McCoy Feels “Completely Different Mentality”
January 24th, 2014
From Pro Bowl practice in Hawaii, Gerald McCoy opens up to JoeBucsFan.com about his first chat with Lovie Smith
Guess who’s going surfing on the Pacific Ocean today? It’s Bucs Pro Bowl defensive tackle manbeast Gerald McCoy.
Let’s hope the sharks aren’t looking for a 300-pound meal.
Yesterday at Pro Bowl practice at Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii, McCoy took some time for JoeBucsFan.com to talk all things Lovie Smith, pass rushing and more.
“Just his whole mentality. It’s completely different,” McCoy said of Lovie Smith. “And how just being around him, the whole atmosphere of just being around him is, you know, completely different. You can just feel around the building there’s a different aura about everybody. And I just know it’s going to be good.”
McCoy seemed energized by how the Lovie regime will let him and his linemates get after quarterbacks. The Schiano-Sheridan incessant line stunts/dance party won’t be missed.
“I think they going to let us go, man. It’s going to be, they’re going to, you know, just let us go free,” McCoy said. “Put us in great positions to get to the passer, but after that it’s on us. So it kind of just depends on whether on the D-line they’re going to bring in some more guys to help us out. But I think we’ll have a big year getting to the passer.”
Joe finds it interesting that McCoy referenced the front office “bringing in some more guys to help us.” Does McCoy want help? Is McCoy unhappy with what’s around him? Has McCoy heard rumblings at One Buc Palace? Is McCoy talking at the Pro Bowl, where Warren Sapp notoriously recruited free agents?
Joe will bring you more from McCoy later — video style.
January 24th, 2014 at 11:18 am
This is the second time this offseason McCoy has been quoted as saying they need help on the defensive line, so yes, I would say McCoy believes they need help. Look for a DT high in the draft or signed in free agency.
January 24th, 2014 at 11:23 am
I may be putting words into his mouth, but when he referred to the “atmosphere”, he may be in his own non-complaining style, confirming Revis’ words. I think all of the defensive players will like the change.
January 24th, 2014 at 11:24 am
I know for Christmas that G McCoy asked Santa for 2 DE that can play in the NFL. No other area on the Bucs needs addressing more than DE, whether its Free-agency, draft or finding guys off the street. No other area will receive more attention this off-season than this position.
January 24th, 2014 at 11:28 am
Highest priority of this defense is increasing the ability/talent to pressure with just the front four.
Can you imagine Hardy, McCoy, and Allen going after the QB when the game is on the line?
GAME OVER
January 24th, 2014 at 11:40 am
Gholsten was starting to come on toward the end of the year. We may just need one top notch end to come through FA and perhaps Gholsten will be able to step up his play with a season under his belt
January 24th, 2014 at 11:42 am
Just keep him away from those monster waves Joe.
January 24th, 2014 at 11:48 am
Spence showed a lot of promise as a rookie. He’s tough, made plays and showed that he can hold the point on run plays. Just needs to stop driving 100mph with weed in the car. McCoy needs some real DEs that demand double teams and can keep the QB in the pocket. When that happens, you will see McCoy have a 20+ sack season. Bye-Bye Bowers. Clayborn can stay as a backup.
January 24th, 2014 at 11:54 am
I was thinking the same thing maybe we are only 1 pass rusher away. We might not b to bad with Allen Spence Mccoy and clayborn on 1st and 2nd down then on 3rd down and obvious pass situations we could rotate a number of ways like a Allen Gholston Mccoy and bowers combo that’s be killer especially since they won’t be stunting and they’ll be motivated to prove they where misused. And hell if that’s the case if we signed Mccoy to a long term Contract signed Allen and Tillman that’s a all pro defense without depleting the cap. That’s looks to me like we’d still have a couple million for a tight end or 3rd wr or whatever position we don’t want to attack in the draft.
January 24th, 2014 at 12:43 pm
Heck yes Gerald McCoy needs some help on the defensive line. I view Clayborn as more of a Greg Spires type; a lunchpail guy who won’t be flashy and won’t put up superstar numbers but will be productive if not underrated with the right supporting cast. Bowers has been a bust and will play out his final year as a depth player most likely. Give McCoy a Greg Hardy or Jared Allen and watch that pass rush become productive.
January 24th, 2014 at 12:43 pm
Love how McCoy plays but this is the same guy that was always talking up Schiano. His comments on Lovie don’t mean anything to me. He says what’s politically correct. He’s the polar opposite of Sapp in that regard.
