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Eagles’ Owner Says LeSean McCoy “Wasn’t the Style of Runner that Chip Kelly Prefers”

Courtesy of USA Today

We are learning a little more about the astounding trade that was made a few weeks ago that sent running back LeSean McCoy to the Buffalo Bills in exchange for linebacker Kiko Alonso.

During the NFL Annual Owners Meeting on Tuesday, Eagles’ owner Jeffrey Lurie shed a bit of light as to why the team parted with McCoy (via Philly Magazine).

We’ve been talking about the asset value of LeSean for a long time, because he wasn’t the style of runner that Chip prefers, but a great player.

The swap of McCoy freed up the salary cap space that allowed the team to sign running backs DeMarco Murray and Ryan Mathews, both north-to-south runners.

Lurie further elaborated on the shocking trade move, stating this:

Getting players that fit more of what he’s all about in terms of their style of play. LeSean McCoy is a great running back — all-time franchise leader. Great guy in every way.

To maximize his power-spread offense, (Kelly has) always admired the one-cut runners. That’s what he admired. You’ve got to let a coach try to bring in the players that fit best what he’s all about to maximize what he’s trying to accomplish.

McCoy likely knew the writing was on the wall regarding his fate with the Eagles after his 2014 production dropped by nearly 700 total yards from 2013. Additionally, his average yards per carry fell from 5.9 in 2013 to 4.3 this past season. We’ll see what the new duo of Murray and Mathews manages for Kelly and if they “fit his style” soon enough. As for McCoy, he will most definitely be the featured back for his new team in Buffalo who seems to appreciate his style.

Photo: The New York Post

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