Lovie Smith, Mike Smith And Gerald McCoy
April 4th, 2019
“Gerald, you will always be a Pro Bowl player in my eyes.”
In the wake of the claim from former NFL general manager Michael Lombardi that the Bucs are shopping Gerald McCoy “hard” — also picked up by WTVT-TV Channel 13 and NJ.com, the internet wing of the Newark Star-Ledger, Joe fielded a very good question from a loyal reader (@FanOfFairplay).
Joe was asked if the Bucs rotten defensive coaches in recent years accelerated GMC’s demise or perhaps Pearl Harbored his career?
Joe thought that was a heck of a question.
Just looking at stats, there might be a case to be made. In 2013 at the age of 25, GMC finished his best statistical season. He had 9.5 sacks and 50 tackles, 11th for all defensive tackles in the NFL. One would think GMC was just entering his prime years.
And 2013 was also the final season for former Bucs commander Greg Schiano.
Enter inept Lovie Smith, who thought he had his version of Warren Sapp and Derrick Brooks with GMC and Lavonte David. GMC was somewhat slowed by injuries in Lovie’s reign of terror but put up decent numbers. David was pretty much in the same boat: decent numbers but not a force he was with Schiano.
When Mike Smith came on board in 2016, well, GMC never matched what he did with Lovie or Schiano.
Now in limited times, GMC was forced to play in a three-man front. He didn’t like it, thinking that formation neutered his skills, but GMC was the good soldier and did as he was ordered.
Could one make the case that poor defensive coaching hurt GMC? Possibly. One also must factor in injuries, seemingly a new defensive line coach annually, and age.
But there is no question just by looking at stats, GMC was never the same after Schiano left One Buc Palace.
April 4th, 2019 at 7:38 am
Thank you Mr. alibi.
April 4th, 2019 at 7:39 am
That d@mn 10 yard cushion outside neutered everyone skills not only McCoy’s. Too bad he didn’t stood up to those dummy coaches and not wanted to take a pay cut did him in.
April 4th, 2019 at 7:39 am
These c”shopping ” leaks are just internal pressure renegotiate tactic to rattle #93’s cage …I hope he signs a “new market” price 2 year deal a stays with the Bucs
April 4th, 2019 at 7:51 am
Now he’s just a punching bag for all the fans that are sick of losing. It’s just easier to put it on the guy that gets the biggest game checks, most fans understand that there’s so much more to it than him not being the “next Warren Sapp.”
April 4th, 2019 at 7:53 am
Duuhhh!!! Poor defensive coaching hurt everyone….including Jameis.
April 4th, 2019 at 8:10 am
How many coaches must get fired and have their reputations sullied before Mr. Gerald, the “best” player on the worst d, receives the blame?
Arians will not be suckered by his song and dance. Good riddance.
April 4th, 2019 at 8:11 am
You have it backwards…. gmc and his soft heartless ways torpedoed every DC and Head coach since he was drafted…. you can’t win when your highest paid player is more concerned with DOLLS and the location of every camers in a 100 mile radius
April 4th, 2019 at 8:14 am
The excuses for gmc just keep pouring in!!!!!!!!!! Its funny, in some of gmc best/productive years, he was used in ways that he did not like!!! And Oh Boy did he let it be known!!!! And the sheep fall in line and say how bad the coaching was in 2013, 2016!!!!!!!!!!!!! In 2013 it was all the stunts, and how the sheep could not wait for lovie to come in and turn loose all the talent on the D-line!!!!!!!! In 2016 Coach Smitty imployed some hybrid fronts ( which utilized NS57) and this was during that great defensive streak!!!!!! But GMC let his displeasure be known!!!!!!!!!
Published on October 25, 2017
“McCoy spent about half the game last week working in a three-man front and while he didn’t come right out and say he didn’t like it, he certainly didn’t endorse the practice.
“I just play what they call,’’ McCoy said with a sardonic chuckle when asked about the strategy. “Whatever we run, I just kind of go with it. I’m a team guy so I do what they ask me to do.
“Do I feel like I could be more effective in a different way? Yes. But I’m a team guy. It’s not about Gerald. So whatever coach calls is what I’m going to run.’’
Bucs defensive coordinator Mike Smith acknowledge making more use of a three-lineman, three-linebacker, five-defensive back set in the Bucs 30-27 loss at Buffalo last week.”
GO Bucs!!!!!!!!!!!!
