“He Needs To Play Like A $13 Million Defensive Tackle”
May 4th, 2018
Salary discussed.
When a team has turned into Cleveland South, has the longest playoff drought in the NFC, has the worst home record in the NFC for the past decade, hasn’t won a playoff game since January 2003 and has only had two winning seasons since 2008, one can and should expect the knives to come out.
And so it is for the Bucs, and on SiriusXM NFL Radio Wednesday night, the knives came out for an unlikely target: Bucs stud defensive tackle Gerald McCoy.
Alex Marvez, who co-hosts “Late Hits,” is anything but a troll or a hater. If anything, he leans on the positive side. But in no uncertain terms he had pointed words for GMC and even suggested GMC’s days with the Bucs could be over sooner than many forecast.
“I am guilty of this and others are too: You hear the name ‘Gerald McCoy’ and you forget it is now 30-year old Gerald McCoy,” Marvez said. “Thirty-year old Gerald McCoy who is going to be making $13 million in base salary this season and also $13 million in base salary next season.
“You know, realistically with his production right now, you could say he just hasn’t had a great supporting cast or whatever. But, to pay Gerald McCoy $13 million, he needs to play like a $13 million defensive tackle this year or with Vita Vea there and all the other free agents [on the defensive line] that they signed with a lower price tag, maybe Gerald McCoy is on his way out after one more season?”
This had Joe scurrying to reliable Spotrac.com, which monitors NFL salaries. GMC was actually paid $13 million last season and is due $12,250,000 this season. GMC’s salary bumps back up to $13 million in 2019.
However, GMC is not due any roster bonus next year and after this season, if the Bucs were to release GMC, it would not cost the team a red cent against the cap.
GMC’s current contract runs through the 2021 season.
Joe has long been a staunch defender of GMC but Father Time is undefeated. How much longer can GMC play at such a high level?
In the not-so-distant past, he has remarked that the wear and tear of the NFL is growing on his bones. GMC is no longer a young man by NFL standards.
Bill Belicheat disciple and former Crows pro player personnel director and Browns general manager Phil Savage, who was co-hosting with Marvez, noted the Bucs haven’t done GMC any favors by having such horrid defenses. Savage reminded listeners the Bucs were dead last in rush defense last year, throwing shade at paying a tackle $13 million and still finishing dead last in the NFL in rush defense is not smart business.
It sort of reminded Joe of 1987, when Cubs outfielder Andre Dawson — a fantastic player — won the Most Valuable Player award over Cardinals shortshop Ozzie Smith, despite the Cubs finishing in last place and the Cardinals making it to the World Series.
So Dawson was so valuable the Cubs couldn’t finish in last place without him?
Unless GMC’s game really slips this year, Joe doesn’t see how the Bucs wave goodbye to GMC in early 2019, despite the fact a bunch of guys will need to be paid including America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston (Joe is told Jameis now has a signed, framed picture of Matt Ryan in his bedroom), Donovan Smith, Ali Marpet and Kwon Alexander.
The fact Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht signed two defensive tackles and drafted another 12th overall last week does raise an eyebrow if GMC is now going to be held to a different/higher standard than in recent years?
As Joe stated in the wildly popular Ira Kaufman Podcast yesterday, if the Bucs don’t win this year, it’s not a stretch to see a housecleaning coming. And just like a new regime may not be enamored with Jameis, that same regime may not be smitten with GMC.
May 4th, 2018 at 8:08 am
Fair enough. I’m sure Gerald knows he will be afforded no excuses this year. If he’s not having the best offseason of training in his life, he will be disappointing
May 4th, 2018 at 8:09 am
They should have took a page from the Rays who ship out players when their stock is high and get a return on them, GMC is a good player and can help the bucs this year but it will probably be his last at playing at a top level, they probably should have traded him and got back some good return then find his replacement in FA or the draft along with VV
May 4th, 2018 at 8:18 am
We need to wreak havoc on the defensive line this year. We are all repeating that until the cows come home, but I’ll say it again:
We NEED to wreak havoc on the defensive line this year (this damn decade for goodness sake).
I agree with what Joe has written here as far as lack of production, however the cap goes up increasingly each year and GMC’s payroll stays consistent.
