He’s A Leader
July 26th, 2018
Gerald McCoy, far right, works out with rookie defensive linemen after practice Thursday.
The nerve of some Bucs fans to suggest that Gerald McCoy is not a leader!
The Bucs stud defensive tackle is ripped apart by some fans, and in Joe’s eyes it’s for no good reason. Hell, GMC was playing at the end of the season last year with basically one arm. That’s a warrior.
One of the biggest demonstrations of GMC being a leader of the defensive line was on display today after the first training camp practice for the Bucs.
(Ironically, a mere four minutes before practice was to start, the lightning alarm went off. In years’ past, that would mean practice would be delayed by about 40 minutes. No longer. Today, practice was immediately moved indoors at the new indoor facility.)
The moment practice was over, Bucs defensive line coach Brentson Buckner had the entire line gather in a huddle and he went over things for about 10 minutes. Then there was a group prayer with Buckner in the middle. Then, GMC ordered the rookies to grab their helmets and follow him.
GMC marched the rookies to the east side of the facility and there in the end zone very near the goal posts that hang from the ceiling, GMC worked with the rookies, showing them tricks to getting off the snap quicker, using their arms to break free of a block. You name it. The extra practice session included GMC working one-on-one with the rookies.
This went on for a good 30 minutes.
Joe talked to first round draft pick Vita Vea after practice and he was very appreciative of a veteran like GMC staying back to help rookies, with their head still spinning from turning pro.
“He could have been in the cold tub or he could be having lunch,” Vea said about GMC’s leadership. It means a lot.”
So for those who still don’t believe GMC is a leader, they either didn’t read this story or didn’t hear of GMC taking time out of his busy day to work with the rookies.
July 26th, 2018 at 11:34 am
10-6
July 26th, 2018 at 11:36 am
I’ll translate what the haters are saying:
“he’s not a leader” = “he’s not mean and doesn’t yell enough or kick guys on the ground”
July 26th, 2018 at 11:37 am
Sounds more like “teaching” then “leading”!!!!!!!!!!
July 26th, 2018 at 11:41 am
Now, if these teachings can lead to production, we’re in good shape.
I’m not at all surprised by this story.
July 26th, 2018 at 11:45 am
Love it !
July 26th, 2018 at 11:46 am
All sorts of leadership styles, the key is success of the program. Leaders also fail. GMC can be a leader but if sacks don’t improve or they can’t stop the run, then his leadership style is irrelevant. Hopefully some of the more successful vets on the D-line will help.
July 26th, 2018 at 11:49 am
that’s called being a good team mate…..you can be a great team mate and a lousy leader…..
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!….#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!!….GO BUCS!!!
July 26th, 2018 at 12:01 pm
Hahahahaha!!! He’s a leader because he helps rookies after practice?
What a joke. Leaders elevate the players around them and WIN. McCoy does NEITHER.
One more season of McCoy and David on their contracts before the dead money penalties are gone. 2018 is it. One more 4-12 or 5-11 season and we can all finally move on from these horrible coaches, our idiot QB and Mr & Mrs Excuses (McCoy and David).
“Well last year was tough blah blah blah, this year will be different blah blah blah”
What a joke.
July 26th, 2018 at 12:04 pm
Its amazing how many Bucs fans have amnesia year after year.
The same stories about the same players and we end up with the same results. Year after year.
But you crazies show up and act like something has changed. Like signing 3 backups to be starters and an over the hill DE from the Giants makes a difference.
July 26th, 2018 at 12:14 pm
The Leader of Blowouts before Halftime of real NFL games.
Also leads the league with fastest first step into Oblivion
July 26th, 2018 at 12:14 pm
Oh how un-predictable! Negativity towards GMC!!!
Joel- What’s more “amazing” is you claiming to be a Bucs fan!
Those “back-ups and over the hill DE” have more talent in their big toes than this team has seen in quite a while on that defensive line. But, go ahead and convince your self that Baker, Ayers, Clarke, Russel and Tapp were better players.
