The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
No deal yet for McCoy
Gerald McCoy is not ready to buy the first car he test drives.
The former Tampa Bay Buccaneer and six-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle visited the Browns on May 23. He left without signing a contract but the Browns remain in contact with McCoy’s agents, according to a league source.
McCoy played nine seasons for Tampa Bay before being released on May 20 when the Buccaneers decided they did not want to pay him the $13 million he was due in 2019.
This is the first time in his career he has been a free agent and apparently he wants to see what other teams have to offer in terms of money and the chance to contend for a playoff spot.
McCoy planned on returning to Florida to spend Memorial Day weekend with his family and then will visit the Baltimore Ravens on May 28, according to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times.
“The Browns are very much a candidate to sign him,” tweeted Stroud, who covers the Buccaneers for the Tampa newspaper.
The line would become the Mt. Rushmore of the Browns defense if General Manager John Dorsey does add McCoy to a group that already includes ends Myles Garrett and Olivier Vernon plus defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson. Garrett, Richardson and Vernon have each been to one Pro Bowl. Vernon (with the New York Giants) and Garrett were honored last season. Richardson made the 2014 Pro Bowl when he was with the New York Jets.
“I keep telling you, we’re going to turn over every rock and let’s just see what happens,” Dorsey said on May 23. “I mean, it’s just a visit. With regards to his ability to play the game of football, he can still play the
game of football.”
McCoy’s string of six consecutive Pro Bowls ended last season when in 14 games he made 28 tackles – his fewest since registering 11 in 2011 when he was limited to six games – and six sacks.
The Saints, Colts, Panthers, Patriots, Bengals, Falcons and Chargers have also shown interest in McCoy, according to reports.
Of the teams linked to
McCoy, only the Colts with approximately $57.5 million of salary cap space, the most in the league, have more room than the $33.3 million of salary cap room the Browns have. The Ravens have $14.5 million to play with.
McCoy, 31, would likely seek a contract in the neighborhood of the $9.25 million Ndamukong Suh got from the Buccaneers earlier this week.