The 2021 season was a rough one for veteran linebacker Lavonte David. Not only was David wounded for the Bucs’ playoff games against Philadelphia and Los Angeles, he had a down year statistically. It was a year that didn’t meet David’s lofty standards.

Obviously David is unhappy with the way the season ended with a 30-27 home loss the Rams. But he was also unsatisfied with his level of play from a year ago.

“I missed a lot of opportunities last year,” David said. “I wasn’t making as many plays as I usually make. That’s something I definitely have got to improve on – making plays on the football. Whether it’s game-changing plays, interceptions, forcing fumbles. I want to try to get back to that and creating more opportunities for our offense.”

David is one of the best Bucs ever when it comes to creating turnovers. He’s forced a franchise-best 26 forced fumbles and recovered a record 17 in Tampa Bay during his time in red and pewter.

David forced two fumbles and recovered one during the 2021 regular season, in addition to a key fumble recovery against the Rams in the playoff loss. But he forced three fumbles in 2020 with a pair of recoveries. David also has 12 career interceptions, including one in 2021. But he didn’t have a single pick last year.

David Upset Over Lack Of TFLs

Bucs ILB Lavonte David – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

“I had a not-so-good year as far as attacking downhill,” David said. “Not enough tackles for losses for me. That was kind of weird to see that. I hang my hat on that and I feel like that’s my game. I had a down year on that aspect, but I’m definitely going to try to improve on that for sure.”

David finished the 2021 campaign with 97 tackles, which was just the second time in his career that he failed to notch 100 tackles in a season. After making 117 tackles and 12 tackles for loss in 2020, David had a career-low five tackles for loss last year. He’s averaged 14 tackles for loss per season in his illustrious career.

David’s Injuries Contributed To Lack Of Production

Part of the reason for the lack of production was injuries. At age 31, David missed five games last year, which were the most games he’s missed in any of his 10 seasons in Tampa Bay. He sprained his ankle at the end of the Miami game in Week 5 and missed subsequent games at Philadelphia and against Chicago.

Then he suffered a serious foot injury against the Saints in Week 14. That put him on injured reserve for the final three weeks of the regular season. David returned to action in the playoffs, but wasn’t close to 100 percent.

“No surgery, but it was a significant middle foot sprain,” David said. “Part of my Lisfranc. If it would have torn completely I probably would have had surgery and I would’ve been out 6-8 months. Luckily for me it didn’t get that far. But it was real significant.

“Throughout the playoffs I was having a tough time, too. I had to gut it out. It was the playoffs. I had to play. For the most part, I was probably about 60 percent out there playing. But now I’m up.”

While David is continuing to rehab his foot injury, he’s focused on getting back to his playmaking ways. He’ll likely miss the team’s OTAs and mini-camp, but should be back in August.

“I should be able to go around training camp,” David said.