“I Have To Take A Young Guy And Make Sure He’s On Point”
August 19th, 2014
Practice starts 30 minutes early for Gerald McCoy.
That’s his personal rule. McCoy is on the field 30 minutes before he’s supposed to be, and he’s never alone.
McCoy explained in this fantastic SiriusXM NFL audio that he routinely selects a young player to join him for the early start in order to lead effectively. McCoy says he’s taking the stance that he must show players physically and in a hands-on way how to get getter. He can’t just talk the talk, McCoy says, and he’s trying to match Warren Sapp’s ability to improve those around him.
“I have to take a young guy and make sure he’s on point” McCoy said.
(Cheap shot alert: Does Michael Johnson qualify as a young guy?)
It’s interesting that McCoy improving those around him was a major focus of the Bucs regime last year. (See this story).
“I saw a guy [in Gerald McCoy] that was mature, ready to take the next step, very into it in the meetings, very intelligent. And so you’d just like to think and hope that this year he can build and bring some guys with him. Because true great players bring, you know, other players’ level of play to a different level. That’s what we’d like to expect from him this season,” former Bucs defensive line assistant coach Bryan Cox said in June 2013.
So far, it seems McCoy hasn’t raised the games of those around him. The results haven’t been there. But it’s far too early to judge that as any kind of negative mark on McCoy.
Joe recommends the audio, also in which McCoy talks about his maturity and compares himself to Jadeveon Clowney. Click the button below.
August 19th, 2014 at 12:01 pm
Lets start sending a blitzer in right behind GMC……
August 19th, 2014 at 12:01 pm
I don’t think GMC takes adrian slowborn out to practice anymore.
#lost_cause
August 19th, 2014 at 12:03 pm
Or better yet…..maybe we are lined up wrong…..perhaps we should take a DE & line him up behind GMC…..Then maybe a DE can get some pressure…..
August 19th, 2014 at 12:37 pm
Somebody is going to have to step up to keep the double and triple teams off of McCoy because blocking him will be the foes emphasis. It’s time to seperate the wheat from the chaff on who can provide pressure upfront.
August 19th, 2014 at 12:48 pm
It’s the unselfish team and players who win championships.
August 19th, 2014 at 1:03 pm
What happens if Clayborn outplays Michael Johnson the entire season?
August 19th, 2014 at 1:18 pm
@pewter jesus
Well, clayborn is terrible, so if he out plays Michael Johnson, then the Bucs Defense will be in trouble. As good as GMC is, if they do start throwing double triple teams his way, he will tire down or get injured as the season goes on.
August 19th, 2014 at 1:35 pm
Give it a rest Realist. Your hate on Clayborn says far more about you than it does about him.
August 19th, 2014 at 1:58 pm
I was plenty worried about GMC after the early injuries in the first two seasons. Many have their careers shortened with repeated injuries. Really glad that he was able to overcome.
August 19th, 2014 at 2:00 pm
Its not a negative remark on McCoy period. Sounds like hes going above and beyond. If the rest don’t step up, thats on them. Not on McCoy.
August 19th, 2014 at 2:22 pm
Joe, does McCoy get in anyone’s face if its needed? Bowers, AC, Johnson? Its a fine line of course, but I very much remember Marino ripping into any of his WRs when they did something wrong. If say Johnson comes in with only two pass rush moves, he AND is not putting pressure on the QB, he needs to have someone raise what is expected from him. Same with Bowers. If he comes to OTCs out of shape, a player like McCoy ripping into him has far more impact than a coach. Do you think McCoy is comfortable doing that?