“It’s Just Me Settling Down”
October 13th, 2015
Lavonte David talks to Joe
Sunday against the rancid Jacksonville Jaguars felt like another day at the office for Lavonte David — if this was 2012, 2013 or 2014.
But it’s 2015, and David’s standout play was the exception compared the rest of his season.
David’s stat line revealed a sack, a tackle for loss, a pass defensed, a quarterback hit, and eight solo tackles. He entered the game with just 13 solo tackles on the year.
Joe asked David if there was anything different on the field for him Sunday, any detectable change. David said it was simply about relaxing.
“No. It’s just me settling down and taking advantage of the moment, man,” David said. “And then doing what we’re supposed to do, and taking advantage of the plays I’m supposed to do. Doing what the guys expect me to do, making tackles when they’re there to make.”
Joe gets that there’s not much for David to say. He went from superstar to question mark after four games this season. Now the arrow is pointing up. If David can get back to being the impact player he was under Greg Schiano, then that should be worth at least one additional victory for the Bucs over their final 11 games.
October 13th, 2015 at 4:55 pm
Lavonte has great instincts, but something’s changed this year. He’s seemed almost tentative on some plays this year, whereas last year he was just exploding off the ball and making splash plays. I keep wondering if Lovie’s changed his role somewhat in an effort to improve LB pass defense coverage or to compensate for DE limitations. No idea.
He had a very good game Sunday, but he also missed several tackles which has been happening all year so far. Very untypical of Lavonte’s first years here. Something’s different … but can’t figure out what.
October 13th, 2015 at 5:08 pm
Last year he was like the poster guy for proper tackling form. This year, he’s had his head down way too much and was not driving through the ball carrier.
October 13th, 2015 at 5:08 pm
Lavonte will probably come around when he realizes how much he loves it….
And….I don’t think Lovie Smith has had anything to do with LVD missed tackles or mssed int opportunities…..
I give Lovie lots of credit for screwing many things up….but not LVD
October 13th, 2015 at 5:15 pm
Great game but still a lot of missed tackles by him, not really sure why… hes there to make the play but he just slips right off of them for some reason.
October 13th, 2015 at 5:27 pm
As Greatest (Will) Linebacker of Time ” Derrick Brooks” recently stated
(No Disrespect to Mr. Jack Ham)
“It normally takes about 4-7 weeks, to get into a tackling groove.”
Mind U, DB cut teeth in a era- before the NFL’s New Practice Model.
Which virtually prohibits tackling and tolerates only nominal full-scale contact between the players, often no more than five minutes a week.
I’ll say it once again…..
Touch Football, is ruining the game I LUV
October 13th, 2015 at 5:28 pm
*Mind U, DB cut his teeth in a era- before the NFL’s New Practice Model.
October 13th, 2015 at 5:35 pm
That’s wonderful but he missed far too many tackles. One in particular, he had shot the gap to get a tackle for loss but missed and it turned into a big gain.
October 13th, 2015 at 5:35 pm
LVD,
Sorry for calling you “WD-40” the Teflon LB. I luv you man, you still my favorite player.
Who’s your favorite player? Mr.#54
October 13th, 2015 at 5:39 pm
DB55
Do I fill a name change coming? LVD54
October 13th, 2015 at 5:41 pm
*feel ..geesh
October 13th, 2015 at 6:03 pm
True! I wouldn’t blame ya, can’t go wrong
October 13th, 2015 at 7:07 pm
Well if I could assume a few things about how the human mind works… I would assume LVD is thinking he has a little more support next to him than he has had with the rise of Kwon… I’m not saying but I’m saying, maybe just maybe Kwon is distracting LVD??? I know its the middle linebackers place to call plays but maybe LVD has yet to adjust to Kwon and is expecting him to do different things… It only takes a little doubt to throw off a NON ELITE players focus… LVD needs to take that next step just like GMC and become ELITE!!! make the other guys around look better by covering their tails when they mess up and without messing up what you do… GMC(Playing hurt/one armed) is turning the corner would be sick if LVD does it this year as well… Watch and see if and when Kwon starts flashing that LVD don’t make a few game changing plays!!!!
October 13th, 2015 at 7:34 pm
The whole team has had tackling issues. I wonder if the coaches are putting too much emphasis on stripping the ball and turn overs that just wrapping a guy up is being ignored. at least this is what I have been seeing, they are hitting the ball carrier too high (around the ball level) instead of making the sure tackle.
October 13th, 2015 at 8:20 pm
LB’s are still biting too hard on play action.
On another note…I always thought “DB55” was short for a 55 year old douche bag. Huh…who’d a thunk that? I was way off. Oh well…carry on.
October 13th, 2015 at 8:36 pm
ronde said that lovie said that the team doesnt practice tackling “thats what preseason is for”
but sadly that is what the new CBA is forcing coaches to do.
October 13th, 2015 at 9:13 pm
Simple as this..Schiano’s team was disciplined David played hard every down because that was expected..
Lovie is a Raheem..(player friendly Coach).
David played hard because his Buddy was on the chopping block.
I called this game all the way.
Next game don’t except much.
Lovie will say we worked on a lot on the bye week but its tough keeping momentum though a bye week..The team is getting better we are showing improvement…
Remember this Quote you will hear it in two weeks
October 13th, 2015 at 9:28 pm
Schiano’s teams were disciplined? His teams led the league penalties. His players hated him, and gave on him. How is that disciplined?
October 13th, 2015 at 9:38 pm
I think its a mix of the coaching telling him to go for turnovers primarily with his tackling technique instead of just going for the for sure tackle and big hit. He also should be calling plays and Kwon learning the positions and spots from him but its apparently going the other way around and leading to players in the linebacking core to be off focused. I seen it coming the day they Bruce Carter too. He has been pushed to the back line for some reason and I dont know why. He deserves a chance in the starting lineup if you ask me though for this year but I dont think Lansanah will return next year anyway.
They need to start drafting for that defense this year in the draft and another outside linebacker late in the draft would not hurt either.
October 13th, 2015 at 9:41 pm
Can we please get some consistency that’s all I want I want our pass blocking/ Run blocking to continue with a positive trend I want Jameis to limit the turnovers and I want a consistent pass rush lets go Tampa 3-3!!!!
October 13th, 2015 at 10:20 pm
Trubucfan22…eh Seattle’s been pretty high up there in penalties for the last couple of years.
It’s alright to commit penalties (kind of) if you have the talent to make up for them.
October 13th, 2015 at 11:24 pm
LUVMYBUCS Says:
October 13th, 2015 at 5:39 pm
DB55
Do I feel a name change coming? LVD54
RIP DB55….Hello LVD54. LOL.
LVD will be just fine folks. I don’t know why he’s looked tentative at times but he’s too good. Cream rises to the top. Be concerned with our banged up secondary and George Johnson/Howard Jones/Jack Smith/Will Gholston. All of those guys have made a play at some time during the year but none of them strike fear in the hearts of opposing Qb’s. My concern remains this defense. Specifically our D Line’s ability to create pressure and our secondary’s ability to cover when the D Line fails to get pressure, which has been often.
October 14th, 2015 at 1:32 am
Lavonte David has 28 solo tackles (6th in the NFL). 10 assists (2nd n the NFL). Stops or an offensive failure 19 (2nd in NFL). 2 passes defended (tied for first). 7 missed tackles (tied for 2nd). David had 21 MT last year. He is on the same pace as last year. He will have 22 at this pace. Whats the big deal?
October 14th, 2015 at 5:07 pm
Trubucs an really hated him..
What was Schiano’s record..
When Lovie gets close to that let me know …