The Underrated Piece of the Offensive Line Rebuild Puzzle: TE Anthony McCoy

One of the things that has been overlooked during this offensive line rebuild under Tom Cable is that we already have one of the better young in-line blocking tight end prospects from last year's draft to complement what we're fixing to do with new offensive line additions James Carpenter and John Moffitt. He goes by the name of Anthony McCoy. Everyone wants to see John Carlson catching more passes in 2011 and upgrading your line to improve pass protection allows you to do so.

But in some sets you still need your tight end to do some dirty work, and that's where Anthony McCoy steps in. He offers you versatility in sets as an extra athletic body capable of blocking on the line and can be a useful dual threat. He's not going to be a downfield weapon and he's not going to beat anyone in a footrace (4.7 40), but when he does release off the line he has soft hands and a mean streak that makes him very hard to bring down. Although you really do have to take them with a grain of salt, I find it hard not to get pretty jacked up about Anthony McCoy's highlight reel of maulings, physicality, and tenacity included after the jump. I like the way he fights for a reception, can make the catch in a crowd, out muscles his opponents for possession, can go up and get it at it's highest point and seems to catch with his hands. He is a beast to bring down.  

 
Alright, so I know it's a highlight video. But still, damn - you gotta love this.  First of all, how about that sick forearm shiver he administers to that poor corner? I love this.  I want the Hawks to be more like this. The Ravens have this going for them. The intimidation factor. Jim Mora's dirtbags. The catch at the 1:11 mark is one of the smoothest I've ever seen a so-called "blocking tight end" make as he extends fully to reel in a pass that sailed a bit. Seahawks fans haven't gotten a chance to see much of anything from McCoy because he was on the IR most of last season, but I could really see him getting some solid time this season and surprising a lot of people. 

Call me an eternal optimist, but I am excited about McCoy. He was universally praised for being an excellent blocking tight end at USC and as thus was graded into the 2nd or 3rd rounds. He fell because he smoked some weed prior to the Combine - stupid but for the price we got him, forgivable.

CBS Sports Draft profile had this to say about his blocking:

Blocking: His most impressive skill. Provides a good initial pop as a run blocker and works to sustain his blocks. Long arms and stout frame make him a legitimate presence as a blocker in the running game. Takes his role as a blocker seriously and provides almost a second offensive tackle on some occasions. Hustles downfield to make the extra block. Good lateral agility and upper-body strength to hold up in pass protection.

The TE spot could turn into a really formidable weapon for the Hawks. Imagine the headache that a two TE set consisting of Jon Carlson and Anthony McCoy would create for defensive backs and linebackers (not to mention three tight end sets where you throw in the burgeoning skillset of the underrated Cameron Morrah). McCoy brings the hard nosed blocking specialist type of TE to the table to complement Carlson's steady, versatile pass catching type of TE. Both can block, both can catch. It will be interesting to see what Tom Cable and Darrell Bevell can bring to the table coaching up these guys this year as well. Remember that Vincanthe Shiancoe has had 103 receptions with 13 touchdowns in the last two seasons in Bevell's offense so tight end figures to be involved in the offense if he is calling plays. 

For schitzengiggles, if you want to watch him score a TD in the preseason on a pass from Clipboard Jesus, click here.