Lavonte David Holding His Own Against Father Time
March 10th, 2025
Oldie but a goodie.
Joe cannot tell you how wonderful the weekend was in the wake of news that Lavonte David is coming back for another season.
The only way Joe’s weekend would have been better (Joe even went 5-0 in college basketball wagering!) was if Joe awakened from a nap/dream to learn Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht broke down and signed a proven edge rusher.
Now, last year there were times when it appeared David may have lost a step, that Father Time might have been nudging him. David was still a strong linebacker but he didn’t appear to be his usual Hall-of-Fame-level player. Just a hair below.
Well, not only does NextGen Stats suggest that analysis is nonsense, but NextGen Stats believes David was as quick as any off-the-ball linebacker in the game.
Last season, David played a team-high 96.6 percent of defensive snaps in the blitz-heavy scheme and recorded 23 quick pressures to lead all off-ball linebackers.
So what are “quick pressures,” you ask? A quick pressure is when a guy rushes the quarterback and is able to put pressure on him in less than 2.5 seconds.
Per NextGen Stats’ GPS readings of chips in players’ equipment, no off-the-ball linebacker was quicker getting after the quarterback.
Oh, and he’s now 35.
Father Time has a battle on his hands with ol’ No. 54.
March 10th, 2025 at 1:21 am
Thank you Joe. Please send a link to your article to Nick Shook of the league website, who referenced PFF grades and concluding that LVD had his worst season. That pencil neck worm wouldn’t know the difference between a football and a hairball.
March 10th, 2025 at 1:56 am
5-0 in CBB? Now, that’s impressive.
March 10th, 2025 at 3:24 am
lavonte’s gonna play himself right into the HOF…
#LongDistanceRunner
March 10th, 2025 at 4:42 am
I’m just thrilled that he’s coming back for one more season.
But, we still need to get him some help.
He was doing way too much on his own last year. Covering for too many other people.
March 10th, 2025 at 6:59 am
He needs some help this year. Bucs better get some veteran help at the edge and not a draft pick or Braswell. No more bottom of-the barrel third string players for the edge position.
March 10th, 2025 at 8:38 am
Cherry picking at its finest. Yes, playing 96% of snaps are excellent, availability alone makes him stand out over a handful of guys on defense – but I do not want to artificially/manufacture pressure at middle linebacker. His “pressures” are also a result of Todd Bowles proclivity to call those kinds of blitzes. Now do pass coverage grade and examine huge drop off in ability to tackle in space for the full picture. Not trying to shi on the guy and I’m sure people will get their feelings hurt and prefer to get on their knees and hide their head under the couch cushion, but the reality of resigning a declining 35 yr old as a bandaid is a pure legacy move and patchwork at best. And why are why advocating for Khalil Mack, etc. I want to build a program, not sign 1yr rentals.