Mack Talks GMC
February 2nd, 2017
Yes, we all know there is a loud sect of Bucs fans who think stud defensive tackle Gerald McCoy is a non-factor in games.
For the past couple of years, Joe has talked to NFL types trying to find out where this notion comes from (but Joe has a pretty good idea is was first generated by someone behind a local radio mic). When Joe brings up the subject to NFL folks about GMC being disrespected by so many fans, they look at Joe like a Labrador puppy does when it looks at you sideways when you blow a high-pitch whistle.
Add dominant Falcons center Alex Mack to the list. Joe slugged it out with dozens of other media types this week at “Super Bowl Opening Night” to squeeze in a couple of questions for Mack about GMC.
First, Joe asked Mack what makes GMC such a good defensive tackle.
“He’s big, strong and fast,” Mack said. “It’s a bad combination [for blockers]. The guy is really big and has a really good bullrush. You have to use a lot of power to try to stop that. But when you are quick [like GMC], you can just switch it up and go right around [a power move]. The combination of those things make him a really good defensive tackle.”
When Joe asked Mack for a reaction about Bucs fans thinking GMC is soft, Mack shot Joe a look as if Joe had three noses. Initially, Mack was at a loss for words.
“We definitely pay attention to him when we play the Buccaneeers,” Mack said. “Twice a year now, he is always a guy you have to watch a lot of film on and watch out for.”
And so it continues.
Despite Joe’s Twitter feed getting filled up each Sunday with GMC hate, the beat continues: NFL folks, including those who face GMC on the field of play, don’t know where some Bucs fans are coming from.
February 2nd, 2017 at 8:04 am
Jayz said “you never really miss someone til they’re dead or their gone”. same will be said for Tampa and GMC.
February 2nd, 2017 at 8:10 am
Our problem isn’t GMC, the problem is these 3 sack Edge-Rushers. They can’t win a one on one matchup against a Tackle if they life depended on it.
February 2nd, 2017 at 8:10 am
Many good players have made the ring of honor. Some on crappy Bucs teams.
GMC will never be there.
February 2nd, 2017 at 8:19 am
@LakeLand,
I agree. If Spence turns into a sack machine AND the Bucs get another DE to be more than a run stopper, GMC can get more one-on-ones and do more damage. He is still better than Suh and not a dirtbag player.
February 2nd, 2017 at 8:23 am
The problem with GMC is he will never be Sapp, so for Bucs fans he will always fall short. Its funny, but I think L David is in the same category – he looked like a reincarnation of Brooks, but has since fallen short. But David does not get the flack GMC does. Strange.
February 2nd, 2017 at 8:28 am
Harry in Costa Rica…Warren Sapp had guys on the D-Line like Simeon Rice, Brad Culpepper, Greg Spires, Booger McFarland, Marcus Jones etc. And derrick Brooks had the same guys plus Hardy Nickerson, Shelton Quarrles, Jamie Duncan etc. But LVD and GMC has had mostly garbage around them. You cannot compare them.
February 2nd, 2017 at 8:28 am
Cue Tmaxcon
The problem with GMC is that we don’t have 2 or 3 clones…..hopefully, Spence and a healthy Smith will attract some attention away from him.
February 2nd, 2017 at 8:33 am
And also they had one DC (Monte Kiffin) and one defense. But LVD and GMC has had to learn multiple defenses. Also LVD had had 4 DC’s and GMC has had 6.
February 2nd, 2017 at 8:35 am
I just hope that all this GMC love by his peers and others in the know translates into a deal to offload our coveted perinial under achieving, overpaid joke of a leader/all star DT.
I just want for Ol’ Softie 93 what he wants for himself…….to just have fun!
That’s what the NFL is all about right?
February 2nd, 2017 at 8:40 am
I don’t envy you a bit, Joe. Media at the Super Bowl sounds just like early morning Black Friday.
February 2nd, 2017 at 8:48 am
I honestly think GMC will be better during this last half of his career than he was in the 1st half.. Let me explain…
Jameis had that motivational talk with GMC about being more (openly) passionate and I believe he is going to play with more heart and fire throughout the rest of his career; finally elevating his production and numbers to elite status. And once we start having more team success and he is one of the leaders in the league in production at any Dline position (10-12 sacks per year instead of 8), the fans will have to fully embrace him and acknowledge his contribution to our success.
February 2nd, 2017 at 8:52 am
If we get him a stud de….. He is a 12 sack guy
February 2nd, 2017 at 8:54 am
And obviously, his production should also increase bcuz of the increased talent around him for the rest of his career…
If he is great, then he will have the perfect opportunity to prove it during the last half of his career.
I guess we’ll see…
February 2nd, 2017 at 8:58 am
Always a guy you have to watch out for?
