LeSean McCoy has materialized into a top-notch running back. The 23-year old creates headaches for opposing teams by eluding defenders and rocketing down field. McCoy leads all NFC running backs in yards, 100-yard games and touchdowns. He scored eight touchdowns through six games. The time has come to pronounce “Shady,” McCoy’s nickname, a superstar.
Due to his modest stature, McCoy was drafted in the second round of the 2009 draft. Critics assumed he could not act as a team’s main laborer. The volatile rusher has used his nonbelievers as a stimulus to improve. Last week against the Redskins, McCoy demonstrated workhorse numbers. He attempted 28 rushes for 126 yards and a touchdown. Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan was impressed, he called McCoy “the best back in pro football.”
“Shady” McCoy is anything but one-dimensional. “He has a lot of value as a blocker and as a receiver and you can obviously see how good of a runner he is when he has the ball in his hands,” said head coach Andy Reid. The Eagles running back is an enormous threat on the ground and through the air. In 2010, McCoy led the Eagles in receptions. He caught 78 passes for just under 600 yards. This season, the 208-pound rusher is on pace to gain 1,845 yards from scrimmage.
The former Pittsburgh Panther is the Eagles tour de force. Since 2009, the Eagles are 12-4 when McCoy has 14 or more carries. They are 11-13 when he does not. This season he leads the NFL with 45 total first downs, rushing for first downs on 34.3 percent of his carries.
Perhaps the most admirable trait of LeSean McCoy is his modesty. McCoy constantly strives to improve. His maturity and learning of the game are frequent topics of conversation with the media.
“There’s a lot of room for improvement, and I know that,” McCoy said. “I know that. I’ve just got to stick with it and keep working. I watch tape, man, and I miss plays and I know that. And if I want to be the best, if I want to live up to [that], I’ve got to make those plays.”
