesn’t get them in the right mind frame to trash Dixie chicks from start, I don’t know what will.
October 1st, 2024 at 6:26 pm
Charissa Thompson.
October 1st, 2024 at 7:18 pm
Thank god for LVD. Todd isn’t a fire-upper type guy, glad LVD took the role.
Do it again tomorrow, Lavonte.
October 1st, 2024 at 8:14 pm
If any player in the NFL has the right to raise h3ll with his fellow players, it’s Lavonte David. I will always remember the second SB season when the Bucs won their final regular season game. They were going to the playoffs. LVD came off the field and the night lights were on. He was smiling and his face was shining with happy tears. He is such a class act. He better end up in Canton. And, if he wants to raise h3ll before kickoff Thursday night, go for it chief. The whole team will be listening.
October 1st, 2024 at 8:29 pm
Someone has to hold them all accountable and who better than one who was on the field and witnessed the lack of effort!! Thanks Lavonte !! I’m sure he let the team know how proud he was after they plucked and singed the Eagles !!
Go Bucs !! Beat the Falcons !! L G !!