Leader
May 27th, 2018
Bucs DT Gerald McCoy offers rookie DT Vita Vea a few tips during OTA practices last week. (Photo courtesy of Buccaneers.com.)
Pretty cool stuff happening at One Buc Palace.
As the Custodian of Canton, the Sage of Tampa Bay, the King of New Port Richey, Ira Kaufman will suggest in Tuesday’s podcast (already recorded), there seems to be a different vibe this year with the Bucs.
Yes, it is way early but Joe has noticed it too. Sort of a sense of urgency. More business-like. And Bucs stud defensive tackle Gerald McCoy, as he has always been, is not above or too proud to help out the rookies. In particular Vita Vea.
Joe remembers a few years ago GMC said he considers rookies as veterans. Why? He said if the front office staff and the coaching staff think the rookie is good enough to be on the team, then GMC believes they are equals. And if the rookie can play better, he helps out the whole team. So why be an @ss and haze him or give him the silent treatment since that in no way helps the team win?
Joe agrees fully.
Also this past week, GMC spoke more about helping rookies learn the tricks of the NFL.
“You’re only as strong as your weakest link, so if you have no weak links, how strong can you be?” GMC said. “That is my philosophy. That is how I see it. Any young guy that comes in, I have mandatory extra [work] while it’s allowed. We can’t do extra now, but when we can, it is mandatory. I don’t give you an option because I’m getting better and so are you. You’re already behind the eight ball because we’re vets, we’ve been doing this. Now you’re coming in and learning a new brand of football, how the NFL game goes. I didn’t have that. I didn’t get that and I always told myself if I ever have the opportunity once I get to that point, I’m not going to be that guy that I do what I do and then I walk off. No, let me teach you something. Let me help you because I want everybody to be successful, not just for this team, but in life in general.
“We worked too hard to get to this point. It wasn’t just my dream to be in the NFL. Everybody who comes in this building, it’s their dream to play in the NFL. So, I want you to be as successful as possible. You only get it for a short period and especially if you want to be a part of this team, we need everybody to be at their best. I don’t give you an option, it’s mandatory.
“In Vita’s mandatory rookie duties, you can mark it, I told him he has to tell my children that he is Maui from Moana. When he introduces himself to my kids, that’s the only rookie duty I am going to give him. There is no dinner, there is none of that. You make sure when you introduce yourself to my kids, you introduce yourself as Maui, no questions asked. He doesn’t get an option.”
GMC even took to Instagram to explain his philosophy further, with a picture of him and Vea working out.
geraldini93: Successful people build each other up. They motivate, inspire, and push each other. You’re only a strong as your weakest link…….. Imagine what happens if you have no weak links!! OTA’s 2018 week 1 in the books. @buccaneers
Joe likes this attitude. And given how rotten the team has more often than not been, any way guys like GMC can accelerate the learning process for the rookies, the better it is for the team as a whole.
May 27th, 2018 at 8:13 am
GMC IS A GOD …pretty much!
May 27th, 2018 at 8:26 am
Wow, what a feel good piece.
I now have to decide if I should laugh or throw up.
May 27th, 2018 at 8:36 am
Hope McCoy can give all the haters a big turd sandwich this year.
To much talent around for him not to have best year He has hot garbage around him since in the league. Michael Bennett solid year doesn’t count cause I believe he was rookie and rookie don’t usually produce.
If he doesn’t ,not sure he makes to next year with 14 against cap and vea drafted.
May 27th, 2018 at 8:40 am
Our front 7 looks flat out scary on paper…The D line depth is loaded and our LB’s are fast TFL machines….
It’s good to know that there’s a since of urgency with this team…This Bucs squad is stockpiled with young talent; hopefully our window of opportunity to be really good for a while opens this year…
May 27th, 2018 at 8:40 am
So in 9 years, how has his philosophy worked out for him AND us so far?
And those with the ultra competitive “Im not helping anyone out who wants to take my job” philosophy (i.e. Tom Brady, Ben Roethesberger). How has it worked for them and their fans?
I swear, the guy has no fire in his belly.
May 27th, 2018 at 8:46 am
GMC is a Bucs player, so I’ll cheer for him. But man I can’t wait till he’s gone.
May 27th, 2018 at 8:49 am
I want to be excited.
