Steve McLendon Re-Signs; A Blow To Gerald McCoy’s Shot
April 14th, 2021
Another member of the Band of Bucs officially returned today, veteran defensive tackle Steve McLendon, the equivalent of a capable back-row clarinetist in the One Buc Palace orchestra.
McLendon was acquired in an October trade with the winless Jets and made national headlines for actually playing with the Jets on the Sunday after the trade already was agreed to but not official. McClendon, 35, told CBS Sports Radio that his unique decision was about “morals” and wanting to be beside his Jets teammates after a strong week of practice.
Talk about a team player!!
The Bucs quietly got a guy who logged 25 percent of the Bucs’ defensive snaps last season. It was exactly what Tampa Bay was seeking, a durable and reliable rotational player.
For those who missed it, six-time Bucs Pro Bowl DT Gerald McCoy was talking to TampaBay.com last weekend about yearning to play in 2021, and how he’s busting his butt to make that happen and how he would be eager to fill a role in Tampa or elsewhere.
Joe suspects McCoy had to wince a little hearing of this McLendon news, the Bucs signing a guy older than him for the job he would have savored.
Congrats to McLendon and good luck, Gerald.
April 14th, 2021 at 2:49 pm
This is bait but I’m taking it.
Isn’t McCoy the guy who didn’t think he’d be a fit for 3-4? The same guy who cried when Suh took his number?
Does anyone think he’s really gonna be ok being a role player on this team not wearing 93?
Bucs are doing just fine with selfless players like McLendon.
April 14th, 2021 at 2:57 pm
I’d be happy to get McCoy back at vet minimum. He would be a reliable backup.
I think at this point he’s not worried about starting but just wants a chance to get a ring. Who can blame him.
April 14th, 2021 at 3:01 pm
I guy who goes un-noticed….but I guess that is what you want in a rotational guy on the downside of his career. just do your job, be reliable and help wear em down till the studs come in.
not that SM may not have been a stud in the past. he just never stuck out to me last year. good depth.
AB must be throwing furniture right about now!
April 14th, 2021 at 3:06 pm
A potential Gerald McCoy return was about as exciting if not likely as a return to the horrible alarm clock font uniforms. Nothing sentimental or necessary on either front. Glad to have this McC back, however.
April 14th, 2021 at 3:20 pm
Nobody wanted McCoy back. McCoy wanted to come back. He’s an easily forgettable player. His most memorable play in his career was the “Sorry Ben” play against Pittsburgh, that’s it.
April 14th, 2021 at 3:28 pm
McCoy played on a horrible defense with a horrible team, horrible coaching and lousy QB’s for years. The guy had no help on the D line, I can’t understand all the hate for him.
April 14th, 2021 at 3:37 pm
As a vet, is his contract guaranteed? Wondering, were we to draft a DL (or 2), if we’d be on the hook for a portion of that salary if we cut him. I think it’s quite likely we’re drafting a DL in the first 2 rounds, and hoping Khalil Davis steps up in the defense this year. I’m not convinced we needed to resign McLendon, and I’m a little surprised he didn’t retire.
April 14th, 2021 at 3:44 pm
We’ve moved on from the bicep-tearing, quad-blowing, peck-shredding, calf-pulling, hamstring-off-the-bone, non-cursing GMC
April 14th, 2021 at 3:50 pm
There will be a rookie in the draft taking McCoys old locker…
April 14th, 2021 at 3:55 pm
No way Arians, Bowles, or Suh or JPP want Geraldine Softserve back. He is, quite simply, a lovable loser. That’s all he’s been and all he’ll ever be.
Love seeing Stevie M back, he’s exactly the kind of team player we need. Geraldine talks too much and produces too little, including vansihing in the 4th quarter competely. Always.
April 14th, 2021 at 3:55 pm
Good luck Gerald. Goodbye Gerald. Yay!
April 14th, 2021 at 3:58 pm
Sentimental is a meaningless word in pro football. When you are over the hill and often injured nobody loves you but your momma.
April 14th, 2021 at 3:58 pm
The headline is close… McCoy blows.
McClendon is a better player than McCoy at this point. Or even before.
Gerald is the most overrated Bucs player in franchise history.
April 14th, 2021 at 4:03 pm
I think his momma was happy to see the Bucs sign Suh.
April 14th, 2021 at 4:03 pm
Happy to hear McClendon is back with the Bucs. The weak DT crop in the draft this year probably had something to do with it.
April 14th, 2021 at 4:15 pm
GMC might have some gas left in his tank, but it would be a risky bet.
