“I Want Vita Vea To Take Gerald McCoy Under His Wing”
May 5th, 2018
Ex-Buc talks defense
Stop thinking or saying that finally the Buccaneers got help for Gerald McCoy and now he’ll be a better player.
That’s flawed and misguided thinking, according to the In The Trenches podcast and one of Joe’s favorite Bucs analysts, Ian Beckles.
Beckles manned right guard for Tampa Bay from 1990 through 1996, and he’s been a very busy man on local radio since retiring from the game. He’s well known for shaking his head at any kind of football love for McCoy.
“And then here it comes again with all the talk about, ‘Well, I want Gerald McCoy to take him under his wing.’ No, I want Vita Vea to take Gerald McCoy under his wing. Ok, because the mentality of this defense is changing. It’s getting meaner. It’s getting nastier. So let’s not bring it back to where it was, ’cause where it was wasn’t effective,” Beckles said.
“And we keep talking about how everybody is going to make Gerald McCoy better. It’s supposed to be the other way around. If you’re a perennial Pro Bowler player like he is, he’s supposed to be making everybody else better. And that’s part of the problem. That hasn’t happened since he [got] here.”
Yes, Beckles adores the Vea pick and the dimension the Bucs’ first-round pick brings. Beckles likened him to retired four-time Pro Bowler Ted Washington (6-5, 375 pounds) and says Vea should get no more than 35 snaps per game so he can fresh for maximum disruption.
“The Buccaneers really just changed the mentality of their defense by drafting this kid because the Buccaneers have never had a football player like that on defense. And when I mean ‘like that’ is when you’re 6-4, 350, and you’ve got great feet and you’ve got a little mean to you, you got to compensate for this dude,” Beckles said. “You might think you can leave your center on him and block him 1-on-1, but he’s going to disrupt stuff just because — because of his size and his physical nature.”
It’s true; Vea is a new look for the Bucs defense. And he should be a new focus for offensive coordinators, assuming Vea can stay healthy and his strength translates to the NFL.
As for McCoy needing to learn from Vea, regular readers here know where Joe stands. McCoy is an excellent football player but not a Hall of Famer. He doesn’t deserve much of the heat he gets.
But you know what, McCoy can learn from all the new blood on the defensive line, including Vea. That’s what great players do when they have the right mindset. They’re constantly hungry to learn from everyone.
It’s obvious that Dirk Koetter and Jason Licht want a much tougher and meaner football team, based on their offseason moves. And McCoy was one of the faces that too-soft 2017 team.
Kwon Alexander has said he wants “a little more dog” from McCoy and management wants more dog from everyone. Joe actually thinks McCoy will deliver a meaner version of himself this season.
May 5th, 2018 at 11:19 am
GMC aka “Mr Softie” needs to learn a thing or two about tackling the ball carrier versus just exploding past the point of the attack and having the ball carrier whizzzz right by him.
May 5th, 2018 at 11:21 am
….and Ian Beckles has 100% spot on on his crtics of GMC……the ice cream man needs to “step it up”
May 5th, 2018 at 11:21 am
HEREEEEE WEEEE GOOOO!!!!!
May 5th, 2018 at 11:22 am
Trade 93!!
May 5th, 2018 at 11:26 am
………and Joe, are you finally going to admit that GMC has never lived up to the Media hype all these years????
Please don’t throw out stats for justification like you do for Jameis in his defense.
WE ALL KNOW the bucs will not resign GMC<———–maybe the most overrated, overhyped player in Bucs history!!!!!
May 5th, 2018 at 11:31 am
I just hope we don’t see any more terrible speeches from McCoy on the practice field, the last one he attempted was embarrassing, you could feel the awkwardness from the other players body language.
I think #93 has been a very good player on the field, but he’s never been a leader, when he tries to inspire the only thing he ever manages to do is put his foot in his mouth.
May 5th, 2018 at 11:32 am
I scream, Ian screams, we all scream at McIceCream.
I must find a way to forgive you simple folks, I know most of you have no idea what football is supposed to look like. It’s not like most of you people got a chance to grow up watching the 85 Bears or Giants or the 90 Bills or 49ers play football. You guys were stuck at the old sombrero since 1976, poor babies. I’m so sorry.
McCoy is a cancer on this org and they simply will never ever win any meaningful games until the softness of McIceCream is eradicated. Simple as that. Now if we’re competing for the most beautiful smile on the football field then we’re world champs each and every Sunday. And don’t look now but Vita has a nice smile too shhh more to come.
