“It Makes It Real Chippy Out There”
August 6th, 2014
Gerald McCoy absorbed a nasty hold yesterday. (Photo courtesy of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.)
In Joe’s detailed practice notes yesterday, it was noted that Gerald McCoy has been tearing up camp and drew a nasty hold near takedown from overmatched guard Oneil Cousins.
Joe’s about 99 percent sure the photo above is it. And McCoy didn’t seem to pleased. But that’s the way it is about Bucs training camp; somebody’s always getting beat, and at least one guy ends up mad.
Mason Foster said yesterday that practices have been getting heated. Things have really progressed in that direction since Evan Dietrich-Smith’s scuffle last week, followed later by McCoy firmly holding Cousins’ arm and walking him back to the offensive side of the ball while talking to him, and there was also Doug Martin getting in Adrian Clayborn’s face after Martin was tackled ferociously on his head by No. 94, among other confrontations.
“Guys are getting a little chippy, you know, but it’s great. It’s all competition, man, and I love it to see guys get after each other,” Foster said. “It’s always chippy in training camp, you know what I mean, but there’s a lot of good players on this team, a lot of guys making plays so the competition is really high. So guys are going to get mad, man, you’re getting beat, everybody’s getting beat, in there getting physical. It makes it real chippy out there.”
Joe’s lucky enough to attend every practice, including this afternoon’s media-only session that’s closed to fans. And yes, the physicality has ramped up. There’s plenty of helmet cracking, and Foster probably leads the team in big hits.
The Bucs are salivating to hit someone else. Thankfully, that’s just two days away.
August 6th, 2014 at 11:03 am
“There’s plenty of helmet cracking, and Foster probably leads the team in big hits.”
GOOD!
August 6th, 2014 at 11:20 am
I can’t wait for Friday night!
But Joe, can you explain to me how Muscle Hampster was able to get in Clayborn’s face?
Was there a step stool handy?
; )
August 6th, 2014 at 11:23 am
Cousins shouldn’t even be on this team! The only way he can block is by holding. Ridiculous!!!
August 6th, 2014 at 11:26 am
Just as long as no one gets hurt.
August 6th, 2014 at 11:36 am
Are they showing the game locally live? I looked at my guide in VA and they’re not playing it on NFL Network until Saturday morning.
Granted, it’s not a consequential game at all so watching it after the fact is a minor inconvenience but I’d like to not be behind everyone
August 6th, 2014 at 11:42 am
Game is on locally on ch 8.
Can’t wait!
Go Bucs!!!
August 6th, 2014 at 11:44 am
Alright. No spoilers then until after NFL Network plays it on saturday morning.
August 6th, 2014 at 11:45 am
If the “you play the way you practice” adage holds true, then I would expect Cousins to draw some holding penalties on Friday night.
August 6th, 2014 at 11:54 am
As long as everybody comes out of camp healthy, I’ll continue to wear this big smile I’ve been wearing lately.
August 6th, 2014 at 11:59 am
That was clearly an absurd request and a joke Joe. i wouldn’t actually suggest that a site like this refrain from reporting on a preseason game for a day for people living out the area.
August 6th, 2014 at 12:14 pm
Cousins is an upgrade to zuttah…long pause, NOT.
August 6th, 2014 at 12:28 pm
This is a good thing though, because McCoy is one of the best DT’s in league so as long as Oneil is getting a lot of reps against McCoy its going to make Sunday’s a little easier for him. Lets hope he learns fast because at this point he’s all we got unless they can sign someone but that doesn’t look very likely at this point. As far as Preseason goes, Im not worried about him being ready and if he gets some holding calls so be it – ITS PRESEASON….Hes got about 4 more weeks to get his shit together before it really matters!
August 6th, 2014 at 12:42 pm
@KMAC – Someone simply going against GMC isn’t going to make you better. I could get crushed by GMC every day and I would go out and get crushed by 16 other DTs over the course of the season. There has to be some talent and ability there to begin with. I’d be a lot more encouraged by him having a few successes against GMC in the preseason rather than him just simply getting mauled every time, which seems to be the case
August 6th, 2014 at 12:55 pm
@Patrick – Im not saying its going to make a mediocre guard one of the best in the league but it will definitely help him out. We always hear NFL players say that because they have gone against some of the best in practice, it has made Sundays a little easier for them. Of course YOU will never be a good guard by simply getting your ass knocked around by GMC cause you dont play and you were never drafted! The guy knows how to play and has some talent….NFL starting talent? That is still to be determined. But I can tell you that going against GMC every day will definitely benefit him!
August 7th, 2014 at 6:18 am
“Iron sharpens Iron.”
Cousins may become a better player going up against the best in the league… GMC