I also headed over to spotrac (GREAT site) and took a look at the top ten teams in regards to defensive line cap. GMC looked about right in regards to payroll for a veteran with his talent (note he is in top consideration at DT). Plenty of $15m and up players though.
We NEED to wreak havoc on the defensive line this year.
I would ‘hate’ for him to be released, picked up by BB, and go on to win a SB….
May 4th, 2018 at 8:20 am
He is one of the main reasons the risk defense sucked, it wasn’t just that day slob Baker. McCoy never learned to play run defense which is why he kept treating his bicep early in his career.
Making the pro bowl doesn’t justify 13 mil. With all the weapons McCoy has if he had the exact same stats as last year he’s done, if these players don’t allow him to have more of an impact they are right that’s not good business and can’t justify paying that type of money
Ultimately McCoy gets to decide if he’s worth the pay he’ll make after this season. Everyone is out of excuses, everyone McCoy Winston koetter Mike Smith and every corner returning from last year. Licht made it so
May 4th, 2018 at 8:21 am
…and I believe they would be awarded a compensatory pick too. But let’s hope GMC93 has a brilliant season.
May 4th, 2018 at 8:23 am
I’m not buying in to this doom and gloom what if’s, He hasn’t any help at all since he has been here when you look at it and now he does, a little to late ? yes… but you will see the production of this d-line this year, winning fixes everything, if you have a great season players feel better don’t they? they feel good if they have a productive season with a more positive outlook on the next season and i think Gerald comes back in 2019 if they do and it’s Geralds choice not managements if he decides it’s time to hang up the cleats.
May 4th, 2018 at 8:25 am
GMC will either give the team a discount or he’ll be gone. There’s too many contracts coming due, Winston’s being the obvious. If the Cowboys can cut Dez Bryant, we can certainly get rid of McCoy…..his numbers are falling each year, he’s getting older and the locker room is ready to hear from new leaders.
May 4th, 2018 at 8:26 am
Only one more year !
May 4th, 2018 at 8:35 am
GMC is also a team captain. A captain who allowed Swaggy to be Swaggy all through training camp as well as the entire season. Do you think any of the past Bucs’ captains would have allowed this crap?
When a player is great, he motivates others. He holds others to standards. He does not allow cancers to metastasize in HIS locker room.
GMC won’t be a great player in my eyes until he takes charge of the locker room, or at least the defense, the way Sapp and Brooks did.
May 4th, 2018 at 8:37 am
@Evolvingbucfan … “i think Gerald comes back in 2019 if they do and it’s Geralds choice not managements if he decides it’s time to hang up the cleats.” Do you think that Warren Sapp & John Lynch said that after the 2003 season ended? Or Derrick Brooks say it after the 2008 season finished? NFL is a BUSINESS in the final analysis … every player & team needs to do what’s best for them. And they do.
Drafting Vita Vea put GMC’s Bucs’ future at risk. Bucs now have a VERY high-priced DLine. That’ll work this year based on a lot of lower $$$ contracts for guys like Jameis, Marpet, D Smith, etc. But next year when the cows come home something will have to give. IF Vea & Allen especially play up to their potential, GMC’s the one at risk because of his age & $13 mil contract.
May 4th, 2018 at 8:42 am
I’m in favor of a player making as much as he can but, the time may be coming when Gerald has to consider a pay reduction for the betterment of his team, ala T. Brady. His pay MAY be commensurate with his present skill and that of his colleagues but, a lot of core players will demand pay increases soon and his value is probably not going to increase. It will be very telling if he would consider such a thing.
May 4th, 2018 at 8:45 am
God I know one poster who would have ruined this thread
May 4th, 2018 at 8:52 am
Other posters on this site paint me as a “negative” Bucs fan. I prefer to think I call them like I see them. If I didn’t love the Bucs I wouldn’t have spent the tons of money that I have over 40yrs. Consider me an Investor in a stock that has been under performing for a decade.
I’m actually very positive on this season for one reason.
We either show positive traction, or this regime is gone. So the Chinese water torture of excuses and missed expectations will end one way or the other, That and we will get some closure on players like GMC, JW and Kwon…and that’s a good thing.
