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manager Marty Hurney was not immediately available for comment.

in Balance Discussion Mon Aug 27, 2018 3:19 am
by elaine95 • Farseer | 399 Posts | 3990 Points

When he was much younger and brasher Authentic Lamar Jackson Jersey , LeSean McCoy recalled informing the league’s older running backs of how he was going to one day chase them down in the record books.

A month shy of his 30th birthday, the Buffalo Bills veteran is suddenly beginning to realize how the tables have turned.

”I hang out in the offseason with a lot of running backs like (Todd) Gurley and (Le’Veon) Bell, and the way they view me is like the old head baller, ” McCoy said Tuesday, referring to the Rams and Steelers star running backs. ”It drives me. Now it’s like reversed. Now it’s `OK, I’m still an elite player, but these young guys are creeping on me.’

”So I’ve got to continue to do better and be better.”

Nothing has slowed him down yet, entering his fourth year in Buffalo and 10th in the NFL.

McCoy is coming off a season in which he had 1,138 yards rushing, and 1,586 yards from scrimmage (including 448 receiving) for the fifth-best totals of his career.

”What can I say, it’s been a great ride. And I look forward to having a big year again,” McCoy said, speaking to reporters for the first time this offseason Dante Pettis Youth Jersey , and after the Bills opened a three-day mandatory minicamp.

”I’m excited about this year. I’m excited to be back in that offense where it’s hitting on all cylinders.”

How quickly the offense can begin clicking is an uncertainty given the offseason turnover.

With third-year starter Tyrod Taylor traded to Cleveland, Buffalo is breaking in a new quarterback after drafting Wyoming’s Josh Allen in the first round and signing AJ McCarron in free agency. Brian Daboll takes over as coordinator after Rick Dennison was fired in January. And the line’s being revamped after center Eric Wood retired and guard Richie Incognito was released.

Though he’ll miss Taylor, McCoy likes what he’s seen from Allen, who is being developed behind McCarron and second-year holdover Nathan Peterman.

”I’ve got to be honest. He’s pretty good, and I’m not a big fan of rookies,” McCoy said of Allen.

”It’s still early. I don’t want to make him Jim Kelly already, he just has to learn different things,” McCoy said, referring to the Bills Hall of Fame quarterback. ”He’s got a lot on his plate. But other than that, just talent-wise and intelligence, he has it to be a starting quarterback and also a franchise quarterback.”

McCoy’s biggest concern is losing Wood and Incognito, who played big roles in helping Buffalo rank no worse than sixth in the league in yards rushing in each of the past three years.

”I would be lying if I told you it didn’t matter,” he said.

Otherwise, McCoy was in a playful mood.

He questioned how he fell from 27th to 30th on the NFL Network’s top 100 player rankings.

”I think I should never go past 25 Authentic Rhys Hoskins Jersey ,” said McCoy, whose jersey number happens to be 25. ”If the 25 dude’s better than me, I don’t see it. But that’s just my opinion. And I’m known to have an opinion, and you can quote that for sure: 25. Bam! Always.”

He bantered with McCarron after the quarterback praised the running back before recalling how he was still in high school when McCoy played college.

”Other than the age, you did pretty good,” he said to McCarron.

When it comes to age, McCoy has all but run out of contemporaries to pass. His 10,092 yards rushing rank third among active running backs, behind only Frank Gore (14,026) and Adrian Peterson (12,276), and 29th on the career list.

What particularly stands out has been McCoy’s consistency. He’s among only 15 players to top 1,100 yards from scrimmage in eight straight seasons, according to Pro Football Reference.

McCoy was wowed when informed the list includes his idol Barry Sanders Authentic Dorian O'Daniel Jersey , who topped 1,100 yards in 10 straight seasons, and that he’s tied with Bills’ Hall of Fame running back Thurman Thomas.

”Thurman has eight? Well, I’m going to get nine this year,” said McCoy, who has befriended Thomas since arriving in Buffalo.

After a brief pause, McCoy added: ”But Thurman’s better than I am.”

NOTES: Allen earned his first opportunity to practice with the starters after spending the team’s 10 voluntary spring sessions working with the third-string offense. … LB Matt Milano did not practice because of a hamstring injury.



Linebacker Thomas Davis wants to play for the Panthers beyond this season 鈥?if the team will have him back.

The 35-year-old Davis, who is entering his 14th season with Carolina, will be an unrestricted free after this season.

"If the team is willing to have me back, I will be back," Davis said Monday following training camp practice at Wofford College.

Davis, the Panthers' all-time leading tackler, will begin the season serving a four-game NFL-imposed suspension after testing positive for a banned performance-enhancing substance 鈥?a blemish on an otherwise stellar NFL career that has included returning from three torn ACLs in the same knee to earn All-Pro in 2015, three Pro Bowls selections (2015-17) and the Walter Payton Man of the Year award.

He doesn't want to end his career serving a suspension during his final season.

"I just look at the way things transpired this offseason and I think back to my legacy and the things I have been able to do as a football player and I don't want to leave on a sour note Authentic Jack Eichel Jersey ," Davis said. "You never want to walk away from the game knowing you served a four-game suspension. That is really my mindset right now. So as long as I am able to continue to play football I will do that."

With Davis sitting out the first four games, Shaq Thompson will fill Davis' spot at weak side linebacker and David Mayo is expected to start at strong side linebacker. It's unclear at this point if Davis would be in the starting lineup when he returns.

Davis is allowed to participate in all practices and preseason games, but must step away from the team altogether on Sept. 3. He plans to spend that time staying in shape and watching his sons play youth football.

He also has "a couple of offers" to do some other things during the first four weeks of the season, but would not elaborate on whether those opportunities television-related.

Davis has been a productive player for the Panthers despite suffering the three knee injuries in consecutive seasons 鈥?2009, 2010 and 2011 鈥?which limited him to nine games and threatened to end his career.

But he persevered and followed that up with five straight 100-tackle seasons and three Pro Bowls.

However, his numbers dropped off last year. Davis registered 76 tackles, 2 陆 sacks and no interceptions as Thompson took on a bigger role in the defense.

Panthers coach Ron Rivera did not address Davis' future beyond this season, saying only "Thomas has been a great player for us. And I look forward to Thomas playing for us."

Panthers general manager Marty Hurney was not immediately available for comment.

With his future beyond this season up in the air, Davis said he is enjoying every moment of training camp despite the sweltering heat.

"I come out and embrace it every day, talking trash at a high level every day to Cam (Newton) daily and just coming out and competing and having fun with my teammates," Davis said.

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