“We Don’t Want Them To Come Back And Bite Us In The Butt Again.”
December 9th, 2015
Sunday’s defensive hero, Lavonte David, talks about ridding demons.
Lavonte David says he feels a real change in the Buccaneers.
Playing for a loser in every year of his NFL career has made David a bit of an expert on the subject of losing. And he knows plenty about dropping close games and dreadful ways to collapse.
Anyone remember opening day 2013, when David literally cost the Bucs a victory with a stupid penalty with seven seconds left in the game?
David told the Buccaneers Radio Network that those days are in the rearview mirror. He credits an enhanced team “will to win” as the major difference, as well as maturity.
“It takes me back to last year. So many games where we needed just one thing, anything to happen where could win — three points, less than three, six points or less, or we needed a touchdown to win. And things just didn’t go our way,” David said. “Now, all that has turned. I feel like we’ve learned from those mistakes we had last year. We don’t want them to come back and bite us in the butt again.”
Joe’s not quibbling with David, but the issues were not just last year. David had the wrong mentality on opening day, per his own words, and the team was still collapsing in October (see Redskins). Only after that loss did the tide turn.
Yes, the Bucs have righted the ship. And about that “will to win,” a certain franchise quarterback has a whole lot to do with that.
December 9th, 2015 at 10:45 am
I was at the Home opener, staying in the same hotel that the football players go before the game. I saw David walking in and out of the hotel and just looking very angry and irritated. I don’t know if that’s relevant to anything but he seemed not right that Sunday Morning.
December 9th, 2015 at 11:27 am
Yes and the loss 80 % of the time was because of the defense blowing a lead and still is. And they have learned what? They still have not learned how to get to the QB, stop the penalties or get the secondary figured out. They can’t figure out how to win 2 wins in a row more than once so far.
December 9th, 2015 at 11:31 am
I have to agree on the change. In the past, if they were in the running, neither they or the fans seemed hungry enough. This year, it’s like a fire has ignited.
Even if they fail, it bodes well for next year.
December 9th, 2015 at 11:33 am
BucFan20 Says
“Yes and the loss 80 % of the time was because of the defense blowing a lead and still is. And they have learned what? They still have not learned how to get to the QB, stop the penalties or get the secondary figured out. They can’t figure out how to win 2 wins in a row more than once so far.”
I would say that is the next milestone they will achieve.
So far as the defense…give them a strong defensive draft and we’ll compete for many years. They really are on the cusp.
Three more wins coming our way, so enjoy them. Start believing.
December 9th, 2015 at 11:35 am
STOP the mistakes/penalties! Be smart. Play for the guy next to you AND your team! Look across from you at the challenge, he’s the best there is and you MUST DEFEAT HIM! Dont EVER underestimate him!! You’ll win some, he’ll win some but YOU will win more because he’s the best…and you’re better for realizing it!
December 9th, 2015 at 11:36 am
@Formerly GlennonGrad
Given the Rosebowl loss by Winston, and his behavior on the sidelines during that game, I KNEW we would lose the first game.
I said as much. Everyone was saying how it would be a statement game. No. It really wasn’t. For him or Mariota.
It was clear Mariota was in his head at that point. Heck, he still might be. IF we ever face Mariota in the post season, that will be a good chance for payback.
December 9th, 2015 at 11:37 am
@MadMax
Well said.
Although, I think the penalties are a result of so many young backups playing.
December 9th, 2015 at 11:38 am
Wow BucFan20 why not change your name to DoubtingThomasBucfan
In fact they did get to the QB in Atlanta to preserve that first win over the Falcons. Do you not remember GMC getting Matty Ice to end that game?
They are down FOUR FREAKING D lineman who were starters at the beginning of the year. They had some trouble getting to Ryan in the first half on Sunday but when Lovie came out with some new blitz packages we did OK…E.G. Kwon batting a pass on a blitz that would have certainly found the NFL’s leading receiver.
Why is it so hard for people to give this team and this coach any credit..with the exception of #3. GMC is trailing only Geno Atkins among NFL DT’s with 7 sacks to his 8. The team is right in the middle of the pack tied for 14th.
