Commish: The Real Reason for Lavonte David’s Pro Bowl SnubBy: Justin Pawlowski - on twitter: @CommishonlineDecember 28, 2013 12:03 PM
(Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)137 total tackles 19 tackles for a loss 6 sacks 12 quarterback hits 5 interceptions 2 forced fumbles 1 fumble recovery These are stats that are historic to the National Football League for one linebacker’s season and worthy of Defensive Player of the Year accolades, but these were stats that were not enough to get Lavonte David into his 1st pro bowl. Since 1982 when sacks became an official statistic, only 5 players have ever totaled 6 sacks and 5 interceptions in a season. Lavonte David becomes the first linebacker to ever accomplish this feat, yet it was still not enough to earn him the title of pro bowler. We know it’s an absolute joke, but this should be something we’ve grown to accept as Bucs fans. Teams with poor records who are rarely on a big stage tend to not receive the same amount of individual accolades as players on winning teams. The Bucs are on the verge of ending the 2013 season with a 4-12 record and are not regarded as one of the more exciting teams in the NFL. Darrelle Revis and Gerald McCoy made it back to the pro bowl because of the reputation they have each built for of themselves. It was a stretch to believe that a player could build their own star reputation on a team with such a bad record. It doesn’t matter how much you or I feel Lavonte David deserves it. Lavonte David also does not play outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense. OLBs in a 4-3 defense just do not have the value that these elite pass rushers in 3-4 defenses have. Hali, Houston, Mathis, Abraham, Brooks, and Suggs all have more sacks and present more pass rushing specialties than David does. However, none are a threat in pass coverage. David is also remembered nationally for a poor play he made in week one of the regular season. As he shoved Geno Smith out of bounds, drew a flag for a personal foul, and put the Jets in position to kick the game-winning field goal, David might also have solidified his stature for the 2013 season against the lowly Jets in New York. It’s definitely unfair, but when you’re a team like the Bucs who are rarely in the spotlight, it is hard to break away from a bad penalty that led to your team losing a game when that highlight was seen more than any of your other highlights the remainder of the season. If the Bucs would have ended this season the way we all expected they would back in August, Lavonte David would definitely be in the pro bowl and in the running for defensive player of the year. With a 4-12 record on the way, the best David can hope for is an alternate selection to the pro bowl this year and the hope that next year David is viewed as well nationally as he is locally. http://tampa.cbslocal.com/2013/12/28/commish-the-real-reason-for-tampa-bay-buccaneers-bucs-linebacker-lavonte-davids-pro-bowl-snub/
B.S........period.
He got hosed no doubt, but maybe he channels into playing even bigger and better.
It's Schiano's fault! Looks like the commish is making a habit out of his reach exceeding his grasp.
The losing record stuff is just a myth. The Chiefs sent 8 or 9 players to the pro-bowl the year before Andy Reid was made coach. While I admit losing is a factor, the real reason is the change to so many teams playing 3-4 defenses and having guys who really should be considered DE's getting votes as LBs. David will get in, someone isn't going to be able to make the team and he'll get his trip. He just needs to make sure it's memorable when the fans watch the game.
The vote was rigged.
It's a popularity contest
While the flag against the Jets might have some bearing, the biggest issue is that 4-3 and 3-4 OLBs are lumped together when they are completely different positions
If you're not a high draft pick nor play a fantasy football position you almost always have to get snubbed once before you make it. It's nothing singular about David. It happens to everyone. Why is Jairus Byrd making it for the first time this year when he missed half the season? Because he was stellar last year and everyone talked all offseason about how he got snubbed. Why did Jahri Evans not make it in 2008 (Davin Joseph did) and then make it the next five years? It takes the nation a little while to catch on to who the next great under the radar players are.
If you're not a high draft pick nor play a fantasy football position you almost always have to get snubbed once before you make it. It's nothing singular about David. It happens to everyone. Why is Jairus Byrd making it for the first time this year when he missed half the season? Because he was stellar last year and everyone talked all offseason about how he got snubbed. Why did Jahri Evans not make it in 2008 (Davin Joseph did) and then make it the next five years? It takes the nation a little while to catch on to who the next great under the radar players are.
It sounds crazy, but Lavonte has got more press from NOT making it, than he would by making the team.
If you're not a high draft pick nor play a fantasy football position you almost always have to get snubbed once before you make it. It's nothing singular about David. It happens to everyone. Why is Jairus Byrd making it for the first time this year when he missed half the season? Because he was stellar last year and everyone talked all offseason about how he got snubbed. Why did Jahri Evans not make it in 2008 (Davin Joseph did) and then make it the next five years? It takes the nation a little while to catch on to who the next great under the radar players are.
It sounds crazy, but Lavonte has got more press from NOT making it, than he would by making the team.
Good point...Sacks are weighted too highly when evaluating LBs in my opinion.
