The Elephant In The Room
January 8th, 2019
Bruce Arians in; GMC out?
It was a sad scene in the Bucs locker room after the final game of the season.
There stood stud defensive tackle Gerald McCoy, a proud man who has given it his all for the past nine seasons with the Bucs. This franchise shamefully let him down by not putting a team around him so he and his teammates could play in a playoff game.
GMC almost seemed to be fighting back tears. He was emotional and his words hinted he had a hunch he had just played his last game in a Bucs uniform.
Could that exit depend on the new coaching staff? Joe went back to look at the words of Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht at his news conference last Monday discussing the removal of Dirk Koetter. Licht was specifically asked if GMC would return in 2019.
“We have a lot of tough decisions to make,” Licht said. “A lot of people have a lot of tough decisions to make.”
That certainly wasn’t a no, but it sure as hell wasn’t a yes.
Now if the Bucs hire Bruce Arians, the next question is, does Arians bring back his former defensive coordinator in Arizona and a guy who played defensive back for him at Temple, recently fired Jets coach Todd Bowles?
When Bowles was in Arizona, his base defense was a 34 defense. And that does not fit GMC’s skillset. With Mike Smith, a few times the Bucs came out in a three-man front with GMC playing at end. He did not like it one bit.
Now GMC was a good soldier and did what he was told but there was no question he was irked about playing in a three-man front.
So if Bowles does join Arians with the Bucs, is that a clear sign that GMC has played his last snap for Tampa Bay?
January 8th, 2019 at 8:04 am
Probably
I think McCoy would redo deal if new staff want to keep
He knows he got paid a ton of money and was out quite a bit (and is a good guy. Maybe to nice )
January 8th, 2019 at 8:08 am
Really great guy. But never made the postseason. Never led this defense to high marks. Never broke double digit sacks. Ed Oliver and Gerald go elsewhere
January 8th, 2019 at 8:10 am
If you draft OT Williams you have to keep GMC if you release him you must draft DL in this draft.
January 8th, 2019 at 8:13 am
IMO,what GMC did not like was playing 0 technique and plugging up the middle,
Until this year we have never had a huge DT to plug up the middle. Baker was
heavier but got pushed into the linebackers. Clinton Macdonald was extremely strong but playing against double teams caused him to get injured and miss a good amount of playing time.
January 8th, 2019 at 8:13 am
I shed a tear every Sunday watching crappy defense which he and his salary are a huge part of. Funny how everyone was screaming just give him help and when he gets help there is a long list of other excuses. Sad really I can admit when I’m wrong with out any problem but others not so much.
January 8th, 2019 at 8:18 am
If they do move on from GMC then I would think you gotta look at DL with the 5th pick even after drafting Vea
January 8th, 2019 at 8:19 am
What a drama queen!
January 8th, 2019 at 8:22 am
Let’s not forget the other 13 Million reasons
January 8th, 2019 at 8:27 am
Reduce his contract in half but guarantee it.
Keep him! We have too many holes to fill!!
Top priorities: LT, RG, CB, Safety, MLB, OLB (Kwon and Kendall are both hurt)
Secondary priorities: DE, DT
Pay cut for Brate- but guaranteed.
Pay cut for Curry- but guaranteed.
Pay cut for Gholston but guaranteed.
MJ Stewart has short, quick legs.-Convert him to an in the box DB. (Chargers style)
January 8th, 2019 at 8:29 am
Bucnjim- What do you want? An award?! For being right about what?! No, he didn’t get 10 sacks, no he didn’t play his best football. He still out-played his cohort in L.A. who plays next to the most dominant DT since Sapp.
So, as a card-carrying member of the GMC Crow-Eating Club, I was wrong.
There! Feel better?
January 8th, 2019 at 8:30 am
GMC is the Bucs MRSA. You gotta cut the flesh off, disinfect it and replace it
January 8th, 2019 at 8:32 am
Time to go. He’s holding this defense hostage from installing anything other than a full time four man front.
