Bucs Take DT McCoy No 3 Pick in NFL Draft
McCoy, who scouts say has Warren Sapp-like quickness and pass-rushing skills, will step in immediately as a starter for the Bucs, whose defense ranked last in the 32-team league against the run and 28th in sacks in 2009.
"You're talking about the cornerstone of what you're going to do on defense, the face of your franchise," Bucs coach Raheem Morris said. McCoy likely will play under tackle, a position the Bucs have been looking to fill with a dynamic playmaker since they let Sapp, a seven-time Pro Bowl player, leave during free agency in 2003.
"This is exactly who we wanted, exactly who we wanted to pick, and we got him. He's a perfect fit for what we do. He's a 'three' technique. You see it in college at Oklahoma and he's going to come here and be able to fit right into our system, so we're just excited to have him."
The 6-foot-4, 300-pound McCoy follows Sapp (1995) and Anthony McFarland (1999) as the third defensive tackle drafted by the Bucs in the first round. He is also the third Oklahoma product to be drafted with the franchise's first pick, joining defensive end and Hall of Fame member Lee Roy Selmon (1976) and Pro Bowl right guard Davin Joseph (2006).
"This is a young man who understands Buccaneer history," Bucs general manager Mark Dominik said. "Certainly he comes from the same school as Lee Roy Selmon, so he's got that. He has become friends with Warren Sapp, so he knows who he is. He has wanted, and it was no secret to us, that he was going to become a Tampa Bay Buccaneer".
"This is a young man that I couldn't be more proud of on and off the field. I think the community is going to love him off the field, but certainly it's going to matter what he does on the field."
McCoy's mother, Patricia, died during his freshman year at Oklahoma and he dedicated Thursday night o her, even wearing her initials on the sleeve of his shirt. "She's the reason I'm here,'' McCoy said. "I made it, Mama, I made it.''
The first two picks of the draft went according to form. The St. Louis Rams picked Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford first overall, and the Detroit Lions took Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh at No. 2.
McCoy, 22, turned pro after an impressive junior season in which he recorded 34 tackles, six sacks, 15.5 tackles for loss, nine quarterback hurries and two pass breakups. "I wanted to be a Buccaneer," McCoy said. "I can openly say that. But I actually didn't know. I had no idea until I saw Ndamukong Suh go ahead of me." The Bucs have 11 more picks in this draft, including two early in Friday night's second round, Nos. 35 and 42 overall.
Source: TBO
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Bucs Take DT McCoy No 3 Pick in NFL Draft
