It seemed harmless enough when it began last month, but the back-and-forth between two of the best running backs in the NFL, LeSean McCoy of the Eagles and Adrian Peterson of the Vikings, may have just advanced past a friendly chat.
If you recall, the debate started when McCoy told ESPN that over the last three seasons he’s been the best.
“I’ve been All-Pro, first-team, twice. I never leave the field,” McCoy said. “I block. I catch. I never leave the field. I don’t have anybody do my job; I do it myself. Tons of credit goes out to Adrian Peterson. I’m a big fan of his, for sure. But I feel I’m the best.”
When Peterson caught wind of McCoy’s thoughts, he simply laughed it off in an interview with Fox Sports.
“If you watched his response (he didn’t mean it),” Peterson said of McCoy. “I’ve got to give the young guy credit because there is nothing wrong having confidence in yourself. But, you’ve got to speak with more truth. He’s a heck of a running back and I like his style, so I won’t get on him too much.”
Apparently Peterson’s response wasn’t taken lightly by McCoy, who got a bit defensive during an interview with CSNPhilly.com on Monday.
“I don’t know if he’s joking or what,” McCoy said. “I don’t know how to take that. I play the game and it speaks for itself. I don’t know what that meant. I don’t understand what he was getting at.”
Does McCoy still think he’s the best?
“Yes, yes yes,” McCoy answered. “Especially the last three years. Check the numbers. You’re a numbers guy, check the numbers.”
The numbers have been checked. Peterson has more rushing yards than McCoy since 2011, but McCoy, who led the NFL in rushing last season, has more total yards – 4,983 to 4,860, according to Pro Football Talk.
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