LeSean McCoy, Philadelphia Eagle

[SD]

I don't think Shady is quicker. That extra gear was Westbrook's strong point and I don't think Shady can match that. McCoy dances around better, has better vision around the LOS and cuts back better but he doesn't have that burst Westbrook did.

Westbrook was quicker, but Shady is shiftier and changes direction faster. Westbrook was more of a power back (more so than Mccoy) because he was built like a fireplug. And the receiving part isn't even close, Westbrook could line up wide and act like a WR, Shady can't do that.

[reese125]

How do you know that though?

Sarge already pointed this out-there is no need for him to line out wide. Westbrook had to because the receivers blew.

I bet you line Shady in the slot he does just fine....but with the futility of the oline, it's not smart to have an open backfield on even more than 1 occasion.

[SD]

How do you know that though?

I don't, it's just my opinion.

[Sgt PSN]

How do you know that though?

I don't, it's just my opinion.

You're not allowed to have those around here. 

[Eagaholic]

I don't think Shady is quicker. That extra gear was Westbrook's strong point and I don't think Shady can match that. McCoy dances around better, has better vision around the LOS and cuts back better but he doesn't have that burst Westbrook did.

Westbrook was quicker, but Shady is shiftier and changes direction faster. Westbrook was more of a power back (more so than Mccoy) because he was built like a fireplug. And the receiving part isn't even close, Westbrook could line up wide and act like a WR, Shady can't do that.

Exactly. And patience is a also a common trait.

I think Westbrook's quickness and Shady's shiftiness probably equal out at this point. Shady has better vision and is therefore better at making something out of nothing but Westy's receiving ability gives him an overall edge (not even taking into account his special teams contribution - it was that end of game punt return against the Giants that was the turning point of the franchise from a loser to a winner).

I the end it will come down to how healthy and how long Shady will play for but he definitely has the potential to be remembered as the better back, especially if he helps win a SB. Maybe he would even be able to spot an extra $3 million appearing in his bank account.

[Sgt PSN]

(not even taking into account his special teams contribution - it was that end of game punt return against the Giants that was the turning point of the franchise from a loser to a winner).

Agree that Westbrook's ST play extended his impact beyond the offence. 

Disagree that it was any type of turning point for the franchise.  It definitely saved that season, but the Eagles already had 2 NFCCG appearance under their belt at that point and lost their 3rd in a row that year (2003).  And looking at the big picture, the Eagles didn't win a SB before Westbrook and they didn't win one with him, so in the grand scheme of things he didn't turn anything around.  I guess you could say that the Eagles were less "losery" with him, but that's about it.   

[Eagaholic]

(not even taking into account his special teams contribution - it was that end of game punt return against the Giants that was the turning point of the franchise from a loser to a winner).

Agree that Westbrook's ST play extended his impact beyond the offence. 

Disagree that it was any type of turning point for the franchise.  It definitely saved that season, but the Eagles already had 2 NFCCG appearance under their belt at that point and lost their 3rd in a row that year (2003).  And looking at the big picture, the Eagles didn't win a SB before Westbrook and they didn't win one with him, so in the grand scheme of things he didn't turn anything around.  I guess you could say that the Eagles were less "losery" with him, but that's about it.   

Oh, I mis-remembered then. Maybe I was thinking it turned the season around.

[Munson]

Said it in the other thread....Westbrook was def quicker/faster, but didn't have the agility of Shady. Westbrook had the small stutter step cut and then the quick burst to get by the defender....where as Shady jukes you out of your shoes and moves laterally or even backwards to get around you. Collinsworth was right in saying it's very Barry Sanders-esque the way Shady gets around guys.

I still give the small edge to Westbrook but I think after Shady has an extended body of work he'll be the overall better running back.

[Sgt PSN]

I still give the small edge to Westbrook but I think after Shady has an extended body of work he'll be the overall better running back.

Shady is a better pure RB imo.  The thing that Westbrook has over him is that he was used in every possible way on offense and ST.  He ran, he caught out of the backfield, he lined up wide, he returned kicks and punts.  He even threw a td or 2. 

And that's the reason you can never truly compare the 2 of them.....they aren't used in the same way.  Not even close. 

[Eagaholic]

Collinsworth was right in saying it's very Barry Sanders-esque the way Shady gets around guys.

True he can be Sanders-esque, but he is nowhere near the level of Barry.

[Diomedes]

I couldn't have asked for a better successor to Westbrook, who was himself a gift from the football gods.  I love them both equally.

[Seabiscuit36]

Collinsworth was right in saying it's very Barry Sanders-esque the way Shady gets around guys.

True he can be Sanders-esque, but he is nowhere near the level of Barry.

Exactly, he may make moves that do conjure the ghost of Barry, but he definitely isn't the gawd

[shorebird]

Collinsworth was right in saying it's very Barry Sanders-esque the way Shady gets around guys.

True he can be Sanders-esque, but he is nowhere near the level of Barry.

Exactly, he may make moves that do conjure the ghost of Barry, but he definitely isn't the gawd

Will you still be saying that if he can stay healthy for the next 4-6 years? I agree he's no Barry Sanders, but the similarity can't be ingnored, and I'm thinking that elusiveness he plays with could help him with staying healthy by not taking a whole lot of big hits.

Also, we should give credit were credit is due. We bash the hell out of Reid, but he can draft the perfect west coast rb. It looks like he's done it twice.

[ice grillin you]

settle down with the barry sanders stuff

the main tangible difference btwn westbrook and shady and what seperates a guy like westbrook from most nfl players is he had that extra burst when he got the open field that allowed him to run away from people and score...what the nerds call "game speed"

shady can hit long runs and will occasionally pop one for a td but he doesnt put the fear into defenses that he can go the distance at any time...youll notice shady as he did monday nite alot of times will try to use an angle to get to away from defenders and towards the sideline

when 36 got in the open field he used to shortest path btwn two points and bursted for scores...shady doesnt have that

[BigEd76]

LeSean McCoy, NFC Offensive Player of the Week