“Gerald McCoy Is Not An All-Pro”
October 15th, 2014
Joe likes how real Gerald McCoy is. Ask him an honest question and you get an honest answer. Joe really appreciates candor.
So Joe was more than impressed yesterday when GMC, speaking before a large gaggle of the local pen and mic club, stated flat out he is unworthy of postseason honors he has received in the past.
Why? Because the unit he leads, the defense, is currently an awful trainwreck of a crew.
“Everybody has to self-evaluate, starting with myself,” GMC said. “2013 is over. Gerald McCoy is not an All-Pro – that was in 2013. Sunday, he didn’t play like an All-Pro. It’s easy to make excuses. You can say, ‘I got double-teamed most of the passes,’ – which I did. You can say it was quick [passes] – which it was. But there comes a point in time where all the greats figure it out. Me personally, I work to be one of the greats. Sunday, just kind of disappointed in myself – it’s unacceptable. The way we lost, I put it all on me because our performance was not up to par.
“Right now, you’re only as good as your last performance, and right now, Gerald McCoy is very average, and I can accept that. I will accept all the scrutiny, I can accept all the criticism because criticism and stuff only comes when it’s earned, and right now, I earned that. People are looking for leaders – [the] outside is looking for leaders. My performance on Sunday was not the performance of a leader, so I have to do some real soul-searching and some heavy evaluation on myself because I have to improve.”
You want to know the brutal truth, and Lovie sort of hinted at it in his postgame eulogy? The Bucs, aside from Lavonte David as of this writing, have no one else helping GMC. Football is not a one-man gang.
Sunday, the Crows’ offensive line had one goal and one goal only: stop GMC and take him out on each and every play. They were not worried about Michael Johnson or Clinton McDonald or Will Gholston or Da’Quan Bowers.
Take out GMC, the Crows thought, and Joe Flacco will have time to throw. They did and he did.
The Crows neutered GMC and no one else with the opportunity handed to them on the Bucs’ defensive line took advantage. Joe thinks it is noble of GMC to shoulder the blame. Rather, it should be shared by the guys who lined up next to him.
Oh, and GMC had a message for those angry that he helps up his opponents when plays end: Deal with it.
To hear more from GMC, click the button below. Audio courtesy of Joe’s friends at WDAE-AM 620.
October 15th, 2014 at 6:03 am
This P!ssed me off last year when Schiano brought it up, but GMC is a class act and a true sportsman – helping players up is not an issue, should never have been considered an issue, and clearly those angry about it do not understand sportsmanship.
That guy he so wrongly helped up? Thats the same guy GMC will lay flat on his ass on the next play – and help him up – and knock him down. Whats the problem?
October 15th, 2014 at 6:38 am
I hope his soul searching leaves him in a Bucs ugly uniform. I wouldn’t blame him one bit if he left though.
October 15th, 2014 at 6:39 am
I’m guessing one of the “problems” with that is you don’t establish that fear. If you knock a guy down and help him up. He knows you are a nice guy. Even considered soft at times. But you knock him on his ass and walk away and leave his teammates to pick him up then that guy wonders if he’s going to be in for a long day. You put that doubt into his head. And if you’ve ever played football at a level over high school you’d know that doubt in your head causes hesitation and he who hesitates gets destroyed.
As a fan I’d rather see Mccoy leave the man on the ground. But as a man. It’s nice to see him helping people up. But most importantly I want to see GMC make a damn play!!
October 15th, 2014 at 6:50 am
Well GMC settled it with an excellent response on his play on Sunday and why helps ppl up. Why don’t they put a mic on the other lineman and explain why they are not doing their job. Ask them what is it going to take to get their butts in gear. You can see the frustration in Lavonte Davids face when they interview him, “you have to come out with a certain attitude man, it’s game day” something along those lines is what he said and you can tell he’s tired of him and GMC being the only ones getting it done.
October 15th, 2014 at 6:53 am
No problem work him helping anytime up but he has no mean streak at all, this is the guy leading our defense and it shows. Oh here no problem run for 52 yards I’ll get you some other play. I’m not saying it’s gmc fault but Damn you have a week to game plan, did it really catch you off guard they they were only worried about McCoy? That’s bad coaching, to not even consider they’ll try to neutralize him. It’s like they’re saying I wait my shoes weren’t tired I wasn’t ready for this game. This is 90% coaching fault Damn
October 15th, 2014 at 7:25 am
GMC’s has earned the right to play the way he wants. If he wants to help opponents up after he knocks them down….then that’s his choice.
We have lots of holes to fill on defense…..2 DEs…LB, CB & S (get rid of Goldson)
Foster needs to be moved to the outside. And LJ needs to be a backup.
Bowers & Goldson are probably suitable backups and that’s it.
I am at a loss on MJ….for some reason, I think he will improve his play and turn around to be a force.
October 15th, 2014 at 7:29 am
It would be nice to see McCoy helping the QB up after sacking him. I don’t see the Bucs front office rewarding McCoy with a huge contract.
