Todd Bowles Dodges GMC Question

May 1st, 2019

Curious response.

Dirk Koetter’s ghost is still felt at One Buc Palace.

The former Bucs coach, when he wasn’t in the mood for probing questions, would often sidestep a question with “Above my pay scale.”

While Koetter may be in Atlanta coaching the Dixie Chicks’ offense, his spirit still lives at One Buc Palace.

Bucs defensive coordinator Todd Bowles met the press today and Bowles admitted it has “been a while” since he has spoken to Bucs stud defensive tackle Gerald McCoy.

Of course, GMC is in some weird type of NFL limbo where he is sort of homeless. He hasn’t been at One Buc Palace for voluntary conditioning and Bucs officials since the combine have been coy about his status with the team.

Rumors have been bouncing around for weeks that the Bucs are shopping GMC. The latest has the Browns kicking tires.

Bowles was asked point blank if he wanted GMC on the roster. Bowles ducked.

“That’s above my pay grade,” Bowles said.

The guy couldn’t even say if he wanted a former Pro Bowler even has a backup. Wow.

Now some, including a couple of guys who used to collect checks at One Buc Palace, former Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik and former Bucs quarterback Chris Simms, believe the Bucs will keep GMC before this is all over with.

Joe doesn’t know if the Bucs are in the middle of some weird choreographed motivational scheme in a way to raise GMC’s game, or if they really are trying to Pearl Harbor his trade value, which would be downright stupid.

49 Responses to “Todd Bowles Dodges GMC Question”

  1. AlteredEgo Says: Your comment is awaiting moderation. Says:

    Good answer …who asked the question….whomever wasted their question

  2. danr Says:

    pearl harbor his free agent value. Forcing him to restructure, since he will make more money here than what anyone else will pay him.

  3. TOM Says:

    Above his pay grade. He’s the GD DC for Christ sake. Another loser.

  4. JabooBuc Says:

    It does seem very strange as to how they are handling this. It seems, even and maybe especially, if you intend to trade him you would really talk up his value. Not quite sure you would not want to at least give the illusion that he is one of our starters for this upcoming season.

    Very odd.

  5. Jerseybuc Says:

    He is a DC asked if he wants a player on his team. Question has nothing to do with contract status, it is a simple attempt to see what Todd thinks of the player. Obvious he has been told to zip it regarding 93. He is telling us it is out of his control. As any good coach will tell you-I coach the players who are here.

  6. tmaxcon Says:

    Cancer93 has now become a bigger distraction than Freeman and MRSA get the bum out of town now….

  7. Jmarkbuc Says:

    Jaboo

    “It does seem very strange as to how they are handling this”

    Nah, not really. This is JLicht and the Bucs we’re talking about here.

    Stupid is as stupid does…the time to move GMC was last year, or the year before.

    Now we have to bubble wrap him, so that we can at least get some weak ass offer…only to eventually cut him outright. It’s a Bucs Life.

  8. Sport Says:

    Its a coordinated negotiation. The Bucs Org on one side with GMC and his agent on the other. They are clearly not yet close, I’d say its currently a 50/50 ball. I think outside forces are required to break the stalemate. An injury, internally or to another team (see running back for Oakland), will change the dynamic. What is clear, is the Bucs Org doesn’t want to pay him $13m, unless they absolutely have to.

  9. AlteredEgo Says: Your comment is awaiting moderation. Says:

    Front office handling of DJax
    Part II

  10. HowToSpellRhonde Says:

    If GMC is booted, just what kind of life will tmaxcon have?

    Anything is better than none.

  11. danr Says:

    under no circumstances will they absolutely have to. they will cut him first.

