“Have To Get Something From These Other Cats”
August 18th, 2014
A prominent former Buccaneer is blown away by the preseason dominance of Gerald McCoy but is wondering aloud where his defensive linemates are?
Joe’s been thinking the same thing.
When a manbeast tackle like McCoy is playing like a Hall of Famer, perhaps better than Warren Sapp, those around McCoy must take advantage of all the attention on No. 93.
Former Bucs guard Ian Beckles (1990-1996) was ranting about it this morning on WDAE-AM 620.
Yes, Beckles, formerly the lead public critic of McCoy, has been totally won over. And Beckles says Clinton McDonald, Adrian Clayborn, Akeem Spence and Michael Johnson need to show up and feast at the table McCoy is setting for them.
“With him playing like Warren Sapp, and I’m going compare him to Warren Sapp because that’s what Warren did; He made you compensate for him, because the center has to go [help] and the other guard’s going to be under a lot of stress to block on the backside,” Beckles said.
“We have to get something from these other cats. Because I’m telling you what, Clayborn doesn’t impress me right now. And Michael Johnson’s not real impressive right now. You pay guys all kinds of money now, don’t stand around and watch Gerald McCoy go off. Because Simeon Rice didn’t. Marcus Jones didn’t. And Brad Culpepper didn’t. Some of these other guys have to step up.”
Beckles also ranted on a more technical level on how McCoy is dominating, saying the center being too slow Saturday when coming to help is a very bad sign for offenses trying to stop McCoy and his extreme explosiveness.
Joe will add that those around McCoy must step up to help McCoy stay injury-free. If teams feel too comfortable double- and triple-teaming McCoy all season, then he’s sure to wear down. (You can hear Beckles’ full audio below. Bucs talk picks up about the 5 minute mark.)
August 18th, 2014 at 12:15 pm
Ian is right. I have watched a lot of preseason football with the first teams this year and I see DE getting pressure/sacks. It would be nice to see johnson do the same thing especially with him playing next to McCoy.
August 18th, 2014 at 12:25 pm
They should bring back Daniel Te’o-Nesheim! Schiano KNEW footbaw talent!
August 18th, 2014 at 12:30 pm
Michael Johnson is the one that scares me. So far he’s done absolutely nothing in the preseason, except pick up the fumble McCoy caused. I don’t think he even showed up on the defensive stat sheet Sat. night, except for the fumble recovery. No tackles, No sacks, No pressures, NO NOTHING! So far I am totally unimpressed with this guy.
August 18th, 2014 at 12:47 pm
It would be very tempting to start sending a linebacker or CB in right behind GMC…..seems like that would be very hard to stop….but Beckles is right….where are the other guys?…..If for nothing but professional pride, you would think they would want to perform……
Surely, its not possible that this is a plan to “hide” our defense until opening day…..
August 18th, 2014 at 1:17 pm
Agreed. McCoy is a wrecking ball, but he can’t do it all by himself every game!
August 18th, 2014 at 1:36 pm
Stop hammering Johnson! Anybody notice that McCoy is not being doubled teamed yet? Wonder why? It’s working like it’s supposed to. When they try to stop McCoy, Johnson will get his sacks. Relax!!
August 18th, 2014 at 1:45 pm
I’m going to reserve judgement on our d-line until after pre season. Hopefully having McCoy will cause matchup nightmares for o-lines all season and I think it will. 5 blockers jus isn’t enough when you have GMC playing the three technique 🙂
August 18th, 2014 at 2:54 pm
@ mumbles….No one is doubling Johnson either and he can’t scratch the stat sheet. Its a little concerning.
August 18th, 2014 at 3:24 pm
I agree 100 percent, the rest of the DL needs to step up to help McCoy stay injury free. Without McCoy the defense up front becomes just ordinary.
August 18th, 2014 at 3:46 pm
Ian is usually wrong so not going to worry till the season starts. He always finds the dark cloud and is never postive. He looked so out of place at the reunion of the old players I’m guessing he’s just a bitter old man.
August 18th, 2014 at 4:48 pm
DE will be a priority next offseason. we will not be a great defense without a major upgrade in the guy facing the other team’s LT. too much is being expected of michael johnson due to his contract…more than actual ability i think MJ’s deal reflects the absence of quality DEs near their prime this past offseason
August 18th, 2014 at 7:42 pm
Since McCoy is getting doubled and tripled, how does (Realist’s Best Buddy) Clayborn, McDonald/Spence and Johnson not get to the QB, at least once in a while, when they are all single teamed? And this is against a Dolphins Oline that isn’t all that good.
August 18th, 2014 at 10:58 pm
We might just have to be realistic here. Johnson got all of 3.5 sacks last year. Exactly what is the miracle that has occurred that has made him better than that? Did he work harder, get bigger? Find a higher power or at least a magic lamp and get three wishes? At this point he is a 4 sack guy unless he shows something different. So far, he is showing exactly that.
August 18th, 2014 at 11:34 pm
Johnson said he was asked to do more than just rush the quarterback. As Joe has written previously, so was Adrian Clayborn who had damned near double the sacks as Johnson and there are people who frequent this board who would shove Clayborn on a bus out of town before dawn if they could get away with it.
August 19th, 2014 at 6:30 am
Yeah, I am not sure why people dislike, Clayborne has always been productive when healthy, not elite, but productive. At this point, we have nothing to indicate that Johnson is better than Clayborne.