Warren Sapp And Gerald McCoy
November 27th, 2013
This article is a few days old but it’s still reading. It is a deep, technical issue typed by Greg Bedard of theMMQB.com of why Gerald McCoy has blossomed into one of the elite defensive tackles in the game.
Bedard believes GMC may be the best defensive tackle, and goes into deep research and charts and graphics to show, document and explain why GMC has become such a stud.
One element that Joe thought was somewhat glossed over was GMC’s close relationship with Bucs icon Warren Sapp. Apparently the two have somewhat of a coaching session each week. Often it is over the phone. Sometimes when Sapp’s schedule allows it is in person.
Bedard was impressed (and showed graphics why he was impresed) with a specific sack on Matty Ice by GMC.
Take McCoy’s second sack against Matt Ryan. It certainly helped that McCoy was going against a converted center, Peter Konz, at right guard for Atlanta, but it’s McCoy’s hands that keyed this sack. When Konz tried to punch McCoy, he took Konz’s outside hand and threw it inside. That allowed McCoy to gain leverage, and the play was basically over. That move may look familiar to long-time Buccaneers fans.
“That was a move I learned from Warren Sapp,” McCoy said. “It was one of his go-to moves that he used for years. Regardless of whether they knew what it was or not, they couldn’t stop it. And I’ve just been working on perfecting it and it’s working for me.” McCoy and Sapp often consult during the course of the week.
“We haven’t worked on the field, but it’s more film work and just talking over the phone,” McCoy said. “He’ll watch me on tape and let me know what I need to do and we’ll just talk back and forth.”
Now the last time Sapp came into the Bucs media room, it was clear how much Sapp respects if not looks up to GMC as a defensive tackle. Yes, look up to. Sapp does not hide his feelings no matter the conversation. When Joe asked Sapp if he thought GMC, at times, could be or is as good as Sapp at the same age, Sapp had a thoughtful expression on his face and looked directly at Joe and said, “Maybe better.”
He wasn’t joking.
One can say a lot about Sapp, many of them negative. Still, Joe thinks it is so cool that the same guy who has his name hanging up in the stadium, the same guy that can wear a yellow Hall of Fame jacket has taken GMC (and other Bucs defensive linemen) under his wing and is always available, if only by phone, to be like a surrogate defensive line coach.
November 27th, 2013 at 1:42 pm
McCoy is an animal! Can’t call him better than Sapp until he produces like Sapp.
November 27th, 2013 at 1:45 pm
I agree Joe !
It is really special that they have a relationship. I could not be happier about it all!
November 27th, 2013 at 1:50 pm
Great stuff!
Keep giving us these golden nuggets. It makes our experience as a Bucs fan special. It’s like listening to them through you.
Thanks joebucsfan!
November 27th, 2013 at 2:06 pm
A great testimony to both Sapp & McCoy….would like to hear what Sapp thinks about Spence…..hey, Warren….if you’re reading….help Akeem…he is a worthwhile project….
November 27th, 2013 at 2:14 pm
Really if he helps Spence too, can you imagine two Warren Sapp disciples next to each other on our line? We might just have a dominating line before long!
November 27th, 2013 at 2:27 pm
One could imagine that GMC is prolly passing everything that Sapp gives him on the the others on the D Line. He is remarked on, often, as a leader of that defense & that’s what a leader does.
November 27th, 2013 at 2:44 pm
very cool. it seems like some franchises are never without a great player at a particular position – Bears’ MLBs, Colts’ QBs, Cowboys WRs…i’d love to see a HoF career for mccoy that establishes a real legacy of great inside pass rushers in this town.
November 27th, 2013 at 3:24 pm
Sapp helping McCoy is just awesome to hear. please keep it up. I too have given Sapp a hard time in the past, but after hearing this I dont think I will be doing that anymore. for Sapp to go out of his way like that really says a lot about his character. my issue with McCoy has never been about lack of talent, he has enough talent to be the best DT in the league. its about him staying healthy. hopefully he can stay healthy. he sure is having one hell of a season. and for those you say he cant beat double teams, Ive seen him beat double teams more often than not.
November 27th, 2013 at 3:28 pm
Very good final paragraph in particular, Joe. I’m proud of Sapp for how he’s been with McCoy. He can be “small ” and petty at times (see Strahan…altough I think that’s mostly how he was “given” the sack record…to which I somewhat understand)… But with McCoy he’s beyond gracious and positive. Yesterday the ol’ McCoy vs Suh debate was flaming this blog…more proof positive that McCoy is better for The Bucs at the very least. Time will tell when both careers are completed. I was more than dubious at first given the hype surrounding Suh and their first two years in the league. But I always remember Mike Mayock ( let’s face it..this guy is solid ) giving McCoy a higher draft grade than Suh…it’s been an interesting comparison for sure.