Gerald McCoy: Complaining Bucs Fans Are “Spoiled”
December 2nd, 2024
Gerald McCoy
Once upon a time in The Lost Decade of Buccaneers football, Tampa Bay was the 2024 Panthers, seizing losses from the jaws of victory.
Overtime in Tampa against the Raiders comes to mind in 2016. Somehow, the Bucs lost that day with the Raiders committing 23 penalties.
Those Lost Decade teams were masters at finding ways to lose. Why? Because the Bucs’ culture and what crafts a winner wasn’t there.
Six-time Bucs Pro Bowl defensive tackle Gerald McCoy, a prominent face of The Lost Decade, lectured fans on this subject today on WDAE radio.
McCoy remains a hardcore Bucs fan and rode the rollercoaster during yesterday’s insane overtime win against the Panthers, even troubling an airplane passenger sitting next to him as he watched.
For McCoy, Bucs fans today pointing fingers at Todd Bowles are “spoiled,” he said.
Those fans don’t realize that the Bucs used to be that loser team finding another way to lose, McCoy said. Yesterday, he said, the Bucs were the winning franchise finding a way to squeak out a tough road win and go home.
That’s what good teams do, per McCoy, and he noted his happiness for guys like Will Gholston, Lavonte David and Mike Evans, who understand what it’s like to work with him within an opposite team culture.
McCoy acknowledged that he really doesn’t know what it’s like to play as the favorite, the perennial playoff team with great expectations.
No, McCoy was not claiming the Bucs played well and are a dangerous Super Bowl contender. It was just a franchise great — and a current fan — feeling compelled to share his take on what’s driving a lot of Bucs fans to extreme frustration this morning.
December 2nd, 2024 at 11:28 am
Some fans have little patience and this includes myself as well. I’m already over it now though. What fans do need to understand is these division games aren’t easy. Especially when you are facing the previous OC. He has seen our defense a 1000 times and knows how to attack it. It is human nature to not get up for every single game, but this I blame partially on the coaching staff. I was counting on Mayfield to have a great game and he didn’t. Hopefully we can get the offense back up to speed for the next game because the D is too thin to count on down the stretch.
December 2nd, 2024 at 11:30 am
Baloney. I didn’t play in the NFL but I’ve been watching football for longer than McCoy has been alive. I can tell the difference between a good team having a bad day, and a very average team. The 2024 Bucs fall into the latter category, at this time.
December 2nd, 2024 at 11:32 am
I’m assuming that some of these fans became fans after our Super Bowl run in 2020. I don’t know if they realize that we went 18 years without a playoff win between our super bowls 2002-2020. We might not have a superbowl team this year but we’re 1st in our division for the 3rd straight year and we’re competing. Our season used to be over by Halloween and we were looking at draft picks for half of the season.
December 2nd, 2024 at 11:34 am
Mccoy can go disappear with his takes like he did on our defense for many years.
December 2nd, 2024 at 11:34 am
Or maybe some of us just expected better against a much less talented team, when we were coming off a 6 game losing streak ourselves. You would of hoped for more fire but no, they came out flat and boring.
But sure lets go with Spoiled.
December 2nd, 2024 at 11:37 am
Fire Todd Bowles!!!!
December 2nd, 2024 at 11:37 am
Ok back to back messages feels like I have something against Gerald. I don’t, he’s a great guy. Can so.eone please remind me of an impact play that he made? All of the former greats have a couple plays you remember? I guess his sack of matt ryan against the falcons to win a meaningless game early in his career??
December 2nd, 2024 at 11:40 am
McCoy is right as I said the same thing to my son yesterday, we used to be the team that found ways to lose. Arians and Brady has spoiled some of us because this is still the losing franchise in sports history but we’ve been to the playoffs 4 straight years, won a Super Bowl and damn near went to the NFCC two of the past 3 years
I look at all the home grown talent on this team and understand that we beat both the Lions and Eagles but injuries have crippled this team but we still have a 50/50 shot at the playoffs AGAIN (as a day one Bucs fan Im enjoying the ride)
December 2nd, 2024 at 11:41 am
GO BUCS!!!! A hard fought win!!!