January 8th, 2019 at 8:36 am
he is already a millonaire……if Licht offers a new deal, whatever his desicion is will show you hes real priorities……So we will know if those tears were for real pretty soon. I would love him to stay, but not for 13mm……II have a lot of respect for 93, he is a real pro…….Not like Baker or Grimes or Ward truly prima donnas and selfish players
January 8th, 2019 at 8:36 am
Bucs wasted his best years and are on the verge of wasting David’s career as well
January 8th, 2019 at 8:37 am
He is probably happy not to have to wear that CRAPPY clown fest of uniform ever a again…
January 8th, 2019 at 8:39 am
Bye bye Softie.
I will cry too when you are gone……..
Tears of freakin joy!
January 8th, 2019 at 8:39 am
What I want is for the excuses to stop nothing more or less. Don’t need an award would have loved for him to have killed it this year. The problem is the organization sells us on certain players being superstars. We have two JPP and Evans. We have several potential in Godwin, OJ Howard and even Humphries.
January 8th, 2019 at 8:40 am
The truth in the case of GMC is wether it’s in Tampa or somewhere else, no team wants him at his current price tag of $13 mill per…
If he’s willing to renegotiate his contact and take a pay cut Imho he’s worth keeping…If not I wish him the best…
January 8th, 2019 at 8:43 am
Gerald is/was a great 3 tech. He caught a lot of flak from people who don’t know what there talking about. If it is his last season in Tampa, I wish him well and hope that he finds a team that will actually utilize his skill set.
January 8th, 2019 at 8:43 am
If GMC is not retained, this would be possibly the worst year to trade him. The draft is stocked with DT talent and many buyers may be more inclined to fill that position for less $$. On that note I don’t feel you have to take a DT at 5 to replace him, if a stud LT or CB is your choice at 5, I feel fairly confident that a very good DT can be had at the top of the second round
January 8th, 2019 at 8:44 am
If Arians picks a DC that runs a 3-4, I don’t see GMC sticking around unless they make him a DE. With the money saved by cutting GMC (13 mil), I would guess Arians would use it to beef up the OL and running back. He believes in a balance running and passing attack. My guess, Licht will focus on the Defense for the draft as this is a strong draft for Defensive players.
January 8th, 2019 at 8:45 am
Vea was drafted to replace McCoy and Licht quite possibly had Arians and the 3-4 in mind back then. Cant go DT in first round this year. DE or OL. The DE from Kentucky would be nice.
January 8th, 2019 at 8:46 am
GMC reminds me so much of Jameis Winston whereas everything must be perfect around them for them to succeed or play better than expectations. They can’t elevate a teams success on their own at their own position. This year GMC had probably the best players on the d-line and still couldn’t muster more than double digit sacks. Time to move on or sign with a team friendly contract. He owes us that at least after his years of mediocre contributions. Funny, but Suh will probably be a FA this summer.
January 8th, 2019 at 8:49 am
Bucnjim- Just busting chops! He did not excel as many thought he would, including me. You could make the argument that he was instrumental in JPP’s success, but that is a bit exaggerated.
His salary makes him expendable, IMO. Short of negotiating a lower salary, I don’t see the Bucs retaining him.
January 8th, 2019 at 9:00 am
Yeah it’s time to part ways. Let’s get Bowles in here and draft Josh Allen… Jonah Williams did not help his case yesterday.
January 8th, 2019 at 9:07 am
restructure or relocate….
#REALISTKNOWSNOTHING!!!!…#KRISISTHEPICK!!!!…GO BUCS!!!!
January 8th, 2019 at 9:25 am
Thank you Grt 1 and teacherman … GMC should be the least of our concerns right now. Bucs are ‘caught between a rock & a hard place’ as the old saying goes. This team is a mess in many position groups. Plus we don’t even know who we want to be when we grow up … an offensive powerhouse, a defensive beast, or a balanced team. Right now we’re NONE of those.
Used to think we’re closer to being an offensive powerhouse, but not so sure any more. Our OLine needs THREE new starters (only Jensen & Marpet are keepers under contract). We need at least ONE more starting RB (Barber is a keeper, but his skillset is not very explosive). And we need ONE slot WR to make this whole thing work & keep the chains moving (hopefully we re-sign Hump, but that’s not at all a given IMO). And Jameis IS in his 5th year with no contract after that (LOTS of questions there in terms of the future). None of that spells OFFENSIVE JUGGERNAUT IMO. What it does spell is LOTS OF OFFENSIVE NEEDS.
