“Fifty-Five Guy” Has Returned
November 22nd, 2015
Bucs LB Lavonte David returns a pick for a touchdown before dozens of Eagles fans today to seal a victory. (Photo courtesy of Buccaneers.com.)
In the first half of the season, a big question with the Bucs was what the heck happened to outside linebacker Lavonte David. It was like he wasn’t even on the field.
Normally one of the most reliable tacklers in the NFL, who racked up tackles the way Derek Jeter racked up hot women, David was missing tackles as if he had double-vision.
It was startling, and folks were wondering if, somehow, David was on the decline.
Well, it seems David has found himself. Before the season, Lovie Smith wanted David to be a “55 guy,” meaning David should get five sacks and five picks. While David is unlikely to reach that mark because of his slow start, the old David we all know and love seems to be back.
He had two picks today, one a pick-six, in the Bucs’ seal-clubbing of the Eagles.
David, speaking on the Buccaneers Radio Network after the game, was heaping praise on his defensive teammates rather than basking in glory from his best game of the season.
“I think we were licking our chops,” David said of the Bucs’ defense. “The offense was rolling and it is our job to keep them rolling. We wanted to get back the football for them.
“Defensively, you want to score on defense. You want to take away the ball as much as we can. Guys were ballhawking.”
With middle linebacker Kwon Alexander likely facing a four-game suspension for PED violation — he is appealing the sentence — the Bucs are going to need David big time the next month.
It’s perfect timing that David showed up in the manner both Lovie and Bucs fans expect.
Welcome back, Lavonte.
November 22nd, 2015 at 6:50 pm
LVD had a great game and it seemed GMC also played very well.
When are stars play like stars good things happen.
November 22nd, 2015 at 7:15 pm
LOVE ME SOME L V D!
November 22nd, 2015 at 7:27 pm
Bucs won the turnover battle today big-time, and it was great to see Lavonte get 2 picks. Looks like our whole defense is really starting to gel and feel comfortable in this scheme; team chemistry is improving every game. When the offense is rolling like it was today, it’s nice to see the defense force a bunch of turnovers and give the ball back to the offense. They did a great job of not only scoring a bunch of points, but also controlling the clock in the process (over 35 mins against Philly is awesome).
Hope no one even thinks of giving Lovie and his coaching staff any credit for these last 2 wins though, and for calling 2 great back-to-back defensive games. Certain ‘fans’ will never get rid of him next year if he keeps up this winning stuff. Oh the horror some Bucs ‘fans’ must be going through right now. (Just in case … satire intended).
November 22nd, 2015 at 7:31 pm
Good performances by so many players, it’s hard to single on one players success. It really was a mindboggling effort. I feel sorry for Eagles fans, NOT!
November 22nd, 2015 at 8:38 pm
I think Lovie has switched his defensive philosophy and has become more attacking ans let LVD go it looksgreat
November 22nd, 2015 at 8:54 pm
I said that I was expecting big things from the defense, but dayum didn’t see this performance coming. Great game David. Great game McCoy. How great it is to see our offense perform, I love me some good defense and running game.
November 22nd, 2015 at 8:58 pm
Dozens literally it was empty by that point it looked like the NFC championship game at the vet
November 22nd, 2015 at 10:34 pm
My son joked halfway thru the 4th, “Is that the cleanup crew working the stands?” It was a great game. Good to see LVD back.
November 23rd, 2015 at 1:03 am
My big concern is Alexander being gone might cause David to try to overcompensate like he was early in the year. That caused him to be out of position and not play as well for a while.
They dodo need Smith and Jones etc… To get after the QB more and more.
They can realistically win every game on their schedule except the Varolina game (assuming panthers are playing everyone to win, even though I know thru won’t be)
November 23rd, 2015 at 11:54 am
I like Kwon Alexander and think he has a great future but he can be a liability in coverage and there is no question he has had his moments as a rookie. I am actually looking forward to seeing how the defense performs with Bruce Carter and more importantly, how will Lavonte Davids play be effected in Kwon’s absence? Will it be better or stay the same? I don’t think David will to try to overcompensate, rather he will have more time to focus and react to his own assignments.