“It Relieved A Lot Of Guys”
February 3rd, 2017
Lavonte David speaks
Kudos to Lavonte David for sharing what pulsated through the minds of Bucs players last month.
David was cruising around Radio Row at the Super Bowl yesterday and hopped on the WDAE-AM 620 airwaves.
Among other things, David expressed true satisfaction and contentment for Team Glazer manning up with a pile of cash to lock down defensive coordinator Mike Smith for two more seasons. Per Smith, his new deal with the Bucs means he won’t pursue loftier coaching opportunities until 2019.
“It relieved a lot of guys. A lot of guys kind of, you know, thought he was going to leave because he could be a good head coach,” David said of Smith being secured by Team Glazer.
“When we found out he signed back, I think a lot of guys got excited for this season again.”
Yes, Joe can’t resist wondering why David would say “guys got excited for this season again.” Is Joe to believe players would have hung their heads after a 9-7 campaign just because a new coordinator was installed?
Man, Joe sure hopes not.
David, though, is prone to extreme emotional swings, like the one linked here, so Joe really isn’t surprised he said that.
February 3rd, 2017 at 9:12 am
This is the first time we have had consistency on defense with a successful team since Kiffen. LVD, McCoy etc. all suggested how many DCs they have had and how frustrating it was. We finished 2016 with a top 5 defense. Just imagine if that continues or even improves with an offense like we had in 2015?
The major influence to regression on offense last season was injuries. Our weapons were decimated. Now we can add more and Jameis is likely to be in his most successful season yet as history indicates. I have always thought that we had many great to elite pieces on defense that we could have been this good all along. Now they are good and are beginning an entire season knowing a scheme that’s already been installed. Mike Smith is our best offseason move and it will stay that way. I have a feeling this is going to be an incredible season.
February 3rd, 2017 at 9:14 am
I agree with what Eric just posted.
In fairness to LVD he remembers the past. In his Buc experience the DC’s have been pretty pathetic until Smitty. Perhaps his mind just flashed back on his seasons before last year.
And in fact we all…including you Joe…were worried what would happen if Smitty left. I had to believe that Koetter is the man and would have found another good DC but when something is working why make changes.
Joe was never worried players would hang their heads and not be excited for the new season. –Joe
February 3rd, 2017 at 9:16 am
Keep the band together for as long as you can.
February 3rd, 2017 at 9:18 am
THAT is what scares me about LVD. He SEEMS mentally… Damn… Wish he wouldn’t paint such bleak pictures of the defenses mental make up. His words makes them appear to be fragile. Kwon paints a different picture…. One of disdain for the lack of said mental weakness. I like Kwon pictures better… SOMETHING’S GOTS TO GIVE
February 3rd, 2017 at 9:19 am
I other news, Lavonte said he welcomes Adrian Peterson going to the Bucs. I am now staunchly in NOSBOS corner however. I’ve completely turned in favor of Darvin Cook. However, I believe after watching video , he’s the best player in the draft. Also, I believe he’ll knock it out of the park at combine. I believe he’ll flash a sub 4.4 40, have an insane vertical and surprise people on the bench press if he does it.
February 3rd, 2017 at 9:22 am
And those of you that have been here long enough know my animosity of the Tallahassee Native Americans university. Being a long time U fan, it pains me to admit to how special Darvin Cook is.
February 3rd, 2017 at 9:23 am
Also, is Pablo on vacation?
February 3rd, 2017 at 9:29 am
I just don’t think we’re in a position to be using a first round pick on a RB. It worked for Dallas cuz they have one of the best olines in history. They didn’t need an excellent QB at that point to be successful. Unless we hit on WR(2x), DL, S, and OL in free agency, I would not go RB round 1.
I’m biased though and still have faith in Doug. Dalvin is incredible, though. I wouldn’t be sad if we did get him, that’s for sure.
February 3rd, 2017 at 9:34 am
As a defensive player it would probably excite them to keep the same coach responsible for choking out some pretty good teams last year.You want to keep a good thing going.Simple as that.
