Tag: Gerald McCoy

Gerald McCoy wants Jerry Jones, Cowboys to step up and speak up

Gerald McCoy is calling on Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones to speak up on racing equality and social injustice.

There has been a loud silence out of Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys’ brass when it comes to the protests against social injustice and racial equality.

A player known as a leader throughout his NFL career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Carolina Panthers, and now the Cowboys, wants the team’s owner to speak up.

“You have the players, who have their own brand, but we’re all under the umbrella of the Dallas Cowboys,” Gerald McCoy said. “The Dallas Cowboys are the most recognized franchise in the world. They can get behind it, whether it’s the players or just being in the movement, period, and showing their support. It would be great to hear a statement from the Cowboys, great to hear a statement from Jerry Jones in support of everything that’s going on. Will that get me in trouble saying that? I don’t know, but the truth is it needs to be said. The problem is people are afraid to have the conversations.”

McCoy was doing his part Friday in Oklahoma, walking 2.5 miles in support of Fort Worth resident Opal Lee’s push to make Juneteenth a national holiday.

Lee, a 93-year-old retired schoolteacher, is walking 2.5 miles to symbolize the 2.5 years slaves had to wait from the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation to their actual freedom, Juneteenth,

“I’m so glad she brought awareness to this — that’s why it’s so great, that’s why I’m trying to spread as much about this as possible so this becomes regular on Juneteenth, walk 2.5 miles to commemorate the two and a half years the slaves didn’t know they were free,” McCoy told ESPN. “This is something I’m going to continue and be glad to continue. Even when it becomes a national holiday, I’ll do even more then.”

The argument for making it a national holiday is simple: That’s the day when everyone in the country finally became free.

“Our true independence as African Americans, our true day of freedom should be celebrated nationally,” McCoy said. “Independence Day is celebrated nationally, but that envelope was not pushed since that didn’t free everybody, that wasn’t about everybody. The Emancipation Proclamation was finalized in 1863, but it wasn’t until 1865 that all slaves in Texas realized that we are free. That should be celebrated nationally.”

Cowboys News: HoF game vs Steelers in doubt? Dak, Emmitt want end to qualified immunity

Also in Cowboys news, Troy Aikman recalls his legacy, Gerald McCoy eagerly awaits the national spotlight, and a likely holdout candidate.

Two of the Cowboys’ biggest stars are lending their names in support of a bill aimed at ending a practice that shields police violence as the sports world continues to rally around the racial injustice issues of the day.

But the COVID-19 pandemic is still wreaking havoc with normality, and now the league may be talking about cutting the preseason in half as teams scramble to prepare for business as usual. Also, a Cowboys legend speaks about his unique legacy, a new Cowboys leader looks forward to the national spotlight (and beyond), and Dak Prescott tops a list that fans would rather not see him on at all. That’s all ahead in this edition of News and Notes.

Dak Prescott, Emmitt Smith among Dallas Cowboys stars seeking to end qualified immunity :: Fort Worth Star-Telegram

The team’s current starting quarterback and the league’s all-time leading rusher are among more than 1,400 current and retired athletes, coaches, GMs, and staffers from the NFL, NBA, and Major League Baseball who have signed a letter to Congress supporting a bill to end qualified immunity, which makes it difficult to sue police officers for brutality. Amari Cooper, Nate Newton, and DeMarcus Ware also lent their signatures.

NFL, NFLPA discussing possibility of shortened preseason :: NFL.com

“Nothing has been finalized or is near finalization, but multiple team executives informed of talks currently believe they could end up playing half of the typical preseason schedule, going from four games to two,” according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. The abbreviated preseason would allow for a longer ramp-up for players who have been unable to work with their teams due to stay-at-home restrictions.

No mention was made what would happen to the Hall of Fame game, which is scheduled ahead of the four-week preseason and features Dallas and the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2020. If the first two weeks of the exhibition season are cancelled, having two teams play in a game three weeks prior to every other team makes little sense.

Richard Sherman calls out Jerry Jones, Dez Bryant defends Cowboys owner :: Cowboys Wire

Throughout the nationwide conversation about racial inequality in this country over the last week, the outspoken owner has been silent. 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman says that’s part of the problem, even as Dez Bryant defends his former employer.

