Lavonte David: Derrick Brooks “Is Mr. Franchise”
March 17th, 2025
Nearing franchise record.
Lavonte David is one of the greatest players in Bucs history. But he’s still looking up at Mr. Derrick Brooks, statistically, historically and in reputation.
Who says that? Lavonte David, that’s who.
David has the fifth-most solo tackles of all NFL players since the league began keeping tackling stats in 1994. David finished last season with a career total of 1,111 solo tackles.
One player ahead of David is Brooks, who has 1,300 solo tackles. So if David keeps up his pace — averaging 85 solo tackles a season — he wouldn’t touch Brooks’ mark for most franchise solo tackles unless he plays in 2026. Maybe. And if he stays healthy.
David was asked today about possibly catching Brooks. He admitted that was in the back of his mind but it wasn’t a major reason why he chose to play at least another season.
David wanted to make it clear: He respects the hell out of Brooks, but he’s no Brooks.
“I’m not competing with Derrick Brooks – Derrick Brooks is still light years ahead of where I want to be,” David said. “It would be an incredible accomplishment, to be the leader for a franchise in tackles – that’s something that every kid dreams of, especially a kid in my position.
“I never thought I would be signing a contract to play my 14th season with the same organization. It’s incredible, man. It’s very humbling, it’s very amazing. It would be great to [reach 1,300 tackles], but at the same time, I’m just blessed to be able to play this game.
“‘D.B. is Mr. Franchise. Everybody wants to model what they do after Derrick Brooks, on the field and off the field. To be mentioned in the same breath is always incredible for me.”
David has deep respect for Brooks. Recently when he appeared on NFL Network to discuss returning to the Bucs, he noted how humbled he was to be mentioned with Rondé Barber and Brooks as Bucs ironmen, being one of the few to play 13+ years for the Tampa Bay.
So Joe guesses David is not ruling out playing a 15th season. If he really is chasing Brooks, it would be a season for the ages for 35-year-old David to tie or break Brooks’ mark next season.
David needs 189 solo tackles to catch Brooks. David’s season-high is 147 back in 2015. The NFL record for most solo tackles in a season was Ray Lewis in 1997 with 156.
March 17th, 2025 at 4:45 pm
Ironman indeed. I cannot imagine the toll it takes on a human body to make nearly 100 solo tackles a year for 13+ years. Lavonte Davis is an incredible athlete.
March 17th, 2025 at 4:54 pm
Hmmm…?
If Reddick makes a habit of flushing QB’s, it could lead to more short passes and running plays, which ‘could’ increase Davids tackle targets?
Give him someone to tackle and he will!
March 17th, 2025 at 4:54 pm
Flush em and crush em!
March 17th, 2025 at 5:30 pm
David’s genuine humility is one reason why he’s a Hall of Famer
March 17th, 2025 at 5:34 pm
Classy response. I’m impressed. Good to hear.
March 17th, 2025 at 5:47 pm
Ya made me look.
Brooks has more tackles.
David has more sacks.
Brooks has more interceptions and pick sixes.
David has more forced fumbles and fumble recoveries.
Brooks has more passes defensed.
David has more TFLs.
Brooks spent most (all?) of his career playing under a true defensive guru/genius at DC
David has spent his career playing under a carousel of DCs, some of whom were in the running to be the worst the NFL has ever seen.
March 17th, 2025 at 6:28 pm
Derrick Brooks had 1,713 combined tackles in his career.
Lavonte David has 1,602 combined tackles with at least 1 more year to play.
It is quite likely that LD54 will surpass DB55 in combined tackles THIS year to become the Buccaneers all time leading tackler – needing 112 combined tackles to achieve that.
Only once in the last 7 seasons – 2021 when he missed 5 games – has #54 not surpassed 112 tackles on the year……
#54 won’t get past Brooks’ 1300 solo tackles for #3 on the all time list unless he plays 3 more seasons. But he will very likely get past Brooks total tackles this year – for #7 all time leading NFL tackler.
And if he were to get to 1735 total tackles (133 needed) this season – he would surpass Zack Thomas as #6 for all time combined tackles. But that is unlikely as David has only exceeded 133 tackles in a season once in the last 9 years…..
March 17th, 2025 at 6:55 pm
gp — excellent take.
March 18th, 2025 at 4:16 pm
David continues to impress