Like 813 says #NOEXCUSES2018
Like I say #WALKTHEWALK
May 4th, 2018 at 8:55 am
I envision Tmax smoking a cigarette right about now.
May 4th, 2018 at 8:55 am
Go get your Super Bowl ring in New England or Philadelphia next year big fella, I’m sure Joe can’t wait to write about it, it’s the Bucs way, get rid of talented players too soon and watch them be vital parts of championship teams, #ITSABUCLIFE
May 4th, 2018 at 8:59 am
I love the Vita Vea pick. He was the guy I wanted most.
That said, he will never replace McCoy. That’s media hype and GMC hater rederick, along with a few people not thinking it through.
Vea does not play the same position. He is a beast, but his spot will always be next to McCoys spot. McCoy will eventually be replaced, yes, but not by Vea. His replacement is not even on the roster yet, and won’t be for a year or two…if not longer.
May 4th, 2018 at 9:00 am
93 should get be expected to get double digits now.
May 4th, 2018 at 9:06 am
“That’s media hype and GMC hater rederick”
“GMC hater rederick”
“rederick”
REDERICK? Bonzai you absolutely kill me.
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rhetoric
May 4th, 2018 at 9:10 am
Is it even possible that your love for Vita Vea is anything but the kiss of death?
I sure hope so.
Also don’t bother answering. That was a rhetorical, or should I say, *rederickal* question. LOL!
May 4th, 2018 at 9:11 am
WillieG Says
“GMC is also a team captain. A captain who allowed Swaggy to be Swaggy all through training camp as well as the entire season. Do you think any of the past Bucs’ captains would have allowed this crap? ”
That’s total poop biscuits.
No team captain has the authority to control the players. All they can do is have words with them. And how do you know that didn’t happen? How do you know multiple players on the team did not tell Baker repeatedly to get his act together and it was ignored?
Can a team captain suspend or levy fines? Can he sit a player?
Get real, man. Team captains speak for the players, not against them. They are the liaison between players and coaches. They attend a few extra meetings, and they speak for the players. That’s all. Speak.
What happened at the end of the season was a culmination of multiple instances, each probably resulting in the exchanging of words.
Did Baker strike you as the type of person a stern talking to would have worked on?
May 4th, 2018 at 9:13 am
Destinjohnny Says
“93 should be expected to get double digits now.”
i certainly expect him to. Unless the injury bug invades the team again.
May 4th, 2018 at 9:16 am
@ Defense i know it’s a possibility, but history shows recently “this regime” likes to hold on to the players they are loyal too a little too long (like Doug who they paid $6 mil after his repeated offenses), Ya it wasn’t 13 mil but Gerald still can produce, they can free up money other ways, just saying after this season when the defensive line thrives and McCoy will be at the center of it I think it will be a hard decision to let him go, we’ll see. I Like Gerald but I don’t see him going on playing after 2019 anyways, Will be fun to see how they produce this year with this line.
May 4th, 2018 at 9:18 am
I wonder what tmax thinks about this?
May 4th, 2018 at 9:29 am
Well duh this is what most people that actually have been watching the Bucs through his whole career have been saying!!!!! He is a big name, with a big salary, but does not play big very often.
May 4th, 2018 at 9:32 am
I thought great players make those around him better?….if GMC was so great he would’ve made gholston better…..
I understand his help has been minimum but the last place finishes are embarrassing……
this one’s for you tmax!!!!!!!!….lol….
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!!….#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!
May 4th, 2018 at 9:34 am
@Bonzai … “He (Vea) will never replace McCoy. Vea does not play the same position. He is a beast, but his spot will always be next to McCoys spot. McCoy will eventually be replaced, yes, but not by Vea. His replacement is not even on the roster yet.”
I hear ya Bonzai, but have read a number of analyses that differ with that position & seem to make good sense. I think a lot of folks are selling Vea short already. Beyond being huge, incredibly strong & quick for a BIG guy, he’s got tremendous versatility all along the DLine. It’ll be interesting to see if Smitty & Buckner can take advantage of that. I’m convinced that sooner rather than later the Bucs will transition to a 3-4 defense (we already use it on roughly 25% of the defensive snaps from what I’ve read) to take better advantage of our LBs & Noah Spence. Vea & Allen could well be the 2 centerpieces for that 3-4 defense. GMC’s age & $13 mil contract both work against him next year.