Yes sir, football season is upon us!
July 26th, 2018 at 12:15 pm
Joel so 29 is over the hill at defensive ends go troll somewhere else. He had the most snaps last year at his position. Sounds like an over the hill player to me. He was traded because they switched to a 3-4 and he is a 4-3 defensive end. Most of you fans just love to whine. Man I used to love this site now I just get angry reading all these negative whining post all day. So in your mind everyone on the team sucks. Jameis sucks the whole defensive line is back ups and over the hill. Because any post about any player you guys get on here whining about said player. Like I said before I would hate to go out to dinner with most of you whiny fans. It would be embarrassing watching you send every dish back. My steak was a little chewy. My fish was a little fishy. My drink didn’t have enough ice. Can you check your keg I know 50 other people are drinking the same beer but it taste flat to me. Boo hoo hoo all day long from you guys.
July 26th, 2018 at 12:26 pm
Hahahaha!!
There it is… my favorite… “You’re not a real fan unless you believe everything the team and players tell us and think we’re going 16-0”
Wake up fools. This team won’t win more than 6 games.
July 26th, 2018 at 12:28 pm
Those “back-ups and over the hill DE” have more talent in their big toes than this team has seen in quite a while on that defensive line. But, go ahead and convince your self that Baker, Ayers, Clarke, Russel and Tapp were better players.
Yes sir, football season is upon us!
——
Nope. Never said that. That’s a sorry group. So is the one we have now. They just have different names and you’re all excited about them.
You’ll be saying in January like all of the idiot Bucs fans… “We need to surround McCoy with more talent.”
Maybe someday you’ll figure it out.
Can’t wait to see the vanilla defensive schemes Smith comes out with this year. So creative.
Oh — and will we run on 1st and 2nd down all the time like last year? Most predictable offense in the NFL.
July 26th, 2018 at 12:30 pm
Hey Jeff — This is a 5-11 team until they prove otherwise. Even the players and coaches would admit that.
Until they prove otherwise…. they’re a BAD football team.
Good luck with your hopes pinned on new free agents. I guess you haven’t figured out that Licht game yet. Different year, different players, same results SINCE 2014.
July 26th, 2018 at 12:47 pm
Joel, it’s clear this team makes you completely miserable. Why in the hell are you even here other than to bitch? Pick a new team, it’s incredibly simple. Since you know where this act is going every year, then move on. IF you still root for a team you can’t stand, well than that makes you either insane or a moron.
July 26th, 2018 at 12:49 pm
joes and mine opinion of a warrior are 2 different things. GMC should be a coach, you know what they say, those who can’t play end up teaching
July 26th, 2018 at 1:00 pm
@Realist … “Sounds more like “teaching” then “leading”!!!!!!!!!!” Realist, in my experience, great leaders are BOTH. And more …
BTW, I’ll predict now that GMC will have a kick-ass year IF he stays healthy. All that DLine talent around him (for once) will open up opportunities for him that haven’t been there in the past. And he’ll capitalize on them.
July 26th, 2018 at 1:07 pm
Joel- I can’t argue about Smitty. That’s the one thing that concerns me most. We are a snake-bitten, bitter, losing franchise Joel, no doubt.
However, I choose to be optimistic, cautiously so. Too much negativity in the world for me to transfer it onto one of my favorite entertainment pastimes.
I can’t argue with any of your points. I’m just another “idiot Bucs fan” who will be rooting for that 16-0 season, regardless!!!
July 26th, 2018 at 1:13 pm
Being realistic is now termed “negative”. The spin here is fantastic. 5-11 last year, folks. In case you forgot. First 3 games without starting QB.
@ cgmaster Says:
Not miserable at all. Just realistic. I’m sorry I’m unable to bury my head in the sand and act like a 5-11 team is something more than they are. Blindly following a team and players no matter what they do doesn’t make you a fan. It makes you an idiot.
I’ll ride out 2018 and watch it unfold just like I’ve said. Why? Because 2019 means we’ll have a new coaching staff, a non-rapist QB who never accepts blame for anything and a new GM with our Top 5 pick in the draft.
