- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,151,784
- Reaction score
- 59
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers organization currently boasts 11 members who have been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. While the likes of Steve Young, Tim Brown, Darrelle Revis, Randall McDaniel, and Ron Wolf were elected primarily due to their contributions to other franchises, the rest (Tony Dungy, Warren Sapp, John Lynch, Derrick Brooks, Ronde Barber, and Lee Roy Selmon) are all synonymous with Tampa Bay (though Dungy earned most of his success in Indianapolis).
So, who will be the next Buc to have a bust enshrined in Canton? Eric Edholm of NFL.com predicts it will be standout DT Gerald McCoy.
Gerald McCoy came to Tampa after being selected third overall by the Bucs in 2010. McCoy played nine seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. During his tenure with the Bucs, the Oklahoma State product became a devastating force for Tampa's defense. McCoy was selected to six Pro Bowls while a member of the Bucs and earned AP All-Pro honors three times. He was named First-Team All-Pro in 2013 and made Second-Team All-Pro in 2014 and 2016.
McCoy left Tampa after the 2018 season and had short stints with the Carolina Panthers, Dallas Cowboys, and Oakland Raiders before officially retiring in 2023. Injuries prevented McCoy from ever taking the field for Dallas or Oakland.
The DT recorded 292 total tackles, 54.5 sacks, 21 PBUs, four forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries during his time with the Bucs.
McCoy finally gave the Bucs defensive line the dominant force it had lacked since Warren Sapp departed. While he didn't enjoy the same level of success as Sapp, McCoy (along with LB Lavonte David), quickly became the face of Tampa's defense.
McCoy's career was definitely worthy of Hall of Fame consideration, but will he make the cut? It is possible, but it may take awhile.
The upcoming list of first-time eligible candidates is incredibly impressive. NFL icons like Ben Roethlisberger, Adrian Peterson, Rob Gronkowski, and Richard Sherman will surely make it during their first try. Many ballot repeats, like Eli Manning, Cam Newton, Bill Belichick, and Terrell Suggs, among others, should all get in before McCoy.
McCoy may have to wait awhile to get the call, if he gets the call at all.
Several others have a chance to earn the honor of being the next Buc enshrined in the HOF.
Mike Evans and Lavonte David are shoo-ins. However, David will not be eligible until 2031, and Evans is still playing. Another possibility is the mercurial (understatement of the year) Antonio Brown. Brown was possibly the best WR in the league during his time with the Steelers before ending his career by quitting mid-game while with the Bucs, with whom he won Super Bowl LV.
Join our ROUNDTABLE community! It's free to join. Share your thoughts, engage with our Roundtable writers, and chat with fellow members.
Download the free Roundtable APP, and stay even more connected!
Continue reading...
So, who will be the next Buc to have a bust enshrined in Canton? Eric Edholm of NFL.com predicts it will be standout DT Gerald McCoy.
McCoy's Case For Canton
Gerald McCoy came to Tampa after being selected third overall by the Bucs in 2010. McCoy played nine seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. During his tenure with the Bucs, the Oklahoma State product became a devastating force for Tampa's defense. McCoy was selected to six Pro Bowls while a member of the Bucs and earned AP All-Pro honors three times. He was named First-Team All-Pro in 2013 and made Second-Team All-Pro in 2014 and 2016.
McCoy left Tampa after the 2018 season and had short stints with the Carolina Panthers, Dallas Cowboys, and Oakland Raiders before officially retiring in 2023. Injuries prevented McCoy from ever taking the field for Dallas or Oakland.
The DT recorded 292 total tackles, 54.5 sacks, 21 PBUs, four forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries during his time with the Bucs.
McCoy finally gave the Bucs defensive line the dominant force it had lacked since Warren Sapp departed. While he didn't enjoy the same level of success as Sapp, McCoy (along with LB Lavonte David), quickly became the face of Tampa's defense.
Will He Make The Hall Of Fame?
McCoy's career was definitely worthy of Hall of Fame consideration, but will he make the cut? It is possible, but it may take awhile.
The upcoming list of first-time eligible candidates is incredibly impressive. NFL icons like Ben Roethlisberger, Adrian Peterson, Rob Gronkowski, and Richard Sherman will surely make it during their first try. Many ballot repeats, like Eli Manning, Cam Newton, Bill Belichick, and Terrell Suggs, among others, should all get in before McCoy.
McCoy may have to wait awhile to get the call, if he gets the call at all.
Other Bucs With HOF Credentials
Several others have a chance to earn the honor of being the next Buc enshrined in the HOF.
Mike Evans and Lavonte David are shoo-ins. However, David will not be eligible until 2031, and Evans is still playing. Another possibility is the mercurial (understatement of the year) Antonio Brown. Brown was possibly the best WR in the league during his time with the Steelers before ending his career by quitting mid-game while with the Bucs, with whom he won Super Bowl LV.
Join our ROUNDTABLE community! It's free to join. Share your thoughts, engage with our Roundtable writers, and chat with fellow members.
Download the free Roundtable APP, and stay even more connected!
Continue reading...