McClendon is a much safer move.
And as @BertoRican pointed out above, GMC, in his own words, is strictly a 3-technique DT – a bad fit for Bowles´ 3-4 scheme.
April 14th, 2021 at 4:29 pm
GMC should go be a coach teaching grown men about his get off and how to act and live respectfully good luck to him, his timing with Bucs was bad.
April 14th, 2021 at 4:38 pm
McLendon … Solid role player who filled a sizable void when Vea went down. Welcome back.
McCoy … No need for anyone to bash him. GMC is yesterday’s news; good luck in future endeavors, just not as a Buc.
April 14th, 2021 at 4:42 pm
Gerald would be a great neighbor, an excellent scout troop leader, a fine school superintendent. Or he could go on the food network and teach how to make soft serve ice cream for athletes.
As a leading defensive lineman in the NFL? Um…….no.
April 14th, 2021 at 4:44 pm
We are good guys. As far as Mc Coy; I don’t believe his kimono wearing, smiley smiley, superheroes adoring ways will fit anymore in our locker room….😂
April 14th, 2021 at 4:47 pm
I wonder why he wants to come back? Let him cruise off into the sunset in his childish? Batman themed, rolls Royce.
April 14th, 2021 at 4:48 pm
Yes!!! I was just thinking about this today while watching his first game as a buc I believe against the Raiders. In the broadcast at 34 they said he was the oldest DT in the NFL I was actually shocked by that. I think its solid move to bring him back.
April 14th, 2021 at 4:54 pm
I like it. Didn’t expect McClendon back. No doubt it’s a death knell for McCoy’s return.
April 14th, 2021 at 4:55 pm
I like McCoy, but he just doesn’t fit this system. He’s a 4-3 guy, a gap shooter, not a block eater.
April 14th, 2021 at 4:55 pm
gotbbucs Says:
April 14th, 2021 at 3:20 pm
Nobody wanted McCoy back. McCoy wanted to come back. He’s an easily forgettable player. His most memorable play in his career was the “Sorry Ben” play against Pittsburgh, that’s it.
BINGO!!!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!
April 14th, 2021 at 5:00 pm
i used to like gerald but when he left for carolina and said he was “home” so that did it for me no comeback and no ring of honor for gerald. were better of with mclendon.
April 14th, 2021 at 5:09 pm
Can I ask what is up with all the band references? Was Joe in the band? If so, I’m guessing he played the Tuba.
April 14th, 2021 at 5:14 pm
McCoy is/was yesterday’s news. He doesn’t fit the BA profile and as for playing on bad teams, so did Hardy Nickerson and he left his positive mark on the Bucs franchise, unlike GMC. Let another team sign him.
April 14th, 2021 at 5:17 pm
That “blow” you hear is the collective sigh of relief from the fan base who is and was done w/ Mr Softee.
April 14th, 2021 at 5:28 pm
I have zero interest in GMC coming back here to talk about his great get-off, his love of super hero’s, and his habit of apologizing to QBs he’s trying to sack. Self-absorbed softie.
April 14th, 2021 at 5:34 pm
Realizing the potency of the Bucs defense right now for 2021, along with resigning Steve McClendon, I feel certain this team will be very tough. After reviewing the release of information today on this site, I would be really pleased to see the Bucs draft Azeez Ojulari, OLB, out of Georgia…. The winning potential is looking mighty good friends…
April 14th, 2021 at 5:38 pm
Steve is 110% better than GMac. GMac is not nasty enough for Todd Bowles.
April 14th, 2021 at 5:43 pm
Joe McCoy may have talked about playing here but do you really think he can handle the load Bowles asks from his interior DL? I certsinly dont…….Just look at every D McCoy ever anchored. If we werent dead last stopping the run we were darn sure one of the worst teams in the league.
April 14th, 2021 at 5:55 pm
Very good news…
April 14th, 2021 at 6:14 pm
Batman sales will continue to be down in the Tampa Bay area.
April 14th, 2021 at 6:39 pm
Outside of the sentiment in this thread. Gerald will not be the same after this last quad tendon tear. It can end careers. Especially the 30 and older.
April 14th, 2021 at 6:58 pm
go away gerald
April 14th, 2021 at 7:32 pm
Nice pickup.
April 14th, 2021 at 8:00 pm
The current Buc locker room is filled with Alphas. McCoy would be an odd fit.
