A true blocking tight end, Anthony McCoy could be used in packages to help set the tempo for the Redskins' run game, which got off to a good start against the Dolphins.
Considered one of the more difficult injuries to come back from, new Redskins tight end Anthony McCoy suffered not one, but two torn Achilles during his last two seasons with the Seattle Seahawks.
The Washington Redskins announced Sept. 7, 2015, that they have signed free agent tight end Anthony McCoy. Check out his career in photos.
To make matters worse, both injuries occurred before the 2013 and 2014 seasons even got started.
McCoy, never doubted a return to the field, however, even considering he hasn't appeared in a game since the Divisional Round of the 2012 playoffs.
"Well, when I came back from the first one, I knew I could come back from the second one," McCoy told Redskins.com this week. "So it was never a question if I was going to be back and I was just going to come back stronger."
The USC product admitted it was frustrating to suffering the same exact injury two years in a row, but while some guys "will really be down" he remained upbeat through the ordeal.
"I had a good support system, a good family to support me, good coaches and players back where I was at to help me get through it," he said. "And I came back stronger. Unfortunately, I wasn't good enough to stay there, but now I'm here with a new team, new system, and I feel good now. Feel at home."
McCoy signed with the Redskins on Sept. 5 after being released by the Seahawks during their preseason cut-down process from 90 to 53 players.
He finished his time in Seattle with 31 receptions for 437 yards and three touchdowns.
The 6-foot-3, 259 pounder looks "like a true tight end," according to Redskins head coach Jay Gruden.
"A true Y, a blocking tight end," Gruden said. "Obviously he's got great length, which you're looking for at the point of attack. And he can run good enough. He's had a couple injuries. Watching him on tape, he looked like he's a good long strider, gets down the field. Mainly we're looking for him in the core, blocking for the running game. It looked like he was very good at that. Now it's just a matter of getting him acclimated to our terminology. It's a totally different language for him. He's just got to learn it and as soon he gets ready he will be out there."
The Redskins' tight end situation, of course, has experienced a lot of change since training camp opened up in July.
Niles Paul (ankle) and Logan Paulsen (toe) were lost for the season early in August, and the team elected to keep only Je'Ron Hamm on the practice squad among the three first-year tight ends they carried on the roster throughout the summer.
It's unknown exactly how the Redskins will use McCoy as the third tight end behind Jordan Reed and Derek Carrier, but with a clear emphasis on using the ground game more frequently, there will be situations where his strengths will be needed.
"Hopefully we'll get him a good package where he can go," Gruden said.
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