LeSean McCoy was never jealous of his high-profile teammates.
He just wanted to know where he fit in on one of the NFL’s most prolific offenses. After leading the league in rushing touchdowns and pushing for the overall rushing title most of the season, McCoy is no longer a secret weapon. He knows it, his teammates know it and, most importantly, opposing defenses know it.
“I want the defensive coordinators to say, ‘Where LeSean McCoy at?’” McCoy said Tuesday night, while holding a Q&A session with fans at the 2012 Pennsylvania Auto Show. “I wasn’t jealous, but I was sick and tired of people saying they had to worry about Michael, DeSean … where do I fit in? I want to help them guys out. It’s unfair that they’re doing so much. Stuff like that motivates me.”
McCoy finished the 2011 season with 1,309 rushing yards and an NFL-best 17 rushing touchdowns. While reaching his first career Pro Bowl. McCoy said the biggest satisfaction was having respected defensive foes like DeMarcus Ware and London Fletcher compliment him on his success.
“Them guys was like, ‘How’d you get like this?’” McCoy told the audience.
Another fan asked McCoy about his first-quarter fumble in last week’s Pro Bowl game in Hawaii. The NFC lost the game, 59-41.
“It’s more like IT tag, slow pace. That first carry, I kind of walked in there expecting something else and then I ran a little bit hard and fumbled,” McCoy said. “The practices are like walk-through, but I won’t fumble for you next year.”
While he laughed it off as rookie jitters, the Eagles back was quick to point out that he wasn’t ready for the slow pace of the all-star game.
“My first reaction was, ‘Alright I’m going to get the ball and I’m trying to score every chance I get’ and the older guys are like, ‘Whoa, hold on, McCoy, it’s not that type of football.’”
The slow tempo has been a point of contention this past week from several players, including Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
“I’ve always found that when you’re going that tempo, that’s when the injuries are going to happen, not if you’re going full speed,” Rodgers told ESPN 540 in Milwaukee. “You’re more likely to get an injury standing around a pile or just going through it half-speed.”
McCoy touched on a variety of topics during the 20-minute exchange with fans in a second-floor conference room at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.
His favorite car? Chevy Camaro.
His favorite player growing up? Barry Sanders.
How did he get his nickname, Shady?
“My mom said I was I shady-looking kid,” he said. “Don’t worry, I’m not shady anymore.”
And McCoy, in a rare moment of introspection, also admitted that when his playing career is over, he’d like to join the media. Either that, or go back to his high school, Bishop McDevitt in Harrisburg, and possibly serve as athletic director or football coach.
“Something to still be involved in the game if I’m not playing,” McCoy said.
