Lavonte David: Players Aren’t Thinking About Dirk Koetter’s Job
November 18th, 2018
Injured Lavonte David talks to Joe
Buccaneers head coach Dirk Koetter is on the kind of run that gets a head coach fired, 9-20 run since capping off a five-game win streak in December 2016.
So after another groin-stomp loss today, this time in Jersey to a subpar Giants team, Joe talked to a couple of veteran Buccaneers about the job security of Koetter and its effect on the team.
Captain Lavonte David has seen the fall of two Bucs head coaches and knows the drill too well.
David got a rare chance to play spectator today with an injured knee, and he said he saw a very inconsistent team with “way too many highs and lows.”
What he doesn’t see or hear is players worried about jobs, theirs or their coaches’.
“I feel like guys are playing because of the nature of the game. You gotta go out there and play no matter what. I don’t think nobody is thinking about Coach’s job, or thinking ahead. I really don’t,” David said. “Everybody’s just focusing on the tasks at hand. I know it could get to that point where guys think about the next season, but we’re not there at all from what I see.”
Newcomer defensive tackle Beau Allen had a different take. He thinks players and coaches are on high alert.
“I think it’s kind of that way for everybody,” Allen said.
“The way the NFL is, man, you never know when your last play is or even when your coach’s last play is. That might be a little exaggeration, but not really. Nobody can take anything for granted. That’s kind of how it is in the NFL for everybody.”
Joe talked to a couple of other Bucs off the record about this subject and one gave Joe a very fitting reply. “I just think that we’re much better than [3-7] and that’s really all I think about. It just shouldn’t be this bad.”
November 18th, 2018 at 5:59 pm
“It just shouldn’t be this bad”
Now there is a mouthful!!!!
November 18th, 2018 at 6:04 pm
They shouldn’t be thinking about the coach’s job, but the better be thinking about their own. I have a feeling when the next regime comes in most won’t make the cut.
November 18th, 2018 at 6:04 pm
We have 6-10 talent
This can’t be a surprise can it ?
November 18th, 2018 at 6:12 pm
This organization has not done enough to develop its young players. As a result, it appears they don’t have the talent to compete. The reality is that we have rookies every year that come in and make a positive impression, only to never take the next step. Jameis, Kwon, DSmith, Hargreaves, Spence, J. Evans, etc. Add schemes on both sides that rely heavily on complicated concepts, and you get the sh-t show we have now.
November 18th, 2018 at 6:16 pm
Destinjohnny,
I don’t see 6-10 talent
I said 4-12 after the draft
It’s 4-12 or 5-11 at best
November 18th, 2018 at 6:18 pm
This team don’t know how to win football games
November 18th, 2018 at 6:19 pm
Lavonte David is just an inconsistent MF.
November 18th, 2018 at 6:19 pm
Well the defense is that bad, and the reason why is starting the year with Chris Conte and Ryan Smith as starters. AS STARTERS! That means the people behind them are worse. You have no chance when that is your depth chart. None.
That’s on Jason Licht and I said it during free agency if Licht goes into the year with those two on the team – not just starting, just on the roster – if you don’t have enough talent to cut both of them, then Licht has to be fired because he’s not giving the coaches a chance.
I get what Licht was trying to do, you build from the d-line backwards, you get guys up front and it makes the DB’s better. Well that’s what start doing in year 1, not years down the road when you know for a fact you have no corner or safety depth, and 2 terrible starters.
November 18th, 2018 at 6:22 pm
JimmyJack – David has been one of the top LB’s in football for years. Your scouting ability is terrible, no wonder you’re so down on Winston and love Fitz so much, you literally know nothing about football.
November 18th, 2018 at 6:26 pm
i’m so glad this Karma is coming back on #KLUELESSKOETTER and all his boys he hired from the equipment “snitch” manager, to the trainers, to the strength coaches to the video guy he brought in and fired long time loyal bucs employees. DIRK stabbed Lovie in the back to get this head coaching job. Look at it now. He’s a loser and fraud.