December 2nd, 2024 at 11:41 am
Nobody wants to admit that Canales is a good coach and has his team playing well. The Panthers have turned the corner. They will give us competition for the division next year.
December 2nd, 2024 at 11:48 am
Everything he said was wrong but that’s just Geraldine. Only fans winning super bowls, making deep playoffs runs and beating the best teams in the nfl can afford to be spoiled. 5 game losing streaks in the middle of Bowles seasons why would anyone feel spoiled?
December 2nd, 2024 at 11:51 am
We’re spoiled? The team sits at .500. This team has sat at .500 since Todd took over three years ago. I’d hardly call it being spoiled rooting for .500 the last three years.
December 2nd, 2024 at 11:51 am
Stop hating on McCoy, a great player on the D line with no help. In fact the offense was also horrible. Just think about how much better Vea and Kancy could be if they had a legitimate edge rush.
As far as the Panthers, the Bucs better do something to improve the defense next season as Carolina is turning the corner. This includes dumping Bowles, he isn’t taking this team back to the SB and continues making the same stupid mistakes.
December 2nd, 2024 at 11:56 am
He’s correct, actually. Good teams win ugly games. Bad teams claim ugly games were “almost” wins.
(That said, I’m still sick of Dean playing 10 yards off!)
December 2nd, 2024 at 11:57 am
AMI, “very average teams” don’t have 3 quality wins at this point in the season and take the two super bowl teams to the brink…. maybe all that football you have watched has made you go blind???
December 2nd, 2024 at 11:57 am
2nd youngest team in the league btw….
December 2nd, 2024 at 11:59 am
Agree that the Panthers are now playing well. They gave the Chiefs a game just the week before. Though I do agree that our pass defense (especially strategies) is lacking. Needs attention (revising?) soon.
December 2nd, 2024 at 12:01 pm
Sorry Gerald. That defense is a$$. N bowels HC record indicates how average he is. Playing 15 yards off the ball is just insane!!!!! It’s a pitch and catch of an easy 8 plus yards.
December 2nd, 2024 at 12:02 pm
Mccoy haters are triggered by a relatively mild take. Get over yourselves. And he doesn’t have to have made a number of impact plays to be qualified to have an opinion. And you certainly don’t have to agree with his opinion. Regardless. This is just a post about a former player giving his two cents. But please feel free to be triggered.
December 2nd, 2024 at 12:04 pm
Absolutely true Gerald.
The complainers didn’t go through 0-26 or the Leeman Bennett through Sam Wyche years.
BTW watching football doesn’t make you an expert. Anybody can do that.
December 2nd, 2024 at 12:04 pm
The defense is maddening. Lovie and Mike Smith 2.0 level maddening. No edge rush and everyone knows QB’s will have a career day against the Bucs secondary because their DB’s play 15 yards off and leave huge holes over the middle.
December 2nd, 2024 at 12:05 pm
The fact that bowels couldn’t scheme a way to put that quarterback on the ground 5 times is reason enough to fire him.
December 2nd, 2024 at 12:06 pm
Doesn’t he have some Batman dolls to play with?
December 2nd, 2024 at 12:06 pm
Watching football doesn’t make you an expert.
Anybody can do that.
Gerald is correct
December 2nd, 2024 at 12:08 pm
Bad and rookie quarterbacks continue to have career games against this defense but spoiled yup nailed it lol wild
December 2nd, 2024 at 12:09 pm
So bc they sucked for so long but we win now we are spoiled for expecting a team with talent to not play like freaking losers? Ok Gerald. Stfu and go sit in your corner. Nobody cares about your mouth and input
December 2nd, 2024 at 12:09 pm
The common denominator is always Todd Bowles. He’s a great human being but a lousy NFL HC.
December 2nd, 2024 at 12:12 pm
Maybe McCoy needs to get the team some ice cream?