April 4th, 2019 at 8:25 am
These are great points.. It is actually funny though did anyone think looking back that our best days of the decade would be when we were youngery and apart of the Schiano order. LOL…
Staffs this decade:
Morris, Schiano, Smith, Koetter — Yikes
April 4th, 2019 at 8:39 am
Schiano had them attacking and McCoy was able to get up field and penetrate and eat. He did what he was asked to do. Therefore his numbers went down because he was asked to keep the lbs clean. I don’t understand the hate for McCoy. I hope he lands with a playoff team and get that elusive superbowl appearance.
April 4th, 2019 at 8:46 am
Since Joe likes looking at stats for 2013 and he states that Batman has 9.5 sacks and 50 tackles one could also say that he was trying really hard in order to get paid and when the contract was signed he reverted back to being what he is now… a slacker and check casher.
April 4th, 2019 at 8:48 am
Been a poster here for years and never changed my name to fool Joe and he has decided to put me in perpetual moderation because he doesn’t like my takes… sad we’re afraid of the truth.
April 4th, 2019 at 8:57 am
Rashad Says:
April 4th, 2019 at 8:39 am
Schiano had them attacking and McCoy was able to get up field
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the local medias ran Schano out of town because he hurt their feelings…
April 4th, 2019 at 8:58 am
Ah shucks…….
I just hope we’re all spared from hearing Gummy93 spout his annual Off-season BS.
Don’t make me laugh!!!!!!!!
April 4th, 2019 at 9:00 am
@Rashad
Here is the reason, Because he will do what he is told for a little while!!!! He starts complaining in the back ground if he is not the defacto undertackle that features him in the defunct verison of a tampa2!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The only one that says he is a “good soldier” was him, and then a couple of parrot local media relayed what he said!!!!!! Yet, for most of his career, there is dissension, tuning out coaches, rumors leaked to media from the locker room!!!!! We changed coaches how many times????? Joe reported much last year of “insanity”!!!!!!!!!!!! why would he not use that now??????? why do the breadcrumbs lead back to ice cream???????????
2019 season will reveal answers to the sheep, that the “real” fans already know!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
April 4th, 2019 at 9:00 am
McCoy and the bucs defense was at its best under schiano but certain players and the media didnt like schiannos belichek like approach. If schiano didnt get sunk by an alleged drug addicted qb and then mrsa, I am pretty sure the bucs would have been a top flight team in the nfc, esp if schiano got more of a voice with personnel. And the people yelling about the cushion etc, that is such BS, look at the bucs under dungy and kiffin, THEY PLAYED THE SAME coverage of zone, sometimes some man in there but over 70% zone coverage, whether cover 4, 3 or 2 but zone
April 4th, 2019 at 9:08 am
Duthsty Rhothdes
Let me remind you the bucs never won a damn thing under dungy the clown… whyce built his defense and together with McKay the clueless duo couldn’t field an offense that could beat a high school defense…. bucs were a horrible team with a great defensive unit under dungy the clown. 2 playoff wins in 6 years is laughable not legendary especially with sapp….
April 4th, 2019 at 9:14 am
@doolnutts
Some had a pretty good idea!!!!!!!! I would say that some, new the “real” problems!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Its time for another Famous, and much Requested!!!!!!!!!! “Realist Repost!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GO Bucs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Buc Realist Says:
February 20th, 2014 at 9:12 am
Coach Schiano never had a chance with at the time the NFL’s worst GM!!! He saved the Glazers millions upon millions about figuring out Jfro-6 pak in days what it took years for some of the sheep!!! He saw how mentally weak the team was and trying to coach it out of the terrible roster ( which at the time the sheep that was chalked full of talent and stars being held back!!!
And the Local media basically slander him for it!! They never liked him from the start!!! and why, cause he coached Rutgers?? because he did not run the cover2 defense?? He is still the Hero that saved this Franchise by getting rid of the pop-star, even though he had to sacrifice himself!!
And even though the local media that treated him like crap, and slandered and misreported stories!! He still had the CLASS to hold a offsite press conference to Thank the fans and Bucs for the opportunity!!!
April 4th, 2019 at 9:19 am
Lol so without Schiano Geraldine career was ruined?😁😁😁😁
What happened in 2012 Schiano season when Geraldine had 5 sacks and Lavonte had 2? Lavonte has better stats under lovie including more tackles and a 5 sack season. Way more excuses out there for Geraldine than for Winston. But Winston is who he is right? Stop trying to make the case that McCoy would be some kind of lock for the hall if he had better coaches. Under lovie Geraldine had two 8.5 seasons. He’s just an average d tackle that used to be quick, he hasn’t even totaled 300 tackles in his 9 career seasons, Dude is just average but should be in the ring of honor one day
April 4th, 2019 at 9:20 am
Not this guy. Joe had a fine relationship with The Commander. Still do.
