Gerald McCoy Needs To Stay On The Field
February 24th, 2012
Joe understands, sadly, that good guy Gerald McCoy is losing his luster with many fans.
The Bucs had high hopes for GMC when he was the third selection overall in the 2010 draft. As a rookie, he had just started to turn the corner midway through the season when he blew out his biceps in his left arm.
Last year, GMC was often disruptive and this helped the Bucs jump out to a 4-2 record with wins over a pair of divisional playoff teams. Then he blew out the biceps in his right arm and was lost for the season.
GMC’s attributes are not lost on eye-RAH! Kaufman of the Tampa Tribune who Twittered yesterday that it’s time for GMC to establish himself as one of the team’s best players.
@IKaufmanTrib: Gerald McCoy hasn’t generated Pro Bowl numbers, but the Bucs play better defense when he’s on the field. Keeping him healthy is critical.
There was too much of a drop off for the Bucs defense when GMC was not on the field. For the Bucs defense to turn the corner, GMC needs to have his jersey filthy at the end of games.
February 24th, 2012 at 1:49 pm
As soon as he said his favoriate movie is The Little Mermaid and pushed 225 only 14 times, I knew or believe he’s a bust. Not strong at all (NFL standards).
February 24th, 2012 at 2:08 pm
“You don’t pump weights on the 50-yard line.”
— Warren Sapp.
February 24th, 2012 at 2:19 pm
Correction: 23 times!
February 24th, 2012 at 2:24 pm
@NeanderthalMan, “I knew or believe he’s a bust”
You could not be more wrong, IMO. Bust implies ‘not talented’ and\or ‘can’t play in the NFL’. He is definitely talented and, at the time, worthy of his draft selection.
More accurately stated is, he can’t stay healthy. There is a big difference.
February 24th, 2012 at 2:27 pm
this is his year , so lets see what happens…
February 24th, 2012 at 2:51 pm
I was upset when we drafted him. And with both biceps torn now. It will be hard for him to get off blockers and the chance of reinjury or a different injury to his arms because he will be compensating for those biceps. If he can’t do it this year then I would say buh-bye!!! Hopefully he can for the teams and his sake. Its sad when Brian Price is out performing you!! He has talent. Its up to him if he wants to take it serious or not. His combine showed his immaturity and not taking things serious. It was the biggest interview of his life and the dude laughed and cut up the entire time he was on the field. Thats what turned me off from him and has continued to do so in the NFL!
February 24th, 2012 at 2:57 pm
You all should have been GMs !!!
February 24th, 2012 at 3:03 pm
@FunkyxMunkey
I’ve read that it’s very unlikely to “re-tear a bicep” once it’s occurred.
Like Tommy Johns, it’s even possible he gains additional strength in his biceps. Depends on the success and severity of tear.
I could be wrong though.
February 24th, 2012 at 3:04 pm
@FuNkYxMuNkEy : “And with both biceps torn now. It will be hard for him to get off blockers and the chance of reinjury or a different injury to his arms because he will be compensating for those biceps.”
Actually, no. From what I understand, the process of fixing the bicep actually makes it stronger than it was originally and LESS likely for a re-injury to occur.
http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/bucs/content/bucs-dt-gerald-mccoy-offers-optimistic-update-injury
February 24th, 2012 at 3:08 pm
2 Free Agents I think Bucs must look at :
Mike Tolbert – RB out of San Diego
Jarrett Johnson – DL out of Baltimore…
These 2 would be great additions to the bucs…I would be stoked if we got these guys.
February 24th, 2012 at 3:18 pm
Stop giving Games Missed Constantly credit for the win over the Saint’s.
He did not play as he was out with an ankle sprained against sf;therefore, you are repeatedly misstating that he gets credit for 4 wins and 2 over division opponents – its not true – stop saying it.
Shockingly, the best 2 defensive performances during 2010-11 were the wins over the Saints and Games Missed was out for both.
The defense is better when he play badly argument isnt true.
The team was 2-1 with Grimm, and 1-1 when Mccoy played but Mccoy didnt – I think that Grimm was more of a factor than Games Missed.
February 24th, 2012 at 3:22 pm
When Mccoy played but Grimm didnt
February 24th, 2012 at 3:38 pm
Took me a while to figure out Games Missed Constantly was new nickname for GMC.
