Beast Of The Defense
October 5th, 2020
Getting noticed.
If Lavonte David doesn’t make the Pro Bowl this year, provided he stays healthy, then it isn’t worth Joe’s time to ever discuss the damn thing.
David was everywhere yesterday. Pass breakup, tackles, tackles for loss. He was nearly a one-man show. It may have been one of David’s best games.
And because the Belicheats-Chiefs game was pushed back to tonight, and the Colts-Bears game was moved to the late window to fill that spot, the Chargers-Bucs game became a de facto nationally televised game.
Joe has a friend who has a very high profile Los Angeles TV and radio gig with FOX Sports. He doesn’t pay a whole lot of attention to the Bucs, basically because the Bucs have been irrelevant for so long. The only time he does seem to pay passing attention is when he has cash riding on a game.
The guy was watching yesterday and he was blown away by David. He texted Joe saying David was totally on fire, in on damn near every play. Joe’s friend texted like he had no idea David was a good linebacker, almost like David’s good play shocked him despite the guy winning NFC Defensive Player of the Month for the month of September.
He wasn’t wrong about David having a fantastic game. But this is an example: one reason David has only had one Pro Bowl appearance is his fine career is because the Bucs stunk for so long.
For years, no one of influence watched the Bucs regularly and closely. Why would they? Who in their right mind purposely watches a bad team unless it is *their* team? Do you know anyone who didn’t grow up in Michigan that sets aside three hours each Sunday to watch the losing Lions?
Of course, Joe’s friend heard of David but he never really saw him play. Until yesterday.
Joe’s friend is sure to talk about David on his national podcast, radio show and perhaps on his national TV appearances. This, for better or for worse, is how players become stars.
David was one of the best linebackers in the game as an outside linebacker. But he didn’t sack quarterbacks much and he rarely was on national TV. Guys who sack quarterbacks are the eye candy of NFL fans.
So now with there being a whole lot of interest in the Bucs because of park-violating, home-invading, NFLPA-ignoring Bucs quarterback Tom Brady, and foot-rubbing, car-littering tight end Rob Gronkowski and the Bucs and adding a national game by accident yesterday, more and more people who access to microphones with big audiences will now be talking about David.
And folks will then recognize his name when they vote for the Pro Bowl.
Yesterday was a perfect example. David had a monster game. And millions saw David at his best when they barely knew his name as they dragged themselves out of bed yesterday after a long Saturday night of partying.
October 5th, 2020 at 12:21 am
It is so about time he gets recognition. Go Lavonte!!
October 5th, 2020 at 12:23 am
David
Suh
Winfield
Evans
White
Marpet
Jensen
Wirfs
Brady
All have a strong chance of being pro bowlers. Thanks to the big game exposure and them doing their job.
In BA I Trust!
October 5th, 2020 at 12:30 am
On the flip side…..I think Devin white had his worst game
October 5th, 2020 at 12:33 am
Good job for the team. I was Impressed at the maturity of our team and yes I am proud of the team’s progress. They beat 3 struggling franchises that resemble somewhat of our past but there are those dissatisfied Buc fans who want to see how well the team does against REAL contenders THEN we will see and compare ourselves as far as progress. Here is what I saw today, I saw a 10 million dollar error in Gronk. He’s a great guy but that 10 million just took a fly out the window. Keshawn great hands but once he hit the line he’s done. If he doesn’t have the skills from the outset then why didn’t you just get a QB in the draft?
We really do not have anything to back this team up and to build for the future otherwise, you are going to need another veteran. If it were me calling the shots I would trade whoever the number one pick is in the 2021 draft and give em 3 picks to get Justin Lawrence or Justin Fields next year. I know it sounds like a lot to give up but the Bucs need a QB for the future and we do not have one. Brady played good today I was hoping he would get the 6th TD but we couldn’t get it. The errors on offense should now begin to clear up as they become more equated with the game plans each week. Now Brate is going to have to step up and Arians and BL simply need more TE usage and our RBs are in bad shape although RoJo is doing better his avg. is going up it seems. RoJo is missing more explosiveness. If he can somehow manage to become more physical at the point of contact that should help him. Evans, what can I say he’s a beast playing hurt and still doin it. Overall it was a good game but we should have blown em out of the water is all I am saying.
GO BUCS!!
October 5th, 2020 at 12:38 am
He was a one-man wrecking crew out there today.
Without him it would have been a blowout.
October 5th, 2020 at 12:48 am
People will be forced to go over his film and realize that this is as just a typical game for Lavonte. All he does is ball.
October 5th, 2020 at 1:10 am
LD is quietly having a hall of fame career on an all time horrible defense during his career.
I’m sure he is ecstatic to actually have a chance at the playoffs as he has never had a playoff start.
October 5th, 2020 at 1:13 am
I truly believe that he is as good as derrick brooks. And i dont say that lightly. I believe if he had the suppport cast or the national spotlight those tampa 2 teams had he would be a first ballot HOF linebacker. He has been just as good as kuechly, and looks like he still has 5+ years of this left.
October 5th, 2020 at 1:16 am
Typical game. Shame has not got the recognition he’s long deserved. One of my favorite Bucs ever!
October 5th, 2020 at 1:28 am
I collect authentic jerseys and when the Bucs changed uniforms my first purchase was a pewter David jersey. Hes my favorite player of this era. Dude gets better every year. A solid dependable curb stomping monster. Only thing I would nit pick is really a scheme thing. When toes on the line boy was our coach David was way more productive at getting to the quarterback. Perhaps hes lost a step and Bowles prefers White to blitz. If he has lost a step I dont see it hes a tackling blur of speed.
October 5th, 2020 at 1:31 am
David is the best linebacker in the league. He destroys his opponents every game. Always attacking the ball, punching it out, shooting in for TFLs. A Bucs legend. Now just win and the recognition will finally come.
October 5th, 2020 at 2:21 am
Bin saying it for years LVD is the most underrated player in the league. The way he played yesterday doesn’t surprise me at all. He’s bin doing it his whole career. I personally don’t care if he makes a pro bowl. I want him to not only make the playoffs but also put some bling on that finger like Brady has.
October 5th, 2020 at 2:52 am
That dude is #55 minus one.
October 5th, 2020 at 6:51 am
It wasn’t de facto national in Orlando. Damn Jags.
October 5th, 2020 at 7:14 am
I wondered was LVD and ROjO the only two player who came to play in the first half. I am pretty sure LVD gave the half time speech
October 5th, 2020 at 8:55 am
LVD is right up there with LeRoy Selmon (RIP) in terms of being a HOFame defensive player, and a class act off the field. I have been a yuge fan ever since he was drafted and brought here. If there is any justice at all in the multiverse, this gem will be in a playoff game before he retires! Bravo LVD! 🙂
October 5th, 2020 at 8:57 am
Yeah, Lavonte is a Beast! Too bad I didn’t get to see the game, living in Orlando.
October 5th, 2020 at 8:57 am
Don’t think David is under contract for 2021. All if this exposure will come at a hefty price. Sometimes riding under the radar is good for the fans. He may be playing himself off the team.
October 5th, 2020 at 9:24 am
great job LVD!!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!