Sal Maiorana Says Bills Should Move on from McCoy in 2019; MJD Says He's a Lock for Canton; McDermott Excited to Have McCoy as Part of Bills' Future

[26CornerBlitz]

 

ORCHARD PARK - Just like the evaluation of quarterback Josh Allen is difficult given the woeful talent around him, the same is true in judging the awful season of running back LeSean McCoy.

 

McCoy is now 30 years old and clearly in decline as a player, but his struggles this season are more about the incompetence of Buffalo’s offensive line and the fact that until the last three games, opposing defenses never had to worry about defending the Bills’ inept passing game.

 

If he was in the right situation, meaning playing behind a strong offensive line in a balanced run-pass offensive attack, McCoy would surely be having a better season than he is with the Bills in 2018.

 

But that’s not the case, and there’s no guaranteeing it will be all that much better next year, which is why general manager Brandon Beane should re-think the comment he made a couple of months ago when he said McCoy would be back with Buffalo in 2019.

 

The Bills would be foolish to retain McCoy. Cutting him is the right move for him, as it might give him a chance to flourish at the end of the line and make a final push for Hall of Fame consideration, and it’s the right move for the team, particularly from a financial standpoint given his $9 million cap figure in the last year of his contract.

 

RB INDEX

 

Today's RBs, Tomorrow's HOFers?

Maurice Jones-Drew makes the Hall of Fame case for nine current running backs, both veterans on surefire paths to Canton and young rushers blazing their own trails.

 

There's a group of vets who have gotten lost in the shuffle this season. Having played for at least 10 seasons, Adrian Peterson, Marshawn Lynch and LeSean McCoy have put together exceptional careers. Peterson and Lynch both came into the league in 2007 and found success with running styles that were the polar opposites of each other. With exceptional cutting ability and speed, Peterson has constructed a career plum full of big-time plays -- he's still exploding for 90-yard runs at age 33, easily outpacing his far younger Washington teammates in yards from scrimmage (1,052). Peterson has been the league's rushing leader three times, is one of seven backs to rush for over 2,000 yards in a season and sits ninth in all-time rushing yards (13,148). The four-time first-team All-Pro and seven-time Pro Bowler should not only make it to Canton, but should be a first-ballot selection.

 

Playing for the Bills in his 10th NFL season, McCoy, 30, was one of the best running backs in the league for several years. His elusiveness and catching ability make him a nightmare to tackle, and he's often been his team's offensive centerpiece. Along with making the postseason three times with the Eagles, the six-time Pro Bowler was a major reason Buffalo ended its 17-year playoff drought in 2017. Shady also has the numbers to earn football immortality, with more than 10,000 rushing yards.

[C.Biscuit97]

They should have moved on in the offseason and at the trade deadline.  Now, he has no value. 

[Pete]

13 minutes ago, C.Biscuit97 said:

They should have moved on in the offseason and at the trade deadline.  Now, he has no value. 

Me, and many others were banging the drum to trade Shady and Benjamin at trade deadline.  We need all the picks we can get.  Neither is in our future

[TroutDog]

36 minutes ago, Pete said:

Me, and many others were banging the drum to trade Shady and Benjamin at trade deadline.  We need all the picks we can get.  Neither is in our future

I suspect the reason they kept him was for veteran leadership during the rebuild. I further suspect they believe (and I agree) that a veteran presence is needed on both sides of the ball. 

 

We’ll see what the off season brings and I suspect you may get your wish of him being gone albeit for little to no compensation. 

[1st Ammendment NoMas]

What I'm really hoping for is that Shady realizes his value on the open market as a free agent and decides that it would be worth it to restructure for a 3 year deal at 12-15m with a 5-6m signing bonus so he still gets the 9m for 2019 and the security of finishing his career strong and as a Bill. He'd be a great change of pace and 3rd down back and put up good numbers and veteran leadership while not taking the pounding of having to carry the entire offense. 

 

I actually hope he stays, just not at his current deal.

[YoloinOhio]

56 minutes ago, TroutDog said:

I suspect the reason they kept him was for veteran leadership during the rebuild. I further suspect they believe (and I agree) that a veteran presence is needed on both sides of the ball. 

 

We’ll see what the off season brings and I suspect you may get your wish of him being gone albeit for little to no compensation. 

I agree on the reasons that he’s here. I still think they’d like to keep him another but he may request a trade or his release. 

Edited December 13, 2018 by YoloinOhio

[JerseyBills]

i still think he has the juice , despite the numbers. With one of the worse OL and no consistent pass game , defenses stacked the box all year. Just a few weeks ago he looked like himself in Jersey. I want him on this team next year for his leadership and respect his teammates have , as well as his ability in the pass game.

 

I'd like to see a 1a and 1b RB situation next year and anticipate he has a great year with anticipated improvements at qb,wr and ol.

