Tag: Gerald McCoy

Former Pro Bowler critical of Panthers for sitting Bryce Young in preseason games

Former Bucs (and Panthers) DT Gerald McCoy is dumbfounded as to why the Panthers haven’t played Bryce Young this preseason.

Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers (and Carolina Panthers) defensive tackle Gerald McCoy did some straight shootin’ this week.

On the very first episode of their new podcast McCoy & Van Noy, the six-time Pro Bowl defender and Baltimore Ravens linebacker Kyle Van Noy talked about the preseason inactivity of a few NFC South quarterbacks. After taking on situation between the Atlanta Falcons and rookie Michael Penix Jr., McCoy turned his attention to the Panthers and Bryce Young—who has yet to play a snap of exhibition ball this summer.

“Y’all were terrible last year. Terrible,” McCoy stated. “Bryce Young, you didn’t play well, son. You didn’t play well. Dave Canales, I love what you did with my Bucs. I love how you showed the world that Baker Mayfield still can ball. You took what his skill set was and you let it shine.

“So hiring you in Carolina was the right hire. It was, because Bryce Young is talented. He’s in the same mold of a Baker Mayfield. A Heisman Trophy winner, a smaller guy, can move around, can make all the throws, can make plays with his feet.”

2023 yielded much different results for Young and Mayfield. The Panthers saw the former pass for just 179.8 passing per game en route to a league-worst 2-15 record while the Bucs saw Canales help the latter hit career-highs across the board on their way to a third straight division title.

McCoy continued.

“But he’s just in his second year,” he added of Young. “And he ain’t C.J. Stroud. So why ain’t he played yet? The only way to get better at football is to play football. It is extremely difficult to get better at football when you don’t play.”

Canales, even today, has remained firm on his thought process of keeping Young and his starters on the sideline this preseason.

“I’m open to playing our guys this week,” Canales said in regards to Saturday’s preseason finale in Buffalo. “The same thing I told you after the game is true, though. We have to look at, ‘What does that group look like if we put everybody out there?’ Are there enough of those guys to say, ‘Man, is this valuable for us to get these reps?’ Once we start to get into the depth of different positions, that kinda forces our hand sometimes on, ‘Can we play our guys?’ Or, ‘Do we need to play them?’

“So, again, today was a hard practice. Tomorrow is gonna be another hard one. So, for me, I have to make sure we get through these two days and I collect that information and make that decision as we go forward.”

Well, we know what decision McCoy would make if he had to.

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Ravens LB Kyle Van Noy to host an NFL podcast with Gerald McCoy

Ravens outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy is starting a podcast with former defensive lineman Gerald McCoy

The Baltimore Ravens signed outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy to a one-year deal early in the 2023 season. He rewarded them in a big way, putting together a career year in multiple different aspects while helping Baltimore’s defense become one of the most outstanding units in NFL history.

Before signing with the Ravens, Van Noy was getting into the content space, making game-by-game predictions. It was announced on Wednesday that Van Noy would be starting up a podcast at Yahoo Sports with former defensive lineman Gerald McCoy called “McCoy and Van Noy.”

Van Noy re-signed with Baltimore during the 2024 free agency and will be the veteran leader of the team’s pass-rushing department. He will be relied upon to be the mentor for younger players such as Odafe Oweh and David Ojabo while also continuing to play at a high level on the football field himself.

WATCH: Gerald McCoy previews 2024 Bucs on NFL Network

Hear what GMC had to say about his old team heading into the 2024 NFL season

One of the most prolific defenders in Tampa Bay Buccaneers history, Gerald McCoy was one of the few bright spots in a long stretch of losing for the Pewter Pirates.

But despite those on-field team struggles, McCoy was not only a dominant force on his own, but also made an even bigger impact off the field throughout the Tampa Bay community.

Now an analyst for NFL Network, McCoy recently previewed his former team as they prepare to extend their streak of three straight NFC South titles and four consecutive trips to the postseason.