Mike Smith is still the DC.
So…I am not excited.
Pistol
May 27th, 2018 at 8:52 am
Man, Joe will throw out the praise and labels early to his favorites!!!! Until the “real” fans see gmc being a team player and b!T@$ about different formations during the regular season, Until then he is more “cheerleader” then a true leader!!!!!!!!!!
GO Bucs!!!!!!!!
May 27th, 2018 at 8:52 am
I like GMC just fine but this story has slow news day written all over it. I’ve seen some version of the story a few times in this corner of the web. And what’s with this Maui from Moana crap? I assume it’s from some kids movie.
May 27th, 2018 at 8:53 am
Gerald has always been a ‘look at me’ kinda guy.
Even so, I applaud the effort.
Gerald has seen a lot of football and is DT, hopefully that translates to a real rookie advantage for Vea
May 27th, 2018 at 9:04 am
Not a single meaningful win in his entire career yet his personal cheerleader joe chooses to completely ignore on field results to justify his mancrush. Considering the results under 93 so called leadership joe and any other true bucfan who only cares about results should be terrified if 93 gets within 2 feet of any free agent or draft pick. Results mattert not feel good fluff.
May 27th, 2018 at 9:20 am
“meaningful win”, that is an absolute Trollmax Hallmark! Nice job Reality / Trollmax in getting that in for the 8 thousandth time. How many meaningful wins does Suh have again? Donald? Atkins? That’s what I thought. How about teams being responsible for Meaningful wins? Oh wait, that would take at least a shred of logical thought.
May 27th, 2018 at 9:22 am
STOP IT GMC!!!!!!
BEFORE YOU RUIN ANOTHER DEFENSIVE LINEMAN’S CAREER!!!!!!!!
May 27th, 2018 at 9:33 am
Joe you’d have much more credibility with your mancrush on 93 bringing up dominating performances and game changing plays but since neither of those have come to fruition in the last 9 years the resilting fluff pieces are getting comical. Good player not great and certainly not a leader or driven winner. Results matter not feelings
Little stevie
If you worried about winning and high standards more than tmax you would not come across like a whinny little girl.
May 27th, 2018 at 9:50 am
kicking ass in May since 2009
May 27th, 2018 at 9:53 am
Trollmax, showing a concern for winning does not manifest itself as criticism for our better players. It does for you apparently. Which is why you are a troll. If it makes you feel supremely trollish to call me a little girl, have at it. Picture me in pigtails. With a GMC Jersey on. Holding a Batman doll. With an ice cream cone in my other hand. That should complete the picture well enough, right? Enjoy your little girl fantasy now. It’s no wonder why you were banned before since you seem to gravitate towards that.
May 27th, 2018 at 9:57 am
Last season in Atlanta with time running out and a meager lead, McCoy fought through the offensive line and wrapped up Matt Ryan‘s legs, keeping him from stepping up or throwing accurately. The ball fell helplessly to the ground, and the Bucs won. On Sunday, McCoy crashed into a double team from left guard Chris Chester and center Alex Mack and, while unable to pressure Ryan, got his hands up and tipped his pass. Once again, the ball fell helplessly to the ground, and the Bucs won.
Example of 2 games McCoy made game winning plays. Some fans seem to miss the games McCoy plays well in.
May 27th, 2018 at 9:57 am
Lol some miserable people up in here.
May 27th, 2018 at 10:00 am
Last season in Atlanta with time running out and a meager lead, McCoy fought through the offensive line and wrapped up Matt Ryan‘s legs, keeping him from stepping up or throwing accurately. The ball fell helplessly to the ground, and the Bucs won. On Sunday, McCoy crashed into a double team from left guard Chris Chester and center Alex Mack and, while unable to pressure Ryan, got his hands up and tipped his pass. Once again, the ball fell helplessly to the ground, and the Bucs won.
Example of two games McCoy made game winning plays for those who missed it.
May 27th, 2018 at 10:00 am
Wow, What a bunch of dumb f*cks on this post!
The players. The guys who, unlike you simpletons, actually know something about the game, Keep voting McCoy as a top 2 defensive tackle in the league.
And Probowl after Probowl after Probowl.
Think I’ll listen to them, more than some coach potato mommy’s boys!