The problem is that we’ve had a few horrible games rushing the passer. That not only bogs down the stats…apparently some of you see a bad game and conflate it with the rest of the year.
It doesn’t get any worse than opening day…and then Carolina and coincidentally #3 had his worst games on both of the days with multiple picks
But #3 learned from them. Why do we suppose the rest of the team can’t learn?
Oh I know…because Tampa Bay Bucs fans are the little train chugging along spouting “I think I can’t…I think I can’t”…proving of course the power of negative thinking written by whom…why some JBF commenters.
December 9th, 2015 at 11:49 am
Thanks Bonzai. Everything we’ve accomplished this year absolutely bodes well for next year! All I wanted was to see progress and its happening. Thats all I asked for. Anything more is cherry on the top.
December 9th, 2015 at 11:51 am
SPBF…choo choo!
December 9th, 2015 at 11:54 am
@ Bonzai
Are you suggesting a Bucs vs Titans super bowl? I should never say never… but that seems extremely farfetched. It would definitely be a heck of a storyline. Best since Gruden defeated his former team.
December 9th, 2015 at 12:00 pm
@StPeteBucsFan,
I couldn’t agree more, my good Sir. It’s all a matter of perspective in the end, which can easily fool people into a distorted version of reality. I know all too well, since I was fooled as well and for a couple of months, all I did was raging against Lovie Smith and his defense.
But since stats play such an important role in today’s NFL, then let’s have a quick look. And, yes I’m sure many of you are well aware of such things already.
Total Defense: 9th
Passing Defense: 16th
Rushing Defense: 7th
Maybe some of you find this hard to believe, but the Bucs – right now – are a fabled Top Ten defense. So, what more do you want? Don’t let a few dreadful games fool you. This team has changed for the better, and it’s time to give the proper amount of recognition to those who are turning the Bucs around.
December 9th, 2015 at 12:04 pm
Now that’s real talk St. Pete. Loser a$$ fans. Same ones gone be arrogant as chit when this team is frequenting this tournament routinely.
December 9th, 2015 at 12:05 pm
A monk taught: good or ba luck who knows ?
ANd he was right ! The Skins defeat finally has been a good thing !
I think the players and staff realise what they did on that day and decided NOT ANY MORE !
Last year, and I agree with Mister David, we lost so many games due to mistakes, not always interception or fumble but sometimes a stupid penalty.
Once again, everything is not perfect this year. But the team doesn’t seem to explode if there is any bad luck agaisnt them.
They stand up and fight even harder.
This is good. This is the spirit we must have on any game.
We can be the actual panthers in two or three years !
Being a strong team, playing with confidence, quietly, no stress.
December 9th, 2015 at 12:14 pm
@BucFan20 Perhaps I’m wrong but I saw 3 sacks on Matt Ryan last sunday, I saw an interception at the best moment of the game, I saw one of the best receiver in the league not reaching 100 yards; I saw a talented running back finishing the game with 47 yards !
Yes we are not the Brocos defense, yes there is still room for improvment, yes there is still a lot fo job to be done but at then of game 1, a very few numbers of us would have bet on being 6-6 on this day !
A few numbers of us would have bet on being on the chase for a wild card ticket.
Enjoy the moment Man !
December 9th, 2015 at 12:28 pm
Lovie has his defense playing well. Which is miraculous given he has only used one draft choice on defense.
Great job by one of the best coaches in the pros.
Good shot at coach of the year with a strong finish.
December 9th, 2015 at 12:36 pm
Thanks Elle!
December 9th, 2015 at 12:51 pm
Where are all of the doosh bag Lovie Bashers now?
December 9th, 2015 at 12:59 pm
@stpete..great post…i understand where david is coming from…for those of you that don’t know the bucs are one of if not the youngest team in the league…making stupid mistakes at the worst time possible is all part of the learning curve and learning how to be a true professional…i think one thing that david failed to mention is the will to win that jameis has brought to this team and how it rubbed off on the whole team from top to bottom…the pass few years there was no doubt in my mind that this team had fight and a never die mentality but they could never will themselves to a win…this team now realizes that they have a great chance at beating any team on any given sunday because they now have franchise qb that they know wont let them down and fold under pressure…the way jameis plays nobody wants to let this kid down and teammates are giving everything they have for each other….GO BUCS!!!!