  12. Alanbucsfan Says:

    GMC skill set does not match his $13 million salary.
    The Bucs and the rest of NFL know it.
    McCoy’s position is he’ll take his chances with free agency rather than take a pay cut- a trade is not likely.
    It’s business, but it’s obvious that McCoy has no loyalty to Bucs

  13. Not there yet Says:

    Wow talk about a spin job. The media is basically joining in to make this seem much worse than it appears. When a pathetic excuse for a head coach like dirk says something is above his pay grade especially when it pertains to a player he’s a dead man walking and should have never been the head guy, when a defensive coordinator says it then it is essentially true. When everything going on from the gm and head coach why would he come out there and contradict anything being said just for your sound bite and for you to pick it apart. If he had said yes you would have crucified him with a different angle. Media is such a problem in this town.

  14. SCBucsFan Says:

    TMax, out of curiosity, who is being distracted by Joe posting 4 articles a day on this? Players?

  15. Eric Says:

    Not sure what all the drama is about.

    He is just stating it isn’t his decision.

    Calm down.

  16. DBS Says:

    Tmax will move on to LVD and Dotson . He has a list that never ends. Don’t have to worry about him.

  17. The Buc Realist Says:

    Man, Bowles blocked that question as if it were GMC in the fourth quarter or any game that was meaningful!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    2019 will reveal answers to the sheep, that the “real” fans already know!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Go Bucs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  18. Steven007 Says:

    Trollmax, how’s a man who’s not even in this state (and under contract) a distraction to the team? If Joe didn’t post 10 articles about this very topic ever freakin’ day you’d be cashing your social security check none the wiser.

  19. 813bucboi Says:

    i think he stays…we have 0 depth….GMC will get the last laugh(unfortunately)….

    GO BUCS!!!!

  20. D-Rome Says:

    Good answer …who asked the question….whomever wasted their question

    I disagree. It’s a good question to ask. Fans want to know and the team is dodging the question.

    After all these years the team still does a terrible job saying goodbye to their longtime players. GMC deserves to be treated better.

  21. Steven007 Says:

    SC, I wrote my comment before seeing yours. Funny

  22. bucsfaninchina Says:

    bye bye Gerald. This is the most damning thing I’ve read thus far on his future with the Bucs. Bowles commenting on him may have affected his value and any ongoing discussion (ahem, Browns) to move Gmac.

    Dude is a goner.

  23. Anonymous Says:

    Don’t worry, Jason Licht will make the right decision.

    I almost finished typing that without laughing. This is DJax part 2. The Bucs will end up with nothing because the time to do something was last year.

  24. SKBucsFan Says:

    Don’t worry, Jason Licht will make the right decision.

    I almost finished typing that without laughing. This is DJax part 2. The Bucs will end up with nothing because the time to do something was last year.

  25. Bruce Blahak Says:

    One big growing cancer as it stands. For f*** sakes just CUT THE CLOWN!

  26. JimmyJack Says:

    Freaking Gerald’s McCoys last remembered words to his fans on the radio commericals. “Don’t make me laugh”.

    Literally GMC go take one in the rear with that soft ass line. You have captained multiple defense that have made me laugh for years. Last year’s as well.

    I have never been a McCoy hater but now that his time is up and some of the media is telling me how unfair he is being treated I have nothing left to do but hate this guy. If we are gonna talk unfair let’s start with the biggest one first which would be the embarrassment us fans have endured.

    On his final days I now hate McCoy. Because of the media(most of whom are not Tampa Bay fans either).

  27. AlteredEgo Says: Your comment is awaiting moderation. Says:

    D-Rome Says:
    May 1st, 2019 at 12:21 pm
    Good answer …who asked the question….whomever wasted their question

    I disagree. It’s a good question to ask. Fans want to know and the team is dodging the question.
    .
    .
    .
    yes a good question, no doubt about that…but asking it to the wrong person in the chain of command…

  28. Tampabaybucfan Says:

    The strategy could be to drive down his value….period……with the Bucs…..restructured lower deal…..with someone else……who cares.

