McCoy draws national praise

NFL Network continues to unveil its list of the league's top 100 players.

In an earlier post, I pointed out that DeSean Jackson fell to No. 71, and Nnamdi Asomugha plummeted to No. 79. Next up is Michael Vick at No. 70. He ranks ahead of Tony Romo (No. 91) and Joe Flacco (No. 74), but behind Philip Rivers (No. 61).

Meanwhile, Pete Prisco of CBSSports.com has his own top-100 list out. Four Eagles are on it - LeSean McCoy at No. 32, Trent Cole at No. 45, Jason Babin at No. 65 and Asomugha at 81. The only running backs listed ahead of McCoy are Maurice Jones-Drew (No. 19) and Adrian Peterson (No. 28). Prisco ranks McCoy ahead of Arian Foster (No. 36) and Ray Rice (No. 52).

Perhaps Drew Rosenhaus can use the list as leverage in contract negotiations with the Eagles?

He can use this article from NFL.com's Daniel Jeremiah also. Jeremiah worked as a scout for the Eagles and has a list out of the top 10 players under the age of 25. McCoy gets a mention:

McCoy's first two seasons in Philadelphia were very solid. He took his game to an entirely new level in his third year. He ran for 1,309 yards and led the league in both rushing TDs (17) and rushes over 20 yards (14). He also hauled in 48 balls for 315 yards and three TDs. He is the NFL's most elusive open-field runner. He has rare stop-and-start quickness and he doesn't get enough credit for his ability to power through tackles. He also has worked to become one of the better pass-protecting running backs in the league.

There's no denying McCoy, who will turn 24 in July, belongs on the list. I might disagree with the last sentence though. McCoy's improved as a blocker, but still has lapses and needs to get more consistent going forward. Not in the same league as Brian Westbrook yet in that aspect, in my opinion.

BELL CLOSE TO DECISION

Veteran safety Yeremiah Bell is close to signing with a team, Drew Rosenhaus reportedly said in a radio interview this morning. Per the South Florida Sun Sentinel, Bell has worked out for the Eagles, Jets, Chiefs and Titans.

I've always been in favor of adding a starting-caliber, veteran safety, but Jeff McLane of the Inquirer Tweeted yesterday that he's told the Eagles are not interested in Bell.

OSI APOLOGIZES

Over the weekend, Giants defensive lineman Osi Umenyiora went out of his way to wish LeSean McCoy a Happy Mother's Day.

Today, in response to an ESPN.com article criticizing him, he Tweeted an apology. Not to McCoy, but to women:

@SarahSpain is absolutely correct in her article. I wasnt thinking about it from that perspective. I apologize to any woman offended. It won't happen again.

PETERS DOCKED PAY

The Eagles will dock Jason Peters $3.25M, according to ESPN's Chris Mortensen. Peters originally injured his Achilles working out, but since he was away from the team's facility, it is considered a "non-football injury."

Tough one here. On one hand, the Eagles are well within their rights and are only taking away what they're paying Peters' replacement, Demetress Bell. Peters is scheduled to make $7.9M next season, so he's still getting $4.65M of that.

On the other hand, presumably, he was working out to get ready for the season. Had the injury occurred at the Novacare Complex, the Eagles would not have been allowed to dock him pay. But is it realistic to expect players to all work out at the team facility all offseason? I'm not sure.

Here are a couple Tweets from Andrew Brandt of the National Football Post on the issue:

Unintended consequence of CBA allowing players more time away from facility and w/out supervision of the Clubs' coaches/trainers.

In deciding whether to not pay a player due to an offseason injury, club must balance money saved vs. relationship w/player, agent.

Mortensen's report said the Eagles had "amicably discussed" the cut with Peters and his agent, Eugene Parker.

I could go either way here. Interested to hear your thoughts.

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