October 15th, 2014 at 7:37 am
^^^^^^ 100% agree because the bucs have already made him rich. His signed a Vincent Jackson like contract for 5yr 55mil as a rookie and yes he’s a good player but not that good. Ironically I’ve never seen this guy help a quarterback up. Hmmm
October 15th, 2014 at 7:41 am
Well there you go from the horses mouth. #93 can’t split a double-team. Not news we see it every week. I say give bowers and McDonald a shot at the 3tech on 3rd down until someone does figure it out. hopefully it knocks 5 mil a year off his new contract. He’ll sink this team for however long he’s here if they back the truck up for a decent run stopper that’s useless on 3rd down.
October 15th, 2014 at 7:57 am
Wow. I can’t believe people are dogging McCoy’s play. You don’t get named an All-Pro on a 4-12 team no less without being elite…not just a Pro Bowler, but All-Pro. Just a run stopper my a$$. That’s ignorant. Please read Kirwan’s book “Take Your Eye Off The Ball” because you don’t know football as well as you think you do.
October 15th, 2014 at 8:12 am
GMC is too classy and hard on himself so he won’t make excuses but I will: broken hand, double-teamed. When a player draws a double team, it should free a teammate up to make a play. This means the double-teamed player may not get the stats and make a ton of spectacular highly visible plays but he is helping his team maybe more than anyone else. MOST of you get this concept. GMC can split a double-team too. He said he had a poor game – one game. Like Joe pointed out, he is one of two good defensive players we have. Why would anybody be against paying him, with someone else’s money by the way, whatever he wants? The 31 other teams surely would.
October 15th, 2014 at 8:14 am
Good guy but those around him have never exactly played inspired football.
(Images of the fat one shaking his head no on 3rd and 2)
Too much talk…. So few results.
October 15th, 2014 at 8:16 am
Well, he’s right. He hasn’t played well. He played good during the Bill’s preseason game and the Steelers, when he felt he had something to prove.
Remember that Bill’s game? He jumped off the line like he was on a spring board. Where is that play? Haven’t seen it yet in the regular season.
It’s not just him though. This whole defense has zero fire, zero hunger, and look like they are just going through the motions like they are on auto-pilot. They spend all week licking stamps, so they can mail it in on Sunday’s.
October 15th, 2014 at 8:57 am
It is nice that McCoy is taking blame, but it isn’t fault. If he is double teamed that means there is a guy out there not being blocked. Blitz the QB. Flacco wasn’t hit one time in that game. Where were the other linemen?
October 15th, 2014 at 9:01 am
He deserves better and I wouldn’t be surprised if he leaves – I would if it were me. This team will be bad for another 4 years at least and that his career gone.
October 15th, 2014 at 9:10 am
He won’t leave/can’t leave. Franchise Tag!
October 15th, 2014 at 9:37 am
McCoy is a good NOT great. The double team line is getting old. How did Sapp deal with double teaming? McCoy gets the most penetration in the back field every time the running back goes running by him and the rest of the Buc’s defense. This current defense has no fight in them.
I can see a major roster shake up at the end of the year on the defensive side. Saying you’re upset about losing is one thing going out and proving you’ve had enough is another.
October 15th, 2014 at 9:42 am
Joe
I think one of two things are going to happen and then all will change, one a new owner or a real president like Mr Brooks or Mr Lynch who will TELL the GM & HC what to do, because you can’t play in an empty stadium or if all but a few jersey numbers are the only ones sold.
October 15th, 2014 at 9:47 am
when you go to the game you can focus more on what individual players are doing. you can’t see what the linemen are up to watching tv. I saw McCoy double and triple teamed every play last sunday. the ravens pretty much focused on him.
I guess they didn’t see the rest of the defensive line as a threat.
Gerald McCoy is a fantastic passionate player. he is also very fan friendly after the games. my question is…will he stay after his contract runs out?
October 15th, 2014 at 10:07 am
It’s the same $hit I have been saying since this season started. He is not playing at an AP level. No excuses. Forgot double teams or offense scheming against you. Forgot being a marked man.As I said before and he said as well, the great ones figure out how to make an impact regardless. JJ Watt does it week in and week out. Dont you think teams game plan for him too? Thats why I say he is not worth top dollar (right now). We shouldn’t break the bank for him. But @Hawaiian argued all day yesterday against everything Gerald admitted to.
October 15th, 2014 at 10:21 am
Guessing you haven’t seen what NFL teams make off of (just) TV contracts?
October 15th, 2014 at 10:40 am
You’re right JOE. The owners’ pockets are deep and thick no matter who shows up to the game. They make a ridiculous $500 million before they even sell anything. They don’t need to televise games if they don’t want to.
October 15th, 2014 at 10:48 am
And here I thought no one was helping gholston, McDonald or David. Go figure.
October 15th, 2014 at 11:51 am
so he’s going to accept responsibility? Is he going to send each fan at the game a check for their share of his salary that he feels he didn’t earn?
The answer is no, so all this kind of mea culpa garbage is just hollow and self-aggrandizing.
October 15th, 2014 at 2:37 pm
@Architek
If you know this team will be bad another 4 years please put your powers to good use and share the power ball numbers with all your closest JBF family 😉
October 15th, 2014 at 2:43 pm
He will be more effective with two hands. What does it say about a team with so little depth that he has to play. Even one handed, he is way better that the back ups.
October 15th, 2014 at 7:48 pm
People, he is playing with one hand. Give the guy a break!!!!