April 4th, 2019 at 9:22 am
Yes, our best “D” over the last 10 years was under Shiano. We will never know if he would have eventually been a successful head coach. However, he did teach fundamentals and not just pay it lip-service like so many other coaches.
I don’t know if this is a good or bad thing (maybe both) but, I recall Gerald saying that he was never taught how to tackle properly until he met Shiano. Our ball-carriers used to carry it high & tight under Shiano, too. Little details like this seem to have fallen by the wayside.
April 4th, 2019 at 9:22 am
i gotta admit that Lovie/Leslie defense was a historically bad.
we still haven’t recovered from that.
April 4th, 2019 at 9:23 am
Did not do this purposely. Joe’s been over this before about the software. Spent a lot of money trying to figure this out. No need to rehash. Some, for reasons unknown, are being placed into moderation. Others, well, they have been naughty in the past. Trust Joe that he has a LOT of bigger and better things to do than to fish out legitimate comments from moderation all day long. And Joe means all… day… long. Over 100 comments have to be fished out daily and that is not an exaggeration. It is much more a pain in the posterior for Joe than for the commenters. Trust Joe. Seriously. Sorry about this.
April 4th, 2019 at 9:29 am
So he abhors 3 man fronts??? And many around here find difficulty in realizing this man isn’t a fit in this new system. Wow. On a higher note Shaq Barret our new outside/edge rusher scored over 70 the last two years in pass rushing and run stopping. Too much focus on those that no longer factor and not enough on those who about to.
April 4th, 2019 at 9:35 am
TMAX……..i am right with you on the wyche take. Wyche doesnt get the credit he deserves nor does rich mckay. It is all dungy all the time. I think the bucs should have been in a minimum of 4 super bowls during the dungy error, but being a guy that didnt care about the offense ruined the bucs getting in those super bowls. 100% should have been in the super bowl against the titans and then 2-3 more, maybe they would have been the 2000s buffalo bills but they would have been in the super bowl, it is a shame that they werent and that the defense is not talked about when mentioning the greatest defenses in NFL history.
April 4th, 2019 at 9:57 am
2009 pts allowed 400 (25) 27th
2010 pts allowed 318 (19.9) 9th
2011 pts allowed 494 (30.9) 32nd
2012 pts allowed 394 (24.6) 23rd
2013 pts allowed 389 (24.3) 21st
2014 pts allowed 410 (25.6) 25th
2015 pts allowed 417 (26.1) 26th
2016 pts allowed 369 (23.1) 15th
2017 pts allowed 382 (23.9) 22nd
2018 pts allowed 464 (29) 31st
Rah 25.25 pts allowed avg
Coach Schaino 24.47 pts allowed avg
incompetent lovie 25.84 pts allowed avg
Coach Smitty 24.97 pts allowed avg
Pretty telling Numbers!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It just shows how bad loser lovie was, with the softest schedules, (He had the easiest strength of schedule) And yet on many blowouts, Opponents were killing the clock and calling off the dogs in the third quarter because it was a slaughter!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
But the simple fact, is that through all these coaches, the defense was not good enough, and does deserve to just be blown up and “forced reboot”!!!!!!!!!!!! There is no core, and no pieces that should be built around!!!!!!!!!! No keeping fake captains that will lead in dissension if they do not like what is called!!!!!!!!!!
Defenses are remade by getting younger and faster!!!!!!!!!! NOT by patching old part time players!!!!!!!!!!
The ” they need to win this year for the last 10 years is a failed plan year after year!!!!!!!!
2019 will reveal answers to teh sheep, that the “real” fans already know!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Go Bucs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
April 4th, 2019 at 9:58 am
Understand Joe… thanks for the explanation.
April 4th, 2019 at 9:59 am
Anonymous Says:
“Thank you Mr. alibi.”
—-
Thank YOU, Mr. Anonymous.
Try typing a f’ing username/moniker.
April 4th, 2019 at 10:08 am
GMC mostly didn’t like the constant DLine stunts and twists Schiano run. Arians did say he does one-gap attack defense so it might not be comparable.
Tbh those Schiano defense did work somewhat, but at that time GMC was the only really good passrusher so it’s natural that he wanted to be let loose instead of setting other people up who sometimes failed. Lovie came in and said ok you just do the 3tech passrush thing. The problem with that idea was that it is a team game. Him winning a one-on-one or even double team didn’t help much without decent DE’s to set the edge or wrap up the QB.
