Just Knock Him Down
June 15th, 2019
Simple request.
Joe never understood why so many Bucs fans so despised former stud defensive tackle Gerald McCoy. Apparently, neither did Gary Shelton.
The biggest gripe fans had with GMC, as opposed to new defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh, is he didn’t have Suh’s reputation of being a mongrel on the field, deserved or not. GMC? He bought ice cream for teammates so he should be gelded.
Shelton, the veteran Tampa Bay sports columnist, summed up this perceived view of GMC as too nice to play football perfectly in a recent column on his website, GarySheltonSports.com.
Me? I don’t mind a defensive tackle helping up a quarterback after knocking him down.
I just want him to knock him down.
Look, Joe doesn’t give a damn about style. Joe wants substance. As in production.
If Suh has to act like some Tasmanian devil in a weird way to motivate himself to put quarterbacks on the ground, then do it. If Suh has to pray to his Savior in a way to cleanse his soul so he can find the path to righteousness and quarterbacks, then do it.
Someone, anyone, put the quarterback on his rear end.
Joe’s old man had a football saying way back in the 1970s that is still true today nearly a half-century later.
“It’s kind of hard for a quarterback to complete a pass when he’s laying on his @ss.”
June 15th, 2019 at 4:02 pm
Suh will be much tougher, against the run.
June 15th, 2019 at 4:11 pm
I think Suh has one more big contract in him after this year. If not anything else, it’s apparent when you hear him talk that he’s very intelligent. He’s likely read the judgments of him not really showing up until the playoffs last year. If I’m a betting man, I submit we’ll see the “best of Suh” from the get-go. He’s going to go about his focused business of “proving it” to insure he gets a huge ongoing contract moving forward. Hopefully staying with us.
June 15th, 2019 at 4:19 pm
I don’t despise McCoy is was a very good player….not great just a very good player that had a long career with the Bucs and was good on and off the field representing the franchise…I draw the line on the Ring of Honor fools !
June 15th, 2019 at 4:19 pm
The DT is way more than “put the QB on his butt” This was the issue with GMC. I can’t believe we are still discussing a Stinking Panther but since we are. GMC played the position for the highlight. Problem is the technique he used created huge gaps along the line and allowed guards and centers to rotate onto the linebackers. GMC didn’t engage very often. He chose to elude. I ALWAYS felt he needed to rotate out to DE on running downs. Reading between the lines, MR. 3 Technique didn’t want to do that. This was my issue. He played every down as a pass play. DTs must play with consistent engagement. Suh will engage on the way to make the play, not just either make the big play or quit.
June 15th, 2019 at 4:29 pm
I care but I don’t give a crap. This team needs contributors and one tackle a game wasn’t getting it done. If Suh averages 1.5 tackles per game, it’s already better than McSofty. At the end of the day, it’s about production from everyone to make it work.
June 15th, 2019 at 4:43 pm
Defend the run AND pressure the QB go hand-in-hand to me. If you stuff the run but don’t pressure the QB, he’ll eat you alive (we’ve kinda seen that act before). If you ball out on the pass rush but can’t defend the run, your opposition will run on you all day long (we’ve kinda seen that act before also).
For some reason I’ve got a feeling that this DLine & LB corps will work very well together to improve our run defense a bunch AND still pressure the QB, the latter probably more through blitzing than anything else. Promises to be exciting as a minimum. Tend to think that we’ll do much better this year in terms of giving up far fewer points, if for no other reason than because our run defense SHOULD be a lot stouter. Giving up 19 TDs rushing last year was outrageous IMO. That’s the most since 2011 when Raheem’s team went 4-12 (that team gave up 30 MORE points than last year’s team did … that’s ludicrous).
June 15th, 2019 at 4:52 pm
I didn’t despise McCoy? I despise there’s three articles a day on him on this site.
