Shaun King Unloads On GMC
November 17th, 2015
Tees off on Gerald McCoy.
Yesterday, Bucs fans from near and far were basking in the glory of Victory Monday. Given the fact it happened against the Cowpokes, it made the win all that much sweeter.
Shaun King, too, was dancing. Appearing with Ronnie Lane and Tom Krasniqi of WDAE-AM 620 yesterday, King lauded the Bucs, heaping mounds of praise on the team until he was asked about Bucs defensive tackle Gerald McCoy.
King, one of but three quarterbacks to lead the Bucs to an NFC title game, quickly turned sour and tore into the Pro Bowl defensive lineman.
“Who? Who is he?” King asked. “Does he play for us? I didn’t see him [Sunday]. I thought at some point he was out. He wasn’t at the game [Sunday].”
When King was told GMC had a tackle, but no sacks, King replied, “Stop it, guys. Stop it. Stop it. He fell on a guy.”
Then King explained why he has taken it upon himself to be a harsh critic of GMC.
“I’m going to be hard on Gerald because he is the highest paid and is supposed to be the best player,” King said. “When those two things are attached to your name, you are expected to play at that level and he isn’t.
“He might be hurt; he might not be hurt. But it is the NFL and it is football. Everybody is banged up. Jason Pierre-Paul is out there with half a hand. So don’t give me any excuses about injuries.”
Joe is convinced GMC’s shoulder is hurt much worse than he or the Bucs are letting on. How else to explain his drop off from leading all NFL defensive tackles in sacks earlier in the year to completely falling off the table?
As as Joe stated yesterday, to get a tackle, a ballcarrier must be near you. What mental patient of an offensive coordinator is actually going to run at GMC, when the rest of the line, due to injuries, is made up of slappies and other teams’ unwanted castoffs?
To hear all of King’s hit, click on the arrow below. Audio courtesy of Joe’s friends at WDAE-AM 620.
November 17th, 2015 at 9:08 am
There were multiple times in the game GMC was NOT being double teamed, and was getting bull rushed for half back dives. Simple one-on-ones and was getting pushed back 2-3 yards. He has lost a step. I’m guessing injury as well, Joe.
November 17th, 2015 at 9:12 am
If Sean King was or QB Sunday….we would have lost 6-3……Sean has no business criticizing any defensive player or players…..
“Shaun King, one of two Buc Quarterbacks that lost a NFC Championship Game when his defense gave up 9 points.”
November 17th, 2015 at 9:14 am
King was a terrible football player he should his mouth
November 17th, 2015 at 9:15 am
Shut his mouth
November 17th, 2015 at 9:15 am
Shaun is one of the few people that are actually evaluating GMC’s play and calling him out on his lack of production. Most national types see GMC as having the leader label and that’s the end of the research they care to do. Truth is, he’s unproductive and he’s mopey. His body language and attitude is awful. Seems a lot more like a hormonal teenage girl than an alpha male who is carry the defense.
November 17th, 2015 at 9:24 am
I didn’t think GMC played bad, I saw some good plays… He crushed Cassel’s pocket a couple of times… I do think if our edge Rush was more consistent it would open up more opportunities for GMC
November 17th, 2015 at 9:28 am
I made it a point to focus on GMC at the game Sunday. And if he isn’t hurt, I’ll eat my hat. He did NOTHING last Sunday. It’s got to be an injury because how can someone drop off in productivity so quickly? It’s not like it happened from season to season, he was playing way better 4-5 WEEKS ago. Shaun King, IMHO, is telling it like it is this time folks.
November 17th, 2015 at 9:40 am
GMC is surely limited…..he may be able to play….but is not himself….there is absolutely no way he is loafing….
November 17th, 2015 at 9:47 am
Joe, i respect the fact you are giving GMC the benefit of the doubt about his injury status and horrible lack of production that being said when does this guy stop getting a free pass. You like to point out that he is the best player on the defense yet he does nothing week in and week out to prove that. Sure he’s current teammates (hawley peeing quote) are going to gush about a teammate. Hardly objective nor relevant to this year. . He’s never lead this team to victory like young Jameis. GMC has no signature game changing plays where he put the team on his back and made a critical 3rd down stop or rallied his defense to be great. All we herar is excuses, double teams, triple teams, no de’s, quadruple teams, bad couching, stunts etc.. etc… Yes, I realize the QB is in a better position to receive the limelight than a DT but Sapp took over series and parts of games. GMC has never done that. If he is hurt that bad he needs to sit or make his yearly trip to IR. It sure does seem that GMC is a little pouty at times and definitely is irritated that Jameis has stole his thunder. As much as it kills me to agree with King he is right.
