LeSean McCoy is about to go off.
Let's just hope it's Sunday on the field.
Yesterday, you could see the Eagles star running back getting more and more agitated as he was peppered with questions about the Birds' suddenly woeful running game. Here's Bob Grotz's report on McCoy's edgy session with the media yesterday.
McCoy is rightly frustrated. With the game on the line last Sunday and the Eagles seemingly sitting pretty on the 49ers 1-yard line with two chances to push it in for the game-winning TD, McCoy watched as Chip Kelly dialed up two pass plays.
It didn't help that on third down McCoy missed a key block, allowing the rush to cause a hurried - and incomplete - throw from Nick Foles to Bret Celek.
After the game, Kelly said he simply didn't think he was getting the kind of push from the interior of his line that he needed to stick that ball in the end zone.
For his part, McCoy is now doing a slow burn after spending much of the off-season telling anyone who would listen that he is the best back in the NFL. He talked about rushing for 2,000 yards.
Then the season started. McCoy found himself the subject of unflattering headlines over a 20-cent tip he left a server at a restaurant. Now people are joking that he tips more than he has yards gained. On Sunday he carried the ball 10 times for 17 yards. His season numbers aren't much better, 70 carries for 192 yards. That comes to a measly 2.7 yards per carry. He's also developed a glaring tendency to go east and west in search of an opening, rather than north and south. In the past, some of those dazzling moves would result in a breath-taking burst leaving opponents grasping at air. This year it has resulted only in McCoy grasping for answers.
The Rams might be just what McCoy needs. They excel against the pass, but struggle against the run. Plus the beat-up offensive line will be bolstered by the return of starting right tackle Lane Johnson, back after serving a four-game suspension for use of a banned substance. That allows Todd Herremans to slide back into right guard. Look for the Birds to run that way a lot on Sunday.
If they're not successful, look for a different kind of explosion from McCoy.
It won't be pretty.
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