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Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers defenseman Gerald McCoy has agreed to sign a contract with the Carolina Panthers, he told ESPN's Josina Anderson.
McCoy, a six-time Pro Bowler, is awarded a one-year contract worth up to $ 10.25 million, which includes a $ 4 million bonus, said a source to Adam Schefter d & # 39; ESPN.
Carolina enlisted late in the fight to sign McCoy, having brought him for a visit last Thursday and Friday, after McCoy's visit to Baltimore and Cleveland.
McCoy left Baltimore thinking that he could sign there, sources told Schefter, but Carolina seduced him during his visit and quarterback Cam Newton helped recruit McCoy.
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"Caroline suited me perfectly," McCoy wrote to Anderson. "Being with the guys we just meshed and I love the instant chemistry we've had.They have a tradition of having excellent defense.I love the players and I believe in # 1 [Newton]. Ron Rivera is a confirmed coach and can not wait to get started. "
McCoy, 31, is a long-time fan of Newton, claiming in 2015 that Newton deserved to win the MVP well before the final vote.
To top it off, McCoy stays in the NFC South and plays against the Bucs, who released him and gave his number 93 to Ndamukong Suh. Tampa Bay and McCoy "split" on May 20th.
He joins the Pro Bowlers Kawann Short and Dontari Poe on a Panthers front line that goes from a basic 4-3 pattern to a 3-4.
McCoy's ability to tackle or late in the game gives Rivera, who took over defensive play late last season, the positional flexibility he seeks to try to maintain the balance of fouls. adversaries and improve the precipitation.
Carolina finished 27th in the championship last season with 35 sacks, the lowest total since Rivera's arrival in 2011.
McCoy has had 39.5 bags since 2010 when he ran as a defensive tackle, according to research by ESPN Stats & Information. Only Geno Atkins and Aaron Donald have more thrills.
McCoy has totaled 54.5 bags in nine seasons and 45.5 since 2013. Even with a drop from the previous two seasons – six sacks a year – McCoy is expected to improve the Panthers' race. No domestic lineman from Carolina had more than three sacks of shorts last season.
McCoy has been an opponent of the Panthers since coming to the NFL as a third overall pick in the 2010 draft. His 42 tackles in 15 games against his NFC South rival are his best counter-teams so are his 34 tackles In solo.
His 4.5 sacks against the Panthers are tied for second place against any team. He has five against Atlanta Falcons and 4.5 against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Pro Bowl goaltender, Trai Turner of the Panthers, called McCoy "world wild" on social media when it was announced that the Bucs were coming out their star.
The Panthers had to wait until June 1, when they recovered an additional $ 7.5 million below the salary cap for the release of offensive tackle Matt Kalil to compete financially for McCoy. They also made $ 2 million more space by requiring wide receiver Torrey Smith to accept a pay cut.
The team still has a cap of about $ 8 million to sign their top two picks, Brian Burns, forward striker, and attacking attacker Greg Little, and keep enough reserve to sign extra help.
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