When the possibilities of who could come in to back up New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones, one of the least bandied about names was that of Colt McCoy.
But here he is, the 33-year-old seasoned NFL veteran whose pro career has been primarily as a backup ready to assume that role on Joe Judge’s revamped roster.
The former Texas star who was a two-time Heisman finalist, a two-time first team All-American and winner of such awards as the Walter Camp (twice), Maxwell, Davey O’Brien, Manning and Archie Griffin has a wealth of experience to offer in the Giants’ quarterback room.
McCoy is also a veteran of the NFC East wars and is currently the longest-tenured quarterback in the division.
“I don’t know if I looked at it from a standpoint of importance, but I do think it’s an advantage,’ McCoy said on a conference call with reporters on Wednesday. “Spending my last six years in D.C., playing on and off there and then having the opportunity to join the Giants. I think playing those teams, their systems, their coaches, their coordinators may change but you do have a feel for players and their skillset. It’s a very competitive division and I do think there is value in staying in the east for sure.”
McCoy is unfamiliar with the Giants in general, however, as are most these days. He does know offensive coordinator Jason Garrett, the former Dallas Cowboys head coach who he faced the last six seasons as a member of the Washington Redskins.
“I’ve had great conversations with Coach Garrett,” McCoy said. “He played for a long time and he’s been a super successful head coach. I’m excited to learn from him. Not only his system and him coming back to calling plays this year, which he hadn’t done in a couple of years, but really, I mentioned it earlier on this call, there is value to playing for a coach that played quarterback, that played your position.
“There are little things that pop up, and he sees the field the same way we do and he understands. But he has an expectation of us to play at a high level and he knows how he wants his offense run. But there is a difference. Playing for Coach (Jay) Gruden, he played quarterback too. There is a familiarity there that he sort of understands what we see and how we play. I think there is benefit to that.”
But what the Giants want most out of McCoy, other than being able to play in pinch, is what wisdom he may be able to impart on Jones.
“I met Daniel just in pregame when we played them a couple times last year,” said McCoy. “I know him more as a quarterback because playing in the same division you get to watch their tape week in and week out because we are playing all the same opponents across the league. I thought he played very well as a rookie last year. His future is bright, his ceiling is high and he seems like a really great person.
“He’s obviously very lucky to have a guy like Eli in the quarterback room. A guy I really look up to and respect as a guy who did it right his whole career. I think Daniel knows the importance of a healthy quarterback room. I’ve talked to Daniel since I signed a couple times and just told him how excited I am coming up and learning this new system together.”
The Giants are likely to keep searching for quarterbacks on the down low but for the time being, they are content with having the seasoned McCoy under roof.
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