Erik McCoy has played just 7 games in each of the last two seasons, and this season may be the final shot to prove he can stay healthy before the New Orleans Saints have to move on. In response to concerns about his health, McCoy kept it simple. "Shit happens."
McCoy followed it up by saying, "Yes, there are certain things you can do to prepare, but at the end of the day, it's football, shit happens, and it's just the luck of the draw." That's how he feels about last year's injury.
Last year's bicep came on a routine play for McCoy, but the result was a season ending injury. The thought process at this point is "I'm going to keep doing what I can to mitigate those risks and hopefully I'll be lucky."
Saints offensive line can be a strength of the team if Erik McCoy stays healthy
The Saints added David Edwards in free agency, and that move creates an interesting world where the Saints offensive line could be a strength of the team. It's been years since we've been able to say that in New Orleans.
The team has spent the years since Terron Armstead left and Ryan Ramczyk retired trying to find the answers at left and right tackle. It appears they have found the answer, and Edwards checks a massive box on the interior. Cesar Ruiz is your weakest link, if everyone is healthy, and that isn't a terrible spot to be in.
Operative words: if everyone is healthy.
That's been an obstacle for McCoy in the past, and the Saints might not be able to afford it being an obstacle again. Luke Fortner kept things steady last season, but he left in free agency. Things could easily get ugly on the interior if McCoy has to go down for an extended period of time yet again.
As the center, McCoy is making a lot of the protection calls. The vocal nature of the job amplifies it's importance, as well as the impact of a man down. A replacement would need to not only handle his assignment, but also communicate everyone's assignment.
If Ruiz is the weak link, then McCoy will sometimes need to provide assistance. He's talented enough to do that and still handle his own assignment. His replacement shouldn't be tasked with doing that.
This is where the trickle down effect begins to hurt the offensive line. You're losing one of the unit's best players and it could occasionally be seen in the performance at right guard. Great players cover up mistakes of others.
Even solely focusing on the center position. Penetration up the middle can destroy the passing and rushing attack. With all the work the Saints put into building the skill positions, they still need protection to make it happen. That's why they got Edwards, too.
If McCoy plays the full season, the Saints could have a great offensive line that allows them utilize all the new acquisitions and maximize Shough's development.
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