Lavonte David: A Leader On The Field, Motivator In The Locker Room
September 29th, 2024
Sets teammates straight.
A recent NFL Films feature on Lavonte David showed how the star linebacker gets on his Bucs teammates when they are not playing to his standards.
It was actually a jarring look at the veteran because he is so humble and soft-spoken in the public eye away from the field.
Today, David had a classic David game, his best of the season and one of the best of his storied career.
Eight tackles. Two sacks. A quarterback hit. A forced fumble. Two tackles for loss. A pass defensed. That, folks, is a full afternoon.
David was all over the field. Literally. Joe remembers early in the game on two consecutive plays David stopped the league’s best runner entering Sunday at the line of scrimmage. On the next play he broke up a Jalen Hurts pass for Dallas Goedert.
The Bucs played with their hair on fire in the first half, especially to begin the game and even scored a touchdown on their opening drive.
There was a reason for the attention to detail early. David made sure the Bucs had their heads screwed on straight.
Last week after the embarrassing loss to the Broncos, YaYa Diaby told Joe today, there was some arse chewing among teammates leading up to today’s kickoff. Guys were peeved how poorly they played against Denver.
So Joe asked Diaby who raised hell.
“Our captain,” Diaby said motioning to the linebackers.
Who?
Diaby’s answer was Lavonte David.
It was David, among others, who demanded players play up to their ability. Study hard. Know the gameplan. Show up Sunday ready.
We all saw the result.
“He said we didn’t play like ourselves,” Diaby said, “We’re way better than that. So we said we were going to take care of business.
“We had a great, great week of preparation. And we got after it.”
And David was a big reason for that.
“For sure,” Jordan Whitehead told Joe. “It was a good learning experience. It made us tighten things up.”
And Whitehead said the learning experience wasn’t just for the rookies or the many second-year guys who contribute.
“It was for all of us. It wakes you up a little bit. No matter who you play, you cannot take them lightly.”
So it seems like when David is angry with poor play, it’s time to step up. Immediately.
September 29th, 2024 at 5:23 pm
MVP
MVP
MVP
MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP
September 29th, 2024 at 5:29 pm
Lavonte leading the sack attack!!!
September 29th, 2024 at 5:33 pm
“Eight tackles. Two sacks. A quarterback hit. A forced fumble. Two tackles for loss. A pass defensed.”
That’s JTS’ entire career.
September 29th, 2024 at 5:35 pm
So proud of Lavonte
September 29th, 2024 at 5:36 pm
Nice.
September 29th, 2024 at 5:41 pm
Joe tell Ira that when it comes time to present Lavonte to the HOF Selection Committee, all he has to do is put on a video of LVD highlights in today’s game and he’ll be a lock to get selected on the 1st ballot.
September 29th, 2024 at 5:43 pm
He’ll make HOF someday. It may take a few try’s but he’ll be there.
September 29th, 2024 at 5:44 pm
Since entering the league, Lavonte has:
The most solo tackles
The most turnovers created (INTs and FFs)
The 3rd most TFLs
And he still barely gets national respect. It’s insane.
IRA – IT IS YOUR DUTY TO GET THIS MAN IN THE HOF WHERE HE BELONGS!
September 29th, 2024 at 6:10 pm
Get this man some help.
Trade for Devin White. I’m sure the Eagles will gladly take a 2029 7th rounder for him, and not only would you get a 4.4 linebacker back – it also means Britt isn’t on the field, and that’s a win-win-win-win (four wins because Britt sucks sucks sucks).
Seriously, White isn’t on an expensive deal, and he’s available, he knows the defense, and you can not watch Britt get beat over and over and over again and not do anything about it. Plus I have no idea what happened to Dennis. You need help, stop being stubborn about it.
September 29th, 2024 at 6:40 pm
Yeah, Britt got exposed today. Didnt cost us cause we have a guy in LVD that covers all sins on D
Sounds stupid but the Menis Denis just got hurt. I would 100 take a flyer on Devin if that is a real possibility.
SORRY Britt, I was your biggest Fan Boy but my guy LVD keeps bailing you out.
Time to put up or SHUT UP Britt
September 29th, 2024 at 6:59 pm
Wisecrack … I focused on Britt on a number of plays today. I was mortified how bad he looked on several plays (pass plays in particular). Devin White was bad at times defending the pass, but Britt is much worse. Not only that, but I saw him blitz on a couple of plays & it was almost humorous. He just doesn’t seem to have the instincts to be a good blitzer that LVD has & that White had. As an aside, Tykee Smith seems to have excellent blitzing instincts.