[KD in CA]

I would expect McCoy makes the HOF.  Another 1500 yards over the next 2+ seasons gets him to 12,000.  Everyone above that figure is in or a lock for the HOF except for Edgerrin James.

[Jerome007]

Who says McCoy would not agree to a salary reduction to remain a Bill? He - and his agent - know they wouldn't get 9M next year anyway.

 

I still think that 2 good OLinemen by FA and 2 much better WR by either FA or the draft or both are possible as soon as next year. With Allen-Edmunds-Milano-White with more experience, coaches having a better feel for their players, and these new addition to the offense, the Bills could already be top dogs as soon as next year. McCoy could want a part in that.

 

 

 

 

Edited December 13, 2018 by Jerome007

[RocCityRoller]

agreed last year. this story is a year behind the times.

 

get young legs

[Nelius]

Edge not being in yet is a travesty.

 

Can't say I've really heard anybody call Shady a "lock" yet but I'm hopeful that he's got another big season or two left in him. I'm rooting for him to make it, although I'm cool if we move on.

Edited December 13, 2018 by Nelius

[transplantbillsfan]

I think our OL is just atrocious.

 

Keep McCoy for one more year and use all our CAP money to shore up the rest of our offense and especially our OL.

 

I think McCoy has one more really productive 1000+ yard year left behind a decent OL.

 

We have plenty of CAP money already, anyway.

[Scott7975]

I thought they should have traded him last year.

[Buffalo Barbarian]

We should have moved on last year.

 

 

[Pine Barrens Mafia]

9 hours ago, Pete said:

Me, and many others were banging the drum to trade Shady and Benjamin at trade deadline.  We need all the picks we can get.  Neither is in our future

 

I was beating the drum to cut him LAST year.

[26CornerBlitz]

 

[SWATeam]

I like that they kept him.  To me, it's a signal that they plan on competing next year.

[DCOrange]

4 minutes ago, 26CornerBlitz said:

 

 

Also for those that think defenses just stack the box against him, he faces 8+ in the box less than most other RBs do. He's 37th out of 54 qualifying RBs in terms of how often he faces 8+ in the box.

[26CornerBlitz]

 

[26CornerBlitz]

 

 

[row_33]

Not sure he’s getting into the HoF

 

 

[Guest K-GunJimKelly12]

I think he has probably lost a step, but pretty much everyone said AP was done 2-3 years ago.  I would not mind if the Bills moved on but, I think if you put McCoy behind a top offensive line in the league he may have a good year or two left.

Edited December 14, 2018 by K-GunJimKelly12

[Mountain Man]

On 12/13/2018 at 12:33 AM, C.Biscuit97 said:

They should have moved on in the offseason and at the trade deadline.  Now, he has no value. 

Yes he does. He has the value of saving a large amount of cap space

[Mr. WEO]

On ‎12‎/‎12‎/‎2018 at 11:30 PM, KD in CA said:

I would expect McCoy makes the HOF.  Another 1500 yards over the next 2+ seasons gets him to 12,000.  Everyone above that figure is in or a lock for the HOF except for Edgerrin James.

 

 

McCoy won't get in ahead of James

[Mountain Man]

On 12/13/2018 at 6:19 AM, transplantbillsfan said:

We have plenty of CAP money already, anyway.

I hate that attitude. Cap space and savings matters as much this year as any. It gives you opportunities for signing and contract renewals, even if you roll over cap space, which helps you in future years

[NoHuddleKelly12]

On 12/12/2018 at 7:33 PM, C.Biscuit97 said:

They should have moved on in the offseason and at the trade deadline.  Now, he has no value. 

I agree with you about the timing of when they should've moved on from him, but I think there is still some value left to get back for him to the right team, but just not as much anymore. 

[QCity]

On 12/13/2018 at 5:02 AM, Buffalo Barbarian said:

We should have moved on last year.

 

 

 

On 12/13/2018 at 4:25 AM, Scott7975 said:

I thought they should have traded him last year.

 

This.  

 

What takes more wishful thinking --  A) a 31-yr old RB will make it through a 16 game season or B) that our sieve of an OL will be repaired in one offseason?

[26CornerBlitz]

 

[KD in CA]

4 hours ago, Mr. WEO said:

 

 

McCoy won't get in ahead of James

 

Agreed....nor should he.

[Buffalo Barbarian]

3 hours ago, QCity said:

 

 

This.  

 

What takes more wishful thinking --  A) a 31-yr old RB will make it through a 16 game season or B) that our sieve of an OL will be repaired in one offseason?

 

i don't mind having him around but i wanted a worse record last lear so we didnt have to trade our assets for Allen and Edmunds.

 

 

[26CornerBlitz]

 

[Thriftygamer83]

Juan Castillo really thought his line was working when injuries happened last year along the front.  Free agency will eat up what we have in cap spending even if we have massive amounts.  You have enough draft capital to fill crucial and critical linemen roles.  They have to start there along with finding blocking for Murphy and Ford.  