Here’s what GMC had to say this week:

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Trent Williams Pro Football Focus’ highest-graded offensive tackle; Ever

Trent Williams continues to add to his Hall of Fame career this time getting a distinct honor from Pro Football Focus.

Since being drafted No. 4 overall in the 2010 NFL Draft, [autotag]Trent Williams[/autotag] has been one of the best offensive linemen in all of football. Williams had a stellar career at Oklahoma from 2006-2009.

He was named to two All-Big 12 teams and was a consensus All-American in 2009. Since getting into the NFL, he’s been selected to 11 Pro Bowls, earned three first-team All-Pro selection and was also named to the second-team once. All three of his first-team selections have come in the last three seasons with the San Francisco 49ers..

He’s had a stellar career and has earned the designation of highest-graded offensive tackle in Pro Football Focus history.

PFF was founded back in 2006 and really took off around 2014. So, it’s not every offensive tackle in NFL history, but it is still quite an accomplishment for the former Sooner.

Now, he has his sights set on winning a Super Bowl. He’s competed in one before, losing to the Kansas City Chiefs. He and his 9ers teammates get a chance to redeem themselves against the Chiefs this Sunday.

I’m sure his quarterback is happy to have him blocking his blind side. Williams decade-plus run of success at the NFL level is just another reason why Oklahoma is Offensive Line University.

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Jaron on Twitter @JaronSpor.

‘I feel like he definitely could be special’: Daniel Akinkunmi turns heads at Under Armour All-American events

Akinkunmi has done nothing but show he belongs at the Under Armour All-American game with several good performances.

The Oklahoma Sooners may have found their hidden gem of the 2024 recruiting class: three-star offensive lineman [autotag]Daniel Akinkunmi[/autotag].

Akinkunmi is coming to Norman via the NFL Academy in London, England. He has only played football the past few seasons. That’s why people were anxious to see how he’d hold up against some of the nation’s best high school players at the Under Armour All-American practices.

Not only has he held up just fine, but he’s impressed a lot of people, including myself. He’s becoming my favorite player in the class.

From him talking about asking [autotag]Bill Bedenbaugh[/autotag] for the playbook moments after signing to being the last one on the field earlier this week working on his technique by himself long after the events concluded to his early morning workouts with his future teammates, there’s no question his work ethic is there. And his peers are taking notice.

“We were up at, I think, 3 a.m. lifting,” Stone said. “Me, him and Von (Davon Mitchell) were all in the weight room and I ended up calling J.J. (Jayden Jackson) and I was like, ‘Hey man this dude is going to be special; his work ethic is just like ours.’ I feel like we could definitely make a case to be like [autotag]Trent Williams[/autotag] and that [autotag]Gerald McCoy[/autotag] class that we had. I feel like we could really be like that. Us going first round in the same draft class, I feel like he definitely could be special just like that.”

Being the next McCoy and Williams is a lofty goal. That duo went top four in the 2010 NFL draft. But the work ethic is there for both.

Akinkunmi spoke with OUInsider about his relationship with Bedenbaugh.

“We talk every single day,” Akinkunmi said. “He calls my mum every single day. He and my mum are best friends, they talk all of the time. We absolutely love each other. That’s my coach, and I’m never going to change up on him. Unless he gets fired, and let’s be honest, he’ll never get fired, so I’m rocking with Coach B all of the way.”

Akinkunmi said he’s headed straight to Norman after the Under Armour events conclude this week and will immediately get to work on becoming Bedenbaugh and Oklahoma’s next hidden gem.

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Sooner Legend and NFL Network analyst Gerald McCoy likes Oklahoma’s chances vs. Texas

Joining the Jim Rome Show, former Oklahoma Sooners defensive tackle Gerald McCoy shared his thoughts on OU-Texas.

The Oklahoma Sooners are getting set to take on the Texas Longhorns in the 119th playing of the Red River Rivalry. Legendary radio and TV broadcaster Jim Rome called it one of the greatest rivalries in any sport. He had former Sooner defensive tackle Gerald McCoy on his show to get his audience for the game.

