Sit Down Lavonte David
November 21st, 2014
Lavonte David missed practice Thursday with a hamstring injury after being limited in practice on Wednesday.
It’s time to do the smart thing.
David is a cornerstone player for the franchise. The Bucs are 2-8 and heading to Chicago to play in hamstring-unfriendly weather. Kickoff conditions are expected to be 46 degrees and rainy.
Joe can’t think of one good reason why David should play Sunday and risk further injury.
Please don’t tell Joe the Bucs are in the playoff hunt so David must suit up. Joe’s been writing since the Bucs started this season 0-3 with two division losses — including a no-show embarrassment on national TV — that this season has become about next season.
Nothing has changed, other than the Bucs have shown a few signs of life en route to a 2-5 record since their Georgia beating.
David has made 42 consecutive starts since being drafted by the Schiano-Dominik regime in 2012. This year’s NFL tackles leader is a warrior who has delivered uplifting pride to a depressed fan base. Joe would love to see him drill Matt Forte on Sunday, but there’s no reason for it.
November 21st, 2014 at 10:04 am
I can’t imagine Lovie risking not having LVD on the field, especially since the LB play has been sketchy outside of him. Lovie is trying to win. Simply as that.
November 21st, 2014 at 10:09 am
Right on, Joe, remember what happened to Delma Huddle in North Dallas Forty…..
Folks down here don’t understand cold weather football that well but it is not condusive to players with injuries like the one LD is sporting.
When your car is making a funny noise, you go get it fixed, if you keep on driving, you might do severe, costly damage….
Common sense should prevail although you know LD will want to try and give it a go….
November 21st, 2014 at 10:10 am
@Patrick: “risking not having LD on the field” how about risking putting him on the field and losing him for another five games?
November 21st, 2014 at 10:13 am
@Tom – Totally get your point. I don’t think that’s the way they’re going to play it. If he’s able to go then I think he’ll be on the field
November 21st, 2014 at 10:18 am
Is there a subconscious notion behind recommending sitting David….Jameis odds
November 21st, 2014 at 10:27 am
It’s a hamstring. Either he can or can’t go. Not much middle ground there.
November 21st, 2014 at 10:27 am
Patrick: If that’s the case and he re-injures or it worsens, then this staff is as incompetent as many believe it is……
November 21st, 2014 at 10:35 am
Doesn’t LVD have some say in this…..Joe….you act as if you have his hamstring and it hurt you this morning when you got up…..
November 21st, 2014 at 11:01 am
So you are all in on tanking then, Joe? If he can possibly go, he should go. Weather won’t be a factor at all in determining his availability. He would be more at risk if it were 95 and sunny.
November 21st, 2014 at 11:05 am
@Joe: +1 million!
November 21st, 2014 at 11:17 am
If in doubt, sit him. Optimistically, the defense is 2/3 as good without him on the field, but let’s keep the number of games that we have to see that as low as possible. Do the right thing.
November 21st, 2014 at 11:30 am
I’d be willing to bet money that Lovie keeps David sidelined….until sunday. David’s got the mentality of tearing off his own leg if it’s slowing him down…unless he’s already injured it worse, he’ll be playing sunday.
November 21st, 2014 at 12:23 pm
It’s going to be a game time decision though LVD will be insisting to play regardless.
Sitting him is probably the right move.
November 21st, 2014 at 12:39 pm
Keep David out if injured come Sunday. Somebody else can play his spot. Don’t risk further injury. It’s not like a loss in Chicago will dampen this season worse than the results so far. Let him recover 100 percent.
November 21st, 2014 at 1:12 pm
Lasagna, lemon, foster
Sounds like dinner followed by dessert.
November 21st, 2014 at 7:50 pm
i think he will be 100% on sunday. he practiced on it, and come close to gameday they sit him ? i think they just give him time to completely heal just to ensure he will be there sunday. but this is just a theory.