Tag: lavonte david bucs

Lavonte David lands on NFL’s list of 30 best players over 30

Find out what number Bucs LB Lavonte David came in at on the NFL’s list of the 30 best players over 30.

Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David is entering his ninth NFL season, but as Devin White learned, he can still move for an old man.

David turned 30 this year, but is already the seasoned veteran of this linebacker group, which could be one of the best in the league. With an All-Pro season already under his belt, it’s not surprising to see David land on the NFL’s list of the 30 best players over 30. David came in at No. 19.

Here’s what NFL.com writer Ali Bhanpuri had to say:

“The third-wheel in what might go down as the greatest three-down linebacker draft class of all time, David rarely receives the recognition he deserves. I already don’t feel good about ranking him in the late teens. The ninth-year pro, who incredibly only has one Pro Bowl nod to his name (and that wasn’t even during his All-Pro season) was a rock for an improved Bucs defense last year, lining up for 99.6 percent of the unit’s snaps, according to Next Gen Stats. He finished the campaign with the second-best completion percentage allowed above expected (-11.9%) at the position, and as one of just two ‘backers (Jayon Brown was the other) who didn’t surrender a TD in coverage (min. 50 targets). But my favorite David stat of 2019 shows his maniacal relentlessness: He had 19 hustle stops — defined by NGS as defensive stops where the player covers 20-plus yards of in-play distance from snap to tackle — which was more than twice as many as All-Pro and fellow 2012 draft classmate Demario Davis. If only Luke Kuechly or Bobby Wagner had been drafted by AFC teams …”

One of the best parts about Tom Brady coming to the Buccaneers is that the team will play five prime-time games, meaning guys like David and Mike Evans will finally get to show NFL audiences what Bucs fans have known for years.

For those wondering, Brady also landed on the list (of course), coming in at No. 17. Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson was ranked at number one.

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Devin White refers to Lavonte David as an ‘old guy’ in this hilarious video

Watch as Bucs linebackers Devin White and Lavonte David race during training camp.

Buccaneers second-year linebacker Devin White is expected to make a big jump in 2020, looking to further validate the team’s selection of him with the fifth pick in the 2019 NFL draft.

White and fellow linebacker Lavonte David could easily be the best linebacker duo in the league, and for David, the 2020 season will be his ninth in the NFL, making him the old veteran of the linebacker group.

Take a look at this hilarious video from Bucs camp of White referring to David as an old man before they square off in a race. And, as Lavonte proves, he’s still got the wheels to play this game.

View this post on Instagram

"That boy fast for year nine" 😭

A post shared by Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@buccaneers) on

Bucs wide receiver Mike Evans had to weigh in on the video with a comment of his own.

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NFL top 100 list: Bucs LB Lavonte David comes in at No. 100

The NFL Network kicked off its top 100 players list, with Bucs linebacker Lavonte David coming in at No. 100.

The NFL Network’s top 100 list is a sign that the regular season is just around the corner.

As teams prepare to kick off training camp this week, the countdown to the No. 1 player has already begun, with some like Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen already voicing their displeasure about their ranking.

Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David, who has a 90 rating in Madden NFL 21, found himself at No. 100 on the list this year.

Per NFL.com:

“David ends a four-year absence in the Top 100 after leading the Bucs in tackles in 2019, which has been the case in seven of his eight seasons. David, who just eclipsed 1,000 career tackles, was ranked as high as No. 35 in 2014 after his only All-Pro season.”

David and fellow linebacker Devin White could easily be the best linebacker duo in the game today. White came on strong in the second half of last season, and playing alongside a guy like David should only help his maturation and development in Year 2 of his NFL career.

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NFL.com says this Buccaneer is the team’s most underappreciated player

Find out who NFL analytics expert Cynthia Frelund named as the Bucs’ most underappreciated player.

There’s no shortage of talent on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ roster heading into 2020. With guys like Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski, Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, the Bucs look more like a team straight out of Madden or fantasy football.

Big things are expected out of Bruce Arians’ team in 2020, and if the Bucs are going to make a serious run at the playoffs, they’ll also need their defense to continue to improve under Todd Bowles. The D has plenty of talent as well, and retained key players this offseason like Ndamukong Suh, Jason Pierre-Paul and Shaq Barrett. But, there’s another defender who is perhaps the team’s most underappreciated player, at least according to Cynthia Frelund of NFL.com, and that’s linebacker Lavonte David.

Using context-based models, Frelund came to this conclusion about David:

“With the most tackles on the team (122 — the next closest Buccaneer had 91), 10 tackles for loss, a fumble recovery and an interception, David was the kind of productive middle-of-the-field defender Todd Bowles knows how to best deploy. PFF counted his coverage grade as 91.4, which was the highest among linebackers last season (among those with a minimum of 100 snaps).”

Bucs fans definitely appreciate David and what he brings to the table. With the Bucs appearing in five prime-time games this season, David will get the chance to showcase his skills on the national stage. Maybe then he’ll receive the attention and credit he deserves from the rest of the league.

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Lavonte David is here to provide you with some Monday motivation

Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David took to Instagram to provide some motivation for fans this Monday.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David is undoubtedly one of the veteran leaders of this team. The former Nebraska star and second-round pick of the Bucs in 2012 has a lot to be excited about when it comes to the future of his current team.

The Bucs, who had the league’s 15th-best defense this season, made a dramatic improvement under first-year defensive coordinator Todd Bowles, who helped them improve on their 27th ranking from 2018.

David has proven time and again to be one of team’s most motivated players, and today, he provided a little Monday motivation for fans on his Instagram story.

Here’s a screenshot:

And, for those who didn’t see this powerful post from David right before the new year, here it is again for you:

View this post on Instagram

May not seem like it but my 2019 was ROUUGGHHH!!! Went through stuff I’ve never imagined me going through. Football and those close to me was the only thing that kept my mind right and positive. I’ve done a lot of soul searching, a lot of praying, had sleepless nights and Long talks with myself in the mirror. Going through that helped me grow so much as a person and as a man. I realized I had to find myself and figure out what really matters to me! I’m still growing but I’m proud of the man I’m becoming, took me long enough but better late than never. Thankful for the good and the bad 2019 had for me but I’m definitely looking forward to 2020. God bless all, always stay true, never fold, and remain positive. 💯🤙🏾

A post shared by Lavonte David (@lavontedavid) on

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