June 15th, 2019 at 4:52 pm
Maybe it’s you guys and the media then because you use the dumbest fans take and claim that is what we dont like about McCoy. Maybe we know football better than you and you only know sources writing.
Even JPP who got 12.5 sacks that’s only 12 plays in a 16 game season, the dude showed up in every other way possible mea ni ing in the run game. Yes he got double digit sacks but when he was traded here in his press conference he felt the need to warn every not to run the ball to his side, why do you think he did that? It’s important just see the second half of the ravens game last year, that’s the biggest gripe against Geraldine go watch tape of run plays against the team not pass rushes since you have all 22 film maybe you’ll see the light
June 15th, 2019 at 5:34 pm
Race to 10 Says:
June 15th, 2019 at 4:52 pm
Maybe it’s you guys and the media then because you use the dumbest fans take and claim that is what we dont like about McCoy. Maybe we know football better than you and you only know sources writing.
Bingo Rave to 10 it’s the ridiculous ego of the media that think they are so much smarter than the fans. Especially Rick Stroud with his “I’m here to tell you” garbage. These guys act like they know more football than anyone and heck they even are ALREADY daily mocking Bruce Arians who is a two time NFL coach of the year in regards to his comments on the secondary. These guys think we are all just a bunch of stupid drunks that know nothing and frankly I’m about tired of it. All most of them do is just regurgitate the lines they hear at press conferences and state that as their ” inside knowledge”. It’s really all ego and it’s disgusting when the reality is we actually use common since more than they do. For instance they talk on and on about Jameis and how the season is on him but then in the next sentence they that the offense is not the problem. I mean seriously do they think we are all stupid it is clearly just click or listen bait because they know so many people hate Jameis. That is fine but don’t act like people don’t know what you are doing.
June 15th, 2019 at 5:48 pm
SC Bucs fan
Heard.
June 15th, 2019 at 5:49 pm
Gerald is 3 on the intelligence scale and Suh is a 9. If Joe doesn’t understand our contempt or dislike for McCoy then Joe didn’t watch him enough. I’ve stated my case here too many times for too many years. I wanted him traded when he had value. Few saw this and Licht just blew it. I’ll say that McCoy netted almost zero return on investment. We will see how Suh does very soon. But Suh is much stronger, meaner and tougher based solely on past performance in the NFL. If McCoy was the end all be all then Bill Belichick would have came knocking. BB didn’t because he doesn’t get turned down. Why can’t Joe just get over Mr Blown Out on every play, Miss most games, and act like a 10 year old clown? McCoy will be a huge disappointment in Carolina. He’ll become a rotational player until Rivera gets canned or they can wash their hands if him. He’s nice, too nice, but he sure isn’t a star. GMC was the most overrated Buc in the last 10 years. Show me the stats. Show me the film. Please back up that silly argument. McCoy, when he isn’t injured, sucks and that’s all I have to say about that. Take it to the Bank, Panthers get the number 1 pick next draft.
June 15th, 2019 at 5:55 pm
Al Davis said it best: “Just Win, Baby”
McCoy did not win, and his perception was it wasn’t that big of deal to him.
Buc Fans are tired of the stats, tired of the losing, tired of the coaching carousel, tired of the personnel excuses.
June 15th, 2019 at 6:12 pm
Do we get a compensatory draft pick for McCoy? Anyone?
June 15th, 2019 at 6:13 pm
I didn’t despise McCoy. I just got tired of him. I’m tired of a horrible defense.
Something needed to change, and if that means McCoy hits the bricks, so be it.
He was the face of a crap defense.
