“He Is A Stud.”
October 17th, 2012
Drew Brees weighed in today on No. 93, a man he knows very well.
The past two seasons, when the Bucs packed their bags and went home for the offseason, Gerald McCoy instead flew over his home state of Oklahoma en route to the left coast to work out.
It so happens, it is the same offseason training facility of New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees.
Now in his third season, GMC has turned into the beast that Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik envisioned. It helps that, thus far, GMC has been healthy, unlike his first two years in the NFL.
Brees had a first-hand look at how GMC went about his business each day in California and has developed an appreciation for a guy who just might try to bury him into the turf of the stadium on Dale Mabry Highway Sunday.
So naturally, Brees shared thoughts on GMC while talking to the Tampa Bay pen and mic club today via a teleconference.
“He is a stud, he is a stud,” Brees said. “I have watched him work out the last couple of offseason, and his work ethic — he comes to work every day.
“He’s a big, strong, talented guy. He has confidence and a swagger to him. He is on his way to becoming one of the better defensive tackles, three-technique in this league and probably, just scratching the surface.
“I know he has been sidelined by injuries first couple of years, and I know he is chomping at the bit, as I would see him in the offseason, to get back out there and prove himself.”
Whether it is coaching or health or both, GMC is playing like he is hungry for pineapple. Of course, he might have a shot to taste that pineapple if he finishes the season unscathed.
First things first, however: make Brees eat grass Sunday afternoon.
October 17th, 2012 at 6:21 pm
This might’ve sounded crazy last year or the year before, but if McCoy and Suh continue on their current trajectories McCoy will be considered the better draft pick when it’s all said and done. Believe it or not there were several draft analysts who thought this is how it would turn out. You can’t predict injuries, but I’m excited to watch McCoy becoming the player his talent says he can be.
October 17th, 2012 at 6:48 pm
It’s amazing the difference in comments after a win. There is actually real discussion now. And I haven’t even heard from the French (Miguel grande).
October 17th, 2012 at 7:01 pm
at this point i dont care if McCoy players like a hall of famer or not, all I care about is him staying healthy for the entire season because when he plays we seem to be a better defense and that cant just be a coincidence.
October 17th, 2012 at 7:16 pm
Hopefully Nicks can help him with some of the weaknesses of his old boys.
October 17th, 2012 at 8:26 pm
@ vic: thats a very good point! hopefully nicks can give some key information to mccoy et al
October 17th, 2012 at 10:29 pm
Where are all the GMC bashers??? Bust, I think not! Question his toughness??
Brees thinks differently…. but you know better, right?
October 17th, 2012 at 11:06 pm
Guy had a tough week against a very strong OL last week. He faces a far weaker OL this week against the Saints. We should see a good bounce back.
October 18th, 2012 at 12:20 am
@HAND,
Yeah, I agree. I’ve rewatched the game like 3 times now (pretty sad I know, but it’s been a long time since we beat a team down like that) and it was very obvious that they were focused on GMC. Not so much with double teams (although there definitely were some double teams) but they ran away from him as much as possible. However, Miller and Gibson were absolute studs, so it obviously didn’t work for them. To me, it’s wonderful that he’s being given that kind of respect, and it opens up so much for the other guys. Like you, I expect big things this week.
October 18th, 2012 at 8:45 am
Somewhere in the Tampa Bay area you can hear the whimper of a small man, as Thomas cries over the success of GMC.
October 18th, 2012 at 8:48 am
I kind of miss T 2.0. Miguel has become the new antagonist on the site, and he is nowhere near as good at it as Tom was. Also, where is Eric with his quick witted pessimism?
October 18th, 2012 at 8:53 am
Yeah, Joe ban Thomas 2.2, two months too early.
October 18th, 2012 at 9:07 am
During the draft I remember they were talking about McCoy was a better DT than Suh. Comparing the two Mike Mayock said that Suh was just a dominate bull rusher that will have issues with bigger OL in the NFL, and McCoy was a quick off the line DT that dominate at times, but he will have issues starting his career because of weak upper body strength.
Guess he was right. Suh has been having issues with one-on-one with even average OL. McCoy is just getting started.