Vontae is sending the wrong message to his teammates, becoming a cancer?

[phinatic1399]

So the first episode of Hard Knocks finally exposed "vontae davis-gate" and showed us why he was demoted. For those of you who didn't see it Vontae was walking along the sideline and telling players like Reshad Jones that he was tired and was going to "act" like he wasn't tired, he was acting like a 12 year old. The proof that he was tired and out of shape was when he got smoked by a rookie Jeff Fuller for a touchdown. He also had a little problem with having to go to the bathroom during a walk through, we saw Coach Philbin touch on this. This was the biggest knock on VD coming out of college, all the scouts and experts said his coaches at Illinois had to constantly keep him focused and his mind in the game. Vontae has all the ability in the world to be a top 5 CB in this league be he lacks the mental toughness.

But my point is this, I played football for 10 years of my life all the way from flag to college and I was always considered a leader on my teams, I was a starting Middle Linebacker and a captain, I called the plays on my defense and always motivated my teammates to push harder and dig deep, never once did I send the wrong message to my teammates but Vontae is doing the complete opposite, he is supposed to be a leader by now on this team and an anchor of that defense, but instead he acting like a child and sending the message that its ok to quit and give up on plays and that has been his problem now for 4 years. If he keeps this up he will be a cancer in the lockeroom and it will rub players the wrong way, nobody wants to be on a team with a quitter and thats what Vontae is right now, he better step it up fast or not only will he lose his starting spot he will be shipped outta here!

 

[oasis]

The problem with both Smith and Davis is that they have all the ability in the world but they are not dependable or consistent.  Maybe that will change this season but like you're saying, it requires a focus and mental toughness that Smith MIGHT have, and Davis probably doesn't.  

I hope I'm wrong, but I kind of see this duo "holding back" the DB position for a few more seasons.  Kind of like Ronnie held back the RB position for a while...when you have an underachieving big name at a position, it sort of cripples you until you figure out how to upgrade/move on.  Davis can be good, but I've stopped expecting him to ever be top 5.  I'm looking forward to the next round 1-2 DB we draft, with either Davis or Smith being an excellent #2.

As far as Davis becoming a cancer, I don't think that will happen.  I think he will work hard to avoid embarrassment and then slack off after he achieves a little success.  He simply doesn't exhibit the drive to be great, but he also doesn't strike me as the type to enjoy displeasing his teammates and coaches.

 

[jim1]

I remember seeing Vontae on TV as a rookie and worrying because he sounded retarded- and I mean Special Ed retarded, wear a safety helmet walking down the street and ride the special little bus kind of stuff. Disturbing. And I remember being pissed because we missed a shot at Percy Harvin by three picks or so. Hopefully Davis gets it in gear, because the dude is really talented. But seriously, when he speaks he appears to have the mental capacity of a child.

 

[phinatic1399]

As far as Davis becoming a cancer, I don't think that will happen. I think he will work hard to avoid embarrassment and then slack off after he achieves a little success. He simply doesn't exhibit the drive to be great, but he also doesn't strike me as the type to enjoy displeasing his teammates and coaches.

I hope thats true but this has been a problem since college, not sure being exposed on hard knocks will change him much, its disappointing because he has the skill-set to be an elite CB, bill polian was at our practices a few days ago and says VD has elite skill-set be needs to be consistent. As for smith, he cut his dreads and lost 25lbs and has looked really good in camp and matured from all reports so I'm not to worried about him, i still think smith is best suited for FS but that will never happen.

because the dude is really talented. But seriously, when he speaks he appears to have the mental capacity of a child

so true

 

[Zounds]

The guy was out of shape - that's not cancerous. While we are all upset that he was not in shape, and he was rightfully demoted, I think some people are taking this a little too far. He's got a problem but its not permanent. Remember how well he played the 2nd half of last season? Vontae will be fine in a few weeks.

 

[phinatic1399]

But my point it that VD should be walking up and down that sideline telling his teammates to dig deep and work harder, but instead he is telling them lets "act" like were working hard. We saw Coyle scream at him during a segment to call out a play and coyle had a frustrated look on his face and said "come on vontae I'm counting on you". Were trying to turn this thing around and we dont need guys like VD sending negative vibes, I still like VD and think he can be one heck of a CB but I'm losing patience. You guys see Jake Long gather the offensive lineman and say lets f'n go? now thats a leader!

 

[nerfball]

Wow, man, people need to chill about this already. We haven't played one preseason game yet, relax. Vontae is a young guy, he'll be in football shape soon enough with the pace they run practice. He's a good kid, albeit, still immature, but he's not a guy going out and getting in trouble and stuff. Give the guy a break.

 

[Zounds]

But my point it that VD should be walking up and down that sideline telling his teammates to dig deep and work harder, but instead he is telling them lets "act" like were working hard.