November 17th, 2015 at 9:48 am
Shaun King might of not been a great QB, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t know how to evaluate a defensive player from his years of experience in game planning… GMC was singled up plenty of times the last two games and couldn’t beat his man, which I believe is due to lack of strength in his one arm or too much weight loss..
November 17th, 2015 at 9:53 am
I respect Lovie for benching MF’S recently and holding people accountable. Your time has come Geraldine. If Manning can get benched so can you.
November 17th, 2015 at 9:55 am
There are only two choices when it comes to GMC’s production…
He is injured.
He isn’t playing as hard as he can.
It makes absolutely no sense that he isn’t putting forth the effort especially with the rest of the team improving.
Fans want to pick on him because of the money he makes and our losing record. I understand that….but we all know he has the talent….we’ve seen it too many times….I choose to believe he is limited due to injury.
November 17th, 2015 at 9:57 am
I am still giving GMC the benefit of the doubt this year because his play took a dramatic downturn after his shoulder injury. He has stayed on the field though. Maybe he shouldn’t be. Maybe he is doing everything he can to be out there when he really shouldn’t be and that is bad judgement on his part on the coaches and him.
I know that is speculation but GMC has a track record of very good play. Contrast that with ASJ. With all of the bad personnel moves like getting rid of Michael Bennett, trading for a free agent DE (that one still blows my mind,) the poor play of an injured GMC does not seem like our biggest problem. Also, if we could man cover in the secondary, we could blitz Lavonte more and our line would look a lot better also. We have plenty of cap room for Revis, btw. We gave up a #1 for him, rehabed him and got nothing for him.
GMC will heal and be better by at least next year. But will we ever make better personnel decisions?
Media guys… please focus where it should be. An injured player isn’t going to single-handedly turn the team around.
November 17th, 2015 at 10:00 am
Shaun King wasn’t the greatest QB ever, but he played for us and he always stayed in touch with all things Bucs, unlike other ex players. His abilities on the field have nothing to do with his expertise as an analyst. He has played football at the highest level, unlike 99,9% of the people who comment here, and I don’t think he should “shut his mouth” just because he won’t be remembered as one of the best passers in the NFL.
I respect him for his career as a Buccaneer and I respect him as an analyst. I don’t fully agree with his opinion, though. I appreciate his honesty, but GMC isn’t a thief just yet, I don’t believe. Sure, he isn’t producing as one would expect, but then again, the entire defense has been highly suspect thus far, except for last game. Football is a team sport. If the defense will continue to improve and GMC will remain a non-factor, then I’ll surely revisit King’s take on this situation and admit that he was probably right.
One thing is for certain, though. GMC isn’t a leader. He should focus on getting back on track and producing on the field. Leave that role to others.
November 17th, 2015 at 10:02 am
Through the end of October,
2014: 15 tackles, 4 sacks
2015: 12 tackles, 4.5 sacks
November 17th, 2015 at 10:02 am
I really wonder sometimes about Bucs fans. Let’s start here: WE WON SUNDAY ! Our defense gave up only 42 TOTAL rushing yards to a high-powered rushing team with an excellent OLine. Our defense only gave up 2 rushing first downs in the entire game. Our DLine kept Cassel contained all game.
Now for everyone’s information, GMC was a big part of that. A very big part, because if he didn’t control his gap the Cowboys would’ve run all over us. There’s no doubt in my mind that, like Joe has said, GMC is hurt much worse than we all know. Trying to tackle RBs like McFadden with one arm probably ain’t gonna happen. And it doesn’t make a hoot whether he’s making $10K a season or $10 million a season … hurt is hurt.
Get off his back and just keep praying that he can finish out the season Bucs fans, because right now we’re WAY DOWN on DTs and DEs. If GMC goes out, we’re in serious trouble as far as stopping the run goes. And GMC has more guts than Shaun King ever had … King needs to shut his yap.
November 17th, 2015 at 10:09 am
If he has a bad shoulder, maybe he can play tight end since ASJ can not seem to suck it up and get on the field when his team needs him.
