Thirty-four-year-old Lavonte David is aging in reverse. Week-after-week, David showcases his range on the field and flies to the ball like a magnet. David, the linchpin of the Buccaneers' defense, spearheaded the team's defensive effort against the Raiders in Week 14. He recorded seven tackles (one for loss), including five solo, 1.0 sack and a fumble recovery in Tampa Bay's 28-13 victory. David became the only NFC player with a sack and a takeaway in Week 14 and one of two across the league, joining Myles Garrett. His fumble recovery marked the 19th of his career – the most among all players since David entered the league in 2012 and most among all active players.
David captains a Tampa Bay defense that in Week 14 was tied for first in fewest touchdowns allowed, second in fewest yards allowed, tied for second in points allowed, tied for second in fewest first downs allowed and tied for second in takeaways among all NFC teams. David continues to set the standard of excellence in Tampa Bay on the field.
"It kind of blows my mind," Tristan Wirfs remarked on David's consistency and longevity. "It has been nice – mine and Lavonte's relationship has grown these past couple of years. I was thinking about it the other day, but I was in seventh or eighth grade when he came into the league. He has been here balling for years. Seeing him every week fly around and make plays like that and lead the defense, hold down the defense, is just incredible."
Regarded as one of the most underrated linebackers in the NFL, David is one of only four players since tackles began being tracked in 1994 with 1,500-plus tackles, 35.0-plus sacks and 10-plus interceptions, alongside London Fletcher, Ray Lewis and Bobby Wagner.
Against the Raiders, David recorded a sack and a fumble recovery in the first 17 minutes of play. On the quarterback takedown on third-and-10, Todd Bowles loaded the line pre-snap with six rushers at the line. Outside linebacker Anthony Nelson dropped in coverage after the snap and David looped inside as the Raiders' offensive line slid to the outside, leaving David unblocked through the middle on the pressure. David forced the punt and paved the way for the Bucs' score on their second offensive possession.
David, a tackle-producing machine, possesses instincts that are second to none. He is in the middle of the action on a routine basis whether covering tight ends in man, rushing the passer, stonewalling a rusher at the point of attack or blowing up a screen. With rare read-and-react skills, fluid footwork and understanding of leverage, David bolsters the defense in Tampa Bay.
