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NFL Network has been running their annual NFL Top 100 series as voted on by the players. It was revealed on Wednesday night that former Philadelphia Eagles running back LeSean McCoy made the list at No. 29 overall. McCoy ranked as the fifth best player in the league last year, so he suffered a significant drop.
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McCoy is obviously no longer with the Eagles after being traded to the Buffalo Bills in exchange for Kiko Alonso, but it was his 2014 performance which earned him a spot on this list. Here's what we wrote about McCoy following the season:
"Numbers: 791 snaps, 312 attempts, 1319 yards, 4.2 Y/A, 82.4 Y/G, 5 TD, 53 Long, 28 rec, 155 yards, 5.5 Y/R, 0 rec TD, 1474 yards from scrimmage, 5 total TD, 4 fumbles
Review: The volume numbers are impressive. McCoy finished fourth in the NFL in rushing yards. He broke the all-time Eagles rushing record previously held by Wilbert Montgomery late in the season. The problem is that the volume numbers don't tell the whole story. McCoy wasn't nearly as efficient in 2014 as he was in 2013. His 4.1 yards per carry ranked tied for 24, among the likes of Alfred Morris, Boobie Dixon, Shane Vereen, and Giovani Bernard.
While it's true that McCoy was negatively impacted by the injuries to the Eagles' offensive line, he also failed to make defenders miss. McCoy averaged 2.09 yards after first contact this season. That's a career low for him. The previous low was 2.10 in his rookie season. He wasn't nearly as elusive as he's been in the past. McCoy finished 15th out of 18 running backs that played at least 50% snaps in Pro Football Focus's "Elusive Rating", which boils down a runner's success beyond the point of being helped by his blockers. McCoy finished much higher in this rating in past years: sixth in 2013, sixth in 2012, seventh in 2011. PFF graded McCoy 55th out of 57 running backs that played a minimum of 25% offensive snaps in 2014.
McCoy's touchdowns took a dip due to the increased presence of Chris Polk as a goal-line back. McCoy's production as a receiver also took a major hit due to the addition of Darren Sproles."
McCoy made headlines earlier this offseason when he essentially accused Eagles coach Chip Kelly of being racist. When McCoy was later asked to explain his comments, he said he didn't regret what he originally had to say. McCoy was a fan favorite during his time with the Eagles but some fans have since turned on him due to the running back's bitterness.
McCoy is the fifth Eagles player from 2014 to appear on the NFL Top 100 list as the countdown continues. Darren Sproles checked in at No. 81, now-Chiefs wide receiver Jeremy Maclin finished at No. 61, linebacker Connor Barwin debuted at No. 58, and Jason Peters made the cut at No. 40 overall. Who will be next?