Eagles' McCoy says he's ready for starting role

Standing in front of his locker stall yesterday, LeSean McCoy was able to shrug his shoulders, apparently without dislodging the Eagles' playoff hopes. So there is that - the 21-year-old rookie doesn't appear to be in shock or overawed by the moment.

"I've kind of been in this situation before, so it's not really a big difference," said McCoy, who should get his fourth career start Sunday night at Chicago.

Yes, Brian Westbrook has missed three entire games this season and big chunks of two others, so McCoy is growing accustomed to stepping in, but this time the situation has a different feel, and McCoy knows it. Westbrook was in Pittsburgh yesterday, getting what seemed to be the green light to continue his career, after suffering two concussions within a 21-day span, but there is no way to know when Westbrook will return, or whether he can remain healthy when/if he does. More and more, it seems McCoy will carry the load for the Eagles down the stretch.

That is not at all what he or they envisioned when the Eagles drafted McCoy in the second round last April, 53rd overall.

"I never really expected to have to play a big role like this . . . but hey, man, I was drafted for a reason. I kind of grew up always wanting to play ball. I kind of got my chance, my opportunity, so I've got to make the best of it," McCoy said. "Guys are kind of relying on me to step up. 'You can't have so many rookie mistakes. We need you to produce.' In some ways, you can't look at [yourself] as a rookie."

"I think his maturation rate has been accelerated due to what Brian has gone through, and that started back in camp," Eagles coach Andy Reid said, after officially declaring Westbrook "out" this week. "I think he's handled it well. I think he feels good physically right now - he's not banged up or dinged up. I think he's OK there. I had a chance to meet with him Monday, sit down and talk to him a little bit. I think he's in a good place that way. He's excited about the opportunity to jump in there and be the guy."

Reid noted that McCoy (86 carries, 353 yards; 23 catches for 181 yards) generally has fared better in games following weeks when he's had lots of practice reps with the first-team offense - in other words, when he could prepare for being the starter. McCoy's two best outings, 20 carries for 84 yards on Sept. 27 against the Chiefs and 11 carries for 82 yards on Nov. 1 against the Giants, were contests for which Westbrook did not practice, and then sat out.

"The more involved I am in the offense, the more comfortable I get," McCoy said.

Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb, asked about the possibility that Westbrook won't be back in the lineup this season, said: "I look for him to be back." McNabb mentioned Bills quarterback Trent Edwards and 49ers safety [and ex-Eagle] Michael Lewis as sufferers of multiple concussions this season who returned to play.

"I think in this situation, really, it's out of Brian's hands. It's in God's hands, and he'll put him in the best position possible. I look forward to Brian being back," McNabb said.

Until that happens, the focus is on McCoy, with fullback Leonard Weaver perhaps working in more as a running back, Reid said, in addition to spot duty from Eldra Buckley. Weaver has 22 carries for 126 yards this season, including 18 carries and 110 yards in the last three games. Reid said Weaver's two-carry cameo at San Diego had to do with a lingering ankle sprain, which Weaver said is improving.

"He was nicked up a little bit this past week," Reid said. "We kind of reduced the two-back role there, but he's feeling pretty good right now, and he can do either/or."

Weaver said he would tell McCoy: "Just continue to do what you've been doing. There's no need to put any added pressure on him, make him feel as if he has to do everything, but just let him know, 'Continue to do what you're doing, we've got your back.' "

Of course, some of the things McCoy has been doing, the Eagles would prefer for him not to continue. He missed a blitz pickup that led to one of the Chargers' two sacks. On days when the offensive line isn't creating big holes, McCoy seems to want to dance and feint rather than take what's there.

Left guard Todd Herremans said communication becomes more important with an inexperienced back.

"Brian knows the protections inside and out," he said.

McCoy said he thinks he mostly needs to work on "seeing different things on the field," which seemed a way of saying he needs experience.

"Lately, I've been doing a pretty good job of protecting; that was something big [that was lacking early]. Ball security," McCoy said. "All the things I need to get better at, I think every game, I get better at [them]."

Eyebrows were raised when McCoy didn't touch the ball in the first half at San Diego, with Reid seemingly intent on riding a healthy Westbrook as far as he could, in Westbrook's return from the concussion he suffered Oct. 26 against the Redskins.

Reid said yesterday the plan going in had been to rotate Westbrook and McCoy, but the first-half series were shorter than he'd hoped they'd be, the Birds ran no-back sets a few times, and "when Brian was in there, we were trying to get him started early and give him an opportunity to get back into the swing of things."

That won't be an issue this week. *

For more Eagles coverage and opinion, read the Daily News' Eagles blog, Eagletarian, at www.eagletarian.com.