#PreMadonna #Diva. #CareerLoser #Neverwonasignificantgame #Idontlikegettinghit #Ratherbeanactor
May 5th, 2018 at 11:33 am
Geraldine sombody should have told you, nice guys finish last…
Don’t get me wrong, McCoy is a good football player…But that being said, being the smartest kid in special ed class doesn’t exactly give you bringing rights…
Drafting Vita was exactly what we needed to put some bite back into what’s been a toothless Buccaneer defense for over a decade now….
May 5th, 2018 at 11:34 am
GMC<———–maybe the most overrated, overhyped player in Bucs history!!!!!
—–___________
You misspelled maybe. It's spelled definitely
May 5th, 2018 at 11:38 am
being the smartest kid in special ed class doesn’t exactly give you bringing rights…
————-
Total insult to the special ed kids. Lol. At least they have to fight for everything.
McIceCream gets handed 800k checks every week for letting QBs and RBs run the ball down his throat. If he wants to be an actor maybe he should consider adult films. 🤣😂
May 5th, 2018 at 11:42 am
Bwhahahahahaa…never got past the headline…….
May 5th, 2018 at 11:42 am
I hope this guy is good. Cause this is not collage. McCoy was unstoppable in collage.
May 5th, 2018 at 11:42 am
I hope this guy is good. Cause this is not collage. McCoy was unstoppable in collage.
May 5th, 2018 at 11:44 am
The only thing wrong with McCoy going forward as Buc starter…..is his salary…which is not in proportion to his production….unlike my football insights
May 5th, 2018 at 11:44 am
Beckles wants Vea to get a few snaps off for rest. Should be no problem. We seem to have some very good depth at DT for a change.
May 5th, 2018 at 11:45 am
Here is a novel concept; they make each other better. But that won’t get your name in a blog.
Nice hashtags DB55. Enjoy junior prom this year and upload the new Snapchat filters for your Facebook pictures.
May 5th, 2018 at 11:46 am
Hey Joe,
I was just getting around to listening to the Thur Ira podcast, and you said something about Alex Kappa that’s not really true.
Watch the senior bowl practices and look at how Kappa dominates d lineman coming from the in- and outside. Notably, he was the main culprit that caused Marcus Davenport (who prior to the senior bowl was mocked as early as 7 to the Bucs) stock to plummet; he gobbled him and other lineman up!
May 5th, 2018 at 11:48 am
Preach Beckles! I dont want anyone learning from over rated McCoy. He hasent made anyone better his whole career yet some reason people are expecting others to make him better. Comical. I just hope next season wont be to late to trade him for something… anything.
May 5th, 2018 at 11:49 am
Why can’t the fans support a top 5 defensive tackle. He has nothing to prove to anybody and the numbers speak for themselves. The guy plays 90% of the snaps in a game and remains effective. His work ethic is unreal he keeps himself in shape to play at high level. The man can play bottom line. Now is the guy a fearless leader no. But he is a great football player.
May 5th, 2018 at 11:54 am
McCoy is the elder statesmen of our defense…he’s supposed to set the tone…Some of the greatest 3 techniques to play the game: Mean Joe Green, John Randle, Warren Sapp, and Gerald McCoy? Just doesn’t belong in this conversation right now…
It’s ok to be a nice guy off the field but on game day you have to be the meanest SOB on the field; a pure dog, not a puppy…In order for this defense to start dominating again a leader has to emerge and McCoy has proven to me that he’s solid but he’s not an Alpha Dog…
May 5th, 2018 at 11:55 am
Julian they are trolls looking for responses just like yours. Now you went and made their day.
May 5th, 2018 at 12:01 pm
Why all the shade on McCoy? It’s not his fault that he’s been forced to carry the load for an underachieving cast of characters. Yes, he’s well-paid. Yes, he’s too nice for many of our tastes (mine included) but he didn’t make the personnel decisions. He could be better but the man is a good player and has been carrying far more than his share the entire time he’s been a Buc.
