More Hands For Gerald McCoy
May 12th, 2016
The Bucs’ new D-line guru speaks
What will new veteran defensive line coach Jay Hayes do to take Gerald McCoy to greater heights?
Last year, McCoy was gunning for 15 sacks, so he could play offense. McCoy has big goals, as he should. Four consecutive Pro Bowls is not enough.
Today, Joe asked Hayes, who spent the last 13 seasons leading the Bengals’ impressive defensive line, what’s in store to get McCoy to the next level.
The imposing Hayes offered a nugget.
“He’s gonna start using his hands a little more on some things, and playing just our style of defense, what we see defensive tackles need to do,” Hayes said. “And he’s a very talented player, and he’s going to fit well into the scheme.”
Interesting. Clearly, Hayes sees an area (hands) in which McCoy can make a significant jump.
Joe took the same question to assistant defensive line coach Paul Spicer, an 11-year NFL veteran and a holdover from Lovie Smith’s staff.
Spicer, though, went in a different direction. He thinks McCoy is primed to make a leap because of the new blood on the D-line: Noah Spence and Robert Ayers.
“Having those types of guys around him, maybe able to free him up a little bit more and get him over that hump of 10 sacks,” Spicer said.
Joe says, “Amen” to that.
Joe was not trying to find a way to needle McCoy. Quite the opposite, Joe believes McCoy is primed for his true breakout season.
May 12th, 2016 at 2:29 pm
The Bucs are primed for a true breakout season IMO and a talented player like McCoy will reap the benefits of having more talented players around him. Looking forward to seeing this 2016 season unfold. The schedule looks rough because it IS rough – but this team should still be able to compete well and hopefully make a legit run for the playoffs.
Go Bucs!
May 12th, 2016 at 2:30 pm
McCoy’s legacy is yet another victim of the mismanagement of this team over the last 10 years. Lets hope all that changes in 2016 and both the Bucs and McCoy have banner years.
May 12th, 2016 at 2:41 pm
Get pressure and sacks as a unit. Cause turnovers. It doesn’t matter who gets the numbers, just get them as a group.
And Win some games boys.
May 12th, 2016 at 3:50 pm
Wasn’t using his hands what got McCoy injured his first two years?
May 12th, 2016 at 4:02 pm
hayes likes players that know how to play violent….he has some coaching to do with gmc…I think this is the year gmc gets 10sacks….GO BUCS!!!
May 12th, 2016 at 8:20 pm
I do hope they find a way to get MaCoy, Ayers, and Spence on the field all at the same time. I am really excited to see what Hayes can do with these guys!
May 12th, 2016 at 8:20 pm
What Jay Hayes likes is for his DT to play relentless like Geno Atkins, Aaron Donald and Chester Cox. GMC has more talent than them, but he has small numbers compared to them.
May 12th, 2016 at 8:37 pm
This all Déjà vu. I seem to be thinking this same thing every year and it is always the same year after year. PLEASE can I enjoy my season next year!
May 13th, 2016 at 12:26 am
Gerold McCoy produced the third most tackles in his six years as a (34) pro and tied for the second most sacks he has had as a pro (8.5). He also led the team in QB hurries with 13. All with a bum shoulder through most of the year and a hand surgery at the end. It is interesting that Jay Hayes has found something GMC can improve on his game. Another player who uses his hands better than just about any pass rusher is Robert Ayers. He uses violent hands to free himself from offensive lineman and I am sure Ayers will be showing others his technique with hand placement which should benefit McCoy, Spence, Gholston and others. Under Hayes I believe not only McCoy is going to have his best year, I am lookin at William Gholston, in his contract year to have 6 or 7 sacks this year. Ironically, he was second last year with QB hurries with 10.
May 13th, 2016 at 7:41 am
It truly is sad to think how much this franchise has wasted a rare talent like McCoy, clearly the most talented DT since #99. He still hasn’t reached his full potential yet because he can only do so much be g double teamed and having no talent around you. Hopefully this is the year we see how good GMC can actually be. I think coach Hayes will make a big difference. Btw Kudos to Mr. Licht for some how prying that guy from Cinci and bringing him here. Best D line coach in the league imo. I can’t wait to see what the combo of (DE) Spence, (DT) Ayers, (DT) McCoy, (DE) Smith can do on passing downs and if coach Hayes can some how mold Gholston into a decent pass rusher what a weapon he could become, he’s already the best run stuffing end in the league as it is. There’s a whole ot of potential for this line. Now let’s see if we can turn it into production. My gut feeling is this line is primed for a breakout season.