TAMPA, Fla. -- While putting the blame for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' 1-5 start on himself Tuesday, defensive tackle Gerald McCoy suddenly switched gears and took on critics.

McCoy has been criticized on local radio for helping opponents up after plays.

“While I’m talking about aggression, let me address something real quick,’’ McCoy said. “This is the last time I’m going to talk about it. If anybody has a problem with me helping people up off the field, that’s a personal problem, something you’re going to have to deal with.’’

McCoy said he’s not about to change his ways.

“If people really pay attention you would also notice that when the opposing team gets hurt, most of the time there’s one person who walks on the field every time and says a prayer,’’ McCoy said. “It’s me. That’s who I am. That’s who I’m going to be. If you don’t like it, get over it. I’m going to help people up because I’m a good sportsman.

“Football is temporary. Sports are temporary. People have families, people have kids and wives and 10 years down the line, the next guy is going to be here and there’s going to be another guy to talk about. What about that guy that you were so concerned about how hard he’s going and he can’t play with his kids because he’s out there killing himself? That’s what I’m concerned about. I give it everything I have out there. July 15, I had twins. July 16, I’m up here in the rain, running gassers, hitting the bags. You name another person who’s doing that and then you can talk to me about how nice I am. I give it everything I’ve got. If you’ve got a problem with that, then so be it.’’