Lovie Talks “15-Plus Sacks” For Gerald McCoy
June 24th, 2015
Gerald McCoy doesn’t like to talk about his individual goals, but Lovie Smith had no problem spilling the beans.
Lovie chatted with Buccaneers.com and explained that Lavonte David and Gerald McCoy have new heights to reach.
“Gerald had a great year but Gerald will tell you he has high goals, 15-plus sacks,” Lovie said. “You know, the great ones that we’ve had. The great one, Warren Sapp, those were the type of numbers he was talking about. Gerald was looking at those type numbers.”
That’s a big goal for McCoy. If he manages to hit it, then Joe would envision the Bucs defense would win a few games for the team this season. Sacks are game changers; they always will be.
For the record, Sapp had double-digit sacks three times in his nine Tampa Bay seasons — 10 1/2 sacks in 1997, 12 1/2 in ’99 and 16 1/2 sacks in 2000. McCoy’s best of his five years was 9 1/2 sacks in 2013.
Lovie also raved about the offseason addition of Henry Melton jacking up what many consider the NFL’s best interior pass rush. The Bucs led the NFL in sacks by defensive tackles last year.
Melton is quite an X-factor. If somehow he can regain his Pro Bowl (2012) form, then McCoy should get cleaner shots at quarterbacks.
June 24th, 2015 at 5:24 am
To get that many sacks GMC will have to stop disappearing in the 4th quarter especially when the team is protecting a lead late in games.
June 24th, 2015 at 6:04 am
I agree Tampa Tony but with that said, we need another consistent pass-rusher to emerge on the edge to take some of the attention off of McCoy…imagine if teams couldn’t double/triple team GMC all game…With his talent it is a realistic goal, he just needs some help to make it happen…
June 24th, 2015 at 7:32 am
J. Smith has earned a spot at DE. Sure he’s not a household name, but in limited games(7) he had 6.5 sacks. Of course we have to optimistic, but imagine if he plays in all 16 games. The same thing with G. Johnson. These guys weren’t drafted in the 1st round, but neither was Michael Bennett, and he did well for us before we let him walk. Now lets hope the best from these 2 DE’s and don’t let them walk. If they don’t meet our expectation, then we will know what the Bucs will do with their 1st round pick next year. The GM always says we will be looking to add DE’s to our team….at all times.
June 24th, 2015 at 8:10 am
Disappearing in the 4th qtr? Really? When you are the only pass rusher showing up to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd quarters the opposing team takes the hint and makes what football “insiders” know as “adjustments”. Come on guys…
June 24th, 2015 at 8:44 am
None of that will matter if we dont fix our 3rd and long defense. Was pathetic last year.
June 24th, 2015 at 9:28 am
Adding Melton will hopefully take some pressure off of GMC. We need better production from the DE spots to make it work though.
June 24th, 2015 at 9:44 am
If i am other teams, I would stick to the formula. Double team McCoy and watch Lovie’s defense implode!!! With no pass rush, Lovie’s vanilla zone coverage is just to easy to shred.
June 24th, 2015 at 11:59 am
15 sacks? He can do it! Go GMC!
June 24th, 2015 at 5:48 pm
Crap. He just HAD to jinx McCoy.
June 24th, 2015 at 6:04 pm
If J.Smith can duplicate his numbers from last year he might be able to put up at least 14 sacks that would be enough of a distraction on the end to free up GMC
June 24th, 2015 at 10:27 pm
He gotta play 16 games..