Gerald McCoy Talks Falcons Improvement, Bucs Supremacy
July 7th, 2025
Six-time Bucs Pro Bowl defensive tackle and current head Tampa Bay cheerleader Gerald McCoy is a devoted guy.
If he’s part of your team, well, then he’s riding with you 100 percent — forever. So it’s fun to have McCoy as a national figure in NFL media. He’s got the Bucs’ back at all times.
McCoy joined Speak recently and was asked by naughty Joy Taylor what he thinks of the NFC South. McCoy explained that he thinks the Falcons will be better than their 8-9 finish last season but they’re not in the Bucs’ class.
“The division’s definitely going to be better,” McCoy said, adding he thinks the Panthers also will improve.
Falcons’ QB Michael Penix’s potential was seen in his limited action last season, per McCoy, and the Atlanta defense is something to watch.
“You go out in the first round, you get two dynamic rushers,” McCoy said of the Falcons. “Now it’s like, ok, wait, hold up. [Atlanta’s] Achilles’ heel was rushing the passer, too. But now, I know [Falcons head coach] Raheem Morris; that’s who drafted me. I know what he’s trying to defensively. Jacquies Smith, one of my closest friends, I played with him in Tampa. I know how he’s coaching these [defensive linemen]. So defensively, Atlanta is going to be a headache, but there is no substitution is cameraderie.
“Even though they’re getting all these great players, you still need guys that can lead them. And you need a group that’s been together for a while that knows how to win these close games. Tampa has done that. The Atlanta fans says, ‘Well, Gerald, we beat y’all twice last year.’ And where did it get you? Doesn’t matter. You gotta beat these other teams. So yes, the division defintely will be better, but I still got Tampa winning.”
Joe thinks McCoy needs to chill when it comes to the Falcons love. Joe watched all three Penix starts last season and the hype around him seems overblown.
Penix was not very mobile and his numbers weren’t great. Yes, Atlanta scored 44 points in their season-ending overtime win against Carolina’s NFL-worst defense, but it was the Falcons’ run game that was dominant that day with a ridiculous 227 yards rushing and 3 TDs. Joe watched all three Penix starts and didn’t walk away wowed.
As for Raheem Morris, Joe will remind readers (and McCoy) that Morris accused McCoy of “Pop Warner” tackling in 2011. A year later, McCoy essentially explained that Morris was wrong and Greg Schiano was “teaching me how to tackle.”
Overall, Joe agrees with McCoy’s NFC South assessment. The Bucs are the right-now team, and the Falcons aren’t there yet.
July 7th, 2025 at 11:56 am
Last year we allowed Jesse Bates to play in the box. And he stripped the ball from Godwin, Bucky and Rachaad White. His impact cause us games. We need to neutralize him, and stretch the field against the Falcons. We need to get Culp on the field more, because a LB can’t cover him. I can’t wait to see how Josh Grizzard attack the Falcons defense.
July 7th, 2025 at 12:14 pm
Falcons are right now because that’s who we have week 1 and they swept us last season. I urge Buc fans to take every opponents seriously, don’t do what the fan based did going into the Broncos game last season. Easily one our most embarrassing losses from last season.
July 7th, 2025 at 12:29 pm
ATL is relying on rookie pass rushers to improve their sad D
Bucs are relying on rookie DB’s to improve their sad D
Neither is a good formula for success
July 7th, 2025 at 12:46 pm
Penix looked damn good late in that game vs the Bucs last year.
But so did Spencer Rattler and that backup QB in Dallas etc.
So, maybe some of it was bcuz of Bowles’ trash pass defense.
We should be way better this year on D.
July 7th, 2025 at 12:53 pm
I think Elijah Roberts will have a huge impact on our O- Line this season. David Walker could have a similar impact with the edge rushers……. especially if Chris Braswell don’t stepup…
July 7th, 2025 at 1:11 pm
If Kirk Cousins can tear up the Bucs defense, then Penix can too. The Falcons are a tough opponent and not to be taken lightly.
July 7th, 2025 at 2:10 pm
Same thoughts Joe about Penix. We’re talking about a guy with two ACL surgeries and is on the backside of his 20’s, approaching 30. I don’t wish an injury on any opponent, but he has to be cognizant that he’s one good hit away from beginning his high school coaching career. Penix is a mobile QB type that needs to learn pocket passing if he wants a long NFL career, that’s not easy to do in a season.
Let’s see how he does with a full season of games/wear and tear.
July 7th, 2025 at 2:48 pm
We shall see, but it sure sounds like McCoy may have been one of the 500 fans celebrating in Dade City! Just saying. Never good to over-hype. Look what happened last season. Everything was Kirk Cousins until it wasn’t.