If your worried about if the Buccaneers players are staying active during the lockout, you can relax.
According to sources, Buccaneers Quarterback, Josh Freeman and Defensive Tackle, Gerald McCoy, have gathered some of their teammates for workouts. Reports about Freeman organizing workouts with offensive players such as Arrelious Benn and Kellen Winslow had been going on since late mach, but reports about McCoy organizing workouts is new and extremely encouraging to Bucs fans.
Coming off a “poor” rookie season with only 3 sacks, McCoy is showing the dedication and passion that led the Bucs to make him their first round pick in 2010. McCoy is known for his quickness and explosiveness and in my opinion, already has one of the best first steps of all defensive lineman in football.
McCoy struggled stat wise mainly because of a steep learning curve that comes with the position, and having no help along the defensive line. None the less, he still was the biggest threat on the defensive line, causing havoc in the backfield and coming along strong towards the end of the season. With the addition of rookie defensive ends Adrian Clayborn and Da’Quan Bowers, plus the return of last years second round pick, defensive tackle, Brian Price, McCoy should get the help he needs to give himself more 1 on 1 opportunities and utilize his elite quickness.
This is reminiscent of what Freeman did last year. After a tough rookie season in 2009, Freeman took his game to another level and attacked the off season. Because of his hard work and preparation, Freeman had a tremendous season for a 22 year old quarterback with 25 tds and 3,451 passing yards. Now, its McCoy’s turn.
With a lockout in place, McCoy does not have the luxury that Freeman had with working with the coaches for a full off season. McCoy, who is going into his second year, is having to go through workouts and film study by himself, something that is hard for young players to do and is showing that not even the NFL is going to stop him from achieving the goals he has in mind for himself. This lockout could actually help McCoy. Organizing workouts and establishing himself as the leader of the defense is what the Bucs brass wants out of McCoy. Now, the Buccaneers have a player on each side of the ball, Freeman on the offensive side, and McCoy on the defensive side, that they can lean on regardless of the situation.
I expect McCoy to have a break out season this year. He has all the talent in the world and is motivated to become great. Hopefully, the NFL lockout is lifted and these young Bucs are allowed to continue to grow with not only each other, but with their coaches too.
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