There is zero doubt that Philadelphia Eagles running back LeSean McCoy is a talented running back. He made a statement on Monday however that he is going to need to prove however. McCoy went on ESPN’s “First Take” and said that he is the best running back in all of the NFL over Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson. His reasoning was that Peterson has been labeled the best for years but McCoy never leaves the field and that’s why he is the best. This boils down to using stats as a deciding factor.
Peterson has rushed for 3,363 yards the last two seasons while McCoy has rushed for 2,447 yards. McCoy has 106 receptions to Peterson’s 69 so that one goes to McCoy. Peterson played in two more games as well. The easiest way to decide this one is to say that they are both great running backs who deserve to be thought of as the best in the league. Here is McCoy during the 2013 season.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KaakvWIrPq0
There is an argument that Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles should be in the conversation as well with his rushing-receiving abilities. The time will come for McCoy to have the spotlight to himself. He is four years younger than Peterson and while the usual NFL running back career lasts only four years, McCoy has the ability to pass Peterson at some point. However, this isn’t the time. Right now, Peterson is still the top rusher in the league. The 2,097 yards in 2012 seals the deal for the time being and that was coming off of an ACL injury.
The Eagles and McCoy are going to be more successful in 2014 than Peterson and the Vikings probably. If McCoy needs that chip on his shoulder however to make him better, so be it. Players have their own ways of getting motivated for games. McCoy obviously sees his as being dissed for not being the top running back in the game. The statistics however the last two seasons paint a different picture. Peterson is the better rusher and McCoy the better receiver out of the backfield. They should be painted as 1 and 1A at this point with Charles right there with the two. Fans will have to wait to see which running back is actually better overall this coming season.