TAMPA, Fla. -- Tampa Bay Buccaneers players and coaches didn’t hold back Wednesday when the topic of the Pro Bowl came up. They believe linebacker Lavonte David was snubbed, even if he's not out griping about it.

“I know who should be in there -- Lavonte should be in there,” said linebacker Kwon Alexander, who, like David, was named an alternate. But he was less concerned about himself and more concerned about his teammate not getting the credit for the season he's had. "[Lavonte] balled this year."

In 11 games, David set a Bucs single-season record this year with five fumble recoveries, tied with J.J. Watt and Justin Tuck for the most fumble recoveries in the league in at least the last 10 years. He also forced five fumbles, second-most in the league.

Since 1993, only three players have forced five fumbles and recovered five fumbles in the same season: David in 2017, Justin Tuck in 2010 and Jared Allen in 2006, according to ESPN Stats & Info.

In 11 games, Lavonte David set a Bucs single-season record this year with five fumble recoveries. He also forced five fumbles. Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire

"I think no one has ever in league history done what he has done in terms of taking the ball away and recovering it," said defensive coordinator Mike Smith. "There is probably not anyone in my mind that is more deserving to be [in] the Pro Bowl than Lavonte David.”

Added defensive tackle Gerald McCoy, who was just named to his sixth consecutive Pro Bowl: "Lavonte David is the best at what he does in the league. It’s just my personal opinion. I think it goes unrecognized a lot. ... I’ve been with this guy since he got in the league and he is definitely the best at what he does."

This isn't the first time David has been snubbed. In 2013, he had 144 combined tackles (106 solo), 7.0 sacks, five interceptions, four pass breakups, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. Just how good of a year was that? Since 2001, only one other player -- future Hall of Famer Brian Urlacher -- has had 100-plus tackles, five-plus sacks and five-plus interceptions in a season, according to ESPN Stats & Info.

Since 1982, only eight players in NFL history recorded 5.0 or more sacks and five or more interceptions in the same season -- David, Urlacher (2007), Shawn Springs (2004), Rodney Harrison (2000), LeRoy Butler (1996), Wilber Marshall (1991, 1986) and Dave Duerson (1986). David was named a First-Team All-Pro but didn't even make the Pro Bowl as an alternate that year. It wasn't until 2015 that he got in.

McCoy, Smith and head coach Dirk Koetter all believe it has to do with the fact that 4-3 outside linebackers -- which is what David is -- are clumped in with 3-4 outside linebackers.

"He just gets put in the same category as an outside linebacker in a 3-4, which does a lot of pass rushing," McCoy said. "They play the run too, but those guys’ sack numbers are incredible. Those guys are incredible players. But when I say there needs to be a change, you can take those guys who have definitely earned it and add like a 4-3 outside linebacker section where, if you’re worried about numbers, just make it like two people -- two in the AFC and two in the NFC. I think that kind of evens it out. It gives guys like Lavonte [a chance].

Two out of the three outside linebackers voted to the NFC roster this year -- Chandler Jones of the Arizona Cardinals and Ryan Kerrigan of the Washington Redskins -- are 3-4 linebackers. Anthony Barr of the Minnesota Vikings is the only 4-3 outside linebacker who made it. For the AFC, all three representatives -- Von Miller of the Denver Broncos, Jadeveon Clowney of the Houston Texans and Terrell Suggs of the Baltimore Ravens -- are pass rushers.

"I think one of the hardest positions to make the Pro Bowl at is if you are a 4-3 outside linebacker just the way the ballot reads," Koetter said. "They lump outside linebackers in a 3-4, outside linebackers in a 4-3 and like one middle linebacker. It’s just kind of a weird combination because statistically usually 4-3 outside linebackers are not going to get a ton of sacks. I don’t think that diminishes at all from the season that Lavonte has had."

Safety T.J. Ward, who's been to three Pro Bowls, said that he believes it has to do with the Bucs not being on national television and not winning consistently over a period of several years. Plus, David is naturally more reserved. He's not an attention-seeker. He's not hamming it up for the camera like Gerald McCoy or dying his hair Cheeto red like Alexander.

One thing about David, though, is that he has never allowed outside opinions or lack of recognition dictate how he feels about his performance. The Pro Bowl votes are great but he's more concerned with the value he brings to his teammates.

"I guess it matters to my family, but not to me personally," David said. "It's just something to add on, something really cool to have -- I'd be very appreciative for it -- but it's basically something that my family can be proud of. That's how I look at it."