Shady: Didn't discourage Gore from joining Eagles

LeSEAN McCOY insisted last night that he didn't tell Frank Gore not to come to Philadelphia, during a series of phone conversations they had about Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Greg Roman, formerly of Gore's 49ers.

After first joking during an NFL Network interview that he'd told Gore not to sign with the Eagles - Gore backed out of a Birds deal reached during the "legal tampering" period and signed with the Colts yesterday - McCoy said the 49ers' all-time leading rusher "did ask me a lot of questions . . . He asked me about Chip and the offense, and I was honest with him. I told him he'd get the ball a lot and he would love it. Chip is a mastermind - he finds ways to get the ball in space with the running backs . . . I was honest with him, for the most part. Everything I said was positive."

With Gore not coming to replace McCoy, there was buzz yesterday about the Eagles getting involved in the DeMarco Murray sweepstakes; some people thought that was just to drive up the price, but it was noted that Murray played at Oklahoma with Sam Bradford, now the Eagles' presumed starting quarterback.

Earlier, McCoy said he found out last week he was being traded for linebacker Kiko Alonso when he awoke from a nap in Miami to find a lot of texts from friends. Apparently, Eagles coach Chip Kelly did not contact the Birds' all-time rushing leader, but McCoy said he did eventually speak with team chairman Jeffrey Lurie.

McCoy said he would have liked to have known he was about to be traded.

"If he was going to trade me, just let me know, as a man," McCoy said. "But I'm not going to complain or cry about it. It is what it is. I'm happy with my new team, a team that's sent me tons of love, and they wanted me, as a guy."

During his introductory news conference, McCoy seemed to make a point of saying that "it feels good to be appreciated."

Asked what he thought of the Eagles' direction, McCoy said: "I'm not sure. I wish them the best. I still got some love for them in my heart . . . Chip has all the power and all the control, so all the moves they're making is him. He has a plan. He's a smart guy."

The Eagles made Alonso available on a conference call, but there was no word from Kelly on any of yesterday's moves.

Alonso, coming off an ACL tear, said he might not be 100 percent for spring work, but should be "full go" for training camp. He said the Eagles' defense is similar to the one he played in under Kelly at Oregon.

Alonso said he was informed of the trade by Bills GM Doug Whaley.

Alonso said he's "very excited" to work with fellow inside linebackers Mychal Kendricks and DeMeco Ryans, though it seems possible Alonso will replace Ryans, as Ryans tries to come back from an Achilles' tear.

Alonso said he hasn't gotten to talk much to his brother Carlos, a Phillies minor league infielder, though he did see him play at Reading last season. He said Carlos is pretty busy right now in Clearwater.

Later, the Eagles made official the free-agent signing of cornerback Byron Maxwell, from the Seahawks, who is getting $63 million over 6 years, with $25 million guaranteed. Maxwell will be replaced in Seattle by former Eagles corner Cary Williams, who signed a 3-year deal with the Seahawks, reportedly worth $18 million. Williams figures to make slightly more there this year than he would have made in the final year of his Eagles contract.

And speaking of ex-Eagles, linebacker/pass rusher Trent Cole signed with Indianapolis, reportedly a 2-year contract for $16 million.