McCoy playing hurt shows some character…
November 17th, 2015 at 10:15 am
@ DefenseRules
Don’t you love hearing from all these fans who seem to be able to get inside players bodies and KNOW….exactly how they feel…..they are able to determine that the injuries are serious or not serious….are limiting or not limiting….if a player is soft or not.
Wow….they have re-defined the field of Medicine!!!
November 17th, 2015 at 10:30 am
I believe it is the buc’s trainers holding out ASJ not him.
He has not been cleared for contact.
Not sure the running away from him holds true as an explanation. I’ve heard that is the opposite of what they do with a great player. Like Leroy Selmon for example. Run away from him and he tracked you right down.
GMC is a very good, but not great, player. Problem is he is being paid like a great one.
But still the best one we have, so keep him and build up the others. Not like we can afford to give up very good players.
November 17th, 2015 at 10:36 am
“Eric Says:
November 17th, 2015 at 10:30 am
GMC is a very good, but not great, player. Problem is he is being paid like a great one.”
He’s Pippen, Robin, Tonto, etc… Not a bad thing, but, we need Jordan, Batman, and the Lone Ranger, to see his play improve.
November 17th, 2015 at 10:36 am
Have to keep in mind that the entire defense has shown great improvement in the last two weeks. If that isnt enough to get GMC playing better, then I must assume he is suffering and just isnt at his best. It isnt like we are talking about Bowers here.
Not to mention… all the losing has always seemed to weigh heavily on GMC. I bet hes going through a mental slump as well. Bad combo to deal with.
November 17th, 2015 at 10:37 am
Personally, I could care less what GMC’s stats were Sunday. As a team we played a great defensive game so everyone must have been doing their job. We stuffed the run, we shut down the pass. This is a team game and I’d rather have a win where no one player really stood out then a loss and someone get 3 sacks. He may be hurt, he may not be. One thing he was not was a weak link because he did his job and stuffed the gaps and collapsed the pocket a number of times. If the ‘team’ as a whole is playing good defense I’m happy and I’m not going to scream because an ‘individual’ didn’t perform to my expectations.
November 17th, 2015 at 10:38 am
I believe there are a few potential issues with GMC. The first (and most likely) is injury. JPP may be playing with half a hand, but he is an outside rusher that is able to use speed and leverage in space. Much more difficult for an inside tackle to work in confined spaces with the full use of only one arm.
The second potential issue is attitude. He spent an awful lot of the offseason being very vocal about turning the team around. The team appears to be turning a corner at least in terms of unity and production, but it has not been by GMC’s hand. I could see potential for him to feel like the forgotten man. That said, GMC has been a stand up guy in the past, and I’d like to think he is above a pouting mentality.
The third, and potentially overlooked possibility, is his offseason preparation. I read a lot about his rigorous offseason work, and have no doubt that he put in ample effort. But, a lot was made about him getting lighter and faster, and I wonder if that was the right direction for him to go for the reasons stated above. Guy needs strength and leverage to play inside, and right now he looks awfully lean for a DT. I wonder if 30 pounds might cure the production and injury bugs for good.
November 17th, 2015 at 10:46 am
It sounds like Shaun King is just trying to make a name for himself as an analyst by being overly critical of the Bucs highest paid player. Even while injured, GMC is a force to be reckoned with and opposing offenses focus on game planning for him.
GMC isn’t Warren Sapp and he’ll never have that kind of swagger, so let’s all learn to accept him for who he is, a very complete DT that isn’t a passionate leader. The Bucs are fortunate to have him because he’s a Top-5 player at his position.
GMC and LVD are both better suited to be individual contributors rather than team leaders. Jameis and Kwon are emerging as the passionate leaders and they have enough swagger to carry the team for many years to come.
November 17th, 2015 at 10:50 am
@bculaw – I think you raised a lot of valid points, but I don’t agree that he’s above a pouty mentality. He’s been amicable and jovial when he was the lead guy. Regardless of injury or losses or anything, GMC was always happy to stand up and be the guy that everyone came to. Now everyone is going to someone else because the new kid is the actual harbinger of change. He’s the person who is actually leading toward wins and not leading a bunch of wayward football players.
Not sure if this is a correlation or causation type of thing but GMC has said the his rookie year was an unhappy one for him and we can all see that he is unhappy this year. The difference between those two years and his other years in the league – there is actually decent football being played this year and his rookie year. Not saying that GMC hates winning, I’m just connecting the dots.
