When LeSean McCoy was traded to Buffalo, there were two differing reasons that came out of Eagles camp.
Head coach Chip Kelly said the move was based on McCoy's high salary cap number, while team chairman Jeffrey Lurie expressed how the running back's style isn't what Kelly prefers in his offense (see story).
According to Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer, McCoy doesn't believe it was for either of those reasons.
"I don't think he likes or respects the stars. I'm being honest," McCoy said. "I think he likes the fact that it's 'Chip Kelly and the Eagles.'
"It was 'DeSean Jackson -- a high-flying, take-off-the-top-of-the-defense receiver.' Or 'The quick, elusive LeSean McCoy.' I don't think [Kelly] likes that."
That notion was reportedly one of the reasons for Frank Gore's backing out of his agreement with the team (see story). Throw in the perception supported by former Eagles player and assistant, Tra Thomas, that players in the locker room think there is a hint of racism behind some roster decisions (see story), and Kelly's reputation was called into question a bit.
But not with McCoy. Even after some tension at the beginning of Kelly's tenure and eventually being dealt to the Bills for linebacker Kiko Alonso, McCoy ultimately warmed up to the coach.
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"He's not the bad dude everybody makes him out to be. He's just different," McCoy said. "But I don't really have any hate for him. I really don't. In the beginning I did, but I don't. If I see him I'll speak to him, respectfully - 'How are you doing, coach? Good luck.'"
McCoy feels that Kelly now has his type of players on the roster after the Eagles' offseason shakeup.
"Now you got DeMarco [Murray]. I think he's a good player," McCoy said. "But then you got [quarterback Sam] Bradford. He's in and out, banged up. The main wide receiver is [Riley] Cooper. The tight end is [Brent] Celek. ... [Kelly] likes it like that. The tension -- the this or that. He doesn't like that. He don't like the way you dress."
The perennial Pro Bowl RB inisists he has moved on with his new team and new contract. And even though McCoy admitted he initially had no plans on reporting to the Bills, he quickly dropped that belief once he thought about playing for head coach Rex Ryan.
"Money wasn't the first reason to make me want to come here," McCoy said. "Even when I knew [about the contract offer], I was like, 'I'm not going there. I don't give a freak what they give me, I'm not going.' And then I realized it was the best for me. This is a team that wants me. Coach Ryan is a winner and he wants to run the ball."