As in he is on the field and no one can find him 98% of the time? But man you really gotta bone up on that film for the other 2% cuz “he’s a beast, yo!”
February 2nd, 2017 at 9:08 am
Clod:
That’s a pretty good analogy (sports version of Black Friday).
February 2nd, 2017 at 9:24 am
@LakeLand,
That is not completely accurate. In the two years before Sapp had Simeon Rice at DE, Sapp had 12.5 sacks (’99) and 16.5 sacks (’00). Rice came to the Bucs in ’01.
I think it is clear I am not faulting GMC for not being Sapp. Sapp is a once a generation type player (and jerk, on a personal level). GMC is very good, but he is not that type of player. But Bucs fans expectations are too high. GMC “is what he is”, very good, but not HOF.
February 2nd, 2017 at 9:28 am
Harry he was drafted and is paid like a HOFer. Forgive the high expectations. I know this is Tampa and all where mediocrity is perfectly acceptable to the masses.
February 2nd, 2017 at 9:39 am
@DallasBuc
“Harry he was drafted and is paid like a HOFer.”
You are effing joking right? I dont care what pick you were in the draft NOONE is drafted to be a HOFer. Unless you trade 5 1st round picks for the 1st ovr pick noone is “expected” to be a Hall of Fame player.
As far as paid, he is paid like one of the Best DTs in the league. and well. he is.
February 2nd, 2017 at 9:43 am
You’re right Jolly, he is just good 2% of the time so we should just be happy with that. Expecting greatness can be so disappointing especially when you are a Tampa fan.
February 2nd, 2017 at 9:45 am
My problem w gmc is this: if he is good/great, why do we need to verify it from other players and coaches? Why is a even a debate? Players w his credentials don’t need it to be verified.
February 2nd, 2017 at 10:05 am
What Lamarcus said.
February 2nd, 2017 at 10:16 am
I’m truly torn when it comes to GMC. He’s very good at what he’s paid to do. As far as where he was picked… Stats say he’s worth the pick. But, it’s just something I don’t see from him… It’s something, can’t explain it. I do know this, he still needs help. YES he needs that stud DT (Poe) who will erase two blockers giving one of the fastest to ever get off the snap in GMC. While I like Campbell, Poe is who i want
February 2nd, 2017 at 10:16 am
Harry…in 1997 Sapp had 10.5 sacks, Chidi Ahanotu had 10, Brad Culpepper had 8.5, Regan Upshaw had 7.7. In 1998 Sapp had 7 sacks, Regan Upshaw had 7, Brad Culpepper had 9. In 1999 Sapp had 12.5 sacks, Chidi Ahanotu had 6.5, Brad Culpepper had 6, Marcus Jones had 7. In 2000 Sapp had 16.5, Marcus Jones had 13, Booger McFarland had 6.5, even Ronde Barber had 5.5. In 2001 the Bucs signed Simeon Rice, but Sapp best seasons were before Simeon. He had a lot of help on that line, with other guys getting after the QB. I didn’t say that Sapp numbers were good because of Simeon. I also mention Brad Culpepper, Marcus Jones, Booger McFarland etc.
February 2nd, 2017 at 10:19 am
Regan Upshaw had 7.5.
February 2nd, 2017 at 10:19 am
@Dallas,
So is Suh, and he is also not a HOFer. The list of who has the physical tools to be that special is fairly long, IMO. HOF players are special, exceptional, obviously. Shoot, Simeon was a stud and he is not in the HOF at this point. We ALL want to see GMC be a reincarnation of Sapp. We ALL want to see David be Brooks. And it is possible they have the same physical tools. Maybe the difference is upstairs, a special drive that separates them from the others. Maybe Jameis has that. Time will tell. It looked like David had it, but then he got paid.
I think when you reach the top 10% with your peers, it is much harder to keep going and get to that elite 1% – it takes a special mentality that only a few have.
February 2nd, 2017 at 10:26 am
@LakeLand,
I don’t disagree with you that Sapp had more help. But one could argue that was it the help Sapp had that gave him opportunities or the fact was so hard to stop it gave his teammates more opportunities? Simeon Rice had his best years AFTER he came to Tampa. Yes, he had some great years before, but he was up and down. So maybe Sapp made him great.
That is clearly not the case for GMC. I like GMC, I am happy he is a Buc. But he is not Sapp, even if he had Rice as his DE. Yes, he would be better. BUT my only point is he is not Sapp and we have to accept him for what he is.
February 2nd, 2017 at 10:32 am
In those 4 seasons Sapp had 46.5 sacks..and during that same period of time the guys I mention above had 86.5 sacks. And I didn’t even mention the roles players with 2-4 sacks or less. I’m not making excuses for GMC, but you can only do so much with garbage around you.