November 17th, 2015 at 10:57 am
So, Shaun thinks we beat the Cowboys with only 10 defensive players?
OK..
If that’s the case then the Bucs can rally be special when McCoy takes a breather and a healthy sub replaces him.
I don’t have the advantage of having ALL-22 as an aid to seeing the plays from start to finish. I suspect that the opposition offense would make an adjustment that affords them a different blocking approach wen McCoy is resting.
Shaun is right about his critique but wrong about McCoy’s impact on the opposition.
November 17th, 2015 at 10:58 am
Love king’s analysis and if GMC is really hurt then he would not be out there, they have the injury report and some people who have short term investments that the NFL is well aware of expect things like that on the injury sheet and the bucs can get in major trouble for not having that on there as was talked about with Indy and Luck and I think the Patriots in the past
November 17th, 2015 at 11:31 am
@bucs4life and bculaw…I completely agree…I was very concerned about him losing so much weight in the offseason with him playing in the trenches…the only reason why I thought he lost all that weight was maybe to play a little outside on first or second down and sliding inside on third down but he hasn’t played de all year…at this point I think he should come off the bench and let melton and spence start…I know he wants to show the team and the city that he is tough but now we are in the playoff hunt and his lack of production maybe holding back the team from more production at his position from another player…GO BUCS!!!
November 17th, 2015 at 12:10 pm
if lovie wasnt so stubborn maybe he would move him around much like it seems every team does nowadays….one plus on lovies d was it was good to see LVD blitzing again
November 17th, 2015 at 12:27 pm
Bucs Need GMAC to be GMAC in order for them to make the playoffs.
November 17th, 2015 at 12:35 pm
Every Shaun King article I wait for TBBucFan’s retort to Joe’s quote and it kills me every time.
November 17th, 2015 at 12:50 pm
I made this point yesterday on the ASJ thread.
An NFL player is expected to play through pain. IMO there are two situations however where the player should sit.
1.) The players risks further aggravating the injury and perhaps even turning into a chronic or career ending injury.
2.) The player is willing and tough but is so damaged they can’t give 100% or at minimum a high enough % and therefore hurt their team.
I think GMC fits under that second thought. He clearly is not 100%. But if he’s not risking permanent injury that eliminates number one and so we’re down to a simple judgement.
Is GMC at whatever diminished %…80? 70? 60%? still better than the player who would replace him. Apparently the coaching staff believes he is…some here disagree. I’m not that sure and so I’ll continue to trust the judgement of the coaching staff and GMC.
November 17th, 2015 at 12:57 pm
Only thing I saw of McCoy was him getting slammed to the turf
November 17th, 2015 at 1:00 pm
You guys keep believing this injury crap is affecting his play… He’s garbage that’s all there is to it … Care bear gummy bear
November 17th, 2015 at 1:17 pm
Only thing I saw of McCoy was him getting slammed to the turf
Q
I saw that too but in fairness it wasn’t because he got physically overwhelmed.
GMC jumped high into the air attempting to deflect a Cassell pass and the OL for Dallas simply caught him off his feet. GMC was a foot of the ground when the ‘Boy’s OL caught him high and dumped him on his back. Sht happens.
November 17th, 2015 at 2:32 pm
@Q … “He’s garbage that’s all there is to it.”
GMC’s three consecutive Pro Bowls (2012-2013-2014) say that the only one full of garbage is you.
November 17th, 2015 at 3:29 pm
You guys aren’t out there playing and it is disgusting to hear people say the man is trash. He is hurt and he is trying to get it done for us and for your stupid asses. What is wrong with people? Tired of this crap.
November 17th, 2015 at 6:42 pm
Q..is not a bucs fan so he trashes him all he can
St. Petebuc: Thank you for being intelligent fan who watches the game, your are correct that he was up in the air when pushed back.. that will happen to anyone, except shuan king who is to big to jump.
go back and watch game see how many times he affected the running back cause he blew up the middle, it not just pass rush where a guy has to make an impact..oops aren’t DE the ones who should be lightning up the sack column for you football experts?
Guy is injured and playing if he was sitting out they would cry “”why he isn’t tough and helping all he can, the gretas play through injury”
if McCoy not in even injured we have no pressure from anyone..