Well some people arent leaders. That doesnt mean they are a bad player, or that they arent respected. Personality is important but its not a tell all for a player.

 

[NY8123]

So the first episode of Hard Knocks finally exposed "vontae davis-gate" and showed us why he was demoted. For those of you who didn't see it Vontae was walking along the sideline and telling players like Reshad Jones that he was tired and was going to "act" like he wasn't tired, he was acting like a 12 year old. The proof that he was tired and out of shape was when he got smoked by a rookie Jeff Fuller for a touchdown. He also had a little problem with having to go to the bathroom during a walk through, we saw Coach Philbin touch on this. This was the biggest knock on VD coming out of college, all the scouts and experts said his coaches at Illinois had to constantly keep him focused and his mind in the game. Vontae has all the ability in the world to be a top 5 CB in this league be he lacks the mental toughness.

But my point is this, I played football for 10 years of my life all the way from flag to college and I was always considered a leader on my teams, I was a starting Middle Linebacker and a captain, I called the plays on my defense and always motivated my teammates to push harder and dig deep, never once did I send the wrong message to my teammates but Vontae is doing the complete opposite, he is supposed to be a leader by now on this team and an anchor of that defense, but instead he acting like a child and sending the message that its ok to quit and give up on plays and that has been his problem now for 4 years. If he keeps this up he will be a cancer in the lockeroom and it will rub players the wrong way, nobody wants to be on a team with a quitter and thats what Vontae is right now, he better step it up fast or not only will he lose his starting spot he will be shipped outta here!

I agree!

You think that kind of **** would be going on with Ray Lewis or Brian Urlacher on the team? No! It is time for someone like Dansby to step up and become the leader of this D and keep these *******s in line. Play and play hard or hit the road jack because the only thing Davis has proved in 4 years is inconsistence and idle chatter.

 

[ANUFan]

Some threads are really cancerous and retarded!

 

[ChambersWI]

But my point it that VD should be walking up and down that sideline telling his teammates to dig deep and work harder, but instead he is telling them lets "act" like were working hard. We saw Coyle scream at him during a segment to call out a play and coyle had a frustrated look on his face and said "come on vontae I'm counting on you". Were trying to turn this thing around and we dont need guys like VD sending negative vibes, I still like VD and think he can be one heck of a CB but I'm losing patience. You guys see Jake Long gather the offensive lineman and say lets f'n go? now thats a leader!

he said he was acting like he wasn't tired.

He came in out of shape, A LOT of players come into camp out of shape they use TC to get back into shape. Problem is they can't do that anymore with the new CBA.

 

[phinatic1399]

Some threads are really cancerous and retarded!

must of never played football bud, if one of my teammates were acting like that i would grab em by the facemask and tell em to get his ass in gear, this has been a problem for vontae now since college, will it ever change?

 

[dolpns13]

So the first episode of Hard Knocks finally exposed "vontae davis-gate" and showed us why he was demoted. For those of you who didn't see it Vontae was walking along the sideline and telling players like Reshad Jones that he was tired and was going to "act" like he wasn't tired, he was acting like a 12 year old. The proof that he was tired and out of shape was when he got smoked by a rookie Jeff Fuller for a touchdown. He also had a little problem with having to go to the bathroom during a walk through, we saw Coach Philbin touch on this. This was the biggest knock on VD coming out of college, all the scouts and experts said his coaches at Illinois had to constantly keep him focused and his mind in the game. Vontae has all the ability in the world to be a top 5 CB in this league be he lacks the mental toughness.

But my point is this, I played football for 10 years of my life all the way from flag to college and I was always considered a leader on my teams, I was a starting Middle Linebacker and a captain, I called the plays on my defense and always motivated my teammates to push harder and dig deep, never once did I send the wrong message to my teammates but Vontae is doing the complete opposite, he is supposed to be a leader by now on this team and an anchor of that defense, but instead he acting like a child and sending the message that its ok to quit and give up on plays and that has been his problem now for 4 years. If he keeps this up he will be a cancer in the lockeroom and it will rub players the wrong way, nobody wants to be on a team with a quitter and thats what Vontae is right now, he better step it up fast or not only will he lose his starting spot he will be shipped outta here!

Rashad didnt seem too happy. Just kinda looked lat Vontae like, man we're all busting our a**es out here. Do your job.. Thats what I took from it, that he wasnt too pleased.

 

[hrpuffin]

No chad Johnson is the real cancer, he cusses dont ya know.

 

[oasis]

Rashad didnt seem too happy. Just kinda looked lat Vontae like, man we're all busting our a**es out here. Do your job.. Thats what I took from it, that he wasnt too pleased.

Agreed...that's what I took from it too.