Perfect time to shine.

Enough of this disrespecting nonsense. Time for those around the NFL to have a come-to-Jesus moment and begin putting Lavonte David’s name on the same list as the top defenders in the game.

As Joe wrote yesterday, Michael Strahan took to the FOX airwaves and declared David, the long-time Bucs linebacker, a “star.” Strahan also said it’s time for those around the NFL to treat David as such.

David picked a very good time to have his typical Sunday afternoon of balling out. The Bucs, as a result of the NFL juggling a COVID-adjusted schedule, had the Bucs as the lone NFC game in the late FOX broadcast window. So the nation got to see David live in the Packers’ backfield.

Kevin Patra of NFL.com said this nonsensical disrespect of David must end, as David demonstrated against yesterday why he is an elite linebacker.

Put some respect on Lavonte David’s name. The perennially underrated linebacker wrecked the game along with bash-brother Devin White. The best off-ball LB duo in the NFL combined for 18 tackles, five for loss, four QB hits and 2.5 sacks. David particularly played in the backfield like he was on the Packers’ payroll. The Bucs’ defensive front seven dominated a previously impervious Packers O-line, compiling five sacks and a whopping 13 QB hits. The back end, led by Carlton Davis (four PBUs) helped slow Adams and held Rodgers to a pedestrian 160 yards passing. Despite losing stalwart NT Vita Vea to an injury last week, the run defense remained very good, holding Aaron Jones to 1.5 yards per carry on 10 totes. Todd Bowles dialed up some perfectly timed blitzes, and his defenders didn’t miss. When David and White are flying sideline-to-sideline patrolling the middle of the field and rushing the passer as they were Sunday afternoon, the Bucs defense can be a suffocating nuisance.

Also good timing for David is that the Packers are one of the more popular teams in the NFL. That’s why they are always on TV in primetime.

For David to help suffocate a future (and popular) Hall of Fame quarterback like Aaron Rodgers certainly doesn’t hurt his quest for respect.