For as bad as our defense was last year, it MAY be closer to improving more dramatically than our offense, depending on how some of our players heal up (we ended up 2018 with a LOT of defensive players on IR). We’re potentially THREE starters away from improving significantly (LB, CB, DE) IF Beckwith heals up & returns to form (Kwon’s a FA lest folks forget). That’s obviously assuming that we retain GMC … IF they let him walk, add needing ONE more piece to the puzzle.
Top-5 picks shouldn’t come along THAT often (kinda means we’re in the Bottom-5 of 32 teams?). This year especially, given all our NEEDS, is a critical draft & we can’t afford to let Lapdog piss it away. Would love to see us re-sign Donovan Smith, but NOT as a LT (and only if the new coach believes he can work out elsewhere on the OLine). Draft a stud LT to protect Jameis (or whatever QB replaces him is he poops on the field, or off, this year). We can’t afford to ‘buy one’ in FA right now.
January 8th, 2019 at 9:27 am
Keep him with a pay cut. Release other players. Desean, demar , unrein,Grimes is gone maybe curry ,Gholston,Hargraves etc. draft OT and guard first to rounds. then corner back , pass rusher. Sign a proven veteran safety to add to Evans, Whitehead,Adams. Noah Spence will fit well in a 34 defense. But that’s not our defense we are a 43 , Tampa 2 , bears defense. Linebackers are OK. David. Taylor. Beck. Kwon but if he signs 5-6 m a year. This year with injuries it help the depth
January 8th, 2019 at 9:34 am
Get rid of Aunt Geraldine. Does anyone remember his crying a$$$$ when asked about Aaron Donald being drafted? The MF said he would not switch positions. So the YUCS brass listened and didn’t even make an attempt at drafting him. The end result? Rams for Sapp 2.0. YUCS got the equivalent of Santana Dotson…oh…and some ice cream.
January 8th, 2019 at 9:43 am
Elephant???
You mean care bear
-Gerald McCoy
January 8th, 2019 at 9:50 am
^^^^
Some of our best posters/hypocrites at work.
You rip McCoy and worship Jameis
Both put up average numbers for some time. Classic cult members here. You all are the worst.
January 8th, 2019 at 9:50 am
This elephant is made out of cotton candy.
January 8th, 2019 at 10:02 am
Trade him for a box of cracker jacks. Licht will keep him, over pay D.Smith, resign Kwon coming off an ACL, over paying him too. He’ll blow the first round pick, always strikes out in the second round, and traded our 3rd rounder for JPP who’ll likely play his last year here at 14 million. There’s a reason we suck.
January 8th, 2019 at 10:06 am
JPP trade was a 2018 third round pick and an exchange of 2018 4th round picks. Nothing is owed to Giants.
January 8th, 2019 at 10:12 am
Gerald is probably long and lean enough to play end in a 3-4…but I don’t think we are switching to a 3-4…primarily because we don’t have the size at linebacker to run it.
January 8th, 2019 at 10:20 am
I sort of look at 2019 as a “What if ?”) season. If we get Arians, what other new coaches will he hire, what scheme will they run, what players will they keep, and what player will they pick at 5. I think a new coaching change will leave us pretty much guessing well into the offseason. As far as McCoy I have always been a fan of his (wear his jersey,) but a lot of good players don’t go to the SB or in many cases the playoffs. It wasn’t GMC’s fault he did’t go to the next level, it was the team he played on. Can’t feel sorry for a millionaire who spent 9 years and possibly more playing a team sport.In the next few years he may get traded and go to a playoff team Or he will get traded only to watch the Buc’s win a SB. Thats football So as much as we waste brain cells trying to determine needs and what will happen to who it’s far easier to sit back and watch how new management will try to rehabilitate a bad team.
January 8th, 2019 at 10:26 am
What’s first, the draft or whether to keep Gerald. Like Tony Dungy/Rich McKay did, we thought it was all Sapp and Culpepper, but drafted Booger, if Ed Oliver or especially Quinn Williams available you pounce, maybe even Greedy Williams. I am pretty sure if you bring in the right o line coach he gets the most out of Donovan Smith and move Caleb Benenoch back out to RT.