February 2nd, 2017 at 10:47 am
Harry..I never said that GMC was as good as Warren Sapp. My point was that after the Bucs fired Sam Wyche in 1995 ( after Sapp rookie season),he had One DC (Monte Kiffin) for the rest of his career as a Buc. On the other hand GMC has had 6 DC’s. GMC had one good pass-rusher on the D-Line with him (Michael Bennett) and the Bucs got rid of him. GMC should be more vocal, but it shouldn’t be towards his teammates. He should be more vocal towards Management for not getting him any help. But he just remain silent and go with the flow. If Warren Sapp was playing with the garbage that we have had on our D-Line, he would be front page news every single day. I remember when the Bucs traded Brad Culpepper, Sapp walked to Tony Dungy home and wanted to kick the door in ( demanding answers).
February 2nd, 2017 at 10:49 am
GMC doesn’t consistently show up in big games. He disappears when you need him the most. If he made a better push up the middle it would definitely help the edge rushers. Most average NFL quarterbacks will carve up a defense if they can sit in a clean pocket. GMC makes JJ watt money but doesn’t have the stats. GMC’s contract hinders the Bucs from signing more D-line studs and at some point Winston is going to get a large contract. If Tampa doesn’t get it done soon they will be hamstrung with 2 large contracts. That’s not even considering Mike Evans contract.
February 2nd, 2017 at 11:00 am
Ppl who make the lazy argument that he is being paid soooo much and not producing tend to lose sight of the current NFL climate. Players are all being paid an inflated amount compared to 5/10/15 years ago bc of how the NFL has progressed.
As good as Robert ayers is and Noah spence. Those guys would have been practice squad players on those teams with sapp and booger etc.
February 2nd, 2017 at 11:02 am
Mtm
How does gmc contract hurt the Bucs from signing other players on the d line when we have almost 80 million in cap space? Literally doesn’t make sense. Gmc contract does not hinder the Bucs in any way
February 2nd, 2017 at 11:17 am
What DT is going to put up 12-22 sacks on a yearly basis? Saying GMC dosent show up in big games is foolish, due to the fact that no DT in the league that makes “game changing plays” every drive, or every game. Throw in any of the top guys and by that logic you’ll be disapointed. So really, GMC is getting paid market value for a 3 tech that records 6-9 sacks a year, multiple pro bowls and a first team all pro award. And if we trade him, who are we going to get thats better? So we’re going to draft a kid who’s better than GMC? When we already have needs at WR2, WR3, RB, C, RT, S? This interior line is a Dontari Poe from being brutaly dominant.
February 2nd, 2017 at 11:21 am
” if he is good/great, why do we need to verify it from other players and coaches? Why is a even a debate? Players w his credentials don’t need it to be verified.”
———
Did you think about that question before you typed it? First of all, have you ever read the comments on this site before? Hell, read idiotic comments from DallasBuc on this thread. Wait a minute and the other 2 clowns will chime in (I’m shocked they haven’t yet. I hope they’re ok). It’s been a debate on this site for about 7 years now. There’s a handful of ignorant fans that are so busy playing fantasy football that they don’t know how to evaluate a player without looking at a stat sheet (judging a 3 technique by how many tackles he gets, lol). That is, until they are given legit stats, then they complain about when he gets his sacks. This is simply the 95% of us with some common sense trying to enlighten the 5% that have no clue. It won’t end, but you would think verification from other players and coaches around the league would. But we all know it won’t.
February 2nd, 2017 at 11:35 am
Why is it always GMC doesn’t show up in the big games? What about the RDE or the LDE or the NT. What about the FS or the SS..how about the OLB or the ILB. Why the RCB or the LCB don’t show up, why don’t the Slot CB show up? It’s always GMC and the other players get’s a pass.
February 2nd, 2017 at 11:35 am
I’m not a GMC hater. Quite the opposite although sometimes I find myself closer to the darkside with GMC. With that said, what do you expect Mack to say? “Oh, we face the guy twice a year and I can tell you that he’s over-hyped and easy to handle”.
February 2nd, 2017 at 11:45 am
He said very good and I think that’s about right. There is no debate – he’s a very good DT.
February 2nd, 2017 at 11:49 am
I respect people defending McCoy but the film doesn’t lie at times he just look so MEH for spells.
February 2nd, 2017 at 12:04 pm
Let me help explain it for you Lamarcus….we have some stupid fans in Tampa!
February 2nd, 2017 at 12:20 pm
“I respect people defending McCoy but the film doesn’t lie at times he just look so MEH for spells.”
———
Lol. What film are you watching? You got the coaches film? Do you know the play call and each player’s responsibilities? I’m about to blow your mind with this, but did you know that just like offense, defense has plays designed for certain players? How do you think Kwon gets so many tackles? How do you think he gets to run free so much? Is the offense forgetting to block him?
February 2nd, 2017 at 1:48 pm
Man you guys are going to force Joe to video every interview so he can post the players/coaches actual reactions.
