Rancor Over GMC Growing
November 9th, 2015
Harsh words for Gerald McCoy from the sports duo of WFLA-TV.
Look, Joe is a Gerald McCoy defender. The guy almost always has been cooperative and forthright after ugly. While GMC may not be a great player, he is a good player. There is no sin in that.
That doesn’t mean Joe is a GMC apologist and save for one (truly big) play, GMC has been playing at a Ghost Johnson-like level, or worse.
For a guy collecting a big paycheck coming off three Pro Bowls who hoists himself upon the fourth estate as the Alpha male of the Bucs’ locker room, McCoy has become a shadow of his previous self on the field the past month, in games his teammates maybe needed him more than when he was a rookie not having fun while winning games — GMC’s own words; not Joe’s.
However, in recent weeks, GMC is giving his vocal critics, who somehow expect him to make folks forget about Warren Sapp, plenty of ammunition.Where once McCoy’s critics seemingly were just cranks working behind microphones looking/stooping for cheap rants to hold listeners, his drop off in play is beginning to resonate among reasoned individuals.
So last night it took Joe aback while watching “Bucs Bonus” on the official Buccaneers news station, WFLA-TV Channel 8, manned by sports anchor Paul Ryan and sports director Dan Lucas. They teed off on GMC.
While discussing how it is now widely apparent the Bucs are not being led by the normally affable veteran Pro Bowler GMC, but by the charismatic rookie quarterback, America’s Quarterback, Bucs signal-caller Jameis Winston, Ryan didn’t hold back, lodging strong words at GMC’s lack of production as well as his quickly diminishing role as team spokesman.
“I think at this point Jameis Winston is the leader of this football team,” Ryan said. “That throne has been curated for him since he was taken with the No. 1 overall pick. It was always to have Jameis Winston as the leader of this football team. But I think he has assumed that role a lot faster than anyone expected. And I think the proof is in the pudding [Sunday].
“You saw Jameis pull Akeem Spence aside. He’s the guy trying to get [Spence’s] head straight and make sure that everyone is on the same page as they try to drive to tie the game at the end.
“Meanwhile, Gerald McCoy, the self-proclaimed leader of this football team, gathers his stuff afterwards in the locker room and leaves without speaking to the media. That kind of stuff is unacceptable at this level. Guys are getting paid. Atone for your mistakes. Explain what happened and move on with your life. Jameis? No problem doing that. Gerald McCoy? Nowhere to be found on the football field or off.”
The broadcast then showed video of GMC barging from his locker stall through a pack of cameramen on his way out the door.
To be fair, the NFL requires all starting quarterbacks to hold a postgame press conference, or face a massive fine. But to Ryan’s point, Jameis is the type of guy who is unafraid to face the music, whether it be pleasant after a win or uncomfortable after a loss.
GMC, who for the second time in three weeks had as many penalties as tackles and in his last four games has a grand total of four tackles, silently stomped out of the locker room last night, barging past two TV camera crews as if to say “move or become part of the carpet.” It’s the first time Joe can remember him ever pulling such a stunt.
This move rankled Lucas. He suggested that if a player is going to bask in the glory of making a play in a win, then he should also man up and discuss not making a play in a loss, otherwise, it may be a “tad hypocritical.”
Whoa.
It sure seems GMC’s world is starting to crumble beneath him. Folks are getting tired of GMC always talking being double-teamed when he is not double-teamed all the time — watch All-22 video for confirmation. GMC often adds that he is not trying to make an excuse, and Joe sincerely believes him, but if that is really true, then why constantly invoke how you are double-teamed?
GMC must be more hurt than Lovie Smith is letting on, and if GMC’s shoulder is so hurt that he can’t get any production, then Lovie is letting GMC twist in the wind of public opinion.
If you are injured, you are injured. There is no shame in trying to play through it. In fact, it is laudable, unlike a tight end we all know who said he won’t play unless he is 100 percent.
But if an wounded player whose his heart is in the right place can’t produce, then he is dragging the team down with him. Get him out of there.
Joe is pretty sure just about any scrub can average one tackle a game. So if that is the reason for GMC’s massive drop off in production, an injury, get him on the sidelines until he is healed up and ready to wreak havoc like he did the first month of the season.
