LeSean McCoy sheds weight to get quicker

LeSean McCoy has stopped eating Doritos at midnight. That's part of the Eagles running back's emphasis on nutrition, which helped him drop four to seven pounds this offseason in an effort to become even quicker.

McCoy led the NFL with 1,607 rushing yards last season, but apparently that was not enough. He wanted to be lighter. McCoy has trimmed down to about 209 pounds.

"I felt like last year, even with the year I did have, it was based on guys up front really blocking well and [me] just going off God-given talent," McCoy said. "I feel like at a lighter [weight], I'm so much more effective. I look at my old film and see how much quicker I was when I was 210, 209. It's a big difference. And I'm feeling like that again."

This was different than the "best-shape-of-my-life" declarations that often come from training camp or spring training, in part because the observation actually came unprompted from offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur. When discussing quarterback Matt Barkley, Shurmur said Barkley and McCoy were the two players whose bodies had changed the most during the time off.

"Maybe it was just being away from [McCoy] for a while," Shurmur said. "He just looked good."

It turned out Shurmur was on to something. McCoy wanted to be "bulkier" last season. The results were evident, but McCoy thought coach Chip Kelly's offense required more quickness. His objective was to boost his metabolism for this season.

"Everything is about portions," McCoy said. "I'm not eating Doritos with the sauce at 12 o'clock at night. Small portions. A lot more meals."

McCoy said the weight loss was not a directive from the team's staff, which is specific about fitness and nutrition. He explained that he took the initiative. Even if his production suggested an elite running back, McCoy said he knows his own body, how it should feel, and the benefits of being bulky or light.

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LeSean McCoy sheds weight to get quicker