    You tout how great he is and how much you want him…….$$$$$$

  29. Eric y Says:

    Get McCoy out of tampa

  30. Defense Rules Says:

    @Alanbucsfan … “It’s business, but it’s obvious that McCoy has no loyalty to Bucs”. Well I’d say that you’re half right … yes, it is a business. And in that business, Gerald McCoy signed a contract several years ago that would pay him $13 mil this year. Remember who negotiated that contract? Yup, Jason Gump.

    So now because GMC wants to be paid, he’s not loyal to the Bucs? When was the last time you went to work Alan and told your boss, “Hey boss, I’m getting older so I’m willing to work for half of what I did last year. Here’s $5 mil back just because I like working here”. Ya right. Go back to your first thought Alan: IT’S A BUSINESS.

    GMC made some decent money in the first years of this contract … but he could’ve gotten more elsewhere. He also got beaten up pretty good I’d imagine by playing 80-85% of the defensive snaps in the trenches. His contract BTW was for a TOTAL of $95.2 mil over 7 years, which he signed in Oct 2014.

    Remember what other DT signed a contract just a tad after that? Yup, Ndamukong Suh with the Dolphins. THAT contract was for $114 mil over 6 years, and included $60 mil in guaranteed money … $19 mil MORE for 1 LESS year. Dolphins released him after 3 years because the remaining 3 years were far too expensive. In the 3 seasons he was with the Dolphins though, Suh collected $60 mil … far more than his counterpart DT McCoy got from us in those same 3 years. GMC DID show his desire to remain a Buc by signing for less than he surely could’ve gotten elsewhere Alan, and certainly much less than Suh received. With all the ‘shopping around’ that the Bucs are apparently doing, I don’t blame him one bit for not showing up at VOLUNTARY workouts.

  31. Snook Says:

    Its still amazing to me how many people think McCoy is so great.

    We have NO idea what’s going on behind closed doors and it isn’t up the Bucs or anyone on their payroll to discuss it with the media.

    One thing is for sure though — this roster is better with McCoy not on it. Its time for the next era of WINNING. Cut the cancer.

  32. Petty Officer Buc Says:

    Why would Gerald restructure to play here? If my options are 6 million with the Bucs or 6 million (or less) with any team in Free Agency after being cut, I am going to another team, one that has a shot of the playoffs.

    Gerald has already made close to 100 million if I’m not mistaken, so he isn’t hurting for cash, just a taste of the postseason. If I’m playing for the Bucs it’s for 13 million, if I’m playing for a team that has a shot of the playoffs, I’ll lower my price then. Look at Bougie Cousins taking that one year deal with the Warriors in the NBA.

    Regardless of your opinion on GMC the handling of this situation hasn’t been good. If they wanted to trade him, they should have been building his hype and trade value, not being brutally honest about him. A good salesman knows how to polish a turd, especially considering there aren’t any refunds in the NFL. If they wanted to play hardball with GMC, they should have taken a look at the record of the Bucs this decade and realize that the Bucs don’t have the prestige and record to play hardball. Nobody besides Beau Allen, a backup or JAG, would take a pay cut for the “honor”of playing on the Bucs.

  33. The Graham Tram Says:

    To me, it seems like an agreement was made between the parties where they wouldn’t discuss the other in public until some resolution is made

  34. joshbucsfan Says:

    Arians is too wise an NFL coach to platoon the trade value of a guy he hypothetically wants to trade, his salary is too much but every team knows that so why give up an asset for him when you can have him for nothing (and cheaper, cuz McCoy isn’t making 13 mil anywhere) I do believe he stays with bucs at pay decrease, the man isn’t exactly poor to begin with

  35. SCBucsFan Says:

    Petty Officer I’ve been saying this since people started saying he needed to be restructured. If he’s cut he won’t stay unemployed for long.

