One Fan(n)’s Opinion by @RDotDeuce: Bills trade a legend for real McCoy

http://gty.im/129021526

So yeah. This happened. The Bills have traded Kiko Alonso, he of two ACL injuries and legends a-plenty, to the Philadelphia Eagles for LeSean McCoy.

I am unabashedly a fan of Shady. As a student at Pitt, I watched every one of his games, as well as a good bit of his high school games as well. As a pro, I’ve rooted for him in games as a Pitt guy (except against Bills of course). He’s a tough back who, at the ripe age of 26 has ‘tread on the tires’ and production in the league. I’m going to go through some of the positives and negatives of the Shady experience, but since I’m a Pitt homer that is getting (Next to “my” Fitz, Revis or Aaron Donald) one of my favorite alumni playing for my favorite team.

While I’m enjoying the trade and the possibilities having a back of McCoy’s caliber, please don’t “Bills fan/media” this too much. What do I mean?

Repeat after me: There’s no reason to disparage Spiller or Alonso on the way out to make you feel better about getting McCoy/those players leaving. Save that for the #smalltimers. Ultimately both players as Bills did their job under pretty awkward circumstances (Alonso having the hopes of a defense foisted upon him / Spiller taking total blame for ‘offensive’ line play) and it’s pretty flippin’ petty. C’mon, don’t be that guy/gal. Now let’s look at some vines of the new Bills back..

Notice a few things there:

• Shady bounces the ball to where he (thinks) he needs it to go. While doing that, he also shows off one of the things I’ve seen since he’s played high school – the way he carries the ball. He hasn’t changed it, so you’re going to have to deal with it folks.
• This (and the next vine) also shows something that is key to allow Shady to bounce things around is his line blocks through the whistle. Peters in particular (whistles innocently)….
• Speaking of bouncing – LeSean has been in (from college to now) predominantly zone-based blocking schemes. So, like Spiller there will be a learning curve for the gap/power football that Roman brings to the table.

This run *kinda* looks like one of the runs I highlighted in my FA piece on TE/FB doesn’t it? I’m sure Rex and Roman did the Step-Brothers’ high five after this got done….

For those on the #RBValue side of things, it’s okay. It’s okay to pay for talent guys. Over the next few years McCoy is owed:

2015: 10.25 million

2016: 7.15 million

2017: 7.85 million

That’s not bad for the production Shady has had. And if the rumors via twitter are true re: Rosenhaus and Shady wanting an extension, that’s a win-win for both sides. Adding two years will allow Bills to pro-rate say 2015/2016 money into a signing bonus and tack some “make-good” money at the end. Bills get their space back and Shady gets a check for 12-17 million. No biggie. As I mentioned in my first FA article, Bills fans, remember the new owners are billionaires. It’s okay for them to spend money. If they need cap space they’ll be fine. It’s when you don’t have enough liquid cash on hand that you get into trouble.

Speaking of trouble, let’s recap and keep a few things in mind:

1. Shady will NEVER hold the ball the way you want him to. He’s held it the same way since high school. Please save yourself the time and accept it.
2. If you were one to mention CJ bouncing runs outside, or not having the “vision” to follow blocks, just wait. Shady will go where he wants if he thinks there’s yards to be had. I remember Pitt’s RB coach having to set up a ‘daylight’ rule – if you don’t get at least 4 yards going to hole you wanted outside of play you sat. Shady rarely sat. In fact, remember the episode of The Fresh Prince where Will was the star of the baskeball team (“Pass the ball to Will”)? Shady’ll most likely get same treatment on those runs.
3. I cannot wait for the MSM to get a hold of him, because if he doesn’t want to come and does so only with the added years/money I suggested, the takes will be Qatar-in-summer hot….
4. He has played in PA his whole life – he may need adjustment to lack of Sheetz, Wawa, etc. Give him time.

If Shady is a little leery of playing outside of PA as Josina Anderson has reported – the check clearing should take care of that. And Rex will do what Rex does – get people to believe in him AND in the fact that while LeSean’s old team didn’t want him anymore, Rex has opens arms…

And this is a (very) happy Fan(n)’s Opinion. Hail to Pitt!

(Y’all know the drill – hit me up on twitter @RDotDeuce)

#1FO