Porter: LeSean McCoy Criticism Is Lazy
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) --- The majority opinion is Eagles running back LeSean McCoy has lost a step.
In fact, in the Audio Roadshow Poll done this week on the 94WIP Morning Show, two-thirds of the voters agreed that McCoy isn't the same player. Most reference his east-to-west running style, his bad attitude, and my favorite, the "eye-test".
It's a lazy argument.
Listen: Angelo Cataldi and Andrew Porter debate about LeSean McCoy on the 94WIP Morning Show
McCoy has never been a power back, if you will. He dances, that's what he does, but he's a home run threat every time he touches the ball and he's one of the most dynamic ball carriers in open space on the planet. And, at 26-years-old, he still is that guy, contrary to popular opinion.
In fact, the case can made that McCoy is actually having a better season this year, than last. Yeah, I said it. Let me explain.
3. The Offensive Line
The Eagles entered 2014 with the No. 1 ranked offensive line in the National Football League, according to a list compiled by ESPN Insiders and Pro Football Focus. Let that sink in for a second. The best. The top of the totem pole.
Why? Because of their 2013 success, when they were fully healthy and able to play every game together.
From left to right: Jason Peters, Evan Mathis, Jason Kelce, Todd Herremans, and Lane Johnson propelled McCoy and the 2013 NFL's best rushing offense (160.4 rushing yards per game).
Flash forward to 2014.
- Right from the get-go, Johnson is suspended four game for using PEDs.
- Evan Mathis sprained his MCL in the first game of the season and missed the next seven games.
- Backup Allen Barbre suffered a season-ending high ankle injury in Week 1.
- Kelce had hernia surgery after injuring himself in Week 3, missing the next four games.
- Herremans is placed in injured reserve with a torn biceps after Week 9.
- Backup Matt Tobin suffered a concussion in Week 11.
Result: The Eagles have played ZERO snaps with that No. 1 ranked combination they were projected to have entering the season. Zero.
2. The Quarterback Play / DeSean Jackson
Nick Foles played out of his mind last year throwing for 27 touchdowns and only two interceptions in 13 games. His No. 1 wide out, DeSean Jackson, had the best season of his career, catching 82 balls for over 1,300 yards and nine touchdowns.
Flash forward to 2014.
Foles, who struggled in eight games played in 2014 throwing 13 touchdowns to 10 interceptions, is now out with a clavicle injury and Jackson, who was cut in the offseason, is now the Washington Redskins' headache.
Result: With Mark Sanchez at quarterback and no real deep-threat, opposing teams understand the Eagles, ideally, want to run the ball. It's blatantly obvious.
1. The Numbers
| 2013 (through 10 games) | 2014 (through 10 games) | |
| Carries | 193 | 196 |
| Rushing Yards | 932 | 729 |
| Yards Per Carry | 4.8 | 3.7 |
| Rushing Touchdowns | 3 | 2 |
| Record | 5-5 | 7-3 |
Right now, today, McCoy is 6th in the NFL in rushing yards and and 2nd in attempts. It's not that bad!
He's averaging 72.9 rushing yards per game and is on pace for 1,166.4 rushing yards this season, despite only two 100-yard rushing performances and zero 150-yard performances.
In 2013, Shady had one 217-yard rushing game, two 130-plus yard rushing games, and six rushing scores over the Eagles' final six regular season games.
"I just think he's frustrated," 94WIP Eagles analyst Reuben Frank said of McCoy on the 94WIP Morning Show. "I mean, this is not a good offensive line, I think he's still a really good player and we've seen flashes of it. He's got no room to run like 90-percent of the time."
"I think in a way he's actually having a better year this year, because he's had to work so much harder for his yards," Frank continued. "You get 1,200 yards behind Matt Tobin and these guys, that's more an accomplishment than 1,600 yards under this great offensive line that was in tact all [last] year."
Ironically, like this season, the Eagles' 10th game last season was at Lambeau Field against the Packers. With six games to go, this time around, McCoy's team is 7-3 and they control their own destiny.
The Eagles will host the Tennessee Titans and the league's second worst rushing defense (143.5 rushing yards per game allowed) on Sunday afternoon. Additionally, the 2-8 Titans and rookie QB Zach Mettenberger are coming to Philly off of a tough three-point loss on Monday night, where they allowed 206 rushing yards to the Steelers.
I have a hunch McCoy goes for 150-plus on the ground this weekend in a blowout win, and all the sudden...all the sudden...those numbers start to look a lot better and the criticism starts to dwindle.
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