Bucs Personnel Moves Have Worn Down McCoy
December 17th, 2017
A former Buccaneer delivers a powerful take
As Pro Bowl defensive tackle Gerald McCoy nurses a significant biceps injury, it’s timely to consider the long list of his small and big injuries since he was drafted in 2010.
A prominent former Buccaneer was thinking about that, too.
Joe’s talking about Chris Hovan, starting defensive tackle on the last two Buccaneers playoff teams — back when the Tampa Bay defense truly was elite. No. 1-ranked was the defense in 2005, and No. 2 in 2007. (Damn, that feels like ancient freakin’ history.)
Hovan lives in Tampa and has coached defensive line for the Tampa Bay Storm and the University of South Florida.
He joined host Rock Riley on 1040 AM last week and said he has the utmost respect for McCoy because of how he plays the game on the field. The fight is there consistently, Hovan says, and that fight might be leading to injuries.
Hovan said the Bucs have given McCoy very little talent to work with on the D-line over the years. As a result, he said, the relentless double teams and the occasional triple-team have taken their toll on the body of McCoy, who gives everything he has to fight through them.
Essentially, Hovan was saying the Bucs’ personnel decisions have not only cut the effectiveness of one of their stars, they’ve had a long-term effect.
Intriguing take. It makes sense when you look at it with a big-picture view.
Unknown boneheads at One Buc Palace allowed Michael Bennettto walk as a free agent after the 2012 season, and it’s been a sea of subpar talent around McCoy during the five seasons since. The resulting extra wear piles up. It has to.
Hovan added that it’s unfair to compare Warren Sapp and McCoy because Sapp had so much more talent around him.
McCoy, who turns 30 in February, is out for Monday’ night’s game. He could use the break.
December 17th, 2017 at 11:34 am
And here comes the name calling and attacks on McCoy…..
December 17th, 2017 at 11:35 am
Gerald McCoy
6:54 PM -May 7, 2014
Hahaha all the speculation on draft is funny. I GUARANTEE this….. I WILL NOT. I repeat WILL NOT move to nose, regardless of who we draft!!
December 17th, 2017 at 11:38 am
Hovan is stirring up trouble….
December 17th, 2017 at 11:41 am
relentless double teams and the occasional triple-team have taken their toll on the body of McCoy, who gives everything he has to fight through them
________________
*cough cough BS *cough cough
He could use a break..
_________
you misspelled We.
December 17th, 2017 at 11:46 am
I can give you 100 million reasons I doubt feel sorry for the money grabber.
December 17th, 2017 at 11:47 am
Just announced Marvin Lewis will not be back with Cinny next year. There is your next DC Gerald. Dirk gets another year as a lame duck coach so the Glazers can wait for the NFL to decide what is up with Winston. No one wants to HC here until the is sorted out.
December 17th, 2017 at 11:49 am
At least Gruber kept his mouth shut …..too bad he broke his leg and missed the rewards….oh the irony….he could have been on the Raiders when the Bucs beat them is the SB….sort that out newbie’s
December 17th, 2017 at 11:56 am
Pretty sure gruden will want McCoy on team. He ain’t going anywhere unless his body gets broke down.
December 17th, 2017 at 12:02 pm
It really has not been fair to McCoy. When he was drafted, the idea was to build around him. But, of course, Mark Dominick couldn’t draft worth spit.
Then came Licht, who got a franchise QB, and you HAVE to build around a franchise QB as quickly as possible, so the best picks went to offense. Things are turning toward defense now in the draft, but really, it is too late to do McCoy much good.
The right thing to do FOR McCOY is to trade him to a team that can get him a ring. He’s paid his dues.
Can you imagine if the dline had been built around him properly from the start? He’d be a 14 sack guy several times over.
December 17th, 2017 at 12:02 pm
If we can manage a spare 1st round pick for McCoy, and maybe a 4th or 3rd, then the Bucs should jump on it.
December 17th, 2017 at 12:04 pm
Bird Says
“Pretty sure gruden will want McCoy on team. He ain’t going anywhere unless his body gets broke down.”
Gruden is not going to coach the Bucs ever again. Heck, he won’t even coach an NFL next year.
Every year he manages to get his name talked about. He does it on purpose because he can use it as leverage to get more money. Yet, he never follows through on any team offers.
December 17th, 2017 at 12:10 pm
Bonzai…3 good posts….