January 8th, 2019 at 10:28 am
Hodad says truth
January 8th, 2019 at 10:30 am
Only player in nfl where they say a franchise let down a player by not getting him help. Didn’t stop him from taking the money. He got help this time and ended up 3rd in sacks. He’s always been an average player that’s why he needed help. That’s something we say about quarterbacks but never said about d tackle he’s rich and that was the price he paid so time to move on. Most teams move on from their greats and hall of fame players he’s no different because it was not a hall of fame career unless your counting pro bowls and not sacks
January 8th, 2019 at 10:45 am
Did he say he wouldn’t switch positions or did someone on this site (full of former pro-bowl level players in Buc One every day) say that? Stop making crap up. Go Bucs!
January 8th, 2019 at 10:56 am
McCoy plays for the money. He won’t be taking a discount. He’ll go to the highest bidder.
Oh – and no one is going to trade for him because of his salary next season. Give up that dream.
January 8th, 2019 at 11:05 am
The business side of this makes it a simple decision (remove emotions)
JW – Salary if kept is jumping up 15 mil
Kwon needs a new contract he is the heart of our D, his injury makes him less costly, but he is still going to get paid 7-9 mil
Hump – needs to be extended otherwise Brady will be throwing to him next year that’s 5-7 mil
D. Smith – should be moved to right tackle and paid accordingly Dot cannot play forever and this move will cost about 7 mil
There are others but these are the big names that will cost more next year
On the other side we can free up money with a few guys
Brent washed up Grimes – saves 7 mil (Kwon with some change left over)
D-Jax – 11 mil (should cover JW added money and Hump)
That means we need to find more money to retain our guys we want and some for new rookies and to add a couple FA (like a right guard)
Gmac’s 18 mil will come in handy.
January 8th, 2019 at 11:09 am
He deserves to go somewhere where he can win.
January 8th, 2019 at 11:21 am
Can he transition to the OL?
January 8th, 2019 at 12:04 pm
GMC is a nice Guy !!! A Super Talented Guy !!!! He isn’t a leader and is a bad leader !!! He’s a nice example of a nice attention seeking football player ( nice , thoughtful guy ) but he isn’t by any stretch a leader !!! If your trying to be a leader and yourjust NOT , your probably going to be a poor leader !!! You can be a Great Example of many many things and traits and still be a poor leader !!! This is GMC , not his fault for not having that quality but it is his fault for trying to pretend and force the issue !!! Derrick Brooks didn’t seek attention and force himself to be the leader but if he had it wouldn’t have worked !!! He led by example and left it there !!!
January 8th, 2019 at 2:37 pm
This might sound frick’n crazy but how many times did you read something and say “that’s frick’n crazy”
Well here goes – Maybe McCoy could flip from DLine to OLine. Maybe he could be that grader we need at RG. He supposedly has a great get-off so maybe always knowing the snap count would give him the advantage. I bet he’d pull block well.
January 8th, 2019 at 3:32 pm
Wow! so you are saying Warren Sapp would still be in the hall of fame without Dbrooks, Lynch, culpepper then booger, and let’s not forget Simion rice ???? And please note there are more defensive pro bowlers I didn’t mention.
Your test today Fair weather fan!!! Name a group of defensive players put around GMC that compares to the defense we had here 11 straight seasons; if I’m not mistaking in the top 10 -11 in the NFL.
Oh! Let’s not forget Tony, Monty, Herm, Tomlin just to name a few were the coaches. BEAT THAT ROYAL FLUSH !!!!
January 8th, 2019 at 7:19 pm
Gerald is a great guy and an underachiever. He needs to go to winning team hopefully packaged with Djax in a trade that can net us a couple young players. I think the Patriots would be a good landing spot where they will straighten Djax out quickly.
January 9th, 2019 at 1:42 am
Maybe Licht drafted Vea based on knowing that clueless Koetter would get fired anyway. Sure looks like he had been making contingency plans for a while, and he’s already put the most important piece in place for his defense. Now, they need to fix that back end. Bowles’ defense depends on strong CB play although he did more with less in NY.