By Justin DiLoro / Billswire.usatoday.com
Running back LeSean McCoy has easily been the most productive and valuable player for the Buffalo Bills over the past three-plus seasons. During his tenure in a Bills uniform, McCoy has rushed for 3,361 yards, caught 146 passes for 1,124 receiving yards, and scored 27 total touchdowns.
He played through an injury to participate in the team’s first playoff appearance of the millennium, ending a 17-season drought. McCoy has been named to the Pro Bowl each season that he has been in Buffalo. In addition, he was named a captain for the 2018 season by his teammates.
Even with all of this in mind, it may be time to cut ties with the 30-year-old superstar.
Off-the-field concerns
Head coach Sean McDermott has preached the concepts of accountability and responsibility since he arrived in Buffalo. Several players have been traded or released due to not fitting in with the team’s adjusted culture.
Several reports link McCoy to a litany of off-the-field concerns. In 2013, McCoy was sued for assault on a party bus. Later that year, McCoy was involved in a public social media fight with the mother of his son. Leading into his first year with Buffalo, an invitation was released for a “females-only” party, which later led to an investigation, via The Washington Post. In 2016, he was allegedly involved an assault of an off-duty police officer in Philadelphia. During this past year, the friend of McCoy’s ex-girlfriend posted that the running back was involved in a home invasion in which Delicia Cordon was assaulted. The Buffalo News later shared that the police were called to house multiple times prior to these events. This past week, McCoy has been accused of abuse of his son.
Mike Rodak tweeted on Friday, “In a statement Friday, police in Milton, Georgia confirmed LeSean McCoy has not cooperated with the ‘active and ongong investigation.’ They also said detectives had noted ‘material inconsistecies’ among those who have given statements.”
Yes, innocent until proven is the standard for our legal system. While McCoy has not been formally charged for each of these allegations, it is deeply concerning that the running back is constantly involved or associated with such act over his career. This seems like a pattern that an organization would have some apprehensions with respect to this player. How many times do we have to listen to McCoy defending himself on such issues?
The McDermott player-DNA argument falls flat here as well. McCoy even sparred with former head coach Chip Kelly after the running back was traded to Buffalo.
The NFL has recently increased discipline on players who have violated the conduct policy. One can only think with so much smoke, there’s bound to be a fire. At some point, commissioner Roger Goodell is going to make a stand this issue.