The Five Most Important Buccaneers For 2016

Gerald McCoy

Come on, big fella. You’re the catalyst of this defensive line. The $100 Million Dollar Man. The unquestioned leader of the defense. It’s on you to show up each and every play on each and every Sunday and make an impact.

The Buccaneers need Gerald McCoy, more than anyone, to be the biggest man at the biggest moment. It would seem that the perception, right or wrong, is that McCoy is never one to make the big play at the most critical times in the game. Last season, there were times that we would wonder if he was even on the field in the second half.

That must end.

McCoy finally has some decent help around him with the signing of Robert Ayers and draft Noah Spence, who is viewed by some as the best pure pass rusher from the 2016 NFL Draft class. McCoy has to be the one to step up in the biggest moments, not shy away from them.

And stepping up doesn’t necessarily mean he has to be the one to get the sack or to strip the ball. Him setting up his teammates does the same thing. Remember the game against the Falcons when Matt Ryan was trying to march the team down the field in the final minute? Gerald McCoy didn’t get the sack, but he did get ahold of Matt Ryan’s leg, altering Ryan’s ability to pass the ball and ensuring a Bucs win.

That’s what we need out of Gerald. We need him to be able to affect the game in those clutch situations. He has some big shoes to fill, playing defensive tackle for the Bucs, but McCoy doesn’t need to try to be Warren Sapp. He simply needs to be that dominant Gerald McCoy we’ve seen in years passed.

Next: Who Are The Best Wide Receivers The Bucs Face In 2016?

So there you have it Bucs fans. Agree? Disagree? Someone else deserve to be on the list and wasn’t? Let us know in the comments below!