May 4th, 2018 at 9:35 am
He needs to redo his contract because his current production doesn’t warrant his pay. Maybe make it a long term deal between 5-6 a year with high guarantees, that would free up some big bucks to re-sign our younger key contributors.
May 4th, 2018 at 9:38 am
Its damn criminal, how many years of this mans career this team wasted- due to nothing but blatant stupidity!!!
They should all be fired, and banned from the league.
After years of double teams, Chop blocks, and lack of help,
What can 31 year old Gerald McCoy produce?
Probably more than any other DT.
But all this” he better do this, no excuses, blah blah” from clueless posters here, just shows hiw little they know about this game.
After the way this team has wasted McCoys years here- this teams entire supervisionary staff should crawl on its knees, apologizing all the way, to Hand McCoy his check.
Then fire themselves.
And if any of your employers had allowed any of you daisies to be mistreated- the way this team has allowed McCoy to be mistreated- you’d sue them, and expect to be compensated for life!!
May 4th, 2018 at 9:39 am
We should draft another monster defensive tackle next year. Then we can let 93 go to another team get injured and underperform in his Batman suit.
May 4th, 2018 at 9:50 am
Great expectations are bursting the idea of the same old Bucs into smithereens. And rightly so.
May 4th, 2018 at 9:56 am
@Joe
“the knives came out for an unlikely target: Bucs stud defensive tackle Gerald McCoy.”
What are you talking about Joe? The machetees have been wrapped around GMC throat the last few year. Unless GMC gets around 12+ sacks, him and Djax need to have decent years so we can have better trade value for them next year. Draft/FA top, younger DT. Evans, Godwin, Watson (we shall see. I hope), Hump (?) in 2019.
May 4th, 2018 at 9:59 am
Licht
Just take the cap hit and cut him today. He will play like a undrafted free agent for 13 games and look half decent for 1 game and have a pro bow gamel the other 1.
What’s strange is that he wants ppl to feel sorry for him and it works. And ppl thinks it is sooooo sad that he “never” has help or Bucs ruined his career…… Gtfoh with that. No they haven’t. GMC always have needed to step it up a notch the double team agrument is a myth
May 4th, 2018 at 10:07 am
And Licht. U better look at the guys that u replaced. They had GMC leading them to the unemployment line. U better wise up. Take the C of his jersey and make him a role player….that’s exactly what he going to turn into when he start losing again. Gmc is a genuinely nice guy so don’t take this as a shot to the man. Just his game gets u L slapped week in week out
May 4th, 2018 at 10:14 am
This is his last year in Tampa. Write it down in ink.
May 4th, 2018 at 10:14 am
At least gerald has some help this year. He’s played a lot of seasons with the Bucs where even when he was doubled team, his teammates on the D line could not take advantage of it. Gerald has always pulled his fair share of the load. Can’t say the same for many of his Defensive teammates. Hell, you cannot evn say that about DC Smith!!
May 4th, 2018 at 10:22 am
GMC gets burned in the run defense repeatedly. That joker consistently runs past the RB and then tries chasing him down 5 yds later. Its not going to change this season or the next. He is what he is at this point an overpaid player for his position. The Bucs organization has overpaid horrible players for 12 yrs plus.
May 4th, 2018 at 10:35 am
@ Lamarcus , Correct !!! Very Correct. !!!
May 4th, 2018 at 10:53 am
He is the best three technique defensive tackle in the NFL and most of the time those guys do not get over 10sacks year he’s a great player that you guys are too stupid to appreciate every single one of you McCoy haters can rub salt!
May 4th, 2018 at 10:53 am
Bonzai,
I agree with you that vea won’t replace McCoy . I don’t know if you know this but vea played the same position as McCoy in college along with every position on the line including end. Is He the same type of player as McCoy, no. But here’s something to consider, vea could replace McCoy because McCoy may not be the type of player smitty wants. In fact, from everything that smittyy has said, McCoy isn’t the type of player He would draft. So it’s possible.
