Bills’ McCoy eyes new career goal of 12,000 yards
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. » LeSean McCoy never envisioned having the opportunity to reach 10,000 yards rushing, let alone 1, given how badly he botched a scoring chance before playing his first regularseason game.
“We were on like the 2or 3-yard line, and we’ve been practicing this play all week,” the Buffalo Bills running back said, recalling what happened in the second quarter of Philadelphia’s 33-22 preseason win over Jacksonville Aug. 27, 2009, during his rookie year with the Eagles.
“As I’m running to catch it, I lost the ball in the light, and it hit me in the back of my helmet. The defender picked it up and ran it all the way back for a touchdown,” McCoy said, laughing at the recollection of linebacker Brian Iwuh’s return.
“That’s embarrassing,” he added. “You know, Philadelphia, as a rookie doing that, you go to a restaurant and they probably won’t serve you.”
Whether it’s cheesesteaks in Philly or chicken wings in Buffalo, McCoy can dine just about anywhere he wants these days.
McCoy has 9,961 yards rushing and is on the cusp of becoming the 30th player to reach 10,000 in a milestone he can hit as early as Sunday, when Buffalo (7-6) hosts Miami (6-7).
Wearing a Bills-colored blue hoodie with the words “We Chasing 10K” on the front, McCoy Wednesday said he’s more focused on getting a win for a Bills team with little margin for error in its bid to stay in the AFC playoff picture.
McCoy also made clear he has even loftier objectives 92-yard fumble before he’s done. How about 12,000 yards?
It’s not lost on McCoy that 14 of the 16 players who have topped 12,000 yards rushing are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The only two not inducted are still playing: Indianapolis’ Frank Gore (13,827 yards) and Arizona’s Adrian Peterson (12,276).
“Ten thousand is a big part, don’t get me wrong, but I have a lot more things to accomplish,” the NFL’s 2013 rushing champ said, noting a Super Bowl ring is also on his bucket list.
At 29, the player nicknamed “Shady” ranks 43rd with 13,195 yards from scrimmage — 245 yards from passing former Rams receiver Torry Holt to crack the top 40. He’s tied for 40th with 65 touchdowns rushing, and tied for 60th with 79 touchdowns overall, including 14 receiving.
McCoy is also in the position to become the league’s first player with at least 10,000 yards rushing, 400 catches, 75 touchdowns (65 rushing, 14 receiving) while averaging 4.5 yards per carry or better.
McCoy’s production has been inconsistent this season, held under 50 yards rushing five times. He failed to score in his first five games before a two-touchdown outing against Tampa Bay.