February 24th, 2012 at 3:46 pm
God forbid the guy enjoys what he does and smiles or laughs, or dare i say it….jokes around with teammates. u people gotta be kidding me. there is not a single person, player or otherwise, within the organization that would question his work ethic. by all accounts, he is one of the hardest workers on the team. not everyone has to breathe fire on the field. its good to have a guy who can joke around with teammates, have a good time, and genuinely ENJOY what he is getting paid very handsomely to do….that can go a long way toward building chemistry and strong bonds between teammates. the kinds of bonds that will make them want to sacrifice for each other, because they know the guy next to them cares about them and is willing to do the same.
to all u people who criticize EVERYTHING….i feel bad for your wives and families. if u get this worked up about these kinds of things, i cant imagine how much of a miserable bastard u must be regarding things that actually have a direct impact on your day to day lives.
February 24th, 2012 at 3:51 pm
So our best defensive performance of 2010 was against the Saints? Not the 21-0 drubbing of SF in SF? The one where we held Gore to 23 yards rushing??? The first time they had been shut out at home in over 30 years? Sure pal, I’ll have whatever you are smoking. Maybe those were our best 2 overall games played, but defense, uh no. I know you are going to point to them playing their backup QB, but you forget that that same backup Qb had won 2 straight previous, and had looked excellent in the process. I was there, and half the people in the stadium had Alex Smith jerseys that had been doctored up for Troy Smith. Deny it all you want, I was there, you weren’t. And yes, losing Grimm hurt quite a bit too, no doubt.
February 24th, 2012 at 3:53 pm
Big Marlon:
What does GMC do besides miss games and practices? I guess all of the joking around and fun that you are talking about happens on the sidelines while is teammates are working.
February 24th, 2012 at 3:54 pm
Hawaiian:
Troy Smith, yes UFL qb, Troy Smith was forced to play that game bc Alex Smith was hurt. Gore also played injured and the team was in disarray under Singletary.
February 24th, 2012 at 3:59 pm
Smith was awesome with his 50% completion percentage for the niners that year. He was so good that no, yes not one, nfl team offered him even a 3rd string job. Lol
February 24th, 2012 at 4:03 pm
ok Thomas we get the point, he has had injury problems…..the horse stopped moving long ago, put down the bat.
when he IS there during the practices and/or games, he shouldn’t be ripped for having a sense of humor and having fun. its not like that takes away from his effort, he still works hard every day and strives to be the best.
funkymunkey said: “His combine showed his immaturity and not taking things serious. It was the biggest interview of his life and the dude laughed and cut up the entire time he was on the field. Thats what turned me off from him and has continued to do so in the NFL!”
clearly it didn’t turn anyone in the NFL off, because multiple evaluators have said they gave McCoy a better grade than Suh. if laughing and enjoying himself during a once in a lifetime experience is a sign of immaturiy….what do u call Jason Pierre Paul doing backflips on the field? sure it showed unbelievable athleticism, but wouldn’t that be excessive or showboating or immature??? how has that worked out for him….or more importantly, how has that worked out for the Giants? they sure didn’t seem to have an issue with it.
i just dont understand how someone can try and twist McCoy joking with his peers into a sign of immaturity. i’d rather him do that, than be an angry SOB who beats people up, curses at referees and coaches, and (allegedly) fires guns at people. cuz THAT certainly isn’t maturity, or a player who understands he has been blessed with the opportunity to do what he loves for a living and try to make the most of it.
February 24th, 2012 at 4:05 pm
and please don’t fire back with the tired old injury argument. this has nothing to do with injuries, so don’t turn it into that. this has to do with people criticizing his attitude with his teammates and friends.
February 24th, 2012 at 4:12 pm
What’s his strength program been like since the draft? Obviously, the surgeries have affected that too, but, has his strength increased much since he’s been in the pros?
Joe, can we get an in the weight room story? 😉
February 24th, 2012 at 4:22 pm
ALSTOTT:
GMC is working out with the same trainer(s) as he did last offseason in San Diego.
February 24th, 2012 at 4:47 pm
This is going to be a make or break year for Games Missed Constantly.
I was shocked Tampa did not trade down and out of the third pick vs drafting McCoy, and pick up Jason Pierre Paul of USF, and still have additional pick/picks gained in the trade.
Even Terrance Cody of Alabama was there for the taking, a Real run stopper.
The Ravens took him, and the Giants took Jason Pierre Paul of USF.
Both teams went deep into the playoffs, and both players made an immediate difference for their teams.
