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Tampa Bay Buccaneers All-Pro defensive tackle Gerald McCoy is giving ESPN a rare look at what a typical game week is like for an NFL player. Check back every day for exclusive behind-the-scenes stories from Bob Holtzmans time with McCoy.?Day 6Its the day before the Bucs home opener, and theres little time to rest for McCoy. As he does every Saturday, McCoy arrives at work by 7 a.m. armed with dozens and dozens of doughnuts. A few days ago, McCoy was teaching school kids about the benefits of a healthy diet, but McCoy will admit he has always liked a good doughnut.By mid-afternoon McCoy is again surrounded by food. Crab legs, steak, chicken and waffles -- and more doughnuts. The spread isnt just for him; its a brunch he and his wife Ebony are hosting at their home for friends and family who have made the trip to Tampa for Sundays game. You got to find time to squeeze it in, McCoy explained while standing in his kitchen. Pretty much everybody you see in this room has been supporting me forever.Saturday night, McCoy checks into the hotel where the Bucs stay the night before home games, and he finally gets some peace and quiet. My wife, she hates when I say it, but coming to the hotel is always a good getaway. You can get a good nights sleep and really get your head together for the game.McCoy watches film of the Rams then wraps up a busy week in a way youd never expect. One thing I have to do [the night before a game], home or away, I order cookies and milk. I just have to. After I finish these Im going to sleep so good.Day 5 | All-access videoFriday started well enough for McCoy. He strolled into the Bucs weight room a little after 6:30 a.m. and shouted, Strike it up! You know what time it is!Its fight song Friday, McCoy told me. I usually have on Bucs stuff [to work out], but today I have on an OU shirt. Dressed in a University of Oklahoma crimson and cream pullover, McCoy went sprinting around the weight room like a kid full of candy as the Bucs strength and conditioning coach played Boomer Sooner.Fridays workout is optional. For McCoy theres no such thing.Ive already put in the work that actually pertains to my job, McCoy said. I finished that on Wednesday. I asked about the extra work. Why? McCoy has the Pro Bowls and nearly $100 million on his current deal. All that stuff is fine, but Ive never been to the playoffs.By the time practice ended a few hours later McCoy was in a more serious mood. The Bucs learned Friday morning that tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins had been arrested overnight and charged with DUI. Tampa released Seferian-Jenkins later in the day. Obviously youre thinking about it, said McCoy. But when something like that happens its a Next man up mentality. So you got to go out there and work and whoever is out there with me thats who Im going to work with.McCoy spent the rest of Friday juggling film and family. His wifes birthday party was Friday night and McCoy was expecting a few dozen people. Its been a long and tiring week, but McCoy knows his job is to be ready for the home opener on Sunday. Regardless of how I feel, McCoy explained, whether Im tired at home, what my familys got going, they expect Gerald McCoy to be Gerald McCoy every week.Day 4 | All-access videoMcCoys Thursday afternoon involved a 300-degree temperature swing. The Bucs practiced in 90-degree heat for the second straight day, then McCoy headed straight for the cryotherapy chamber.This is my everyday process, McCoy said while standing inside the nitrogen-filled cold tank designed to reduce inflammation. Its at negative 200. Were working to get to negative 250.After two-and-a-half minutes, McCoy stepped out of the cryo chamber and jokingly flexed. I feel good. Ready for another practice.Normally Thursday night means one thing to McCoy. Sleep, he said laughing. But today is my wifes birthday so we have dinner later so I cant go to sleep. I have to re-energize myself and make sure she has a great birthday dinner.I dont think [people on the] outside really understand what goes into us being us, the father of four said Thursday. [Fans] dont see all you have to balance and still show up and be yourself. Fans dont care about any of that. They just want to see us perform, and thats hard to do.Day 3 | All-access videoMcCoy was sweating even before he reached the practice field. The temperature was 91 with a heat index of exactly 100. McCoy was in full pads -- the way he and the Buccaneers are every Wednesday -- with no breeze whatsoever.Look at that flag, McCoy said during practice, eyeing the massive Bucs flag just beyond the field. That is the indicator of what practice is going to be like. Flag limp. Flag is dead, oh gosh.After a 40-7 loss in Arizona, McCoy said on Monday that his whole body hurt. Two days later, with an old shoulder injury nagging him and a little bit of a sore knee, it was time to go back to work. Wednesday is the hardest day of the week because youve got these on, McCoy said, tapping on his shoulder pads. Monday, you hurt a lot because of the game. Tuesday you feel a little better. Wednesday is the hardest day.McCoy spent more than 12 hours at the Bucs practice facility. The day started at 7 a.m. with a workout and ended at 7 p.m. with a radio show. His day will be just as long on Thursday.The Bucs home opener is only four days away, and McCoy has already peeked at the forecast. He didnt like what he saw. Its going to be hot and humid at kickoff with a heat index near 110.Day 2 | All-access