Playing Follow The Leader
April 16th, 2015
New Bucs DE George Johnson opens up about Gerald McCoy
Lovie Smith was clear at the NFL Owners Meetings in Phoenix, Gerald McCoy is “the face of franchise.”
Even the newest Buccaneer knows that. He’s already talked about how he’ll be playing follow McCoy — for the second time in his career.
Defensive end George Johnson, the six-sacks dude the Bucs acquired this week from the Lions, had a cozy 1-on-1 with beat reporter Jenna Laine, of SportsTalkFlorida.com. Johnson explained that his role is all about being like No. 93, much like it was in 2010.
“I know with Gerald, you know, Gerald is just a guy that people that can gravitate to. He always brings guys together. He’s been a leader since he first got there,” said Johnson, who had a bottom-of-the-roster role with Tampa Bay from 2010 to 2012.
“So, you know, it’s not for me to actually just bring something into it. It’s just to actually keep building off what he does, the intensity that he comes with and the competition that he always brings in practice. That’s the only thing I’m really coming to do, is actually continue to keep building off what he’s doing. And try to help him to get more guys to rally around him.”
Hearing this reminded Joe of the words of iconic linebacker and former Bucs defensive line assistant coach Bryan Cox, who served the Schiano administration. Cox told Joe in 2013 that McCoy needed to take his teammates to new heights in order to be considered great.
“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,” Cox said.
Joe buys in to Cox’s line of thinking.
Last year, McCoy seemed to bring out the career best in Akeem Spence, Clinton McDonald and Jacquies Smith, but Michael Johnson quit on McCoy, himself and the team.
McCoy will have Johnson and company with all eyes on him when the Bucs report back to work in four short days.
Joe’s going to hope this is McCoy’s year to raise the game of everyone around him.
April 16th, 2015 at 2:09 pm
Lets do this!!!!
April 16th, 2015 at 2:19 pm
Trade him to Detroit, we need that 5th rounder back :-p
April 16th, 2015 at 2:28 pm
Not every defensive end gets the chance to play on the same line with a guy like Mccoy. They need to take advantage. Plus with Mcdonald and Melton and Spence taking up space, there is no excuse for a lack of production from our ends. At least we dont got M Johnson and his lack of heart taking up a spot this year.
April 16th, 2015 at 2:28 pm
RFLMAO …you really think licht could get a 5th?
he can’t pick up the phone without losing draft picks!
on a more serious not, I am optimistic about the interior of the DL. now they just need to stay healthy
April 16th, 2015 at 2:34 pm
How many Bucs 5th round picks in the last 10 years stuck around to become starters or even just remain on the roster? The answer is a big fat goose egg.
2014 – too soon to tell, but Kadeem Edwards has had only a handful of snaps and seems a low probability to start or stay on the roster for long
2013 – Stephen Means … gone
2012 – Najee Good … gone
2011 – Ahmad Black …. gone
2010 – no 5th round pick, but note that the only pick from that year’s draft who’s still on the roster is Gerald McCoy
2009 – Xavier Fulton … gone
2008 – Josh Johnson … gone
2007 – Greg Peterson … gone
2006 – Julian Jenkins … gone
Quit crying about it.
April 16th, 2015 at 2:42 pm
I guess Dallas and Ray Rice will be along soon to tell us what a crappy player McCoy is.
April 16th, 2015 at 2:42 pm
Who is Michael Johnson player every keeps mentioning I don’t remember seeing him on the field last year? 🙂
April 16th, 2015 at 2:44 pm
Michael Johnson is a miserable pile of excrement. That signing set the Bucs back as badly as not signing Michael Bennett. Lovie and Licht have a lot of work ahead of them to dig this team out of the hole they dug by jettisoning the o-line and signing all those bums to big-money contracts. Not to mention overcoming the mess that Dominik/Morris/Schiano left behind. This team is in a really bad spot, and it’s going to take a long time to overcome the decade of ineptitude.
April 16th, 2015 at 2:45 pm
if michael johnson is excrement, then lovie is lower than whale poo.
April 16th, 2015 at 2:50 pm
Exactly. Why would we want that fifth round pick to use to possibly move up into the end of the first or second round. SMDH!
I see the Bucs moving down in the second round to collect extra picks.
April 16th, 2015 at 3:07 pm
NcBuc- just because the previous regimes were not successful at drafting 5th rounders doesn’t mean I should sit back and satisfied to accept the same ineptitude from the current leadership. If these picks are so worthless why don’t we just give them to New Orleans or Atlanta? Some of you should consider being less tolerant of poor decision making.
Pickgrin- why do you think I would do that?
April 16th, 2015 at 3:23 pm
It’s my comment and I’ll cry if I want to, cry if I want to, cry if I want to, you would cry too if your team was 2-14.
April 16th, 2015 at 3:27 pm
That quote from Cox sounds like what Jameis does to and with his teammates. How many times have you heard people describe this trait about Winston, “true great players bring, you know, other players’ level of play to a different level”
April 16th, 2015 at 3:30 pm
Gerald can be the face of the defense all he wants….
