Lavonte David Says Jameis Winston Was Needed In The Locker Room
June 12th, 2015
The Buccaneers’ soft-spoken, intense leader, Lavonte David, has no problem calling it straight when it comes to how Tampa Bay had a hole at the leadership position.
Yeah, the Bucs had leaders before the 2015 NFL Draft, but what was their leadership really worth? The Bucs have led the league in implosions and self-destructive behavior the past two seasons.
David joined Bruce Murray and Phil Savage on SiriusXM NFL Radio recently and was asked about Jameis Winston, America’s Quarterback.
First, David explained that Jameis is beloved and respected.
“He’s controlling the huddle. You know, he’s controlling himself like a vet already, man,” David said of Jameis. “He already has that demeanor and everybody in the locker room loves him. You know, he’s a great kid to be around, always has a lot of energy. You know, so far so good, man. Nothing but great things to say about him.”
Then David was asked “how badly” the Bucs needed a “dynamic presence” after so much losing.
“We need it a lot,” David said. “I think we have some veteran guys in the locker room, but there’s always that one piece that’s always missing. We feel like Jameis is that piece. He brings that extra mindset that we needed. So far he’s proven us right.”
Kudos to David for being candid and not playing nonsense games like rookie-sour center Evan (Dietrich) Smith. Every Bucs fan could see and feel in their guts that the Bucs were aching and desperate for a natural leader, and a gifted winner like Jameis.
It’s also great to hear a Bucs star claim the locker room already is sold on the rookie quarterback.
June 12th, 2015 at 8:06 am
You mean that GMC that the media has been saying is the “face” and “leader” was not enough, I am shocked.
June 12th, 2015 at 8:09 am
There is NO WAY LVD knows what’s going on more than SuperSam.
June 12th, 2015 at 8:27 am
Again it’s the “Jamies Affect”. S@$! is contagious. OMG the many can of whip arse that await being opened. Polish and fie up them cannons!
June 12th, 2015 at 8:27 am
I’m kind of surprised he’s so open about it. Maybe he was told to be?
June 12th, 2015 at 8:29 am
Either way, this is VERY good news! Can’t wait for the Titans!!
June 12th, 2015 at 8:40 am
That’s high praise coming from a top player on defense. We automatically have a chance to be a great football team and champion with a real QB…something you couldn’t say last year with Trash McCown back there prancing and sobbing. I can’t wait to watch Winston on Sundays.
June 12th, 2015 at 8:54 am
The fact that a Rookie QB has won over the best 4-3 OLB in the NFL is everything we need to know. Leadership cannot be found on the stat sheet. Jameis has “IT”!! They will follow!!! GO BUCS!
June 12th, 2015 at 8:57 am
That’s like the Combine interviews when they asked Winston and Mariota a question and Mariota looked over to Jameis to see if it was ok to talk! Doesn’t take much time to know who the “MAN” is!
June 12th, 2015 at 9:00 am
” Wake me up, when September starts”
June 12th, 2015 at 9:07 am
Whus up Dallas,nice reading some of your post these days bro.
June 12th, 2015 at 9:12 am
Well, it’s sure is nice to hear the best player on the team support the rookie. Every locker room needs a nice mixture of quite leaders and out going leaders. Last few years it’s been all quite / passive leaders. NOT bad mouthing those leaders but you need that guy with the “IT” factor and now they have it.
June 12th, 2015 at 9:19 am
Like I said for 2 months during the pre-draft debates. Winston is going to be a much needed steroid shot of adrenaline to this team. It’s just who he is.
Meanwhile in Tennessee…
June 12th, 2015 at 9:24 am
….. Mariota tries not to whisper so loud in the huddle!
June 12th, 2015 at 9:26 am
Why are you guys bashing Mariota? Everything I read out of Tenn says that Mariota is killing it in OTAs. Why the hate?
June 12th, 2015 at 9:28 am
Guess all the talk about what a great leader Josh M was just wasn’t all true. What a surprise.