Good to see McCoy coaching up the Rookies. Great leadership. Maui will be a better player, Thanks to McCoy!
May 27th, 2018 at 10:08 am
With all the Aholes in the league who dont want to help out the young guys behind them, it’s good to see McCoy helping out the guy who is going to take his job hopefully sooner than later.
May 27th, 2018 at 10:09 am
We are going to be stout at dt that is for sure
May 27th, 2018 at 10:22 am
Give me a Ahole who is a winner everyday and twice in Sunday over a soft nice guy who finishes last every year. Not one of those probowl seasons as translated to a playoff birth. You guys cry about team game yet nothing gerald has accomplished helped the team just himself
Love you guys clinging to the ferocious ryan ankle grab. Hilarious. How’d they do in the playoffs that year after such a huge division victory.
May 27th, 2018 at 10:24 am
Please keep it to a minimum gmc. Next thing you know he’ll get to training camp and preseason and have no idea how to play run defense
May 27th, 2018 at 10:26 am
You seem to forget the geatest buc in history was an ahole and the last time this team played with heart or won anything thst mattered was the last time sapp wore a buc uniform. Winners win and nice guys finish last while making excuses. Once again ladies reality is truly a beotch
May 27th, 2018 at 10:30 am
Man you GMC Lovers jumped on this story
So here is the challenge for this Year
If GMC doesn’t show Greatness every game and TRUE leadership the Lovers have to call him out
If he does then the Haters have to stop with any criticism
(If you are one that is completely blind and sat GMC is God you are excused because you are GMC writing under an assumed name
May 27th, 2018 at 10:38 am
Capt Softee
You will be eating a lot of crow after gerald fails again this season. You blind followers are out of excuses. It’s going to be fun to watch this team flourish without gerald. Im sure he will be nursing a boo boo by week 4 and ir week 8 with a soft tissue injury most likely lack of heart or inability to keep up with the new Buccaneer men. He will cry, you will cry, real bucfan will celebrate that the losing culture has been finally defeated.
May 27th, 2018 at 10:38 am
When you team is a Loser. You selectively pick out players to hate. You got a lot GMC haters on this website. Surprised but not. Winning will change al of that. Hell, I’m not high on our coaching staff. Win? And I change my opinion of them.
Like I’ve said before, Nationally, GMC and Evans are the only 2 players who get the limelight. Winston get a lirttle attention but not because of his skills set in football Though……
May 27th, 2018 at 10:48 am
This franchise has NEVER been successful with a nice guy coach or nice guy team captain combo. The only successful combination was 2 certified aholes that were driven winners. Nice guy formula equals failure or a pathetic 2 playoff wins in 6 years with a great defense. The underachieving years.
May 27th, 2018 at 10:58 am
Joe why oh why do you let this troll continue to cr*p all over your excellent blog
May 27th, 2018 at 11:11 am
Why shouldnt he? People have a right to their opinions. Nobody is forcing you to read comments you dont agree with. Lol. Sheesh. Now I understand the whiney little girls comment.
May 27th, 2018 at 11:17 am
The translation for the sheep from mike johnson’s post is that he is a hater too, but if the Bucs win, he will be a bandwagon fan like he was during the last part of the 2016 season!!!!!!!
Go Bucs!!!!!!!!
May 27th, 2018 at 11:20 am
Sc
What posted is inaccurate?????
This team has been horrible! denying that makes you a better fan????
Why are FACTS so hard to accept???
This team has been horrible and has not competed at professional level in nearly TWO decades. You act like this team is consistently competitive which it has never been in its 42 years. 4 good years in 42 is not consistency.
Some of us are tired of losing and the bs excuses that accompany losing. Are you a better fan because you have lower standards and have accepted losing with a sunny disposition??? i think not.
But what you are is the exact target fan the glazers love. Happy regardless of crap product they field…
So again what was posted inaccurately???
May 27th, 2018 at 11:23 am
Steven007
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79DijItQXMM
Enjoy!!!
May 27th, 2018 at 11:26 am
Scotty in Fat Antonio Says
“So in 9 years, how has his philosophy worked out for him AND us so far?”
That is not McCoy’s fault in the slightest. He has maintained a high playing level the entire time he has been here.
