In early September, earlier than the common season started, I wrote about how Bucs inside linebacker Lavonte David and Commanders inside linebacker Bobby Wagner had been set to face off in a possible last duel. That storyline once more involves the forefront as David and Wagner will get yet one more probability to captain their defenses in opposition to each other on Sunday evening within the playoffs.
Each 34-year-old linebackers have remained productive, and in what now “must be” their last time sharing a soccer area, it’s value revisiting and evaluating the seasons – and careers – every has had.
The place’s The Love For Lavonte David?
When Lavonte David, he stays the Bucs’ defensive lynchpin.
Enjoying all 17 video games this season, David completed with 122 complete tackles, 9 tackles for a loss, six cross breakups, 5.5 sacks, and an interception. His 100-plus tackles and five-plus sacks made him simply one among two gamers within the league to achieve that feat, with Falcons inside linebacker Kaden Elliss being the opposite.
Lavonte David was 1-of-2 gamers in 2024 to have 100+ tackles and 5.0+ sacks.
The Thirteenth-year professional simply led the Buccaneers in tackles for the tenth time in his profession. He’s the NFL’s lively chief in solo tackles (1,111) and fumble recoveries (19). pic.twitter.com/PHur5i1Jrs
— Buccaneers Communications (@BuccaneersComms) January 9, 2025
With one other season of stat-sheet stuffing and being a key contributor, one has to ask the query.
Commanders QB Jayden Daniels and Bucs ILB Lavonte David – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
The place is the love?
Lengthy, lengthy underappreciated throughout the NFL, David has been on the brief finish of the stick for receiving accolades all through his profession. Followers in Tampa Bay love and respect what he has performed for the franchise, however it largely goes unnoticed throughout the remainder of the league save for just a few posts on X recognizing what he has performed for the sport.
Nonetheless, it doesn’t really feel like sufficient.
With “LVD” beginning to present slight indicators of slowing down in protection and hustling all throughout the sector, this might mark the ultimate time he’s within the postseason. If 2024 is his final season, he would end his profession with only one Professional Bowl nod, all the best way again in 2015. That’s largely attributable to being overshadowed by Bobby Wagner.
Wagner stays productive in his personal proper, however after he acquired one other All-Professional nod on the second staff, it’s one other case of David being snubbed of any nationwide recognition or one thing to spice up a resume that must be crammed with extra achievements like his linebacker modern. At this level, it’s to be anticipated, however it doesn’t make it any much less irritating, as outlined under.
Bobby Wagner Will Be Largest Thorn In Bucs Offense’s Aspect
Commanders ILB Bobby Wagner – Picture by: USA Immediately
Nonetheless, whereas Bucs followers have a robust case to heap reward on Lavonte David, it shouldn’t discredit the risk Bobby Wagner will pose on Sunday evening. Wagner stays a whole package deal on the inside linebacker place.
It was one thing the Bucs’ offense noticed firsthand again in Week 1 as he completed the season-opener with ten complete tackles and three tackles for a loss. Quarterback Baker Mayfield was temporary teammates with Wagner on the Rams in 2022 and shared his ideas again in September in regards to the future Corridor of Famer.
“Bobby Wagner is – a legend,” Mayfield mentioned then. “He’s a seasoned vet, he’s seen each kind of scheme. You’ll be able to inform, simply his recognition of performs. Individuals can speak about his age, however I’m fairly positive he led the league in tackles final yr, so I don’t actually suppose he’s misplaced a step.”
On a Commanders’ protection that lacks a whole lot of title recognition and big-game expertise, they will rely on their very own No. 54 to deliver the depth and hearth on that aspect of the soccer. That’s what makes head coach Dan Quinn’s unit its most harmful.
Wagner will play a significant half in stopping working again Bucky Irving out of the backfield simply as a lot as defensive tackles Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne. When throwing throughout the center of the sector to tight finish Cade Otton, Mayfield should suppose twice and know the place he’s always. His impact on the sport might trickle down and alter the path offensive coordinator Liam Coen goes when dialing up performs.
Simply as Lavonte David garners respect, so does Bobby Wagner. Seeing which protection – and staff – comes out on prime is one other storyline at play. No matter the way you may really feel when evaluating them, get pleasure from this matchup between two of the very best at their place this technology duel it out for doubtless the final time.
Lavonte David vs. Bobby Wagner Story Stats Comparability
Bucs ILB Lavonte David
Tackles: 1,602 (1,111 solo)Tackles for loss: 169Sacks: 39.0Forced fumbles: 31Fumble recoveries: 19Pass breakups: 70Interceptions: 13Defensive TDs: 3Safeties: 1
Commanders ILB Bobby Wagner
Tackles: 1,838 (1,071 solo)Tackles for loss: 99Sacks: 35.0Forced fumbles: 7Fumble recoveries: 12Pass breakups: 72Interceptions: 13Defensive TDs: 4Safeties: 1