February 24th, 2012 at 5:01 pm
If anyone has been a disappointment you’d have to say it’s Suh’s 2011 performance. At least McCoy has had an excuse. Suh just flat out played like an average DT last year. He’s a softy. That should be my new nickname for him….. ‘softy suh’.
February 24th, 2012 at 5:31 pm
I’ll make it really easy to understand, for the really slow ones here.
What was our record when McCoy played this year?
( here’s a hint- we had a winning record!
And last year, what was our record when he played? ( past- winning record)
What was our record after he got hurt?
Any other injury that contributed to us losing( clue – nope)
See how easy that was. Anyone who isn’t a vegetable( or named Thomas), could see that McCoy has already become the keystone of our defense.
Thomas- I’m sure Raheem and McCoy didn’t mean to hurt your feelings! It was her idea, anyway- let it go
Yes, McCoy has to stay healthy, or we won’t win. Period
The best way to help that, is to get some LBers, safeties, and CBs who actually decide to play the game, instead of quitting.
It was hard for 4 D-line and Ronde Barber to try and be a complete defense last year- 5 on 11 was brutal to watch!
We’ll see if this ” ready for a change” movement actually changes anything, or if it’s more lip service!
February 24th, 2012 at 6:05 pm
D’Qwell Jackson had back to back season ending peck injuries and came back to have monster year…
Gerald is working hard in SoCal, ahead of his rehab schedule and already hungry to get back to football and prove he’s got what it takes.
I hope we get D’qwell Jackson in FA…. that is exactly the type of FA we need to right the ship…. Buc’s need the second coming of Hardy Nickerson!
February 24th, 2012 at 6:26 pm
He’s a beast on the field… when healthy. I’m rooting hard for him to prove the doubters wrong. The NFL needs more players with his mentality.
February 24th, 2012 at 6:47 pm
Why does Games Missed insist on training in the offseason in SoCal? Apparently, what he did last year didnt work.
He injured a shoulder in the preseason, an ankle in week 5 and then another bicep a couple of weeks later. I think SoCal is his choice for reasons unrelated to football.
Tim, if Mccoy was so important – why were their best defensive performances, against the Saints, without him? The defense played shockingly well against the potent Saints at home, stuffed the run, pressured Brees – McCoy was out cheerleading on the sidelines as usual.
The list of experts critical of McCoy is lengthy: Sapp, Culpepper, Shaun King, even your favorite 17-31 coach said that his fundamentals were poor.
February 24th, 2012 at 6:49 pm
They also finished 2010 3-1 without him – boy was he missed.
February 24th, 2012 at 8:28 pm
There once was a rookie that came in the league, with great fundamentals, and NFL strength . . He rode in on a Unicorn, and could fly!!
What worries me, is that I went back and read about another rookie who is on this team. They said he had” good physical skills, but poor fundamentals and Technique.
It was Jeremy Zuttah- coached by yer new favorite chin- Shiano!
Don’t you worry yer lil head about MCCoy, as every expert has said- he has already proven to be extremely disruptive to opposing offenses. He will only improve his already dominant play, with better coaching.
Hope he gets some. You should be more concerned about our new coach, and yer new hero- Greg Schiano. We both HOPE he is up to the challenge.
But if he’s not, my disappointment Wil only be tempered by the huge amount of Humble pie I’ll be feeding to you on a daily( hourly!) basis!! Lol
Did I mention that Raheem was tied for 4th best Bucaneer season ever- tied With Dungy, MacKay, and yer hero- Chucky!
Wow! Fourth best season ever!
Embrace him!! Lmao
February 24th, 2012 at 9:31 pm
Thomas:
What was Troy Smith’s record before the Tampa game? 2-0. He was very efficient, and they loved him in SF. Was in premature, yes of course. And no, Gore was not injured. Your facts are wrong. He played the entire game. He was hurt late in that game genius. But then again, facts don’t mean much to you. You just enjoy twisting them around like a birthday party balloon.
Was it all McCoy, absolutely not. Can we win without him, of course. Is he the reason we lost 10 in a row, no way. That doesn’t mean we are not a better defense with him on the field. How much is up for debate, but the proof is obvious. Then again, to all except you.
