Shady Will Shine when Philadelphia Goes Dark

Sep 21, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles running back

LeSean McCoy

(25) tries to get past Washington Redskins inside linebacker

Perry Riley

(56) at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles defeated the Redskins, 37-34. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Shady Will Shine When Philadelphia Goes Dark

Philadelphia goes dark this Sunday night, as the Eagles face their NFC East nemesis New York Giants at Lincoln Financial Field. Their team will be debuting an all black uniform for the occasion, creating quite a stir among the fans. Resounding thoughout Eagles homes everywhere is the anticipation for #BlackSunday. And the rivalry is even more heated than usual this year, as many point to the resurgence of the New York Giants this year, and are predicting their 3-2 team will defeat the 4-1 Philadelphia Eagles in Philly.

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Perhaps the Giants will prove to be the better team this weekend. Perhaps the plague of turnovers and close calls, come from behind miracles and holding onto the lead for dear life magic that has given the Eagles a magical season so far will all come crashing down as their balloon meets the pricks of New York.

Perhaps, but in the darkest moments of these Eagles, there is one who has not dimmed. And his alarm clock will be ringing loud and long on Sunday morning. The Giants will themselves face an awakened sleeping giant of a running back, LeSean “Shady” McCoy.

Shady is proud of his talents, and proud of his contributions to the team. But over the years, no game has meant more to him than when he faces the Giants. His feuds with former Giants defensive lineman Osi Umenyiora were legendary. But it was squashed in the 2012 season, the last time Shady ran for over 100 yards against the Gi-ants.

In the ten games Shady has faced them, he’s run 160 attempts and amassed 788 yards and 3 touchdowns for a 4.925 ypc. However, since the “truce”, he’s rushed for 45 attempts and 130 yards, just a 3.089 ypc.

That could be where the story ends, but this week the Giants players felt a little too good about themselves. First safety Antrel Rolle, never at a loss for words, said the Eagles are not the team to beat. Then his teammate, and former Eagles cornerback, Dominique Rogers-Cromartie made it a point to participate in a photo indicating the Eagles have no superbowl rings. It would have had more effect if it didn’t draw so much attention to the fact that he is himself ringless. And then, defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul suggested that the Eagles are no better than an 0-4 team, rather than 4-1. (don’t ask about the math).

“The Eagles, yeah, they’re 4-1, but just watching their games, you see they could have easily been 0-4,” New York Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul

In the midst of all of the Giants bantering, one voice is noticeably absent. The voice of LeSean McCoy. If you know the rivalry, you know McCoy will be heard from. Like the long trip to the principal’s office where you can hear a pin drop, you know a moment of reckoning will happen the moment that door opens and in walks the principal. LeSean will have his moment of making a statement.

So the Giants are getting in their shots early. And in the last game where Giants had so much to say, Shady spoke on the field, shredding them for 123 yards on 23 carries. That was the 4-12 season.

If you read articles, stories, and experts, you know everyone is taking the loud and boistrous Giants to win. If it were an election, the votes would certainly favor the Giants. But it’s a competition, and the only votes that count are the players on the field.

The deciding vote on Black Sunday will be cast by a man who is known and loved by the name “Shady”. We know how he’ll vote. And as far as the articles, stories, writers and experts who disagree? Either suit up or shut up. This game is Shady’s moment to shine.

Or as one Eagles fan said it:

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