The Tampa Bay Buccaneers season has not gone the way they or many others expected it to, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t some players worth keeping around.
After some struggles and injury issues early in his career, Gerald McCoy has become one of the best defensive tackles in all of football. According to FOX Sports’ Jay Glazer the Bucs have rewarded McCoy with a major extension:
The Bucs have agreed to terms w Gerald McCoy on a new 7 year extension for close to $100 million #scoopage
— Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) October 25, 2014
Lovie Smith is a coach who is all about defense and McCoy is an excellent piece to build around. The defense hasn’t played up to its potential, but with McCoy, linebacker LaVonte David, and defensive backs Mark Barron and Alterraun Verner there are pieces in place for a dominant defense in years to come.
McCoy’s health has been a question mark at times. He tore his left bicep in his rookie season, and his right bicep the following season, but when he has been on the field he’s been excellent. This season McCoy has been limited with a broken hand as the Bucs have stumbled to a 1-5 record.
Despite the terrible record, the Bucs are fortunate enough to play in the abysmal NFC South so they are only two games behind the division leading Carolina Panthers. Now that McCoy is healthy and secured for multiple years, things very well may turn around in Tampa Bay this season.
