When the Pittsburgh Steelers play the New York Giants Saturday in their preseason opener at Heinz Field, it will mark the eighth preseason game that tight end Jamie McCoy has played in with the organization. Being as Heath Miller, David Johnson and Matt Spaeth will all be sidelined for the game, McCoy figures to see a lot of action at not only tight end, but fullback as well.
Even though Will Johnson is currently listed on the depth chart as the only fullback on the roster, head coach Mike Tomlin said Thursday during his press conference that McCoy would back him up at the position Saturday night in addition to playing some tight end.
“Jamie McCoy. Had, does and will,” said Tomlin when asked if he had a player in mind that would backup Johnson at fullback. “The vast majority of all our tight ends are duel position flexible. They\’re capable of performing and playing out of the backfield, whether Jamie McCoy or David Paulson. We\’ve got enough quality depth at that position to create two-back-like formations when necessary regardless of whether Will\’s in the game or not.”
Tomlin was also asked if McCoy would be used as a move tight end like David Paulson and the head coach once again said that all of his tight ends can be used that way.
“David Paulson is capable of playing move and on the line as is Jamie McCoy,” said Tomlin. “Being backup tight ends I think has lent itself to those guys showing versatility and being able to do all of those things.”
While McCoy has played in a total of 10 preseason games since being originally signed as undrafted free agent with the St. Louis Rams out of Texas A&M in 2010, he has only caught one pass for 26 yards and carried the ball one time for two yards. Should Spaeth\’s injury wind up keeping him out for an extended period of time, McCoy could quickly become a candidate to make the 53 man roster.
