McCoy Gets Technical On Technique
June 14th, 2012
Gerald McCoy was the key cog in the Bucs’ defense last season, so said Ronde Barber a couple of months ago. And, as Bucs fans know too well, McCoy tore his bicep while reaching during Game 6 of the 2011 season and the Bucs’ defense then went on a historically ugly tear enroute to a 10-game losing streak.
Raheem Morris took to the radio airwaves the day after McCoy’s injury and blasted his defensive tackle’s “Pop Warner” arm tackle.
Speaking out yesterday about life in the New Schiano Order, McCoy fired back at critiques of his fundamentals, so recorded Woody Cummings of The Tampa Tribune.
McCoy, the No. 3 overall draft pick in 2010, has no plans to change his tackling technique. It was blamed in part for last season’s injury, which occurred when McCoy reached his arm out to slow Saints running back Chris Ivory.
“I think that was all interpreted wrong, me reaching out to make a tackle,” McCoy said. “Most people don’t realize that as a D-lineman, it’s rare when you just come freely like a linebacker does, so you reach out to get a hand on him just to slow him down so your guys can come up, and that’s all I was doing.”
“The last time, our new Pro Bowl guard Carl Nicks was pulling on the play (for the Saints) and I threw him past and there’s the running back. So, I’m either going to jump out of the way or try to slow him down, and I tried to slow him down. Well, I don’t think I slowed him down that much. But I don’t have to change my technique.”
That’s interesting. So who’s right? McCoy or Raheem.
McCoy continued:
A series of tackling drills coach Greg Schiano instituted should help McCoy avoid additional injuries, McCoy said, because it helps him become a more technically sound tackler.
“Coach Schiano has us doing (that) tackling circuit before every practice and I’ve never done anything like that, so it’s teaching me how to tackle,” McCoy said. “I was just playing football before, but him putting us through that tackling circuit, it’s really helping us get better.”
Well, McCoy saying Greg Schiano’s drills are “teaching me how to tackle” was probably a poor choice of words.
Regardless, the play of McCoy is a massive piece of the puzzle if the Bucs are to sniff a winning record in 2012. “The Dini” must stay healthy and produce. He has no more biceps to surgically repair, no more tackling technique to master, and no more excuses.
June 14th, 2012 at 4:52 pm
Go get him Thomas!!!
June 14th, 2012 at 4:52 pm
I’ll be pulling for him on the field but I’m getting tired of hearing him speak. He just needs to shut up and play and not get hurt.
June 14th, 2012 at 5:22 pm
Man, everyday I start to like Schiano more and more. He really opened up my eyes to how incompetant Raheem and Co. truly are; although, I think Raheem is a very good positional coach, but he was way way over his head as the head coach. The rest of his staff were incompetant on all facets of the game, especially the fundamentals.
June 14th, 2012 at 5:27 pm
Off topic. But did anyone see 28 sports in Tampa last night? What was up with the story Eric Wright missing some OTAs with an “unspecified illness”. That was followed up by the statement ” They hope he can put this illness behind him”. Where did that come from?
June 14th, 2012 at 6:40 pm
I wonder how long until Tommy chimes in with his GMC hate? There’s no way he can pass this up.
June 14th, 2012 at 6:41 pm
Joe’s conclusion is not really that far off.
What was comical though is when McCoy admits that he is just now learning to tackle, Joe tries to save McCoy by saying it was a poor choice of words by McCoy – as if Joe is inside McCoy’s head.
Now add Gerald himself to the long list if critics that includes, Sapp, Rah, Beckles, Sileo etc who say that Gerald has been a Flawed player.
There really isn’t any argument left. I think Gerald will start the year as a part time player – about 60% of the snaps.
June 14th, 2012 at 7:19 pm
Joe here,
@Thomas 2.2 – You’re really losing it. McCoy doesn’t say he was “just now learning how to tackle.” That’s you making stuff up.
What he said was, “it’s teaching me how to tackle.”
Obviously, for those who can read effectively, a man can still know how to tackle and have a drill teach him how to tackle. Joe knows how to drink beer, but could always go through beer drinking drills to learn and hone the finer points.
June 14th, 2012 at 7:26 pm
Mc Coy need to shut his trap every time he opens it his foot trys to insert itself play ball .
June 14th, 2012 at 7:31 pm
Well if Rah is right he didn’t know how to tackle, missing fundamentals they know in pop warner ball.
So, your in good company Thomas!
Actually, I think Sapp said he wanted to get Dini on the field to show him how, specifically stating “we don’t do it that way” ….meaning arm tackling.
Better company.
June 14th, 2012 at 7:31 pm
Well if Rah is right he didn’t know how to tackle, missing fundamentals they know in pop warner ball.
So, your in good company Thomas!
