TAMPA, Fla. -- Tackle Gerald McCoy had harsh words for his defense Thursday, and considering the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' collapse on that side of the ball through six games, the criticism is justified.
"If you look out there on tape, and you see a bunch of guys sitting on blocks, are you not earning the title of being soft?" McCoy said. "I mean, guys get so sensitive around the league. But we have to be men. This is a man's league. This is a man's league. We're professionals. ...We have to accept what happened. Like I did last week, if you don't have a good day at the office, just say that. Not everybody has great games."
McCoy is the vocal and emotional leader of the Bucs' defense, which has fallen on hard times this season, so it's no surprise he's frustrated.
The numbers tell a brutal story. Tampa Bay ranks 32nd in scoring defense (34 points per game), total defense (422.8 yards per game) and pass defense (294.5 ypg). Meanwhile, they're 25th in rushing defense (128.3 ypg) heading into their Week 8 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday at Raymond James Stadium.
A large reason for the defensive failures, as McCoy sees it: A lack of toughness.
"We've just got to be tougher," said McCoy, a two-time Pro Bowl player. "I'm just going to say it: Everybody, we've got to be tougher, mentally and physically. There's a lot of times you look on tape where guys are just sitting on blocks. Why? A lot of times where guys are just holding up blocks. No, move them out of the way. Get open. If you're at a corner, get off the block. Come help out. If you're supposed to drop at 10 yards, then drop to 10 yards, don't drop at 8. It's just mentally and physically, we have to get tougher. And it's not Coach (Lovie) Smith. It's us."
McCoy said he wants to see talk turn to action. He said he has seen enough words fail to translate into victories since the Bucs drafted him third overall in 2010.
"I've been seeing talking for five years," said McCoy, who has 17 tackles and two sacks this season. "We've done enough talking. It's time to play. It's as simple as that. I've given speeches. Lavonte (David) has given speeches. Vincent Jackson has given speeches. Josh McCown has given speeches. It's enough talking. We have to start playing. It's as simple as that. The talking is not going to get it anymore. I've been hearing talking and speeches for five years. It's time to start seeing action. It's as simple as that."
You can follow Andrew Astleford on Twitter @aastleford or email him at aastleford@gmail.com.
