Joe wrote yesterday about the blossoming relationship between Mike Smith and his young linebackers. Smith is so hands-on with these guys, per Joe’s observations.

Lavonte David validated all that and more during an appearance on SiriusXM NFL Radio this week.

Asked about Smith, David explained that the gray-haired dude sweating his butt off and always talking all over the field is ready to walk the walk.

“From the communication aspect and what Coach Smith wants from us, it’s going pretty well,” David said. “He’s a coach that always, you know, just demands excellence. He’s fiery. (laughs) He’s one of those guys that actually wants to be out there on the field with you. I mean, he’s always communicating, always talking, breaking down the defense, details on what he wants on a certain defense.”

Pretty cool take there. Of course, Buccaneers defensive player are used to quiet, much more passive coordinators, though ex-Bucs linebackers coach Hardy Nickerson (2014-2015) also was fiery. But it’s different when it’s the boss.

As for learning the new defense, David said it’s not a big change for his approach because he always tries to attack every offseason as if he’s a rookie re-learning or learning everything he can in detail.