Lesean McCoy, Worth The Money

Heading into the off season, Ray Rice, Matt Forte, and Lesean McCoy were all seeking new contracts.  Matt Forte received a 4 year deal worth 32 million with roughly 17 guaranteed.  Ray Rice received a 5 year deal worth 40 million, and will make 17 million in 2012.  Finally Lesean McCoy received a 5 year contract extension that will keep him an Eagle through 2017.  The deal is worth 45 million, with roughly 20 guaranteed.

McCoy is well deserving of the large contract extension.  Take a look at the stats of the three backs from 2009-2011.

Matt Forte
Rushing: 2,995 yards, 4.29 yards per carry, 13 touchdowns.
Receiving: 1508 yards, 160 catches, 4 touchdowns

Ray Rice
Rushing: 3,923 yards, 4.60 yards per carry, 24 touchdowns
Receiving: 1,962 yards, 217 catches, 5 touchdowns

Lesean McCoy
Rushing: 3,026 yards, 4.77 yards per carry, 28 touchdowns
Receiving: 1,215 yards, 166 catches, 5 touchdowns

Lesean McCoy is an electric back.  He has the ability to turn a dead play into a long touchdown run.  His yards per carry is absolutely astounding, he has a knack for finding the end zone, and he causes other defenses to change their game plans when he is on the field.  Looking ahead to the 2012 season, it will certainly be tough for McCoy to repeat his 2011 campaign especially with Jason Peters sidelined with an injury.  But I think the key for McCoy to have another big season will be the play of the wide out Desean Jackson.

Jackson got his big contract during the off season, signing a 5 year extension worth 51 million dollars, 15 guaranteed.  Now that Jackson is happy, hopefully he will be able to rebound this year after a somewhat disappointing 2011 season.  Although Jackson had solid numbers in 2011, he just didn't seem to be fully committed.  Jackson let it be known that he was upset about his contract, and it just seemed he was more worried about getting paid than winning football games.

And while Jackson's numbers were down last year, you really can't look at box scores and statistics to see how effective he was.  When Desean goes deep on a fly route or deep post, he inevitably brings 2 defensive backs out of the box who have to prevent the deep home run pass at all costs.  With less guys in the box, Lesean McCoy has extremely wide running lanes to run through to pick up huge chunks of yards.

So while the Jason Peters injury will certainly hurt McCoy's production in the upcoming year, I think McCoy is more reliant on the play of Desean Jackson to be productive.  And aside from Peters, the entire offensive line is intact.  Not to mention the fact that the Eagles have already replaced Peters with Demetress Bell who actually replaced Peters after he left Buffalo for Philadelphia back in 2009.

Overall, Lesean McCoy is certainly worth the money, and providing that the offensive line remains healthy and Desean Jackson can produce, expect another outstanding year from Shady McCoy.