Those people you are stating that are critical of McCoy do bring up valid points. He does have to stay healthy, no doubt about that. He can’t keep getting hurt every year. However, do any of them say he’s not extremely talented? Do any of them say he is a bust? Do any of them say we should get rid of him? No, no, and no. Obviously he has a lot of work to do to live up to his draft status. I would bet you he would be the first one to tell you that. However, you just seem to enjoy bashing the guy, and I think it’s pretty sick. He’s a good kid with great talent. He works hard and (when on the field) makes our team better. He’s had 2 unfortunate injuries that have robbed him of his first two seasons. Instead of enjoying that fact, why not give the kid a chance? No one is putting him in the hall of fame, and no one is saying he is our best player. You just seem to get some kind of a sick thrill in criticizing him. Now I know you will just come back with the same old Thomas crap, because that’s all you got.
February 24th, 2012 at 10:23 pm
A guy has to play to be effective?
Keen insight if ive ever heard it.
I know one thing. If we get only 23 sacks again were doomed nomatter who the db’s are.
February 24th, 2012 at 11:13 pm
So If McCoy can’t play we can’t win? So what some are saying is this team is built on one player on defense and without him it’s all over? How about if we spend resposibly and get a damn good back up for him. Never mind . I forgot. If he can’t play there is no reason to play the game. Sounds like a pretty stupid excuse to me!
February 25th, 2012 at 12:04 am
We can’t depend on it to happen. Get a good backup for him!
February 25th, 2012 at 12:29 am
I was going to put Thomas in his place, but you guys already did.
GMC needs to stay healthy but we also needs attitude in the middle.
February 25th, 2012 at 1:22 am
8th highest paid player in they league is a ready bear softy.
GED missed constantly needs to get serious about football, cut the happy slap azz behavior and get serious about your opportunity and bust your hump in the weight room. Troy Polamalu is paid less then this scrub.
Cut his azz if he fails to stay healthy after this year. Dude needs to take a pay cut.
Bucs should take BPA with each draft pick, and offer to trade back.
February 25th, 2012 at 1:25 am
Games Missed Constantly needs to get it together.
Strike three and you’re out.
February 25th, 2012 at 2:23 am
Steve K,
You do realize this is the NFL and people do get hurt right? He’s not the only player that has missed portions of his first couple seasons due to injury, FYI. This notion that he can’t have a fun personality and still be a great player is really stupid. That same Troy Polamalu that you mention is about as nice of a guy that you could possibly meet, but he will tear your head off when the game starts. He’s also missed quite a few games in his tenure too, if you didn’t know. I agree GMC needs to stay healthy, but your facts are completely flawed. I don’t understand why some people hate on this guy, as if he’s been taking games off for a sore toenail or something. God forbid him do an interview, tweet, or tell a joke!!! That must mean he’s not concentrating on football, OH NO!!!!!!
February 25th, 2012 at 10:01 am
I hate on this guy bc I am old school, you save the goofing arouind/acting a fool/tweeting for after the game… When you have WON and PLAYED your azz off.
I am just sayin GMC’s personality is a double edge sword to fans.
We love that he is a friendly outgoing person.
We hate that he doesn’t shut up and focus on becoming a HEALTHY WINNER.
February 25th, 2012 at 3:14 pm
But how do you know he’s not focused on being a winner? Just because he goofs around? The Hall of Fame is full of players that were good offs. The two aren’t related in any way. It’s just his personality. It neither hurts him or helps him. Unless you are witnessing him partying and getting fat, you really have no idea what you are talking about. Do you not remember how much more chiseled he looked coming into training camp last year? That doesn’t happen by chance. You and many others are being incredibly unfair. Being old school is no excuse.
February 26th, 2012 at 10:15 am
Tim, Its hard to listen to any point you make, you will be proven wrong then you will just flip flop to the other side of the arguement. At least your not telling us about your secret sources, and trying to take credit for everything any more. Looking forward to the day you go away
February 26th, 2012 at 5:43 pm
I don’t know if you people remember his combine. But the dude did a ton more than just laugh with his peers. While coaches where talking to players about drills and telling them what to do. GMC was in the background cutting up and not paying attention. I want a guy who is up front near the coaches paying attention and wanting to be there. I wasn’t a fan in college and still not. And for people like Mike Mayock who said GMC would be better than Suh…how has that worked out. Suh is the most strongest most dominant DL in the league. McCoy hasn’t even finished a season.
I hope the bicep does come back stronger. I want him to succeed because he is a Buc. Even though I don’t like him he is still our starting DT. I support the team. He is part of that team. But he has showed very little in his short NFL career. Stay healthy and do work. I know he is a workout machine. But how well has that translated so far???