The Philadelphia Eagles coach said Thursday that he understands McCoy’s feelings a day after the running back told reporters he wouldn’t shake Kelly’s hand when the Bills visit the Eagles on Sunday.
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Weeks after the trade went down, McCoy spoke of Kelly to ESPN the Magazine: “You see how fast he got rid of all the good players”.
Sunday will be the first time LeSean McCoy steps foot into Lincoln Financial Field as a visitor. “Rightfully so”, Kelly said. Trading McCoy for Alonso, Buffalo’s rising young linebacker, had more to do about saving $11 million in salary cap space and getting two or three players for the price of one, Kelly said.
In response to another question, Murray said: “Yeah, I’m very happy here”. Everyone who’s in town, we talk to them individually, here in our office … He was the all-time leading running back here, he felt like he was disrespected. I have a lot of respect for everyone in this locker room – the coaching staff, the ownership.
To date, the former Dallas star has 164 carries for 569 yards, with an average yards-per-carry of just 3.5 yards, a far cry from his 392 carries for 1,845 yards a year ago.
Murray went on to struggle throughout the season, and in last week’s colossal game against the New England Patriots, he only saw 14 snaps.
Murray has shared time in the backfield this year with Ryan Mathews, Kenjon Barner and Darren Sproles. “I’ve had conversations with Jeffrey Lurie before”. I have nothing against him, no hatred.
Murray joined the Eagles this season with a deal worth $40 million over five years, with $21 million guaranteed. “I think the world of him”. “A hundred percent, yes”.
“I’m not talking to Chip (Kelly)”. I love this team.
You don’t hear yards per play quoted much, but it’s a significant stat. Just because Kelly’s offense runs plays at a more rapid pace than other National Football League teams doesn’t mean it’s running them well.
McCoy expected to do that, too. The Eagles sent quarterback Nick Foles and a second-round pick to the Rams.
But Kelly did not want to blame the system, instead blaming the performance of the players within it for Murray’s struggles this year.
Well, it’s good that we cleared that up. A lot of players over there I’m still tight with.
“So however you look at it, whether it gave us an opportunity to get somebody defensively with that extra money, or it gave us an opportunity because we had to free up money to get Sam”. That being said, Philly could end up figuring that they’re better off without Murray, even if they have to eat his contract and pay long term for a shot sighted signing. “That’s stuff I don’t do, but in a situation like this I’m sure they’d be looking for me to retaliate and do different things”.
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“I think what we know about Shady, I guess, is what everybody knows”, Jenkins said. It just hurts me, and I’m a part of the media! Everyone loves the football, everyone loves to make plays. “Obviously, we won the game [against New England] and I was extremely happy about that, but you always want to contribute”.
