Skepticism/Antipathy Toward McCoy

[Vote for Kalas]

Something strange that I've noticed starting last season and continuing through this off-season is a noticable skepticism and even antipathy toward LeSean McCoy....

The general argument seems to be he did not perform well enough last season, did not show he could be the primary RB for this offense and that people would not be surprised if he took a step back this season...

I look at his production last season as a 21 yr old rookie and see he carried 155 times for an Eagles rookie record 635 yds with an avg of 4.1 per carry and 4 TD. Then I add in the 40 receptions for 308 yds at 7.7 per and start to wonder what people are thinking about...

He had 2 fumbles, losing 1. That cannot be it. He never had a 100 yd game although the most carries he got in a game was 20 (twice) and he produced 84 vs KC and 99 vs Chicago.

In fact, he only got 10+ carries in 7 games and in 5 of those 7 games he produced at least 55 yds. The other two, vs Wash and NYG, he got held to a 2.8 and 2.6 avg respectively.

I'm hardly saying the kid is flawless or did not struggle at times last year, but the guy was a rookie(!) and played a much bigger role than anticipated due to Westy's injuries...I thought he rose to the challenge most weeks and showed a nice range of skills...I expect continual improvement and he should have more help now with Weaver being re-signed and Bell/Scott being added.

I guess I do not understand the skepticism or criticism he has gotten...

[YourPalChrisMal]

Something strange that I've noticed starting last season and continuing through this off-season is a noticable skepticism and even antipathy toward LeSean McCoy....

The general argument seems to be he did not perform well enough last season, did not show he could be the primary RB for this offense and that people would not be surprised if he took a step back this season...

I look at his production last season as a 21 yr old rookie and see he carried 155 times for an Eagles rookie record 635 yds with an avg of 4.1 per carry and 4 TD. Then I add in the 40 receptions for 308 yds at 7.7 per and start to wonder what people are thinking about...

He had 2 fumbles, losing 1. That cannot be it. He never had a 100 yd game although the most carries he got in a game was 20 (twice) and he produced 84 vs KC and 99 vs Chicago.

In fact, he only got 10+ carries in 7 games and in 5 of those 7 games he produced at least 55 yds. The other two, vs Wash and NYG, he got held to a 2.8 and 2.6 avg respectively.

I'm hardly saying the kid is flawless or did not struggle at times last year, but the guy was a rookie(!) and played a much bigger role than anticipated due to Westy's injuries...I thought he rose to the challenge most weeks and showed a nice range of skills...I expect continual improvement and he should have more help now with Weaver being re-signed and Bell/Scott being added.

I guess I do not understand the skepticism or criticism he has gotten...

He did seem to get better as the season wore on which was good. I suspect the skepticism comes from people remembering the same thing that I do - and I don't remember seeing that "burst" that all great running backs have. Westbrook had it, that extra gear that other RB's lack, to burst through the smallest hole, and go from 0 to 60 at the blink of an eye. But, as you said, he was just a rookie, and at times looked REALLY hesitant in hitting the hole. Also, as you said, the numbers look pretty good for a rookie in hindsight.

I'm not passing judgement until we've seen him play WAY more full games than he has so far.

On a related note, I have been warning people that we need to prepare for the fumbles. They are likely to happen - at least at a normal rate. We were spoiled for the last decade. Brian Westbrook was tremendously special in taking care of the ball. Everyone talks about his career in terms of rushing and receiving yards, but his best skill may have actually been his ability to hold onto the ball.

[Vote for Kalas]

Agree about Westbrook...it was such a surprise whenever he did make a turnover

Did Westbrook show that "burst" as a rookie? His production did not surpass McCoy's until his 3rd season...some of that again was usage, but I do not remember how special Westbrook was as a rookie...

[FRESH]

I feel much like YPCM, I believe. I'm not down on McCoy, and I don't think he's garbage or anything. I simply haven't seen anything from him thjus far to make me feel as if he were "special" or specailly gifted. I think he's a pretty well rounded back, who is not the greatest pure runner, not the fastest nor the niftiest, and he's not the best of receivers or blockers....but he's decent at pretty much all of them. Good guy to have on your team. Not somebody who gets me all geeked up for him.

But then, it's hard for him to flash, when you have athletes like Desean on your team already.

[tinopuno]

Did Westbrook show that "burst" as a rookie? His production did not surpass McCoy's until his 3rd season...some of that again was usage, but I do not remember how special Westbrook was as a rookie...

