BROCK AND SALK

McCoy’s injury continues a trend for Seahawks

May 28, 2013, 9:50 AM | Updated: 9:57 am

LISTEN:

By Danny O’Neil

What should be one of the best opportunities in Seattle’s offense has turned out to be one of the worst jobs.

It is one of the most inexplicable realities for Pete Carroll’s Seahawks because this is a franchise that has tried so very hard to have a dangerous No. 2 tight end.

1369411459000-AP-Seahawks-Workouts-Football-1305241205 4 3 rx404 c534x401
Seattle’s plans for its No. 2 tight end again went awry when Anthony McCoy tore his Achilles tendon last week. (AP)

It was true in 2011 when Seattle signed Zach Miller as a free agent and hoped to pair him with John Carlson. At least that was the plan until Carlson suffered a season-ending shoulder injury during training camp.

And in 2012, Seattle traded for Kellen Winslow only to waive him a week before the regular season started after he refused to take the paycut the team believed he had committed to.

Now, it’s Anthony McCoy, the sixth-round pick who was entering his fourth season, an undeniable talent who had been maddeningly unpredictable with a penchant for dropped passes. And now McCoy is out, having suffered a torn Achilles tendon during offseason workouts.

The injury leaves Seattle with Luke Willson, the fifth-round pick who was Rice’s back-up tight end last year. He is the fastest tight end on Seattle’s roster, but someone who only caught nine passes as a senior. Sean McGrath is the next likely in line.

So why’s that such a big deal? We’re talking about the back-up tight end, but that gets to the heart of why it is so important with Seattle’s offense.

The Seahawks want to run the ball first and foremost, which is one of the reasons Miller has been so valuable to the team even as his receiving totals declined from his first four years in Oakland. Putting a second tight end into the formation forces defenses into a decision: Load up against the run with the extra blocker or honor the fact that two tight ends gives the Seahawks an extra pass-catching threat.

For the third consecutive season, Seattle’s plans for the player at that No. 2 tight end have changed. It doesn’t mean it won’t work out for the Seahawks. What it does mean, though, is more pressure has been placed on Willson to contribute immediately.

Brock and Salk podcast

Brock and Salk

Seattle Seahawks NFL Draft Jackson Powers-Johnson...

Brandon Gustafson

Brock’s Seahawks Draft Profiles: ‘The best center’ in the 2024 class

If the Seattle Seahawks want to boost their offensive line, Brock Huard wouldn't mind if they draft Oregon center Jackson Powers-Johnson.

12 hours ago

...

Seattle Sports Video

Video: Nelson Cruz reflects on his time with the Seattle Mariners on Brock & Salk

‘The Boomstick’ Nelson Cruz joined the Brock & Salk Show on Seattle Sports before throwing out the ceremonial first pitch at the Seattle Mariners 2024 season opener at T-Mobile Park. Cruz discussed his time with the Mariners, what retirement is like, and whether or not he would bring out the boomstick one more time before […]

15 hours ago

Seattle Mariners Mitch Haniger...

Mike Salk

Salk: Scars remain as Mariners return, but hope isn’t far away

As the Seattle Mariners return for 2024, Seattle Sports' Mike Salk writes about seasons, scars, frustration, hope and baseball.

1 day ago

Seattle Seahawks NFL Draft Payton Wilson...

Brandon Gustafson

Brock’s Seahawks Draft Profile: ‘Twitched up’ LB fills a need

Next up in Brock Huard's Seattle Seahawks draft profiles is a very intriguing defender in North Carolina State linebacker Payton Wilson.

2 days ago

Seattle Seahawks Sam Howell...

Brandon Gustafson

New Seahawks QB Sam Howell describes trade, his role and more

The Seattle Seahawks have a new QB in Sam Howell, and he joined Brock & Salk on Wednesday to describe the trade that sent him to the Hawks.

2 days ago

...

Seattle Sports Video

Video: Getting to know new Seattle Seahawks QB Sam Howell

What do Seattle Seahawks fans need to know about new QB Sam Howell? What will he bring to the QB room and competition this season? He joined the Brock and Salk show toady to talk about what type of QB the Seahawks are getting. Can he be a piece that helps this team get back […]

2 days ago

McCoy’s injury continues a trend for Seahawks