videoIn the NFL, Tuesdays are gold. Thats the players only day off. For McCoy, theres no sleeping in. My alarm goes off at 5:15, the Bucs defensive tackle told me. I have four kids, and they really enjoy me taking them to school on my off day, so I have to make it happen. I have the rest of the day to sleep.Only McCoy doesnt sleep. After delivering his four children to three different schools, McCoy drives nearly an hour to a Tampa elementary school to help teach children about health and nutrition.Vegetables! Yeah! Fruits! Yeah! an animated McCoy told third and fourth graders at Lanier Elementary. You have to eat your fruits and your veggies. All of us Buccaneers do it, so we want to encourage you all to do it.Its back to work tomorrow. The Bucs practice in pads every Wednesday. Tuesday was McCoys one shot at a day off this week, and he spent it with his four children and hundreds of others. My ultimate goal when Im done playing is to touch as many lives as I can, McCoy said. Even more than just get as many Super Bowls as I can or personal goals on the field.Safe to assume youre tired? I asked McCoy on Tuesday afternoon. He sighed and gave a simple answer: Im really tired. I need a nap.Day 1 | All-access videoMcCoy walked into his home north of Tampa at 2:45 on Monday morning; he was sore, tired and frustrated. Thats what happens when a 40-7 loss is followed by a four-hour flight home.At 6 a.m., none of that mattered to McCoys oldest son. He woke me up, Dad, will you take me to school? McCoy told ESPN on Monday. I told him, Ill take you every day this week, but I cant do it today. Daddys tired.McCoy is a dedicated father of four, active at home and in the community, but this morning, he needed a break. An old shoulder injury was bugging him again.?So was his knee. His entire body hurt. Thats what happens on Mondays.?McCoy walked his dogs and fed his fish and enjoyed a rare few hours of silence at home. After seven years in the NFL, he has learned to cherish what little quiet time he gets. McCoy knows it wont be long before theres film to watch, weights to lift and children who need rides to school. Jace Sternberger Super Bowl Jersey .35 million, one-year contract that avoided salary arbitration. Plouffe batted .254 with 14 home runs and 52 RBIs in 477 at-bats last season, his second as a regular in the lineup. Corey Linsley Super Bowl Jersey . Traditional contenders Brazil, Greece and Turkey drew the other three spots to complete the 24-team field for this summers tournament in Spain, basketball governing body FIBA announced Saturday at its meeting in Barcelona. http://www.officialgreenbaypackerspro.com/Rashan-gary-packers-jersey/ . -- Ken Appleby made 32 saves for his first shutout of the season to lead the Oshawa Generals to a 2-0 win over the Belleville Bulls on Wednesday in Ontario Hockey League action. Geronimo Allison Super Bowl Jersey .Y. -- The Buffalo Sabres have placed centre Cody Hodgson on injured reserve and recalled two players from their AHL affiliate in Rochester. Dexter Williams Super Bowl Jersey . First off, the fans ripped the Cubbies introduction of a fuzzy new kid-friendly mascot named "Clark". The top seven starting pitchers on Monday can all view their local Fourth of July fireworks while 12 of the bottom 14 will have to ask someone for the closest display following their road starts. Home cooking will come in handy since theres only one elite ace on the hill, meaning the rest of the strong starting options will get the 5 percent skills bump most pitchers enjoy at home. Lets kick off the first Monday of the second half with all the Daily Notes you need.PitchingEliteIts too bad that his early start relegates Max Scherzer to just a handful of DFS contests, as the matchup doesnt get much juicier for the dominant righty. The visiting Brewers tote the highest strikeout rate on the road versus right-handers. Furthermore, with the fifth-lowest home run rate on the road against righties, the guests arent set up to take advantage of Scherzers penchant for allowing the long ball. Its worth setting the alarm early to get some exposure to Scherzer on DFS sites where hes available.SolidIn full disclosure, Carlos Martinez originally landed in the elite tier with a projected game score of 61. While the St. Louis Cardinals righty had a stellar first half, he just doesnt strike out enough hitters to be an ace for DFS tournaments. Plus, the opposing Pittsburgh Pirates sport an above average weighted on base average (wOBA) and below average strikeout rate versus righties. Martinez does check the all-important home field box and should get ample run support with Jonathon Niese taking the ball for the Bucs, so hes a solid cash game option. But the paucity of strikeouts dampens his GPP potential enough to override and drop him to the top of the elite.Coming into the 2016 campaign, there were some questions as to whether Kyle Hendricks would maintain the strikeout spike he exhibited last season, and halfway through the year, the answer is yes. He has seen some good fortune on batted balls (especially for an extreme ground ball pitcher), which has resulted in a first-half ERA (2.76) much better than the mid-threes rate suggested by FIP and xFIP. Hendricks is a candidate for regression, though it may have to wait a little while as hes set up nicely with a Wrigley Field affair against the light-hitting Cincinnati Reds. The floor is there for cash play along with sufficient strikeout upside to be considered for GPP action.Matt Harveys last start was cut short by