“Fans Are About Numbers”
September 21st, 2011
You want to keep ripping Gerald McCoy for his flimsy statistics? Well, McCoy says he hears the cries and doesn’t take them seriously.
Speaking on The Gerald McCoy Show last night on WDAE-AM 620, McCoy said his game is heralded inside One Buc Palace.
“It’s not frustrating because I know internally, as far as the organization goes and my teammates go, and my coaches, owners, GM, you know, when they start complaining, then I’ll have an issue,” McCoy said. “Seriously. Fans, fans want to see what fans want to see. Fans are about numbers. You know, fans, they’re not going to, the outside world, internally, you know, everybody says, ‘Keep disrupting. The numbers will come. You’re doing exactly what we need you to do. Take on those double teams. Penetrate. Make the ball bounce. Disrupt. Do all those things.’
“You know, but the outside world will say, well, you know, they look at numbers. ‘Well he did this. They look at numbers. He had this many. Had that many. Why doesn’t he have this? Why doesn’t he have that?’ Well, you know, I think perhaps our head coach said it best, ‘Stats are for losers.’
“Some stats are for losers. But, you know, until I start hearing stuff from the guys upstairs and my teammates, then that’s when I’ll start getting worried. But until then, I’m just going to keep doing exactly what my team asks me to do and playing hard.”
The show then went to a commercial, but before the break McCoy asked host Dave Moore to remind him to add to his comments when they returned.
“Even at OU, the most sack I ever had in a season was 6 1/2. But I always had the quarterback running. I always had the running backs bouncing. I was always in the backfield. That’s what I did, and that’s what the Bucs drafted me on,” McCoy said. “You know, the Bucs didn’t draft me because in college I had 15 sacks a season. You know, I’m working to get to double digits. Don’t get me wrong. That’s exactly what I’m working to get. But I’m playing my game. That’s how I play. That’s what they brought me here to do.”
This past weekend, Joe shared various takes from ex-players and media on McCoy’s public comments.
Again, Joe’s got no problem with how McCoy expresses himself — and McCoy has played decent football this season. But Joe would advise McCoy not to talk about how fans think. That’s unlikely to have a happy ending.
September 21st, 2011 at 11:40 am
No one got into the Hall of Fame because of good game film.
McCoy’s comments sound an AWFUL LOT like the explanations we used to hear from Michael Clayton….. I’m getting worried……..
….but then again, I am NOT a GM and I was calling for the Bucs to draft Suh in Week 8 of 2009.
September 21st, 2011 at 11:41 am
Who cares how he talks about the fans? They are the same fans that don’t go to games. What more can the fans do to not support him and the team?
September 21st, 2011 at 11:48 am
@ Adam
“….but then again, I am NOT a GM and I was calling for the Bucs to draft Suh in Week 8 of 2009”
The problem with this statement is that we never had an opportunity to draft Suh. There’s no question that Dom would’ve drafted Suh if he was available at #3.
September 21st, 2011 at 11:54 am
His consistent us of “You Know” doesn’t make his argument very convincing. Obviously we don’t know if he is having to explaining it to us
September 21st, 2011 at 11:57 am
Sounds like a man who is frustrated not someone who is ok with his numbers…
September 21st, 2011 at 12:08 pm
McCoy is 100% right.
I have no problem with him talking this way. Sapp did. Simeon Rice did.
It doesn’t matter what we say, it matters what he does. And right now, he’s playing solid for his level of experience.
I also agree with BonesMahoney. Personally, until people start buying tickets, I feel they have no right to complain.
If the fans want to focus on numbers, let them focus on their own poor numbers…ticket purchases.
September 21st, 2011 at 12:56 pm
McCoy is absolutely right and I support him 100%. And it having a “happy ending” is moot. Fans have no power to either reward or punish McCoy so what they think is less than meaningless.
Just like in my own business dealings, and in life in general, I only worry about what someone thinks if they have authority over me in some form or fashion. I’m sure McCoy thinks the same way. It only matters what the Glazers, Dominik and Raheem think. Everyone else can go jump into the nearest lake. Whether they like it or not.