April 4th, 2019 at 10:15 am
The excuses for McCoy continue… even as he’s about to finally exit Tampa.
Good riddance.
April 4th, 2019 at 10:20 am
The year Bucs won Super Bowl, coaching staff included Rod Marinelli, Monte Kiffin, Mike Tomlin, Jay Gruden, Raheem Morris.
Coaching staff has since not measured up to that talent.
Bucs under Schiano had much better player talent on defense with Mark Barron, Mason Foster, Bradley McDougal, Derrelle Revis, Lavonte David. Problem was , the offense was terrible with Glennon.
April 4th, 2019 at 10:22 am
GMC is a self proclaimed “3 tech and 3 tech only,”. He denied his own development.
April 4th, 2019 at 10:28 am
Lamarcus
i like that take. never thought of it quit that way but I like….
April 4th, 2019 at 10:40 am
Joe Says:
April 4th, 2019 at 9:23 am
Been a poster here for years and never changed my name to fool Joe and he has decided to put me in perpetual moderation because he doesn’t like my takes… sad we’re afraid of the truth.
Did not do this purposely. Joe’s been over this before about the software. Spent a lot of money trying to figure this out. No need to rehash. Some, for reasons unknown, are being placed into moderation. Others, well, they have been naughty in the past. Trust Joe that he has a LOT of bigger and better things to do than to fish out legitimate comments from moderation all day long. And Joe means all… day… long. Over 100 comments have to be fished out daily and that is not an exaggeration. It is much more a pain in the posterior for Joe than for the commenters. Trust Joe. Seriously. Sorry about this.
.
..
after I think Joe’s first Podcast
I commented “Joe doesn’t like Dirk”…..been in the cooler ever since…..SMH
April 4th, 2019 at 10:43 am
Seems to me that the Bucs may think the Same thing why else would BA be saying things that would hurt his Trade Value I don’t think they want to trade him but want him to sign a team friendly deal
April 4th, 2019 at 10:51 am
Can anyone help with remembering a time that McCoy came up big to help seal a win in a game. I can’t remember one. Now don’t get me wrong I think McCoy is an above average tackle. However I do not think he is top tier. Never was. He is getting paid too much. Rarely makes big plays. Also he was good in the first half but always seemed to be gone in the second half. Tired? I don’t know. I don’t have the stats but from the games I watched his stats must be lower in the 2nd half. He’s a rich young man and I wish him the best. He is over paid.
April 4th, 2019 at 10:52 am
Can anyone help with remembering a time that McCoy came up big to help seal a win in a game. I can’t remember one. Now don’t get me wrong I think McCoy is an above average tackle. However I do not think he is top tier. Never was. He is getting paid too much. Rarely makes big plays. Also he was good in the first half but always seemed to be gone in the second half. Tired? I don’t know. I don’t have the stats but from the games I watched his stats must be lower in the 2nd half. He’s a rich young man and I wish him the best. He is over paid.
April 4th, 2019 at 11:05 am
Never a fact but poor coaching has pretty much everything to do with being terrible if you make it to the NFL.
It’s all about players listening, watching, practicing, and playing with these awful coaches over the years that have made their game so much worse.
April 4th, 2019 at 11:09 am
If we had strong coaching and strong leadership throughout the years, we would be having a different conversation about GMC and just about every other player.
It’s funny to me that we point our ire toward one guy out of ELEVEN on the football field. Soak that in. Doesn’t sound right, does it?
I want the Bucs to win, that’s it. If it’s with or without McCoy, I don’t care. Winning AND losing is not about individual players.
We can rail that GMC is “the face of the losing years” all we want. The TRUTH is that this franchise has let its fans down by not requiring accountability of its GMs, coaches, and players. GMC is not “the face”! Look towards the Glazers if you want the real truth.
April 4th, 2019 at 11:11 am
Duthsty Rhothdes
4 super bowls…. nice he definitely cost them 2 I think. McKay is just as responsible as dungy for the lack of offense that being said the ravens did win with Dilfer drafted by mckay using the same defense first model so I guess that one can be argued either way.
April 4th, 2019 at 11:11 am
Bucsfanman
Get it right sir…. Face of the Basement Years
T shirt coming soon!
April 4th, 2019 at 11:20 am
GMC did it to GMC….
#REALISTKNOWSNOTHING!!!!!…GO BUCS!!!!