The issue came with the rest of the defense, and no matter how you spin the hate, no one person can make a whole unit great. Teams knew McCoy was the only strength on the defense, so they consistently double and triple teamed him.
And I know, the haters will say “here comes the same old excuses!” Except they are facts, and facts do not change. Not excuses…explanations. And the haters? Talk about the same old routines. They say the same old things, without facts to back them up…unless you count the sacks he did not get as a result of being double teamed. Nevermind that he drew the attention of blockers and the rest of our defense was unable to take advantage of it.
May 27th, 2018 at 11:28 am
Once again, Tmaxcon proves that he talks about football, and the sheep talk about Tmaxcon!!!!! One of the few that stands tall on these comment section that has always spoken the truth!!!!!!!! One has to start to wonder, why the man banned for what he said, or what it because he spoke out against the Tampa2 mafia!!!!
#Truth!!!!!!!!!!!!
May 27th, 2018 at 11:28 am
Reality-is-a-Beotch Says
“This franchise has NEVER been successful with a nice guy coach or nice guy team captain combo.”
Apparently you’ve never heard of Ronde Barber, Derick Brooks, John Lynch or Mike Alstott. All very nice guys. They only helped us win a superbowl.
May 27th, 2018 at 11:33 am
Realist, TMax dug his own hole. All he did is spew hate, not just at players or coaches, but at commenters.
His behavior was why people wanted him gone.
As you well know, people here can disagree about things here. You and I have so many times ourselves. But when its taken to a personal level, as TMax did so often, along with another guy who recently got sent packing, that’s going too far.
People slip…I get that. But when it becomes habitual and they continue to overstep on purpose, that’s digging a hole.
May 27th, 2018 at 11:35 am
I was all ready to give credit to Gerald until he said the only rookie lesson he had for Vita was for him to introduce himself to his kids as Maui!? Realy? The ONLY lesson? I expect that he was employing hyperbole.
Well, I won’t be too critical; this is good on Gerald. Please just limit the advice to pass-rushing tips.
May 27th, 2018 at 11:35 am
Bonzi
Sapp drove that train. None of those guys win anything as a buc without sapp. Deny all you want. No sapp no great defense. None of those guys you mentioned could have carried Bucs. Good players but even ronde himself as stated he was not a leader. No sapp no superbowl the rest role players simple as that.
May 27th, 2018 at 11:38 am
Heck, I have overstepped myself a few times…especially with you over the years. I like to think I’ve gotten more self control since then though. You and I always seem to agree in the off season, but when the losing starts in the regular we tend to come to blows…though not as much lately.
I think we’re both pretty consistent…even when we do not agree.
But we no longer take it to a personal level.
I’ve had some trolls from here stalk me on twitter and facebook, trying to stir up trouble on a personal level. I never complained about it here though.
May 27th, 2018 at 11:40 am
@Realist
The problem with Tmax is that he is a one trick pony sort of like you used to be with Mark Dominick. “pop star”…..
You eventually eased off of that and began posting on a multitude of different subject.
It’s no so much that Tmax is negative on GMC….but he is negative on GMC with every post under every article regardless of the subject….
How can you turn a Chris Godwing article into a GMC bashing?
Good riddance…..and to those who say you don’t have to read his posts…..that’s like saying litter isn’t bad….just don’t look at the trash on the side of the highway when you drive…..
May 27th, 2018 at 11:40 am
How many meaningful wins does Lavonte David have? But he *always* gets a pass.
Or for that matter how many meaningful wins do Aaron Donald (who says he studies GMC’s film to improve), or Ndamukong Suh, or Geno Atkins have?
Don’t be a hypocrite.
May 27th, 2018 at 11:41 am
Chris Godwin…..sorry Chris.
May 27th, 2018 at 11:41 am
Reality-is-a-Beotch Says
“Sapp drove that train. None of those guys win anything as a buc without sapp. Deny all you want. No sapp no great defense.”
I’m sorry, but he was one element of a complete defense. Remove ANY of them, and we don’t win a superbowl. Ronde stated he was not a leader…but the other player viewed him as one.
Regardless, McCoy will prove once and for all that with enough defense around him, he can be elite. Then where will your hate shift?