a rain delay, ending his streak of five consecutive outings lasting at least six innings. He did, however, extend his homerless games to six straight, which is especially relevant in light of increased power across the league. Look for Harvey to keep the momentum going in a positive direction in a home date with the Miami Marlins. The Fish dont offer much strikeout potential for opposing pitchers, so count Harvey among the options better suited for DFS cash play and not so viable for GPP deployment.Dont fret, GPP enthusiasts, we have you covered too. Danny Salazar and the Cleveland Indians host the Detroit Tigers at Progressive Field. Salazars 10.3 K/9 is impressive and he has the platoon edge over the bulk of the visitors best hitters. Theres some risk, as the Tigers hit righties well, but Salazar is much better than an average right-handed starter. Its not an ideal setup, but relative to the other options, Salazar profiles as a top GPP candidate.Sorry, were back with another arm better suited for cash than GPP action, as Jerad Eickhoff and the Philadelphia Phillies entertain the Atlanta Braves. Eickhoffs first half had a couple of rocky patches, but he was solid overall. The Braves are one of the weaker-hitting clubs in the game, so look for the 26-year old righty to start the second half on a strong note.If you are an Aaron Sanchez owner in seasonal leagues, the original thought may have been to deal him halfway through the season as the assumption was the Toronto Blue Jays would move their young righty to the bullpen to control his workload. However, there may be a change in plans as the Jays brass is hinting the 24-year old may stick in the rotation all season, according to Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.dddddddddddd. Part of Sanchezs success is an above average 8.2 K/9 which puts him in the mix for both cash and GPP action, since the visiting Kansas City Royals have been whiffing considerably more lately, especially against righties on the road.StreamersA whopping 18 of Mondays 30 starters check in with a projected game score in the streaming range. However, many of them are far from safe as they will be taking the hill in enemy territory. Here are the better options but as always, even on the holiday, Ill monitor the comments and my Twitter @ToddZola for questions on pitchers that arent covered.Archie Bradley is owned in a scant 14 percent of ESPN leagues. That number should increase as many scramble to pick him up for his date with the San Diego Padres in the desert. Bradley has the stuff to be dominant, he just needs to be more efficient with his pitches so he can go longer into games. A 9.2 K/9 may be impressive but a 4.3 BB/9 tempers its effectiveness. That said, the Friars are in the bottom third of the league in terms of wOBA versus righties, fanning the fifth most in that scenario, rendering Bradley not only a strong streaming option but also in play for DFS tournaments.Matt Moore has quietly strung together several solid outings, pitching at least six frames in six of his past seven efforts, striking out 41 while walking just 12 in 45 1/3 innings. Backed by the pitcher-friendly Tropicana Field and facing the middling Los Angeles Angels, Moores 19 percent ESPN ownership rate should surge.If youre still hanging onto James Shields, you may as well find out if his recent stretch of mediocrity is for real when the New York Yankees visit the Windy City. The Chicago White Sox righty had much better command last time out, which really is all you can ask for at this stage of his career.Rick Porcello is very much in play as the Texas Rangers visit Fenway Park. The Boston Red Sox bats are getting warm again and should be able to continue heating up facing Nick Martinez, aiding in Porcellos bid for a win.Both the visiting Tyler Anderson along with the home pitcher?Jake Peavy are options as the San Francisco Giants welcome the Colorado Rockies to AT&T Park. Anderson is also a sneaky DFS play if his salary isnt too excessive.AvoidWade Miley, Luis Perdomo, Cody Reed, Jonathan Niese and Edinson Volquez join Ricky Nolasco and Nick Martinez as pitchers too risky to roster.HittersFireworks should start early in Fenway Park with the flammable Nick Martinez taking the ball for the Rangers. Look for Mookie Betts, Dustin Pedroia, Xander Bogaerts, David Ortiz and Hanley Ramirez to ignite the Red Sox attack.Look for Wade Miley to get lit up by the explosive Houston Astros in Minute Maid Park. Right-handers George Springer, Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa, Evan Gattis and Carlos Gomez are all in line to go off against the Seattle Mariners incendiary southpaw.Fueled by a 3.4 HR/9, Cody Reed is in danger of getting lit up by the Chicago Cubs in Wrigley Field. Granted, its only 16 innings, but the Cincinnati Reds rookie left-hander has surrendered six homers. Kris Bryant, Willson Contreras, Javier Baez, Addison Russell and Anthony Rizzo have the pop to blow that up even more.Finally, look for the St. Louis Cardinals to send the lefty tosses of Jonathon Niese into orbit with Aledmys Diaz, Matt Holliday, Stephen Piscotty, Jhonny Peralta and possibly Jedd Gyorko and Thomas Pham leading the charge.Most likely to go yard: After a bit of a drought, David Ortiz is getting the power stroke back, so look for Big Papi to get the second half started off with a bang.Most likely to steal a base: Odubel Herrera had a sparkling first half is in a good spot to turn on the jets and rocket around the base paths with rookie righty taking the hill. ' ' '