Yesterday, I had the pleasure of speaking with former Buccaneers linebacker and Pro Football Hall of Famer Derrick Brooks about the state of current Bucs linebackers Lavonte David and Kwon Alexander.
It’s not every day you get to speak with a legend from the team you cover. I was given the distinct honor and privilege to have a little time with Buccaneers great Derrick Brooks. We covered quite a few topics – Buccaneers past and present, his life after football, and he son DeCalon – but there was one thing in particular I was curious about; what did he think of Lavonte and Kwon?
Kwon, of course, is coming off a career game, posting 17 tackles and a sack, while Lavonte was being Lavonte. We even took it so far on twitter to say they were the best linebacker duo in football and dubbed them “LeKwonte”. To Brooks, it appears we weren’t too far off;
"“[Kwon] is obviously off to a heck of a start last week. I’m just anxious to see them grow. Are they going to continue to gel, you know, he and Lavonte? I think they make a heck of a dual combination. I think it’s on the same path as Thomas Davis/Luke Kuechly that’s playing in the game today. I’m excited to see them play and they know that I make myself available to help them in any possible way I can.”"
Many of you may remember, as I do, Derrick talking about working with Kwon Alexander on twitter. If not, here is a reminder;
I asked Derrick about that and to see if they have had the opportunity to do so quite yet;
"“Yes, we’ve had the opportunity to meet. He, myself, and Lavonte. They came to a [Tampa Bay] Storm game just last year. So, again, I’m excited to build a relationship with them and definitely will continue to build that relationship with them.”"
Buccaneers fans are beyond excited at the talent that Lavonte David and Kwon Alexander possess in that linebacker corps, as they should be. It speaks volumes to hear Brooks speak about them the way he does and to hear what he sees when he watches them. It’s safe to say, the defense is in good hands as long as those two are teaming up together.
Next: Jameis Winston Wins NFC Offensive Player of the Week
We will have more from my conversation with Derrick Brooks tomorrow as he talks about his time with the Buccaneers and being named “Pewter Plank’s Most Beloved Buccaneer of All Time.”