Derrick Henry offers honest opinion on Buccaneers | Sports News

Baltimore Ravens working back Derrick Henry has spent years working by some of the NFL‘s fiercest defenders, however all respect, not stiff arms, in the case of Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David.

Henry praised David as “a hell of a player” and the one defender within the league he respects the most  after going through a irritating and uncharacteristic starting to his season. He cited the veteran’s longevity and consistency as traits that differentiate him from his technology. While Baker Mayfield’s rage continues to gentle up the offense, David has been a dependable anchor on the other facet of the ball.

“Lavonte David. I just think he is a hell of a player, and he’s been going at it for a long time. I’ve got so much respect for that guy,” Henry stated.

“He plays the game the right way,” he continued. “I just think he is the epitome of the linebacker position, and someone who’s been consistent and doing it for a long time, and especially just for one team as well.”

Baltimore has now received back-to-back video games after shedding 4 in a row, which included some of Henry’s lowest-performing video games and a knee harm to Lamar Jackson that led to a tremendous. Although the Ravens will not face Tampa Bay this season, Henry nonetheless took time to spotlight a veteran whose play and management proceed to outline the Buccaneers’ protection.

David is in his thirteenth NFL season and ranked No. 96 on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2025 listing. That was his ninth profession look on the listing after being ranked No. 99 in 2024 and No. 49 in 2021, the yr Tampa Bay received Super Bowl LV with Tom Brady.

The Buccaneers stand at 6-2 as they head into Week 10 led by captains Mayfield, Mike Evans, Tristan Wirfs, Vita Vea, Antoine Winfield Jr., and David. David has held the “C” for 12 straight seasons, making him simply the third participant in franchise historical past to play 14 or more years with the group.

During Tampa Bay’s Week 9 bye, David joined The Arena Gridiron to debate his profession, praise head coach Todd Bowles’ defensive system, and assist Baker Mayfield’s MVP-level yr. He additionally talked about how a lot enjoyable the Bucs’ protection has had this season whereas remaining a quiet contender among the many league’s best.

“The main thing is we just want to create turnovers and create havoc as much as we can,” David stated. “The way the coach dials things up for us makes our job easy. You can tell by the way we play, man. We’re having fun, and he’s having fun. We love to go out there and execute his game plan.”

That mindset has translated into Tampa Bay at present rating seventh in whole defensive DVOA, seventh in opposition to the move, and sixth in opposition to the run. David has been on the middle of it, with 57 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and one compelled fumble by eight video games.

Henry has confronted Tampa Bay thrice in his profession, together with a 169-yard recreation final season with Baltimore. He has by no means scored a dashing landing in opposition to a group that includes David and was held beneath 80 yards twice in these matchups.