December 17th, 2017 at 12:14 pm
Hovan’s comments are..Spot On!!
December 17th, 2017 at 12:20 pm
If they were willing to trade McCoy I doubt he has first round value. I think if they moved him for a decent young CB itd be good.
December 17th, 2017 at 12:20 pm
Let’s do McCoy and the rest of us a favor and trade or release him. he’s no longer part of Tampa’s future, and hasn’t helped us become a winner since he’s been here. I’m tired of this argument he’s never had help, or he’s just not good enough. We can lose with, or without him, or maybe win. Hovan is only right about one thing, McCoy is no Sapp.
December 17th, 2017 at 12:22 pm
Bonzi
There is NO gm going to give anything up higher than a 6th round pick for a fragile dt close to 30 that is currently injured and has a long history of injuries and losing… You are a smart man you know i am 100% right sir. find me 1 player in the last 10 years close to 30 that a team has given up a 1st round pick for especially one with a long injury history.
TEAMS DO NOT PART WITH HIGH DRAFT PICKS FOR HAS BEENS THAT NEVER WERE!
December 17th, 2017 at 12:25 pm
hovan is just making more excuses for the face of the basement years. addition by subtraction his quick first step does not offset his mentally weak approach and flat performances. hopefully that clown has played his last down in tampa.
December 17th, 2017 at 12:31 pm
@Dewey Selmon
Gruden and Lewis could be a very nice one-two punch.
December 17th, 2017 at 12:33 pm
Why Gruden?
He hasn’t coached in 10 years
How about a young hungry coach who is proving them selfs as an OC or DC
December 17th, 2017 at 12:34 pm
Why Gruden ?….he has NOT lost a game since he left the Bucs !
December 17th, 2017 at 12:36 pm
@Dewey Selmon
Your point about other coaches withholding interest in Tampa until Jameis is totally sorted out is spot on.
We are fans and so many of us love #3….his stock around the rest of the league seems to have taken a hit this year. Now with the Arizona/Uber story in the background…coaches and GM’s around the league will be wary of tying their star to #3’s fortunes.
December 17th, 2017 at 12:43 pm
McCoy might as well be playing nose tackle. 40 Tackles,12 tackles for a loss.
No d lineman on the bucs has anything like that . Chris Baker ,not even listed.
Hoban’s right IMO.
December 17th, 2017 at 12:44 pm
And McCoy has never held anyone accountable or made other players around him better.
Facts.
Go Sucs!
Here comes that ATL 50-Burger!
December 17th, 2017 at 12:44 pm
Well Atrain we did just hire an OC who was proving himself and he took a #5 offense and turned into trash. He wanted Doug and my guess is he wanted DJax……We gave him too many pieces to get his offense going for the lack of results.
I’d rather see somebody with experience here that knows what their doing.
I still think we have a talented young core. Can’t risk flushing it down the toilet with another rookie HC making poor decisions.
December 17th, 2017 at 12:44 pm
StPeteBucsFan
i guarantee the Glazers failed past coupled with a decade plus of bad decisions weighs far more on potential coaches minds than a 23 year old talented QB with a HUGE Ceiling. That was caught up in a BS off field issue that says more how pathetic society is than jameis. but he put himself in this position to be accused with past poor choices. The bigger issue in Tampa is the bucs organization that lacks leadership from top to bottom that will scare potential coaches far more than jameis.
December 17th, 2017 at 12:45 pm
StPete….precisely ….Jameis’s fate is in his hands….no pun… 🙂
December 17th, 2017 at 12:48 pm
in the tackles for a loss category above.
December 17th, 2017 at 12:50 pm
THATS Ok ElioT. Let Atlanta score 50. We have been building an offense for 4 seasons. We can handle a shootout.
That shouldn’t be sarcasm either, it actually was the design.
December 17th, 2017 at 1:02 pm
Anyone ever hear of the Patrick Ewing effect? Basically addition by subtraction. I think we would be just fine without him.
December 17th, 2017 at 1:10 pm
Chris Hovan is spot on … Bucs have provided GMC with little help on the DLine, and that’s taken a toll. Closest they’ve come is McDonald, when he’s not hurt. Ayers & Gholston are adequate, but neither is setting the world on fire in terms of sacks & QB pressure. Beyond that … Nada.
