McCoy, David Must Prevent Mutiny
November 11th, 2016
The only Pro Football Hall of Fame voter in the Tampa Bay area, JoeBucsFan.com columnist eye-RAH Kaufman, fires away today at the Buccaneers’ big-money, big-name defensive cornerstones.
BY IRA KAUFMAN
With the NFC South basement starting them in the face yet again, the Buccaneers need their core defensive players to show up Sunday.
That means you, Lavonte David, and you, Gerald McCoy.
Mike Smith’s battered unit simply didn’t compete in losses to Oakland and Atlanta — two of the most prolific attacks in the NFL. Here come the 2-6 Bears, and no one should be confusing Jay Cutler with Derek Carr or Matt Ryan.
If the Bucs want to avoid a three-game losing streak and a 3-6 record that will send their fans scrambling toward NFL draft sites, McCoy and David must lead the way.
QB hit total has fallen
The Glazers identified those two players as long-term keepers, showing them the money and proving ownership is serious about granting lucrative contract extensions to players deemed elite.
Buc fans are still waiting for their return.
June Swoon
Whether the fault lies with scheme, injury or motivation, David has underperformed in 2016. He’s on pace for 88 tackles, and there have been too many games when No. 54 goes unnoticed.
In 2013, when David registered 144 tackles, 7 sacks and five interceptions, he looked like the next Derrick Brooks.
Now, he looks like Cato June.
“I think we’re all learning,” Smith says. “I don’t think Lavonte’s not the same player that he was last year – I think he is. I think we’ve got to do a better job as a coaching staff, putting him in positions to make plays. I think he’s a very good player, he’s a Pro Bowl player in the past.
“His numbers don’t show that at this point and time in the season, but he’s doing everything that we’re asking and we’ve got to make sure that we put him in some positions where he can go make some plays.”
I can understand Kwon Alexander being ahead of David on Tampa Bay’s tackle chart, but Bradley McDougald?
Something’s wrong and the Bucs are running out of time to find ways to get David more involved. And may I add a personal observation — he doesn’t look like he’s having enough fun out there.
By nature, David is quiet and introspective. Right now, the Bucs need brash and bold.
If David announces his presence with a big hit Sunday, celebrate a little and get the home crowd stoked.
That goes for you, too, Mr. McCoy.
Team Glazer Is Watching
Does McCoy have to fight through multiple blockers on virtually every snap? Of course he does.
That goes with the position and the reputation McCoy has earned.
But Bob Lilly, Merlin Olsen and Warren Sapp also faced constant double-teams while managing to impact games.
With only six quarterback hits, McCoy is on pace for his lowest total since turning pro in 2010. A weak pass rush is killing the Bucs once again, and McCoy needs to inspire teammates against a plodding Chicago offense that expects Pro Bowl guards Kyle Long and Josh Sitton back from injury.
“They leave it up to their front four to get home,” Cutler said. “McCoy’s one of the best in the league and you’ve got to know where he’s at.”
Long praised McCoy and David, saying they are “all over the place.”
How about being around the ball Sunday? With Buc fans on the brink of mutiny, getting swept during a three-game homestand could represent the breaking point for thousands of season-ticket holders.
David and McCoy need to own this game. Simple as that. They need to impose their will on a 2-6 club and spark Dirk Koetter to his first home win as an NFL head coach.
Buc fans will be watching and evaluating.
So will the Glazers.
Read all of Ira’s thrice-weekly columns and twice-weekly podcasts right here.
November 11th, 2016 at 2:21 pm
Well said Ira.
LVD has been the most disappointing player for me this year. McCoy is not far behind him.
LVD seems to always be a few steps away from the ball this year, and doesn’t even look like he’s hustling half the time. And he definitely doesn’t look to be having fun out there.
Maybe the defense has just been really gassed the last 2 games, but I’m seeing poor effort on pretty much every snap.
And it doesn’t look creative at all. Other than 1 or 2 blitzes a game, we look to be running the same coverage as Lovie, where WRs get a free release and the safeties are always out of position.
November 11th, 2016 at 2:24 pm
these 2 are definitely not leaders on this team and i think GMC’s apathy has infected LVD the way his play has declined…..schiano had the defense humming when he was coach from these 2 to jonathan banks and mark baron and the rest that seems like decades ago
November 11th, 2016 at 2:29 pm
6 years straight BOTTOM FEEDERS, Ouch that hurts
November 11th, 2016 at 2:31 pm
Ira, with all due respect, I perfectly understand why Bradley McDougald has more tackle than Lavonte David, it’s very easy :
1 – our DL is quite good against the run, meaning the running abck are stopped before reaching the LB position.
