Opponents Tried To Expose Lavonte David (It Didn’t Work)
July 19th, 2024
Picking on an old man failed.
There is senior abuse in the NFL!
Lavonte David is a true NFL graybeard. If the Bucs can find a way to advance to the NFC Championship game in late January, David will be one of the rare 35-year old linebackers.
So Joe gets that teams might have thought last season that David may be slowing down … so let’s get our tight ends and receivers on him and expose him for the old man he is.
But games aren’t played on paper.
Per NextGen Stats, offenses went after David time and again, and quarterbacks were denied time and again. David was the fourth-most-targeted linebacker last season by passes. However, he allowed the third-lowest average yards of separation on those passes. Additionally, only one linebacker allowed smaller windows for receivers/quarterbacks than David.
The way David was targeted, you’d think after a while teams would give up. But this poses a question for which Joe doesn’t have an answer.
Aside from his age, why was David targeted so much? Just on face value that seems dumb.
Did Bucs coach Todd Bowles disguise coverages so well that it tricked quarterbacks into thinking David was the best option to target?
Lavonte David faced the 4th-highest target rate among linebackers last season (16.7%, min. 25 targets), forcing a tight window on 17.6% of those targets (2nd among LB, min. 25 targets).#GoBucs https://t.co/DBTMLP5qcb pic.twitter.com/MLE7aONw5o
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) March 12, 2024
July 19th, 2024 at 6:29 am
Joe: I think you and others give Bowles way too much credit for his defensive brilliance. Just saying.
July 19th, 2024 at 6:56 am
Regardless of the DC or scheme, we’ve all seen LVD is just a great LB and a great person throughout his career.
July 19th, 2024 at 7:47 am
Nah, LVD really is that good.
July 19th, 2024 at 7:52 am
Perhaps it has less to do with athleticism and more to do with what’s between the ears. It’s good that he still has his wheels, but he always knows his assignments and where to be to make the plays.
July 19th, 2024 at 8:18 am
Cool news FROM MARCH, dude.
July 19th, 2024 at 8:33 am
I would have thought D-White would have been targeted a lot, maybe his snap count was lower? I’d like to see Tykee on the TEs as the Bucs gave up the most TE receptions in the league. LVD for HOF!
July 19th, 2024 at 8:34 am
Hey Mort why don’t you go ask and see if Joe is hiring and become a writer or something it’s freaking July dude not much going on in NFL or shoot sports world at that any little tidbit helps out the consumers.
July 19th, 2024 at 8:51 am
Seriously Mort—the only kind of NFL news there is a week before training camp is:
Star player demands trade
Stupid player drinks too much and falls asleep in his Rolls
Marginal player no longer on the team has charges against him dropped
Ira given the thumbs up from Doc to get freaky in his pool (if someone is willing)
This week is bereft of any significant value. Kudos to the Joes (and Irv!) for churning out content that keep us informed and for being creative enough to keep some of that content in their back pockets for times like these.
July 19th, 2024 at 9:39 am
When it comes to Lavonte David, age is just a number. Tight window rate – 2nd! He is the guy off and on the field and has a proven track record.
Another article talked about TO not getting a return call from Brady about coming to the Bucs. TO is 50 years old. That is a big difference from 34. Yes, Brady was 45 when he retired, but he knew it was time. He did very well throughout his career until the last year of playing. Of course everyone is different, but Lavonte isn’t at father time quite yet.
July 19th, 2024 at 9:42 am
mad respect for the OG……
just please go out strong and not like 55 (was a stud) hobbling to try and catch someone running past him to the sidelines and on…
July 19th, 2024 at 10:30 am
Keep right on testing Lavonte. He’ll keep the light on for ya. Then, lights out!
July 19th, 2024 at 10:34 am
HOF
July 19th, 2024 at 11:49 am
NEWS: Saints Ryan Ramczyk Out for the Year
LT – Rookie
LG -Saldiveri – 52 PFF (76 is average)
C – Solid
RG – Ruiz – 51 PFF
RT – Out of the Year
Their OL is in shambles. Carr shouldn’t have time to hit Olave long. Kamara is getting a little old. We’ll see if how his body holds up. The defense is old. This could be a really bad team.
July 19th, 2024 at 12:03 pm
You prefer Joe shutting this site down for two months in the summer? Dude?
Timing of the information doesn’t change it.
July 19th, 2024 at 1:51 pm
Tsk tsk Joe! No sir…you will NOT be shutting this site down for two months in the summer.!
On a serious note, those of us that understand the NFL life cycle for the entirety of the year, realize that the content the Joe’s bring us year round is unmatched. The vast majority us understand what the NFL doldrums in the summer means. You two Joe’s are phenomenal at what you. Continue to “knock it out of the park” sirs!
July 19th, 2024 at 5:35 pm
Sly Pirate nails it again.
The Saints will collapse.
July 19th, 2024 at 6:39 pm
We love ya, Joes and Ira.
Mort should go to another site. Try JackCurlingFan.com
July 20th, 2024 at 2:27 am
LVD will have his best season since before Diva arrived. He won’t have to worry about compensating for Diva’s lack of knowledge or interest, or inability to communicate the defensive call in the huddle. Diva is all god-given physical, no heart or intellect. Good riddance.
July 20th, 2024 at 9:45 am
Lavonte David has played exceedingly well in different schemes. What can I say more?
Go Bucs!