“I Think They’re Making The Game Soft”
June 30th, 2014
Gerald McCoy talks tough
Accused of being too gentle and too soft early in his career, Gerald McCoy is still a Mr. Nice Guy. But McCoy does approach anger and exhibits frustration when he’s asked about NFL rule changes that have removed some violence from the game.
Speaking on 1400 AM in Oklahoma recently, McCoy was asked about what he thinks of rule changes that have given wide receivers more confidence over the middle of the field. McCoy is not a big fan of Roger Goodell’s safer NFL.
“I think they’re making the game soft,” McCoy said. “I think taking the precautions with the horse collar and things of that sort and hitting people in the face and all that, hits to the helmet, that stuff I understand. But you can’t ask guys to slow down and have the game still be as exciting as what makes it, you know, what it is.
“That’s what makes football what it is. Otherwise we should play flag football. The big hits is what makes the game what it is.”
McCoy said the NFL is on a path transforming the game to something undesirable.
“At the highest level of the sport you can’t take the physicality of the game, otherwise it won’t be the sport that everybody loves to watch,” McCoy said.
No. 93 would like to see more balance and fairness in the rules.
“Taking the precautions are great, but I also think it’s one-sided,” he said. “You can’t hit a guy in the helmet but an offensive lineman can cut me from the side? It’s the same thing. If you’re going to protect people, protect everybody. I just think it’s one-sided. It’s all about scoring and seeing people put up points. … I’m still in the NFL. Every chance I have to run through an offensive lineman’s face, I’m going to do it. Any time I have a chance to get a big hit, I’m going to take it, all within in the rules.”
You can hear McCoy’s full audio via the link above. What stood out to Joe is how passionate McCoy was on the subject. Sadly, after two stellar seasons, McCoy likely will endure more nasty blocks in the trenches, as teams struggle to find a way to slow him down.
As for the head-hunting “Hawk,” Dashon Goldson, he’s hopeful Lovie Smith has enlightened him.
June 30th, 2014 at 9:15 am
GMC is Sapp without the Rap!!!!
Go BUCS
June 30th, 2014 at 9:21 am
“I think they’re making the game soft.”
Duuuuh
June 30th, 2014 at 9:49 am
DOMINATE DEFENSE > HIGH POWERED OFFENSE. All the rules changes, favor the gazelle not the LION.
June 30th, 2014 at 10:54 am
It would save the NFL alot of heartache and money if they just invested the time and effort into making state of the art helmets and body armor. Protect the brain and spinal chord and the NFL can be real football again. Nobody wants to see traumatic brain injuries or paralysis, but everybody still wants to see massive hits and GMC do what he does best.
June 30th, 2014 at 11:30 am
Joe
Did you have a great weekend, we didn’t see much of you in comments to the comments, so I hope you are getting rested up for July 25th.
Now I don’t know who I am quoting from above in this sentence:
“McCoy like will endure more nasty blocks in the trenches, as teams struggle to find a way to slow him down.”,
but if any of the other linemen are any good, which I think they are, and they double/triple team GMC, somebody is going to be like Marching thru Georgia. There is no way this can happen this year with these coaches and players. The Commissioner may have to change the rules again and delay the start of the DL for three counts after the snap.
June 30th, 2014 at 11:40 am
I’m very curious how the contract talks are going with GMC. I want to see this guy signed! We’ve all heard how L&L look for “value” in a player, just wondering how much the equates to $$$.
Yes the rules are changing too much in favor of the “skilled” positions. I’d rather see better protective equipment and let the boys hit.
June 30th, 2014 at 12:29 pm
I think everyone would agree that Roger Goodell has made the game worst not better.
June 30th, 2014 at 12:36 pm
I firmly believe the only way DEFENSE will win championships these days is if the refs are on your side, ignoring obvious penalties. The refs hated Schiano. They hate Goldson.
Hopefully, the presence of Lovie will buy some leeway.
The biggest problem I have with the new rules is that the refs decide the games now. Every big play, we now have to hold our breath, hoping a ref doesn’t screw us.
Plus, I believe there are wide receivers that turn and lower their heads when being tackled, hoping to get a defensive penalty on purpose. If they do it smart, they won’t get injured.
On Goldson, I really don’t think half his penalties were valid. I think he has run his mouth so much to the refs that they have a major beef with him and target him every chance they get. It is his own fault.
I really don’t see him or the refs changing. If anything, Goodell might agree with Lovie on some bad calls, but that will be after the fact, when it does no good.
June 30th, 2014 at 12:39 pm
“I firmly believe the only way DEFENSE will win championships these days is if the refs are on your side…”
Just to add…the Seahawks were a perfect example of this all through the regular and post season last year. They blatantly committed fouls, admitted to it, and still the refs let them get away with it. Players said to the press…”We don’t care. We figure if we do it enough, the refs will get tired of calling the penalties.”
And they were right.
June 30th, 2014 at 1:39 pm
I worry that football will become like soccer or basketball where you have actors flying all over the field acting as though they have just been fouled. It is kind of like that now, but not as prevalent. WRs and RBs do lower their heads before a hit and usually the defensive player gets called.
June 30th, 2014 at 1:49 pm
I agree with GMC. Take care of the common sense stuff. But, let me pose this: If not for the lawsuits and the threat of taking money from the league, would we even be hearing about this? If you watch these “illegal hits”, they’re the same legal ones from 20 years ago. There was the same amount of injuries then as there are now, yet, don’t dare breathe on a QB wrong nowadays. For safety? Don’t be fooled, it’s about the money and the “product”. QBs wear the same gear as everyone else so what are you protecting? Here’s the deal, if you’re NOT a Broncos fan, are you more likely to watch a Manning led game or a back-up led game? Exactly.
I believe in safety for the players just like everyone else but this is football, a violent CONTACT sport. If you’re an athlete and don’t want to subject yourself to the inherent punishment, try golf or bowling. You have choices.
Like many, I wonder where it will stop. Players are fined for everything, have to apologize for having opinions, and god help you if you question the league. Fans like me have choices. Ruin the game and see how well the NFL does then.
……this just in: Bucsfanman apologizes for negative post as NFL threatens to levy fine.
June 30th, 2014 at 1:56 pm
Breaking news! Bucsfanman retracts apology and calls the NFL’s new rules “Sissy-fied and boring!”
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers hire Bucsfanman as director of NFL Public Relations Spokesman and Rules Advisor….If only!
June 30th, 2014 at 2:33 pm
I think it has already started happening with QBs such as brady and brees being the biggest offenders of qb “flopping”
June 30th, 2014 at 4:41 pm
At Bonzai….I 100% agree with every single word of your post. The game belongs to the ref’s….and I am SURE it goes deeper than that. Big prime time games Sunday and Monday night you’d see those hit’s and no flags. We were stoned to the ground with flags last season and everyone will call it excuses….but it’s true. As you said I hope Lovie changes that for us being such a well known coach. Last season was a joke. It was not the reason we sucked….but it was one of the reasons we lost as many as we did. Game one with Lavonte David….those hit’s have been happening for years but they call it knowing it’s going to change the outcome of the game. Freeman sucks and I’m glad he is gone but just a good example. Between the penalties and the missed field goals we could have been right at .500. With Lovie, good ol conner barth back and a Shiny Brand new offense I see a playoff birth if the team can stay healthy. Thats always a big if though…GO BUCS!!!!!!!!!
June 30th, 2014 at 4:56 pm
I agree with McCoy. Goodell is the worst commissioner the league has ever had.