Troy Aikman: My legacy was going to be about winning championships :: Blogging the Boys

The three-time Super Bowl champion joined former Dallas teammate Darren Woodson on his podcast to dispel the myth that his teams of the ’90s weren’t adept at throwing the ball, and how he knew that his career would be defined by league titles rather than passing titles. Aikman also touches on how he reached “a breaking point” and assumed he’d leave Dallas to play somewhere else.

The Real McCoy: DT provides solution Cowboys haven’t tried yet, proven talent :: Cowboys Wire

In CW’s daily countdown to the regular season, No. 93 Gerald McCoy enters the crosshairs. A complete profile on what he adds to Dallas and what the DL room looks like with his presence.

Mick Shots: Herding them around this McCoy :: The Mothership

Mickey Spagnola can’t wait for Gerald McCoy to get in the Cowboys locker room and start mentoring young defenders like Neville Gallimore and Trysten Hill. As for McCoy, he can’t wait to appear on national TV five times this season alone, after a grand total of four times over nine seasons with the Buccaneers.

The NFL’s 7 most likely holdout candidates entering 2020 season :: Bleacher Report

This isn’t a list Cowboys fans want to see any of their players’ names on. But no Cowboys fan who’s been near the internet so far this offseason will be the least bit shocked to see whose name is sitting at number one.

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The Real McCoy: DT provides solution Cowboys haven’t tried yet, proven talent

The Dallas Cowboys had one of the best signings of the ff-season when they added defensive tackle Gerlad McCoy.

The Dallas Cowboys made some great signings during 2020 free agency, partly because they finally had some money to use. One of those moves was to shore up their defensive line, adding veteran defensive tackle Gerald McCoy.

It was a move made out of necessity, but also aided by a new coaching staff who brought a new philosophy for the position. The Cowboys lost Maliek Collins to the Oakland Raiders, leaving a void in the middle of the defense. The team moved quickly, adding McCoy as a strong response.

Bringing in a good veteran DT is a departure from what the Cowboys did under former defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli. When Marinelli was in Dallas, he was in favor of addressing the holes at DT by drafting and plugging away with pedestrian veteran players who made up for their lack of talent with effort. As one of the games best teachers, Marinelli felt he could get the most out of those workman type of bodies.

Predictably, the defense got decent returns from the Nick Hayden and Terrell McClain’s of the league, but not the difference makers that McCoy can be. The new defensive staff under Mike Nolan have shifted that philosophy.

The first sign of Nolan’s influence was when the Cowboys signed McCoy to a three-year, $18.3 million deal that can be worth over $20 million. It’s a great deal for Dallas, who added a good player who likely could’ve made more elsewhere. Playing closer his home in Oklahoma City, OK might have played a role in his decision, but playing for a contender meant much more to McCoy.

The 10-year veteran out of Oklahoma spent last season with the Carolina Panthers after spending his first nine seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. During his career, McCoy has yet to be a part of a playoff team and has only been a part of two winning seasons. The Cowboys’ roster for the next few years offers McCoy a shot at winning.

As the third-overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, McCoy has been one of the better defensive tackles in the game since entering the league. McCoy has been named to six Pro Bowls and named an All-Pro once, in 2013. He might not have the same production he had during his peak years in Tampa, but McCoy can still play at a high level.

Playing his career primarily inside, McCoy has 59.5 career sacks, including eight straight seasons of at least five takedowns. In the past six seasons under Marinelli, only four Dallas DT’s have accomplished that feat, none have done it twice and only David Irving’s seven in 2017 were more than the required threshold of five.

However, McCoy also offers versatility, he picked up five sacks last year playing defensive end and tackle for the Panthers. That’s a huge plus for the Cowboys, who will be using multiple defensive fronts under Nolan.

In Dallas, the 32-year old McCoy will be a starting DT, but having the ability to play different positions on the defensive line is a bonus. McCoy the type of consistent pass rusher from the inside they have lacked since Jason Hatcher left the building.

Playing next to McCoy will also benefit DE DeMarcus Lawrence. The sack total for Lawrence was down last season, but McCoy brings the need to be double-teamed on the inside. That attention paid to McCoy on the interior should create more one-on-one opportunities for Lawrence. The last time Lawrence had a DT take some of the heat away from him on the outside, Lawrence had a 14.5 sack season.

McCoy is also stout in the running game, he was credited with 25 stops in 2019.

The Cowboys have to hope last season was a bit of a resurgence for McCoy, who played in all 16 games for the first time since 2013. Injuries and age have caught up to the veteran DT, but he is the best player the team has had in the middle in a long time.