December 9th, 2015 at 1:00 pm
Stats are for losers. Atlanta has been going down the tubes and lost how many straight? And the pick from Ryan was thrown almost right to LVD. Nothing big there. The fact is that is 1 game. This defense has been bad all year. Winston is the backbone and who has been learning..
And SPBF. All you want to be is a Joe. So I pay no attention to you anyway. So keep reminding him and everyone you were a reporter and have your degree in journalism at least twice a week.. I doubt a Mark Cook situation comes for you.
December 9th, 2015 at 1:18 pm
Great point 813, and you are right my friend. We are hella young right now. Our team is composed of 21 and 22 years young bad a$$s. Scary to think what they’ll be when they’re 24 and 25 year young bad a$$s.
December 9th, 2015 at 1:23 pm
So glad Jameis didn’t take on the loser mentality of gmc, Lovie and other “leaders” content with losing
December 9th, 2015 at 1:33 pm
BucFan20
LOL. I’m not auditioning for a “Mark Cook” job. Too old and too happy in retirement. Besides I get enough fun tormenting the negative nellies here like you.
December 9th, 2015 at 1:35 pm
813
Agree completely about the youth. And there has been a losing tradition for many of these young guys.
And so while #3 has been a huge ingredient, perhaps the largest, in turning around our loser mentality I gotta give a little credit to Lovie.
I think some of the other young players as you mention are also blossoming like Gholston…Moore…and the youngest like #3, Kwon and Marpet have injected some want to in this team. Go Bucs!
December 9th, 2015 at 2:01 pm
St Pete you are the $(-)!+, dude when I lived there I wish you were my neighbor. May not have made it back to the gentrified Apple and stayed in the sunshine state!!!
December 9th, 2015 at 2:25 pm
ATL been on a losing streak alright it started with the Bucs showing everyone how it’s done. 40% of their 5 game skid has been at the hands of our team and some of our so called fans won’t give this team any credit.
December 9th, 2015 at 2:41 pm
I agree that stats don’t paint the whole picture. I’m the first to say that there’s too much emphasis on numbers. Still, in this particular case, stats are truthful and paint reality for what it is. And the reality is that the Bucs are a much improved team now, in every aspect of the game. Offense, defense, special team—It’s all coming together now, right on time for a – fingers crossed – grand finale that will please even the most skeptic fans.
December 9th, 2015 at 5:48 pm
@Harlem
Thanks man!! When receiving compliments one should always consider the source and this thread has been great for me considering the respect I have for you and Elle.
December 9th, 2015 at 9:07 pm
Lavonte David is now coming off of three consecutive impressive games, and in the win against Atlanta, he made nine tackles and two assists, with eight of those being defensive stops. David is playing like the player he was two years ago. The Buccaneers defense held the Falcons to one touchdown. This Falcons offense was flying high earlier in the season when they were undefeated behind Julio Jones (did not break 100 yards) and Devonta Freeman (47 yards). Tampa Bay’s defense is looking formidable. Anyone who tries to dismiss it, is delusional. BTW stats are for winners and winning teams. Tampa’s defense is ranked 1st (tied) against the run for average yards gained (3.5). Yes, first. 7th in rushing yards per game (94.7) and tied for 3rd in giving up rushing TD (5). Put that in your pipe and smoke it naysayers. I admit the LVD’s interception at the end of the Falcon game was thrown right to him but it was the only turnover Atlanta had. With what, a minute and a half to go and Atlanta had one TO? My point is that Atlanta was 3-1 in games they did not turn the ball over and Tampa needed four turnovers in there last meeting to get by in OT. If you would have told me before the game that the Falcons won the turnover battle 2-1, I would have said we had little chance of stooping there high powered offense (ranked 5th). The Buccaneers are for real. Beleive it.