Meeting beween Gerald McCoy and coaches led to defensive strategy change

Buccaneers defensive tackle Gerald McCoy met with Tampa Bay coaches prior to Sunday's game against the Dallas Cowboys to try and adjust the team's defensive game plan. The coaches allowed McCoy and Bucs' defense to play a more straight-up game, not using as many stunts or shifts as they did against the New York Giants.

The strategy seemed to work as McCoy and defensive end Michael Bennett each sacked quarterback Tony Romo twice. Even though the Cowboys won the game, 16-10, Romo said it was one of the most physical games he's been a part of.

In an interview with Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times, McCoy expressed his pleasure at how the defensive coaching staff operates in regards to the players:

"The reason I love them so much is they welcome us with open arms and everybody's door is open whenever we need them. We were allowed to go up there and make requests or talk to them about things. And me, being a captain and defensive lineman, I just went to Coach and made a few requests, sat down a talked about a few things. We discussed what we discussed, and he set up a game plan and it worked for us."

The Bucs hope to keep that intensity up in Sunday's game against the Washington Redskins.