Eagles' McCoy has confidence, but few answers

LeSean McCoy is not used to this. The NFL's defending rushing champion has never needed to address a stretch like the one he's experiencing now, with 2.7 yards per carry this season. That's the worst during a four-game span since he arrived in Philadelphia.

McCoy did not offer answers Wednesday, his first public comments since a 10-carry, 17-yard performance in the loss to San Francisco on Sunday. The results are evident - "just not getting it done," he repeatedly said - and he is unbothered by the criticism.

"I'm confident in my game," McCoy said. "I know who I am. The teams we play know what type of player I am. That doesn't bother me. I can't answer why we can't get the running game going. And I'm not going to. I'm not going to fight that battle."

McCoy hopes the return of Lane Johnson at right tackle from a four-game suspension will bolster the offensive line, allowing Todd Herremans to move back to right guard. The Eagles still have reserves at left guard and center, although they now have a right side at full strength for the first time.

"That definitely helps," McCoy said. "I'm so used to those guys, I know how they block. Last year I had the entire line healthy all 16 games, and they did tremendous."

But McCoy's meager production this season has only been exacerbated by the offensive line woes. It was not considerably better even when Jason Kelce was in the lineup, or even in the opening week.

McCoy has totaled only 192 yards and one touchdown. During the last two weeks, he has 29 carries for 39 yards. It's a steep decline from 2013, when he rushed for 1,607 yards and 5.1 yards per carry.

Coach Chip Kelly said the Eagles had periods when the running game struggled last season. There was a three-game stretch last October when McCoy was limited to 3.27 yards per carry. Two of those games were Eagles losses, so the effect was even more drastic than this season.

But McCoy bookended those three games with 100-yard performances, and he was still catching the ball despite the rushing woes. McCoy has not had a catch during the last two games.

The clear difference between last season and this season, besides the personnel, is the way defenses are playing the Eagles. It has become clear that defenses are determined to stop McCoy.

The Eagles' offensive players have said defenses must "pick your poison," and so far, it seems the poison defenses prefer has been quarterback Nick Foles and the passing game. It has helped the Eagles to three wins, but it has kept McCoy on pace for only 768 yards this season.

"It's definitely frustrating," McCoy said. "You know what type of player you are and you want to put the numbers up. If the teams do come in and try to stop you, and they're successful with it, that's a frustrating moment."

As for the lack of production with screens, McCoy said defenses are studying the Eagles. They know the downs and distances that are ripe for those plays, and the Eagles have counteracted with other kinds of screens, such as those to wide receivers.

When asked if he's healthy, McCoy said he's "fine."

If there is a week to turn around the running game, it could be this one against the St. Louis Rams. They rank No. 30 in the NFL in rushing defense, allowing opponents to rush for 155 yards and 5.1 yards per carry. The opponents' starting running back has topped 100 yards in each game, something McCoy has not yet done this season.

"A lot of is it just executing, getting the guys we want on each other, and get the backs on one-on-one matchup, where we work best," McCoy said. "That's as simple as I get."

McCoy's stance has remained consistent: If the Eagles are winning, he's happy and won't complain. Even with the frustration of the worst stretch of his career, he is resolute about his abilities.

"I know who I am," McCoy said. "And I'm still confident. I know what I can do. It doesn't bother me that much. We're winning games, we're 3-1. At times, it could be frustrating. At the end of the day, I know who I am. So that stuff can only go so far, as far as being frustrated."

@ZBerm