2 – Our CB are not at their expected levels, so our safeties have to compensate a lot meaning more tackles for them.
I’m not saying that lavonte David has not to produce more, but statistics aren’t always saying the “truth” about people
November 11th, 2016 at 2:54 pm
Well Irah at least you tried to hold him accountable and maintain some integrity, for that I commend you.
However, you left out the part where Mike Smith confessed “They are different schemes. The old scheme was set up for [LVD] to be a tackler and make a lot of plays.” He goes on to say “Our Mike lb will be the guy who has more clean runs to the football. [LVD] is doing everything we are asking of him”
Apparently what Smith is asking of LVD has led to a 40% decline in productivity. But let’s just say LVD is a lice, a loaf and a underperformer. Doing so will shift the blame away from our buddy, our pal, our hero, Captain DeCoy!!! And the world will be a better place for it. Smh
November 11th, 2016 at 3:09 pm
Lmao ira saying these guys need to “have fun”..hmmm joe you should get rid of Ira. How dare he say these guys should have fun! Gmc said that and gets constant grief and is told to leave town so ira clearly needs to go. Regardless of how great and educated his takes are. He’s one of the best in the league but he suggested to have fun…gasp!!
God some of you “fans” are complete jokes. I love the many takes by a lot of commenters and appreciate the time and enery put into some comments but you other fools know who you are.
Buc boiiii lmao. Nice name. You in high school? Hangin at tha mall wit mah fraaands. Trying to talk like a big boY yet you scream immature. Gotta love it
November 11th, 2016 at 3:36 pm
Yaaaaaaawwwwwwwwnnnnnn!
November 11th, 2016 at 3:38 pm
Man I’ve come to hate our fans. What a bunch of bipolar whiners. Just relax and let the new coaches work on the Bucs. Looking at our schedule and our roster I d take 6+ wins. Not to mention our inordinate amount injuries. Man if you don’t support your team you don’t have a team. The nfl is like the mafia, they have leverage and use it. So complain sure but support team. You say you hate the Bucs but your in this site 3-4 times a week. Not going to buc games isn’t going to make the glazers any smarter or caring. From what I see, the glazers are trying. Just don’t forget how lucky we have a team.
November 11th, 2016 at 3:48 pm
Interesting to see you jump on the ‘Bash McCoy’ train Ira. In Bratty Cutler’s words, “McCoy’s one of the best in the league and you’ve got to know where he’s at.” Or maybe listen to Bears Pro Bowl guard Kyle Long who said that McCoy (and LVD) were “all over the place.” Hmmm. So your advice to McCoy on Sunday Ira is “How about being around the ball Sunday?” As if the Bears don’t have anything to say about that? As if Smitty’s defensive scheme and strategies don’t factor in? As if playing with a decimated DLine has no affect? Nice (emotional) argument Ira BUT … you (like most JBF fans) are holding GMC ‘accountable’ for things far beyond his control. That wasn’t called accountability in the world I grew up in; it was called ‘scapegoating’. GMC’s playing far more snaps than any other Dlineman on the Bucs (and most likely in the league). Get the man some quality help for heaven’s sake, THEN critique his performances.
November 11th, 2016 at 3:58 pm
McCoy and David are part of the problem. How many times have those two allowed the defense to quit and just play out the string? Those guys are not leaders and they can’t be depended on.
November 11th, 2016 at 4:03 pm
Why should they work hard? Their checks will still be auto-deposited. The season is lost. Why risk injury for a team like this? They’re not stupid, they know what’s going on.
November 11th, 2016 at 4:08 pm
Well said. It’s time we start holding these players accountable. How many coaches and schemes have we been through now?
The players here just have a losing mentality, I don’t see the aggression on the field when the going gets tough. Coaches coach and players play, never mind the scheme just go out there and execute.
November 11th, 2016 at 4:12 pm
In all fairness, I don’t think the Bucs have ever given McCoy enough help. Imagine if he was playing next to Short, or Star, or any other blue chip DT…
David had ZERO excuse, maybe his shoulder issue is preventing him from being the player we once thought they had? Shame on any of us for ever comparing him to Mr. Brooks.