December 2nd, 2024 at 12:14 pm
No…. Bucs fans were spoiled with Sapp, Brooks, Barber, Lynch, and etc.
Epic defense that begged for an offense that could put up 18 points.
December 2nd, 2024 at 12:16 pm
BucU Says:
December 2nd, 2024 at 12:09 pm
The common denominator is always Todd Bowles. He’s a great human being but a lousy NFL HC.
—–
Common sense is wonderful. Wish more had it.
December 2nd, 2024 at 12:20 pm
Steven007, I gurss you were triggered to respond and wag your finger at people being triggered? What a loser.
December 2nd, 2024 at 12:24 pm
Agree 100% with GMC…..
Bunch of crying babies!!!!
December 2nd, 2024 at 12:25 pm
Is this his way of trying to generate public support to get himself added into the Buccaneers Ring of Honor. Criticizing the fanbase. Probably not the sharpest move. Some people wonder why he’s not a fan favorite.
December 2nd, 2024 at 12:26 pm
Go Dawgs, pot meet kettle. But nice attempt at gaslighting.
December 2nd, 2024 at 12:28 pm
Maybe we should just be content with an underachieving football team and players like McCoy was..
December 2nd, 2024 at 12:31 pm
Steven007 you have a track record of gaslighting and attempting to prove you’re smarter than the average whining biden fan hat you are. Love your trendy woke “triggered and gaslighting” terminology. Go bucs
December 2nd, 2024 at 12:31 pm
Yesterday was a blind squirrel win
December 2nd, 2024 at 12:32 pm
Spoiled? No.
Demanding as fans have the right and responsibility to be? Yes.
December 2nd, 2024 at 12:32 pm
Steven007 you have a track record of gaslighting and attempting to prove you’re smarter than the average whining JB fan that you are. Love your trendy woke “triggered and gaslighting” terminology. Go bucs
December 2nd, 2024 at 12:33 pm
That is a perfect example of trying to make a ballarina out of a sow by applying lipstick.
December 2nd, 2024 at 12:35 pm
Out coached by and ex coach. Mistakes, penalties, interceptions and somehow we found a way to win. Better to be on this side of an ugly game than the other. I’ll take it. It’s a week to week season this year. We are still in the hunt, so that’s positive. Go BUCS.
December 2nd, 2024 at 12:35 pm
Sounds like McCoy’s losing attitude is still shining through witg excuses. Yes, we have been spoiled in that Tampa has been to playoffs and won more games than every other team in the NFC. But what fans are seeing are the same repetitive issues from the coaching staff, not enough growth. The Bucs are still finding ways to lose games. Both Falcons games, San Fran, KC all come to mind. In my opinion, Tampa was handed this victory by Carolina. Two missed Field Goals and a very timely fumble that rarely happens got them a victory. To Bucs credit, they made the plays but also were close to giving this game away as well. The Panthers are the worst in the league for a reason bc they shoot themselves every week as well. I need to see some game management and growth in coaching this defense to say for sure Bowles deserves another shot.
December 2nd, 2024 at 12:37 pm
Perhaps the team can get together in the tunnel before every game and a captain get them all juiced up.
All together now, “What can be, unburdened by what has been.”
Heard from some that it can go a long way towards winning.
December 2nd, 2024 at 12:42 pm
Softy McCoy is more than happy with .500 football.
Lame
December 2nd, 2024 at 12:45 pm
As a fan since the beginning of the Bucs, I can and will complain any freaking time I want to. I don’t have to sit through bad games grinning and bearing it just because others think I should. You guys getting bent out of shape about it are ridiculous.
December 2nd, 2024 at 12:48 pm
Bucs fans are just fed up with the Bucs having one of the worst HC in the league every season….
Its PAST DUE time that the Bucs get a winner as HC and start constantly winning week after week…
December 2nd, 2024 at 12:48 pm
Gerald McCoy never won as a pro and that’s why he is calling fans spoiled. He’s doesn’t know winning football. Even with the recent success this decade the Bucs still have the worst winning percentage in football history. The standards and expectations have been raised since you left, Gerald.
