'I Still Believe' Buccaneers Will Win NFC South Division Says Former Star Gerald McCoy

Recently appearing on NFL Network, the former Buccaneer says he still sees his former team as the best in the NFC South.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers don't have many outside supporters these days making it all the more significant when someone on the national stage leans their way.

Even if he is former Bucs defensive tackle, Gerald McCoy. 

"I still believe that we will take that division," McCoy said. "Y'all may not believe. But I believe it."

Using the phrase 'we' while discussing the potential of a Tampa Bay roster he hasn't been a part of in four seasons won't help any case against those claiming McCoy is simply a homer with an agenda.

READ MORE: Former Bucs QB Signs with AFC Contender

But he does have his reasons.

"Baker's going to have to lean heavily on somebody I believe is a very underrated wide receiver in history, Mike Evans," McCoy said. "He's been a model of consistency...and they're going back to a time...where you had to actually find different ways to try and win instead of saying, 'Hey, we have No. 12 on our team.'"

At that time, before the arrival of quarterback Tom Brady, Tampa Bay was a team that had to tap into all of its talented assets to get regular season wins. 

In those days, conversations about players on the Buccaneers' roster being underrated NFL talents were all the rage. 

READ MORE: 'Historically Bad' Running Game Torpedoing Bucs Roster?

And in this offseason, those conversations have returned en mass and Evans isn't the only player McCoy points to on this Bucs squad.

"They got Rachaad White at running back," McCoy continued. "He made a big jump last year as a rookie. They still have (receiver) Chris Godwin. But Mike Evans is going to play an integral role in this offense. Man, they are going to have to lean heavily on Mike."

Like McCoy pointed out, Evans has been the most consistent receiver in NFL history being the only one to collect 1,000-yard seasons in the first nine of his career.

Doing so with quarterbacks like Mike Glennon, Josh McCown, and Jameis Winston only makes that record even more impressive. 

And while McCoy's confidence won't give Evans any more yards toward his 10th straight season reaching that mark, it's nice to see someone on the national stage throwing some support behind the Buccaneers again.

Find David Harrison on Twitter @DHarrison82

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