PHILADELPHIA — LeSean McCoy can be the difference-maker for the Philadelphia Eagles this season— if they allow it to happen.
The bigger the role McCoy plays, the better off the Eagles will be. Too often, the Eagles become too pass-happy, too one-dimensional. Too often, Michael Vick becomes an easy target for opposing defenses. Too often, McCoy goes long stretches without touching the ball.
That was not the case Sunday night, when the Eagles defeated the Giants, 19-17, in an interesting battle between NFC East rivals. McCoy, one of the NFL’s best running backs, was the offensive star of the second half and finished with 123 yards on 23 carries after putting up only 2 yards in the first half.
At one point, McCoy carried the ball on six consecutive plays. Did somebody lock coach Andy Reid and offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg in the locker room at halftime?
Maybe Reid and Mornhinweg have finally reached the conclusion that giving McCoy more touches will give their opponents more headaches. If that is true, that is good for the Eagles.
“I think we just stuck with it (the running game),” said McCoy in a satisfied Eagles locker room. “The Giants are one of the top front fours that we’re going to see. I think they just got tired. I had that feeling where you want the ball. Coach Reid, we do this thing where we look at each other. It’s an understanding. He started feeding me.”
Vick took plenty of heat for committing nine turnovers in the Eagles’ first three games. That criticism was deserved. However, the Eagles under Reid have relied too much on the passing game.
With Vick throwing to targets like DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin, Brent Celek and McCoy out of the backfield, the Eagles are an explosive team. But they need balance, especially against NFC East rivals like the Giants and Cowboys that have premier pass rushers who can make life miserable for quarterbacks.
Vick had a splendid game against the Giants—19-of-30, 241 yards, one touchdown, 99.4 passer rating, 49 yards rushing and no turnovers for the first time this season. And it was no coincidence that Vick's stellar play came on a night when McCoy was also superb.
Philadelphia has won its last six games when McCoy tops 100 yards rushing. He is a weapon the Eagles have to utilize consistently. Just like the Ravens are a better team when Ray Rice gets plenty of touches, the Eagles are a better team when McCoy gets touches. Asked about that theory, McCoy was too modest to embrace it.
“I think any back would die to be in my system,” McCoy said. “I have two of the best wide receivers in the league. My quarterback can do everything. My tight end is a beast. I don’t get as much attention as other backs because they don’t have as many weapons. I don’t have a problem with that. I’m grateful to be on a team like this. The next game, who knows, I might not get the ball that much. As long as we win.”
But the Eagles’ chances of winning are better when McCoy is a bigger part of things. Ask the Giants. McCoy has four 100-yard games against them.
“He’s a great back, and he made some cuts to get outside of our containing,” Giants defensive end Justin Tuck said. “I think 80 percent of his runs we played as good as we could have, but there were some leaks that they took advantage of.”
“He got it going in the second half,” Giants safety Antrel Rolle said. “He was breaking contain, a lot of cutbacks. I’m not sure what was going on.”
McCoy was going on. And it’s a formula the Eagles should bottle. Sticking with the running game can be frustrating. If a running back is contained during his first five or six carries, any team is tempted to abandon the ground attack.
But McCoy is so elusive that the odds favor him making a big play or two if he gets enough opportunities. Particularly in the second half, when the opposing defense is more tired and more apt to miss tackles.
The Eagles (3-1) sit atop the NFC East, but they visit the Steelers (2-1) in Week 5, who will be rested coming off a bye. Pittsburgh is another team very capable of making Vick’s life miserable if the Eagles abandon the running game and ask Vick to throw it 40 times.
McCoy may be too unselfish to ask for more touches. But the Eagles would be foolish not to take advantage of one of the league’s best backs. When McCoy gets off, it makes the Eagles’ offense less predictable. It keeps their offense on the field and allows their defense to rest. It allows Vick the luxury of carrying less of the load.
“I think it’s easier on everybody when the run game is clicking,” Vick said. “It doesn’t allow the defense to tee off and pin their ears back. If you give them the liberty to free rush the passer, then they’re going to knock you out. They’re going to hit you a little bit. Balance is good.”
Balance is very good. The Eagles are blessed to have McCoy. They need to make sure they keep feeding him.
source: aol.sportingnews.com