The Cowboys finally brought in a good player to be a force on the interior of their defensive line. Gone are the days of their defensive tackles being try-hard guys who don’t provide enough pass rush, or can’t stop the run. McCoy has the ability to do both at a high level.

McCoy’s signing could turn out to be one of the better moves in the off-season.

You can chat with or follow Ben on twitter @BenGrimaldi

This is part of our Countdown to the Regular Season player profile countdown. With 92days remaining until the NFL’s first game, up next is defensive end Dorance Armstrong.

| Antwaun Woods | Tyrone Crawford | Trysten Hill | Jalen Jelks |
| Dontari Poe | Randy Gregory|

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Gerald McCoy is rooting for the Bucs to go undefeated, but there’s a catch

Former Buccaneer and current Cowboys DT Gerald McCoy said he’s hoping Tampa Bay goes undefeated in 2020, but there’s a catch.

The Buccaneers have their sights set on the postseason for the first time in over a decade, and with Tom Brady now the man under center, the prospect of a postseason berth seems more realistic than ever.

Tampa Bay has certainly garnered plenty of attention this offseason with big moves that include both the signing of Brady and the acquisition of All-Pro tight end Rob Gronkowski. And while there may be some bandwagon fans jumping aboard this season, it seems one lifelong Bucs fan has high hopes for this team heading into 2020.

See what former Buccaneer and current Cowboys defensive tackle Gerald McCoy had to say recently.

McCoy was a franchise favorite during his nine-year run with the Buccaneers. What’s sad about the prospect of Tampa Bay making the postseason in 2020 is that McCoy won’t be a part of the team. Despite a stellar career with the Bucs, McCoy never got to the playoffs. Maybe that’ll change this year with the Cowboys. Plus, I think the NFL would love the idea of a Cowboys-Bucs playoff game.

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Cowboys News: No-fan games could cripple Dallas’ financials, Hill’s second act

Trysten Hill struggled to crack the rotation consistently as a rookie, but has a chance to shine in year two. Cap space not Dak related

Trysten Hill had a hard time cracking the rotation last season as a rookie, but with Jim Tomsula on the staff and a year of experience under his belt, it might be unwise to seal his fate just yet. New Cowboys defensive tackle Gerald McCoy said Carson Wentz was better than Dak Prescott last July, now he shares the same uniform as the latter to face the former twice a year as division rivals.

Everson Grifffen had been one of the biggest names on the free-agent market since voiding the last three years of his deal with the Minnesota Vikings. The most had interest before the draft, but his price tag would have to reasonable to book his ticket to Dallas.

How the Cowboys will take a huge financial loss without fans attending games, whether or not it’s playoffs or bust in 2020, and how the Dallas defense still runs through DeMarcus Lawrence and more are covered in the news and notes.

DE Everson Griffen is Still Available, Cowboys Should Make the Call :: Inside The Star

The Cowboys have added Bradlee Anae, Aldon Smith, and in the near future Randy Gregory. But acquiring veteran Everson Griffen would be the icing on the cake for a revamped Cowboys defense.

Trysten Hill’s bad rap may be a bit premature, shouldn’t be written off yet :: Cowboys Wire

K.D. Drummond breaks down how working with new defensive line coach Jim Tomsula and a year of NFL experience give Trysten Hill a chance to contribute in 2020.

Gerald McCoy said Carson Wentz is better than Dak Prescott, but that’s water under the bridge :: Blogging The Boys

About a year ago on FS1’s Undisputed, Gerald McCoy said he thought Carson Wentz was better than Dak Prescott. Who would’ve thought he’d now be wearing the same uniform as the latter.

A big Cowboys “what if” that would have changed everything going on now at quarterback :: Blogging The Boys

The Cowboys had an interest in Nick Foles back in 2016 to backup Tony Romo. If that particular scenario would have played out, would we have ever seen Dak Prescott in Dallas?

How do the Cowboys do when creating all-star teams based on college school or conference? :: Blogging The Boys

If there’s one thing the Cowboys have done well in recent history it’s acquiring talent from some of the top programs in college football.

Games without fans could have crippling financial effect for the NFL – and the Cowboys would be the biggest losers :: Dallas Morning News

The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic could see the NFL play in empty stadiums. The league would take a huge financial loss, and the biggest moneymaker, the Dallas Cowboys, would suffer the most.