December 2nd, 2024 at 12:53 pm
Dawg, The only reason you commented back on my comment is because you took it personally that I said that a player doesn’t have to have made game-changing plays to be qualified to have an opinion. Which. Is. A. Fact. As simple as that. You can make it into something more if you’d like, but that just reveals your own insecurities and lack of assurance in your own comments.
December 2nd, 2024 at 12:58 pm
Oh Please more comments from McSoftie…
Shows up with a comment after being missing for awhile
WAIT that’s how he played Football!!!
December 2nd, 2024 at 1:02 pm
Panthers beat saints by 1 point and the giants by 3 stop saying they are playing well now. Bucs took the chiefs to overtime but none of you can say with a straight face it’s because we have a good defense
December 2nd, 2024 at 1:02 pm
Todd Bowles did throw 2 picks
He did not call terrible offensive plays on 3rd and 1 twice
McCoy is 100 %
People have no clue how hard is to win in NFL
Specially, when you don’t play your best
Go Bucs!!!
December 2nd, 2024 at 1:03 pm
I have been a fan since 1976 and most of you have no clue about what really horrible football looks like-I do. Don’t tell me that the Panthers gave it away-no sir Anthony Nelson made a great play and created a turnover and Baker and the boys took advantage. Carolina is far from the worst team in the league and Panthers are improving. If you are not happy with a W just STFU already.
December 2nd, 2024 at 1:03 pm
Didn’t throw picks lol
December 2nd, 2024 at 1:07 pm
Not sure if 8 wins and 9 wins and now 6 means you are spolied…
McCoy sounds like a loser defending a loser
December 2nd, 2024 at 1:10 pm
Yes McCoy, we are spoiled and don’t want to go back to the pitiful levels of Bucs football we as fans were exposed to during your tenure. Those were some terrible years.
December 2nd, 2024 at 1:11 pm
ElioT Says:
December 2nd, 2024 at 12:42 pm
Softy McCoy is more than happy with .500 football.
^^^^
.500 football = parity
Think about it. How could this all happen without player and coach “buy in” ?
Coaches and players are being paid MILLIONS each year as employees. For that kind of money, most if not all, will adopt the company line. Look closely at what Andrew Luck said about why he walked away.
December 2nd, 2024 at 1:14 pm
Spoiled?
Having a problem with losing is now considered Spoiled?
Figures this comes from a player who was just happy to be playing – losing never bothered him.
And this guy in the Ring?
Hell no. Unless it’s the “Ring of Above Average”
December 2nd, 2024 at 1:21 pm
If you are not happy with a W just STFU already.
—–
Why? It’s so much more enjoyable to gave an opinion so I can laugh at the buffoons who throw 10 year old style tantrums telling people to STFU. LMAO
While also pretending its others who are “triggered”… You know who you are. LMAO
December 2nd, 2024 at 1:21 pm
I was born in 1980 and grew up in Brandon. I went to middle school in Tampa next to Ybor city at Martin luther king. I’m not spoiled at all. I know what I see and I know what I saw. A hot mess. a unfocused, unserious, badly coached defense combined with focus concerns and desire to win. Just because Geraldine always was on crap teams and we won doesn’t make us blind to what we all witnessed. 99mpwrcent of us agree we were lucky and we played down to our opponent badly. What we can’t talk smack about it because Geraldine says we are spoiled and a wins a win? Go help Ben
Roethlisberger up, I heard he tripped and fell.
December 2nd, 2024 at 1:31 pm
Spoiled NO – practical YES.
We know when our team is underperforming and underachieving.
Thanks to the lost decade, we absolutely know what winning and losing is!
This is a talent team riding the mediocrity stationary bike due to poor coaching.
Explain a top 4 offense in the league being managed to be a defensive led team?!?!?
December 2nd, 2024 at 1:34 pm
I really don’t know how much blame to put at Bowles feet right now. Our back 7 depth was an issue coming into the season the last two years, and it is absolutely glaring right now. CB, S, LB all are MAJOR needs going into this offseason.
