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Eagles

LeSean McCoy praises Darren Sproles, says 'I need to get my thing together'

    by Zach Berman
    Published 

INDIANAPOLIS -- LeSean McCoy said that Darren Sproles has "carried" the Eagles, and without Sproles, the Eagles "would be in some trouble."

After a second-come-from-behind win a 30-27 victory over the Colts, McCoy praised the Eagles' No. 2 running back. McCoy said he did not have an issue with another running back sharing the spotlight, although the NFL's defending rushing champion still believes he's the catalyst for the offense.

McCoy finished with 20 carries for 79 yards and a touchdown, along with four catches for 23 yards. But he's averaging only 3.7 yards per carry in two games, far below the 5.1 yards per carry he averaged last season. It's only two games, though, and McCoy already sees the benefit of playing with Sproles.

"To be honest, he's helping me out," McCoy said. "I need to get my thing together. I feel like I'm not playing to my level that I should be playing it. Tonight, I had an average, above average game, where he came in and carried us again. It's good to have that, because when you get that type of attention from the defense, other guys are making plays. And he's doing it. And I don't mind it all. And I don't feel as tired or as I beat. …I didn't have too many touches. Just enough to be effective."

McCoy made some key plays, such as a 3rd-and-15 conversion that led to a touchdown. But McCoy insisted he could play better. Nick Foles thinks he can play better. Jeremy Maclin thinks he could play be better. If all these high-profile players are not playing to their potential and the Eagles are 2-0, McCoy hinted at what the offense could become.

"It says a lot about us not playing at an elite level and still winning these games," McCoy said. "When we're hitting on all cylinders, the sky's the limit for this team."

Though Sproles has proven to be a key part of the offense, McCoy is still the player opposing defenses try to stop. For the offense to thrive, McCoy thinks he must thrive.

"I think it starts with me," McCoy said. "I got to be the guy who can get it going, so we can suck up the guys, and can throw it deep and everybody can make the plays. That's something I take personally. It starts with me."

zberman@phillynews.com

@ZBerm