“I Had A Little Chat With Him About How Important That Is”
December 17th, 2016
Derrick Brooks had telling words for a Buccaneer
Imagine being an NFL starter and getting a late-fall phone call from Bucs legend Derrick Brooks — who wants to discuss your inconsistent effort.
The iconic Brooks painted that very interesting picture during a discussion of Lavonte David this week on Tampa 2, Brooks’ WDAE-AM 620 show.
A Bucs fan texted the show to ask Mr. Brooks why he thinks David’s play has improved and why David is making more big plays.
Deep in Brooks’ answer was a revelation of his recent chat with David about “hustle,” aka effort.
“He’s taking care of the simple plays,” Brooks said of David’s improvement. “He’s making the simple plays and now those simple plays are turning into extraordinary plays. From being a tackling machine, being in his gap, not taking risks, letting the game to come to him, taking care of those things first allows for the other space and plays to be made across the board.
“And hustling to the ball, you know, I had a little chat with him about how important that is. You know, getting to the ball, you never know what’s going to happen. And, you know, with a few of his turnovers now, I think he’s leading the league in forced fumbles.”
Joe wrote about David’s second-rate effort many weeks ago and was ravaged by angry Bucs fans. The film rarely lies, and David’s hustle simply was absent too often.
That pick by David in San Diego? Pure effort/pursuit/want-to. Beautiful stuff.
David has been a better player over the last month, but he’s still not the superstar he used to be. David finished last season very strong after a rough start, so maybe this is a new pattern for him.
Regardless, Brooks’ insight is priceless. Now cross your fingers that David can get past his new and mysterious hamstring injury.
December 17th, 2016 at 12:33 pm
Good article!
Joe any update from today on the injury front?
December 17th, 2016 at 12:34 pm
I can’t wait till we beat Dallas tomorrow!! #STOKED
One of my best friends in town is the only other Gators fan in town but he is also Die Hard Dallas! We are gonna watch the game together. That should be some funny $hit right there!
December 17th, 2016 at 12:52 pm
If you are a starting linebacker for the Buccaneers and Derrick Brooks feels the need to have “a little chat” with you – you nod a lot and say “yes sir” a lot and absorb every word he says and take it all to heart and onto the field.
December 17th, 2016 at 12:59 pm
I agreed with you awhile back, during the bad days of this defense earlier this season. One play, he actually walked towards a play being made. Since his being called out, and I do believe the players read this column , he’s been a lot more involved and hustling towards plays.
December 17th, 2016 at 1:43 pm
Chris I can tell by things I hear in some of they’re comments some do read this column. The younger guys trust me they chime inn. Crack his skull tomorrow for me Nightmare.
December 17th, 2016 at 1:45 pm
SB one of my best friend out here is diehard cowgirls fan as well, so it should make for a fun and raucous night tomorrow!
Really hoping Cherilus can step up tomorrow and play like he did last year. Dude was awful against the saints and has gotten a lot of penalties coming in as a 6th lineman this year.
December 17th, 2016 at 2:00 pm
All I know is the stallwart tyrin smith is nursing a gimpy knee and sore back, I’m looking for Mr. Ayers to be beastly in that matchup.
December 17th, 2016 at 2:03 pm
Howdy Nos and UB. Yeah UB it is gonna be fun tomorrow night. I really believe we beat them.
December 17th, 2016 at 2:24 pm
Does it appear to anyone else that there’s something wrong when someone with the stature of Derrick Brooks has to call your starting $10 mil LB & captain to tell him he’s not hustling enough?
December 17th, 2016 at 2:52 pm
Sup SB. I’ll be at a sports bar surounded by cowgirl fans. I can’t wait yo, I’ma give’em the business all game long.
December 17th, 2016 at 2:58 pm
This is what I’ll say in response Rules,he had never been a winner on the pro level. Years and years of losing can stimulate a lack in effort. We started out 1 and 3,becuase of the culture I’m sure in his mind at the time he was like to h3ll wit this season why bother. We as fan say” they are well paid athletes and should give it they’re all all the time”. That sounds good but we must keep in mind they are human beings and mindsets can be affected adversely when losing has been the only equation. Thank God Fameis wrote that letter which motivated Robert to give it to the whole team.
December 17th, 2016 at 4:06 pm
,Thank you, Mr. Derrick Brooks!
December 17th, 2016 at 4:15 pm
Really disturbing Brooks has to talk to him about effort. Couple that with his dumb “flat” comment last year and his referencing a penalty on the first drive for the reason the defense was giving up, man if I was Jason Licht I would gage Lavonte under the microscope
December 17th, 2016 at 5:00 pm
No worries Warren, new mindset and new management in the locker room bro. He’ll be fine.
December 17th, 2016 at 6:31 pm
I doubt brooks called him to specifically call him out about his lack of effort.
Eitherway, I would have to disagree about David not being a star right now for this defense. He is forcing turnovers at the highest rate of any of his teammates. No doubt in my mind, he is a star. He might not lead the team in tackles anymore, but he is still having a huge impact for this defense.
December 17th, 2016 at 6:36 pm
Brooks has been David’s ear since he was a rookie. Nothing but all good.
December 17th, 2016 at 6:41 pm
Lovies poison continues… perhaps David was listening when he was told real football doesn’t start until November.
December 17th, 2016 at 7:18 pm
👆Now that’s funny.
December 18th, 2016 at 2:46 am
He missed a tackle last week. Can’t do that against Eliot.