April 4th, 2019 at 11:26 am
Nothing but excuses for McCoy. Thank God at least Loser Lovie is long gone.
April 4th, 2019 at 11:44 am
McCoy gonna get traded on Draft Day……..Licht knows how to work a Draft trade and I bet Using McCoy as equity is one of his goals. I’m confident he will get it done.
I’m looking for a move up in the middle of rounds with McCoy involved.
The Bucs need a new attitude on defense and there’s always a team that will pay a big contract for a proven talent……This is a win/win scenario.
My hope is for Gerald to go to Gotham City……the team with the superhero name. That would be a ton of fun………..But Gerald I gotta say. You never once sack Drew Bress after dozens of battles. This was a major disappotiont but that’s OK. We will avenge you.
GOO BUCS!!!!!!!!
April 4th, 2019 at 11:50 am
Bucsfanman……..You are right. We have been lacking in leadership & coaching………But as our our questioned captain of this team McCoy is accountable to establish his own leadership for this team and his own level of coaching/teaching as a player.
Those 10 defenses he captained a a refelction on himself. It’s doesn’t matter is you think it’s not fair. That is the responsibility of a Captain.
April 4th, 2019 at 11:55 am
I’d like to see McCoy stay. Just not at the 13 mil.
April 4th, 2019 at 11:57 am
JimmyJack
you are right people will pay for proven talent that being said the only ones that think cancer93 has proven anything are the low standard buc fans the rest of the league realizes he is, was and will be an over paid liability that quits on coaches and on Sundays.
April 4th, 2019 at 11:59 am
You guys are nuts Lavonte and Geraldine had ONE good statistical season under Schiano the rest was average and the win loss record was also below average. Schiano had a good run defense but the corners were worse the league and last in yards given up. He’s another moron that thought it was a smart idea to pay an injured press corner 16 million to play zone. Lot of amnesia going on here at this site
April 4th, 2019 at 12:05 pm
Doubt that tmax…………Seen teams make some really bad moves before. There’s team interested in Gerald.
Always seems to be the same teams making all the wrong choices too.
The Browns, Lions, Jaguars, Dolphins, Jets & there’s one other team right on the top of my toungue.
April 4th, 2019 at 12:16 pm
It’s a combination of all of the above, and none of it changes the fact that McCoy isnt worth $13 million per season any more. Shoulda, coulda, woulda…its still time for both parties to move on.
April 4th, 2019 at 12:19 pm
I can’t wait to see his smiling/laughing face on the sidelines in another city. Cya.
April 4th, 2019 at 12:36 pm
Wow, in his best statistical season he was 11th in the league among all DT’s. I think you just made a very good point Joe, He was not even top ten in the league in his so called best year and some want him in the ROH and HOF.
April 4th, 2019 at 12:38 pm
I’ve heard a few murmors that maybe Gerald decides to retire.
Oh Boy would that be a treat. Gerald could jump right onto the Fox Pregame and instantly be the most handsome mammal to ever grace that set……..I bet the cameraman would struggle not to focus on only McCoy.
That would be a perfect Sunday to me. Three full hour of nothing but McCoy to get me jerked up before the game!!!! I feel good just thinking about it.
The absolute Pinnacle of a football experience would be Club Level seating to the Gerald Ring of Honor game!!!! Three hour of McCoy on the wide screen at RayJay……then a live Bucs game with a McCoy celebration sandwitched in at halftime!!!!!!!!!! I might pass out from the excitement before I even get to see what he’s wearing!!!!!!!!!
April 4th, 2019 at 12:51 pm
Mccoy is done. Lovie sucked Mike Smith sucked nuff said
April 4th, 2019 at 12:55 pm
As long as we trade him before the season starts I’ll be happy.
April 4th, 2019 at 2:35 pm
You’ve already been stating that GMC is beat up after every game where he can hardly move. If that’s the case, that he is in that bad of shape after every game how is it expected that he can recover before the next game? This is a sign of an aging player that gets destroyed every game. Maybe it’s time GMC restructures his contract and possibly take a rotational role to save his body for the entirety of a whole game. Vea > GMC
April 4th, 2019 at 2:45 pm
JimmyJack
the browns make much better choices than our beloved bucs sir…. remember we are the proud owners of the worst winning percentage in pro sports. gruden’s accidental championship does not erase history.
April 4th, 2019 at 7:42 pm
JimmyJack, that was funny right there
April 5th, 2019 at 9:27 pm
Absolutely Gerald was hurt by poor coaching. So was James Wilder.