May 5th, 2018 at 12:05 pm
They’re loose … Somebody please close the Crazies Door. GMC ranks FOURTH on the Bucs in terms of sacks with 48.5 in 8 years, to include 2 shortened seasons due to injuries. Lee Roy Selmon is #1 (78.5 sacks in 10 yrs); Sapp is #2 (77 sacks in 9 yrs); and Rice is #3 (69.6 sacks in only 6 yrs). Thinking about all the DTs & DEs who’ve played for the Bucs since 1976 (42 years & counting), I’d hardly call being FOURTH-RANKED in team history as being ‘overrated’ or ‘overhyped’. Especially since #1 & #2 are already in the Hall of Fame and #3 (Simeon) should’ve been elected in already (shame on the Hall of Fame voters for skipping over such a great performer). And oh ya, keep in mind that GMC is still playing … his final tally isn’t complete yet.
May 5th, 2018 at 12:08 pm
The one thing all championship teams have in common is depth on defense. With all the depth on our d-line this season it should help keep them fresh and healthier, playing in a rotation and piling on less snaps. If our team can compete without the discernable drop-off from the 1st team to the 2nd we should pose as a major force late into the season. Even if we do sustain some injuries along the way their is still a comfort level when you are potentially stacked along your front seven. We need to come out with a statement early and dominate the early season games. If we can do that our depth will take us deep.
May 5th, 2018 at 12:16 pm
Licht does not likely read these comments, but you can bet you a$$ that someone on his staff does, and has been. Licht has heard the soft comments and he is fighting to end them with play and player. Hanging a “SOFT” sign on a defense is the greatest insult. The Bucs earned theirs, now holding a clear title.
How can so many people be wrong about McCoy? Great players step up in big moments; McCoy has never done that. GMC has been just good enough to keep his starting role and collect $100 Million dollars. Just good enough to stop the Bucs from cutting him. Just nice enough to make fans love him. Why should McCoy do more? He is happy and he has a large percentage of the Bucs fandom fooled.
May 5th, 2018 at 12:19 pm
GMC is great. The reason we’ve sucked is bc gmc? Really!? Really!? If you fools were right about him being such a cancer, wouldn’t have traded him already? He’s voted into the pro bowl by his peers god knows it’s not Tampa bays fair weather fans voting him in. If his peers respect him, well that tells you all you need to know. And confirms you’re all morons
May 5th, 2018 at 12:19 pm
Kfom….nobody at One Bucs reads these comments other than comic escape….
May 5th, 2018 at 12:37 pm
AE I bet Licht reads these after a couple of expensive glasses of wine late at night and laighs his butt off
May 5th, 2018 at 12:39 pm
Well, at least we can call McCoy and Vea “Sugar & Spice” lol
May 5th, 2018 at 12:40 pm
It wasnt Licht that hung a soft sign on this team, it was the rest of the league. Its no coincidence that Licht is now trying to get “mean” DLineman on this team. To combat the softness. But fanboys, where did this softness come from? It surely cant be the over rated former face of the Defense who has been called soft for years now… No, no.
May 5th, 2018 at 12:55 pm
Ian Beckles can keep his thoughts to himself. I stopped listening to him on the radio when he started blaming white people for everything.
May 5th, 2018 at 12:58 pm
I think if McCoy just needs to step up and Lead
A little nasty in the trenches Not kick people on the ground or spitting on people
But knocking people out of the way
GMC is a Good Play. COULD BE GREAT if he just stepped it up a notch
May 5th, 2018 at 1:00 pm
I think McCoy is a good player. HOWEVER, I’m still reminded of my reaction to his performance during the 2009 National Championship game against the Gators. I said “ Did he even play in the game?” After that game I could not remember one play that he made in the game. To be sure, he has made a few plays here with the Buccaneers but he does not make the big play at the most critical time when it is needed. Great players do that. So, he’s been a good player and that’s it.
May 5th, 2018 at 1:02 pm
I wouldn’t even suit up vea to till midway into the 2nd half.
Teams always start getting chunk yards in the 2nd half
Bring in the closer.
May 5th, 2018 at 1:12 pm
McCoy needs to take a back seat and let Curry, Allen, lead the D line. They actually have won something in the league. Not to mention Kwon stepping more into a leadership role.
May 5th, 2018 at 1:14 pm
GMC will get 13 sacks this year.
And all of you haters will eat your evil words.
GMC and LVD have been on this crappy team for years.
They keep playing hard for NOTHING year after year.
GMC should get a key to the city for all of his baddass play over the years!!
May 5th, 2018 at 1:32 pm
Is Ian Beckles TMAXCON?