Trading GMC might bring a 5th, 6th or 7th round pick, but doubt it’d be any higher. He’s going on 31 & has been pretty well beaten up. Bucs need to keep GMC for another couple years & draft someone to take his place this year PLUS bring McDonald back, and also see if Stevie T has anything in the tank (strikes me as being a Siliga clone at this point). Personally don’t expect Robert Ayers to be back next year (age?), which would leave us with Gholston, Spence (if he heals up properly this time) and probably Russell. Beyond that we’d better come up with TWO DEs in the draft and/or FA and/or via trades.
December 17th, 2017 at 1:19 pm
We need Josh McDaniels.
December 17th, 2017 at 1:24 pm
Spbf
I think you’ve mentioned Uber in every post in the last two weeks. Are you that concerned? What if and humor me now but what if your favorite son Darby and Winston are telling the truth? Ijs what if?
December 17th, 2017 at 1:28 pm
Repost
November 10th, 2015 at 8:05 am
When he’s healthy – McCoy’s one of the Best Interior Lineman in the game.
You can’t constantly defend; what this kid brings to the table.
All he needs a quality edge rusher or two – then WATCHOUT
*Case In Point
DT – Alan Page
• Carl Eller
• Jim Marshall
DT – Merlin Olsen
• Deacon Jones
• Lamar Lundy
DT – Joe Greene
• L.C. Greenwood
• Dwight White
DT- Randy White
• Too Tall Jones
• Harvey Martin
DT- Dave Butz
• Charles Mann
• Dexter Manley
DT – Steve McMichael
• Richard Dent
• Dan Hampton
DT – Jerome Brown
• Reggie White
• Clyde Simmons
DT’s – Keith Millard | Henry Thomas | John Randle
• Chris Doleman
• Al Noga
• Roy Barker
DT’s – Bill Maas | Dan Saleaumua
• Neil Smith
• Derrick Thomas
DT’s – Bryant Young | Dana Stubblefield
• Chris Doleman
• Rickey Jackson
• Roy Barker
DT’s – Eric Swann
• Clyde Simmons
• Simeon Rice
DT’s – Cortez Kennedy | Sam Adams
• Michael McCrary
• Michael Sinclair
DT’s – Tony Siragusa | Sam Adams
• Michael McCrary
• Rob Burnett
• Peter Boulware
DT’s – D’Marco Farr | Ray Agnew
• Kevin Carter
• Grant Wistrom
Warren Sapp | Culpepper | Anthony McFarland
• Chidi Ahanotu
• Marcus Jones
• Simeon Rice
DT’s – Kevin Williams | Pat Williams
• Jared Allen
• Ray Edwards
DT’s – Geno Atkins & Domata Peko
• Carlos Dunlap
• Michael Johnson
El Certa
1999 was an amazing year for Sapp. And even though there’s been a few scattered similarities, like this in leagues history – its not the norm.
Year In – Year Out…
NO ONE has ever been able to get consistent pressure from the interior.
Without major assistance from the outside rush
December 17th, 2017 at 1:52 pm
nice work ! and you didn’t even have to mock another poster
December 17th, 2017 at 2:21 pm
LUVMYBUCS
the numbers look good on paper just like this years buc team looked good on paper. Numbers don’t account for quitting on coaches, coming out flat, celebrating losses and general soft play. Not to mention not making other around you better. Pay him like a good DT and I have no issues pay him like the face of the franchise and give him a C and I have a problem. Results are all that matter.
The only numbers that matter in mccoy’s career is the fact he has never won a single meaningful game as a buccaneer and he has been a captain for more blowouts than any other captain in team history. I never questioned whether he was a good player or not but there is no question he is no leader and not a driven winner.
December 17th, 2017 at 2:41 pm
McCoy plays hard and has had no help, his body is probably shot at this point, dude gonna pay the price when he is older, feel bad for the guy.
December 17th, 2017 at 2:47 pm
People like to talk trash about McCoy who is a 5 time pro bowler and say he doesn’t affect games but then defend Winston who hasn’t done anything and mostly has negative impacts on the game lol.
If he were a gator these defenders would be killing Winston.
Idiots
December 17th, 2017 at 3:10 pm
Bad drafting has wasted his career
December 17th, 2017 at 3:33 pm
McCoy is one of the best criers in football. #1 all-time in fact. They even made a movie about his greatness.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=T1xZcIeljM8
December 17th, 2017 at 3:39 pm
McCoy has been a part of some of the most worst assembled teams in the NFL over his career.