Defense rules,
A 3-4 defense as a base scheme isn’t like it was years ago, (the Bucs have had years and years w 4-5 excellent LB and 2-3 d linemen would have loved it then) it’s easy for the offense to dictate the personnel on the d side. This didn’t happen a couple years ago and its only recently changing because the changes in offensive schemes from college are finally starting to be incorporated into more and more teams. As an offensive coordinator I can make a base 3-4 defensive team change their scheme with ease. Or make them pay for not adjusting away from the scheme. Either way, it’s not like it used to be and with the college offensive concepts continuing to matriculate into the NFL it’s going to be more challenging to implement.
BTW, a guy like wade Philips is so good at what he does that He will simply adjust w the changing landscape. The problem is that there’s not a lot of wade Phillips out there.
May 4th, 2018 at 10:55 am
while Vea has skills to rush passer ,He has not played in the Florida heat . He is also a big guy and I would very surprised if he has the stamina to play the snaps that GMC has over the years.
May 4th, 2018 at 10:57 am
McCoy Is A GOD!
May 4th, 2018 at 11:23 am
BigHog,
I think you may have dyslexia…
Do you really mean McCoy is a DOG?
May 4th, 2018 at 11:30 am
Lol how much more can gerald mccoy play at a high level…. question is when will he play at a high level , stay healthy, and play at a high level on every play?
May 4th, 2018 at 11:51 am
Capt. Tim
Poor poor Gerald.. Abused so badly.. Bet he’s crying all the way to the bank.
Paid millions to play a game, hard to feel sorry for him
May 4th, 2018 at 12:12 pm
GMC is like having your cake and eating it too…
A double positive.
Nothing wrong with his play or his character.
Just wrong time and place for his talents.
Here’s hoping he stays loyal to Tampa, takes a pay cut when asked AND helps this D-Line flip the script.
We win a SB with him. He goes to the HOF and all you nut huggers will eat FrumUnder
Expectations for him this year. Oh IDK just another All Pro Pro Bowl Season.
No One would be complaining if he made 6 mil a year. No one should be complaining if he made 20 mil a year.
NEWS FLASH: ITS NOT YOUR MONEY
May 4th, 2018 at 12:32 pm
McCoy has at least 2-3 good years left as long as his body holds up.
GMC just turned 30 two months ago so is not “old” yet by NFL standards. But 30 is usually the benchmark age in this league that you start to look at a player differently – start to consider and envision his “mortality” – make plans for his inevitable departure at some point, etc.
It was a good deal for both team and player that Licht signed McCoy to. $13M per for Gerald’s talents ($12.25M this year actually) – while lucrative for the player to be sure – looks pretty good when you compare it to McCoy’s “comparables”. Suh for example has been averaging $19M per year the last 3 years and just signed with the Rams for $14M in 2018. GMC>Suh – IMO at least. They are pretty close statistically since 2010 and were drafted #2 and #3 in the same draft – so the comparison between the two has been ongoing since they came into the league. MCoy has certainly been the better “value” considering Suh cost the silly Dolphins $18M more than McCoy over the last 3 years.
Is GMC playing this year for his future with the Buccaneers? Of course. Isn’t just about every player that isn’t guaranteed a big salary next year?
If Gerald maintains what he has been doing – maintains the level he has been playing at – the odds are better than good that he will be a Buccaneer beyond 2018.
Unless a good trade offer comes along that is. Netting a 2nd rounder at this point in Gerald’s career along with the accompanying $13M per salary cap relief would likely be hard to pass up I imagine. How good Vea, Allen, Unrein and Stevie T look this year would likely play a part in such a decision as well.
May 4th, 2018 at 12:47 pm
Still no Tmaxcon??????
May 4th, 2018 at 12:49 pm
Ghost
Joe put TMax in time out…there is a God!
May 4th, 2018 at 1:04 pm
See there are knowledgeable football people that do not bow at the alter of Mccoy. I am so happy to see someone saying he needs to start earning his paychecks because he has been given a pass for far too long.
May 4th, 2018 at 1:10 pm
This guy ain’t never gonna be special. Forget taking over a game, how about closing out a game? It just ain’t happening.
He needs help blah blah blah. I still see his numbers trending downward like they have been the last few years. And when the game is on the line in the 4th I won’t be looking for Gerald to make the play.