June 15th, 2019 at 6:13 pm
The excuse was always Gerald needs better guys around him. Gerald can’t do it alone. It didn’t matter who they brought in, it didn’t get done. Finally the Bucs realized the problem was Gerald. He brought everybody down because he didn’t care. As a former Marine he’s the last guy I’d want in a firefight. He has no heart. He doesn’t believe in team. With him, it’s all about Gerald and his paycheck. When Baker got here McCoy really showed his true colors. Yellow. He’s the furthest thing from Batman you could find. How can anyone defend McCoy? Why would they. I don’t watch film but I’ve been to too many Bucs’ games and watched Gerald on the ground, Gerald get blown out (single not double), Gerald come off hurt, Gerald hang his head walking off the field, Gerald goofing around on the sidelines while his team get slaughtered. Gerald is the worst but he has a quick first step. His second is usually backwards. Show me the proof that he is good. Show me the stats. Just show me one game, any game where he dominated. You can’t because it isn’t there. Last season was his best in years but still subpar. He won’t be missed and the defense was better when he was out. Big ol facts.
June 15th, 2019 at 6:25 pm
@Ndog – you are correct Sir!!! Most reporters sit in the shade and wait till they are allowed to go interview the players. They just regurgitate what is mostly said at the news conferences.
June 15th, 2019 at 6:59 pm
Compensatory picks are awarded by the league based on eligible free agents not when you cut a guy under contract.
June 15th, 2019 at 7:03 pm
Joe – content is so difficult to come by this time of year, isn’t it?
June 15th, 2019 at 7:32 pm
Well said Race to 10! Nice post.
June 15th, 2019 at 7:35 pm
How many times did a McCoy led defense gag up a huge lead? What 5-6 times?
I can easily recall two big ones against Oakland & Washington.
If he was that good he would have produced in those games and put his foot down.
You see the media loves to spin all the hate about McCoy with his lovable attitude but they never once ever give credit to the real critism about Gerald lack of production. They will just completely ignore all the valid critism and focus onthe other stuff. Media takes like Sheldon above are a disservice to any knowledgeable football fans. Give me a break you blowhard.
June 15th, 2019 at 7:38 pm
And I freaked ng saw multiple games last year on big drives in the 4th quarter and Gerald wasn’t even on the field? That’s BS dude.
The guy just aren’t a winner. Period.
June 15th, 2019 at 7:55 pm
Few QBs can indeed complete a pass when on their fourth point of contact…and I know Joe remembers it…Doug Williams in ’79 with a TD pass to Jimmie Giles sitting flat on his butt.
June 15th, 2019 at 8:00 pm
Race to 10 for the win.
Good post.
We’re all just idiot cave men. We have no idea how the game is played. Many of us posting here have played football beyond highschool and have or still coach it, but what the hell do we know?
If you have media credentials it automatically means you got Vince Lombardi like knowledge of the game.
June 15th, 2019 at 8:12 pm
I sometimes wonder if the view from press box is not good or the media is too busy eating or relaxing in the AC to see how badly this defense is with GMC as their leader.
I don’t care that he wasn’t Sapp, no one is. I care that he rarely changed a game or was easily taken out of games. If you are the highest paid defender you should be impacting games and changing the d. His attitude gave off an aura of ok with losing. Letting other players run amok like Baker and others showed he didn’t have the respect of his teammates.
If I can see this in the heat from 312 why can’t the media?
I don’t hate GMC, he was a good player on a bad team but was overpaid for what he brought to the team
June 15th, 2019 at 8:45 pm
Like Big Mac attack said. Yeah he was average but he was soft. So if one player on your defensive front is soft it’s hard for the other guys to talk junk and thump there chest. Opposing teams are just going to say your as soft as your softest link. How are you going to play like a bad ass man. When the guy next to you is helping everyone up and asking how there family is doing when you just called his mom and wife something that is only said on a football field and gotten away with. I played basketball at a higher level than football and when you have one teammate who always doesn’t grab that rebound has smaller guys out work him for rebounds you start losing faith in that guy. And the players on your team and opposing team just know he is soft. And if you lose a game in your mind your thinking if that guy could have just got three of those easy rebounds. So if you have a bunch of guys that you know have your back your ready to go to war. But one softy and you think twice because you already know you are at a disadvantage. And that is his problem. But when he does make one play every other game he has to celebrate like he won the Super Bowl no matter the score. He will fit in well with cam newton. The media will love him until they start losing and they find out they can’t give him a negative question or he will pout like cam
June 15th, 2019 at 9:23 pm
Joe with the endless strawmen about the complaints about McCoy. People didn’t want image. They wanted leadership. A guy who wanted to win rather than just enjoying “no matter what happens out there, we’re getting paid to do what we love”
June 15th, 2019 at 9:52 pm
@Joe
“GMC… bought ice cream for teammates so he should be gelded.”
