Nearing franchise record.
Lavonte David is one of the greatest players in Bucs history. But he’s still looking up at Mr. Derrick Brooks, statistically, historically and in reputation.
Who says that? Lavonte David, that’s who.
David has the fifth-most solo tackles of all NFL players since the league began keeping tackling stats in 1994. David finished last season with a career total of 1,111 solo tackles.
One of the players ahead of David is Brooks who has 1,300 solo tackles, third-most since the NFL began tracking the stat. So if David keeps up his pace — he averages 85 solo tackles a season — David wouldn’t touch Brooks’ mark for most franchise solo tackles unless he plays in 2026. Maybe. And if he stays healthy.
David was asked about maybe catching Brooks. He admitted that was in the back of his mind but it wasn’t a major reason why he chose to play (at least) another season.
David wanted to make it clear: He respects the hell out of Brooks, but he’s no Brooks.
“I’m not competing with Derrick Brooks – Derrick Brooks is still lightyears ahead of where I want to be,” David said. “Ot would be an incredible accomplishment, to be the leader for a franchise in tackles – that’s something that every kid dreams of, especially a kid in my position.
“I never thought I would be signing a contract to play my 14th season with the same organization. It’s incredible, man. It’s very humbling, it’s very amazing. It would be great to [reach 1,300 tackles], but at the same time, I’m just blessed to be able to play this game.
“‘D.B’ [Brooks] is Mr. Franchise. Everybody wants to model what they do after Derrick Brooks, on the field and off the field. To be mentioned in the same breath is always incredible for me.”
David has deep respect for Brooks. Recently when he appeared on NFL Network to discuss returning to the Bucs, he noted how humbled he was to be mentioned with Ronde Barber and Brooks as sort of ironmen for the Bucs, being one of the few to play 13+ years for the Bucs.
So Joe guesses he’s not yet ruling out playing a 15th season. If he really is chasing Brooks, it would be a season for the ages for David, 35, to tie or break Brooks’ mark next season.
David needs 189 solo tackles to catch Brooks. David’s season-high is 147 back in 2015. The NFL record for most solo tackles in a season was Ray Lewis in 1997 with 156.
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