Actually, I think Sapp said he wanted to get Dini on the field to show him how, specifically stating “we don’t do it that way” ….meaning arm tackling.
Better company.
June 14th, 2012 at 7:38 pm
Joe is it me or is “Techinical” misspelled. As the new coach states “It’s the details, get them right and the rest follows”
Great article in the difference between tackling and knowing how to tackle.
June 14th, 2012 at 7:50 pm
Joe,
He said “teaching me how” not “he is teaching me how to do it better or differently.” if you don’t know that teaching someone “how” to do something means that you didn’t previously know how to do it properly,then you are clueless.
You knew what his statement meant or you wouldn’t have called it “a poor choice of words.”
Your beer drinking analogy is idiotic and makes you look foolish.
June 14th, 2012 at 8:08 pm
My gosh, Thomas saying Joe is idiotic is like Obama calling someone a spendthrift…
June 14th, 2012 at 8:10 pm
Joe here,
@Thomas2.2 – Joe wrote it was a poor choice of words because inevitably fans like yourself would pile on because of it, and you did right on cue. Sorry, but one can be taught how to do something while he already knows how to do it. You don’t like the beer-drinking analogy? That’s fine. Let’s go with this one: NBA teams often bring in “shot doctors” to drill guys on the fundamentals of free throw shooting. Those guys are there to teach players “how to” shoot foul shots and hopefully get the team’s overall percentage up. That doesn’t mean the players didn’t already know how to shoot them and convert. McCoy’s semantics aren’t nearly as clear as you want them to be.
June 14th, 2012 at 8:20 pm
Make or break year for GMC that’s for sure! Thomas and his 60% of snaps talk is pure fantasy based on the depth at DT. Regardless of how you may feel about his talent level, there is no denying that he is by far the best DT on the roster. Who else can play the 3- technique? Injuries have obviously plagued his short career, but he is extremely talented when on the field. He’ll be #1 on the depth chart without a doubt. Bucs will need a healthy GMC to get that front seven clicking.
June 14th, 2012 at 8:46 pm
You don’t teach someone “how” to do something that they already are doing properly.
He didn’t say teaching me how to do it better.
Clearly McCoy has admitted that Schiano and co believe that McCoy did not know “how” to tackle properly – RahRah agreed.
June 14th, 2012 at 8:59 pm
Mo:
Gerald is the highest paid player onnthe team so he will be the presumptive starter.
Gerald also lacks productivity and is prone to injury playing 85% of the snaps. Gerald is also better vs the run than pass, Okoye’s strength is pass rushing from the inside.
Okoye will rotate in for McCoy on more passing situations to rest McCoy in a hope that he holds up for once.
Yes McCoy is the starter, Rockhead invested too much in him for him not to be, but unless Schiano fixes him – they will spell him much more than the prior regime. Assuming that Gerald doesn’t get hurt again and end up on IR which is very possible.
June 14th, 2012 at 9:00 pm
Wow the disrespect Thomas shows to Joe with no recourse makes me extremely suspicious. I’m starting smell a rat and have to believe Thomas’ idiotic rants are set up. It’s either one of the Joes or someone the Joes know very well.
On another note.. Warren Sapp will be here for the next couple days working personally with McCoy . It certainly can’t hurt..
June 14th, 2012 at 9:56 pm
@Brad I agree. I have seen a few other people banned for far less.
June 14th, 2012 at 10:01 pm
Brad, Joe was called out on Thomas early on and assured us there was no collusion (NFL word) of sorts. Thomas is just Thomas and some of us have found it so comical that we have resorted to egging him on. I believe Joe does too and Thomas has high entertainment value if you take his comments for what they worth. His comment the other day about Tanard “wrap and roll” was spot on. We all get frustrated and fired up at times, but every day life these days is enough to do that to anyone. Joe is on the up and up, trust me, but Thomas loves to push the envelope. Stay tuned and fear not, as he approaches the line, he will get clipped in the nick of time. Its been a while, so its coming soon. Now Eric on the other hand is consumed with negativity and will bash anyone. Thomas has his chosen ones, but he likes others on the team.
June 14th, 2012 at 10:01 pm
Thomas’s obsession with GMC makes me uncomfortable.
June 14th, 2012 at 10:25 pm
Bobby, I enjoyed your comment. Thank you for that.
Thomas, if you left, I would miss you, but the obsession with GMC is getting close to needing medication.
Well now we get about 6 weeks of nothing, and then camp, finally, and games. Boy I’m tired of waiting. This off-season has dragged on and on forever.
June 14th, 2012 at 10:38 pm
if I recall Joe banned Thomas and then a bunch of you begged for him to come back and the Joe let him back
June 14th, 2012 at 10:54 pm
I hope GMC can put it all together this year.