With that being said, these guys are very talented players but they’re not alpha-males. They don’t hold the rest of the defense accountable.
Nobody is afraid of the “look” the Don would give them if they loafed.
Nobody is afraid of Sapp (in nothing but a jock strap) confronting them in the locker room after a bad performance.
When the going gets tough, I think these two are the first to mentally check out and start thinking about what they are going to wear to the post game get together.
Not saying they need to go this off season, but the Bucs need to get someone on this squad that can inspire some f**king toughness on this defense.
Remember watching Gruden practice highlights? “it’s about being mentally tough men” – Where has it gone?
November 11th, 2016 at 4:14 pm
Funny how if you knock #3 your a hater or a troll. But knocking #54 and 93 is just a fan. Demanding accountability.
November 11th, 2016 at 4:18 pm
@richbucsfan
Because REAL, TOUGH, TRUE football players don’t give a sh*t what the record is.
They CARE what they put on tape and the legacy they leave when they’re old and gray riddled with CTE…
BTW: This isn’t Schiano or Lovie who are bullsh*t artists completely out of touch with the roster. The players have NO reason to mutiny this staff/management.
Go Sucs!
November 11th, 2016 at 4:21 pm
When has McCoy prevented anything? Dude is a good player but not a leader
November 11th, 2016 at 4:22 pm
@Poor Glennon
Because #3 has shown that he wants to lead and win games. He may not be elite in his second year, but he has shown toughness (physical and mental) and an extreme desire to win.
Results may vary but I’ve never been as optimistic about a Bucs’ QB as I am now and I’m a life long pessimistic Bucs fan.
If anything, #3 could be getting infected by mentality of #93 and 54.
November 11th, 2016 at 4:23 pm
Dominik, Raheem, Shiano, Loveand now Koester, licht… Who has been here through all those turnover.. who is the one constant ?
November 11th, 2016 at 4:23 pm
After sunday, the glazers are going to start their process of bringing in a ceo/pres to oversee the whole franchise
Total rebuild with a successful proven superbowl winner
Glazers cant fool around no more with dumb and dumber
Picking a worthless kicker in the 2nd round and signing damaged and pissed off rejects will never let you build successful teams but only failures like what we have here…its going to get ugly here for the next 8 games
November 11th, 2016 at 4:25 pm
Poor Glennon Says:
November 11th, 2016 at 4:14 pm
Funny how if you knock #3 your a hater or a troll. But knocking #54 and 93 is just a fan. Demanding accountability.
————–
Mike Evans leads the league in TD and Cam Brate leads the league in TDs. Yea, let that sink in. Winston sucks so bad it must be Gerald McCoy out there slinging TDs.
November 11th, 2016 at 4:44 pm
^^^^^^^^^Captain Decoy!!!!! LMFAO….. He definitely earned that one.
November 11th, 2016 at 4:46 pm
Aunt Geraldne leads the league in double teams…..yea…. Now I get it. That’s why he’s not able to make an impact. Right. Yup. Ok.
November 11th, 2016 at 4:52 pm
Ray
DB55 Says:
November 10th, 2016 at 6:39 pm
Donald (la) 24solo/3asst/5sacks
Suh (Mia) 20solo/17asst/4.5sacks
Joseph (vik) 20solo/15asst/3sacks
Short (car) 15solo/11asst/2sacks
McCoy (buc) 13solo/4asst/4sacks
November 11th, 2016 at 5:10 pm
I’m just stating the facts, not the ( shoulda, woulda, coulda). The facts are that,we are still at the bottom of the NFC South, 6 straight years at the bottom is sad, ridiculous and pathetic.
November 11th, 2016 at 5:52 pm
I’m ah feelin you here LakeLandBuc. Its past sad dude. I..don’t even get mad whenw e lose. I almost…expect it! And that’s Pityfull. My wife says she does not know why I torture myself watching the bucs on Sunday. Nobody here is a hater. But Dee-Hammit man, The losing..over and over again. I watched Oakland and ATL wondering where is our Defense? The opposing QB’s were ordering sandwiches, eating them then completing passes! I’m not letting out no 1 pick of the hook either. He throws balls sailing over heads straight into the bay! He’s not improving. He’s regressing. And to hear these guys give their coulda/woulda/shoulda speeches all week. Why its enough to make a grown man reach for a libation and an unauthorized cigar. And the media wonders why we cannot fill up 3 fourths of our beautiful stadium?
