Tag: Lavonte David

Bucs WR Chris Godwin (knee), LB Lavonte David (foot) cleared for training camp

Two of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ most important players have been medically cleared for training camp

Two of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ most important players have both been cleared to participate in training camp after suffering significant injuries toward the end of last season.

Wide receiver Chris Godwin and linebacker Lavonte David have both been medically cleared for this year’s camp activities, which as set to begin on Wednesday, per Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times.

Godwin suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 15 last season, while David played through a foot injury up until the end of the season, when the Bucs lost in the second round of the playoffs.

This is great news for both players, and bodes well for them being in the starting lineup in Week 1.

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Madden NFL 23: Top 25 highest-rated former Big Ten stars

What does the top 25 highest-rated former Big Ten stars list look like in Madden NFL 23? Four Iowa Hawkeyes crack the top 25.

A player’s rating on any Madden game is an indication of their star power in the National Football League. Now, the full list of player ratings for Madden NFL 23 has been unveiled.

Hawkeyes Wire took a look at which players were the overall top 25 highest-rated players. With an overall rating of 97, one former Iowa Hawkeye was among the top 25 highest-graded players on Madden NFL 23. Of course, that player is former Hawkeyes tight end George Kittle.

Kittle has carved out a reputation as one of the premier tight ends in all of the NFL with the San Francisco 49ers. In 2019, the 6-foot-4, 250 pound tight end picked up Associated Press first-team All-Pro honors. Last season, Kittle registered 71 grabs for 910 yards and six touchdowns.

With that in mind, naturally, Kittle will be one of the highest-rated former Big Ten stars in Madden NFL 23. Is he at the very top? Which other NFL players comprise the top 25 highest-rated former Big Ten stars in Madden NFL 23?

Let’s take a look below at the complete top 25 highest-rated Big Ten players in Madden NFL 23.

Bucs’ Lavonte David, Devin White among top 10 linebackers in ‘Madden NFL 23’

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have two of the highest-rated linebackers in the “Madden NFL 23” video game from EA Sports

Anybody who pays much attention to the NFL already knows that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have one of the league’s best linebacker tandems in Lavonte David and Devin White.

That fact was reinforced Tuesday when EA Sports released more of their player ratings for this year’s “Madden NFL 23” video game, with both David and White making their top-10 list at linebacker.

David’s overall rating of 92 makes him the third-best linebacker in this year’s game, while Devin White took the No. 10 spot with a rating of 85.

This year’s edition of “Madden” is set to release on August 19th.

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The NFL’s top 11 linebackers

Touchdown Wire’s Mark Schofield continues our position lists with the NFL’s 11 best linebackers.

Positional value.

That is a phrase and an idea we hear so often around the game of football, particularly during the draft and free agency. With an emphasis on the passing game, what players at each position can do — on both sides of the football — when the quarterback drops to throw is of utmost importance.

In addition to running backs, perhaps no position has seen its value altered in the modern NFL than linebackers. The days of serving as a between-the-tackles thumper are in the rear-view mirror, as today’s second-level defenders have to play more like safeties, and match the athleticism of tight ends, running backs and even receivers in coverage.

With that emphasis on mind, what these players do against the pass stands out. Here are the NFL’s top 11 linebackers — another one of our positional lists on the way to our countdown of the NFL’s top 101 players.

The NFL’s top 13 safeties

The NFL’s top 12 slot defenders

The NFL’s top 12 outside cornerbacks

The NFL’s top 11 linebackers

Touchdown Wire’s Mark Schofield continues our positional lists with the NFL’s best linebackers.

Positional value.

That is a phrase and an idea we hear so often around the game of football, particularly during the draft and free agency. With an emphasis on the passing game, what players at each position can do — on both sides of the football — when the quarterback drops to throw is of utmost importance.

In addition to running backs, perhaps no position has seen its value altered in the modern NFL than linebackers. The days of serving as a between-the-tackles thumper are in the rear-view mirror, as today’s second-level defenders have to play more like safeties, and match the athleticism of tight ends, running backs and even receivers in coverage.

With that emphasis on mind, what these players do against the pass stands out. Here are the NFL’s top 11 linebackers — another one of our positional lists on the way to our countdown of the NFL’s top 101 players.

The NFL’s top 13 safeties

The NFL’s top 12 slot defenders

The NFL’s top 12 outside cornerbacks

Lavonte David, Devin White ranked among NFL’s best LB tandems

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have one of the NFL’s best linebacker duos in Lavonte David and Devin White

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans are well aware that their team boasts one of the NFL’s best linebacker duos, and it appears the folks at Pro Football Focus agree.

