Why Panthers DT Gerald McCoy is not looking for revenge vs. the Bucs

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Eric Reid wasn’t positive what the fuss was about as fellow Carolina Panthers security Tre Boston recalled a 2014 sport in opposition to former teammate Steve Smith.

“Man, [Smith] went off on us,” Boston informed Reid.

It was billed the “Blood and Guts” revenge sport, taking part in off the promise the oft-volatile Smith publicly made after the Panthers launched him, their all-time main receiver, following the 2013 season. Smith channeled his anger right into a seven-catch, 139-yard, two-touchdown efficiency for the Baltimore Ravens in a 38-10 spanking.

It was private, and the Panthers felt it.

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The subject got here up as a result of Thursday night time, Carolina defensive lineman Gerald McCoy is going through the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, with whom he spent his first 9 NFL seasons, for the primary time since they launched him in Could. McCoy insists it is simply one other sport — though he initially was pissed off the Bucs gave his No. 93 to free agent Ndamukong Suh shortly after his departure.

McCoy, a six-time Professional Bowl choice, says an excessive amount of is being made about him going through the workforce that primarily informed him he was previous his prime at 31.

Boston didn’t sound satisfied.

“I’m excited to see what this man, who so-called by the Bucs misplaced a step, does,” he mentioned. “You’ll be able to take that as a bit of little bit of disrespect. I can’t wait to see the step.”

For what it’s value, McCoy spent 30 minutes Tuesday speaking to reporters about “simply one other sport.” He talked about how his father and different members of the family might be at Financial institution of America Stadium pulling for him to beat the workforce they’d beforehand cheered for, though he expects his youngest two youngsters to be in mattress as a result of it’s a faculty night time.

McCoy’s household stays in Florida as a result of he has solely a one-year, $eight million take care of the Panthers and wasn’t keen to uproot them from faculty and mates.

However revenge? Hatred? McCoy wouldn’t make this sport about that.

“My household, my mates, you guys, followers … everyone is making this sport an enormous deal,” McCoy mentioned. “I’m not. The one factor that’s massive about this sport is I do know precisely what they’re good at and what they’re not good at.”

So there have been no promise of “blood and guts,” not even of bruises and nostril bleeds. Regardless of vowing to retire a member of the Bucs, McCoy understands the enterprise facet of the NFL.

“In 2012, after I noticed the Indianapolis Colts launch Peyton Manning, my complete perspective of the NFL modified,” McCoy mentioned. “Peyton Manning getting launched opened my eyes to anyone getting launched, regardless of who you’re.”

Gerald McCoy had just one deal with in his Panthers debut. He’ll be out to indicate the Bucs they made a mistake in releasing him this offseason, however insists he will not be overly excited. John Byrum/Icon Sportswire

Offering Bucs intel

McCoy’s greatest contribution might need come earlier within the week when he spent hours with the workers breaking down quarterback Jameis Winston and all the pieces the Bucs love to do.

“Jameis, I do know your entire escape strikes,” McCoy mentioned as if he had been speaking on to the Bucs QB. “I’m telling all the pieces. I already know what they’re going to attempt to do to me, as a result of I understand how everyone blocks. I do know what everyone else right here does properly, so I sort of assist put collectively matchup issues.”

McCoy all the time was a priority for Carolina, amassing three.5 of his profession 54.5 sacks in opposition to quarterback Cam Newton. So not having to arrange for him is a aid for the defensive workers.

“Each time we performed these guys it was all the time, ‘How are we going to dam Gerald? How are we going to dam Gerald?’” Carolina Professional Bowl linebacker Luke Kuechly mentioned. “He’s only a drawback.”

What McCoy doesn’t wish to be is overexcited, one thing he has witnessed when a participant faces a former workforce.

“The night time earlier than, they’re shedding their minds,” McCoy mentioned. “The day of the sport, they’re shedding their minds. Loosen up. Simply go play the sport. You see some that received’t play properly as a result of they’re so overhyped.”