Bucs DT Gerald McCoy (lower right) stops to absorb the adulation of Bucs fans during pregame introductions Sunday. His mood was far different about three hours later.
November 9th, 2015 at 8:18 am
The guy is injured, but he is also not the player he was. Ppl will argue that he is double teamed all the time, and that’s just not happening. Watch the film. I sit in the endzone every week and watch the replay after coz there is so much you miss watching live. But he has had more missed tackles this year than probably the rest of his career. Something is up……
November 9th, 2015 at 8:18 am
I’m sick and tired of the press thinking professional athletes owe them an interview. If he gives a bad interview, he’ll get blasted for it. If he doesn’t give an interview, he gets blasted. Sometimes it’s just better to keep your mouth shut rather than say something really stupid at the wrong time.
November 9th, 2015 at 8:19 am
But he’s quadruple teamed on every play and has no help on the defensive line! Or so that’s what I’m told by his defenders
I’ve also heard that this defensive scheme is Taylor made for GMC and David…
November 9th, 2015 at 8:24 am
The main reason I hold back from criticizing GMC is that his shoulder injury maybe should put him on IR. It’s hard to blast the guy if his play is injury related and he may be playing in a lot of pain. He probably has the option of going inactive the rest of the season and collecting his check (see ASJ). I think this year is an anomaly for him. Of all the problems on the team, GMC’s dropoff is the most explainable.
November 9th, 2015 at 8:26 am
Anybody else think he’s a little butt-hurt about a real leader coming in and everyone jumping ship on GMC being the face of the franchise?
November 9th, 2015 at 8:27 am
@Joe
Do you think some of this Hatred is that some of the Fans are trying so hard to recreate the late 90’s. They got the Dungy tree coach, they see GMC as Sapp. LVD as Brooks, Conte as the white safty. They still wear the old jerseys. They think that the Tampa-2 is the only defense that works. and now that everything is in place its not the same is it. History has not been recreated!!!
I wrote when GMC got his new contract that the Bucs always have to over pay. Its a bad franchise that loses. They have to pay an extra 25-30% over market value to attract and keep free agents. Look people this is Lovie’s defense and he needs 2 more pro-bowlers on the DL and maybe 1 very good rotational guy. Lovie only wins with over-whelming talent!!!!
November 9th, 2015 at 8:27 am
While it is very true that GMC has been non-existnt in the recent games, I would say the same for the linebacking corps. Not counting a great game last week, splash plays have been lost from that unit.
And Mike Evans has cost the Bucs wins. Even if he had a tremendous game, if they tried to give him a game ball…..He’d drop it.
Think about this. Martin fumbles and they sit him. Evans drops 5 passes and they keep throwing at the Mike Clayton clone. It’s ridiculous.
November 9th, 2015 at 8:27 am
If GMC is so hurt he needs to sit as he’s hurting the team with getting almost zero production from a crucial spot.
He’s use to being on IR so it wouldn’t surprise me, this is a reason I wasnt a fan of him getting a fat contract
November 9th, 2015 at 8:29 am
He has to be injured, just has to be.
There’s no shame in admitting.
He seems like a genuinely good guy, and there aren’t that many in the NFL.
If he’s not injured, he needs a pay adjustment.
November 9th, 2015 at 8:32 am
GMC is playing lousy, yes. But this entire defense is putrid. 3rd-and-5, 3rd-and-7, you never get the feeling that they are actually going to make a stop. And they seldom do.
You’d think that once in a while, just by accident, someone would be unblocked or would spin off a block to get to a QB. You can’t replace an entire secondary in an offseason but I’m really curious to hear how they think they can fix this thing. By now we know that they are not capable of “just playing better,” as Lovie likes to say.
November 9th, 2015 at 8:33 am
His biggest injury is his ego. After all a d3 player frustrated him during training camp.
November 9th, 2015 at 8:35 am
BuccoDav Says:
November 9th, 2015 at 8:18 am
I’m sick and tired of the press thinking professional athletes owe them an interview
_____________
Couldn’t disagree more. As a fan who spends money, I feel players owe ME some comments. The media is the conduit between players and fans. A player is paid handsomely for his “work”, the least he can do is give 10 minutes to talk.
