Old But Good
August 3rd, 2021
Leader of Bucs senior citizens.
So the Bucs defense may be old up front. But damn if they aren’t good.
Yes, Lavonte David (31), Jason Pierre-Paul (32) and Ndamukong Suh (34) are getting long in the tooth. But they still produce.
Jeff Kerr of CBS Sports came up with his All-30 defensive team and all three of the aforementioned Bucs made the roster. David is a starter, with JPP and Suh as second-team.
David has been one of the most underrated players in the NFL for years — somehow not earning a Pro Bowl selection last season. He finished with 117 tackles (12 for loss), three quarterback hits, three forced fumbles, 1.5 sacks, six passes defended, and an interception. Opposing quarterbacks targeting David had a 79.9 passer rating, only averaging 4.78 yards per attempt.
Only David and Ray Lewis have recorded 1,000 tackles, 20 sacks, and 10 interceptions through their first eight seasons in the league. David doesn’t get talked about enough when it comes to the all-time great linebackers. Perhaps a Super Bowl ring changes the conversation.
Between these stats Kerr cites on David, and what Joe had read about David’s “defeat” stats from Football Outsiders, David is building a resume worthy of serious consideration for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
People slobber over Luke Kuechly, who was a dynamite linebacker no doubt. Well, David’s numbers are damn near identical. And David has something that Kuechly does not.
A big fat, gaudy ring because his defense held a high-powered opponent without a touchdown in a Super Bowl.
August 3rd, 2021 at 9:19 am
Always good to be compared to ray lewis
(Well for on field play 😂)
Cant wait to see lavonte’s numbers when done
There has to be discussion on best buc linebacker – DB vs LVD
And trust me , derrick is one of my favorite bucs of all time …if not #1
And then we may have to do again with Devin 😂
August 3rd, 2021 at 9:35 am
Remember yesterday how BA’s nice fest over Tryon ended abruptly for freelancing?
These guys may have some mileage on them, but rookie mistakes are well behind them.
I like how the Bucs have been mixing in the youth to learn from the seasoned vets. That’s what good teams do.
August 3rd, 2021 at 9:41 am
LVD has been underrated for so long bc his sophomore coming out party resulted in coach toes on the line getting fired rather than winning a SB like Devin White. Then the guy hit his prime w Lovie in charge.
Imagine the cred he’d have amassed if the former coaches had even an ounce of credibility themselves.
August 3rd, 2021 at 10:08 am
Biff you’re sooooo right about that, and hopefully Mr. Lighthouse keeps shining bright on his draft picks so by the time TB12 retires to his mansion and still super model wife there still will be a good mix of rooks and vets for Mr. Trask to continue Mr. Bradys Tompa Bay city of champions!
August 3rd, 2021 at 10:09 am
They’re numbers aren’t identical David best him in almost every category!!!!!
August 3rd, 2021 at 11:09 am
Lavonte David is not a household name around the NFL. The pro bowl is mostly a popularity contest.
August 3rd, 2021 at 11:13 am
LVD is not a household name around the NFL. Consequently the pro bowl is mostly a popularity contest. LVD should be in the pro bowl automatically.
August 3rd, 2021 at 11:23 am
The truth is that 80% of Suh or JPP, or Levonte…is better than 100% of many other guys. It is that simple.
August 3rd, 2021 at 12:05 pm
Very very cool stat on only David and Ray Lewis 20 sacks, 10 interceptions and 1000 tackles in their first 8 season.
Knew right off the bat that Derrick Brooks did not have 20 sacks in his whole career. But I was curious to look up his other stats since Youngbucs said LVD was better statistically in most every category.
1st Pro Football reference seems to disagree with Joe’s numbers on passer rating against LVD. They say 93.4 last year. (I guess Joe went with a Football Outsider stat).
Some career comparisons:
Per game tackles: Brooks 7.6 – David 8.2 – Lewis 9.0
Per season PD: Brooks 8.4 – David 5.7 – Lewis 6.8
Per season Int: Brooks 1.8 – David 1.3 – Lewis 1.8
Per season FF: Brooks 1.7 – David 2.9 – Lewis 1.1
Per season TFL: Brooks 6.8 – David 14.2 – Lewis 7.1
Per season sacks: Brooks 1.0 – David 2.9 – Lewis 2.4
If the 2 guys on either side of David are 1st ballot HOF guys, it seems like David should be.
The one thing killing him is:
Pro bowls: Brooks 11 – David 1 – Lewis 13.
Not his fault but could be the thing that kills him in the end.
August 3rd, 2021 at 12:20 pm
David > Kooky
August 3rd, 2021 at 6:16 pm
If geno 711’s stats are right, that should be shown on a graph on Thursday night TV. As an honorary General Manager, can Joe ask The NFL to show that graph at the Bucs game. 99% of the people will be shocked. Add a 4th column for Keuchly. I think the Bucs organization and media should have a Lavonte David appreciation day now, not wait until his career is over. LVD is an unknown since the Bucs were unknown. LVD is now overlooked because he is surrounded by players that were already Canton Bound. There is only one way people will now believe LVD has that good of a career: SHOW THe Numbers. Bucs PR department can share the stats through the national media. I bet Lewis and Brooks will promote him too. Otherwise, accept Davidwill be the greatest Buc NOT in the HOF
August 3rd, 2021 at 11:41 pm
Lavonte David is the absolute epitome of a team player who will never don another uniform except ours and retire in the ROH right next to all of our All-Time greats.
His contributions are equal to DB55 and all others that preceded him, if not greater.
“Only David and Ray Lewis have recorded 1,000 tackles, 20 sacks, and 10 interceptions through their first eight seasons in the league.”
LVD has combined DB55’s knowledge with a superior set of physical skills at this stage of his career
Hail to the greatness that we are blessed to witness