“No Issues” Lavonte David Earns NFL Speed Mark
December 10th, 2024
Joe’s got two sweet nuggets from Lavonte David’s locker and Sunday’s JumboTron at The Licht House.
So David racked up his fourth sack of the season early in the first quarter Sunday against the Raiders. Soon after, the Bucs flashed an official NFL NextGen graphic on the stadium JumboTron that showed David’s time from snap of the ball to touching the quarterback on his blitz was 3.04 seconds.
It was the fastest sack of the day in the NFL, per the Bucs’ promotion. Joe thought that was cool but also snickered. It wasn’t even 1:30 p.m.
So Joe made a note to check the NextGen data today to find where that David sack ranked for speed in all Week 14 action.
And guess, what, David’s sack held up as the fastest in the NFL last week. (Video below).
After the January playoff game in Detroit, Bucs fans heard David mic’d up and talking to Detroit backup QB Teddy Bridgewater. David was saying he might be done with football. It was a long, punishing season.
On Sunday, Joe grabbed David solo after the game and asked him how he feels about his body versus last year in mid-December, and about playing for the 2025 season.
“I’m blessed, man. No issues,” David said of his health. “I just go out there to play football and that’s what I’m going to keep on doing.”
As for 2025, all David specifically would say is that he’s just focused now on winning each day.
David turns 35 in January. But Joe thinks David saying he’s got no issues — he’s been open about issues in past seasons — is a great sign that David is not interested in hanging up his cleats.
Do the Bucs want David back? Sage Ira Kaufman was emphatic on his podcast that the Bucs absolutely want David in 2025, assuming David wants it, too.
DROPPED BY LAVONTE DAVID 💪
📺: #LVvsTB on CBS pic.twitter.com/JEY8a3PwkJ
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) December 8, 2024
Ira Kaufman Talks Bucs Door-Slamming The Raiders, Todd Bowles Stalking, Locker Room Chatter, Postseason Positioning And Much More
December 10th, 2024 at 9:19 am
35 yrs old and his body puts these 23-26 yr olds to shame.
December 10th, 2024 at 9:28 am
Imagine if devin white didn’t lose his mind. Or we had a competent linebacker to play next to him….wishful thinking fir best season
December 10th, 2024 at 9:32 am
Man that would be awesome.
I was at the game Sunday trying to find you guys lol. My company hooked us up with the VIP Package and we got credentials to roam the sidelines during warm ups and watch the players come out of the tunnel before being ushered to our seats. Best game day experience I’ve ever had.
December 10th, 2024 at 9:51 am
I have little doubt he’ll be back……If so, we will only have to draft one ILB instead of 2.
December 10th, 2024 at 10:19 am
hell yeah…and if the players around him were balling out, he’d look even better…
just improve the linebacker room around him for next season…he’s that good…
and if you say he’s losing a step, he makes up for it with headiness…if that’s even a word
December 10th, 2024 at 11:33 am
David had a straight run/free lane up the middle to the qb. Winfield was also coming hard from the weak side after getting chipped by the rb. Bra as usual was doubled and pushing two OL backwards.
One thing this video clip shows is the effect of up-the-middle pressure. It isn’t just that Lavonte is closing fast but that the qb has to turn and duck. That stops any read or play. Can’t wind up or throw against this blitz like he would if the pressure was just from the outside.
December 10th, 2024 at 11:57 am
LVD is the Bucs version of London Fletcher. All players are individuals and so I’m simply comparing the styles, production and longevity of the two.
Fletcher like LVD has a SB ring as well as I think 4 Pro Bowls.
Fletcher’s final season he was 37 years old and still playing at a high level. This means if LVD is lucky and can stay healthy he might have as many as 3-4 years left.
I’m in my late 70’s and I’m here to tell you that 70 is the new 50…at least in my mind! 🙂 Perhaps 35 is the new 30 for NFL LB’s.
BTW at my age I suspect you can guess my favorite Buc. He’s not a player but still and amazing human being. Tom Moore is freaking 85 and still showing up in the wee hours of the morning. I wanted to get in the pool at 7AM this morning, I was fortunate to drag my butt out of bed and make it by 8:20AM
Tom Moore is my idol!!!
December 10th, 2024 at 1:34 pm
BucU…..You’re so right! Lavonte puts these young guns to shame with his physicality, hustle, smarts, leadership, and taking care of his body. How he plays like he does whether fully healthy or banged up, is why he’ll get his gold jacket. He’s a pro’s pro. Hope he decides to keep on playing next year. We’ll need his production along with his mentoring of the new linebackers we’ll surely draft or accumulate. He can show our future linebacker crew how it’s done much like Hardy Nickerson did with Brooks & company before passing the torch. He’s the only one holding this defense together right now. He’s our MVP this year in my opinion.
December 10th, 2024 at 4:27 pm
We are very fortunate to be able to see him play and play at this elite level for so long. The only issue LVD has is the lack of help inside. To me this year has been as much of a test as his early years. He’s been everywhere and making up for so many liabilities we have. He’s a pros pro and we are blessed to have him.
December 10th, 2024 at 4:38 pm
My fandom started in 2001, so I love and appreciate Sapp, Brooks, Lynch, Barber, Rice, all the guys who won that first SB…. But Lavonte and Mike are my guys, my favorites based on longevity (during my time as a fan) and their HoF resumes.
We need Lavonte for 1 more. I hope with everything that Licht is in Davids ear after the season, provided he stays healthy and gives him the plan. The plan being, we are all in for 2025. Going after a couple high end FAs and drafting D heavy. We need to do what it takes to try and win one more while Lavonte, Mike, Vea are in the building. The biggest ? And unfortunately maybe the most important issue as far as winning another SB goes is who is leading the team at HC? Can that coach get them there, and as we prolly know, I don’t think Bowles is the guy unless we really load the talent in the offseason and stay healthy.
December 10th, 2024 at 4:57 pm
For all of the dissing he’s received with all the Pro Bowl snubs, he deserves TWO inductions and TWO gold jackets! It’s absurd how he’s been treated like a scrub his whole career
December 10th, 2024 at 6:00 pm
Long time Bucs fans respect LVD and we know he belongs in Canton. I’ve been around since 1979 so I know HOF Defensive Bucs talent. He could have left after his rookie contract was up just like ME13. Believe me, LVD was being heavily courted. But, he turned the offers down. As did ME13. Only they know why but I’m glad they both chose to stay here.
December 11th, 2024 at 3:40 am
David absolutely belongs in Canton. Playing like this at 34 alone is deserving.
Sage is gonna have to do work however, and that is a shame.
It’s also a shame AB derailed what should have been back to back SBs.
That hurt LVDs chances too.
Sad to see Winfield coming also and a hand full of plays later he is out for several weeks.
Just the story of this season.