TAMPA — Three simple truths regarding Gerald McCoy:
1. His play is no longer worth his salary.
2. The Bucs are a better team with him than without him.
3. The team has handled this poorly.
So, how do you reconcile those truths? Because Nos. 1 and 2 are difficult enough on their own, but No. 3 may have made it even harder.
The easiest answer is the Bucs bite the bullet and pay him $13 million. The problem with that, besides the idea of getting diminished value for your money, is the salary cap problems it causes.