It’s time for Gerald McCoy, as one of the team’s Veteran Captains, to get this defense rolling. It’s time to see that fire from him that we were once accustomed to seeing. His vocalness, his inspiration, but in reality, we need the fans to back him like they once had. McCoy has been getting a bad rap these past few years and undeservedly so, regardless of what the armchair GM’s say.
Fans are quick to shut out one of the defensive linemen we have had in close to a decade, despite all of his achievements off of that line. Fans ask, “What achievements? He had a bad attitude in 2015. He’s jealous of Jameis Winston’s leadership. He’s not doing this. He’s not doing that. Etc. etc.”
Some of the things I’ve read in social media, pertaining to McCoy’s “Phantom Faults,” are astronomical in their ridiculousness. How can you say McCoy hasn’t done anything in the last couple of years? How can you say McCoy isn’t earning his paycheck? Where was McCoy last season? He was collecting 8.5 sacks with a hand so tore up that if you had the same ailment you wouldn’t even be able to pick your nose with it. Among other things you likely do. I could spit facts, stats, and throw game film at you, and you still would argue that your facts are the correct ones and GMAC is the trashcan you so eloquently proclaim he is. (Let me stop laughing before I continue.)
20 years ago the hate from our fans was nowhere this strong. It makes my stomach turn. Stand by your players. I know Vinny and Dilfer basked in their fair share of boos, but people still came to the games and still supported their team by staying to the final ticking of the clock. Post Super Bowl fans, leave when the Bucs are down by 14 and are quick to call out their best players in an attempt to find some kind of self-gratification, or w/e. That is ridiculous. If Gerald McCoy leaves the team, who would be next on your Finger-Point-List? Lavonte David? Kwon Alexander? Akeem Spence or William Gholston? For any rookie player coming into Tampa, that’s what you have to look forward to. You are supposed to take your share of ridicule, that’s what you get for being an NFL player, but jeesh, there seems to be not much love left to give in Tampa. So, before pointing fingers at the players and hating so much, maybe you should consider pointing the finger where it needs to be pointed and stop thinking perfection can be achieved every other season with new coaches. It is time to demand some excellence, but not just from the team and the staff, but from the fans.