Former Buccaneers star back in Tampa opens door for reunion
By Rob Leeds
The Buccaneers signed Akiem Hicks to presumably move on from Ndamukong Suh. Could they make one more defensive line signing with a familiar face?
The Buccaneers have constructed a very solid defensive line this offseason.
Vita Vea, William Gholston, and Akiem Hicks are going to be the best starting trio in the league when healthy, and the added depth of Logan Hall and Rakeem Nunez-Roches is going to give the team five quality guys to rotate through before we get to the bigger question marks with the depth.
Patrick O’Connor probably makes the most sense as the sixth guy due to his presence on special teams, but the Bucs should probably also considering giving Gerald McCoy another shot on the team as well.
Before anyone freaks out, let’s look at this rationally.
The Bucs probably don’t keep seven linemen, but if they did, they don’t have a quality seventh guy as it stands.
Enter McCoy.
#93 is coming off several injuries and will likely play on the veteran minimum if he plays again. This makes him way cheaper than the departing Suh, he knows and loves Tampa, and the system would work in his favor by giving him more of a chance to rush the quarterback in a rotational role without the pressure that would hurt a guy coming off his injuries.
The Buccaneers would give up no money, no roster spot, and they are just giving a guy a shot that already has a decent case to make the Ring of Honor.
All of this also helps when considering the fact that McCoy is back in Tampa and focusing on getting his weight down according to his Twitter.
McCoy does deserve a shot to finally play on a good team for the first time in his career, especially after what he went through with the Buccaneers. The Bucs could have a need at their current rate, and reaching out just for another veteran guy to carry into camp would hurt no one.
The Buccaneers should at least make the call.
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