Without a full deck back there, basically the best they can do is try to force field goal attempts instead of giving up TD’s. It was the difference in the game, buts it a hard and sad way to make a living on defense.
December 2nd, 2024 at 1:35 pm
By reading these comments, it appears that Bucs fans still have a problem to this day seeing the truth. McCoy who went through the dog days of this franchise when they were one of the worst possible franchises at the time when he was in Tampa knows and understands how difficult to do this year I and year out. Wisen and grow up people!
December 2nd, 2024 at 1:38 pm
Turns out Broncos are a good team, and now the Panthers are a good team….it happens
December 2nd, 2024 at 1:39 pm
i pretty much agree, i knew carolina would play us tough and they will do the same in a few weeks.
injuries affect what you do and the other guy is paid good money to stop you.
did i think we were going to lose all the way to the last play? yes
did i get mad at the coaches or the calls? no
of course i am worried that we cant keep anyone under 20 any more. but some of that is what the nfl wants, some is hard choices as to where to put capital, and sometimes bad luck.
lets win our way out of this and get better as soon as possible
December 2nd, 2024 at 1:43 pm
Just be happy you won?
That is loser talk.
December 2nd, 2024 at 1:46 pm
“My bad, Ben. “
Let me laugh and dance on the sideline while my team is getting slaughtered.
Ask JPP what he thought of Geraldine as a teammate. The answer isn’t pretty.
December 2nd, 2024 at 1:52 pm
Eric Says:
December 2nd, 2024 at 12:04 pm
Absolutely true Gerald.
The complainers didn’t go through 0-26 or the Leeman Bennett through Sam Wyche years.
BTW watching football doesn’t make you an expert. Anybody can do that.
________
You are absolutely wrong.
I experienced 0-26 and everything else since 1976.
Ol’ Softie is a joke and a born loser who had a fast first step.
That’s it.
Now geniuses, give me all the reasons why he’s not and I’ll still say the same thing.
As a side note, I hope watching the game wasn’t too terribly hard for Gummy yesterday.
I mean he was watching the team who drafted him play the team where he finally felt at home.
😂
December 2nd, 2024 at 1:59 pm
You’re right Gerald…it’s better to suck than really, really, really suck. Good call.
December 2nd, 2024 at 2:07 pm
I mean he was watching the team who drafted him play the team where he finally felt at home.
——-
This reminded me how good it felt to see the Bucs O-Line man handle him the few times we played him as a Panther. All he did was rack up penalty yards. LMAO
December 2nd, 2024 at 2:21 pm
I must say though, that is an outstanding picture of Whoopi McGoldcoy.
December 2nd, 2024 at 2:52 pm
Hey Bucs4Ever….no one is expected to be happy at .500. But you can be happy for 1 day that we won.
Be happy about that Evans TD catch
Be happy about the “Bucky” possession ending in a well deserved Bucky TD
Be happy about getting into field goal range in less than 30 seconds.
One day….one post. Can you try?
December 2nd, 2024 at 2:58 pm
I been screaming this we are the most entitled fan base! We fire coaches after making it to playoffs (Tony dungy) we put coaches on hot seat after close wins (Todd bowels) we are definitely spoiled
December 2nd, 2024 at 3:22 pm
Says the guy who left us for the Panties. Gtfoh
December 2nd, 2024 at 4:17 pm
Who is this loser to say we are spoiled? He must be sour he still isn’t in our ring of honor and for good reason this teddy bear should just mind his own business because his opinion never mattered those losing seasons on his watch still ring in my mind. Yea we are spoiled with being a playoff team as of late and we are trying to get back there so we know what we need to see. Kick rocks gmc
December 2nd, 2024 at 4:26 pm
Bucs were lucky to play a team with a worse coach than Bowles. A 3 win team kicking field goals on 4th and 1 and 4th and 2 in the red zone but still taking us to overtime. Didn’t even have a first round pick the last two years.
