Come on, Gerald. You're a Buc!

[Mr. Scot]

What are you doing acting like a good sport, a decent human being and a mature adult?

 

Gerald McCoy responds to criticism of his good sportsmanship

 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Gerald McCoy on Tuesday shot back at detractors who say he’s wrong for helping opponents up off the ground after a play.

“If anyone has a problem with me helping people up off the field, that’s a personal problem,’’ McCoy said after the first of two bye-week practices at One Buc Place. “It’s something you have to deal with.’’

McCoy’s habit of extending a hand to opponents to help them off the ground came up earlier this week when former Bucs guard Ian Beckles, now a talk radio host on 620 WDAE, questioned it.

During an interview with Bucs radio analyst Dave Moore, a former Bucs tight end, Beckles asked Moore what he thought of the habit. Moore defended McCoy, saying the habit had no impact on McCoy’s play between the whistles.

“If people really pay attention, then you would also notice that when someone on the opposing team gets hurt, most of time there’s one person who walks on the field and says a prayer, and that’s me,’’ McCoy said.

“That’s who I am and that’s who I’m going to be. If you don’t like it, get over it. I’m going to help people up because I’m a good sportsman and because football is temporary; sports is temporary.

“People have families and kids, wives. And 10 years down the line … what about that guy who you’re so concerned about how hard he’s going and he can’t play with his kids because he’s out there killing himself? That’s what I’m concerned about.’’

McCoy further defended his commitment to the game and to winning by pointing out that he was right back at work a day after his wife gave birth to twins this year.

“On July 15 I had twins,’’ McCoy said. “On July 16 I was up here in the rain running gassers and hitting the bags. If you know another person doing that, then you can talk to me about how nice I am.’’

 

McCoy had indicated previously that his willingness to be a good sport had drawn harsh criticism from former coach Greg Schiano.  If it's still happening even with Schiano gone, sounds like it might be an organizational thing (kind of like the Saints and Bengals).

 

It makes it easier to cheer for the Panthers knowing garbage like this doesn't happen here. 

 

And yeah, I'd welcome McCoy on this team if he ever left Tampa.

 

(would probably cost too much, though)

[KendrickPanther]

Personally I see the merits of not helping the opponent. Mathematically you need to conserve your energy and expend the opponents.

 

But really how much does it actually matter? Not much when your secondary gave up 5 touchdowns in the 1st half. 

 

There are plenty of Panthers players that do not help opponents up and there is nothing right or wrong with it as far as I am concerned.

[WhoAmI?]

Come on down to the Panthers Gerald, we would welcome you with open arms. You're too high character of a guy to be stuck in that shithole.

[Mr. Scot]

Personally I see the merits of not helping the opponent. Mathematically you need to conserve your energy and expend the opponents.

 

But really how much does it actually matter? Not much when your secondary gave up 5 touchdowns in the 1st half. 

 

There are plenty of Panthers players that do not help opponents up and there is nothing right or wrong with it as far as I am concerned.

 

But would you criticize a guy who does do it?

 

[UNCrules2187]

Didn't Thomas Davis lose his poo at someone helping an opponent up a few weeks ago? I think it was in the Baltimore game...

[csx]

If he does it regularly I can see why a coach might suggest he not do it.

[Dex]

Didn't Thomas Davis lose his poo at someone helping an opponent up a few weeks ago? I think it was in the Baltimore game...

He gave Harper the business.

[Mr. Scot]

Didn't Thomas Davis lose his poo at someone helping an opponent up a few weeks ago? I think it was in the Baltimore game...

 

That is not something Thomas Davis would do.

 

If he was angry at someone, it wasn't for being a good sport.

[Marguide]

Good for him. There is nothing wrong with standing up for your principles and trying to set an example for good sportsmanship.

 

So there's at least one Tampa player I can root for when we aren't the opponent.

[KendrickPanther]

But would you criticize a guy who does do it?

 

 

No I wouldn't. 

[Mr. Scot]

No I wouldn't.

Didn't think so.

Apparently a number of Buc fans would.

[WUnderhill]

Dammit, McCoy, don't make me like you!

Whoever has a problem with this is an idiot.

[Darth Biscuit]

McCoy is probably the only legit D player they have...  and seems to be a decent dude.  Good for him.

 

[mbarbour21]

Wow. Helping people up makes more news than twisting their ankle.....gotta love it.....