McCoy played in three Red River Rivalry games with the Sooners going 1-2 from 2007-2009. 2008-2009 games was the last time the Longhorns had won back-to-back games against the Sooners.

In his three appearances, McCoy recorded nine total tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, and three sacks.

What does he make of this game?

“Offensively, they (Texas) can be very explosive, but they haven’t been as explosive in past years when the game has been of this magnitude with both highly ranked teams and undefeated teams going into the game. So, if our offense can keep moving like they’ve been moving, putting up a lot of points, I think our defense can hold up.”

On the defense, McCoy said, “I won’t say ‘they’re great.’ I’m not going to jump off the bridge and say, ‘this defense is phenomenal.’ It’s better than it’s been in the last five, six, seven, eight years.”

McCoy went on to dispel the narrative that they aren’t as good as they look because of the level of competition they’ve faced. McCoy argues that teams of the past still wouldn’t have held up against the lower competition.

The Sooners’ defense has been a big part of how they’ve won. McCoy said, “If (the defense) can just sustain and our offense can score, I think we’ve got a pretty good shot. I don’t think it’s going to be as cut and dry as people are saying.”

McCoy also talked about his experience in the Red River Rivalry.

“It’s incredible. Simply because it’s not just the game itself and then it’s over with, it’s a hate, a disdain that lasts through our lifetime.”

“Actually, from the time I grew up OU-Nebraska was the big thing. So I had to learn about OU-Texas. But as I got older and got into high school, I started to learn, like, ‘OU-Texas is where it’s at.’ I didn’t realize what it was until 2004, we drove down, you have guys come up for junior day or whatever and it was Adrian Peterson’s first time touching the ball. He goes for 50 (yards) down the right sideline, and I said, ‘Oh, this is the game.'”

Indeed, this is the game. It’s the game that moves the needle across the college football landscape. There’s nothing like OU-Texas at the Cotton Bowl with the stadium split 50-50.

And today, one team will continue their pursuit of an undefeated season and a shot at a College Football Playoff berth.

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Oklahoma target and 5-star defensive tackle David Stone sets commitment date

Five-star defensive tackle David Stone announces commitment date.

The date is officially set. The most heralded recruit in years out the state of Oklahoma will decide his college of choice on August 26.

Five-star defensive lineman [autotag]David Stone[/autotag] will decide on August 26th, according to a graphic released by On3’s Hayes Fawcett and retweeted by Stone.

In a recruitment that many will talk about for quite some time, no matter where he goes, Stone will finally bring clarity to multiple coaching staffs nationwide.

Along with Oklahoma, Stone’s final six also include the Miami Hurricanes, Texas A&M Aggies, Florida Gators, Oregon Ducks, and Michigan State Spartans.

[autotag]Todd Bate[/autotag]s, [autotag]Miguel Chavis[/autotag], and the Oklahoma staff have chipped in on this recruitment. Native Oklahoman and Sooner legend [autotag]Gerald McCoy[/autotag] has also been actively recruiting Stone. The Sooners former top five NFL draft pick understands how transformative Stone could be to the Sooners defensive front.

Oklahoma is looking to create shockwaves by landing Stone and redeem their recruiting failures in pursuit of other five-star defensive linemen. Unlike the other recruitments, Stone is from Oklahoma and grew up an Oklahoma fan. This recruitment is a pivotal moment in the present and future of Oklahoma’s football program.

Todd Bates and Brent Venables have been down this road before and know how to navigate recruiting top-ten defenders. Bates was the lead recruiter in bringing defensive tackle Bryan Bresee to Clemson when he and Venables were with the Tigers. Bresee was the No. 1 player in the 247Sports composite back in 2020.

With one month until he decides, Oklahoma will push into overdrive to seal the deal and land the No. 6 overall prospect in 247Sports’ composite rankings.

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Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Bryant on Twitter @thatmanbryant.