September 21st, 2011 at 12:59 pm
Just keep playing your game, Gerald. You’re getting into the backfield more often than any DT we’ve had since Sapp so I’m not complaining. Keep those QB’s running and those RB’s bouncing outside and I’ll support you 100% until the day you retire.
September 21st, 2011 at 1:07 pm
He is dead on with his statement. His job is to cause disruptions and make the opposing team alter their plays. Force the runner to change lanes, force the QB to move. This is real football not fantasy! The only stat that matters in the end is the score.
September 21st, 2011 at 1:07 pm
Exactly what FlBoyinDallas said. That said it all.
September 21st, 2011 at 1:17 pm
Flyboy is right…Also, here are some numbers for the Suh guy above…
Suh – 3 solo tackles, 1 asst, and 1 sack
McCoy – 5 solo tackles
He does not have a sack yet, but the numbers are pretty close right now. Crowder and Benette have the best numbers on the Bucs d-line right now.
September 21st, 2011 at 1:22 pm
McCoy will never live up to Sapp’s legacy. I hope he does but the cards are stacked WAY against him. A Sapp only comes along once in a lifetime. McCoy will always be compared to Sapp and be compared to Suh. If McCoy doesn’t acquire double didget sacks by next year he’ll be considered a flop, right or wrong, that’s how it will go down.
I’m happy with disruption and forcing RBs to split around the end—IF Clayborn and Bowers can keep them contained.
September 21st, 2011 at 1:30 pm
At least he’s in decent enough shape to stay in the game longer than 2 consecutive plays at a time….unlike #92.
But , yes , McCoy does suck and it has nothing to do with his stats. Anyone with an objective eye can see he was not worthy of a 3rd overall pick. He’s just not that much of a difference maker on the field , and I don’t see the talent flash to show that he ever will be.
September 21st, 2011 at 1:46 pm
…and by the way , where is all this “disruption” you people are talking about ?? I don’t know what games you are watching, but he hasn’t disrupted a damn thing. Fat Boy Blubber Price has caused more disruption than him, and he can only manage to waddle out there for about 10 snaps a game. McBust plays virtually every down.
September 21st, 2011 at 2:49 pm
I like Gerald but at the end of the day his career will be judged by numbers whether he likes it or not. In fact in almost every job you are judged by numbers. It may not be fair, it may not reflect your true ability but suck it up and get us some numbers!!!!!!!! We need sacks Gerald make it happen. Just win baby just win!!
September 21st, 2011 at 2:52 pm
Oh and Gerald might want to include the media, the NFL Hall of Fame and other teams around the league who look at numbers……
September 21st, 2011 at 9:18 pm
The entire D line has 0 sacks through 2 games despite 63 pass attempts (42 complete nearly 70%) for over 500 yards.
The opponents have doubled the Bucs in rushing yards at 312 yards in 2 games. The defensive line, led by McCoy’s ineptitude, has been horrible.
Sure, productivity isn’t important. The genius is even arguing that his lack of production in college helps his argument. McCoy would not be criticized if he were a 6th or 7th round draft pick – which he plays like.
Much of the alleged “penetration” is obviously occurring on traps, draws and screens. Offensive coordinators exploit outside gap jumpers (defensive tackles who try to time the snap count and get to the guards outside shoulder) by allowing the outside penetration and hitting a draw or trap or screen to the vacated area. That is what is obviously happening on a regular basis – anyone who understands football and has watched the games this year can see that.
I am tired of talking McCoy. He sucks. I would rather discuss some good players. Trueblood and DJ were studs. I admit that although Foster isn’t sure what to do, I like his style. When Price is on the field he flashes, if he could just get healthy, I believe that he will be a difference maker.
Dekota Watson needs to start. Jane black should be fired.