April 14th, 2021 at 8:02 pm
I don’t know where we are getting the money and I don’t care
April 14th, 2021 at 8:06 pm
So what does that mean for the draft? Edge? Trade out of round one ( my personal choice)?
April 14th, 2021 at 8:48 pm
We talking about the same McCoy that went on first take and bashed the bucs for given his # to Suh? Or the same McCoy that said he is one of the greatest bucs ever? The same McCoy that had his teammates dancing on the sidelines in Atlanta down big in the 4th? Bye Gerald your loser mindset is not welcomed.
April 14th, 2021 at 9:11 pm
Looks like a consensus.
McCoy will look great in (any colors but red and pewter).
April 14th, 2021 at 9:14 pm
I predict edge in 1st with us shoring up the interior.
April 14th, 2021 at 9:26 pm
Arians and his bunch know talent. Todd Bowles remembered him from his day at the Jets, and grabbed him.
He was stuck on a terrible team, much like Giovanni Bernard, until we rescued him.
April 14th, 2021 at 9:56 pm
The mccoy days are gone….we are here and he is somewhere not here.I dont hate the guy but its over
April 14th, 2021 at 10:02 pm
I loved Gerald in his prime but did everyone miss him getting blown off the ball 5 yards by offensive lineman on run plays at the end here is Tampa. He was a penetrator. Our D-line is designed to eat up o-lineman blocks on run plays so our linebackers are free to run to the ball and make plays. That is not Gerald McCoy. I hope Gerald gets picked up by a team that uses his strengths and he has a great year. He is no longer a fit here in Tampa in Todd Bowles defense.
April 14th, 2021 at 10:26 pm
Gerald’s greatest skill is in getting comments on JBF.
He’s up there with Brady for that accolade.
Love the casual fans and apologists who point to “bad teams, bad players, bad coaches, ad nauseum” in the GMC lost era.
McCoy was the face of the frickin franchise ffs!!!!
It was his JOB to RAISE the team to his level!!
The badness surrounding him is yet another scathing indictment.
April 14th, 2021 at 10:27 pm
Just a lazy decision by the Glazers to treat him like an NBA star
April 14th, 2021 at 11:06 pm
Again.. a lot of ppl in here not knowing nothing about football, but still talking.
April 15th, 2021 at 2:20 am
adrnagy — do you have a point or are you just proving you never finished third grade?
April 15th, 2021 at 2:40 am
I nominate Smiley McLoser to be the initial member of the Bucs “Ring Of Shame”. Other considerations were Culverhouse, Testaverde and Leeman Bennett.
April 15th, 2021 at 5:37 am
I think the GMC ship has long since sailed. He was a decent player in the day but never had the same level of “it” factor as his peers. He would not fit in this defense, and not because of scheme. This is an aggressive attacking defense.
McLendon is a good signing. You can never have enough depth.
April 15th, 2021 at 5:57 am
I apologize to moCoy for all these assholes disrespecting him maybe he is not as good as Suehe still played on defen e the su key if anything that defence .De him soft. If I was co h a d thought some one was .ailing it in I would ride them like a big whee coaching su med you shod be tha king mocoy for hanging around az lo v as he did soft ayers do t go to 6 pro boawl
April 15th, 2021 at 6:01 am
Marco- The phrase, “It’s 5 o’clock somewhere” while somewhat vague, is meant for 5 p.m. NOT a.m.! LOL!
Cheers!
April 15th, 2021 at 8:50 am
Buc4evr Says
“I’d be happy to get McCoy back at vet minimum.”
When I first saw that I started to disagree, but then I realized that he hasn’t done anything since leaving. He really is worth no more than minimum because of his constant injuries at this point.
I would love to see him in Tampa again though, except that there is no way he would get his old number back. Then again, changing numbers might be just the thing he needs at this point. It could change his luck (doubtful).
April 15th, 2021 at 8:53 am
Bucsfanman Says
“I think the GMC ship has long since sailed. He was a decent player in the day but never had the same level of “it” factor as his peers.”
Are you talking about his peers who were on the team at the time, or around the league?
Because he was the best Defensive Lineman on the team for a long time. They wasted his good years by surrounding him with trash.
April 15th, 2021 at 9:29 am
Bonzai- I meant around the league.
I was always a big supporter of his. You’re right, they wasted his talent by not getting more help. Those defense were sooooo bad. Ask LVD!
April 15th, 2021 at 1:55 pm
I don’t think TB12 would dig GMC’s tude. It’s too laid back, off the field ok but on the field that wouldn’t fly with Tampa Tom is my guess.