November 9th, 2015 at 8:38 am
There’s no doubt Gerald is more beat-up than anyone knows, look at his history of injuries……..also, it’s all about scheme…..
A good scheme:
Makes great players into Hall of Famers.
Makes good players into great players.
Makes average players into good players.
Below average players shouldn’t be on the team.
A bad scheme:
Makes great players good players.
Makes good players average players.
Makes average players into below-average players.
Those, my friends, are the facts of life in the NFL.
November 9th, 2015 at 8:38 am
Imo he is hurt by the attention Jw gets with all this leader crap but he is hurt and this defensive scheme isn’t helping.The Tampa 2 may never really work again.We need a new Dc and a few players.
November 9th, 2015 at 8:38 am
Fraud alert!!!
November 9th, 2015 at 8:39 am
@Joe,
You acknowledge that GMC is not a great player, but a good player. I agree with you. However, GMC is getting paid great player money. He is lauded by his coaches as being the best at his position. He’s been called the face of the franchise. Like it or not, when you are labeled these superlatives and paid according to those accolades you face scrutiny when you don’t produce, and rightfully so. With more money, comes more responsibility. “Simple as that”. A player needs to be mentally tough enough to handle the expectations placed upon him. I think people have it out for GMC, not necessarily because he’s a nice guy, but because they think he (and the entire defense) is mentally soft. When you are the leader and the face of a mentally soft defense that crumbles after any sort of adversity, what does he expect critics to think? When he is good for at least 1 encroachment penalty EVERY game, how is he going to tell the other players on defense to stop getting stupid penalties? I do not feel sorry for GMC. I’m not mad at him either. I’m sure he’s a great person, but just because he’s a nice guy doesn’t mean he can’t be called out. Hopefully he can turn it around. Who knows, maybe after so many years of losing he is just finally mentally and emotionally beat down.
November 9th, 2015 at 8:43 am
i thought Schiano was the one holding GMC back?
November 9th, 2015 at 8:53 am
I get that he is hurt and underperforming, he probably is overrated even when healthy and plays a little soft for his ability. My problem is that pouty childish stomp off he did after the game, what did he have reservations at Hooters? I don’t care if you talk to the media, but he ran out on “His team” as well. A captain goes down with the ship, a leader needs to be there leading in tough times, not running away to cry. GMC will never be viewed as a leader by the MEN in that locker room again. A good franchise would start making plans to move on from him in the offseason, Belicheat wouldn’t overpay for that kind of guy, but would find away to get a 1st round pick for him.
November 9th, 2015 at 9:00 am
@JOE
You were also one of those who constantly defended Aunt Geraldine saying he gets double and triple teamed. How long have DB and I been telling everyone that he is overrated. The MF just yaps his mouth. Yet he is the self proclaimed leader of the team. Bull$hit! While the real leader was on the bench talking to Spence Houdini Geraldini was doing his best impersonation of a practice squad DT. $hit!…… I take that back. A practice squad player has more heart than that.
November 9th, 2015 at 9:06 am
You could tell the Giants never really felt like they would lose to the Bucs. They had the mental and physical edge from the onset. The Bucs just floundered and accepted the loss in an all too familiar display.
November 9th, 2015 at 9:07 am
You’re right Joe, if he’s hurt to the point where it’s affecting his play this bad. Then sit him down for a few games. Rest his injury and get his head screwed back on straight. You can tell just by the look on his face over the last 3 weeks, that he’s not happy at all. I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one that’s noticed that too. Perhaps he really is bothered that the spotlight isn’t solely focused on him anymore but that of the young charismatic rookie QB. He doesn’t seem like the type of person to have a big ego though. I don’t know, he does talk…..a LOT!
November 9th, 2015 at 9:12 am
Is there anyone better than GMC, even injured, to take his place? Next year, offense looks even better, and maybe we start getting some defensive depth. Or help. Possibly another cup of joe.
November 9th, 2015 at 9:14 am
GMC has been hugely disappointing, and is obviously a little injured. I think every fan realizes that. What I’m not sure most fans realize is that a seemingly healthy Lavonte David has been atrocious all season long…PFF has him ranked as the worst 4-3 OLB in the league this season and they have always graded him highly.