September 21st, 2011 at 11:28 pm
Lay off the fans people… Oh how awfull- in an area with almost 20% REAL unployment (including under and discouraged workers) 10,000 fewer people are payig for over priced tickets to sit in broiling heat to watch a team of millionaires owned by billionaires. Boo hoo freaking hoo…. I am a season ticket holder and have been for almost 25 years, but I refuse o look down my nose at people who aren’t in a position to shell out that money. Lets face facts- this franchise has had a much better fan base than they deserved for most of their existence- enough of the fan bashing…
September 21st, 2011 at 11:46 pm
Ha ha, I knew Thomas couldn’t resist. He took a lot longer than expected, but he’s back. I would venture to say there has never been one article he hasn’t commented on in the history of JBF that was in any way related to GMC. I guess Thomas is finally getting over the disappointment of us beating the Vikings (since he hasn’t posted all week) and is now wearing his Matt Ryan jersey. I am cheering hard for the Bucs not only because they are my team, but because if we win, I know Thomas will be gone for another week. Come on Bucs, do it for all of us at Joe Bucs Fan!!!
September 22nd, 2011 at 12:04 am
Thomas needs to actually watch the games. The first two snaps of the game, McCoy got into the backfield. The first was a stunt to the inside and the play went outside, and he chased it down from behind. The second was a straight up rush. He did the same in the second half a few times. Not always outside shoulder rush. Others on the D-line also got penetration into the backfield. Price pushed right back into the run lane, but Peterson was good enough to stop, side-step, stutter up, and shift through for a decent gain. That’s called disruption, and they’re getting it. Peterson is just good enough to make them look like they were failing when they were actually winning the battle, but losing the war. This defense (as a whole, not just D-line) has yet to give up a 3rd down conversion in the 2nd half of a game this year. That’s pretty impressive, especially without any sacks from the D-line yet. They did pressure McNabb multiple times. McCoy got inside pressure that forced McNabb to run right and out of bounds for a 1 yard gain with Bennett chasing him. That’s what he’s supposed to do. Get the sack or force him into our DE’s. If McCoy were simply running sideline to sideline following the play to get sacks and tackles, he would be vacating his gap and things would be really out of control. He has a responsibility inside, even if that means rushing the passer on a screen pass. He is not responsible for 2 or 3 gaps and if he worries about other gaps, his will be abused. I understand you don’t like McCoy, Thomas, but don’t question other’s knowledge of football because you think you’ve found a reasonable explanation to suit your view. There is more to the game of football than simple statistics can show. This is not baseball.
September 22nd, 2011 at 1:14 am
McCoy needs to put up or shut up. And since he isn’t putting up (my bad, he IS. Just in an invisible manner.), well…. I’m a fan. Actually, I’m a Bucs homer. You dont spend a top-5 pick on a D-lineman and then not expect to get real, statistical production. I’m talking SACKS. I want to hear less blathering from the “please slow down, Mr. Brady” goon and production. I WANT SACKS, THATS WHY HE WAS FREAKING DRAFTED.
September 22nd, 2011 at 3:24 am
@BamBamBuc,
You just made way too much sense for Thomas to follow.
September 22nd, 2011 at 7:36 am
Bambam:
Actually as the three technique you have a 2 gap option if you read pass. Yes, he has a 1 gap resp if he reads run. You do not address the obvious truth that much, not all, but much of his alleged penetration comes on traps, draws and screens. Listen, i did watch the game again. Mccoy has always had decent get off, but that is it. Offenses have figured out to neutralize his strength (1 positive dimension) with traps etc. Until he improves, he will not be productive. Except for his 2 tackle, no sack, no pressure, no qb hit typical game.
September 22nd, 2011 at 8:30 am
Thomas, you almighty Suh has 1 more sack and 1 less tackle than McCoy so far this year. Does that mean he was a fluke last year? At this time is Sapp’s carreer where was he at, I am sure you would have called him a bust as well. How about Steve White’s take on McCoy, do you know more about football than he does? Having read many posts from you and BamBam, I will trust BamBam’s opinion way more than your agenda driven opinion.
September 22nd, 2011 at 4:19 pm
lol Thomas says McCoy sucks. I wonder why every film watcher/rater in the league thinks he is good already.
September 22nd, 2011 at 4:51 pm
I guess it doesn’t count as a QB pressure when he flushed McNabb to the outside near the goal line, where he eventually was tackled by Bennett. You must have missed that play.