Lavonte David Says Free Agency Is “Difficult” And “Different”
March 6th, 2021
New territory doesn’t feel great for Lavonte David, who could have a brand new team in nine short days. NINE!
That’s when a flurry of deals will be reported after the NFL free agency negotiation period opens Monday, March 15.
David hopped on SiriusXM NFL Radio yesterday with former Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik and Lance Meadow. There the stud Bucs Super Bowl linebacker said he has a lot of wonderful distractions from free agency but didn’t sound like a guy enjoying the process.
“It’s difficult. It’s different,” David said of the new experience of being a free agent. “Honestly I’ve never been a part of anything like it.
“I don’t know what to expect. I just go with the flow. So luckily for me, you know, I’ve got some good stuff that kind of keeps my mind off of that. Honestly, just being a Super Bowl champion and being back home in Miami with my family and just enjoying them because it was really hard for me to see them throughout the season. …
“I just sit back and just let my agent handle all that stuff. And whenever he comes back with news, he gets back to me whenever. All in all, I’ve just been sitting back, man, enjoying this. It took me nine years to finally get to the playoffs and then actually win it all. So it’s definitely something I’m thankful for and it’s something I’m kind of just soaking all in.”
That kind of just says it all. David has no team yet and sounded through the interview like a guy who expects to test the free agency market.
A couple of other nuggets from David.
*He believes every Bucs free agent wants to return next season, and he thinks COVID was sort of blessing for team bonding and unity.
*Per David, Bucs officials said there would be “a ring committee” regarding design of the Bucs’ Super Bowl ring. But David said he thinks the player-input side of things fell apart, though he’s confident Team Glazer will come up with something very special.
*David said reflecting on his nine-year Bucs career/struggle and the Super Bowl win, he thinks a lot about how very special it was to win it at home.
March 6th, 2021 at 10:00 am
I used to complain that the Bucs were a bad team yet were up against the salary cap. It’s much more fun to complain about the salary cap while wearing a Super Bowl Champion t-shirt!
March 6th, 2021 at 10:06 am
David and White clearly are one of the best (if not the best) LB duos in the league. Smart and fast. Fast thinkers and fast movers. Team perfectly together. A very high priority to keep him.
March 6th, 2021 at 10:12 am
The most confident interview I’ve ever heard him do. Usually he’s more nervous than Jason Licht.
March 6th, 2021 at 10:12 am
Yeah would be hard pressed to name a better duo. Also I was watching highlights of the duo. At times it looked like White was barking calls to his half of the field and David was barking calls to his half of the field.almost like they split duties in half, maybe depending on defense called
March 6th, 2021 at 10:20 am
That ring design…..I’m thinking 7 diamonds in a circle with TBs pic on the inside……
March 6th, 2021 at 10:41 am
TBBF. How bout instead of dymonds they use Sapphire? Its Toms birthstone!!
March 6th, 2021 at 10:43 am
TBBF. Love the idea. Most unique, and true design.
March 6th, 2021 at 10:47 am
What if the decision comes down to having only enough cash to sign one guy. Chris or Lavonte? Thats a really tough call.
To me if you sign Chris its more longterm thinking. If you sign Lavonte it gives you the better chance to win another freaking ring next year. I would choose David in that scenario. But can understand if they went Chris instead………Not like we arernt going for a ring next year with Chris over Lavonte. I just think we are more solidly built as a team if you pick David over Godwin.
March 6th, 2021 at 10:50 am
@ JimmyJack
I agree, I would sign LVD……and, I think it would also give us an extra $7-8 mil….you can get LVD & Suh for the price of Godwin.
March 6th, 2021 at 10:57 am
It is said that Cleveland has their eye on LVD, and may run his cost up so high that we will not be able or willing to resign him.
I sure hope not!
March 6th, 2021 at 11:00 am
Gosh we are losin’ 54… I would consider tag for him rather than Godwin but whatever it may be I hope we go defense on round 1 and 2 then o-line. We have enough skilled players and more can be added later. Let’s build the defense for a decade.
March 6th, 2021 at 11:03 am
I’ll go the other way JJ. I choose Godwin over LVD. If LVD walks, I fully expect that means Licht intends to lock up Shaq and Godwin or at least lock one of them up and tag the other. If so, I can’t fault the line of thinking even if it painfully means the loss of LVD. I must admit that the way LVD is talking sounds like a man that is fairly certain he’s going to another team. Quite frankly, I’m a bit surprised. I expected a serious push by the Bucs. Nevertheless, this is the season of insanity and agent speak though so I’ll take this with a grain of salt. LVD said he’s letting his agent handle this and his agent isn’t going to recommend that he says he really wants to come back. That’s bad for business.
March 6th, 2021 at 11:09 am
I am thinking LVD signs with the dolphins.
Hometown, still under FL tax law, a team on the rise… it all makes sense
March 6th, 2021 at 11:17 am
No brainer. LVD before CG
March 6th, 2021 at 11:29 am
If it’s bad idea for the Bucs to resign LVD to a big 4+ year contract because of his age as so many say, is it so much different from other teams point of view to sign him to a gigantic 4 year deal??? I DO BELIEVE he will still be cracking skulls all over the field in the next four years. Suh is still great in the middle at 35 and JPP was our lone pro bowler (lmao) I don’t know how they think LVD can’t be amazing inside or out. But if the philosophy of 30+ year old players are over the hill (Did you see our roster this year?) Does that mean more teams will be throwing him three year deals instead of four??? Sounds like Bucs would certainly have a big advantage on getting him back on a respectable three year deal than others.
And another thing about LVD, he played lock down All-Star at OLB most of his career. I think that gives the Bucs an advantage to choose from an ILB or OLB because I’m a part of the DONT PAY SHAQ tribe.
March 6th, 2021 at 11:36 am
It’s easy Lavonte! Just say yes to Licht’s offer!
March 6th, 2021 at 12:39 pm
Like I said before keep David, let Godwin and Barrett walk. Then you will be able to sign everyone else. Sign Brown to help replace Godwin and sign a low price free agent edge rusher then draft one with the 32nd pick. Then draft another reciever in the 2nd or 3rd round.
March 6th, 2021 at 1:37 pm
Speaking of “ The Ring “ I sure hope they pimp it up a bit more than the first ring which is one of the more pitiful looking rings to come out since the 70’s !
March 6th, 2021 at 2:31 pm
Dlavid…Agreed. When they come out???
A red flag in the middle with L on one side and V on the other. LV was the most legendary Super Bowl if someone wants to prove me wrong.
March 6th, 2021 at 2:39 pm
CG and Shaq before LVD. LVD is going to be on the downside of his career in the next year or so. If we can keep Shaq and Suh, we can draft a good LB or pick up a FA to fill in. I don’t think the Bucs will be able to afford him if they get into a bidding war and we have higher priorities at this point. Even Succop is a higher priority than LVD. Just sayin….
March 6th, 2021 at 3:27 pm
Mr. David get paid but signing with the wrong team could be a lossing experience. Cold weather teams can shorten a career. However, a football journey can end on one play.
Take the cash
March 7th, 2021 at 10:05 am
I’m just occasionally watching and waiting. Whatever happens I have no control over. Licht delivered us a Super Bowl and if he loses one or two top players, he can get a couple good ones in the Draft. I’m not losing any sleep over this.
March 8th, 2021 at 1:21 am
No worries most guys with a brain will stay if they can Brady is bringing another play off run at very least.i figure another SB ring is coming next year Go Bucs
March 8th, 2021 at 1:23 am
No worries most guys with a brain will stay if they can Brady is bringing another play off run at very least.i figure another SB ring is coming next year Go Bucs!!!