Brooks: McCoy Gets His Veteran
April 1st, 2014
Is Bucs icon Derrick Brooks taking a shot at Gary Gibson and Stylez White in the latest Pewter Panel video on Buccaneers.com?
Joe won’t go that far today, but Brooks was clear that Gerald McCoy is finally getting a veteran presence that can impact him in a big way.
Brooks was discussing how moves of the Lovie Smith regime issued a clear statement that its team will be built from the trenches, particularly on defense. Brooks is very high on the two, proven entities added to the defensive line: Michael Johnson and Clinton McDonald.
“Michael Johnson, a proven pass rusher, a veteran in this defensive group that they’ve never had before. I think from a leadership standpoint it’s going to help those young players, particularly Gerald McCoy,” Brooks said.
That leadership line really stood out to Joe. Johnson has one more year in the league than McCoy but Johnson has made fewer starts than McCoy. However, Johnson has been on a perennial playoff team and surely knows much more about what winning football looks like than McCoy.
Brooks doesn’t waste words or toss out blind takes, so clearly he believes McCoy will benefit from what Johnson’s work ethic and experience offers. This is very encouraging.
Joe also will stand up a bit for Gibson, the Schiano/Rutgers man who was a veteran backup for the Bucs the past two seasons. McCoy told Joe on a handful of occasions about how “Gibby,” as McCoy called him, was very helpful in teaching him technique nuances and pointing out things from the sidelines over the past two years.
Gibson was a real undrafted overachiever, one of the last remaining NFL Europe guys still in the NFL. McCoy made back-to-back Pro Bowls with Gibson around. So that’s got to mean something.
But Johnson brings a new element, one Brooks has seen first-hand. McCoy now has a proven leader, who’s also an elite-level player, alongside him. In addition to system better suited for McCoy, Johnson could drive No. 93 to new heights.
April 1st, 2014 at 11:27 am
Go….GMC
April 1st, 2014 at 11:35 am
Lol how is Johnson a veteran when he’s played exactly 1 more season than McCoy? Getting a DeMarcus Ware or Jared Allen is a veteran. Johnson is just one of the best guys to line up next to GMC so far (right beside that #72 guy who we signed long te….goddamnit).
April 1st, 2014 at 11:35 am
The Bucs will have a defensive line to be proud of once again in 2014. Long time coming.
April 1st, 2014 at 11:47 am
Past players never die, they just linger around and become annoying as hell.
April 1st, 2014 at 11:49 am
And I don’t think they’re through yet. I don’t profess to know who the Bucs will pick at #7. But if the Bucs decide to trade down a little, I’m convinced that the pick will be DT Aaron Donald.
April 1st, 2014 at 11:49 am
@Barry
Are you calling Derrick Brooks annoying?
April 1st, 2014 at 11:57 am
The Bucs are not sitting still! FA is not over! Go Bucs!
Scott Smith @ScottSBucs 10m
The Bucs have actually added TWO fullbacks today: Jorvorskie Lane & Josh Baker. Lane w/Miami in 2012, Baker w/Jets 2011-12.
April 1st, 2014 at 12:08 pm
#55 is to good of a person to take shots at anyone. This was just his honest opinion.
April 1st, 2014 at 12:10 pm
Barry, anyone who doesn’t respect and appreciate Brooks’ insight is a fn moron. Don’t even comment if you’re going too say some stupid, disrespectful bullshit like that.
April 1st, 2014 at 12:28 pm
Johnson had one good season of high production. That’s why the Bengals let him leave. Thinking he is the next Simeon rice will lead people to be disappointed I believe. He is an upgrade to Claybourne though.
April 1st, 2014 at 12:29 pm
D Brooks advice will never be annoying…@ Barry must not be a true bucs fan or a hater with the old greats for saying that.. Anytime #55 talks it will always be great to hear what he has to say… A true champ never dies!!
April 1st, 2014 at 12:30 pm
Macabee Says:
April 1st, 2014 at 11:49 am
And I don’t think they’re through yet. I don’t profess to know who the Bucs will pick at #7. But if the Bucs decide to trade down a little, I’m convinced that the pick will be DT Aaron Donald.
________________
I love this! We would be set for years with talent AND depth, something the DT group hasn’t had since ….2003 or so. Also, Donald is quick enough to get some snaps as a LDE and could cause problems out there as well. He would be a huge boost to the D.
April 1st, 2014 at 1:11 pm
@barry
You should be slapped for calling Derrick Brooks anyone.
Get the fff outta here!
Derrick Brooks is a Buc in the Hall of Fame!
He cried when we won the Super Bowl!
Brooks was the man!
And you? Barry?
You just a hater!
April 1st, 2014 at 1:11 pm
“Past players never die, they just linger around and become annoying as hell.”
Barry, stop kidding yourself, you never played.
April 1st, 2014 at 1:15 pm
Aaron Donald will be a STUD 4 us. He will be better at DT than any of tha top QB’s will be at their position
April 1st, 2014 at 1:45 pm
Guys please ignore Barry – he’s chairman of the Glennon Mob. Remember the idiot Thomas 2.2?
Well he’s trying to get that role on our site.
April 1st, 2014 at 2:10 pm
it’s Glennon’s fault….this site never fails to deliver a laugh.
April 1st, 2014 at 2:15 pm
I agree that McCoy is finally getting some NFL talent around him, which should allow him take a giant step forward, and that’s scary good for us. Would not be disappointed if we took Donald at #7 if he’s as good as advertised. Depth, hell even quality starters on the D-line, has been non-existant for years.
April 1st, 2014 at 2:17 pm
Gibson gets stood up far too often. He doesn’t belong in the NFL. Anyone who watches what goes on in the trenches can see this.
Derrick Brooks is annoying wow that’s a new low for this site.
April 1st, 2014 at 3:42 pm
Anyone named Barry is obviously an idiot. I mean look at Barry Bonds, Barry Melrose, Barry Manilow…. The only saving grace for Barry is Barry Sanders and (as a life long Bucs) I can appreciate his football greatness, but I hated it when he played against the Bucs back in the black and blue division. Ran all over, around, and sometimes under us. Derrick Brooks is THE MAN. Anyone that thinks otherwise is just a dumbass. Oh and how did that work out for Tedy “Bull Spit/Never gonna sniff the HOF” Bruschi when he said Brooks wasn’t a 1st ballot HOFer? FU Bruschi and any other Brooks haters! Go Bucs!
April 1st, 2014 at 5:36 pm
Don’t forget Barry Gibb from the Bee Gees. Another saving grace for “Barry”
April 1st, 2014 at 7:49 pm
Derrick Brooks annoying?? Yea and Bill Murray is boring.
April 2nd, 2014 at 8:17 am
DB. Go fix the Storm. Nothing really proven from a guy that averages just over 5 sacks a year
April 2nd, 2014 at 1:21 pm
Johnson will do well and McCoy will do better. Win win.