Yeah sure the dude is overrated, most Buc fans already know that. So the guy is not a leader, that doesn’t mean he the cause of any losing it just means we have a lack of leadership on that line.
There would be no problems with McCoy if we had somebody on that line demanding accountability. Blaming McCoy for not being that type of player is ridicilous since so few players have that in them.
Generational players that elevate those around them come around very rarely. Otherwise you have to win with each guy doing their job and hopefully enough talent to make plays………..we don’t have that generational player and McCoy is the only guy who can do his job well. He’s part of the solution not part of the problem.
December 17th, 2017 at 3:39 pm
Tmax and Kim Jong Un as co GM’s next year
December 17th, 2017 at 3:41 pm
tmaxcon
Likewise, this is why I’ve also suggested we flip him for a draft prospect; or young lineman in recent years.
I’ve looked around the league – and there’s PLENTY of teams with tons of capspace.
Copying what Jacksonville has done. Someone will part with a premuim pick (3rd RD PK) and or player – for McCoy.
December 17th, 2017 at 3:58 pm
Sample
4-3 Based Teams w/Tons of Capspace & Draft Picks
• San Francisco 49ers – $117,970,860
• Cleveland Browns – $117,652,107
• Minnesota Vikings – $60,513,716
• Detroit Lions – $60,299,016
…..etc, etc, etc
Sidebar:
Mike Zimmer’s Wide 9 | Artificial Turf | + Gerald McCoy
• RDE Everson Griffen
• DT Gerald McCoy
• NT Linval Joseph
• LDE Danielle Hunter
That would be freakin’ Insane.
December 17th, 2017 at 4:07 pm
Zimmer too mean and he curses a lot. He will make McIceCream cry and cwhy and cwhy.
Give the jets a 3rd rnd pick and get Leonard Williams. Or offer a 2 2nds and McIceCream to the rams for the best 3tech in football.
#TheresNoCryingInFootball
December 17th, 2017 at 4:09 pm
Potential Trades
*Playoff Teams Looking for that Extra
Vikings
—A Premium Pick Plus + Jaleel Johnson
Seahawks
—A Premium Pick Plus + Jarran Reed
December 17th, 2017 at 4:13 pm
DB55
Keith Millard is fixture at Minnesota’s Vikings facility.
And has endeared himself w/ the coaching staff.
Don’t forget he’s big fan of McCoy’s – so Im sure he’ll talk him up.
December 17th, 2017 at 4:30 pm
How quickly things fall apart. Jesus.
December 17th, 2017 at 5:20 pm
If the Falcons drop a 50 note on the Succaneers, I would be a Happy Camper.
December 17th, 2017 at 5:26 pm
Those checks cash just fine tho softy!
December 17th, 2017 at 8:07 pm
Tmaxi
Didn’t richard Seymor get traded for a first?
December 17th, 2017 at 8:08 pm
LUVMYBUCS
I don’t usually call people out directly but I think you’ve lost your mind. The list of players you had there did you really just lost Carlos Dunlap and that same Michael Johnson that played for us?
You honestly think Brad Culpepper was an equal counterpart of Sapp? Stop naming rice because when he got here Sapp was already a beast. Sapp and Brooks decided they would no longer be the yucks. GMC is just collecting a paycheck, no one even compared GMC to Sapp anymore because they aren’t on the same planet in terms of how to play the game…..
Before rice it was chidi ahanotu and Steve white, ahanotu actually got double digits sacks because of coaching. Tyoka Jackson was also in the middle in 2000 with Sapp and that screams elite talent? Sorry but the coaches knew how to scheme to free up their guys just like every other coach except ours
December 17th, 2017 at 9:13 pm
Tmax, you’re a moron. You think you can come on this site and say you never questioned whether McCoy was a good player and no one would call you out?
You have called him a POS and said he sucks every other day all season long! Say nothing if you’re going to out and out lie. Go Bucs!
December 17th, 2017 at 9:35 pm
Bucs braintrust should consider trading McCoy. He is turning 30, c/o bout his knees and crying on the field for an extended length of time(what was that all about? pain?–seemed real weird) he is the first nfl player I seen actually cry out there. Anyway–time to clean house we need draft picks bad. McCoy is a nice dude but he is on his way out and Bucs need to salvage what they can.