November 18th, 2018 at 6:29 pm
You have to score 40 pts to win, check that, to have a chance to win
November 18th, 2018 at 6:30 pm
This is pathetic, a sub par, wanna be, derrick brooks, is lauded by bucs fans. This guy is supposed to be a leader.. David does not impact games like other teams playmaking linebackers. He is collecting a fat check and not producing like so many of the fat rats on the bucs defense. Im so tired of hearing lavonte david is a probowler…blah fkn blah
November 18th, 2018 at 6:35 pm
There are no illusions. It is exactly as it appears. Nothing will change with our owners- affectionately known as “Team Glazer”. In August they extended Licht for another year 2019. Winston had his option picked up for 2019. It would not be a surprise if Koetter gets another mulligan for 2019. How could we lose with a winning “Team” running the organization. Nothing but a bright future for the franchise ahead.
November 18th, 2018 at 6:40 pm
Another dope repeating ‘leader’ as if it means anything.
McCoy is terrible because he likes comic books and isn’t a “leader”
David is terrible because he’s too quiet and isn’t a “leader”
Meanwhile Joe Dirt, he’s a leader, and what does that get you?
LOL!
November 18th, 2018 at 6:45 pm
There it is fellas! Someone let the marketing guys know. The new team motto. Get it up on billboards all over town.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS: IT SHOULDNT BE THIS BAD, BUT IT IS.
November 18th, 2018 at 6:47 pm
Rod Munch I could easily watch a few games and let you know which ones David disappeared in but I don’t feel like.
You call him you tier and the players I consider top tier are not seen going invisible. They make plays in every game.
David is inconsistent and is one of the biggest MFs on the team.
November 18th, 2018 at 6:47 pm
David’s signature play is the late hit vs the Jets in season opener of 2013(?)….
November 18th, 2018 at 6:52 pm
And Munch you have wildly manifested my opinion.
You’re such a schmuck dude you just make stuff up all the time.
The worst I said about Wintson is that he has played like ass this year. I said that before today. That’s hardly being down on him. It’s just a statement of fact.
November 18th, 2018 at 6:52 pm
I can see a Mike Evans or a Peyton Barber oran Adam Humphries saying, “We’re better than 3-7.” Anybody on the defense that says that needs to go to the psyche ward.
Week after week. Giants 4 for 4 in the red zone. What are we at now? 90% touchdowns given up. And no turnovers in forever (the one big turnover was Auclair forcing a fumble on a punt return). One interception all season?
November 18th, 2018 at 6:55 pm
The dude had 6TDs and 10 INTs coming into the game.
If I make a statement that he played like ass Rod Munch considers me a Winston haters/Fitz fanboy……….Let me tell you something bro. You got some serious issues.
November 18th, 2018 at 7:01 pm
We simply aren’t getting production from our younger players….exactly..
Vea
Rojo
MJ Stewart
Cappa
Spence
Benenoch
Missed on Aguayo
Carlton Davis is serviceable….but certainly not really good…..
When you throw in injuries to VH3….Kwon….LVD…..Conte…
This is spelling disaster for us.
Licht has really only hit on a couple of no-brainers…..Evans & Howard
November 18th, 2018 at 7:07 pm
TampaBayBucFan. Good post but I wholeheartedly disagree with you about Carlton.
Best coverage player I have seen here in a while.
November 18th, 2018 at 7:07 pm
Note To Bucs Players…You are NOT better than your 3-7 record. You just AREN’T!
November 18th, 2018 at 7:08 pm
@buddy Wish that you guys would stop with the ‘backstabbing of Lovie Smith’ routine. Lovie Smith is/was outdated in his coaching ways. Have you checked in on him at Illinois recently? Totally disgusting. DK may not have JW where he needs to be at this point, but I doubt if Lovie Smith could either.