Maybe he was never “coached up” bc of his natural ability?
It would be great to see a fundamental improvement on these young pro athletes.
June 14th, 2012 at 11:43 pm
Joe please do NOT ban Thomas 2.2. He adds a different perspective to the debate, and sometimes might attack the host, but he just adds so much to the discussion.
It just wouldn’t be the same if everyone agreed on everything.
Funny that the Rockstar never knew that his 3rd over all pick never learned how to tackle properly.
June 14th, 2012 at 11:45 pm
The fact of the matter is that Gerald McCoy was paid based on his draft status in a weak DT class. He’s not a finished product and he will never have the field presence of a dominant DT. Sapp game perfected as time went by but Sapp always had a presence. All excuses and drills aside McCoy isnt bad but not the dominant player his contract warrants.
Personally, he talks too much for me and not produces but hes not bad or soft. Just not worth the contract. His best will never equal the greats but thats fine. He just needs to earn his pay and stay on the field.
June 14th, 2012 at 11:49 pm
Gerald McCoy was paid based on his draft status in a weak DT class. He’s not a finished product and he will never have the field presence of a dominant DT. Sapp game perfected as time went by but Sapp always had a presence. All excuses and drills aside McCoy isnt bad but not the dominant player his contract warrants.
Personally, he talks too much for me and not produces but hes not bad or soft. Just not worth the contract. His best will never equal the greats but thats fine. He just needs to earn his pay and stay on the field.
June 14th, 2012 at 11:49 pm
Sorry for the duplicate posts.
June 14th, 2012 at 11:53 pm
Why do I get the feeling that 2.0’s bedroom is decorated the same as Ray Finkle’s but with McCoy gear instead of Marino’s.
Laces Out Thomas…………. Laces Out
June 15th, 2012 at 1:06 am
Thomas:
Joe likes beer! 🙂
June 15th, 2012 at 1:07 am
Actually Architek, that draft class was considered to be the best for DT’s maybe ever. Either you forgot, or are just making stuff up. The hate for this guy is unbelievable to me. Yes he hasn’t earned his money yet, but it’s not like he hasn’t been trying. He has a strong work ethic, does a lot in the community, and is a man of faith. Oh yeah, and he’s played pretty good when healthy (cue Thomas). He’s been hurt, and I highly doubt he got hurt on purpose.
He did an interview after practice, and answered the questions asked of him, yet some of you are stupid enough to believe he should avoid interviews like the plague. I have a feeling the same people would complain if he refused to do interviews. I am interested in what he has to say. If you don’t want to hear him talk, then don’t pay attention. Not too hard to understand, or is it???
June 15th, 2012 at 6:27 am
Finkle and Einhorn….Finkle and Einhorn……Ray Finkle is Einhorn!!
Watch out Gerald…you may have an obsessed transvestite (2.0) planning your demise!
June 15th, 2012 at 6:34 am
“Pop Warner Coach”…..
June 15th, 2012 at 7:46 am
I don’t hate Gerald, just how he does not produce despite a huge contract and being WAY overhyped.
Gerald seems like a likable guy, I love him in the community, unlike Talib, I just think that he is marginal as a player.
All objective measures say the above is true.
June 15th, 2012 at 8:17 am
GMC needs to earn the pay day, or else his $10 million + will clear up a lot of cap space to have another Free Agent overhaul next year.
I like the possible outcome:
GMC earns the moola, or we get some top shelf Free Agents with the salary we can clear off the books.
June 15th, 2012 at 9:56 am
If McCoy plays a whole year and sucks then we can all pile on the “bust” wagon. However the guy has been injured two years in a row, and in 2011 it was early in the season after looking pretty good. I’m going to be optimistic and hopeful that he blossoms this year and becomes the stud we need him to be.
I like how Rah’s dumb*** called McCoy out for his lack of technique when he drafted him and was to oversee the guy’s development. That’s how bad Raheem was as a coach; he couldnt even teach tackling!!!
June 15th, 2012 at 2:36 pm
Raheem teaches the finer arts of Beer Pong, Quarters, & Crisco Twister. I believe he can also roll doobies 1 handed and holds the record for chugging the most consecutive Carbombs.
June 15th, 2012 at 3:51 pm
BigMac
Now that right there is funny, I dont care who you are!
June 15th, 2012 at 10:28 pm
McCoy happened to get hurt doing it but I see arm tackles every Sunday. Open your eyes and watch the games instead of acting like McCoy is the only DT to ever reach out and try to slow a player down with an arm because he couldn’t get in position for a better technique. Would you rather he just didn’t try and let the player run by? Then you could whine about his ‘lack of effort’. I’ve got no beef with McCoy. He plays hard and gives it his all and we are much better whenever he is on the field. I just hope he stays healthy and I believe he will.