Instant chemistry over cauliflower sold Gerald McCoy on Panthers
Gerald McCoy couldn’t recall the name of the restaurant where he met a group of Carolina Panthers players for lunch on Friday, but he remembers it had “great cauliflower,” and he plans to go back -- soon.
The six-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle also remembers the “instant chemistry” he felt with team leaders Luke Kuechly, Kawann Short, Trai Turner and Greg Olsen, who took time out of their offseason schedule to convince McCoy to sign with the Panthers over Baltimore and Cleveland.
McCoy hit it off so well that he reportedly turned down more guaranteed money from Baltimore to sign with the Panthers. League sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter that the deal was for $8 million and could be worth up to $10.25 million with $4 million guaranteed.cheap nfl nike jerseys from china
Signing with a former division rival wasn't something McCoy envisioned at the end of last season, when he hired a videographer and producer to follow him around for a documentary on his upcoming 10th season. For all he knew, the Bucs would ante up the $13 million he was due, and he would continue to be a nuisance to the Panthers.
McCoy hadn’t envisioned being a vegan then, either. That happened five months ago while he was honored at the Super Bowl as a Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year finalist. The third pick of the 2010 draft made up his mind then to do everything he could to return to the title game as a player -- not a spectator.
But McCoy must have had an idea that his life was about to change at the end of last season because when debating a title for the documentary, he came up with “Transition.”
Now a player in transition has joined a defense in transition from a 4-3 scheme to a 3-4 and an organization in transition as it enters its first full year under owner David Tepper, who officially took over in July.
It feels like a good match.cheap nike nfl jerseys wholesale
According to McCoy, it has more to do with having a chance to make the playoffs for the first time in his career than facing his former team in the NFC South twice per season.
“A lot of people put more into that than they should,” McCoy said of revenge against the Bucs, who signed Ndamukong Suh and gave him McCoy’s No. 93. “I was quoted as saying I want to go to a contender. Every ounce of me feels this team is a true contender. The NFC [South] champs are the New Orleans Saints. They are known to have a great offense. In order to take them out, you’ve got to have a great defense.
“And the Carolina Panthers have been known to have a great defense. I just want to add to that. I truly believe with the addition of me and all the pieces that are here, we’ve got a great shot.”
