Bucs' Lavonte David says he can play better. It starts with interceptions

TAMPA — Lavonte David’s place as one of the greatest players in Bucs history is secure. If he stays healthy, the 35-year-old could pass Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker Derrick Brooks as the club’s all-time leader in tackles.

But after signing a one-year, $9 million contract Monday to return for a 14th season, David had no trouble identifying the area where he and the Bucs defense can improve:

Interceptions. The Bucs need more daredevil defenders who can wheel and steal the football.

That starts with David, who had 10 interceptions over his first five seasons but only one in 2024, his first in four years.

“Linebackers have got to be playmakers,” David said Monday. “You’ve got to find a way to impact the game some way, somehow. Splash plays, creating tackles for losses, getting ball-disrupting plays — not just making tackles. Trying to get the ball out and not just being comfortable knocking the ball down.

“Getting interceptions. All that contributes to winning organizations, and that’s all around. We didn’t have a lot of interceptions this year as a defense, and I want that to change. I think we need to be more aggressive, have more confidence in ourselves, be able to make the play and don’t be satisfied with just doing your job. Go above and beyond.”

If David never played another snap, he would retire as one of the greatest players in Bucs history, a Ring of Honor player with a Hall of Fame-worthy resume. He needs 112 tackles to pass Derrick Brooks’ franchise record of 1,713.

“I’m not competing with Derrick Brooks. Derrick Brooks is still light years ahead of me, of where I want to be,” David said. “But it would be an incredible accomplishment. For me, the leader of the franchise in tackles, that’s something every kid would dream of, especially a kid in my position.”

As has been the case the past few seasons, David wasn’t sure if he wanted to continue playing in 2025.

First he had to determine the extent of the ankle injury he sustained in the wild-card loss to the Commanders. Then he went through the normal process of taking care of his responsibilities at home and evaluating whether he was capable of maintaining his level of play.

“When I first go home, I just try to relax, see if I can get my mind off football,” David said. “Just focus on the responsibilities and things I’ve got to take care of outside of football. After that, I just try to figure out what’s next. What do I want to do?”

David asked himself two questions: Does he still love the game of football? And can he still uphold the standard of play he set for himself? The answer to both was yes.

“I still love the game. I still have the ability to play. I trust myself. I still believe in myself,” he said. “And, you know, why not? Why not give it another shot?

“Obviously the staff, (GM) Jason (Licht) and those guys, they wanted me back. That’s the main thing; they wanted me back. It wasn’t like, ’You can do whatever.’ It just gave me time to make a decision where they said, ‘You’ve got a contact.’ So, that made it easier.”

David also didn’t like the way the season ended with the 23-20 loss to the Commanders. The defense struggled to get off the field and couldn’t get a stop to prevent a field goal as time expired.

“It was real hard.” David said. ”Because I felt like we had an opportunity to play in the Super Bowl this past season. I feel like we had the guys. I feel like we had the right pieces in place. I feel like we were motivated, but things just didn’t go our way.

“I feel like we’re even more motivated now. Just having the same amount of guys in the locker room that we had last year, they know what it takes. I feel like we’re at the next step.”

David said he likes the competition the Bucs will have in the linebacker room. SirVocea Dennis, who missed most of last season with a shoulder injury, is expected to return as a starter. The team added Dolphins veteran linebacker Anthony Walker, Jr.

David believes former Jets linebacker Haason Reddick, a free-agent signee, will have a big impact on the pass rush.

David also thanked the Bucs front office and Licht for rewarding veteran players such as Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and himself with contract extensions that may enable them to play their entire career with one franchise.

“I think it’s incredible, man,” David said. “I don’t know if that’s talked about enough. (The Bucs) have been loyal to their guys. A lot of organizations aren’t like that. I think it’s a testament from the ownership all the way down. They want their guys, they believe in their guys, and they’re going to stick with us. I think for the young guys to see that, that gives them even more motivation.”

• • •

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