Former Philadelphia Eagles running back LeSean McCoy has remained bitter since the early March trade, a “panic move” he called by head coach Chip Kelly, with the Buffalo Bills for rising star linebacker Kiko Alonso and replacing him with former Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray.
In yesterday’s interview with Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer, McCoy spoke to the Philadelphia media for the first time since the trade and explained his theory as to why he was traded to the Bills:
“I don’t think he likes or respects the stars. I’m being honest. I think he likes the fact that it’s ‘Chip Kelly and the Eagles.’ It was ‘DeSean Jackson – a high-flying, take-off-the-top-of-the-defense receiver.’ Or ‘The quick, elusive LeSean McCoy.’ I don’t think [Kelly] likes that.”
The all-time rushing leader in Eagles history is clearly still bothered by the trade, but could be getting out of hand with his assessment of Kelly.
Yes, DeSean Jackson was an elite wide receiver when he was in Philadelphia, but his off-the-field problems were a key contributor as to why the Eagles ultimately cut the cord with him.
The Eagles also made sure they weren’t shortchanged when they shipped McCoy either. Philadelphia traded McCoy in exchange for a young, highly-talented Alonso, as well as dumped McCoy’s ludicrous contract. In addition to his contract, McCoy’s lack of production this season (24th in yards per carry), substantial workload, and relatively high age for a running back (28), fostered a need to retool the running back position. In response, Kelly and Co. used their significant cap-space dollars and turned it into the 2014 league-leading rusher (Murray). Pretty good if you ask me!
McCoy is a dynamic playmaker, there’s no question about that, but Philadelphia needed the change. Nobody, even McCoy himself, ever expected him to be traded. McCoy may have some backing to his theory, but for what Kelly has been able to do in his two full seasons, he has done pretty well.
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