February 3rd, 2017 at 9:38 am
@Lavonte … “When we found out he signed back, I think a lot of guys got excited for this season again.” I’m sure that the anticipation of having to play under yet another DC probably created some consternation among long-time defensive players like Lavonte. Maybe, just maybe, Lavonte is saying that finding out that Mike Smith had signed on for another 2 yrs as Bucs DC had him (and others on the defense) as excited as they were when Mike Smith first signed on last year. In other words, perhaps it’s just Lavonte’s choice of words as opposed to how you took it Joe.
February 3rd, 2017 at 9:42 am
Chris
You’re depressing me this morning because I agree with you about Dalvin. Yes if he knocks it out of the park in the Combine we have NO chance of getting him. OTOH if has a tweaked hammy or something to slow him down…maybe?
Perhaps we can get NOSBOS to pull a Tonya Harding and hit Dalvin on the knee right before the Combine!
I have the same fear about Curtis Samuels. I would take him over any of the WR’s being bandied about but his stock is climbing and I fear him busting a 4.35 40 at the combine and ruining our chances to get him.
People will scoff but if we were able to sign DeSean Jackson I wouldn’t have minded using our first three picks simply to get two players…Dalvin and Samuels…Licht can supplement our other areas of need with the last four rounds…he found Kwon in the 4th and he’s done a good job with UDFA’s.
If it’s really about weaponsforJameis…just imagine…Dalvin in the backfield…ME out wide…with Jackson on the other side and Samuels not just in the slot but all over the field like Percy Harvin. 3 of those four can take it to the house in a heartbeat!! I want EXPLOSIONS!!!
February 3rd, 2017 at 9:50 am
Chris
I heard Pablo was deported
February 3rd, 2017 at 9:54 am
These players are tired of learning a new defensive scheme every season. That would be mentally for everyone. Can you imagine going to work and learning that you have a new boss and new rules every year?
February 3rd, 2017 at 9:57 am
@Stpete
I think ME can be explosive as well. He just cant show it with 2-3 guys on him lol.
February 3rd, 2017 at 10:00 am
Linking the words :”I think a lot of guys got excited again for the season again.” to extreme emotional swings is quite a reach Joe.
February 3rd, 2017 at 10:03 am
Joey
Agree 100% which is an additional benefit. Imagine how ME13 might do if D’s had to stop Dalvin’s running…and how will any LB’s cover Dalvin out of the backfield…oh and btw if Jackson…Desean not Vincent was opposite ME 13…then you mix in the explosive speed of Curtis Samuels from all over the formation and suddenly you are totally correct Joey…ME13 gets single coverage and also explodes.
It’s certain the safeties would have to be aware of Jackson and Samuels and even Dalvin out of the backfield…ME could actually have a shot of getting behind D’s himself.
This would also make the OL line better if they had a true running threat and all those passing options for #3…bottom line is our entire O would be better.
February 3rd, 2017 at 10:16 am
@Stpete
Yea I know it is fun to think about lol. I will admit, after watching DL players that have round 3-4 grades, Im coming around to the idea of RB earlier. Not quite there yet but I would take a RB over a WR in round 1 right now tho.
Havent watched Samuel yet. I have an idea of what he does just havent seen any of his games yet. Honestly had no idea the WR class was as deep as it is lol
February 3rd, 2017 at 10:17 am
RB over WR in round 1? What?!?! Maybe if we strike out in free agency but I couldn’t disagree more.
February 3rd, 2017 at 10:19 am
I mean maybe if we get some WRs in free agency.
February 3rd, 2017 at 10:22 am
@Eric
First striking out in FA I would think is a bad thing lol.
And it is only because there are more WRs I like in rounds 2-4 than RBs. Not saying RB is a bigger need than WR.
February 3rd, 2017 at 10:28 am
Joey
Thus the second post in which I correct myself lol
I get what you’re saying but I believe Corey Davis is going to fall to us and to be perfectly honest, I would much rather have Davis than Cook.
I also see several RBs late in the draft I would rather have. Mack or Mixon for example. Plus I still have faith in Doug like I said.
February 3rd, 2017 at 10:36 am
@Eric
Yea I was typing my post before the second one posted lol.
