Lavonte David

Buccaneers linebacker says Tampa Bay 'can be the best defense ever' in 2016

Published Jun. 3, 2016 1:37 p.m. ET

Cameron DaSilva

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers finished 10th in yards allowed on defense last season -- not bad by any means. However, they were 26th in points allowed, averaging 26.1 per game. That, on the other hand, is not good. Despite last season's failures, including a 6-10 record, one player believes the defense will improve greatly.

So much so that they'll be the best ... ever.

Let's see here. In order for the Buccaneers to become the best defense ever, they'll have to get better in a multitude of areas. First, they'll have to lower their points allowed drastically from 26.1 per game to about 10 per game, which would be better than the 2000 Ravens, who allowed 10.3 per game.

That year, Baltimore only allowed 165 total points. By comparison, the Bucs gave up 179 points in their first six games. As far as yards go, the Ravens gave up just 3,967 in 16 games. The Buccaneers allowed opposing offenses to tally 5,446 total yards, nearly 1,500 more than the Ravens -- or about five games' worth.

Not to mention the Ravens had 23 interceptions compared to just 11 for the Buccaneers in 2015. So needless to say, Tampa Bay is far from fielding the best defense in NFL history, let alone in the league next season. But that won't hinder David's confidence.

"With Gerald [McCoy], you've got Kwon [Alexander], you've got Bradley McDougald, you've got Alterraun [Verner], Brent [Grimes], Robert Ayers, Clint [McDonald], that's the attitude we want to have," David said. "We're trying to challenge ourselves."