McCoy outperforming peers from '09 draft class
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McCoy outperforming peers from '09 draft class
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
Right around this time a couple years ago, LeSean McCoy wasn't feeling too good.
After deciding to leave Pitt early, he didn't participate in drills at the combine because of a bout with the flu. An NFL.com article wrote at the time that the experience left McCoy battling "mild depression" and "major frustration."
He did meet with several teams in Indy, including the Eagles, who decided a couple months later to take a shot on McCoy in the second round (53rd overall), making him the heir apparent to Brian Westbrook.
Two years later, the McCoy pick looks like a home run. Three running backs were taken ahead of him back in '09: Denver selected Knowshon Moreno at 12; the Colts took Donald Brown at 27; and the Cardinals went with Beanie Wells at 31. McCoy has outperformed all of them after putting together a 2010 season that warranted Pro Bowl consideration.
Here's a look at the top 10 second-year running backs in terms of rushing yards last season:
| Att. |
Yds. |
YPC |
TDs |
20+ |
|
| Arian Foster |
327 |
1,616 |
4.9 |
16 |
12 |
| LeSean McCoy |
207 |
1,080 |
5.2 |
7 |
7 |
| Knowshon Moreno |
182 |
779 |
4.3 |
5 |
3 |
| Shonn Greene |
185 |
766 |
4.1 |
2 |
1 |
| Ryan Torain |
164 |
742 |
4.5 |
4 |
7 |
| Donald Brown |
129 |
497 |
3.9 |
2 |
4 |
| Rashad Jennings |
84 |
459 |
5.5 |
4 |
1 |
| Mike Goodson |
103 |
452 |
4.4 |
3 |
3 |
| Beanie Wells |
116 |
397 |
3.4 |
2 |
1 |
| Bernard Scott |
61 |
299 |
4.9 |
1 |
0 |
Foster, the guy who tops the list, went undrafted before breaking out with the Texans last season. McCoy was second to him in attempts, yards and rushing touchdowns among second-year backs. And McCoy was tops (among second-year players with at least 100 carries) with a 5.2 YPC average.
In fact, league-wide, only Kansas City's Jamaal Charles (6.4) and New York's Brandon Jacobs (5.6) averaged more yards per carry.
Of course, the numbers above don't even take into account McCoy's production as a receiver. He ranked third among all second-year players (not just running backs) with 78 receptions, behind only Hakeem Nicks (79) and (ready for this?) Danny Amenodola (85).
Foster (604) is the only back who had more receiving yards than McCoy (592).
The big-play ability was a big part of what launched him forward in his second season. As a rookie, McCoy had just one carry of 20+ yards in 155 attempts. Last season, he had seven (one every 29.5 attempts).
And while his elusiveness was what earned McCoy attention across the league, his toughness shouldn't go unnoticed. According to STATS.com, only two running backs were better in third-and-short situations. Miami's Lousaka Polite converted 12 of 13 chances. Green Bay's John Kuhn converted 10 of 12. And McCoy wasn't far behind, going 8-for-10 in those situations.
In the fourth quarter, he showed the ability to be a closer. McCoy averaged 6.1 yards per carry in the final 15 minutes, second to only Charles (6.3).
Despite carrying the full load for the first time in his NFL career, McCoy showed no signs of slowing down during the Eagles' stretch run, averaging 5.9 yards per carry in December. And he raised his level of play against divisional opponents, averaging 6.4 yards per carry in those matchups.
Football Outsiders ranked him as the sixth-best running back in 2010, behind Charles, Foster, BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Maurice Jones-Drew and Adrian Peterson.
McCoy will turn 23 in July and has two years left on his rookie contract. But after two seasons, it looks the Eagles made a great call with their 2009 selection.
