There will be no Pro Bowl pomp and circumstance for Lavonte David this year, again. The Pro Bowl rosters were announced on Tuesday. It includes Buccaneers WR’s Chris Godwin and Mike Evans. Also getting the nod was OL Shaq Barrett. But as is often the case with Pro Bowl rosters, the story is more about those who didn’t make them, than those that did.
But Luke Kuechly, REALLY?
With only two middle linebackers selected to the squad, there is already a numbers game from the jump. The two LB’s selected were Seattle’s Bobby Wagner, and Carolina’s Luke Kuechly. Wagner’s numbers compare to David’s. Lavonte has 69 tackles/1 sack/2 forced fumbles/1 interception. Wagner has 75 tackles/2 sacks/1 forced fumble/1 interception. Then along comes Kuechly with 71 tackles/0 sacks/0 forced fumbles/2 interception. Though numbers don’t always tell the story of who makes the Pro Bowl
Players make the squad according to votes by players, coaches, and finally the fans. Each groups vote counting 1/3. The only other Panther to make the 2019 squad was Christian McCaffrey. This is Kuechly’s 7th Pro Bowl since being drafted in the 1st round(#9) of the 2012 NFL draft. The same draft that would see the Buccaneers draft Lavonte in the 2nd round(#58).
One Thing For Sure
Whether or not Lavonte David gets the free admission to Disney World and a spot on the glamour squad will not affect the even keeled, David. Mentoring rookie Devin White in a new Todd Bowles defensive scheme and a secondary still in training pants, the 8th year veteran ILB has been the straw that stirs the drink. The glue that holds the seam. The OG of the…..well, you get the point.
It will take more than missing a trip to “O-Town” to rain on this Buccaneers parade.
Photo credit: Tampa Bay Times