May 27th, 2018 at 11:49 am
Litter on the side of the road is the same as having to click a button a few times to skip over comments you dont agree with? Lol typical meaningless comment I’ve become use to on here to justify wanting to shut someone up who you dont agree with.
May 27th, 2018 at 11:51 am
Easy now Buc Realist..Relax.. Walmart just got in a new truckload of..Depends Diapers. There now, you can..Pee in your pants..at will.
May 27th, 2018 at 12:01 pm
Gmc= Dwight Howard.
GMC leadership will get you to the Toilet Bowl urrrrr.. Superbowl
May 27th, 2018 at 12:48 pm
I hope Jameis has a career year!
May 27th, 2018 at 12:53 pm
Personality wise, I think Vea was the perfect protégé for McCoy to nurture along.
May 27th, 2018 at 12:56 pm
Joe, I dropped that knowledge on his ignorant arse earlier. Obviously it makes no difference. It’s called confirmation bias. Or simply ignorance. I’m going with the latter.
May 27th, 2018 at 12:57 pm
Tampabaybuc, thanks for the link. I can certainly see the resemblance.
May 27th, 2018 at 12:58 pm
Joe
I quit paying attention or associating lvd in any type leadership context the moment i read his comments about not being able to recover after bad calls and big plays. Another good player but not great that shouldn’t be a captain. Slow starts. Lvd misses schiano. So yes i am very much a hypocrite.
May 27th, 2018 at 1:18 pm
It’s almost like listening to your wife biatch and moan it goes in one ear and out the other if you ear it at all. Just high pitch whining a frequency I can’t pick up.
Stfu and make a play, win a game, hoist a banner. Paper champ.
#ButMan
May 27th, 2018 at 1:21 pm
how many meaningful wins do Aaron Donald (who says he studies GMC’s film to improve), or Ndamukong Suh
——————
It was Suh tackling the qb before the endzone that got the dolphins into the playoffs last yr. last game of the year, last play of the game, goal line def and their 98 mil DT stepped up and made a huge play to get into the playoffs.
May 27th, 2018 at 1:33 pm
DB55, according to Trollmax getting into the playoffs and getting slaughtered does not count as a meaningful win. He made it clear long ago that for him a meaningful win is a Super Bowl win. Yes, I know that’s ludicrous. And yes, obviously that’s the goal of every team. So there’s only one meaningful win per year and no defensive tackle I have ever seen has single-handedly lead his team to that win. Keep up the narrative!
May 27th, 2018 at 1:48 pm
Dude I can’t respect Tmax if you indeed changed your name and started posting. Or am I late and you were allowed back and chose to change your name? I was actually coming around but if you did that I just can’t respect it. If this is the case that is so weak my man.
May 27th, 2018 at 2:30 pm
Bushido, he is back now as Reality is a b. For whatever reason the Joe’s seem not to mind. Probably because his crass ignorance gets people to react, therefore more time spent on the site in the presence of their advertisers., clearly I’m guilty of that, but it’s in the service of calling his sad lonely arse out. When you say weak you’re not kidding.
May 27th, 2018 at 3:18 pm
Joe
“How many meaningful wins does Lavonte David have? But he *always* gets a pass.”
LVD is one of the best OLB in the NFL and gets a pass cus he plays his position much better than GMC plays his. 5 FF in 13 games last year. That’s a spicy meatball. Wins are a team effort so I don’t understand how one player can have a meaningful win, but I’m sure some guys look at Lavonte’s tape, also.
May 27th, 2018 at 4:50 pm
ATrain I can agree with that. I for one like GMC he’s no Sapp but damn good DT but he needs a big year this year his Dline needs to dominate
May 28th, 2018 at 8:25 pm
I’m not a Gerald basher but every since this article https://www.joebucsfan.com/2015/09/its-not-about-enjoyment-gerald-mccoy/ joe wrote a few years back I always fear Gerald is going to get in our rookies heads the wrong way. Just do your thing Gerald and let the rookies learn from the guys we brought in with super bowl rings!!!
May 29th, 2018 at 10:27 am
That’s the kind of leader GMC needs to be. In his defense, he hasn’t had much to work with in the past, so hopefully with a kid like Vea, he can really get the help he needs to be successful and help them speed up the learning curve a bit with the veteran insight he is trying to provide.