OK..so GO BUCS. Its even getting hard to say…that!! WIN SOME GD games Tampa Bay. Enough is enough!!!
November 11th, 2016 at 5:52 pm
To any and all who wish the team would jettison GMC and LD, what do you think they’d bring back to the team. A couple of 2nd rounders, 2nd, 3rd or ????
November 11th, 2016 at 8:02 pm
@Elio T.
Not buying Int’s ,fumbles and inaccurate passes are on #54 and #93.Jameis has got to own his mistakes and fix them.But he gets a pass until next year for some of the problems. ,just like Koetter because they have no top tier RB or WR stable.That said he has not been accurate to Evans or even Humphries deep enough.He missed Vjax at the goaline also.
He needs to work on mechanics and accuracy with a top tier coach in offseason.
November 11th, 2016 at 8:16 pm
key to good offense is having enough weapons to spread the ball around.
so both coach or Qb are at their best.We are never going to win in this league,until we can consistently move the ball up and down the field all game.
This is what the team has to do to win consistently.C,Mon Jason Licht
you do not have the financial restraints the Rays have. Can’t keep giving you a pass on free agency.This year you gave us supposed stud o lineman that is on rehab.A DE with attitude, but hasn’t played 12 games in 3 years.(Including
this one).A corner that isn’t physical enough to stay with bigger receivers and
has a hard time keeping his balance in coverage.
November 11th, 2016 at 8:41 pm
You’ve been real down on LD this year. When there is a coaching change on defense who has a bigger learning curve D line or db’s and linebackers? Is not like we switched to a 3-4 so McCoy is doing just about the same thing every coaching change
LD has atleast has more than once owned a game and dominated but McCoy you can say he’s had a few games with multiple sacks. Has anyone ever said McCoy was unstoppable the entire game? No he’s never had A COMPLETE game. They are both the constant in this team’s losing drought
I’m a fan of the team I hold allegiance to no individual player neither should this team if stars won’t shine move on and stop over hyping them. Our history says they are losers but yet Winston has been here less than 2 years and has to defend himself about being a loser
November 11th, 2016 at 9:13 pm
Sorry, fan since 76, but if We lose all three games at home in a ROW then I am just gonna have to start watching Gators BBall and hoping they can do something. Cause if we lose again ya might as well stick a fork in us. I won’t root against us but I won’t pick us the rest of the yr. I will Always start the Stud ME 13 every week tho!!!!! Jameis to ME will get me points All yr. I just hope that the rest of the team catches up to those two so my faith can be restored. It all starts Sunday IMO. #crossroadsreached
November 11th, 2016 at 9:33 pm
Taking my previous post in account I just watched the Gators win and I learned that that was 25 Years Straight that we won our opening game!. I am not even going to attempt the research on Bucs opening wins. I would rather just drink another beer
November 11th, 2016 at 10:02 pm
That’s harsh on lavonte. System has him in too much coverage which is not strength. Homie can ball. Trust me
November 11th, 2016 at 11:15 pm
This right here, is North Korea’s team.
November 11th, 2016 at 11:23 pm
Except for hargraves and Alexander this defense sucks McCoy and David are average players past there time.. it’s solo apparent…I’d trade them if any one wanted them our backups playing the panthersblooked better then our starters you know it’s true…
November 12th, 2016 at 8:00 am
GMC is what he always has been, one good play followed by ten plays where he absolutely disappears. Yep, he got paid because they wanted to set the tone that players they thought were elite will get rewarded, now that he’s shown not to be maybe they should set the tone that you actually have to perform after cashing big checks. Trade him.
Mike Smith has been the big disappointment for me. All this mumbo-jumbo about hybrid defenses and then he might get into one about three or four times a game. The play where Daryl Smith forced the pressure and McCoy cleaned it up and got the strip sack is something that should be happening way more often than it is. I get it that we don’t have the horses to get crazy with it but McCoy would be better off playing a 5-tech and let Spence take on the double teams in the middle. Something needs to give, you can’t just sit back and let QBs in this league pick you apart.
November 12th, 2016 at 11:17 am
is the mutiny on the team or among the fans? just a thought
November 12th, 2016 at 11:35 am
Same Ole spit different year. The bucs have been gassed and beat up since the 3rd quarter of the Raiders game. This team still has a way to go.
November 12th, 2016 at 12:48 pm
What a load. Enuff said!