December 17th, 2017 at 9:46 pm
Anyone who mentions Marvin Lewis as a coaching option is out of their mind.
December 17th, 2017 at 10:31 pm
Who works for the Bucs today that was part of the decision to let Bennet go? Anyone?
December 17th, 2017 at 10:56 pm
McCoy hasn’t made a memorable play his whole career. I think he sacked Matt Ryan once in the fourth quarter of a meaningless game. Totally not worth 16 million a year.
December 17th, 2017 at 11:03 pm
As I have been saying for a year, trade GMC If you could get a 2nd and a 3rd, you could use the picks to start drafting a new D line.
December 17th, 2017 at 11:49 pm
Brad Culpepper – 6yrs W/Bucs had 34 sacks @ NT
Note: He acquired most of those sacks between 97-99
Case In Point:
NT – Brad Culpepper 97-99
• 1997 – 48 Tkls | 8.5 Sks
• 1998 – 38 Tkls | 9.0 Sks
• 1999 – 32 Tkls | 6.0 Sks
Note: Those are ALL-PRO type of numbers for the position
Brad Culpepper factored in the opposing team’s tendencies, audibles by its linemen and tip-offs in its formations. Sh!t Brad Culpepper called all the our defensive line stunts. Yet undervalue him?
Sapp didn’t
Per Sapp:
December 18th, 2017 at 12:15 am
1997-2003
• 1997 Chidi Ahanotu -38 Tkls | 10 Sks
• 1998 Brad Culpepper – 38 Tkls | 9.0 Sks ← Lead Bucs In Sacks
• 1999 Warren Sapp – Defensive Player of the Year
• 2000 Marcus Jones – 29 Tkls | 13.0 Sks
• 2001 Simeon Rice – 39 Tkls | 11.0 Sks ←
• 2002 Simeon Rice – 41 Tkls | 15.0 Sks ←
• 2003 Simeon Rice – 45 Tkls | 15.0 Sks
Now compare those numbers to Gerald McCoys running mates.
December 18th, 2017 at 12:16 am
Over a period of 7yrs (1997-2003)
December 18th, 2017 at 12:17 am
“Unknown Boneheads.”
Haha.
Mark Dumbanik
Quite known.
December 18th, 2017 at 12:17 am
Just aint our year. Again.
December 18th, 2017 at 12:28 am
Per Tony Dungy: On the Value of Brad Culpeper
December 18th, 2017 at 12:50 am
No I get it your talking about how smart Culpepper was great someone taught him how to study the game how to translate what they practice to game day. He was no force or space water. Hell 90% were presiding the Chris ballet signing as was media outlets until training camp. I thought the complaint was he didn’t have edge rushers? What does the guy who loves up next to GMC have to do with him getting pushed around in the run game?
Why do people keep talking like pass rush skill is all the job entails? So it’s everyone else’s job to play the run because McCoy must rush the passer. Who was the three technique when Sapp left? Did our defense fall off drastically after Sapp left nope so sorry passionate effort but all around player GMC is not, he’s too tender for the trenches and your not supposed to make excuses for the best player on your defense supposedly
I guess that’s why anonymous people at the pro bowl who told him he want doing enough just had no idea what they were talking about huh
December 18th, 2017 at 5:29 am
Former Director of player personnel Jerry Angelo & Linebacker Coach Lovie Smith watched 1st hand the devastation a 3tech w/elite get off (Sapp) brings – to defensive unit.
And they took advantage of that particular trait – by surrounding Harris with comparable edge rushers – Adewale Ogunleye, Mark Anderson, and Alex Brown. And they road that one trick pony all they way to the Super Bowl.
So my point is – historically teams have surrounded their elite tackles w/talent to compliment their skill set. Unfortunately this time around we have not.
December 18th, 2017 at 5:35 am
There’s no question Sapp & the rest of the tackles on that list played w/talent.
U can’t say the same for McCoy – so I can’t judge him the same.
December 18th, 2017 at 7:47 am
The best ability the great players have is availability! So McCoy was worn down his first year went he went on IR Dec 2010. Then again second year in the league Nov 2011 IR! 2013 knee injury, 2014 again ended the season on IR. He has been injury plagued since his FIRST YEAR! This worn down statement is so BS it is ridiculous.
December 18th, 2017 at 9:05 am
It’s not an excuse, but what DT hasn’t been oft-injured?
The bottom line is that we have nothing outside of GMC on this d-line.