If It Were Mark Barron …
November 25th, 2013
The game-winning hit yesterday on future Hall of Famer Calvin Johnson was a stunning, powerful strike, a rib-rattling stick at the game’s biggest moment.
If it was delivered by Mark Barron, Bucs fans would be injecting him into the Pro Bowl conversation.
If it came from Dashon Goldson, “Hawk” t-shirts would be flying off the shelves.
If Megatron was drilled by Johnthan Banks, Bucs fans would be celebrating the drafting of rockstar general manager Mark Dominik.
But the shot that broke the Lions back came from little known safety Kelcie McCray, a second-year, undrafted NFL nobody who was claimed off waivers after the Dolphins cut him seven weeks ago.
Joe absolutely had to take the time here to give the guy his just props. (Tampa Tribune columnist also honored McCray.) Joe also hopes Greg Schiano gives McCray an expensive gift for potentially saving his job and preventing another late-game Bucs meltdown.
What an amazing feeling for McCray. Even legendary defensive backs dream of drilling Megatron at the goal line to force a game-ending interception. Kelcie McCray! Remember the name in your Thanksgiving reflections.
November 25th, 2013 at 8:46 am
Young Bucs…..all grew up a bit yesterday. McCray isn’t the only one…..Gorrer, Banks, Tandy & LJ…all played a big part.
Oh…I didn’t mention Barron….hard to call him a “young Buc”….but he is.
On offense…..Glennon, Wright, Underwood, Rainey…all getting tremendous experience going forward….a possible silvier lining due to the loss of MW19 & Martin & a few TEs.
And wow! Glennon getting extraordinary valuable experience early in his career.
November 25th, 2013 at 8:48 am
Oh, forgot….Joe, if it was Goldson that made the hit…it would be half the distance to the goal and a likely Detroit victory!!
November 25th, 2013 at 8:58 am
I agree with Tampabaybucfan, they refs throw the yellow when the ball is still in the air. When Goldson comes back, they should disguise him in McCray’s jersey.
November 25th, 2013 at 9:14 am
Haven’t had a chance to rewatch the game yet but I don’t think that was his only significant contribution. I remember his name being called before that hit. Great heads up play by Banks to snag the ball on its way out of CJ’s hands and to get down before taking a hit and possibly fumbling. Liked the way Glennon was delaying taking a knee to bleed out the clock a little just in case as well. Great game to watch. If we can play like that every week (with a better running game hopefully and, for gods sake, stop with the penalties) the rest of the year I’ll take whatever the final record is. I just want us to be competitive this year and learn to win with the folks we have and supplement with solid draft picks and fill whatever holes are left with good FA depth. We’ve got most of the pieces and the coaching staff is finally getting out of the team’s way and letting them use their talents the way they were supposed to be used and not trying to fit square pegs into round holes.
November 25th, 2013 at 9:15 am
Calvin Johnson has in no way done enough to distinguish himself as a Hall of Famer. He has a long way to go yet. Tampabaybucfan with another correct post. Go Bucs!
November 25th, 2013 at 9:28 am
What a play! I got to work with a different face this morning, what a difference winning makes…
And don’t forget Tandy had a good game with his second INT.
Off topic, I wanted to thank Joes for their great work; this site has become my primary source of Bucs news, something hard to get all the way here in Spain. Congrats! GO BUCS!
November 25th, 2013 at 9:35 am
Kelcie McCray also recovered the fumble on the sideline that was thrown back in by the Lions WR. Guy was in the right place at the right times and made the play. Testament to the fact that everybody is playing hard!
November 25th, 2013 at 9:39 am
Gotta give McCray his props for making that play. But kudos to Jonathon Banks. When Revis went down he stuck to Megatron like glue. That last play McCray made ball was thrown behind Megatron and was well covered. He just made great adjustment but McCray pulled off the play of the day.
November 25th, 2013 at 9:51 am
@Macabee – That’s where i remember him coming up. Thanks for filling the blanks. Kid had a great game. Hopefully it’s the first of many contributions for him.
November 25th, 2013 at 9:52 am
I consider myself a somewhat well- informed Bucs fan, but I must admit, I had to double take to see who # 35 was….what a great play! And yes, if it was The Hawk, he would have been flagged and he’d be out another $ 250,000 a game. Their helmets touched (oh, the horror!)
November 25th, 2013 at 9:53 am
Thanks for the topic Joe, was a great play by McCray, looking forward to his future Tampa.
November 25th, 2013 at 9:57 am
Lost in the shuffle of Megatron dropping/fumbling that pass was the fact that was CLEARLY HELMET-TO-HELMET.
If that was Mark Barron – FLAGGED. FINED.
If that was Dashon Goldson – FLAGGED. FINED. DRAWN. QUARTERED. SUSPENDED. BODY BURNED AND FED TO RABID WOLVERINE WITH HERPES.
November 25th, 2013 at 10:14 am
Using the same logic….
If Glennon was a first round pick and not a third round pick, would Joe be talking about drafting a QB next draft?
November 25th, 2013 at 10:22 am
Nice to not lose a game in the last minutes thanks to McCray! This team is kind of reminding me of the Rays…unknown guys getting it done.
November 25th, 2013 at 10:28 am
@JOE
Mr. im not high on keith tandy…. he has more interceptions than dashon goldson and both inside the redzone, he’s playing better than goldson and he’s able to stay on the field AND he doesnt have all the penalties, i think you skipped someone is the chain of props giving, keith tandy’s interception came a bit earlier in the game with lions in scoring position and he deserves your props because the defense looks no better or worse when goldson is out AND revis injury didnt lose us the game
Joe is still down on Tandy. Nice pick, sure. But Joe’s not impressed by Tandy. Joe will be very happy to have Goldson back on Sunday.–Joe
November 25th, 2013 at 10:40 am
Hit of the day. Great, clean strike!
November 25th, 2013 at 10:48 am
@rachaelwastonsthong are you on drugs?! Of course he is a future hall of famer. The dude is by far the best receiver of this current generation. Breaking receiving records left and right. If he retires next season I would still put him in
November 25th, 2013 at 10:50 am
@buc4lyfe actually that pick by Tandy was thrown right to him. I could have made that pick. Not taking anything away from him but that was a poor throw by Stafford
November 25th, 2013 at 10:50 am
If it were Mark or Dashon, we would have given the Lions the ball at the spot of the hit – because the lousy refs would have called an un necessary flag for a personal foul – even if the hit was the same style…..
November 25th, 2013 at 12:28 pm
I’d have to agree with Adam.. Both Goldson and Barron get flagged for that hit. Like to add that VJ clearly received a helmet to helmet ,not called, earlier in the game and I’ve seen them unflagged across the league all season. It’s on the refs, I feel a players rep has a lot to do with getting called for it or not.
November 25th, 2013 at 1:06 pm
@Touchdowngus remains to be seen. If he gets hurt and never plays again next year he doesn’t get in. Is Randy Moss hall of fame? Hell no. He was the best during his time. I was absolutely correct with my statement. He has a hell of a long way to go (and a Super Bowl ring or two) before he sniffs the Hall of Fame without a ticket.
10 Bucs says your a Detroit fan trolling up in here.
November 25th, 2013 at 2:38 pm
@rachelWatson’sthong….seriously dude, Both Moss and Megatron are HOF locks. Apparently you set your standards waaaaaaayyy to high.
November 25th, 2013 at 5:56 pm
Time will tell. Look how long it took Chris Carter with no hardware. There are no locks to get in.