Losing Dinging GMC’s Rep?
July 13th, 2015
It is pretty obvious that when discussing the best defensive tackles in a 43-defense, the list is short. It is Ndamukong Suh, Geno Atkins and Gerald McCoy, not necessarily in that order.
Suh and Atkins have been in playoff games. GMC has not. And in discussing who is the best defensive tackle, Vaughn McClure seems to hint that losing may be wearing off GMC’s glow in league circles.
Had the Falcons been asked this question two seasons ago, everybody in the organization would have agreed. In 2013, McCoy had three sacks and absolutely demolished the Falcons’ offensive line during a 41-28 Tampa Bay win at Raymond James Stadium. McCoy wasn’t his usual self against the Falcons last season and didn’t even play in the first meeting between the teams because of a broken hand. Still, he went on to be named to his third consecutive Pro Bowl. If he’s not the best at his position, he’s right up there. I think it will be a battle of bragging rights in the state of Florida, with Ndamukong Suh playing for the Miami Dolphins. In five seasons, McCoy has 27 sacks and 118 solo tackles; Suh has 36 sacks and 180 solo tackles over that same time span.
Well, it is not GMC’s fault there were personnel blunders all up and down the roster the past two years. A defensive tackle can only do so much.
GMC would be so much better (really) if he had someone halfway decent putting pressure on the edge. It is mind-blowing how many times this franchise has struck out in acquiring a competent defensive end. And the excellent one they had (Michael Bennett) was allowed to walk for no good reason. It’s so bad, Joe doesn’t expect one in the near future.
July 13th, 2015 at 5:46 am
Well Suh had a great rookie season but has been mostly just good since, with some temper issues or something. Maybe the change to Miami will be good, maybe not. $$$
He also had a good to great D line at the time, something GMC has never had.
And the Detroit offense can score points, something that helps out the “D” quite a bit.
At this point his reputation is really irrelevant except to stat geeks. Go out and play ball.
How many hall of famers played on losing teams? More than a few.
July 13th, 2015 at 6:36 am
Just glad GMC on this team for the long run, he will be a part of the turn around, this year. Let’s get LVD turned up too.
July 13th, 2015 at 7:05 am
All GMC and David know as Pros is a culture of losing. How are they gonna lead a turn around? GMC’s rep Is dinged as when his team has a 4th quarter lead the d that he’s the leader of fails to protect those late leads.
July 13th, 2015 at 7:15 am
DE will be the Bucs #1 pick in the 2016 draft. You can take that to the bank. Let’s just hope L&L get it right when the time comes and they are not drafting a ‘stud’ from mighty Hobart College with enormous ‘potential’.
July 13th, 2015 at 7:20 am
Great points Tampa Tony the Bucs should definitely cut those two losers (GMC & LVD) so we can get this team turned around.
July 13th, 2015 at 7:33 am
Couldn’t start my week without a Michael Bennett “fix”……
July 13th, 2015 at 8:34 am
McCoy damn near missed 2 seasons with injuries, so I’m sure if you show Suh’s numbers after comparing games played,the production would be a lot closer.
July 13th, 2015 at 8:41 am
My belief is GMC has only scratch the surface for how devastating he can truly be on the interior of a defensive line.
July 13th, 2015 at 8:45 am
Wake me up when September comes.
July 13th, 2015 at 9:09 am
I foresee GMC and the Bucs defense building on last years showing. Have to give Lovie credit where it is due, on the defensive side of the ball. The new OC should clear Lovie’s mind of the need to meddle with the offense.
July 13th, 2015 at 9:17 am
Unless we are pleasantly surprised by an unheralded DE this year, we’re going to have to wait for our next Simeon Rice!
The Bucs currently have almost 20mil in cap space and is carrying 21mil in dead money – dead money that comes of the books in 2016. OverTheCap projects the Buc’s 2016 cap space to be 53.4mil. Take away 7 or 8mil for a Lavonte David Contract and maybe an additional 2.5mil for Dotson and there’s plenty to go shopping with next year.
The Bucs will get their monster DE in 2016 free agency (Aldon Smith, Greg Hardy) or more likely the 2016 draft (Joey Bosa, Emmanuel Ogbah or Myles Garrett). I especially like Garrett out of Texas A&M if he decides to come out. Patience is virtue and in the meantime, we continue to look for diamonds in the rough. Hopefully George Johnson and Jacquies Smith turn out to be uncut stone. Go Bucs!
July 13th, 2015 at 9:19 am
what sort of team success has JJ Watt had?
July 13th, 2015 at 10:00 am
Gerald McCoy was part of the plot last night on “Ballers”. Good show, you should check it out.
July 13th, 2015 at 10:29 am
@ Joe,
You completely miss this guy’s point. Gerald McCoy’s reputation is not tied to winning in his take. Two years ago when McCoy had 3 sacks in one game was during a 4-12 season (Schiano’s last year). I don’t know about you, but 4-12 is not winning. Unfortunately, last year McCoy was injured against the falcons as the writer stated and not playing hurt his reputation. Not once did he bring up wins or losses, but you did.
July 13th, 2015 at 11:38 am
Oh Gerald, Gerald, Gerald! It’s the second half of the game. The team needs a sack. Wherefore art thou Gerald!
July 13th, 2015 at 11:46 am
GMC is becoming the Andre Dawson of the NFL.
If you’re 35+ you know what I’m talking about.
July 13th, 2015 at 11:52 am
what sort of team success has JJ Watt had?
11 or 12 he was the defense player of the year and the texans were 12 -4. I believe they won a playoff game in back to back seasons. since 11 texans have won 33 games and the bucs have won 17… I hate the Texans but they are far more successful than my beloved franchise in recent years.
JJ Watt is Dominant game changer and McCoy is a great player. Big difference. Sapp was a HOF game changer McCoy is a great player again big difference. Until McCoy starts slamming doors shut on 3rd down and closing out leads regardless of the excuses, he will be a great player but not a dominant HOF. I love McCoy but there is a huge difference between being the best player on a HORRENDOUS defense versus being a HOF / Game Changer. Hopefully McCoy will turn the corner and take the next step. He also needs to stay on the field. you do your team no good and you receive no free passes for injuries. If you can’t stay healthy be a gym teacher.
July 13th, 2015 at 2:02 pm
It is hard for any defense to make a stop when the offense has a string of 3 and outs in the first half. Unless the defense can rotate players through out the game, nobody is in any shape to make a play.
July 13th, 2015 at 10:05 pm
JBF, I get that McCoy is one of the current Bucs better players but for the life of me, after all his time as a Buc, I still can’t recall of ONE clutch play he’s made in the 4th qtr of a game to turn the momentum and lead us to victory or cause a turnover. Dude is way overrated and disappears when he’s needed the most or injured. And he certainly doesn’t fire up his teammates or elevates their play. Suh is much better in all of the above.
July 13th, 2015 at 10:17 pm
Fair points Pelbuc.