December 2nd, 2024 at 4:38 pm
He’s right. The “Fire Todd Bowles” energy is absurd.
December 2nd, 2024 at 4:51 pm
Hey Joe, you have some serious tech glitches on here. My old man is a retired tech genius who worked in hi-tech sports entertainment for over 30 years. He doesn’t like sports, but he did both audio and video. I know when I see them.
December 2nd, 2024 at 5:03 pm
A lot of us watch NFL, UFL and college ball for decades and still look at the starting lineup of Carolina and it’s a bunch of random dudes from Alcorn State or something.
The Bucs were up by 1 and at the 2 yard line. You put the opponent away in that situation. The call was bad, the blocking was bad, and White ran sideways like he was going to find a gap. It was pathetic. Then you let Young go right down the field to take a lead with 30 seconds left. Also pathetic.
Bucs fans know what we watched. That was a sorry effort.
December 2nd, 2024 at 5:44 pm
Cuban now resembles Maddow; McCoy now resembles Whoopi Goldberg.
I want to like McCoy…or certainly did while he swept in 100 million + from Team Glazer. His takes are just off.
December 2nd, 2024 at 5:51 pm
@Mike C — I’m a diehard and watch every minute of every game. But three quality wins in 12 games does not get you a parade. Getting pasted by Denver at home certainly offsets one of those wins. And taking good teams “to the brink” — and losing — doesn’t get you anything. How can you argue that a 6-6 team is not “very average”?
December 2nd, 2024 at 6:07 pm
Surprise, a loser is ok with losing
December 2nd, 2024 at 8:48 pm
This guy and cam newton smh
December 2nd, 2024 at 9:30 pm
A lot of Bucs fans run down Bowles and talk up Gruden, they complain is a 500 coach well Gruden’s winning percentage is 511. Yes he won a Super Bowl but I think he did it with Dungy’s team. Gruden had 4 winning seasons with the Bucs, Todd will have more winning seasons given time.
December 2nd, 2024 at 11:49 pm
It’s just dumb. Of course we are happy we won. But we want to win the superbowl…duh. Would anybody on planet earth with operational eyeballs and the ability to comprehend and process, say we are a super bowl contender after what we all just watched? That’s not spoiled to want to and yearn to be great, that’s how winners are made young man. By setting expectations and goals and aspiring and working your arse off to achieve them. Not by saying I got a small raise and billy joe got the position I wanted ..phew! I wanted way more and was hoping to become a partner in the firm,,but. Nah I must be good enough. I’ll just keep doing what I’m doing and watch one nut magoo pass me bye. No need to critically evaluate amd discuss aspects I can change to become a better professional and person because hood is good it’s not great but good. Yuck
December 2nd, 2024 at 11:58 pm
Bu the way his teeth are not small his gums are just massive. Women beware Geraldine will accidentally give you a hysterectomy during adult time. Sorry…I just couldn’t resist.
December 3rd, 2024 at 1:34 am
Go away Gerald.
December 3rd, 2024 at 1:34 am
Dont care what he say.
December 3rd, 2024 at 6:17 am
The less we hear from this loud mouth has been the better …. Sorry Ben !
December 3rd, 2024 at 7:21 am
The 80’s created PTSD (Post Tampa Sucks Disorder) for long suffering Bucs fans. We will fight tooth and nail not to go back there.
December 3rd, 2024 at 8:28 am
orlbucfan Says:
December 2nd, 2024 at 4:51 pm
Hey Joe, you have some serious tech glitches on here.
^^^^^
Ditto
December 3rd, 2024 at 9:36 pm
He is 100% correct.
Now, I am guilty of complaining at Sunday’s game… but wow, it was a whole lot of luck that took place in order to enable that Bucs win.
We should gladly take it, especially considering the close losses to Atlanta.
December 3rd, 2024 at 9:50 pm
Gerald was the best player on terrible teams, sort of the tallest midget.
I did not appreciate him then, and do not now.
I do understand he tries to stay relevant. Unfortunately.