The LeSean McCoy-Kiko Alonso trade between the Philadelphia Eagles and Buffalo Bills was a head-scratcher to many who have spent their lives in and around an NFL that does not often see player-for-player swaps.
While the deal itself was strange and somehow exhilarating, it seems that initial asking terms on the part of Eagles head coach Chip Kelly and new vice president of player personnel Ed Marynowitz would have potentially made it even more intriguing.
"The Eagles [asked Buffalo] for either Kiko Alonso or wide receiver Robert Woods, or both," ESPN's Sal Paolantonio said recently while a guest on 97.5 The Fanatic. "So [Ed] Marynowitz hangs up the phone after asking for that. [Bills GM Doug] Whaley hangs up the phone and goes back to Rex Ryan and says, 'It's Alonso or Woods...for McCoy. And they said, 'We'll give them Alonso one-for-one. One-for-one swap. Called Marynowitz back, there is a text exchange. Good to go: Kiko Alonso for LeSean McCoy. That was it. It took 30 minutes to get rid of clearly one of the best players in team history."
With the Eagles on the verge of watching de facto No. 1 wide receiver Jeremy Maclin walk away in free agency and considering the fact Woods is a former USC receiver - you know how Chip likes his USC and Pac-12 guys - the interest on behalf of Philly makes ample sense.
His production in two seasons in the league however, dampens that a bit.
Woods has amassed just 105 receptions, 1,286 yards and eight touchdowns in two years as a member of the Buffalo franchise after being selected in the second-round of the 2013 NFL Draft.
Of course, considering the abysmal quarterback play he's been forced to endure and the selection of Sammy Watkins in the first-round of the 2014 NFL Draft, it's not really surprising that his NFL output has been somewhat limited and it's very possible that given a fresh start in a new city with consistent play from the quarterback position, he'd be able to put up much better stats.
Still, a McCoy for Woods trade would have caused a massive uproar within the Philadelphia fanbase, well beyond whatever heated disbelief developed after the team sent the franchise's all-time leading rusher to the Bills for an injured linebacker with Pro Bowl potential.