May 5th, 2018 at 1:44 pm
I agree wholeheartedly with Teacherman and vigorously disagree with k: Licht does read comments on Joe Bucs Fan. You’ll hear him say things, certain word choice or obscure expressions people here have used. He followed my draft advice exactly (big three or tradedown), so …
May 5th, 2018 at 2:03 pm
I’m sure you’re correct. After all the best way to get in to be a GM of one of the 32 NFL teams is to listen to fans on a message board.
May 5th, 2018 at 2:17 pm
The last team labeled this soft was the underachieving falcons and Mike Smith was the leader of that . Trade GMC for a stud corner, D end or Right Guard and reassign Smith and you will win More !!!
May 5th, 2018 at 2:20 pm
I guarantee this is the same group of “fans” that thinks Quenton Nelson is the best G in the history of the NFL.
I have one question for Mr. Beckles, name one D Linemen that has played alongside McCoy and wasn’t a good player then moved to another team and became great. All of you delusional McCoy haters can give him a hand as well…
McCoy is not a Hall of Famer yet, but it has been the best D Linemen we had since the SB team.
May 5th, 2018 at 3:19 pm
See it IS people are starting to come to realize the truth that a few of us have known for years…. that GMC is so overrated and just a mouth piece. All he does is talk a good game and be a world class showboat.
May 5th, 2018 at 3:47 pm
blah blah blah…
I’m not sure there’s ever been a player who’s a pro bowler year in and year out who’s more disrespected that GMC.
Remind me how many pro bowls Beckles went to?
May 5th, 2018 at 3:50 pm
Its funny how a probowl is nothing but a popularity contest until its useful to defend an over rated player.
May 5th, 2018 at 4:20 pm
assuming Vea can stay healthy and his strength translates to the NFL.
What!!!! Yo you guys say odd things sometimes. If McCoy couldn’t stay healthy his first two season we won’t be labeling this guy injury prone. Are you actually trying to say 6-4, 350 may not translate to the NFL? Really Joe not that’s a lazy take and it’s just silly talk. Critic the guys technique all you want or even his stamina dealing with Florida heat but will he be strong enough? Seriously lol that’s too funny
May 5th, 2018 at 4:28 pm
It will rub off on Gerald! I think you have a great chance at the Hall of fame, when you go to the probowl every year! He has always worked like he was undrafted and apprecciates this organization, even when they weren’t helping him much.
He represented this organization, when we didn’t have a franchise QB! I think we have been very lucky to have him!
May 5th, 2018 at 4:56 pm
“And we keep talking about how everybody is going to make Gerald McCoy better. It’s supposed to be the other way around. If you’re a perennial Pro Bowler player like he is, he’s supposed to be making everybody else better. And that’s part of the problem. That hasn’t happened since he [got] here.”
—————————————————————————————-Need I say more ? The MF has been soft serve since day one. No excuses Aunt Geraldine. Somehow I have a feeling he will fake an injury and be out the majority of the season. He knows he won’t be able to live up to expectations. Everyone has always argued oh he’s been alone, no help, he gets quadruple teamed, etc… No excuses now and he knows it. That’s why he’s going to fake an injury so his dumb a$$$ followers can keep saying ” oh if he was healthy….. (fill in the blank)….
May 5th, 2018 at 4:56 pm
Lol. 70% of the comments here borderline on Stupidity. So does Beckles’ comments. I lost some respect for Beckles today. Name another DT not named Warren Sapp that has made as many Pro Bowls and has the stats that GMC does DESPITE no help…. Can’t do it can you?
Losers or “Can’t comprehend dumbases” the lot of you.
May 5th, 2018 at 4:57 pm
Yup…….Time out for posts AGAIN! Joe your filters are older than my dad.
May 5th, 2018 at 4:58 pm
I know Beckles was a pretty good player, but I rather take his BBQ advice,
than somebody who like McCoy suffered more than his fair share of losses
in his career.
May 5th, 2018 at 5:42 pm
@ Bob in Valrico, he was hung out to dry maybe worse than any player in his career.
May 5th, 2018 at 5:57 pm
@SB if you are talking about GMC I couldn’t agree more.Beckles got to play with Gruber and Tony mayberry at least.
May 5th, 2018 at 7:37 pm
Please please don’t over use him. Especially in his first year. I’m sure some folks on this site will jump on him if he doesn’t produce big time as a ROOKIE!