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It's amazing what a great year he had, considering how much he wasn't noticed. When I think back to the offense last year, I just think of Vick and D-Jack. McCoy gets lost. They should have relied on him much more than they did.— ej610- Great drafting by Reid.— tommy_the_k
- sheil,Shady Mccoy's star is still rising,he still hasn't reached his peak,all arrows are pointing up for Shady,,Shady should have been given the rock 20-25 times in the playoff game,,he could be another Tony Dorsett if we get a coach that will give him the rock more......w.— wolf 4
- I did not see that comimg— Number Nine
- He still needs to get stronger in his upper body to be more effective against blitzers. I say THIS with a helping of crow: I didn't think (at the start of last season) that Shady had made much progress as a blitz-blocker. I was WRONGWRONGWRONG!! He never missed a pickup that I could tell, even though he was overpowered on occasion. His technique was MUCH better over his Rookie year, and his want-to and hustle made him into a Pro-Bowl calibre RB. I hope Andy Trusts him to be a Runner this year too!— TBear
- I don't know what you've been watching, but McCoy has proven to be a rock in blitz pick-up. In fact, I'll go as far as saying he's been our best all-around blocker.
The only area in which McCoy needs to improve is in setting up his blocks on the screen. He's nowhere near Westbrook in that area, although he's much better runner. Gotta admit that McCoy surprised me with his cutback ability.
His style reminds me of Ricky Watters, a pretty decent back in his own right, though some will only remember "For who? For what?" - And how many of them have either been to the Super Bowl or already have rings?— BigLadd
- Get the man a line and the sky is the limit!— BCRock
- Please give our talent scouts credit!!!!!!!!— Joe Banner - Eagles President
- I know it's our innate right as sports fans in this city to deem every athlete who flashes some ability The Second Coming.. but in this case, Shady is just an incredible talent. Let's not forget he played several games with broken ribs and still took on every blitzer, took every hit. THAT is exactly the kind of player I enjoy watching. Give credit to the front office, God knows they get enough attention when they miss a pick
- Joe Banner is terrible.— p-diddy
- Thanks for trying, Sheil, but nothing matters because EVEN THOUGH THE PROOF IS RIGHT HERE, ON PAPER, ONLINE, WHATEVER, ANDY FAT A** REID IS NEVER, EVER, EVER GOING TO RUN FIRST!!! McCoy will be WASTED on his pass first BULLSH*T!!!!! Once again, Green Bay's run defense, TWENTY SIXTH RANKD IN THE NFL. McCoy??? ELEVEN CARRIES?! ARE YOU F**KING JOKING ME??! FIRE REID. FIRE HIM. He will NEVER CHANGE.— dr.elektrika
- easy, tiger...easy. deep breaths... you're going to punch a hole in you CAPS LOCK and exclamation keys if you're not careful. — esesjay
- It's really not that hard when you get paid to TYPE for a LIVING!— dr.elektrika
- I think Reid is using McCoy just right...His running style is perfect for our Offense that creates a lot of space for him to run in....I do not believe shady is built to carry the rock 25 times a game...He does so many things well ...Runs to daylight and is quick and evasive a threat to go all the way anytime he touches the rock....Is a Terrific Blocker for a relatively Light RB...Not a lead blocker certainly that is a FB job but terrific at picking up the blitz...
He is a Rock Solid Receiver..Great hands and good at finding daylight.....There is only one thing he is not suited for...Running inside in heavy traffic...and frankly we have a guy that is ideal for that in Harrison....who has carried as much as 39 times in a game...Look at Harrison's upper body and Shady's...Harrison is huge in the shoulders and has a real set of guns on him...he is short and hard for Tacklers to get a good shot at and like shady he can take it to the house on virtually any carry and is a very good receiver...he also is very elusive and has quick acceleration (although not quite as fast as McCoy) McCoy has run from sub 4.40 to 4.49 (I think he is much more likely to be close to the 4.40) Harrison was at 4.47 at the combine...and has also run very fast sub 4.40 times just as Shady has...But I think he is closer to the 4.47
Two really good backs with Slightly different skill sets...and Abilities ....We need to get the Max out of both in a True Running game that we can use to dominate the other team if they are able to slow down the passing game.....
IF WE KEEP VICK (I would like to trade him for the draft choices) I would like to see him Do a lot more pocket passing and less running where he will likely be hurt....
Yes...I agree we do need a Running Game...Designed with Shady doing everything he does now and Harrison taking the inside load...
— Bigmike 34
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