April 16th, 2015 at 3:42 pm
Dallas – meant to say DB55/WS99 – a time tested GMC basher.
April 16th, 2015 at 3:43 pm
How did McCoy tolerate Michael Jonson? Some bad apples can spoil a whole unit. Hopefully Cincinnati will experience similar effects, but then I enjoy football and hate to wish bad things on any team.
April 16th, 2015 at 4:09 pm
the bucs are drafting dante fowler the #1 edge rusher from the gators with the #1 pick in the draft. they were so impressed with his visit at one buc place they almost signed him on the spot.
lovie will have his Julius PEPpers like he had in Chicago when dante fowler is on the field for the bucs.
Gerald McCoy will be smiling all next season.
April 16th, 2015 at 4:19 pm
All I know is Gerald can be the face of the defense. No one cares unless you bring a defense that other teams see as a threat not just a couple of players. Bring a defense that you can be proud of. Gerald you have been a leader of some of the worse defenses in the history of this franchise. Carry that with you into this next season and change it. Or else all you will ever be is a tremendous football player but the leader of a disturbingly underachieving defense.
April 16th, 2015 at 4:26 pm
#1 DE
#2. OL
#3 OL
Then LB or Safeties
Get a Strong Defense and a strong OL, you will see our RB and Glennon progress into Greatness.
April 16th, 2015 at 4:34 pm
Honestly robert9 I think he could get a 4th rnd pick
April 16th, 2015 at 4:36 pm
port richey george Says:
April 16th, 2015 at 4:09 pm
“the bucs are drafting dante fowler the #1 edge rusher from the gators with the #1 pick in the draft.”
Thanks George for that, but who else is saying that besides you?
Why not just say the Bucs are drafting Ronald McDonald with the first pick?
Same difference.
April 16th, 2015 at 4:38 pm
Pick
I’ve been a good boy lately.
April 16th, 2015 at 4:38 pm
I’m interested to see if McCoy can inspire Leonard Williams should the Bucs be unable to trade down for more picks in a couple more weeks
April 16th, 2015 at 4:52 pm
lol you guys are to funny. Just hope you’re around come draft day when the bucs draft Winston, but my guess is you’ll be no where to be found. So, get the BS out of your system now while you still can.
April 16th, 2015 at 4:54 pm
@scotty thats why im not too happy about the G. Johnson trade. We couldve used that pick to make trades in the first and/or second round
April 16th, 2015 at 5:02 pm
Any of you who are still blind to the fact that we are drafting Jameis Winston might want to come to that realization before the 30th. It will save you some heartache.
April 16th, 2015 at 5:06 pm
Breaking news Winston being sued.
April 16th, 2015 at 5:12 pm
EK suing him for sexual assault.
April 16th, 2015 at 5:19 pm
Jameis Winston sued by sexual assault accuser. #Glazers want nothing to do this this. Mariota looking better, No?
April 16th, 2015 at 5:19 pm
If Johnson follows Aunt Geraldine he’s going to disappear just as fast as Whodini Geraldini does after the 1st quarter.
April 16th, 2015 at 5:21 pm
I don’t know if it changes their mind. Should have known it was coming. However 87′ said it would never happen.
April 16th, 2015 at 5:42 pm
Rick Stroud:
April 16th, 2015 at 5:47 pm
I hope Jameis counter sues her. His case should be easy to win.
April 16th, 2015 at 5:51 pm
@ Lord Cornelius, his attorney promised a counter suit for extortion & defamation:
https://twitter.com/wmdavidcornwell/statuses/540907598699315200
April 16th, 2015 at 5:52 pm
She can sue all she wants.
Skyline…pleeeeease pull up in the archives where I said it will never happen..
You’ll be looking for days.
I said the case will be thrown out of court….you will find that.
Nice mis-quote though.
April 16th, 2015 at 5:54 pm
If a single Buccaneer fails to get 10 sacks this year, this will mark the 10th campaign without having that.
INEXCUSABLE!
I’m all for Jameis at 1, but holy smokes we have the worst edge rush/O-Line play in football.
April 16th, 2015 at 5:56 pm
This is NOT breaking news. You people are mentally handicapped.
Barry…you especially. You really are.
The Glazers already knew this might come down the pike…
or do you morons think this is breaking news to them?
Yes I said morons, because that’s what you are when you post this stuff as some new breaking news.
Hmmm did she not SAY she was going to sue him…oh what MONTHS ago?
This MUST be BREAKING NEWS. Total fools every one of you.
April 16th, 2015 at 5:58 pm
Jameis has taken a vow of abstinence, like Rocky, until he wins it all.
April 16th, 2015 at 6:03 pm
I ain’t saying she’s a gold digger.
April 16th, 2015 at 6:05 pm
If we were to not take Winston because of this we might as well let random NFL bloggers run our f*cking team. You might as well say “we base our decisions on uninformed opinions on the internet”. Shut the whole damn thing down if that’s how this franchise operates. Move us to LA.
