Bearing The Burden
July 30th, 2015
If only the Buccaneers had a dozen more guys like Lavonte David.
Remember when Alterraun Verner named David, not Gerald McCoy, as the hardest worker on the Buccaneers?
Well, David not only works hard, but he takes losing hard — and he puts it on his back.
Beat writer Rick Stroud apparently enjoyed a meal with David this week and shared some of their conversation, via TampaBay.com.
“Last year I missed a lot of opportunities, when I go back and look at myself on film, where maybe I could’ve forced a fumble or made an interception or get a sack,” David said. “I was just a step slow, not knowing how the offense would block a play. I didn’t make a lot of splash plays, the game-changing plays. The game is all about making a play. If I improve on that, maybe we can be 14-2.”
Joe loves the nuance there of “not knowing how the offense would block a play.” David demands so much of himself. It’s refreshing. Perhaps he can double as an assistant offensive line coach.
Stroud’s story revolved around the contract talks with David and the Bucs, which seem to be stalled. He could become a free agent after this season.
Joe’s really not concerned about a deal getting done. If the Bucs want to keep David, then they’ll have every opportunity to make it happen.
July 30th, 2015 at 11:47 am
I cant wait to see David in year two of the sytem. Tight ends and slot receivers a running backs getting smacked around for four quarters.
July 30th, 2015 at 11:58 am
The talent is improving on this team. But another great thing is that the locker room has improved dramatically.
I mean why isn’t LVD out beating up cabbies and popping some adderals?
Why isn’t LVD hosting parties so loud and outrageous that his neighbors have to repeatedly call the police.
Uh oh. This team is going to suck according to some because they are just too damn nice. Can’t possible be a good hard working athlete and also be a good football player. Obviously LVD and DB55 prove how absurd that thought is.
July 30th, 2015 at 12:06 pm
These guys clearly do not sound like a team only about to improve by winning just four more games. I’m sensing a team feeling poise to make big noise this season. Theirs this quiet but extra confident with this group. People I’m telling y’all think bigger for next season.
July 30th, 2015 at 12:11 pm
“If” the Bucs want to keep David. So that decision is up in the air? How can there be any doubt seeing the production and character David has shown? Letting him get away would produce a deafening, stampeding, mutinous outcry aboard the Buccaneer fan ship.
July 30th, 2015 at 12:19 pm
Git er done Jason Licht. Pay this man. Lock him up for the next 1/2 decade.
LD54 is easily the best 4-3 OLB in the game and deserves to be richly rewarded for his stellar play and humble demeanor – and for putting up with crap coaching, inadequate teammates and and the sickening stench of losing 35 games in the last 3 years.
$9-10M per year with at least half guaranteed should get it done. You didn’t blink an eye signing Michael Johnson to a deal like that.
PAY THE MAN!!
July 30th, 2015 at 1:17 pm
PAY THE MAN!!
YES!!!!
July 30th, 2015 at 1:49 pm
“If the Bucs want to keep David,…”
As I have said before, the Buccaneers are NOT in control of this situation. David (and his agent) are in control. *IF* David wants to ‘move on’, then NOTHING the Bucs offer will matter. Let us hope that this is not the case. If he wants to play for Lovie, then the deal will get done. It would be insane for the Bucs to think they could ‘replace’ David… OK, so maybe this staff isn’t the best example of sanity…
July 30th, 2015 at 2:26 pm
Up to the coaching staff to put him in a position to make plays. Pre season is talk time and hype season. Can’t wait until the snaps are real
July 30th, 2015 at 2:33 pm
Kwon Alexander is another hard worker,he may get some starts this season at Middle Linebacker this season.
July 30th, 2015 at 5:59 pm
Verner should focus less on what others look like around him and more about what he looks like on film. IMO, he has not earned his high salary and has been average at best. In addition, he missed a lot of reads last year too, which is concerning that he may simply not get the Tampa2. He is definitely not Ronde 2.0
July 30th, 2015 at 7:23 pm
“…Perhaps he can double as an assistant offensive line coach.”
Why not the head line coach? Surely David would not do any worse!
July 30th, 2015 at 10:58 pm
JoeNUTS – I agree completely on Verner. He did get burned way to often last year. He is the best CB in the league against the run, however it is all about coverage. Verner was rated by Pro Football Focus as the 4th best CB in 2013 and needs to return to that form. I am also concerned if he really is a good fit for the Tampa2? He did not show that much improvement towards the end of the season. I am concerned if David really wants to play for this team as well? A lot will come down to how well they do this year.
July 31st, 2015 at 12:11 am
Bucfan37
No one said the Bucsvdont know if they want LVD. Joe was simply saying its on the Bucs to sign him. The opportunity is thee.