McCoy’s father, who’s missed solely six video games in his son’s profession, supplied this recommendation.

“Go play soccer, son,” McCoy recounted. “Don’t fear about what everyone else is saying. Expectations are like, ‘Oh, he’s gotta exit and destroy the Bucs. It’s his former workforce and so they minimize him.’ So what? It’s one sport.

“They introduced me in to play properly each week, so don’t make such an enormous deal out of this.”

Bucs linebacker Lavonte David and Panthers defensive lineman Gerald McCoy stay shut and communicate frequently. “It is gonna be troublesome seeing him on the opposite facet,” David mentioned. Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire

Going through mates

Bucs inside linebacker Lavonte David wasn’t blissful when McCoy, one in every of his finest mates, was launched. The 2 speak virtually each day, and this week hasn’t been totally different.

“It is going to be an emotional meetup with me and Gerald,” David mentioned. “It is gonna be troublesome seeing him on the opposite facet.”

McCoy additionally has spoken to Winston and Bucs large receiver Mike Evans this week. His message to Winston was to maintain his head up after throwing three interceptions in a Week 1 loss to San Francisco and get higher — after this week.

“I informed Mike, ‘Screw you for messing with my fantasy [team],’ as a result of I had him beginning in one in every of my fantasy leagues,” McCoy mentioned of the 6-foot-5 Evans, who had two catches for 25 yards on Sunday.

As soon as the sport begins, the Bucs are the enemy.

“I’m treating it like I’ve been with the Panthers for 10 years,” McCoy mentioned.

Snow cones and shoulder pads

One chore of being a rookie within the NFL is having to hold the shoulder pads and helmets of veterans after apply. So when McCoy grabbed helmets from veterans and carried them to the locker room after Carolina’s first apply of coaching camp, it turned heads.

So did the shaved-ice truck he had ready for teammates after his first apply in June and once more in camp.

That helped McCoy earn prompt credibility as a frontrunner, one thing guard Trai Turner already knew after spending time with him on the Professional Bowl and going head-to-head in opposition to him in video games.

“Good-ass participant,” Turner mentioned. “Nonetheless like that. If you go up in opposition to good competitors, you increase up your sport.”

McCoy hopes to lift his sport after getting only one deal with and no sacks or quarterback pressures within the opener, a 30-27 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. He admittedly had hassle getting right into a rhythm, taking part in solely 51.four% of the snaps after taking part in 69.9% of the snaps final season at Tampa Bay.

Panthers coach Ron Rivera desires to maintain McCoy recent.

“It’s a troublesome factor for guys who’re used to taking part in 65-70 snaps a sport,” Rivera mentioned. “It’s understanding the rhythm. It’s actually about being able to play when it will get to crunch time.”

Gerald McCoy is third on the Bucs’ all-time sacks listing with 54.5. Jonathan Dyer/USA TODAY Sports activities

Vegan-fueled

McCoy believes the choice to turn into a vegan this 12 months will assist him in crunch time, simply as Newton swears the plant-based weight loss program has made him fitter than ever.

“He’s a significantly better vegan than me,” McCoy mentioned of Newton. “Have a look at him. He’s bought abs. I’m 310 kilos. He’s like 6% physique fats.”

A visit to a vegan restaurant in Charlotte with a lot of his new teammates helped persuade McCoy to signal with the Panthers throughout his recruiting go to. And it was a return journey to Fern, the place a pair picked up his tab, that made McCoy really feel welcomed.

“I assumed I used to be part of Charlotte as quickly as my meals was paid for,” he mentioned with a smile.

And whereas McCoy hopes to feast on Winston and his former teammates Thursday night time, “blood and guts” received’t be part of his weight loss program.

“I’m not sitting at house going, ‘What if I don’t play properly on this sport?’” he mentioned. “What in regards to the different 14? It’s an extended season, and I play them once more. It’s only one sport. Everyone simply chill.”

ESPN NFL Nation Bucs reporter Jenna Laine contributed to this report.