Malcolm Jenkins: LeSean McCoy trade no surprise
The Philadelphia Eagles shocked the NFL by trading LeSean McCoy this offseason, but Malcolm Jenkins believes he simply was not the right fit for Chip Kelly’s offense.
The Philadelphia Eagles became talk of the NFL this offseason when they traded one of the best running backs in the league, LeSean McCoy, to the Buffalo Bills. in exchange for 2013 Defensive Player of the Year Kiki Alonso.
The trade shocked the majority of the NFL community, but Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins said the team was not surprised by at all by the move during an appearance on NFL Network.
"“For everybody who is in the locker room and really knows Chip and what he’s looking for, it wasn’t necessarily surprising.”"
While Alonso bolsters their defense with a premier linebacker entering his prime, Jenkins believes that McCoy was dealt because he was not the style of running back necessary for Chip Kelly’s offense.
"“You look at the style of runner that Chip wants in his offense and even though Shady is one of the best backs in the league, he’s not necessarily what Chip is looking for all the time,” Jenkins said. “Chip thinks he’s a great running back, he knows his talent is there, but our [system] is really predicated on downhill, somebody who is going to hit the hole every time. It’s about getting up in the defenders face as fast as you can and that’s not necessarily Shady’s running style.”"
The Eagles wasted no time in finding a replacement, signing 2014 rushing champion DeMarco Murray to a 5-year deal. Not only is Murray an upgrade talent wise, he is absolutely the downhill runner Kelly is looking for in his running game.
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Trading away McCoy may have been controversial, but it had to be done. Chip Kelly has his own vision for a champion contender, and Murray appears to be the perfect running back to lead the way.
Despite finishing second in the NFL in rushing yards last year, behind Murray, McCoy struggled down the stretch and lost touches to the speedy veteran Darren Sproles. Running backs tend to thrive in Kelly’s offense as well, so expect big things once again from Murray this season.
Chip Kelly has been maligned by some and praised by others for this hectic offseason. One thing is certain, the Philadelphia Eagles will have a brand-new look in 2015. The talent is all in place for them to be the NFC’s team to beat. The only thing holding them back will be developing team chemistry.
If it all comes together, though, Chip Kelly will silence the doubters and have the Eagles in place for a legitimate championship run.
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