Even though his numbers weren't great, I have a recollection of Westy doing some things his rookie year that hinted strongly that he might be special. McCoy looks to be a very serviceable RB but hasn't shown me anything as yet that made me do a double take and say "Wow"!

FWIW, there was a thread recently on the Giants BBI asking something to the effect "Who are the best RBs in the East?" Interestingly Gnat fans, who do not look for opportunities to praise Eagle players, had many nice things to say about McCoy. Several had McCoy as the best young back in the East, even better than Jones or Choice.

[IMK]

II'm not down on McCoy, and I don't think he's garbage or anything. I simply haven't seen anything from him thjus far to make me feel as if he were "special" or specailly gifted.

This is pretty much my take on McCoy. I'm confident he can be a perfectly serviceable starter. His performance last year was solid enough, just unspectacular.

The upside on McCoy is his age. He was one of the youngest players in the league last year, probably younger than half the rookies from this year's class. With a year to grow into his frame, it's easy to see him taking that next step. Happens all the time with 2nd-year running backs (one reason why they're often great fantasy values.)

The thing is, the purpose of the running game in the offense is different now. Used to be, the whole offense was centered around a running back, because that was where the big plays came from. Now, the big plays come from the receiving corps. The running game as currently constructed is basically there to get nice, solid gains, taking advantage of all the deep attention. Kind of like the Saints' offense. McCoy will be fine in that role. He doesn't need to be special. (and if he is, great!)

[YourPalChrisMal]

Agree about Westbrook...it was such a surprise whenever he did make a turnover

Did Westbrook show that "burst" as a rookie? His production did not surpass McCoy's until his 3rd season...some of that again was usage, but I do not remember how special Westbrook was as a rookie...

The memory plays tricks on you, but I seem to recall being blown away by Westbrook's "burst" right from the start. Like everyone else at the time, I thought they had just stumbled into a tremendous "3rd-down back!" Haha. Little did we know, but that "burst" would allow him to become way more than that. But, yes, I do seem to remember Westbrook having that afterburner gear from Day #1.

[NoDakIggle]

I thought McCoy did a good job for a rookie and showed the ability to be the full time back. If he didn't show enough burst I think it goes toward being a rookie and not having a feel for the speed of the game and not having much of an off season. I don't expect him to ever be the great breakaway back in the NFL but I think he shows much better this year (if his head is in the NFL and not the bright lights).

[Vote for Kalas]

I guess I thought breaking the Eagles rookie record for rushing and catching 40 balls to boot is a pretty darn good rookie season....but we'll see. certainly more than I expected for a 21 yr old who got rushed into service

[andrewaters]

McCoy reminds me a lot of Tiki Barber on the field. Tiki was never special like Westy but he was very good for 5-6 years. That is what I think we will see from McCoy.... a guy that is always going to get all the yards that are there but is not going to make a ton of guys miss, outrun guys, fool guys, etc.

[MDFAN]

Personally hadn't noticed any antipathy regarding McCoy. Have no idea why there would be. He performed well last year without a ton of experience and being thrown into the fire.

[Blitz]

I agree with MD. Of course he didn't look like Westbrook because he's not. He's never going to be. He's going to be our starter for the next five or six years. But people need to let him be McCoy and drop the Westbrook comparisons. VERY few RBs are as good as BW.

[Jukin]

I'm with MD and Blitz on this. I think we've been spoiled by the many years of watching Brian Westbrook so when we see a more traditional RB who could be very good instead of exceptional the tendency is to yawn. I'm hoping the lack of burst" we saw last year is more about a hesitancy as a rookie facing new challenges every week than it is about his actual on the field speed. Westy as a rookie was put in situations where he could just open it up. Shady didn't have that luxury last season. Hopefully another year in the system will allow him to react more and think less.

[FRESH]

Well, I've read that this off season conditioning program has done him a world of good and shedded his "baby fat", so perhaps we will see a more dynamic McCoy this year. But I repeat, it's not that he is simply being compared as an offensive weapon to Westy, but to our current playmakes like Desean and Maclin. Those guys have the ability to make you go.....WOW. Young, quick, agile......it's hard not to have that in your mind when you are watching McCoy.

[kyfred]

I think we have to balance out Westy going 2 yards on 5 carries and then breaking one long vs. 3-5 yards all day. One of the issues with the offense has been how it stalled when a run was needed or in the redzone. McCoy may not have the burst or a tone of highlight reel runs, but he, and the other backs we have, may be better suited to keep drives moving