The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are going to miss linebacker Lavonte David. His play on the field, his experience in the locker room, and his veteran leadership. Now, imagine him taking a page out of the Aaron Donald playbook.
Donald has been in the NFL news a lot lately. The future Hall of Fame defensive tackle appears to be coming out of retirement to play with Myles Garrett and the Rams. David didn't quite go that far, but he may have hung up his cleats too soon.
In a recent interview, the Buccaneers' top, and now retired, linebacker said he almost wishes he would have stuck around to play with Rueben Bain, Jr., cue John Lennon's "Imagine."
Lavonte David shuts down talk of a Tampa Bay Buccaneer's return despite Rueben Bain's presence
David appeared on This Is Football with Kevin Clark on ESPN. Naturally, the young new addition was brought up, and in the process, David couldn't help but think about what playing with Bain would be like.
"“I knew Bain already. I reached out to him after he got drafted, he told me, man, like, ‘Man, I wish you just waited one more year.’ And, I was like in my mind like, ‘Maybe I should have, but, you know, the deal is done already"Lavonte David
Bain, the Bucs' top pick in last April's draft, has already shown the signs of a mature NFL playmaker. His outstanding OTA and mini camp practices caught the eyes of those in attendance, both coaches and members of the media.
David said he would be around to support him, and "Stuff like that," but it's clear that any dream of seeing both of them on the field together is left to wishful thinking and visions of sugar plums. David, unfortunately, isn't coming back.
The baton, or torch, if you will, has been passed on. The Buccaneers' new linebacker group now sits on the shoulders of Bain and Alex Anzalone, the free-agent offseason addition who will replace David.
For now, Bain at least has a fan outside of the building who will most assuredly open his phone line to help along the rookie. Coaches are great resources for players entering the NFL, but having even a part-time former player as a mentor is valuable to a rookie's development.
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