This team needs to get healthy and then hit the field in spring.
January 24th, 2014 at 12:58 pm
There is an ultra-talented freak of an athlete available as a free agent at the DE position. Michael Johnson is the closest thing the NFL has seen since Simeon Rice…and like Simeon Rice did, he’s coming off a mediocre year. The Bengals are not likely to give Johnson a new contract and franchised him last season so would have to pay him even more this season.
If Greg Hardy is too expensive, Michael Johnson is the kind of talent you break the bank for.
Licht and Lovie aren’t fools They know defenses are built on the backs of their front 4’s and they will need to spend high draft picks and free agent dollars to get that talent. Don”t be surprised when Joseph and Koenen are cut at the start of the league year and Nicks is cut on June 1st to give the team an extra $16 milliion in cap relief.
January 24th, 2014 at 1:11 pm
I think it was pretty obvious that Bowers and his side was very lacking, so that is probably what he was talking about.
I also think when there is someone good on the other side, Clayborn will shine…especially under Lovie’s guidance.
January 24th, 2014 at 1:18 pm
I still think that after Lovie-Licht watch the tape, they will put a for sale sign on Clayborn, ask for a second and will end up with a third rounder with a conditional based on play. Get your DE in free agency and draft some talent ad DE that can actually rush the passer.
January 24th, 2014 at 1:28 pm
It will be interesting to see what happens to Spence since he was better suited to start in Schianos defense. He certainly didn’t do himself any favors by getting arrested.
January 24th, 2014 at 1:39 pm
Brandon, I like the idea of a guy like Michael Johnson. Good point.
As far as Gholston and Spence, worse case is that they can be solid rotation guys. Especially Gholston who can slide inside. Cheap too.
I will still maintain that we do not know how good our current DL really is with both Bowers and Clayborn are healthy.
Regardless, if we can upgrade any position along the DL, just do it.
January 24th, 2014 at 2:23 pm
@Brandon: Michael Johnson is an interesting candidate. He definitely has the talent, though has been an underachiever. He definitely could be gotten sort of for cheap compared to Hardy, Bennett or Allen. My only concern with him though, he was above average at best with a DT as good, if not better than McCoy in Geno Atkins. Also Zimmer and his assistants are no slouches in getting the best out of their defensive players. What if he has maxed out his potential already?
And please, don’t start your response by saying McCoy is better than Atkins. It is not conclusive at this point.
January 24th, 2014 at 4:21 pm
Snook….exactly how I felt about McCoy’s former ” props ” for Schiano. McCoy is a true company man….not that that’s a bad thing. Just funny I suppose…
January 24th, 2014 at 4:24 pm
I’d be shocked if any team gave up anything more than a 6th or more likely a 7th for Clayborn. Getting a 2nd for Gaines Adams (R.I.P ) was a once in a lifetime opportunity.
January 24th, 2014 at 5:23 pm
Clayborne is not done yet, Lovie will use him correctly.
January 24th, 2014 at 6:39 pm
@Brandon
Cutting Nicks will hurt the Bucs more against the cap than keeping him.
January 24th, 2014 at 6:53 pm
I doubt Clayborn is going anywhere. Lovie’s defense might suit him better than Schiano’s. Even if it doesn’t give him a boost to being a big-time pass-rusher, he’s still a capable backup, a hard worker, and a tough SOB. You need those guys.
January 24th, 2014 at 6:59 pm
@PRBucFan: I too don’t think Clayborn will be traded out. But I would be surprised if he was still a starter in 2014. His ceiling is pretty low and he does the best he can with effort, we need better athletes at that position for better production.
January 24th, 2014 at 7:42 pm
I don’t agree, he was used in the way he was with Schiano because he was viewed as such an athlete.
He proved in his rookie season when he made the finalist for defensive rookie of the year that he can rush the passer.
He was coming off of a major injury this season and was being used incorrectly and still led the league in stuffs with Lavonte and Watt except he had more stuff yards than the both of them.
“Stuffs can be an exciting and game-changing play, and is arguabley as important of a defensive statistic as a sack.”
January 25th, 2014 at 1:27 pm
Don’t think Clayborn is going anywhere. Hard to tell what he could have done without all the stunts. He’s good depth if nothing else.
January 26th, 2014 at 3:13 pm
Let’s get tommy Jernigan frOm fsu to help out McCoy