Advertisement

Ravens pull full-court press in courting Gerald McCoy

The pursuit of the former Bucs defensive tackle is taking new life in Baltimore
 
Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Gerald McCoy walks on the field before an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Gerald McCoy walks on the field before an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Published May 29, 2019|Updated May 29, 2019

In selecting his next team, Gerald McCoy wants to play for a contender.

A Ravens team that has made the playoffs in seven of John Harbaugh’s 11 years as head coach would seem to be a good fit for the former Bucs defensive tackle. And the Ravens have a remarkable success rate closing on free agents when they visit Baltimore.

That McCoy, who arrived in Baltimore to visit the Ravens on Tuesday, decided to stay a second day is an encouraging sign for the Ravens, who appear to be competing with the Browns for McCoy's services after the Bucs released the six-time Pro Bowler last week.

Related: LISTEN: What the Bruce Arians expects from Ndamukong Suh

Four years ago, when the Ravens were courting free agent wide receiver Steve Smith, they didn't let him leave town before closing on at three-year, $11-million deal. Smith had been scheduled to make a trip to the Patriots after visiting the Ravens.

And on Tuesday night, the Ravens reportedly rolled out the purple carpet for McCoy, with safeties Earl Thomas and Tony Jefferson taking him to dinner, according to The Athletic. He returned to the Ravens facility — which is unofficially known as “The Castle” because it looks more like a resort than a football building – on Wednesday morning.

Ravens running back Mark Ingram, a longtime NFC South rival of McCoy’s with the Saints, posted this tweet on Wednesday morning.

The Browns seemed to be the front-runner for McCoy heading into the week. McCoy’s visit to Cleveland went well, but he left their without getting a deal done. The Browns are clearly trending upward, and they have plenty of cap space to make room for McCoy.

The Ravens only have about $11 million of free cap space, which would equal the largest known offer McCoy receiver from a less competitive club, but puts the Ravens on the brink with the cap.

In their pitch to McCoy, the Ravens have plenty to promote, including the franchise’s winning culture and their “Play Like a Raven” identity on defense. The Ravens lost a few cornerstone defenders this offseason in career-long Ravens C.J. Mosely and Terrell Suggs, so adding the experience and leadership that McCoy would bring a lot to a huddle looking for new leaders..

Related: MORE BUCS: Tampa Bay's attempt to get BP settlement money looks oily

Having said that, the Bucs’ Week 15 visit to Baltimore last season has to be on McCoy’s mind. The Bucs’ season was quickly tumbling downhill, and the Ravens were the hottest team in the league.

And Tampa Bay’s 20-12 loss to the Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium was one of the team’s most frustrating of the season, especially for a Bucs defense that couldn’t contain quarterback Lamar Jackson. After that game, McCoy stood in an empty visiting locker room in Baltimore, spoke quietly about the “old school” style of football the Ravens play and called Jackson “Michael Vick reincarnated.”

Stay updated on Tampa Bay’s sports scene

Subscribe to our free Sports Today newsletter

We’ll send you news and analysis on the Bucs, Lightning, Rays and Florida’s college football teams every day.

You’re all signed up!

Want more of our free, weekly newsletters in your inbox? Let’s get started.

Explore all your options

The Ravens defense stifled the Bucs by using their confusing alignments on that rainy afternoon. M&T Bank Stadium was loud and there was a great late-season energy in the stadium that McCoy hasn’t experienced often in Tampa.

Adding to the comfort would be reuniting with defensive line coach Joe Cullen, who was the Bucs’ defensive line coach in 2014 and ’15. McCoy logged 8 1/2 sacks in each of those seasons under Cullen, and Cullen came to McCoy’s defense when an ESPN report cited sources that questioned McCoy’s work ethic.

Contact Eduardo A. Encina at eencina@tampabay.com. Follow @EddieInTheYard.