DeMarcus Lawrence Still the Key for New Look Cowboys Defense :: Inside The Star

Even with new additions and a different approach under Mike Nolan, the Cowboys defense still goes through DeMarcus Lawrence.

Training at The Star will be 4th time Cowboys have held camp in Texas :: WFAA

For the first time since 2011, the Cowboys will hold training camp exclusively from Texas due to the current COVID-19 pandemic.

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Injuries robbed Antwaun Woods of a breakout 2019, may not be a chair left for 2020

Antwaun Woods looks to have a bounce back season in 2020 but has plenty of competition to be with the Cowboys this season.

The Dallas Cowboys have spent their off-season adding to their defense; specifically their defensive line. Two of their three key free-agent acquisitions along with multiple draft picks have the Cowboys looking at a much improved unit in 2020. Possibly getting lost amongst the addition to the new pieces is returning  defensive tackle Antwaun Woods.

Technically, Woods is a still a free agent. As an exclusive rights free agent (ERFA) he can’t sign anywhere else this off-season and it is expected he’ll sign his tender soon which will pay him the non-guaranteed league minimum. Next year, he will be a restricted free agent (RFA) which doesn’t favor Woods at all as he’s already 27 years old and has limited opportunity to earn a big payday before his prime years have passed. For all of the discussion about salaries being out of control, Woods is a poster child for why raising league minimum salaries was a key element in the most recent CBA barely passing.

He’s also a poster child for how quickly opportunity could be lost. With the club adding two free agents and a draft pick at defensive tackle, Woods finds himself in a tough situation. None of the excitement Woods created with a stellar 2018 campaign remains after a lackluster 2019. It likely wasn’t regression though, as the injury bug sapped his ability to be a big-play guy like he was down the stretch in 2018.

2019 was a string of injuries for Woods, however. The Cowboys followed the wild-card win over Seattle with a loss to the Los Angeles Rams in the divisional round, where Dallas was gouged in the run game by Todd Gurley and CJ Anderson for over 200 yards. It turns out Woods played that game with a torn shoulder labrum that required surgery.

During this past regular season, he was able to suit up in just 10 of the Cowboys’ 16 games. Midway through the Week 2 contest against Washington, Woods hurt his knee when Maliek Collins rolled up on the back of his leg, spraining his MCL. He would miss the next three contests and didn’t seem right for several games to follow.

Woods then suffered another knee injury against the Patriots in Week 11, forcing him to miss the next two contests, and proving he wasn’t healthy when he returned, he sat out the meaningless finale against Washington.

In his 10 contest he was able to rack up 23 tackles,  11 solo. He didn’t get to the quarterback to register any sacks but did have bursts of impact. He managed to see the field on 310 snaps which represented about 29 percent of the Cowboys defensive plays in 2019.

As Dallas Morning News writer John Owning describes though, there was inconsistency in his play.

However, Woods lacked consistency, as he was just as likely to get displaced out his gap as he was to penetrate and disrupt. Woods also struggled mightily against double teams, which isn’t great given that a nose tackle’s first job requirement is to demand and absorb double teams in an effort to give the linebackers a chance to pursue without being immediately encumbered by blockers. When you add in Woods’ inability to make an impact as a pass-rusher, his inconsistency against the run became a bigger and bigger issue upfront.

And now this year, Woods has competition. New defensive coordinator Mike Nolan prefers more stout defensive linemen, and with the limited play Woods was able to put on film in 2019, the new staff likely wouldn’t be enthusiastic. With the signing of behemoth defensive tackle Dontari Poe and a multifaceted Gerald McCoy, Woods finds himself in a larger rotation than years past.

That was before the club selected Oklahoma nose tackle Neville Gallimore in the third round this past draft. The staff is so high on him, they considered taking him in the second round ahead of the dire cornerback need filled by Trevon Diggs.

Not to mention, Tyrone Crawford who plays up-and-down the defensive line is returning from his almost full year off due to his own injury. The Cowboys will also factor in second-year defensive tackle Trysten Hill who in his own right is looking for a rebound season after a relatively quiet rookie campaign. Depth is good to have on the defensive line, especially on the interior, but for Woods in 2020, he will have to be playing at an elite level to see the field.

