Deeper Into McCoy Tweetgate
July 29th, 2017
More takes from JoeBucsFan Saturday columnist Gil Arcia
By GIL ARCIA
Training camp is officially underway and while there were several stories from the first day of camp, only one sticks out the most leading into Saturday.
Gerald McCoy unleashed some tweets that got everyone talking after former cornerback Ronde Barber said he wasn’t a “bad ass” earlier this week. Whether you want to deny it or not, that’s what was said.
But it’s not so much what McCoy said, instead it’s the fact that he always seems to say (tweet) something. Often.
Remember last season when McCoy responded to reports questioning his work ethic?
Or how about when he called out his teammates saying they aren’t sick of losing? And earlier this offseason when he said he hasn’t done enough?
Thing is, no matter how you spin it, nothing McCoy has said to light a fire under the team’s ass has worked. Some will even include his own ass, but I’m not going there. He already has me blocked on Twitter as it is.
The Bucs are 42-70 since drafting the former Sooner third overall in 2010. Football is the ultimate team game and no player single-handedly gets his team into the Super Bowl. But a player can have a major influence on team direction and we never saw that under McCoy. Nor did he make those around him significantly better.
Difference-making change started just last offseason when McCoy said this was Jameis Winston’s team to lead. But that seed was planted during Winston’s post-game presser following the season 2015 finale against the Panthers in Carolina.
So what was the point to McCoy’s tweets? Was it yet another attempt at kickstarting a hype campaign? I still feel McCoy will be the guy cracking the 10-plus sack mark in 2017. However, I have fallen victim to believing this same story before.
Here’s hoping his tweets were more than words this time around.
July 29th, 2017 at 9:41 am
More GMC hate…..
Sounds like Gil has a personal beef.
July 29th, 2017 at 9:43 am
So??
The dudes a DT. I don’t need or want my DT being a leader. It’s always the QBs team. GMC is an outstanding, exceptional, nearly all time great at his position. But that position doesn’t lend itself to leadership. Even the great 99..tone setter maybe, but it was Brooks and Lynch who led that team D.
Quit with the hate. Soooooooo glad he’s on the Bucs. We’re better with him than without him. Quit stirring the pot with this worthless blabber.
July 29th, 2017 at 9:44 am
I’ve moved past it. Trollers will troll, even when in the media business.
July 29th, 2017 at 9:46 am
Yeah read this again and this “journalism” is essentially a guy but hurt that he is blocked on twitter. GMC is not the first NFL guy to rant on twitter. Probably just trying to stir things up…….go back into the cave Gil
July 29th, 2017 at 9:54 am
GMC is always about GMC and you choirboy nut huggers give him free pass after free pass… If Djax, Jameis or Kwon pouted and acted like little beotches the way gmc does before the start of each season they would be labled ME FIRST bad Character Guys… But just like his on field play that is good but not great it’s NON STOP excuses for the ice cream man!!!!! Every year, he does the same thing – woe is me BS… He needs help, he needs this he needs that. What he needs to do is shut up and play to the best of his ability week in and week out and people would appreciate his talent and not focus solely on his me first where’s the camera BS… Every year all it is talk from her… Pathetic. Win a game that matters fool…. Show up against an elite team and make your presence known… That’s the way to get respect. Stop disappearing when it matters most and most of all stop looking like a worn out blow hard in the 4th qtr.
July 29th, 2017 at 9:58 am
Sapp is HOF….he was NOT the leader of that defense. In fact I’m not sure how far down the list you go? First is DB55…he was like that old stock broker commercial…not a loud braggart like Sapp (yes he could back it up)…more quiet but just like EF Hutton…when DB55 spoke people listened…Lynch was another leader…Quarles and Ronde did their part…Sim simply played…
Bottom line for me is that defense was great not because they had a “leader”…they had leader(s)!!! As in multiple.
My final post on this topic. GMC has played very well. Because he had the most talent for a long time people simply assumed the best guy has to be the leader. That’s not his skill set. He’s certainly no less a leader than LVD but folks seem to give LVD a pass.
And here is where GMC DOES make an error. When I was still working in the 80’s as a Sports Director in Bristol Nascar was just starting to blow up. Bristol Raceway only held 20,000 back then look at it now!
The change was also taking place on the track. Darrell Waltrip was winning and the original Nascar fans hated him…calling him jaws and any number of derisive terms. Waltrip was an incredible guy to work with. When he would come for practice sessions he was always gracious with his time as opposed to Bill Elliott who was known as one of the biggest jerks around. Dale Earnhardt was OK…I asked him once when was the best time to approach him…he said if I’m winning it’s great…if I’m losing watch out. LOL At least he was honest…not Elliott.
So I go to Waltrip and told him I want to do a piece showing the fans that he’s actually a cool dude…it was the ONLY time he ever turned me down for a story.