Ex-NFL DT Gerald McCoy is on the Trevor Lawrence bandwagon

Former NFL defensive tackle Gerald McCoy thinks Trevor Lawrence will be in the MVP race this year.

Expectations are high for Trevor Lawrence and the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2023. Former NFL defensive tackle Gerald McCoy thinks the hype is very real.

In an appearance on NFL Network’s Good Morning Football on Wednesday, the former Tampa Bay Buccaneers lineman had some bold predictions about the success he thinks the Jaguars will find this year.

“This year, the Jacksonville Jaguars will be a top three team in the AFC,” McCoy said on the show. “And Trevor Lawrence will be a finalist for MVP.

“The thing that people are forgetting is that at the end of the season last year they built up confidence. When you have a leader in Trevor Lawrence, who I believe will make an even bigger jump this year with the confidence they built going toe-to-toe with Kansas City after a huge comeback. I think people need to look out for the Jacksonville Jaguars.”

The Jaguars finished the 2022 regular season with five straight wins to surge into first place in the AFC South and steal the division title from the Tennessee Titans. After coming back from a 27-0 deficit against the Los Angeles Chargers to win 31-30 in a wild card matchup, the Jaguars were eliminated with a 27-20 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

McCoy, 35, was a six-time Pro Bowler during his time with the Buccaneers and rounded out his career with one season each with the Carolina Panthers and Las Vegas Raiders. After not playing during the 2022 season, McCoy announced his retirement from the NFL last month.

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OPINION: Gerald McCoy is a Ring of Honor player

McCoy’s retirement has sparked much discussion and debate about his time in Tampa Bay, but his contributions and NFL accolades speak for themselves.

Few Tampa Bay Buccaneers players draw as much controversy as DT Gerald McCoy.

Some fans are fond of his presence as a bright spot (along with LB Lavonte David) among the Bucs’ defensive unit, while others have accused him of being “soft” in attitude and not showing up in big games. This discourse has gone on when McCoy was actively a Buccaneer and has continued in the time he has left, and with his recent retirement, a particular debate regarding McCoy’s legacy has been reignited in the Bucs community.

Should McCoy’s name be in the Bucs’ Ring of Honor at Raymond James Stadium?

Some don’t think so. I say yes.

Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

First of all, his accolades speak for themselves. McCoy is a three-time All-Pro (first team in 2013 and second team in 2014 and 2016). He’s a six-time Pro Bowler, too (in a row) and has constantly made appearances on the NFL Top 100. He’s one of the most decorated Bucs in recent eras on the defense, along with LB Lavonte David, who is an absolute lock for the Ring of Honor.

On top of that, I reject the narrative that McCoy was ever “soft.” His penchant for smiling even when things were dire and socializing with other players is simply who he was, and you can also ask those same players — they’ll tell you that McCoy never went easy on them. An athlete doesn’t have to have an intense personality to produce, and McCoy showed that he could be himself and still wreak havoc in backfields during his tenure in Tampa Bay.

Next is the notion that McCoy was overrated. I don’t think that’s the case — his 9.5-sack season was well worthy of the All-Pro moniker, and he’s only ever had one season below five sacks in his entire career. McCoy was a constant producer in the pass rush game and was certainly comparable in play to his main rival at DT in Ndamukong Suh. He also played a good majority of his games in his career, with only his 2011 season being marred by injury.

Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Finally, McCoy embraced the community like few do. I’ll always remember waiting after training camp had ended when I was a kid and getting to meet him afterward, and he stayed behind so every fan had a chance to talk to him. He bled red and pewter just as much as those who are currently in the ring have done in the past, and he absolutely deserves to have his name enshrined.

Before guys like Tom Brady and Lavonte David? Probably not. But he’ll get his due.

