Playoff game big omission on McCoy’s resume 
Gerald McCoy greets Lightning players after batting practice Tuesday afternoon at Tropicana Field. The Rays invited the Bolts to take batting practice. JASON BEHNKEN/STAFF By Ira Kaufman | Tribune Staff Published: June 27, 2015 ST. PETERSBURG — Gerald McCoy attended DeMarco Murray’s wedding in Dallas last weekend and met up with a couple of buddies from his 2010 draft class.Redskins tackle Trent Williams, chosen one spot behind McCoy at No. 4 overall, was in Big D, along with former Bengals tight end Jermaine Gresham, a current free agent who was also selected in the opening round in 2010.In between the toasts and the wedding cake, McCoy looked around the room and realized his accomplished five-year pro career is marred by a gaping hole.“I was talking to those guys and I asked them, ‘Do you realize that out of all of us, I’m the only one who hasn’t been to the playoffs?’ McCoy said. “That’s just not a good feeling.’’Drafted by the Cowboys in 2011, Murray starred with McCoy at Oklahoma, where the Sooners went 31-10 in McCoy’s three seasons as a disruptive defensive tackle.The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are 24-40 with McCoy as a starter.“Winning is kind of in my DNA, man,’’ McCoy said before a recent Tampa Bay Rays game at Tropicana Field. “I want to win so bad. I told my wife this is the year. I can’t take it no more.’’Murray made the playoffs with Dallas last season and Miami’s Ndamukong Suh, chosen by the Lions one spot ahead of McCoy in 2010, has already played two postseason games.Even when the Bucs stunned the NFL by going 10-6 in McCoy’s rookie season, he missed the final three games with a torn left biceps.“With all of those wins in 2010, we still didn’t get to the playoffs,’’ said McCoy, a three-time Pro Bowl pick who was just named the league’s 28th-best player by NFL Network for the second consecutive year.If the Bucs are going to end their four-year residency in the NFC South basement, McCoy will need to play a pivotal role.Tampa Bay’s Cover 2 defensive scheme relies on dominant play at McCoy’s 3-technique spot, and he still has room to grow, especially against divisional foes. In eight games against Carolina, McCoy has registered only two sacks. In seven starts against New Orleans and Drew Brees, he has been credited with 1.5 sacks.That’s not good enough, and he knows it.McCoy is pleased head coach Lovie Smith is taking a harder approach after a humbling 2-14 first season on the Tampa Bay sidelines. Smith is asking for more commitment, more production, and that includes No. 93.“He’s always been demanding, but now he’s taking it to another level,’’ McCoy said. “He just does it in his own way. I love it, because Lovie Smith can do everything necessary without raising his voice, cursing or bad-mouthing anybody. All it takes is one look, or just a couple of words.“If I do something that he doesn’t feel is good enough, he says, ‘Gerald, is that it? Is that what I’m looking for?’ I say, ‘Yes, you’re right coach,’ then I go about my business.’’Losing can become a habit, and McCoy is driven to shed bad habits. A week after gazing around that ballroom in Dallas, he’s eager to look in the mirror.“I know one thing for sure about the playoffs,’’ he said. “I know I have to be a better me in order for us to get there.’’ [email protected](813) 259-7833Twitter: @IKaufmanTBO