He said…when you have a sore spot you don’t keep rubbing it…you let it go until it heals on it’s own. Waltrip was a really smart guy despite that Tennessee accent which grew thicker as his career progressed. He understood PR as well as anybody save perhaps our current President.
And that’s the advice GMC should heed. Go Darrell Waltrip…do NOT talk about these issues at all…simply keep putting up the numbers and let them speak for themselves. I agree with those who think GMC should just let it go…but that is my only criticism.
July 29th, 2017 at 10:05 am
All those blowouts where GMC led Defenses quit or laid down for the opponents like cheap Craigslist booty calls proves that gmc does not have a single leadership trait in his body…. good guy yes — leader no. going to church and big smiles does not make one a good leader not a good character guy. Giving up, quitting, being embarrassed – you pick the term of your choice, has nothing to do with talent around but everything to do with heart and desire. Getting beat because not enough talent is one thing but to quit on coaches and during games that you are being embarrassed in, is a entire new level for a punk. gmc is a punk with a smile. thank god this will be his last year in a bucs uniform. not way they overpay for his services next year the real buccaneer men will need to start being paid evans, jameis, kwon, brate… there will be no money for a punk mouth piece with no desire to win
July 29th, 2017 at 10:20 am
@Tmaxcon
Now that Joe is providing you with a daily(at least) article on GMC…..perhaps you can contain your GMC comments to those articles instead of your OCD urges to take every opportunity to disparage him.
I am quite certain you must be capable of commenting on the subject matter not GMC. Your therapist would approve.
July 29th, 2017 at 10:25 am
@Tmaxcon
Now that Joe is providing you with at least one daily article on GMC perhaps you can restrain your OCD urge to trash him on unrelated articles. I’m uncertain if you are able to discuss other Buc matters but I’m quite sure your therapist would be pleased that you tried and so would most of us.
July 29th, 2017 at 10:32 am
I’ll write your Saturday articles joe. Hit me up!
July 29th, 2017 at 10:37 am
“Choir boy nut huggers…”. Again moronic comment from the leader of the trolls. I estimate 90 percent of your posts are baseless in fact, negative in some way towards the team, and contain the same classless personal attack on someone. Pathetic. Do your thing, but you demonstate no (zero) qualities of a Bucs fan.
July 29th, 2017 at 10:46 am
“Show up against elite teams that’s how you make your presence known”. FACT!!! Y’all rag on my guy Tmax for his opinion of this man But not can outright refute what he is saying.
July 29th, 2017 at 10:48 am
@ Kalind
Yeah I get your point about not wanting a DT to be your leader, but the problem is that GMC has come out in the past and anointed himself as the team “leader”. And even though GMC said some stuff about the team being Winston’s now was good, deep down he still wants the leader role so bad. He is still trying to carry the leader torch on defense but he just needs to get out of his own way, pass it onto Kwon, and just play football. He will be happier, the players will be happier, and so will us fans.
July 29th, 2017 at 10:49 am
GMC can tweet all day, as long as he keeps smashing other teams the way he does it. He’s our Hulk imo. Hulk smash. Teams have to plan against him… Lets be real about all this. The man is a animal of a player, he’s a professional football player, but he’s a human as well. He’s simply feeling some kinda way about a few personal issues or statement targeted at him in which he obviously feels a degree of disrespect in regards of his character and skull set. Lets appreciate our GMC by showing it. Love yall. Now lets get fired up ppl.
July 29th, 2017 at 10:49 am
What is the teams record in games he doesnt play?
July 29th, 2017 at 10:51 am
I personally expect Swaggy to outshine him this season.
July 29th, 2017 at 10:51 am
McCoy is a great DT……but that is it. And that’s fine. He is not a leader, and he most certainly is not a bad ass. But I’m fine with him being a great defensive tackle and that is all. He just needs to know his role, leave the leadership to someone else, and be a great DT. Kwon is a BadAss, Ayers is a Badass, Justin Evans is a junior Badass….. there are some angry players on this defense, we could use more, especially when it comes to rushing the passer.
July 29th, 2017 at 10:55 am
tmaxcon Says:
July 29th, 2017 at 9:54 am
GMC is always about GMC and you choirboy nut huggers give him free pass after free pass… If Djax, Jameis or Kwon pouted and acted like little beotches the way gmc does before the start of each season they would be labled ME FIRST bad Character Guys… But just like his on field play that is good but not great it’s NON STOP excuses for the ice cream man!!!!! Every year, he does the same thing – woe is me BS… He needs help, he needs this he needs that. What he needs to do is shut up and play to the best of his ability week in and week out and people would appreciate his talent and not focus solely on his me first where’s the camera BS… Every year all it is talk from her… Pathetic. Win a game that matters fool…. Show up against an elite team and make your presence known… That’s the way to get respect. Stop disappearing when it matters most and most of all stop looking like a worn out blow hard in the 4th qtr.