May 4th, 2018 at 1:26 pm
Jameis isn’t the one that has no excuses this year.
Haha Joe. Cardinal fans always gotta take a dig at the Cubs. Still burnt up about what happened 30 years ago. 🙂 I’m not a baseball fan by any measure but around here everyone is either a Cub or a Cardinal and they hate each other like the Steelers and Bengals. The back and forth is always pretty good
May 4th, 2018 at 1:29 pm
It is not yet September.
May 4th, 2018 at 1:31 pm
Clod:
Going to Cubs-Cardinals game Sunday night.
May 4th, 2018 at 1:47 pm
The Archie Manning of the bucs.
May 4th, 2018 at 1:49 pm
The headline says it all but wtfdik. I’ll just drop this mic right here….moving right along now.
May 4th, 2018 at 1:50 pm
Never been a GMC hater; in fact, the opposite. However, in the last three years, he’s proven he can’t lead, and his team has shown signs of that when they picked McDonald as a second team captain (before it was the norm). Leading by example is always a good thing, but it’s not enough when you are leading men in that capacity. I would not be suprised if he is no longer team captain. And I don’t his first words at camp to be “My knees hurt.”
May 4th, 2018 at 2:00 pm
Bonzai, You make fair points but you have to understand that I only have what I read here and elsewhere as well as what I’ve heard players say during interviews. Sapp and Brooks held players accountable. One of the ways was by having them run laps if film study showed loafs. https://www.joebucsfan.com/2018/01/look-know-coaches-want-happen/
May 4th, 2018 at 5:26 pm
“Unless GMC’s game really slips this year, Joe doesn’t see how the Bucs wave goodbye to GMC in early 2019…”
🔹GMC’s game doesn’t have to slip. If Vea plays well, GMC will become trade bait. They can send him to a contender at the trade deadline under the guise of it being a mercy trade.
🔹GMC has less than 24 games left in pewter. I’ve said this since the draft. Vea isn’t a rotational player. He’s McCoy’s replacement.
🔹Further, GMC and Vea can play well but the Bucs can suck and Licht might just sell of GMC to stockpile picks.
May 4th, 2018 at 5:58 pm
JmarkBuc
– imagine if you were a fantastic Singer/Songwriter. All the critics think you will be the next Bob Dylan.
Then you sign with A big label, that promises to promote you and your music.
They promise to give you all the suport you need, to be successful.
They you meet your Manager and producer. And you quickly realize that they are both new to their job. They dont have any idea what they are doing. And they are total idiots.
Then you meet your Band mates. More idiots. The 3 of them cant play. At All.
The other Guitarist can only play an A chord, so he plays really fast. Over and over.
The Bass Player doesnt play at all. Just stands there posing, trying to be sexy.
Drummer uses either left hand, right hand, or foot. Never more than one at a time.
The band is a laughing stock.
So bad, that they keep firing the Bands managers.
Only to replace them with even even more incompetent and stupid managers.
Despite how horrible the band is, you win several awards for singwriting, as your fellow musicians appreciate your talent.
There are a group of Stupid fans- who say the morons you work with suck- because of your leadership. Expecting your leadership to give talent to the talentless.
And finally, after dealing with idiot managers and talentless band members,
The Company hires some talented musicians.
And the same group of idiot fans say they expect you to release a grammy winner- Because youve bee in the business 12 years..
World full of Morons
May 4th, 2018 at 6:30 pm
Capt. Tim,
Wow. I think youv’e spent too much time at sea.
Might want to take a little shore leave.
May 4th, 2018 at 10:05 pm
Lol
What? I thought that wS a great analogy!!
May 5th, 2018 at 7:29 am
America’s Defensive Tackle, Pro Bowler Gerald McCoy
May 5th, 2018 at 9:36 am
Capt.
Thanks for the music appreciation lesson.
For the record, I’m not a GMC hater. Not a huge GMC lover either. Tape doesn’t lie. Just wish he were a lot more Warren Sapp and a lot less Barry Manilow..even if he does write the songs that make the whole world sing 🙂
May 5th, 2018 at 4:59 pm
LMFAO… You Aunt Geraldine “D”Riders still want more proof?