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Lavonte David | Linebacker

Team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Age / DOB:  (23) / 1/23/1990
Ht / Wt:  6'1' / 233
College: Nebraska
Contract: view contract details
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Recent News

Bucs WLB Lavonte David's 20 tackles for loss in 2012 are the second most on record for a rookie since the NFL began tracking the statistic in 2000.
Old Steeler Kendrell Bell's 23 are the most on record during that timeframe. Among all players in 2012 -- not just rookies -- David's 20 tackles for a loss ranked third in the NFL behind only Defensive POY candidates J.J. Watt (39) and Von Miller (28). David has a strong case for Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. He also played a whopping 98.2 percent of the Bucs' defensive snaps. Jan 25 - 2:16 PM
Source: buccaneers.com

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Date:
Lavonte David - LB - Buccaneers

Rookie WLB Lavonte David leads the Bucs in both tackles and tackles for a loss.

David, the No. 58 overall pick in the draft, has proven to be a major find for defensive-minded coach Greg Schiano. He's also been an asset for IDP owners in tackle-heavy formats. In his first nine NFL games, David has racked up 81 tackles -- 67 of them solo. However, he has no sacks, forced fumbles or interceptions and just one pass breakup. As an every-down 'backer that flies to the football, more big plays should come.
Source: Tampa Tribune
Wed, Nov 14, 2012 11:23:00 AM
Lavonte David - LB - Buccaneers

Bucs rookie WLB Lavonte David racked up 14 tackles (12 solo) in Week 4 against the Redskins and has 33 through four weeks.

Mike 'backer Mason Foster leads the team with 36 tackles, but the rookie is closing in. David threw his man for a loss on three of the 14 stops against Washington. While David's big-play production hasn't quite caught up to his tackle numbers, he's been an every-down linebacker and should start forcing more fumbles and breaking up more passes as the season progresses. In IDP leagues, David is a strong LB3 with LB2 upside.
Mon, Oct 1, 2012 05:33:00 PM
Lavonte David - LB - Buccaneers

The Buccaneers have inserted rookie WLB Lavonte David into their nickel package.

Already holding a starting job, David will be an every-down linebacker in Greg Schiano's defense. David will square off with Jimmy Graham, Tony Gonzalez, and Greg Olsen in the NFC South, so his coverage skills will be tested. It's still great news for his IDP value. We like his chances of leading the Bucs in tackles.
Source: Tampa Bay Times
Fri, Aug 24, 2012 01:11:00 PM
Lavonte David - LB - Buccaneers

The Buccaneers have inserted second-round pick Lavonte David into the starting lineup at weak-side linebacker at OTAs.

Rennie Curran opened OTAs with the ones due to veteran status, but David was drafted to be the starter and will remain in the lineup into Opening Day. It's worth noting that new Bucs coach Greg Schiano is a defensive mind, and his 2011 leading tackler at Rutgers was WLB Khaseem Greene. Middle linebacker Steve Beauharnais finished a distant second. SAM 'backer Jamal Merrell was eighth.
Related: Rennie Curran
Source: Stephen Holder on Twitter
Tue, Jun 5, 2012 11:07:00 PM
Lavonte David - LB - Buccaneers

Bucs signed No. 58 overall pick LB Lavonte David to a four-year contract.

David is the favorite to fill the vacancy at weak-side linebacker after the Bucs traded up 10 spots to grab him. GM Mark Dominik had his eye on David since the beginning of the second round. One of the top coverage linebackers in the draft, David has sub-4.6 sideline-to-sideline speed.
Fri, May 18, 2012 10:13:00 AM
Lavonte David - LB - Buccaneers

The Bucs plan to start second-round pick Lavonte David at weak-side linebacker.

Mason Foster appears likely to stay at middle linebacker for now, with Quincy Black on the strong side. Those two could end up swapping spots depending on what happens in training camp. David is locked in on the weak side, though, where he could be a legitimate threat for 100 tackles in his rookie season.
Source: Tampa Tribune
Mon, Apr 30, 2012 06:41:00 PM
Lavonte David - LB - Buccaneers

Bucs traded up with the Texans to select Nebraska LB Lavonte David with the No. 58 overall pick in the 2012 draft.

The Bucs surrendered the No. 68 and No. 99 picks for the right to select a player many considered a first-round talent. Extremely versatile, David is smart in coverage and a dynamo against the run. He can get a bit over-aggressive, but could provide Thomas Davis-like production for a Bucs defense that was an embarrassment in all phases last season, but particularly against the run. David's selection likely ends the dramatically unsuccessful Mason Foster experiment at middle linebacker.
Related: Mason Foster
Fri, Apr 27, 2012 08:55:00 PM