.
.
The funny part is GMC is gelding himself eating all that friggin tofu. Soy boy.
June 15th, 2019 at 10:47 pm
One play from last season stands out to me. During the Steeler game Gerald get a QB hit on Big Ben and then in front of the ref apologized to BB not once but twice and draws a flag from said ref. That 15 yard penalty led to a field goal which was the difference in the game. That to me summed up GMC’s stay in Tampa Bay along with his incredible ability to get off the snap quick and have the opposing lineman “ole” him past the play while the other teams gashes the Bucs’ D up the gut. GMC might be a nice guy off the field and probably would be a good neighbor but he simply was not a leader on the field unlike a Sapp or LeRoy Selmon who by all accounts was the nicest human being off the field but took no prisoners on the gridiron and it was simply time for him to move on……. BTW, the dude was also pretty thin skinned and realy let the critics get under his skin as Joe pointed out how GMC went after Jenna Laine of all people…. BA simply decided that this guy was not a fit, perhaps not a cancer as many here think (like DJax or Swaggy Baker) but certainly not someone who is gonna lead the Bucs out of the abyss…..
June 16th, 2019 at 12:44 am
GMC is a career loser and an even bigger one for signing with the stinking panthers.
June 16th, 2019 at 4:06 am
FortMyersDave Says:
“GMC… was not a leader on the field unlike a Sapp or LeRoy Selmon who by all accounts was the nicest human being off the field but took no prisoners on the gridiron…”
.
.
Mr Selmon left his inner GMC on the sideline when he played.
June 16th, 2019 at 8:24 am
Put on the tape. McCoy loafs. That’s why I hate him.
Gary Shelton hasn’t watched a day of tape in his life.
June 16th, 2019 at 8:57 am
Every media stooge that says McCoy is great can’t back it up. If anyone can show me film of 10 great plays he made in 10 years I’d be surprised. Even the handful of sacks he had were usually against subpar teams where his own teammates pushed the QB to him. In that same time period you could easily find 100 terrible plays by McCoy. How many times just seeing his arms outstretched reaching for a running back that blew past him. As long as Joe keeps bringing up McCoy here he is going to get bashed.
June 16th, 2019 at 5:40 pm
Beta Boy McCoy is ok with losing as long as he got paid like a top DT and jumped offsides time and time again in critical moments. He never took responsibility for the losing like a real leader would and never not even once showed the over-my-dead-body-will-we-lose-this game. TimTebow has more desire in a single hair than McCoy has in his entire body. He never looked focused in an interview and always acted like a spoiled rich kid who never had to earn anything. I hope we run a goal line and put Suh in at fullback against Carolina and just watch Suh pancake Beta Boy into the back of the end zone. Maybe then Stroud and Joe will see why we have long been finished with Beta Boy.
As always our astute fans are all over this one and are spot on.
June 17th, 2019 at 8:37 am
There are some fans here who are definitely not fans. You guys are spouting off stats that don’t even make sense. GMC always jumped offsides. You know they track that stat right? Easily looked up. Here are the facts.
Since 2010 GMC has had the following number of penalties over his 9 yr career here.
Neutral Zone Infraction – 8
Defensive Offsides – 6
Encroachment – 7
Here are Suh’s number since 2010.
Neutral Zone Infraction – 18
Defensive Offsides – 9
Encroachment – 12
Now who has the biggest problem with penalties?