Gerald McCoy announces retirement; Cowboys DL still in flux after brief 2020 tenure

Gerald McCoy’s time in a Cowboys uniform can be measured in minutes, but they’re still patching up the hole he left behind 3 years later. | From @ToddBrock24f7

The news crossed the wires Friday with relatively little fanfare. But reports that defensive tackle Gerald McCoy had announced his retirement from football were met by many a Cowboys fan with a knowing nod and a brief shake of the head about what might have been.

McCoy’s career wearing Cowboys gear can be measured in mere minutes, but the way it all went down has affected the team for years, and the hole that the six-time Pro Bowler left in the Dallas roster is one the front office is still trying to patch up.

The third overall pick in the 2010 draft, McCoy was a Week 1 starter in Tampa Bay as a rookie. Upper-body injuries plagued his first two seasons, though, causing him to miss 13 of 32 games in 2010 and 2011.

He came back on a mission the following year, earning the first of six straight Pro Bowl nods and starting a stretch of seven consecutive campaigns logging five or more sacks and averaging 36 tackles per season.

The Bucs released McCoy during the 2019 offseason; the Panthers signed him shortly thereafter. After one year in Carolina, the Oklahoma native joined the Cowboys in 2020, just as the Mike McCarthy era was beginning.

McCoy was to be a key piece of new coordinator Mike Nolan’s unit, with Maliek Collins suddenly gone, the Trysten Hill experiment just a year old, and third-round draft pick Neville Gallimore barely beginning his NFL adventure. The Cowboys even brought in McCoy’s former Carolina linemate Dontari Poe to beef up the new-look defensive front.

McCoy had signed a bargain of a contract to play for the Cowboys, and he further endeared himself to the fanbase during the COVID-wracked offseason in virtual interviews with his infectious personality and his willingness to speak up as a locker room leader during the tumultuous social upheaval that summer brought to both the country and the NFL. He even called out Cowboys owner Jerry Jones publicly in the wake of 2020’s equal-rights protests, beseeching the up-to-then silent billionaire to “say something… anything” on the occasion of Juneteenth, even before he himself had even suited up for the club.

It was a marriage with so much promise.

But on the very first day of padded practice with his new team, McCoy ruptured a quad tendon in one-on-one drills. He was done for the season. He was released via an injury clause in the contract he had just signed, to make room on the roster for another player, but the plan was for him to remain a part of the team, mentoring younger players as he worked to rehab his way back to the lineup.

“He expressed not only a desire to be here and be part of what we’ve started here,” McCarthy said at the time. “Obviously, he’s very comfortable, and this is where he wants to be. That’s exactly what he communicated to me.”

But his return to the Cowboys roster never happened. In fact, he couldn’t know it at the time, but his pro football carer had only a few more snaps in it.

McCoy was picked up by Las Vegas in August of 2021, almost a year to the day after his injury in Dallas. But during the Raiders’ overtime win over Baltimore in Week 1, McCoy’s left knee gave way and he had to be carted off the field after just nine defensive plays for the silver and black.

After not playing in the league in 2022, the 35-year-old McCoy retired Friday having never played in a postseason game.

Nevertheless, “I had a blast,” he said on The Carton Show.

The Cowboys’ interior defensive line has been in flux ever since McCoy went down that day at The Star. Poe and Everson Griffen were cut midseason. Nolan lost his DC job. Antwaun Woods left for Indianapolis. Carlos Watkins was brought in the next year; Osa Odighizuwa and Quinton Bohanna were drafted. Brent Urban came and went. John Ridgeway was drafted and then lost when the Cowboys tried to sneak him through waivers. Hill finally flamed out. Johnathan Hankins was acquired via trade and then re-signed to a new one-year deal. Watkins moved on in March.

Entering the 2023 draft, defensive tackle prospects like Michigan’s Mazi Smith, Pitt’s Calijah Kancey, and Wisconsin’s Keeanu Benton are ones that many think the Cowboys should be eyeing.

One can only wonder how much of that would have happened if McCoy had stayed healthy upon arriving in Dallas.

As it is, his brilliant pro career was cut short far too early and without many of the accolades that McCoy, by all rights, absolutely deserved.

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