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LeSean McCoy trade rumors gaining traction

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LeSean McCoy's best days in Buffalo are over. Let's face it. It's time for the Bills to set him free and give him a chance to make a splash somewhere else.

The two-time All-Pro, who is currently in the concussion protocol after exiting last week's game with a head injury, is one of the few backs who is tradeable at 30 years old. He's still elusive, explosive and a definite threat between the tackles and in the pass game.

The Bills' best offensive weapon since his arrival in 2015, McCoy was a big reason the team ended its playoff drought in 2017, when he put up over 1,500 scrimmage yards. A year later, Shady is on pace for just 919 yards from scrimmage, but it's not his fault. The Bills' offense looks sooo much different than it did a year ago, after the offseason departures of quarterback Tyrod Taylor and THREE offensive linemen -- including left tackle Cordy Glenn (now with Cincinnati) and Pro Bowlers Richie Incognito and Eric Wood (both retired). Buffalo is in rebuild mode, and it doesn't help that rookie quarterback Josh Allen is out for several weeks with an elbow injury.

 

 

Let's be honest, the league's second-worst offense isn't going anywhere this season. Trading the six-time Pro Bowler would benefit both parties, with the Billsacquiring draft picks that could spur a rebuild this offseason and McCoy making an immediate impact for a team with legitimate playoff and/or championship aspirations. When he's healthy, McCoy is one of the best running backs out there.

That said, which teams need Shady's services most? Here are four options (in alphabetical order):

BALTIMORE RAVENS (4-3): Ranking 24th in rushing, the Baltimore Ravens, who average just 3.4 rushing yards per carry, could use a game-changer in the backfield. Averaging 4.6 yards per carry in his career, McCoy is far superior, talent-wise, to what we've seen from Baltimore's pair of middle-of-the-road running backs (Alex Collins and Buck Allen). The shifty Buffalo Bill would give the offense another dimension, similar to what Ray Rice did for the Ravens in their Super Bowl XLVII run. Not to mention, the league's top-ranked defense is going to give the offense plenty of opportunities to score. And Shady's ability to provide a consistent ground presence could help the Ravens' offense control the clock in big games.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (3-4): After Jay Ajayi (knee) was lost for the season earlier this month, Corey Clement asked GM Howie Roseman not to bring another running back in to an already crowded backfield (which includes Clement, Wendell Smallwood and Darren Sproles). Roseman said the backfield needed to provide a good reason for him not to look for outside help. Roseman got his answer this week, as Philly royally struggled to run the ball (58 rushing yards and 2.4 yards per carry) in a loss to the Carolina Panthers.

Enter Shady.

Doug Pederson is already familiar with the veteran back after being together in Philly from 2009 to 2012. He fits Pederson's offense and could provide the same boost Ajayi did a year ago when he was traded from the Dolphins. (Ajayi led the NFL's third-ranked rushing unit by the end of 2017). The Eagles, who currently rank 21st in rushing, need a spark heading into the second half of the season, and Shady's return to Philly could be a big one.

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (3-3): The Seahawks' run game has improved immensely of late, with Seattle putting up 172 rushing yards per game in the last three games. Their running back committee features Chris Carson, Mike Davis and Rashaad Penny, and they've done a good job taking some pressure off Russell Wilson. The one thing this backfield lacks, though, is an explosive presence. That's where McCoy comes into play. Adding him to the offense would make it much tougher for opposing defenses, because he's a home-run hitter who must be accounted for at all times.

If the football gods put McCoy in Seattle, Wilson and Shady would be the best QB-RB duo in the league. Think Vince Young and Chris Johnson, but better. Wilson has the ability to open up lanes for McCoy, who will in turn open up play-action for Wilson. Think of the possibilities.

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (3-3): As bad as the defense is, the Bucs are still in position to make a run at the postseason. They lead the league in passing yards (364 yards per game) but sit 29th in rushing. This lackluster ground game features Peyton Barber and Ronald Jones. Barber has shouldered the load so far, with 74 attempts for 260 yards (3.5 yards per carry), while Jones hasn't been the player Dirk Koetter initially thought he was getting in the draft. In total, this pair has one rushing touchdown. The unit is in dire need of help.

I played for Dirk Koetter in Jacksonville, where he was the offensive coordinator from 2007 to 2011. McCoy is a versatile back who could produce right now in Koetter's system. He'd also be a huge teaching tool for the younger running backs.

 

 

 

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Interesting that they don't list the Green Bay Packers. 

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The Packers don't run the ball to begin with, why would they even want him? I can agree with the other teams wanting to rent him, but not the Seahawks. I think the committee they have works just fine and LeSean isn't going to be that missing piece to get them over the hump this year.

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Come home, Shady.

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