Bucs want to use DT Gerald McCoy at DE in 3-4 sets in 2017

Roy Cummings of FloridaFootballInsiders.com reported that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense will deploy a 3-4 scheme “when they believe it will work to their advantage”. In an effort to get more pressure on the quarterback, this alignment will include DT Gerald McCoy lined up as a defensive end.
The Bucs effectively didn't have any 3-4 looks in 2016, and lined up with three defensive linemen on just 36 snaps (of 1,062), in what was effectively their regular nickel look with a stand up defensive end.
McCoy played just five snaps last year in which he was the end man on the line of scrimmage, and only one in which he didn't have a DE standing up outside him, but he has been one of the league's most effective interior rushers for years.
Gerald McCoy finished the 2016 season with an overall grade of 87.0 (10th out of 123 interior defenders) while posting a 7.9 pass rushing productivity which ranked tied for seventh among defensive tackles with at least 280 pass snaps. The five-time pro bowler hasn't finished a season with less than 40 pressures since 2011 when he missed most of the year with a torn right biceps.

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