AGAIN….what do we expect Mack to say? Do you guys actually read what Joe is writing? This is the second day in a row folks have not paid attention. Does he need to SHOW you guys a picture? I’m a writer and I think Joe does a great job of painting his word pics. What part of this do we not understand?
When Joe asked Mack for a reaction about Bucs fans thinking GMC is soft, Mack shot Joe a look as if Joe had three noses. Initially, Mack was at a loss for words.
Joe was repeating the slur he hears on JBF and so in effect Mack is looking at some of you as if you’re so damn dumb you have three noses!
@87
Many good players have made the ring of honor.
Really? Which of the 9 is merely good? I consider them all great…although I concede some might think Alstott was not great…I would disagree but YMMV. Who else in the ring is simply good?
And that is the crux of the problem. GMC is very good! No one is saying he is great! We are just laughing our arses off at those who suggest he succkks.
February 2nd, 2017 at 2:25 pm
@Harry in Costa Rica…. if GMC is as you say (and I believe your correct ) a very good player but not HOF then the Bucs are REALLY stupid to be paying him like a HOF player. Let’s face it this dude does not have the heart to be a HOF. He wants his vacation to come early and couldn’t care two cents about the playoffs. Good guy ok player.
February 2nd, 2017 at 2:25 pm
@Joe
Thanks for being a staunch defender of #93.
February 2nd, 2017 at 2:54 pm
“@Harry in Costa Rica…. if GMC is as you say (and I believe your correct ) a very good player but not HOF then the Bucs are REALLY stupid to be paying him like a HOF player. Let’s face it this dude does not have the heart to be a HOF. He wants his vacation to come early and couldn’t care two cents about the playoffs. Good guy ok player.”
————-
Who says we are paying him like a HOF. I think you need a lesson in economics. At minimum you should learn how the market is set in the NFL. He is paid along the same lines as the other DT’s in his class. Of all the arguments, that may very well be the dumbest of them all, and that’s really saying a lot.
February 2nd, 2017 at 4:26 pm
@Hawaiian and Bucbeliever
then the Bucs are REALLY stupid to be paying him like a HOF player.
Hawaiian for the win!! Guys google is your friend. Too many people here are pulling stuff from their backside…
Top four DT’s in terms of salary…
1 Ndamukong Suh Defensive Tackle $19,062,500
2 Fletcher Cox Defensive Tackle $17,100,000
3 Marcell Dareus Defensive Tackle $16,095,686
4 Gerald McCoy Defensive Tackle $15,866,667
Are you guys really suggesting that Suh, Cox and Dareus are HOFers? Really?
BTW…McCoy had more sacks this year with 7…he’s averaged slightly more than 8 over the past four years…than ALL THREE OF THOSE HOFER’S Paid like an HOFer…LMAO
Give it up!!! Players around the league respect him…his stats are better than most. He’s freaking getting paid for his NUMBERS…Geno Atkins is the only guy who is paid less that deserves more and I’m not sure when his contract is due.
Geno is the ONLY player I see right now who MAY be an HOFER…MAY…Donald perhaps but he has a LONG way to go.
Stop with this HOF crap you’re making my head hurt. Stop with the he doesn’t show up in big games…
Bottom line…NO GMC is not HOF…he’s being paid less than 3 other DT’s who ALL put up worse numbers than he did. He’s not great. He does NOT suckkk.
February 3rd, 2017 at 12:37 am
Sigh. .
Did any of you watch the probowl? Only one guy was constantly double teamed.
Gerald McCoy.
Hes better than Warren Sapp. Even Warren Sapp said so.
The idiots around around here see him taking kids to the movies, and helping opponents up- and think that Nice guys cant be great players.
Which just proves that none of you played College ball. Much less pro ball.
All the screaming and hostility is strictly a fan thing. Pro players- all young Milllionaires- have much more in common with each other, than they do with the “Fans in the Stands”
Anger and rivalaries are all “part of the show”
Every see the WWE?
Look who they spend their off seasons with!!
The Best Player to ever wear a Bucs Jersey- LeeRoy Selmon- was one of the nicest guy I ever met. So was Walter Payton.
Dont bet against McCoy making the Hall of Fame. Hes got a lot of Probowls in his resume’.
A couple playoff wins- and I’d bet money on it
February 3rd, 2017 at 8:27 am
@Buc Believer,
What Hawaiian said… (Thank you Hawaiian. That would have been my response).
@StPete,
Your response was even better since you took the trouble to show the numbers. Only problem is, that people don’t want to hear and don’t care. They are going to believe what they want to believe. Its annoying.
As they say, “you can’t fix stupid”
February 3rd, 2017 at 11:34 pm
@1987
If you don’t think Gerald McCoy will end up in the Bucs’ ROH then you are…stupid 😱