Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ linebacker Lavonte David has low-key been one of the best linebackers in the league the last decade. And he doesn’t appear to be slowing down.
This explains to some people’s bewilderment why David shows up at No. 4 on USA Today’s TouchdownWire’s Doug Farrar’s “The NFL’s 11 best linebackers” article.
The criteria for this list as explained by Farrar is as follows,
• Beating blocks and getting through run fits on a consistent basis is crucial. If you can’t stop the run well, it’s going to be tough to get anywhere near this listicle.
• Pass coverage is also crucial. Can you be a true half-field defender at linebacker depth and beyond? Can you work responsibilities from the flat to the middle of the field?
• Finally, the ability to blitz effectively from multiple gaps is a must.
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This explains to some people’s bewilderment why David shows up at No. 4 on USA Today’s TouchdownWire’s Doug Farrar’s “The NFL’s 11 best linebackers” article.
Here’s Farrar’s take on David:
“Since 2012, there are two players who lead the league in solo tackles, and they’re the next two players on this list. David, selected by the Buccaneers in the second round of the 2012 draft out of Nebraska, is No. 1 on that list with 949. Last season, the 11-year veteran totaled three sacks, six pressures, 98 solo tackles, 62 stops, and he allowed 67 catches on 82 targets for 543 yards, 278 yards after the catch, one touchdown, no interceptions, five pass breakups, and an opponent passer rating of 98.3.
At age 33, David hasn’t lost much of the speed and burst that has always defined his playing style; it’s why he’s just as likely to create a tackle for loss in the passing game as he is with a run stop. If you’re trying to run any kind of screen, swing pass, or release route, and No. 54 is on the case, you may want to make other plans.”
David returns for his 12th year as a Buccaneer in 2023. Look for him to continue his excellence on and off the field as the leader of this defense.
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