Yea I get what you are saying about the RBs. Believe me Ive been talking on here for a while now about there being starting caliber RBs in the middle rounds. With the ankle injury Davis could indeed fall to 19 (I thought he would go 13th to Arizona) and it would be a great pick based on talent alone as would Cook. If I had to rank what position I would like to see addressed it would go
DB
DL
RB
WR
Honeslty Im in dream world right now hoping Malik Hooker falls to 19 after his surgery lol
February 3rd, 2017 at 10:36 am
Thank you for saying it Defense. Complete hyperbole by Joe here. Good god, he says he is happy to have his d coordinator back next year and Joe makes refers to him as mentally weak. I have never seen him give up on the field despite his comment a couple of years ago that Joe keeps in his back pocket for reference when needed. I like LVD but his is the brightest guy. I think he simply worded it wrong back then. However, this recent statement is completely harmless. The team has turned the corner and he is very excited to have his coordinator return. C’mon Joe, you’re better than that.
February 3rd, 2017 at 10:36 am
That list is for the 1st round only btw. Forgot to type that lol
February 3rd, 2017 at 11:01 am
Joeypoppems … Couldn’t agree more; striking out in FA would be a VERY BAD THING for the Bucs this year. Too many holes to fill and we desperately need to improve our depth. It’s easy to overlook the fact that roughly half of the team we ended the year with is FAs right now. Jason has to get our own guys under contract first, then Bucs can see what holes are left & attack free agency with vim & vigor.
Very few fans however seem to be making much of a case for re-signing many of our own players. Looks to me like we’ve got 33 UFA, RFA & ERFA on our roster. Of those, about half I view as ‘keepers’. Several others I’d also try to sign for depth, at least going into training camp. Bucs have about 1 month until FA starts and they’ve got a lot of work to do to keep from losing some of these potential ‘keepers’.
February 3rd, 2017 at 11:01 am
Joey
See I’m on a different page than you. I would like to see this addressed:
WR
OL
DL
RB
DB
and by that I mean I would prioritize the additions in that order. As far as draft order, it would be different like you said, because some positions are stronger and deeper than other later in the draft. But I am obsessed with us getting a WR. I honestly think we will go hard for several in free agency. My wish list for the draft is this (let’s just assume we don’t get anyone in free agency):
Davis, Hooker, Howard, Ramcyzk, Cook, Ross, Peppers
February 3rd, 2017 at 11:02 am
When can we start signing our own players, cuz I agree with defense. Quickest way to improve is consistency.
February 3rd, 2017 at 11:15 am
Funny how 1 word can hang you up. I also caught that word “again”Joe. Wtf is up with that?? I would think after a promising season the entire team would be fi to bevtied wishing the 2017 season started this Sunday.
February 3rd, 2017 at 11:19 am
@Eric
Teams can negotiate with their own FAs now. March 7th teams can negotiate with other teams UFA. March 9th is the 1st day players can sign with teams.
And as far as your list goes. I dont think we are on different pages at all. My list is just what I would do in round 1 while yours seems to be just overall needs unless I misunderstood. Overall I would say
WR
DL
S
OL
TE
RB
CB
February 3rd, 2017 at 11:21 am
Maybe RB over TE now that I think about it.
February 3rd, 2017 at 11:51 am
LOL @ Pablo deported..
—-
February 3rd, 2017 at 12:21 pm
Hopefully these next two years, Smith can “beat” that line of thinking out of these guys so when hes gone they don’t fall into the funk ravine again. It’s not just Lavonte, it’s the whole defense that seems susceptible to extreme mood swings. 70% completion doesn’t happen just because a linebacker is down in the dumps. It happens when most or all of them are down in the dumps.
Too bad we didn’t have a strong leader on defense to slap the funk out of guys these last few years.
February 3rd, 2017 at 12:25 pm
Lol @ clodhopper
February 3rd, 2017 at 12:59 pm
Ya we’re on the same page except for who we want in round 1. I just don’t think dalvin is going to work out like most people think. BRING BACK DOUG lol.
Corey Davis, Doug, Evans, Jameis, Desean, Brate, Stills, Quiz, Hump, Mack sounds awesome to me.
February 3rd, 2017 at 6:22 pm
Mentally, LVD is another puppy.
At least we have some lions now in Jameis, Kwon, Noah Spence, Robert Ayers, VHII, etc…
The promised land is just around the corner.