November 9th, 2015 at 9:14 am
I wanted to believe he was an elite player, but he just does not have a significant enough impact in meaningful moments of the game. We’re paying him to be a top level difference maker, but if we dropped him from the next game would it really make that much of difference? I tend to think no. And I’m not a GMC hater and I have defended him a lot. But you watch the Rams and see what Aaron Donald is doing, and it really puts into perspective that GMC is a good, but not great player.
November 9th, 2015 at 9:17 am
If your hurt that bad SHUT IT DOWN …let someone else step in and do that job …correct word is “self proclaimed ” because that’s exactly what McCoy did …took that title himself …he’s jealous because Jameis gets all the attention…only Jameis knows how to be a leader because he shows it consistently with his play and his positive attitude
November 9th, 2015 at 9:20 am
Personally it is obvious GMC is injured. He has always been open and forthright. Leaving after the game to me was purely frustration from another game they should have or could have won and the fact that he is injured.
I’m not being an apologist, that’s just probably the reality.
The haters will crucify him if he smiles to the media after a loss and crucify him if he’s upset and walks out.
He can’t win with many of you and that’s a shame because he is a great d lineman and person.
November 9th, 2015 at 9:41 am
I’m sick and tired of the press thinking professional athletes owe them an interview.
And I’m sick and tired of people who ACCEPT the money and the fame of a position but do not wish to accept the possibility.
You should switch to college football it’s professional footbal and YES the athletes are being paid MILLIONS….think about it now…they’re making more in a year than you will this decade…in GMC’s case more than most make in an entire lifetime!!!
The press are our representatives…they are there to gather information for the fans…they are PART OF THE TOTAL PACKAGE…the NFL would literally be gone without media coverage!!!! YES the players do OWE it to us to man up and simply spend 15 minutes after horrible disappointment to share that disappointment or frustration or perhaps….explain how certain plays unfolded. What a concept.
This is like a man deciding to run for President and then whining when the media starts asking hard questions. Yeah there will be some stooopid questions along the way…that’s what you sign up for when you run and EVERY candidate and EVERY athlete has to endure moronic reporters along with the erudite smart media members. It goes with the territory and the MILLIONS!
IF YOU CAN’T STAND THE HEAT GET THE F OUT OF THE KITCHEN!
November 9th, 2015 at 9:42 am
The worst part is that the Giants were running the ball up the gut and down our throats all game. He just got beat down and he’s always taking himself out of the play.
November 9th, 2015 at 9:42 am
typo…obviously possibility = responsibility
November 9th, 2015 at 9:44 am
How does anyone really know if he’s injured or not? If he is, I feel for him. It’s not his fault if he is injured, IF. But if he is, he needs to go to the bench or IR cause he’s not helping anyone right now. And to be honest, he wasn’t that spectacular of a player when he was “healthy”. IMO, he’s about as healthy as you can expect a football player to be this point in the season. His play is declining because he’s an average player. Face it. He’s not a game changer. Never has been, probably never will be.
It seems him not being viewed as a leader is taking is toll. He looks disinterested when anything happens, good or bad. And now that ppl are actually looking at his stats and expecting more, he can’t handle the pressure. I like GMC, nice, funny dude but he just doesn’t do enough on the field consistently to be considered great, let alone good.
I’m not convinced Lovie is the man for the job but I am curious about what he could do after a strong defensive draft. Licht has put some pieces in place on offense. The defense needs to be retooled, front to back.
November 9th, 2015 at 9:44 am
Joe
I luv you guys but I couldn’t post a thing yesterday. I was all in my feelings thinking I got booted. Thank Jameis that’s not the case. I’m having some network issues on my phone I keep have to reset the network.
November 9th, 2015 at 9:49 am
GMC is a good player not a great player. I think the expectations were set to high with him. Being the best player on the worst defense in the league the last few years does not make you a great player. He also should have never been touted as the face of the franchise by lovie and others. that label needs to earned by on field actions and accomplishments. sorry pro bowls are not the sole judge of talent and are often given out a year or two late. If he is hurt AGAIN sit him or put him on IR and move on.