May 5th, 2018 at 8:01 pm
Last week on Draft Night we Bucs fans witnessed a possible culture change for the defense. They are not building the team around McCoy any more. That era is over, it is time for a new day and for our younger player to take control. Full Control.
Kwon is old enough this is his defense. Vita Vea can take control of the Dline but first he has to prove it on the field.
I do like Gerald by his time has flown by him. There’s enough talent on the team now that we don’t even have think about McCoy. There’s a good handful of others players I think about before Gerald McCoy when it comes to our Defense.
May 5th, 2018 at 8:04 pm
I was Bob.
May 5th, 2018 at 9:03 pm
Say McCoy wins defensive mvp, and wins a super bowl within the next two seasons….he’ll be in the hall.
May 5th, 2018 at 9:18 pm
I remember Ian Beckles when he played for us and he was not that good. So I take what he says with an ounce of Kool=aid! If Vea is smart, he will learn from GMC. Vea still gotta learn the NFl ropes. As all of you shall soon see.
May 5th, 2018 at 9:52 pm
“Say McCoy wins defensive mvp, and wins a super bowl within the next two seasons….he’ll be in the hall.”
———–
Hahahahaha! Yeah and if your aunt had nuts she’d be your uncle.
May 5th, 2018 at 10:06 pm
By the twisted logic some use here Beckles averaged 10 losses a year when he was a starter here and at Philly. Doesn’t make him an expert in my book. Gmc is still a top 5 DT whether Beckles likes it or nothis 13 mil a year contract or not. I
suspect that’s probably is most of his problem much like some on this site.
May 5th, 2018 at 11:06 pm
Vita is a 2-down 3-4 NT… all this talk about him being a McCoy replacement is silly as they’re not even remotely the same type of players.
Danny Shelton was a DT from Washington that went with the 12th overall pick. He was a guy who was huge, who most people said would be a 2-down run stuffer in the NFL, and who people at the time said no, he has surprising rush skills, etc etc etc… Well 3 years into his career he’s a 2-down run stuffer. Vita has a faster 40 so perhaps he’ll be better, but it’s a long shot in my opinion.
Hope I’m wrong, but until I see it on the field I don’t buy the hype.
May 6th, 2018 at 2:42 am
Somewhere in a dark room, Tmax climaxed while reading this article.
I appreciate Beckles commentary from time to time but the truth is he was a very average player.
Never understood what Beckles being an average NFL starter has to do with his commentary. It’s not like Beckles runs around saying he belonged in the Pro Bowl or was a great leader of men. Guy started 121 NFL games. –Joe
May 6th, 2018 at 6:52 am
@denjoe
Thanks bro! I agree 100%
May 6th, 2018 at 7:29 am
If you honestly think GMC is a cancer then you’re an idiot. It’s hard to make any type of play when everyone that lines up next to you should be in the CFL. To say trade him or anything along those lines is just absolutely insane. In what world does that make them a better team? Show me one other guy that is consistently double or even triple teamed in this league, and yet he still manages to make plays.
May 6th, 2018 at 8:22 am
YAWN!
Same tired commentary from the same “fans”! This will be put to rest this season and the “fans” will be jumping back onto the bandwagon!
Winning cures ALL!!!
May 6th, 2018 at 11:43 am
I can’t believe all the bad talk about GMC !! He is a fantastic football player !! He is not Sapp and has to much class to even try to be. I saw Sapp shaking hands with teams we played and didn’t like that either. When you play against teams, win or lose you still respect the team you play. Some of these players on different teams could have friends for years. That’s called sportsmanship. Gerald needs to take Vita under his wing and let him learn from one of the best period !!! Gerald will be in our ring of honer and in the Hall Of Fame too !! Don’t listen to these haters Gerald, we love you in Tampa!!
May 6th, 2018 at 1:23 pm
McSoft Serve gets too much love from Joe. We’re talking about a guy who shows up for one quarter a game and gets washed the other three. TRADE THAT BUM before it’s too late!
May 6th, 2018 at 3:57 pm
The man made 6 pro-bowls yet he couldn’t get his teammates to play better…now who’s fault was that! GMC IS A GOD!!
May 7th, 2018 at 1:00 am
Gmc actually has help this year so opposing teams cant jus double an triple team him all game better d line this year gmc is clearly our best defensive player jus because of the attention that is needed to contain him an he still make plays i see a meaner defense this year lets go bucs