PFF’s latest ranking of the league’s best linebacker groups puts the Bucs in the top 10, with Lavonte David and Devin White landing Tampa Bay at the No. 7 spot on this year’s list.

Here’s what PFF’s Seth Galina had to say about David and White:

This is a case of one elite linebacker pulling along another whose narrative hasn’t really matched his production. Lavonte David has been one of the best linebackers in the league for almost a decade, whereas teammate Devin White has not graded above the 51.9 mark he attained as a rookie. David also just put forth his worst season since 2016, posting a 72.3 grade. That’s still a very good grade, but there should be concerns about his age and a potential decline going forward.

White’s inconsistency in coverage has weighed down his PFF grade throughout his young NFL career, though he’s shown flashes of improvement in that area at times. David has been one of the best players at the position since he entered the league in 2012, and though he was slowed by injury last year, he still outperformed most other linebackers.

Even in the twilight of his career, David is one of the most complete defenders in the NFL, while White is still an ascending talent who should continue to improve as he enters his prime.

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Which Husker Made On3’s All-Time Transfer Team

Who are the best transfers at each position in the history of college football?

The transfer portal has changed the landscape of college football forever. But, no matter the tweaks or adjustments made to it, there’s no going back to the way things used to be. The offseason of 2022 will always be remembered as the offseason of change. Between the portal and Name, Image and Likeness, we saw two of the most significant changes to collegiate football in decades.

Even without the transfer portal, college football has always had transfers. On3 has put together a team (11 on offense, 11 on defense) of 22 players who they believe makeup “College Football’s All-Time All-Transfer Team. I can’t say that I agree with all of their selections, but it is interesting to look back and remember that some of the sport’s greatest players had to start their careers at a school different from the one they are known for.

One Cornhusker made the All-Transfer team. Scroll below and take a look.

Lavonte David among the top 100 players in the NFL

High praise for one former Nebraska Cornhusker.

The newest top 100 list from CBS Sports’ Pete Prisco is out. The Nebraska Cornhuskers did see one former player make the list and another listed among the honorable mention. Both play on the defensive side of the ball.

We kick it off with Lavonte David.

Lavonte David, Linebacker: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

What CBS Sports Says…

The leader of the Tampa Bay defense remains a top run-and-chase linebacker in their scheme. While Devin White’s play leveled off a bit, David again had a good season. Age is starting to be a concern.

White and David are among the top linebacker duos in the league and this year should be no different. Provided the defense is able to help win another title in Tampa Bay, it is likely Lavonte David will be a major reason why.

Top 100 Ranking: No. 87 Overall

Randy Gregory, Edge: Denver Broncos

Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Top 100 Ranking: Honorable Mention

Randy Gregory didn’t make the top 100 list but he was among that next group of players who can make a push for a spot. After spending his entire career with the Dallas Cowboys, Gregory moved over to the Denver Broncos in the offseason. After an issue with his contract, the former Huskers pass rusher opted to start fresh.

He looked rejuvenated in 2021 and 2022 could be a career year for him.

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7 key matchups to watch during Eagles vs. Bucs in wild card round

7 key matchups to watch during #Eagles vs. #Bucs in #NFL #SuperWildCard round

The 13-4 Buccaneers are set to host the 9-7 Eagles on the road in a home playoff game to open up the Sunday portion of the NFL’s Super Wild Card Weekend.

The Bucs and Eagles met in Week Six, with Tampa Bay holding onto a 28-22 decision at Lincoln Financial Field on a Thursday, after leading by as much as 21 points heading into the fourth quarter.

This is a totally different Philadelphia team and as the NFL’s leading rushing unit, the Eagles are catching Tampa Bay at a time when they’re most vulnerable on the ground.

Here are seven matchups to watch in Sunday’s game.

Eagles-Bucs injury report: Josh Sweat held out of practice, Miles Sanders among 5 listed as limited

#Eagles-#Bucs injury report: Josh Sweat held out of practice, Miles Sanders among 5 listed as limited participants ahead of Sunday’s #wildcard matchup

The Eagles released their Thursday injury report in advance of Sunday’s matchup against the Buccaneers, and Josh Sweat was again held out due to illness.

Miles Sanders was among five players listed as limited participants, while Fletcher Cox was among six players to get in full practices.