November 9th, 2015 at 9:50 am
Folks are getting tired of GMC always talking being double-teamed when he is not double-teamed all the time — watch All-22 video for confirmation.
*******************
HA! Screen shot this, lol.
November 9th, 2015 at 9:53 am
BLA BLA BLA BLA Opinions and assumptions you all know what they say about them. To many people on this site think they know whats going on. none of us really do. IT doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see the defense isn’t very good. and that effects everything. if one part breaks down it all breaks down. As for GMC or any other player sometimes its okay to not talk to the media. They can be really annoying. Everyone has a bad day once in a while. and some players have a bad year for what ever reason. We need better players and a different DC. maybe even a new head coach. I don’t think GMC is butt hurt over Winston. Who knows it’s just my opinion.
November 9th, 2015 at 9:58 am
@road warrior — Here! Here! No one on this site knows anything other than what we see on TV. We have no idea if GMC is hurt – it’s not “obvious” as so many of you write. We can figure out a lot of “what” is happening but we have no idea as to “why.”
Before the days of message boards and social media, you’d turn off the game when it was over and say, “Boy, Jameis looks pretty good but the Bucs stink.” To me, that’s the appropriate level of analysis here.
November 9th, 2015 at 10:20 am
I think I figured it out. Gerald, accidentally stumbled on this website, and read all the commenters hating on Mark Dominik and his terrible drafts. Gerald McCoy then realized, hey Mark drafted me, and then decided to live up to the commenters expectations of a Dominik draft pick.
Now, since he visited the site once, he is obviously become addicted, which means it is up to us to break his misguided perception of his fate.
November 9th, 2015 at 10:21 am
The Bucs are proudly building opponents win totals, ongoing for decades.
November 9th, 2015 at 10:22 am
It’s laughable to think that GMC is hurt by any attention Winston gets. If he’s that mentally weak then he should of never been the face of the franchise to begin with as that is on the same mental level as Freewee and we know how that turned out.
November 9th, 2015 at 10:29 am
I rode to the airport in a shuttle with GMCs dad at the Houston game. He told me GMCs hurt and can play the way he usually does. I think it’s his shoulder. He was a cool guy on his way back to Oklahoma.
November 9th, 2015 at 10:33 am
Why no one is talking to him about chatting it up with Giant’s linemen? During the timeout period before the Giants kick their final field goal, McCoy is shown on the jumbo-tron smiling and chatting to an opponent. But he has the nerve to storm out of the locker-room. He’s attention seeking. The only thing this guy talks passionately about is comic book heroes.
November 9th, 2015 at 10:39 am
For the record (again) I wanted SUH. Attitude and all.
November 9th, 2015 at 10:47 am
I wonder if Jameis taking over leadership of the team has killed GMC’s psyche, especially in light of the comments GMC made about how Jameis should step back a little and just be a rookie. This was his team, or at least he thought of it that way, and here comes this rookie who pretty much effortlessly took it away from him.
November 9th, 2015 at 11:00 am
StPeteBucsFan Says:
The press are our representatives…they are there to gather information for the fans…they are PART OF THE TOTAL PACKAGE…the NFL would literally be gone without media coverage!!!! YES the players do OWE it to us to man up and simply spend 15 minutes after horrible disappointment to share that disappointment or frustration or perhaps….explain how certain plays unfolded. What a concept.
I don’t agree with this statement at all. If you’ve been watching football for more then a couple of years. you all ready know what questions are going to be asked. Most people who watch football already know the answer. I rarely here a media person ask a question that your not expecting. With less media i think it might be a bit of an improvement I don’t watch pre game coverage anymore to many talking heads saying the same thing over and over again. some of these talking heads are just stating the obvious. unless you’ve never seen a game before it can be very annoying. If a player wants to share how they feel after a game that should be there choice. you might even get a real answer if its there choice. not some standard bs answer. to appease the media.I love football but to much media makes me want to turn down the sound on my tv. In my opinion they don’t owe us anything but to play the best game they can.
November 9th, 2015 at 11:20 am
GMC has a hurt shoulder and a hurt ego. Throughout the years, GMC was always generally seen as the bright spot during losses. He took solace in the fact that the media viewed him as the “leader”; win or lose, his reputation was intact. Now, young Mr. Winston has come in and not only stole GMC’s leadership thunder, but his on field thunder as well.