According to CBS Sports writer, Patrik Walker, Woods is going to have to show he has the most upside out of the other men at his position on the Cowboys depth chart to make this team in September. His position on the 2020 Dallas Cowboys also relies heavily on the reinstatement of Randy Gregory as well.

There’s no mistaking the impact Woods can make when healthy and fresh, and an opportunity to work with new defensive line coach Jim Tomsula shouldn’t be overlooked. The numbers game indicate that he’ll have to prove himself in a major way in training camp.

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Where Are They Now: A look at every Bucs first-round pick since 2010

Take a look at where every Buccaneers first-round pick since 2010 is today.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers came away from the 2020 NFL draft with the prized offensive tackle they were seeking in Iowa’s Tristan Wirfs. The rookie will be tasked with helping to protect quarterback Tom Brady, and the organization is banking on the hope that Wirfs won’t be a bust.

When it comes to the draft, there’s never a sure thing, and some first round picks turn out to be stars, while others become busts. With that, let’s take a look at where every first-round pick for the Bucs since 2010 is today.

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4, Page 5, Page 6, Page 7, Page 8, Page 9, Page 10, Page 11, Page 12

Gerald McCoy felt better sacking Jameis Winston than ‘any other quarterback’

Former Bucs DT Gerald McCoy said in a recent Instagram video that he enjoyed sacking former teammate Jameis Winston.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers said goodbye to Jameis Winston this offseason after the quarterback’s five-year run with the team. Winston leaves the Bucs as the franchise’s all-time leader in both touchdown passes (121) and passing yards (19,737).

It’s the second offseason in a row the Bucs have bid farewell to a franchise player. Last season, they parted ways with defensive tackle Gerald McCoy after nine years, opting instead to bring in the guy selected one spot ahead of McCoy in the 2010 NFL draft, Ndamukong Suh.

McCoy ended up in Carolina with the Panthers, and despite his team losing to the Bucs in Week 2, McCoy got the last laugh in their Week 6 rematch in London. In that game, Winston threw five interceptions, was sacked seven times and fumbled twice (losing one). McCoy had 2.5 sacks in that game, and apparently enjoyed sacking Jameis more than any other QB.

Take a look at this video McCoy recently posted to his Instagram, where he talks about joining the Cowboys and playing against his former team, the Bucs. You can hear McCoy talk about Winston around the 1:00 mark of the video.

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#nflathome @nflfilms

A post shared by Gerald McCoy (@geraldini93) on

Don’t worry, McCoy has plenty of love for Winston still. Winston, along with several other Bucs players, attended the Senior Night of McCoy’s son last fall in Tampa in place of McCoy, who was in Carolina at the time.

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3 key Cowboys staying ready during virtual off season

The Covid-19 pandemic is effecting all 32 NFL Teams. The Cowboys have seen a few players go above and beyond to stay ready for what’s next

The 2020 NFL off-season is one of the most unique in league history. The Covid-19 pandemic has altered ways NFL teams can conduct any of their off-season programs such as rookie mini camps and OTA’s. Players are on their own when it comes to holding themselves accountable to be in premier shape if and when the NFL opens their doors to players being permitted in team facilities.

With the Dallas Cowboys having an entire new look with a new coaching staff, it is pivotal they hit the ground running once teams are permitted to do so. Members of the current Cowboys roster are finding unique ways to stay ready for this exact moment. Gerald McCoy, Tyron Smith and CeeDee Lamb are glowing examples.

A newly signed free agent defensive tackle, McCoy has gone above and beyond to be in the best shape of his playing life. McCoy took to Instagram and posted on his story that he’s down 20 pounds.

Working out isn’t the only way to drop the weight as he told ESPN‘s Marty Smith that his diet was changed to vegetarian. Some defensive tackles tip the scales a little over 300 pounds but McCoy stated that he felt off last year and primarily due to his weight.

Star offensive tackle Tyron Smith has taken the same approach when it comes to staying ready for the off-season programs to begin.

Instead of your traditional weightlifting he found quite the unique way to do a “Turkish get-up”. Instead of using body weight or dumbbells, Smith decided to use his son. The seven time Pro Bowler is finding unique ways to not only work on strength, but throwing in balance with this special “dad workout”.

Similar to free agent wide receiver Dez Bryant’s recent social media posts about being in the lab and staying ready, the man that will be wearing No. 88 this season is doing just that.

