The best part about the NFL is that with games only once a week there is plenty of time in between for great debates.
With the Eagles set to clash with the Bears on Sunday let’s take a look at the guys carrying the load for their first-place teams.
Right now, who would you rather have -- Birds RB LeSean McCoy or Bears RB Matt Forte?
Let’s go to the tale of the tape
McCoy (Age: 22):
- Drafted 2nd round (53rd overall) 2009
- 1,363 rushing yards (career)
- 4.5 yards per rushing attempt
- 689 receiving yards (career)
- 7.6 yards per reception
- 726 rushing yards this season
- 110.7 yards per game this season
- 11 career TDs
- Intangible: 2 100-yard rushing games this season
Forte (Age: 24):
- Drafted 2nd round (44th overall) 2008
- 2,734 rushing yards (career)
- 3.8 YPA
- 1,279 receiving yards (career)
- 8.4 YPR
- 567 rushing yards this season
- 89.8 YPG this season
- 23 career TDs
- Intangible: 2 100-yard games this season (1 rushing, 1 receiving) and 1,000-plus yard season (2008)
OK so let’s first knock out a factor here -- both guys were middle second-round picks so they both came into the league with similar pedigree and expectations.
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Forte holds the advantage for total yards and TDs (in part thanks to an extra season in the NFL). The back out of Tulane also boasts a 1,000-yard season and a better YPR than Shady McCoy.
Shady holds the advantage for stats this season and has a better career YPA. He also is younger than Forte so you could argue he has more upside.
But being young and fast doesn’t always mean you will continue to put up lofty numbers. Off the bat Forte looked like he could be a superstar. He rushed for 1,238 yards and eight scores and caught 63 balls for 477 yards and four more TDs while starting all 16 games in his rookie season (2008). Since then he has tailed off and this season he isn’t even on pace to break 1,000 yards.
McCoy spent his 2009 rookie season under the tutelage of Brian Westbrook so he only got four starts and half as many carries than Forte’s. But, Shady still managed to rush for 637 yards and four TDs and grab 40 passes for 308 yards.
So many of Forte’s lofty numbers came two seasons ago while most of McCoy’s stats have come this season.
Right now you would have to give the edge to Shady and guess what -- so do I.
There is something to be said for right now in the NFL. Forte even though he is still young hasn’t managed to replicate his rookie campaign while Shady looks more and more like the “real McCoy” with every passing week.
If I had to choose to play one guy or the other sunday I would opt for McCoy in a heartbeat.
Would you do the same?