No new information is gained from this. It was expected; although I assumed they would have sued after the draft instead of 2 weeks prior; which is just rediculous timing.
I hope he counter-sues and everyone can shut the hell up about this
April 16th, 2015 at 6:08 pm
It can’t GET anymore dumber than it is on this site right now.
Can it?
2 weeks to go though and Barry’s got plenty more rocks in his head.
April 16th, 2015 at 6:19 pm
“Why not just say the Bucs are drafting Ronald McDonald with the first pick?”
Well at least he would fit right in when it comes to the uniforms. 🙂
April 16th, 2015 at 6:27 pm
87′ you said she wouldn’t sue because he would counter sue her. Now you’re saying it was expected.
April 16th, 2015 at 6:31 pm
I doubt it is thrown out. No reason it should. Less evidence to bring for a civil suit.
April 16th, 2015 at 6:33 pm
So he’s getting sued, not a big deal. That’s between him, her, and his accountant. Has no baring on the Bucs and shouldn’t matter to fans. It will, because a lot of folks just don’t have anything to do with their lives but to busy themselves with minutia
April 16th, 2015 at 6:43 pm
Me, robert 9, SuperSam and Skyline Crew were hanging out today in robert 9’s basement smoking a little weed and talking about our new QB, Winston.
Good times.
robert 9 is really nice to his girl friend. She lives with him.
He sends lotion to her in a bucket and tells her to put the lotion on its skin.
Kind of sweet.
Oh well, it’s getting dark.
I have to go to work now.
April 16th, 2015 at 6:44 pm
Skyline Crew Says:
April 16th, 2015 at 6:27 pm
“87′ you said she wouldn’t sue because he would counter sue her. Now you’re saying it was expected.”
Again go and find it. It wasn’t me.
April 16th, 2015 at 6:44 pm
Perhaps the young lady’s not lying. Every think of that?
April 16th, 2015 at 6:46 pm
Skyline….And your saying this wasn’t expected to happen?
Hell fans have been talking about it for MONTHS on this site….
I guess you missed it.
April 16th, 2015 at 6:49 pm
@ Barry
No because she has lied multiple times. What do you call someone who keeps completely changing their story about an incident; other than a liar?
“I was hit on the head” she tells her friend
-no evidence of physical trauma
“I wasn’t hit on the head”
“I was drugged and drunk”
-no evidence of drugs in 1st test incredibly low BAC
“Test must be wrong run it again”
-no evidence of hundreds of drugs in 2nd test
(now we’re to the Title IX investigation – to SC justice)
“I was not drugged. I was intimidated into leaving potbellies with 3 dudes i didn’t really know.” (judge – “that sounds like horse sh*t to me”. Caes thrown out)
(on hunting ground documentary)
“I was definitely drugged. Don’t have any scientific explanation for how my blood didn’t come up with any drugs but I was! WEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
April 16th, 2015 at 6:50 pm
I’ll also say right now. It either gets thrown out of court or she loses the suit.
Either way the Glazers, Lovie and many more knew this was coming down the pike long before this BREAKING NEWS!
That’s what makes you people look like fools…
April 16th, 2015 at 6:54 pm
Skyline…you’re much smarter than this. Now your just turning into another Barry.
Do you REALLY think the Glazers did not know about this before they said “we’re comfortable making Jameis Winston the face of our franchise”? If so then you are just another Barry…
April 16th, 2015 at 7:12 pm
I knew it was coming…it was just a matter of when. However, many if you believed it wouldn’t. Wonder how much he’ll pay her.
April 16th, 2015 at 7:16 pm
Skyline,
Here’s how much he’ll pay her….
Zero Point Zero.
Probably the same as your GPA.
He is innocent.
Deal with it!
April 16th, 2015 at 7:18 pm
Skyline,
Go smoke some more weed with your buddies in robert9’s basement.
Don’t go away mad.
Just go away.
April 16th, 2015 at 9:46 pm
What? You’re special aren’t you. I’m sure smoking some pole right now. You mad? Why? Because Winston will continue to go through this? You obviously don’t understand civil court.
April 16th, 2015 at 9:55 pm
Hey princess I never claimed he wasn’t innocent. Of course when he pays we will know otherwise. Of course right now he has no money, so there’s that.
April 16th, 2015 at 10:19 pm
Skyline,
Yep.
Just proved to me that your GPA was indeed a Zero Point Zero.
Go back to the basement with your lovers.
April 16th, 2015 at 11:10 pm
Tampaaaaaaaaa,Leonard Williams looks just like warren sapp.
April 16th, 2015 at 11:46 pm
I am sure the Bucs do not have the stomach for all of this scandal, even before he is drafted. Just wait until he comes off of his best behavior!
April 16th, 2015 at 11:55 pm
nice comeback princess
April 17th, 2015 at 12:07 am
Nice comeback homo.
April 17th, 2015 at 6:32 am
So you’re a homophobe, a bigot, and a racist. Nice.
April 17th, 2015 at 9:04 am
You’re not a leader on the D-Line if you can’t split a double team on 3rd down.