Bucs' McCoy: NFL needs Cam Newton's passion, personality

Gerald McCoy and Cam Newton have been division rivals for six years, but they share a mutual respect.

Ahead of Sunday's game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Carolina Panthers, McCoy praised the reigning NFL MVP for his captivating personality.

"He is very necessary in this league, in my opinion," McCoy told ESPN's David Newton. "The type of person he is with - I don't want to call it flamboyant - but he's outgoing and he shows his passion by having fun."

Newton drew plenty of criticism last season for his series of touchdown celebrations, and bringing the dab into the mainstream, but McCoy spoke glowingly of the joy he brings to the game.

"He just has that big ol' smile all the time while he’s playing," he said. "And a lot of times people take sometimes what he does for being angry or being a bad sport, and it's just passion. He's a very passionate player and he's fun to watch."

The Panthers are out of playoff contention, and with nothing to play for in the season finale, Newton could be at his most uninhibited.