______________________________
preach on brutha!!!!!!
……took the words right outta my mouth
GMC aka “Mr Softie”…….is a whiney little beyotch!!!!
Hey whines every year to make up for all of his shortcomings
……
NEWSFLASH GMC………….leaders don’t whine……….they prove it with their actions and that extends to all segments of life no matter what you do
July 29th, 2017 at 10:56 am
Y’all kill me wit the what is this when he doesn’t play. Check it man this team is waiting for the game to slow all the way down for one Jameis WINSton not gnc becoming truly a dominant player. Give you an example. Big Ben loses his all pro center Pouncey for basically a season. They still make the playoffs. Why??? Because of the okay of the QB. His ability to read defense and a skill set too match. Steelers are bio longer a defensive power. All the juice is in Big Ben now.
July 29th, 2017 at 11:03 am
Once the QB reaches that level its own for that organization. #12 been holding that ship together,Russell made it easy for them folks to let Marshawn walk. Brady,I ain even gotta say nothing. We get our first returns from our version this season. “I’m about to take this league by storm”-Jameis WINSton. His words not mines. What are we talking about again???
July 29th, 2017 at 11:05 am
What is the record when he doesn’t play??? More importantly is the record when he does play☝. He put it in the piece.
July 29th, 2017 at 11:16 am
And I thought I was talking amongst people who had a clue. The guy is an extremely talented player and hardly a leader. He has shown up in big games it just so happens the team around him has been so awful there have been few big games. I will not read nor comment on another McCoy article because it’s ridiculous. If I was a top 5 player at my position fighting every game and half of my fan base who doesn’t have a clue hated me I’d wanna leave the city and team. Yes he doesn’t need to react on twitter but ronde needs to shut his mouth. It’s gotta get old risking your livelihood every game and getting zero appreciation from fans who act as though they’ve experienced high level football. Checking out on McCoy articles. Just gonna laugh when he gets ten sacks on a 10,11 win team this year
July 29th, 2017 at 11:25 am
Ok maybe Realist for JBF MVP 2017!
July 29th, 2017 at 11:32 am
Another meaningless article from Gil..just wanting to cash in on the story of the week..can’t come up with original content..pffft..
If you’re blocked my GMac..it’s not because you’re a great journalist/sports writer/beat reporter..it’s because you’re a wanker..
July 29th, 2017 at 11:52 am
Trade him…. the SOONER the better!!!
July 29th, 2017 at 12:09 pm
tmaxcon is really Gil Arcia.
July 29th, 2017 at 12:27 pm
no tmaxcon is really a brutally honest prick who only cares about winning everything else is an excuses… you are either a winner or loser. GMC is a PROVEN loser
July 29th, 2017 at 12:31 pm
@Tmax
You’ll notice I do not call you names. I do not throw shade on fellow St. Pete resident. Of course I disagree but that’s what sports blogs are for…
Here is my concern for you…you are pretty far out on a limb now…if the Bucs win the next two SB’s and GMC shines that limb will get cut off behind you.
Just sayin’. You can’t have it both ways. If you blame the Bucs record on GMC you have to continue to associate him with the record even when it becomes a winning record.
July 29th, 2017 at 2:53 pm
stpetebucsfan
hello sir… hope all is well in retirement. I am 100% convinced NOT out on a limb. GMC is the worst kind of locker room cancer the Nice Guy Kind… Now that the standards have been raised by real leaders McCoy will just disappear into the sunset whether it be injury or simply a boo boo… you can guarantee one thing gmc will not be on the field or make an impact if (what a minute) WHEN WINSTON LEADS THE bucs to the promised land.
bucs will make the playoffs this year and might even steal a game or two but all that is going to do is satisfy gmc and drive winston crazy… see the difference… one will be satisfied and one will never be… it takes the never satisified mindset to be a champion. gmc needs to leave winning to jameis and he can just host movie night or super hero underoos pillow fights
July 29th, 2017 at 2:59 pm
You can’t hang 42-70 on GMC. It is a team sport, and we have had a lousy team for most of his career. He needs more help, on the defensive line, the offense and defense, and coaching and front office. We are just now getting out of being lousy. GMC is one of the best at his position in the league and will play great this year if healthy.
July 29th, 2017 at 3:23 pm
OMG- How many HOF worthy players did Sapp play with…. Take Rice, Brooks, Lynch, or Barber, McFarland ….or coaching, Tampa 2 coming in at the right time… are you kidding me…. Haters are just haters… if your posting on this site hating on GMC and didnt pay to sit your ass in Tampa stadium or Ray Jay 95-04 then stfu. Sapp would have never carried this team by himself… He wasn’t that fkn good..
