Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Since relieving Brian Westbrook as the starting running back of the Philadelphia Eagles, LeSean McCoy has been breaking records and ankles.
An elusive runner with the canny ability to make defenders miss at will, creating gaps and turning plays any way he pleases. McCoy has been a threat in Philadelphia regardless of the team’s overall achievement since he arrived on the scene. He’s a workhorse that until now hasn’t really been used to the greatest advantage of the team or his ability. Well, that time has come to an end.
The arrival of Chip Kelly in Philadelphia, along with the spread offense, makes McCoy the most feared man on the field. Defenses will shudder at the thought of having a more difficult job of bringing him down in the new system. Having missed the first preseason game, Shady saw his first action against the Carolina Panthers and did not disappoint.
He carried nine times for 47 yards and a touchdown, with the highlight being a 21 yard run that left Carolina scrambling around the field, as if chasing a little kid around the schoolyard. It is thought that McCoy may still be a bit rusty from a knee injury he suffered earlier in training camp, so his performance begs the question as to just what’s to come. If his preseason debut is any indication, fasten your seat belts and enjoy the ride.
Defenses around the NFL will be on notice that McCoy is the centerpiece to the new offense in Philadelphia. However, knowing about it and stopping him are two different things. Look for Shady to have a career year, both rushing and receiving, possibly reaching over 2,000 yards combined. As if the new spread offense wasn’t intriguing enough, the fit it has for Philadelphia’s stars are making them even more potent than before, a mixture that no opponent can be looking forward to.
Bob Francis is a Philadelphia Eagles contributor for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @rfrancisjr, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google