I agree with Rod that JL should explore the possibility of a Devin White return to Tampa. Philly’s just sitting him on the bench, and since we’ve already played them, they’d probably be amenable to a ‘trade’ (even if it’s just for a 7th Rnd pick & us picking up his salary for the year).
September 29th, 2024 at 7:02 pm
LVD and the other team captains owed the Central FL area a morale boost. They delivered. I will be glad when storm season ends.
September 29th, 2024 at 7:08 pm
Defense Rules
As per usual, cant argue with you even with a minor difference in opinion.
For instance, Jesus Rules IMHO!!!
Thats all I got for you sir, cant roast the GOAT of JBF posters more than that 🙂
September 29th, 2024 at 7:28 pm
Defense Rules Says:
September 29th, 2024 at 6:59 pm
I focused on Britt on a number of plays today.
———
When I went back in week 1 and watched his tape on the ALL22, he is so bad it’s ridiculous. He’s just slow, takes bad angles, he shouldn’t be on the field. He was acceptable as a deep roster guy who occasional would see the field during run situations, but when he’s out there on every play, he’s such a huge liability.
The issue to me, with White, was his deal – and him wanting to get paid. But he’s on a cheap 1-year deal, so there’s literally nothing to lose in trading for him – and I’m certain it wouldn’t take much to get him (literally a conditional 7th, and like you said picking up the contract is probably all). Of course they’d have to talk to White to make sure he’d want to come back, but if he does, they need to make that happen. It’s as low risk as it gets, and maybe he’s been humbled.
But Britt can not continue to be on the field. It’s as irresponsible as having Sucke starting games at RT. I generally really like Licht, but these too guys are huge liabilities, and they need to do something about it.
September 29th, 2024 at 7:46 pm
Brady gave David tons of praise today. If Joe listens to his broadcast, maybe he’ll get off his case, he had nothing to say but good things about his time in Tampa, and the Bucs. He was asked about what Baker said about the Bucs being uptight with him, and you got to love his answer. Look it up.
September 29th, 2024 at 7:47 pm
Hopefully Ira pulls his head out of his a$$ like he finally did with Mike Evans last year. Lavonte David is a future Hall of Famer!
September 29th, 2024 at 7:48 pm
Rod, we’ll need to draft an ILB high next year. Dennis went out injured, so who you going to put in if you bench Britt? Dennis isn’t the answer. He can’t make it through a training camp let alone a 17 game season. Boy is fraggle.
September 29th, 2024 at 8:10 pm
If this guy doesn’t make the HOF, there shouldn’t be one.
September 29th, 2024 at 8:30 pm
It doesn’t have to be White, but, it has to be someone. I don’t know if anyone on the PS is ready. There are LBs everywhere around the league. Pay the price
Trade a player or picks. Need the same mentality for a decent guard. If we get one we may be able to cover for the other one.
Dennis can’t stay on the field due to health. Britt too slow
Licht has to address these issues. Please.
September 29th, 2024 at 9:50 pm
Jason is GM. Thankful for that. Diva white wouldn’t be a fit in this locker room and Jason knows it. What lost him his job to Britt in the first place is obviously still operating in real time in Philly.
Trade for the Diva. LOL.Not gonna happen.
September 29th, 2024 at 10:35 pm
White was selfish and the last couple of years didn’t play well. I don’t think bringing White back solves the problem. You might just be adding another problem. I would rather see the Bucs play JJ Russell than Britt. Licht still needs to try and trade for a pass rushing outside linebacker. All of our pressure today started and ended with Vita Vea and Lavonte David. YaYa had a sack and a couple decent pressures but otherwise wasn’t spectacular.
September 30th, 2024 at 7:51 am
I’ll acknowledge that he Bucs need to bring someone to bolster the LB position, but to those suggesting Devin White, what makes you think he’ll be less cancerous in the locker room this go around? And if he can’t beat out a 3rd-year mid-round draft pick (coming off a season-ending injury) for a starting spot in Philly, is he really worth it?
October 1st, 2024 at 3:37 am
1st ballot HOF! Book it!
On a side note. A legend has passed away. A leader… Charlie Hustle, the man I should emulate according to my hero…My Dad.
Pete Rose played the game the way it should be played. My Dad took me to “Al Lopez Field” specifically to watch Pete Rose play a Spring game and to show me how sports should be played. Still a favorite memory some fifty plus years later.
Go Bucs