Lovie Cautious About “Quick Healer” GMC Return
September 17th, 2014
Thursday may be too early.
When Bucs fans learned that arguably the biggest piece of the Bucs defense, tackle Gerald McCoy, left the game with a broken hand Sunday, it made a gloomy day all that much darker.
If the Bucs struggled containing a journeyman backup and neverbeen slug third-teamer quarterback with GMC, just what kind of a nightmare would it be without him?
Initially, it seemed GMC could get a special cast or “club” to wear and play against the Dixie Chicks tomorrow night in Atlanta. Yesterday, while Bucs coach Lovie Smith did not rule out GMC playing, he sort of cautioned fans that it may be a too soon after the injury for GMC to play.
“We know that eventually he’ll get back out there and he’s trying to get out there as soon as he possibly can,” Lovie said. “But the Thursday night game is a little challenging. You can’t really rush the passer and can’t really play three technique with one arm, so you need to be able to use that. Gerald is a heck of a player, but I might have a chance against him if I made him put his hand behind his back and just played with one hand. So that’s pretty hard to do. Eventually, he’ll be able to use both and we’ll get him out there. And that’s not to say he can’t do it; it’s just a matter of time. Again, he’s a quick healer.”
Tuesday, a somber GMC didn’t know whether he could play or not, cast or not, come Thursday.
“Right now, we’re trying to figure out what’s the best decision, what’s the best way to keep it protected,” GMC said of his left hand. “Obviously, it’s better if I’m out there. But it’s still a long season, so we’re just going to take it day-by-day and see where it goes.
“There’s always a risk you can make it worse. It’s just been a couple of days, but I don’t think it’s a secret that it going to be hard to play with a broken hand after a couple of days. So it could always get worse. That’s the risk of going out there on Thursday.”
Joe would be surprised if GMC played. As NFL coaches are wont to say, the NFL season is a marathon, not a sprint. No sense in rushing GMC out there only to have the hand be worse if it got smashed between helmets or on the dome turf, for example.
Then again, a loss Thursday to go 0-3 tosses a remote chance of a playoff berth out the window.
September 17th, 2014 at 6:08 am
PLAYOFFS!!???? PLAYOFFS!!??? We just want to win a gaaame!!!
September 17th, 2014 at 6:26 am
Playoffs? You’re talking about playoffs?
JK Bucs 14-2 is my prediction!
September 17th, 2014 at 6:40 am
Watching this team I don’t think we have to worry about playoffs. I’m just hoping now we don’t do anything to screw up the number one pick like we did last year.
September 17th, 2014 at 6:53 am
Whose talkin about Playoffs???!!! We’re just trying to win a game!”
September 17th, 2014 at 7:02 am
Already aiming for a number 1 pick. 2 games in. Go Buc yourself.
September 17th, 2014 at 7:04 am
Maybe they rally as a whole without him. I’m not to worried about the “big name” qbs that we will face in the coming weeks anyway like most of you. Its desinged to make qbs check the ball down then rally and tackle and the big name qbs like to take chances and might give us a few. So it baffles me that Lovie didn’t go after the two backups we faced more often
September 17th, 2014 at 7:08 am
Keep McCoy out of the Atlanta game. Don’t risk further injury. The Steeler game is eleven days off, that should be enough time to somewhat heal and then evaluate his status.
September 17th, 2014 at 7:19 am
@ Buccfan37
I agree completely…..we can’t risk further injury…..GMC needs to sit out…next man up!!!
This game…we need to win with our Offehse…..we need to really open it up and look for a shootout.
September 17th, 2014 at 8:05 am
Lovie better be dead set against GMCs return. Give him a few weeks at least. Let the hand start the healing process.
It’s not like he’ll be able to tackle anyone without using the muscles in his hand.
September 17th, 2014 at 8:07 am
I want a winning culture like the Patriots have. That’s what I want for my Bucs.
September 17th, 2014 at 8:08 am
Joe- “Then again, a loss Thursday to go 0-3 tosses a remote chance of a playoff berth out the window.”
So is this game a must win or is that lunacy too?
September 17th, 2014 at 8:09 am
Bonzai- “I want a winning culture like the Patriots have. That’s what I want for my Bucs.”
That requires winning football games!
September 17th, 2014 at 8:41 am
Fit him with a hook..
September 17th, 2014 at 8:56 am
Coach Mora,
What do you think the chances are that the Colts make the playoffs?
September 17th, 2014 at 8:56 am
@TBBF
I agree, the time is now to start airing it out and putting up a few more points. If we keep playing it close, we will continue to loose. I love pounding the rock with Rainey but there has to be more balance. IIRC it was 40% pass to 60% run. That’s not extremely balanced. The OL is starting to come around a bit which should buy MC more time to throw. Put it up for the Dunkaneers to get it and let’s get on with this “speed in space” offense.
September 17th, 2014 at 8:57 am
DallasBuc Says:
September 17th, 2014 at 8:09 am
Bonzai- “I want a winning culture like the Patriots have. That’s what I want for my Bucs.”
_____________________________________
Well, I saw her today at the reception
A glass of wine in her hand
I knew she would go meet her connection
At her feet was her footloose man
No, you can’t always get what you want
aaaahhwaw
No, you can’t always get what you want
aaaahhwaw
No, you can’t always get what you want
aaaahhwaw
September 17th, 2014 at 9:38 am
I was driving under the influence of the kool aid then I blacked out and when I awoke I was in loserville, It smelled pretty bad because I was sitting in a pile of my own scat.. Don’t drink the kool aid..
September 17th, 2014 at 10:38 am
We are going to crush the falcons
September 17th, 2014 at 10:44 am
If we’re a running team then why did we pick up free agent oline that specialize in PASS BLOCKING (withe exception of Mankins)
September 17th, 2014 at 11:45 am
DallasBuc Says
Bonzai- “I want a winning culture like the Patriots have. That’s what I want for my Bucs.”
That requires winning football games!
Well, if you are going to get all technical about it…
September 17th, 2014 at 3:39 pm
I predict that we win Thursday (of course I predicted that last two games would be wins as well….but I digress.) GO BU?CS!