June 12th, 2015 at 9:33 am
Now if Jameis can just fill in that slightly important component of playing great on Sunday, then we got something special.
June 12th, 2015 at 9:35 am
Buc-A-New, No bashing. Just glad we have the vocal leader. We don’t hear the Titans players gushing about Mariota. I think we made the right choice. I don’t root against Mariota. I just want Winston to be better. Marcus is too nice to hate! Lol
June 12th, 2015 at 9:38 am
Mariota will be a bust!
June 12th, 2015 at 9:45 am
There’s always excitement & optimism before our new guys take the field for real games. Like when Lovie was first hired & so many fans had great things to say this time last year. Now we get the trash comments from kats thinking we’re already supposed to be on dynasty status. Great time to be a Bucs fan, & I believe, but we’ll see how the so called “Bucs fans” respond once we hit some adversity. All I know is I’m in it for the long haul, always!
June 12th, 2015 at 9:48 am
“Buc1987 Says:
June 12th, 2015 at 9:19 am
Meanwhile in Tennessee…”
Are you talking about the contract holdout guy?
June 12th, 2015 at 9:52 am
JayBucBoi
Lovie did it to himself by setting unrealistic expectations when he was hired and by making statements like “Fans don’t deserve to be patient” and we can win now etc… When in reality he should have said we need to be patient. I drank the Lovie kool-aid when he was first hired and have since accepted the fact until Lovie is gone the bucs will not contend. I really had hoped he learned something from his time int he basement but it’s very apparent he has not and is still the same rigid stubborn coach. Don’t blame the fans for holding Lovie accountable to his own words and statements.
June 12th, 2015 at 10:40 am
Did Joe expect David to say anything but great positive comments about the Bucs first round pick while his contract is being negotiated?
June 12th, 2015 at 10:56 am
tmaxcon
I’m not about the losing myself. We’ve struggled as a franchise & fan base for way too long, but what is Lovie supposed to say? “I’m here & we’re going to win, but just not anytime soon”? We would be asking for his head 2 days into his reign. He did exactly what any seasoned coach would do, gave his players (who had only heard about his reputation) & the fans a reason to believe. We all know what our reality was with no franchise QB & so many holes on the team. No OC all year. We’re all passionate about our team, but I blame the fans for holding to their ignorance. The Patriots, Seattle, Packers, Steelers.. all the great teams in this league have consistency at the top. QB & HC. We haven’t since Gruden, and the “fans” want to continue to bring in a new coach every year. How do you think the players feel bout that? We have a QB now, we need to be All In as a fan base. L&L are building our dynasty.
June 12th, 2015 at 11:03 am
JayBucBoi
I respect your optimism that being said I just can’t buy into Lovie. It’s been way too long since he has won playoff games and it’s been almost a decade since he took a team to back to back playoofs. I just don’t think Lovie is the answer. I do like Licht.
June 12th, 2015 at 11:35 am
Ya this is my favorite article that I’ve read about Jameis, it’s exactly what this team needs. I just hope it holds true once:
a. the bullets start flying
b. the (more than likely inevitable) losing starts
June 12th, 2015 at 12:41 pm
Not to say that LVD and all these other players praising Winston is not totally truthful, which i think it is, but when was the last time you heard a player (other than pu$$-a$$ EDS) come in and totally bash their rookie #1 pick QB??? These players and coaches are forced by the league to talk to the media (which i dont think they enjoy, especially Lovie) and you can be damn sure they are not going to say anything but the positive
June 12th, 2015 at 1:36 pm
@SOEbuc
EDS made his comments before even meeting Jameis. That was pretty bad actually and he should have known better. Being a NOLE alum, booster, and fan I can tell you that Jameis has had this affect for years. This is nothing new and definitely something you will continue to hear.
June 12th, 2015 at 2:01 pm
Nobody saw a 2-12 season coming after last offseason, but it’s paying nice dividends.
No bashing of Mariota. I think he knew he wasn’t going to be the pick, but is classy about everything.