Edited December 21, 2018 by Thriftygamer83

[Sammy Watkins' Rib]

On 12/14/2018 at 7:16 AM, Mr. WEO said:

 

 

McCoy won't get in ahead of James

 

For whatever reason McCoy seems to have more fame and name recognition than James and other really good RBs. James has great numbers for a RB. I would have thought he should be in already. But it seems like he might not get in, ever. I wouldn't be shocked if McCoy got in before James but I do agree with the thought that James should get in before McCoy just based on McCoy's current stats vs James. Edge had far more seasons than McCoy at an elite level.

 

Another guy who is underrated is Tiki Barber. I believe Barber actually has more yards from scrimmage than Edge. Like Edge, he has three 2,000+ yards from scrimmage seasons. McCoy only has one. But Barber's three seasons all came in the last three years of his career. He literally retired at his peak even though he was 31 in his last season. It's entirely possibly he could have had some insanely good numbers had he played at the age of 32-33.

[Mr. WEO]

4 hours ago, Sammy Watkins' Rib said:

 

For whatever reason McCoy seems to have more fame and name recognition than James and other really good RBs. James has great numbers for a RB. I would have thought he should be in already. But it seems like he might not get in, ever. I wouldn't be shocked if McCoy got in before James but I do agree with the thought that James should get in before McCoy just based on McCoy's current stats vs James. Edge had far more seasons than McCoy at an elite level.

 

Another guy who is underrated is Tiki Barber. I believe Barber actually has more yards from scrimmage than Edge. Like Edge, he has three 2,000+ yards from scrimmage seasons. McCoy only has one. But Barber's three seasons all came in the last three years of his career. He literally retired at his peak even though he was 31 in his last season. It's entirely possibly he could have had some insanely good numbers had he played at the age of 32-33.

 

 

Good points about Barber.

 

E James will struggle because he was on a stacked offense.  

 

McCoy probably isn't considered a lock for HOF outside of the Bills universe.

[Gugny]

15 minutes ago, Mr. WEO said:

 

 

Good points about Barber.

 

E James will struggle because he was on a stacked offense.  

 

McCoy probably isn't considered a lock for HOF outside of the Bills universe.

 

He's about 1,000 yards shy of what Walter Payton got for all purpose yards.  Only seven players in NFL history had more scrimmage yards in their 20s than McCoy: Barry Sanders, Marshall Faulk, LaDainian Tomlinson, Emmitt Smith, Edgerrin James, Jim Brown and Walter Payton.

 

He's 10th all time in yards.  And 10th all time in average yards per carry.

 

Lock?  No.  But to say that only Bills fans think he's in the discussion is silly.

[Mr. WEO]

14 hours ago, Gugny said:

 

He's about 1,000 yards shy of what Walter Payton got for all purpose yards.  Only seven players in NFL history had more scrimmage yards in their 20s than McCoy: Barry Sanders, Marshall Faulk, LaDainian Tomlinson, Emmitt Smith, Edgerrin James, Jim Brown and Walter Payton.

 

He's 10th all time in yards.  And 10th all time in average yards per carry.

 

Lock?  No.  But to say that only Bills fans think he's in the discussion is silly.

 

 

Good thing I didn't say that then...we agree: lock, no.

 

Numbers are nice (Vinny Testaverde and Carson Palmer are 13 and 12 all time passing yards!), but no one would confuse McCoy with those of Payton, Sanders, Brown, Smith....

[Jay_Fixit]

On 12/12/2018 at 4:33 PM, C.Biscuit97 said:

They should have moved on in the offseason and at the trade deadline.  Now, he has no value. 

Absolutely.

[OldTimeAFLGuy]

On 12/14/2018 at 10:32 AM, NoHuddleKelly12 said:

I agree with you about the timing of when they should've moved on from him, but I think there is still some value left to get back for him to the right team, but just not as much anymore. 

 

....think perhaps moving him was easier said than done.....a 30 yr old RB with two years left and owed $12 mil is a high tariff........although 33, not sure if Peterson signing with Deadskins for vet minimum ($1.015 mil) is a good market indicator...............

[cba fan]

On 12/12/2018 at 8:21 PM, BillsRdue said:

What I'm really hoping for is that Shady realizes his value on the open market as a free agent and decides that it would be worth it to restructure for a 3 year deal at 12-15m with a 5-6m signing bonus so he still gets the 9m for 2019 and the security of finishing his career strong and as a Bill. He'd be a great change of pace and 3rd down back and put up good numbers and veteran leadership while not taking the pounding of having to carry the entire offense. 

 

I actually hope he stays, just not at his current deal.

let him play out next year and then decide if you want him after that.

 

 

 

 

[The Senator]

 

Among Beane’s Biggest Blunders...

 

1) Trading a 3rd & 7th for Benjamin;

2) Not trading Benjamin for at least a 6th or 7th at the deadline;

3) Not trading McCoy at the deadline when he had some value and there was some interest from other teams.

 

JMO

.