By Peter Gleason
Rare is the day when LeSean McCoy looks distracted. The Eagles’ a–time rushing leader is man of almost singular focus.
And even more unusual is the day when McCoy does not have the swagger that he has adopted as one of the NFL’c elite runners — in fact, he is the 2013 NFL rushing leader.
December, 7, 2014 was that day.
“I just didn’t feel focused. I just didn’t focus on some of the small stuff that I do well,” McCoy said. “I missed the last protection, the sack against Mark Sanchez. That was my guy, a small, little DB. I just missed him.”
Although he didn’t say he why didn’t feel focused, Comcast Sports Net reported that McCoy was dealing with the loss of a family member, which explains why he missed practice Friday. At the time, the team said it was a personal reason.
McCoy, who led the NFL in rushing last season with 1,607 yards, gained 50 yards on 17 carries against the Seahawks. With 1,068 rushing yards this season, he has gained more than a hundred yards in only four games. His total against the Seahawks maked his fourth-lowest of the season.
“They are a pretty good defense,” McCoy said. “Numbers don’t lie.”
On the first play from scrimmage in the third quarter, with the Eagles trailing 10-7, McCoy fumbled at the Eagles’ 20-yard line. Two plays later, Russell Wilson and Marshawn Lynch connected on a 15-yard touchdown.
“Just bad ball security,” McCoy said. “I kind of hit the hole, there was a guy getting off a block and I tried to jump out and held the ball too low. And he hit the ball. Obviously, it was terrible timing.”
The loss dropped the Eagles to 9-4, tied with the Dallas Cowboys for first place in the NFC East. With a game coming up next week against those Cowboys, the Eagles need to put this loss behind them and get ready for a must-win game.
In a 33-10 victory over the Cowboys two weeks ago, McCoy rushed for 159 yards and a TD on 25 carries. It marked his biggest output this season.
“Just didn’t focus today,” McCoy said. “Wasn’t there.”
