Gerald McCoy Best DT in NFL?

[Plewis]

Apparently Lovie Smith thinks so. Also provided is a pretty snazzy preview of our matchup this week.

 

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000389745/article/lovie-smith-gerald-mccoy-is-best-at-his-position

[LinvilleGorge]

He's a darn good player and I would hope that his coach feels he the best in the league at his position.

[CRA]

Yes he is

[Ruff]

He's pretty damn good. Best? I dunno.

[Ruff]

Top Five, not best.

There's still Suh, Ngata, Watt, Hatcher, Atkins, Wilfork, Wilkerson, etc.

JJ Watt and Wilkerson are both considered DEs.

[Mage]

Top Five, not best.

There's still Suh, Ngata, Watt, Hatcher, Atkins, Wilfork, Wilkerson, etc.

Just strictly looking at 4-3 DTs, I would put Atkins #1 when he is healthy and then McCoy.

Hard to really compare a 4-3 DT to a 3-4 NT like Ngata and Wilfork although Ngata does play a lot of DT when Baltimore goes to a 4-3.

[Ruff]

And yet, on a 4-3 formation they'd be rushing on the inside.

That's not really the topic of conversation here, lol. Both are listed, by their teams, as DEs. So, when you put them in a list, they are what their position says they are.

[Peppers90 NC]

certainly one of the best, it's a week-by-week case with Atkins and Suh.  Watt is the best inside player in the league but he is considered a 3-4 DE.  Wilkerson, same thing, and I'd think they would be just as productive in 4-3.

[0115]

I dont know much about him but when I do see him play, I wish he was on our team

[TheMaulClaw]

Im taking Star 10 out of 10 times over McCoy.  We don't need to fear him as much as they need to fear Star.

[Peppers90 NC]

Im taking Star 10 out of 10 times over McCoy.  We don't need to fear him as much as they need to fear Star.

it didnt take star 3 years to develop like it did mccoy

[Ruff]

I think it is most certainly. A 3-4 DE is virtually a DT. To consider them otherwise is like comparing a 3-4 OLB to a 4-3 OLB. A guy like Watt could potentially play DE in a 4-3 but his best numbers have come from destroying guards.

I guess we'll start saying that Richard Sherman is the beast SS, too, because he could play it on another team. Or Ryan Kalil is one of the best Guards, because he can play that. This argument is ridiculous.

[Peppers90 NC]

I guess we'll start saying that Richard Sherman is the beast SS, too, because he could play it on another team. Or Ryan Kalil is one of the best Guards, because he can play that. This argument is ridiculous.

so for simplicity sake, we'll stick to 4-3 DT's because thats pretty much what Lovie is referring to.  and mccoy would be considered with Atkins and Suh in the top 3.

[TheMaulClaw]

it didnt take star 3 years to develop like it did mccoy

 

Yep.  McCoy gets all the pub because he's been the shiny turd on a line made of farts for the past few years, and also because Tampa craves another Warren Sapp.  I'm not saying he isn't a good player....but he's been the benefactor of a lot of hype.