Buccaneers: Game Day Spotlight week 9 vs Saints – Lavonte David

For a Buccaneers team that can generate literally nothing from their front four, they will need a heavy dose of a blitzing Lavonte David to get Brees off his game.

Here we are. A game that can either help get things back on track and potentially resurrect the season or it can put the final nail in the coffin that is the 2017 Buccaneers. The Bucs will head to New Orleans to face a surprising Saints team that is performing at a much better rate than most predicted. In doing so, they take on a formidable offense and an over-performing defense that will be difficult to keep pace with. In order to help limit New Orleans’ offense, Mike Smith will have to dial up a ton of blitzes to push Drew Brees off his game.

No one on the team is better at that than linebacker Lavonte David.

David is fourth on the team in tackles with 36 and tied for second on the team in tackles for loss with three – and that’s with missing two games.

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David has yet to get a sack, but has been good at getting pressure on the quarterback when being sent on a blitz. For an immobile quarterback like Brees, consistent blitzing can create forced passes and turnovers. Yes, I know we say that over and over and yet nothing changes for this pass rush, but that doesn’t make it any less true.

It’s do or die time and the Bucs have to get creative if they’re going to generate any kind of pressure or get to Brees in this game. That means sending David – as well as Kendell Beckwith – out of different looks and on delays in order to keep the Saints offense guessing.

Lose today and there is no tomorrow. I would rather see the Buccaneers lose throwing everything they can at Brees and taking big risks with potentially big rewards than see them lose staying with the status quo. Some of these risks can pay off big time and spark the team moving forward. These risks could very well lead to a win.

Next: Saints Film Study - What Did We Learn?

At this point, for the Buccaneers, it’s worth trying anything.