McCoy: Plan vs. Bills hurt rush
TAMPA — Add Bucs defensive tackle Gerald McCoy to the list of players who think they were not utilized correctly by defensive coordinator Mike Smith in Sunday’s 30-27 loss at Buffalo.
Unlike safety T.J. Ward and defensive tackle Chris Baker, who complained about their lack of playing time, McCoy simply responded to a question Wednesday about how Smith’s decision to rush three down linemen and a stand-up linebacker on some third downs affected his ability to get to the quarterback.
McCoy also made it clear that he is a “team guy” and will always do what he's asked. But the five-time Pro Bowl player said Smith’s scheme against the Bills limited his effectiveness as a pass rusher.
The Bucs have an NFLworst seven sacks this season. McCoy is tied for the team-lead with two.
“I just play what they call. I don't have a say-so in what we run; I just kind of go with it,” McCoy said. “I'm a team guy, so I do what they ask me to do. Do I feel like I could've been more effective in a different way? Yes. But I'm a team guy. It's not about Gerald. Whatever coach calls is what I'm going to run.
“Your rush has to be different, for sure. You can be aggressive but not that aggressive because when you've got a guy who can run like Tyrod [Taylor] could or like Cam [Newton] can, you've got to keep your hands up front and really just kind of mirror the quarterback. For me, I make guys move. That's why I give guards hell. Because once I get them in space, it's a problem. But when I'm in a three-man front, I can't really do that.”
Smith defended his use of the 3-3-5 scheme against the Bills and admitted it changed how McCoy is able to rush the passer.
“It does, and when we go to three down linemen, it does,” Smith said. “You have to create the situation where Gerald can thrive, and that's what we've got to do because he's one of our best players. Again, we're always looking at who are our best players. Who’s the matchup? And obviously, we've got to do a better job with that because we aren't getting it done.”
With the return of linebackers Kwon Alexander and Lavonte David to the lineup, rookie linebacker Kendell Beckwith would typically come off the field in passing downs. But Smith found a way to keep all three linebackers together on rush downs.
“When we talk about putting together a game plan and how we want to disperse our guys, we look at it as how do we get our best 11 players on the field for the situation we're facing,” Smith said. “We felt that it was to our advantage to have the three linebackers on the field to give us the best matchup in that game.”
After the game, Ward said he was at “wit's end” about being utilized as a part-time player. Baker seemed to complain about his playing time on Twitter.
In addition on defense, cornerback Robert McClain, who took all but three defensive snaps at outside corner at Buffalo, remains in concussion protocol and did not practice Wednesday, potentially challenging Tampa Bay's depth at cornerback this weekend.
If McClain is still sidelined when the Bucs host Carolina, they would have two likely scenarios to choose from, both involving much less experienced options.
If they want to keep Vernon Hargreaves inside as the nickel or slot corner, that would mean turning to Ryan Smith at outside corner — he's played only two defensive snaps since struggling as a fill-in starter in the Bucs' loss at Minnesota.
Or the Bucs could put Hargreaves back at outside corner, where he had struggled, and going with Javien Elliott at nickel. He has played only three defensive snaps in the last four games but started at the position at the end of last season.