July 26th, 2018 at 1:16 pm
Rooting for a 16-0 season is fantastic. Its hilarious you think that eternal optimism makes you more of a fan than anyone else.
You can anoint yourself “top bucs fan”. No one cares.
I’ll see you at the end of the season when the Bucs finish 4-12 to collect your excuses.
July 26th, 2018 at 1:17 pm
Joel
You are actually incorrect. The guys on the field today were not all on the field for the Bucs last year. Some who were eligible missed games due to injury…could happen again let’s see.
One thing is for sure!!! The 2018 Bucs are not the 2017 Bucs! Literally they are not.
In fact you could easily do this with every team in the league.
The 2018 (fill in the blank) are not the 2017 (fill in blank).
July 26th, 2018 at 1:24 pm
Shaggy baker not only outplayed gmc last yr he completely plunked him and the whole team.
Everyone saying that Jameis should have stepped to shaggy earlier or Kwon but where tf was McIceCream? He was sharing hotdogs with Baker on the sidelines during a game (ps).
Not to mention the infamous offsides play against Carolina. No one mentions the next play where swaggy stops Jonathan Stewart short of the first (bad spot) only for McIceCream to give up the booty (up his gap) to lose the game.
But hey McIceCream can afford to turn a $311,000 automobile into a toy so yea leadership. Did he wear a sundress to camp today I missed his entrance.
No but seriously, is it not McIceCream responsibility to step up to Baker?
July 26th, 2018 at 1:28 pm
Joel- C’mon man! I don’t proclaim anything of the sort. I am admittedly sick in the head when it comes to the Bucs. I must be! I’ve been a fan since 1977!!! It doesn’t make me any more or any less of a fan than you.
We just have different philosophies. I choose to be positive.
Will you also be there at the end of the season IF the Bucs make the playoffs? Because ya’ll tend to run and hide when the team starts winning. That, or you change your name so nobody calls you out!
I stand by my optimism and will gladly swallow my pride. I’ve been doing it for so long, it actually doesn’t taste so bad any more.
Of course, the Bucs don’t put food on my table nor pay my bills. That’s why I can have my attitude.
16-0 baby! Here we come! Joel, you’re welcome aboard anytime!!!
July 26th, 2018 at 2:09 pm
Somebody here mentioned 10-6. To be honest IF..this Defense somehow comes together..comes alive. 10-6 is more than very possible. If not..we’s in big trouble.
July 26th, 2018 at 2:21 pm
DB55- What you ask of GMC is something he has never done in his career. I think it’s time we accept that. He is NOT that guy. What he is is a productive DT that plays for my favorite team.
The play you keep mentioning has been dissected over and over. GMC is not the only player with his thumb in his culo on that play. But yes, lets keep blaming ALL our defensive woes on one player. 5-11 says EVERYBODY sucked!
New season. I expect production. Period!
July 26th, 2018 at 2:34 pm
Talk about someone that has done everything ever asked of him… wish his production on the field had been better throughout his career given the expectations, but we all know he has rarely had the supporting cast to make the desired impact. Keep grinding GMC.
July 26th, 2018 at 3:11 pm
Lets hope GMC final year or 2 in Tampa is worthy of all the praise that seems to be heaped on him year after year of putrid DLine play that he was the leader of.
July 26th, 2018 at 3:17 pm
Couch- It’s hard NOT to stand out with the garbage he’s played alongside. That said, this is a very important year for him. In most people’s opinion, the d-line has been upgraded. The “surrounding talent” excuse will no longer be relevant.
July 26th, 2018 at 3:19 pm
Bucfan
Well if we don’t expect him to lead the dline then why expect anyone else to do so?
July 26th, 2018 at 4:16 pm
lol check out this Joel guy having a meltdown.
July 26th, 2018 at 4:17 pm
I know what you mean. He just ain’t it. Maybe Buckner can light that fire. They need to get somehow, right?