July 29th, 2017 at 3:25 pm
Tmax says: “GMC is always about GMC and you choirboy nut huggers give him free pass after free pass…”
The problem is Tmax is you do the same thing only in the other direction. For every good stat that GMC has, you make excuses as to why it doesn’t count. Examples: Pro Bowl selections, sacks, tackles, and the comments of every NFL player or coach who has played with or against GMC. This list includes Jameis who regularly references GMC as one of the best in the NFL. It also includes comments from Mike Smith who talks about what a great locker room presence and leader GMC is. None of those opinions can crack your self made definitions of greatness. You can’t even give GMC credit for being competent. Instead you think he is a cancer we are better off without. In the face of all the evidence to the contrary, your passion on this topic is just kind of silly. Ease up on the man and give him some credit.
July 29th, 2017 at 4:08 pm
Let me say this a little more .. clearly. If you are a fan that just happened to jump on our Super Bowl year bandwagon… ( there is A LOT of you) and you think all that we ever needed was another Sapp and we would magically turn back into a super bowl or even a playoff team again. You are sooo misguided … We had offensive Super bowl worthy coaching before Dungy, with no talent… Then that staff started the talent influx… then we got HOF worthy defensive coaching… and more talent… then an Amazing run for fans and the whole area… Then we lost the talent and the coaching…. In comes GMC 93 with no talent, no coaching…. So now its left up to 93 to save the day.. Why …because all of you bandwagon fans didn’t see or feel the journey, most thought all we needed was another Sapp… You are VERY misguided… set back and enjoy the fact you got to watch what all of us did starting in 93-94 and the build up to us fans talkin’ smack because our team… became a Super Bowl team… damn… look past the drive to be a h8ter and now enjoy being a MF stick Carrier!…
July 30th, 2017 at 6:41 am
I am bored I guess. Typically I skip this section as I respect anyone who is willing to articulate their thoughts in a public forum and my opinion rarely parallel those of Gil’s. But for this one…
The title “Deeper into McCoy Tweetgate” and then making the statement, “Gerald McCoy unleashed some tweets that got everyone talking after former cornerback Ronde Barber said he wasn’t a “bad ass” earlier this week. Whether you want to deny it or not, that’s what was said.” as the lead substantive paragraph, then deciding to make the article about GMC’s leadership, making the team better and the team record since his draft just doesn’t make sense to me.
The biggest part about this whole story is GMC’s response at training camp when he refused to answer the questions regarding his tweets.
When you make statements of a provocative nature, be able to own them and explain them. GMC is a public figure, who made statements in a public forum. This wasn’t at a club to a friend that a jock hugger overheard. So when he is asked real questions about his tweets, his responses are vague..
First he wanted to blow it off, “Tweets what tweets?”, then when pushed “Whatever y’all thinks it means is what it means”, then when pushed a bit more “Whatever you thought it was directed to. Whatever crossed your mind when you read it, thats who it was directed to.”
Then he’s asked directly if it was to Ronde, his response “If you think it was directed to Ronde.”
This was all so childish for a man coming into his 8th season in the league and his 30th year in life.
Let me say this too. I am not a hater. If anything, most would call me a fan. The Bucs needs GMC. He can change the entire defense from solid to great. I’ve extensively studied the D-line play. GMC has some issues, most haters won’t believe this but in my opinion his biggest issue is over aggressive play, trying to force the issue. I believe he spent too much time trying to be the man rather than just playing. (more to come on this), with that being said, GMC maybe the key to really make the defense soar.
Back to my original thought. I understand the original tweet. If I was him, I’d be mad, my feelings would be hurt (and for all of you who say that it shouldn’t affect him, think back to an instance when a friend or colleague that you respect specifically called out your drive, your dedication, your manhood even, then tell me how you didn’t get mad and lash out). I would absolutely respond. In my 40’s Ronde’s phone would be ringing immediately. In my 30’s, late 20’s, with social media how it is, no doubt I would have launched a tweet to try to save face. Then the retrospective thought would start setting in. Which would lead to thinking about the consequences of the tweet. This happened with me several times when I started moving from letters or memos to emails, (many of you don’t remember that but there was a time when emails were “instant messaging”)
He had to know that the question would be asked about the tweets. When you know difficult questions will be asked you prepare. You play out the scenario in your head. Maybe you even seek council. I might’ve even asked Jameis if I was him.
Imagine the difference if he would’ve looked at the camera and said something like:
“I’m sorry for the tweets. I should’ve handled it privately and next time I will but it was an emotional response as I felt like Ronde was challenging myself and all of my teammates desire and dedication to the game. Early in my career, when we played together, possibly, and no offense , but this is the best group of guys I have ever been around. We are on the verge of doing something very, very special. I consider every one of them my brothers, my family like Jameis says. An attack on one is an attack on all of us. By the end of the season we expect a different opinion from Ronde.”
Mic drop.
This is a learning experience for GMC. One that if he listened to his press conference he will.