Lamb has been avidly working with Delfonte Diamond of Diamond Building to work on his route running, agility, and quickness to stay ready before he even steps on the field with his new offense.

In these tough and unusual times, it’s encouraging to see some of the marquee players of the Dallas Cowboys dedicating this time away from team facilities to making sure they can be the best versions of themselves as they prepare to enter a very hyped up 2020 NFL season.

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4 Cowboys draft picks named to PFF’s best-of-2010s decade list

PFF released their top 101 players of the 2010’s, see what Cowboys made the cut.

In the past decade PFF, or Pro Football Focus, has become a household name for their analysis and player grading systems. Recently, PFF published their list of the top 101 NFL players, since the 2010-2011 season. A number of Dallas Cowboys or former Cowboys made the list, including a trio of offensive linemen that should come as no surprise.

Before getting into the rankings a look at some of the criteria used. Rather than focusing on things like talent and potential, this list focus on measurable aspects of the game, such as production, efficiency and performance over the last 10 seasons. The ranking also values postseason performance, total playing time in the decade, and it was created with a “all positions created equal” mentality.

Without further ado, let’s look at the Cowboys that cracked PFF’s top 101 players of the last decade.

34. Travis Frederick, C

PFF: “It’s a shame that illness curtailed a career that was trending towards being one of the greatest in NFL history. Frederick hit the ground running as a pro and graded above 85.0 for the first five seasons of his career before Guillain-Barre syndrome forced him to miss the entirety of the 2018 season. He returned in 2019 and played the whole season, but he wasn’t the same player (though he was still very solid), so he chose to walk away. Even five years of Frederick’s best play is enough to see him rank among the best players of the past decade.”

43. Tyron Smith, T

PFF: “One of the most talented offensive linemen of all time, Tyron Smith has battled through injuries and still ended up as one of the best players of the decade. His peak play was as good as that of any tackle in NFL history. His 2015 regular season grade of 95.0 is the best single-season mark we have ever given to a tackle, and even though he suffered a number of injuries over the second half of the decade, he has never graded below 75.0 overall. Tyron Smith is the player every young offensive lineman wishes he could be — he has been one of the best players of the past decade in the trenches.”

51. Zack Martin, G

PFF: “One of the most consistently dominant linemen in the league every year, Zack Martin may have been the third-most-heralded lineman on his own offensive line for the better part of his career, often taking a backseat while Tyron Smith and Travis Frederick were heavily praised. However, the past few seasons have seen him elevate his game and earn far more recognition in his own right. Going up against — and largely shutting down — Fletcher Cox twice a season within the NFC East will help in that regard, and Martin has now earned an overall PFF grade above 85.0 in five of his first six seasons in the NFL.”

75. Dez Bryant, WR

PFF: “Late-career Dez Bryant became solely a possession receiver, but he was a true game-changer at his peak and a worthy heir to Michael Irvin’s No. 88 jersey in Dallas. Only 40 wide receivers caught 400 or more passes over the course of the decade. Meanwhile, Bryant caught 359 passes that moved the chains alone. He also broke 87 tackles and was singularly difficult to bring to the ground one on one at his best. For his career, Bryant produced a 101.9 passer rating for his quarterbacks when targeted.”

Those four players are the only players that made the list after spending the majority of the decade in Dallas. Two defensive linemen with recent connections also made the cut; recent signing Gerald McCoy, as well as Michael Bennett, who spent this past season with Dallas before leaving in the offseason.

72. Gerald McCoy, DT

PFF: “How fitting that Ndamukong Suh and Gerald McCoy — forever compared as draft prospects — end up one after another on the PFF Top 101 of the decade. McCoy is one of just five interior defenders to have notched 400 or more total pressures over the decade and was regularly the lone threat along the Tampa Bay defensive line that seemed impressively unable to surround him with any kind of assistance. McCoy has been one of the most consistently disruptive defensive tackles of the last decade.”

74.Michael Bennett, DL

PFF: “Michael Bennett, at his best, was a unique force along the defensive line. Ostensibly an edge rusher, he would spend considerable time inside as a defensive tackle and use his child-sized shoulder pads combined with his speed and quickness to knife through the defensive line and wreak havoc in the backfield. Only Von Miller and Cameron Wake had more total pressures over the decade than Bennett did, and no defensive lineman tackled the runner closer to the line of scrimmage on average than he did. For the decade, his average tackle depth was just half a yard downfield against the run.”

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