NFC South Q&A: Is Gerald McCoy the NFL's best defensive tackle?Pat Yasinskas, ESPN Staff Writer 
Today's question: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers like to say Gerald McCoy is the best defensive tackle in the NFL. Is he?Vaughn McClure, Atlanta Falcons: Had the Falcons been asked this question two seasons ago, everybody in the organization would have agreed. In 2013, McCoy had three sacks and absolutely demolished the Falcons' offensive line during a 41-28 Tampa Bay win at Raymond James Stadium. McCoy wasn't his usual self against the Falcons last season and didn't even play in the first meeting between the teams because of a broken hand. Still, he went on to be named to his third consecutive Pro Bowl. If he's not the best at his position, he's right up there. I think it will be a battle of bragging rights in the state of Florida, with Ndamukong Suh playing for the Miami Dolphins. In five seasons, McCoy has 27 sacks and 118 solo tackles; Suh has 36 sacks and 180 solo tackles over that same time span.David Newton, Carolina Panthers: The Dolphins are hoping Suh is better, based on all the money (more than $114 million over six years) they threw at him in free agency. But for my money, I'd take McCoy; he doesn't have a weakness -- or baggage. When you talk about the disruptive pressure needed inside to create havoc on opposing offenses, nobody is consistently better. McCoy had 8.5 sacks last season and 9.5 in 2014. Suh had four fewer during the same span. Meanwhile, Suh has an aggressive nature that has earned him multiple fines and a reputation for being a dirty player. McCoy is considered a strong leader in the locker room, as well as on the field; there's not a team in the division that wouldn't love to have him.Mike Triplett, New Orleans Saints: You can't discount Suh in that conversation, but I won't fault anyone for heaping as much praise on McCoy as possible. I can't think of another NFC South defender who has more consistently lived up to his reputation every time the Saints faced him. Saints linemen rave about how remarkable McCoy's "get off" time is at the snap. And it really is uncanny how quickly McCoy jumps when you watch him on tape. "He's as explosive a 3-technique as you're gonna see," Saints offensive tackle Zach Strief said last year. "He can essentially take away your greatest advantage as an offensive lineman, which is that we know the snap count and you don't." McCoy has either had a sack or helped force an interception in each of his past three meetings with New Orleans, and he's just as disruptive against the run.
