Back Like He Never Left
Rejoice, fellow BUCS fans!
All-World LB Lavonte David is staying in Tampa for his 10th season.
For the vast majority of his 9-year career, #54 has been one the absolute best LBs in the NFL. He’s also been the most underrated and flat-out dismissed players in the League. To date, Lavonte David hasn’t made it out the mid-30’s in his 3 NFL Top 100 appearances. He just made the list at #100 for the 2020 season.
This is largely due to the Team’s win/loss record which is an unfair way to assess how good a player is. It’s especially puzzling considering how it’s inconsistent and completely selective as to how that logic is applied.
Joe Thomas, former long-time left tackle of the Cleveland Browns, is largely considered a Hall Of Fame worthy player even though his team went 45-128 in his 10yr career. That’s exactly the same amount of wins as LVD and the BUCS in his first 9 years in the NFL.
Of the seven LBs picked ahead of Lavonte David in 2012, the most notable was Luke Keuchly. Quite a few BUCS fans wanted the Boston College Superman as the 1st Round pick at #7. But to no avail. Safety Mark Barron was the pick for Tampa. Keuchley was indeed a damn good linebacker. But, in no way was he better than Lavonte. As good as Lavonte? Maybe. Probably. But definitely not definitely better.
Still, the highly touted draft pick was constantly looked at as a super talent while Lavonte David was just “good”.
In fact, Keuchley went on to win the 2013 Defensive Player Of The Year despite only besting Lavonte David in assisted tackles as it relates to the individual statistics. His only advantage was total team wins.
Carolina went 12-4 with 2nd ranked defense in the League while the BUCS were 4-12 with the 21st ranked defense.
David has consistently been overlooked due to the Team’s lack of success. Yet, he’s been one of the most consistently productive players around.
He’s only missed 7 games in his career. He’s played at least 95% of the defensive snaps 6 of his 9 years. Lavonte has played 9,004 snaps on defense. The most by any BUCS over the last 12 years.
As much as anything, the mild-mannered field general has been a true franchise player. He’s been everything you could reasonably want on AND off the field. You can’t find anyone with a bad word to say about him. Well, maybe whoever he was yelling at on the New Orleans sideline during the Playoffs.
Keeping Lavonte David in Tampa keeps one of the League’s best LB duos together for another 2 seasons. David’s leadership and his usually cool demeanor are partially responsible for the maturation and growth of Devin White. White was already a solid cat coming in. But, having to start off slower than expected with an injury, a stronger presence was needed. Someone that could keep the young fella grounded and ease him into the workload was needed.
That was #54.
And it wasn’t anything new. David had done the same role with another talented and fiery linebacker that also happened to be an LSU Tiger before. Kwon Alexander came up under Lavonte’s influence as well. Again, making it so the young fellas slowed down and understood the process as well as the game.
Both Kwon Alexander and Devin White found early success not just because they were talented. But, because they had guidance to go along with that talent. They had leadership on the field. They had a Top 10 talent around them to make it so they didn’t have to exert themselves and try to do too much. Funny enough, that’s what former teammate Gerald McCoy openly preached about for much of his career in Tampa.
McCoy’s career was set back by injuries in his first two seasons. His ascension came the first year he was completely healed and healthy and that’s when David arrived. David saw McCoy trying to coach up his teammates as he not only made his way back into shape and good health but back into dominance. The young LB has paid it forward throughout his career.
And it’s paid off. On AND off the field.
For David, it’s paying off for the 2nd time. His new 5yr deal will see him get paid a well-deserved $25M. To ease the cap hit, that contract has been constructed so that three of the five years are voidable. With $20M fully guaranteed, it effectively makes it a 2yr deal.
The BUCS keep one of the best players its ever had on the roster while he’s still in his prime. And Lavonte David gets another opportunity to be a part of not only a winning team but another Super Bowl-winning team.
Most of us sports fans want to see our favourite players go out healthy and happy. Fulfilled with being a winner and rewarded for bringing us joy.
With the new deal, David, who won’t turn 32 years of age until next January will have earned around $80M in Tampa. If all goes well, he’ll never have to see another dime from any other team.
