Lavonte David Didn’t Play Like He Was 33
June 5th, 2024
Lavonte David
Last year it was the same as it’s always been since the guy was drafted in 2012.
Bucs icon linebacker Lavonte David was dominant.
Joe remembers back in the winter of 2013 talking to Hall of Fame personnel guy Gil Brandt, who built the 1970s Cowboys dynasty and helped set the table for the Jimmy Johnson era.
Joe will never forget his initial take on David.
“I knew he was going to be good,” said Brandt, who died not quite a year ago. “I didn’t know he was going to be that good.”
David had Brandt’s full respect.
And it’s been that way every year. Now entering his 13th season, David has the Bucs hoping he has enough gas in his tank for at least one more run to the Super Bowl.
David admitted recently on “The Rich Eisen Show” he wasn’t sure after last season if he would return. About the prospect of playing in 2025, he said he would make a call after repeating what he did this offseason: Wait a month or two after the final game and see how he feels mentally and physically.
The Bucs are terribly thin at inside linebacker. They need David to stay healthy. Given the physical nature of his game and that he is 34, that’s a roll of the dice.
Sooner or later, Father Time has the final say.
Lavonte David’s stats this season, including playoffs:
• 139 tackles
• 19 tackles for loss
• 5 QB hits
• 5 passes defended
• 4.5 sacks
• 2 forced fumbles pic.twitter.com/FD0C8AyWFt— NFL Stats (@NFL_Stats) January 18, 2024
June 5th, 2024 at 12:14 am
Always nice to read how great he is.
June 5th, 2024 at 12:30 am
Buc great
June 5th, 2024 at 12:42 am
Along with Paul Gruber, the two most criminally underrated Bucs as far as the national media goes. Both should be in the hall, but neither will probably make it in without a ticket.
June 5th, 2024 at 1:41 am
There’s a good chance David makes the hall. This could very well be his legacy season. Here’s to hoping! Mike Evans definitely is. That’s for sure!
June 5th, 2024 at 2:20 am
3 years ago I was at rehab in Southern California. Some jacka mo stole my David jersey when he was leaving. I dint know it was gone until he was gone. I almost cried. I own over 23 authentic Bucs jerseys. I’ve been collecting since 1991. It was the digital clock jersey but it was red and they look a lot better in person. I’m going to give myself another one in Sep. As I celebrate 2 years sober. Nebraska gave us a great great player and better man. Inguess I should change my name also. Lol
June 5th, 2024 at 3:04 am
That would be a good start lol. It could also serve as a reminder of who you WERE.
CONGRATS Man. That will put you in your grave.
If David somehow wins another SB, I think he makes it in.
Such a shame that Fan Boys don’t consider guys intro into the Hall when they vote on popular guys for the Pro Bowl. You knows, guys from Big Teams.
Ex football players CONSTANTLY say he has has been a top 5 LB in this league and the voters don’t get it. They should look deeply at making the selection be more in the hands of the players than media.
June 5th, 2024 at 5:53 am
Ybor, yes get a new handle. After all, you are a new man. I did my own rehab tour back in July of 87, attending countless thousands of meetings while building a 12 year period of sober living. I somehow got convinced I was 10 feet tall bulletproof and quit the meetings.The inevitable fall from grace came. I’ll leave you with what I took from that: Unto thine own self be true. AA/Na 12 Step programs are by far the very bbest ticket out of Hell, but keep in mind just how insideous that disease is. Fact is AA/NA for all the great recovey stories has a soul crushing 97% recidevision rater. Once you embed the silly star, it burns for all your days. Remember that when your monkey starts to chatter. Good luck my man.
June 5th, 2024 at 6:37 am
Nothing but mad respect for LD always. I hope he stays after his playing career and becomes a coach for the linebackers.
June 5th, 2024 at 6:50 am
34 is the 28 yall. Ask my ex!
Go Bucs!
June 5th, 2024 at 7:34 am
In a sane world, David would have 7-8 Pro Bowls under his belt and would be called “future Hall of Famer LaVonte David” by those calling his games.
June 5th, 2024 at 7:51 am
Should have been considered for All-Pro & Pro Bowl last season. But as usual David gets snubbed.
June 5th, 2024 at 8:52 am
He has done it with style and grace.
June 5th, 2024 at 9:51 am
LVD ranks:
-11th all time in solo tackles(10 tackles away from tying Ronde Barbers career total) & 12th all time in combined tackles, but can finish in the top 10 of each after the 2024 season
-9th All time for TFLs and is the only off ball player in the top 10. David & Brian Urlacher are the ONLY off ball LBers in the top 25, Urlacher is 24th. More TFLs than than that big mouthed bum Cam Jordan & 5 TFLs away from taking 8th most all-time from Von Miller. Again, he plays off the ball.
-31st ranked in career forced fumbles tied with…wait for it…..Simeon Rice at 28 career forced fumbles.
and there’s more. The point being, LVD is not only a model of consistency for this team but the NFL in general in a time where off ball LBs are basically being devalued like RBs on the other side of the ball. When you find one this good you find ways to keep him in the building because he can impact ball games on a consitent basis.
June 5th, 2024 at 10:59 am
AMAZING HOF STAT
If LVD has another 19 TFL, he’ll rank #3 all time. Between Watt and Aaron Donald. If he can do it 2 years in a row (a lot to ask), he’d be close to challenging #1 Suggs.
June 5th, 2024 at 11:37 am
David definitely deserves to be considered for the HOF and probably would be if he wasn’t playing for the Bucs in the lost decade. Much like Paul Grueber, his greatness was often overlooked because the team surrounding him was so poor.
June 5th, 2024 at 2:29 pm
I’d marry LVD.