Eagles Try Again To Get The Ground Game Going
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- LeSean McCoy says it's all about the team, but the running back wants to do more to help the team win.
Despite a 7-2 record, the Eagles have had a difficult time running the football throughout much of the season. Last week, the Eagles rushed for just 37 yards in their win over the Panthers, and LeSean McCoy was held to 19 yards. McCoy would like to pick up his production, but stresses the team's success is more important.
"The individual goals and achievements are always second," said McCoy. "We're winning games and being a successful team, and that's all that really matters at the end of the day."
Fortunately for the Eagles, the team's passing attack was in high gear against the Panthers. The offensive players are hoping for a more balanced attack this Sunday in Green Bay, but Jeremy Maclin says they'll take whatever is given to them by the opposing defenses.
"We like to run the football," Maclin said. "I think that's one thing that we do here. At the same time, if teams want to take away the deep ball and if teams want to take away the run game, we've got to be able to beat them in other ways."
Chip Kelly knows McCoy has received plenty of criticism this season with the drop-off in his production. However, the coach came to his running back's defense and said other players also have to shoulder the blame.
"It's individual play," said Kelly. "It's not an overall thing. I think LeSean's doing a really good job, but there's a lot of times when it's not blocked up well enough for him to hit anything. It's not all on one guy."
The Eagles are hoping this is the week they will be able to get their rushing attack back at a high level. The Packers rank 30th in the NFL in run defense, and are allowing an average of 142.6 rushing yards per game. Center Jason Kelce is hoping for better results as they prepare for one of the most important games of the season.
"We have to do a better job," Kelce said. "Even when it's hard to run, you've still got to be able to get three, four, five-yard carries out of it and still move the chains. We haven't been very effective this year in doing that."
Nick Foles was the only player listed as a non-participant in practice on Thursday.
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