Thought for sure Jameis was going to be a cancer and/or lazy. Hmmm……HEY, who stole my car?
June 12th, 2015 at 4:02 pm
What Stanglassman said^^^ WORD.
June 12th, 2015 at 8:49 pm
I have a question for the Lovie haters, Do you all actually think that the Bucs Head Coach job is a hot job? No one want’s to coach the Bucs especially after they fired John Gruden. They had no choice but to hire Lovie( he was their most qualified candiate) it’s not like coaches are waiting in line to coach the Bucs. Raheem Morris and Greg Schiano was coaches that the Bucs had to settle for after the coaches of their choice turned them down. You all have to get it in your thick skulls that the BUCS have destroyed head coaches careers. Go back and look at Sam Wyche, Ray Perkins, Tony Dungy,John Gruden, Raheem Morris, Greg Schiano. Only Dungy has been a Head Coach after leaving the Bucs, Gruden has had offers but he love the booth(less pressure and stress). Get off Lovie and just be thankful that someone actually wanted the Bucs job. These are the Bucs, but you guys are going on like we are the Pittsburgh Steelers. SMH. You guys are always complaining about the free agents we bring here, HELLO no one want’s to play here, Jason and Lovie are doing the best they can to get players here, and you all was all on Marcus Mariota jockstrap, Mariota never wanted to play for the Bucs. We need players who want to be a BUC!
June 14th, 2015 at 8:10 am
Damn Lakeland, WORD.
June 14th, 2015 at 2:23 pm
Those of you saying or hoping mariota is a bust, your terrible. I wish both winston and mariota luck (but more luck to winston). Go bucs.
June 14th, 2015 at 2:47 pm
It’s amazing how everybody gushers about Winston, when he hasn’t even taken an NFL snap yet. Who gives a flip if he is energetic etc. let’s see how he plays in the NFL and then make our judgment. The kid has all the ear markings of a bust. In the end Mariota will shine.
June 14th, 2015 at 3:29 pm
Guys,
I am a long time Bucc fan from Southern California and I cant figure out some of you Buccaneer Fans. I can not figure out the SILLY SHOTS AT LOVIE for last years record. Lets get this straight you come in with a new OC and install a new offensive system.Then before the start of the season the designer of the system basically has his heart fall out of his chest and misses the entire season. His replacement is a guy who has been a QB coach at a few lower level D1 schools. Your team wins only two games but has approx. 7 to 8 losses by less than a touch down and all of a sudden a Super Bowl level coach with Grossman at QB cant coach. Regarding the horrible situation with the free agents we signed last year keep in mind that those are joint decisions by the GM and Coach so pass out blame equally. I venture to say that with the original OC in place calling the plays the o-line would have played better which would have improve the running game and the offense as a whole would have been 10 points better a game. This would have had a positive effect on the D by giving them a little more room for error while WAIT FOR IT —- they learned a new defensive system. Point is when Lovie said he would win right away I truly believe this is what he had in mind so calm down and enjoy the ride because this season should be fun. See you guys on 9/13/15 got tickets, flight scheduled and new McCoy jersey LETS GO BUCCS.
June 14th, 2015 at 3:56 pm
I’m A Titans fan and I’m hoping both mariota and winston do great. While I beli winston is more pro ready, I think mariota has all the tools to succeed. I pay no attention to the mistakes jaeimis made as a young man. Best of luck to both, and Tennessee for the win week 1.
June 14th, 2015 at 8:31 pm
I am always amazed at the bs about Mariota in comments on a Winston article. Like Mariota isn’t being praised by his coach & teamates..do you read Bleacher Reports, Pro Football News or watch NFL Access? He’s been praised plenty. He’s a contract holdout..do you not understand the team controls the timing of that, not the player? Titans historically do not sign rookies until July before training camp. I am a Mariota fan since he stepped on the field at Oregon, but I don’t bash Winston or hope he fails..that’s just juvenile! That Titans-Bucs game can’t come fast enough.