NFL Brethren Defend Lavonte David
July 9th, 2021
Respect from NFL suits, players.
I ain’t as good as I once was
I got a few years on me now
But there was a time, back in my prime
When I could really lay it down
County music star Toby Keith once wrote those words as part of a hit song, “As Good as I Once Was.” It was as if Keith was writing about Lavonte David in 2021.
Oh, David is still damn good. Ask Travis Kelce. But it seems NFL suits and a fellow player are coming to David’s defense, saying that while he’s not what he once was, he still packs a punch.
The suits and player tell Jeremy Fowler of BSPN that it’s criminal how David doesn’t get more run for being one of the best linebackers in the NFL.
In a series Fowler is typing for the four-letter, he’s ranking the best NFL players at each position based on feedback from NFL types, all unnamed.
And while the folks Fowler talked to have much respect for David, they believe Father Time is beginning to tap on David’s shoulder. Still, they say David is still a damn good linebacker and woe to the fools on opposing offenses that may think otherwise.
5. Lavonte David, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Highest ranking: 3 | Lowest ranking: 10
Age: 31 | Last year’s ranking: 2David dropped three spots, but to no fault of his own. Young players have emerged.
“He’s still the bell cow of the [Bucs] defense,” an NFC personnel evaluator said. “Not the athlete he once was but he can still move. He’s the guy who’s never got enough due.”
David finally got his shine during the Bucs’ championship run. But Tampa’s defense was loaded with playmakers, and his all-around game is stellar but not flashy.
“Zero drop-off with him. He just plays with Devin White, who was running around getting 15 tackles a game in the playoffs,” an NFC exec said. “But Lavonte can do whatever you need — run through the hole, make a play in the gap, a great blitzer and can cover.”
A Pro Bowl defensive player added: “He still doesn’t get his respect. He looks exactly the same.”
For years Joe has been beating the drum that David may be the most underrated player in the game. Of course, he played on so many horrible teams, they were never on national television unless NFL strongman Roger Goodell held a confiscated gun from one of his players to the head of a TV network, forcing them to broadcast a Bucs game in prime time.
As a result, too few saw David play. The Super Bowl run last year by the Bucs may have finally opened people’s eyes, and just in time, before Father Time ordered David to pack it in.
July 9th, 2021 at 6:46 am
There’s a school of thought on this type of thing. If you continually call the guy underrated , he will always be thought of that way and never get his due. Maybe it’s time to come up with a better description. Let’s try, most versatile LB or cerebral LB, or anything besides underrated. Underrated almost carries a negative connotation with it. JMO
July 9th, 2021 at 6:47 am
Pete will cry like a colicky baby when #54 retires
July 9th, 2021 at 7:36 am
Lavonte David is a Super Bowl winning Buccaneer for Life, and hopefully a Tampa resident for life, but I have a feeling a future head coach at Nebraska.
His patience, loyalty, leadership and humility should be traits we all aspire to have and teach to our kids.
And he’s not dropped off one damn bit.
July 9th, 2021 at 7:37 am
Hope he can retire a buc
Cause the numbers between him and brooks should look very similar and discussion will likely follow with “who is greatest buc linebacker “?
July 9th, 2021 at 8:20 am
Don’t want to hear that national spotlight mess, Cleveland sucked worst than the Bucs as long but still got guys in the Slo Bowl. It’s the Bucs curse.
July 9th, 2021 at 10:22 am
This is what I was saying the other day when that article came out.
How can you have the #1 LB and the #5 LB and NOT have the best Duo in the business?
July 9th, 2021 at 10:28 am
i see LVD coaching HS football…maybe at jefferson, blake or hillsborough…
GO BUCS!!!!!
July 9th, 2021 at 10:52 am
MedPete you ain’t right in the head! Too funny, except to anyone who raised one!
😅🤣😂
July 9th, 2021 at 1:04 pm
54 was overlooked because he played on some of the worst defenses of all time. No pass rush, no pass defense. He had to do it all, and I am just wondering how much worse it would have been if he wasnt there. He is a world champion now, and accolades only come with success.
July 9th, 2021 at 1:34 pm
He deserved that ring more than anyone, playing in those terrible teams.
Best ever hands down
July 9th, 2021 at 1:54 pm
It’s a damn shame that he’ll never be in the h.o.f. only because he was on such bad teams. He’s a top 3 linebacker of his generation.
July 9th, 2021 at 2:25 pm
I thought LD54 played the best game of his life on superbowl night.
July 9th, 2021 at 3:35 pm
I disagree that he has lost a step. He will, but he has not yet.
And I think it’s BS that they’re going to start saying something now that they won a Super Bowl.
He was every bit as good as Luke Kuechly, but the media gave him all the run and ignored David for years.
Some around here hate Luke for that, I don’t. They were both great and should’ve got equal coverage and accolades.
July 9th, 2021 at 5:07 pm
Wesley Says:
“It’s a damn shame that he’ll never be in the h.o.f. only because he was on such bad teams. He’s a top 3 linebacker of his generation.”
.
.
He easily matches or exceeds the stats of Luke Kuechly. It’s a shame that it took a Super Bowl win and the slow “lists season” for us to finally see his name in print.