GMC liked being the big fish in the small pond. But now that a bigger fish has entered the pond, GMC knows the gig is up.
November 9th, 2015 at 11:54 am
He’s soft and jealous that Jameis is the REAL leader of this team.
November 9th, 2015 at 1:33 pm
If he’s hurt, bench him a few weeks. His backup can’t be much worse than him.
November 9th, 2015 at 2:14 pm
GMC is one of the most overrated players in the NFL today.
If he’s hurt, don’t play him, let him heal. He no longer scares any OC in the league.
He doesn’t even get off on the snap like he used to.
And LD? Compared to a couple of years ago, almost invisible. AND he misses a large % of tackles.
Or maybe we’ve been spoiled by Warren Sapp—a REAL DL superstar—and Mr. Derrick Brooks, one of the BEST ever.
I once held GMC and LD to Sapp and Brooks. No more. They are both average players making massive $$$…
Remember when we worried about the O because we just KNEW Lovie’s D would kick butt? Laughable in hindsight.
November 9th, 2015 at 2:16 pm
GMC leads with his mouth. Winston leads with his actions and passion.
Big difference.
GMC needs to take some “leadership lessons” from JW…
November 9th, 2015 at 3:10 pm
Here are the issues I have with Gerald:
– He’s vastly overpaid, and I’m not part of the majority that offer praise for mediocrity. He was paid based off his potential.
– He was oft injured at the beginning of his career and I think because so many questioned his toughness, he may be playing injured now. That’s fine as a leader, IF, you are making those around you better. He’s not.
– He TELLS us he’s the leader. Unfortunately, he has been. Whether it’s been because of failed talent evaluation, our inability to develop talent, or continued turnover at the top, he’s always the last dog standing… what else do we have to build upon.
– Michael Strahan was nice, but he snapped into a different mode on the field. McCoy doesn’t have that mode. I can’t think of a single defining play for 93, other than the one that plays on loop at Tampa International against Nick Foles.
– Gerald disappears, and is easy to scheme against. Good players don’t vanish.
– I like Raheem’s line, stats are for losers. The same eye test that Gerald fails for me, is the same one that Winston passes as a developing player and leader.
I just hope that reality proves accurate as my eye test and that players like Winston, Alexander, and Marpet become foundations of a new culture in TB moving forward.
November 9th, 2015 at 5:56 pm
GMC is clearly hurt! Let’s move on already w/ this story. Reporting this is lazy reporting b/c he’s already stated he’s playing hurt. We have footage of him hurt & fighting to stay in the game! He was having another All Pro yr before his injury. Joe I expect better from you! GMC isn’t a person we need to worry about on the team. Let’s work on REAL problems w/ the Bucs aka not GMC
November 9th, 2015 at 7:15 pm
…dude was NEVER a leader and he got to the pro bowl because you had to have at least one plebe from each team…I have been saying for years…Lady Bing award winner ALL DAY…scary defensive lineman…NEVER..
It wouldn’t bother me in a second if that over paid goober got traded
November 9th, 2015 at 7:22 pm
BUST!…”hurt” again?…great players play. They aren’t always on the sidelines in street clothes…dude is a friggan BUUUUSSSTTT
November 9th, 2015 at 8:59 pm
Other than 2011 and this year, GMC has been at the top statistically for a 4-3 DT. Even playing hurt he suits up for every game, which is more than we can say for some players on this team. The opposing teams take advantage him as well. The Giants were running the ball right at him. On one play Newhouse darn near pancaked him. On another he struggled one on one against Schwartz. Even injured he is better than any other DT on this team and what would we be like if he went out? Everyone is down on him not just because of his performance but because the team is losing. Yes, GMC is his own worst enemy. It is not because he does not care or feels he is losing his leadership role, its because he is injured and to proud to tell anyone. So he sucks it up and gives it the best he can, while taking a beating ,not on the field, but off the field. Hang in there GMC, your time to shine in the playoffs will be next year and no one will remember any of this.
November 9th, 2015 at 9:04 pm
Joe! there is nothing wrong with big bubba.