  36. Alanbucsfan Says:

    Defense Rules –

    I don’t blame McCoy or the Bucs for the situation- it is business decisions on both sides. IMO , a player should owe a sense of loyalty to an organization and community where they have made multi millions of dollars and have established community ties.
    If McCoy was coveted by other teams for his current contract, he probably would have been traded already. I’m pretty sure the Bucs know his current market value and have probably offered to restructure at that price.
    There’s probably some pride involved on McCoy’s part which he should get over.

    If a company tells me to take a cut in pay, it’s probably because my production is down. If another company won’t hire me at the same rate as I was making, then they’re not impressed either.

  37. teacherman777 Says:

    We are going to play alot of 3-5-2-1 and 3-4-2-2

    JPP, Nassib and Vea on the line.

    Barrett, David, White, Buccanon, and a gangster nickle/LB around the box.

    2 press corners.

    1 high safety.

    or

    Replace Barrett with a DB to add a third corner or second safety.

    We are finally gonna play press-man!

    What are fans have been calling for since Lovie killed the “tampa 2” and Mike Smith castrated our corners.

  38. danr Says:

    Week one vita vea gets injured, we will sure miss mccoy.

  39. Lord Cornelius Says:

    I don’t get wtf we’re doing. Sounds like coaches been told to not comment on it which is why you got that answer. These limbo situations aren’t good for anything

  40. Bruce Blahak Says:

    @danr….nobody is going to miss McCoy, most overrated player in the NFL…he’s no NT either. Strictly one gap, get off the snap and then do nothing.

  41. ATrain Says:

    No NFL team will take GMC at 13 million

    GMC has an inflated value of himself

    Offer him 6 million with a year extension for 6 million (partly passed on performance)

    If he doesn’t take it BYE BYE Because no one if paying him 13 million

  42. Couch Fan Says:

    The draft has come and gone but Joe still thinks GMC has trade value. LMAO. You fan boys just wont pull your lips off the mans posterior to see the light of day. Over rated and over paid and now over the hill. Nobody is going to trade for him unless something awful happens and they have no choice. Which isnt likely either. Keep pouting McCoy. Show em just how soft you can be.

  43. SCBucsFan Says:

    Lord C the only person this is no good for is McCoy. At 13M the Bucs were getting nothing for him, maybe swap a late 6 for a 7. I promise no players are going to bed worrying about McCoy’s future, they have their own problems.

  44. Bucsfanman Says:

    What’s there to say? Bowles doesn’t control roster decisions. We’ll know sooner than later what GMC’s fate will be. It just won’t be according to OUR schedules. Besides, who cares?!

  45. NOSBOS Says:

    I really love Anthony Nelson and Terry Beckner jr. Nelson the son of a former NFL Dlinemen and it shows. 6’7 271 with the potential to add another 10 lbs (his words) 34in length arms. His bio says “plays with leverage,great hand technique (which shows in his film) and great leg drive. Those are perfect 3/4 Dlinemen attributes. Beckner a 5star recruit coming out of highschool was sought after by 20 D2 programs. Only reason he’s a Buc today is because of the prior knee issues which he’s over,better science and medicine see Thomas Davis. Watch Beckner video the young man waayyy badder than ol Ed Oliver.

  46. DooshLaRue Says:

    JimmyJack….

    Welcome to the club and let the hate flow!

  47. Bucnjim Says:

    Glad you brought up Chris Sims! his quote was…even though McCoy hasn’t been the player he was the last FOUR years or so he can still be productive for the Bucs…..Four years ago he signed his $95 Million dollar contract! Thanks Chris you help prove everyone right who has been critical of McCoy and his play!

  48. Mike Johnson Says:

    And there you have it. GMC is probably gone. Bowles did not duck the question..he answered it. DO You want GMC on this team? His answer…Above my paygrade. Meaning, I have nothing to do with it or its out of my hands. Again meaning…He probably will not be here whether I want him or not.

  49. Buccfan37 Says:

    I’m sick of looking at GMC’s mug on JBF.