LeSean McCoy and DeSean Jackson look back on their careers and call out Saquon Barkley and AJ Brown

In LeSean “Shady” McCoy’s six years with the Eagles, he consistently posted record-setting performances and became one of the best running backs to wear green and black. The same goes for former wide receiver DeSean Jackson, a weapon known as one of the best deep threats in the league.

Although the duo’s time together was cut short after Jackson was released under Chip Kelly in 2014, and McCoy left shortly after in a trade to the Buffalo Bills in 2015, the pair are still close friends and hosts. The 25/10 show together, which refers to their Eagles uniform numbers.

Before McCoy’s induction into the Eagles Hall of Fame Prior to the Birds matchup with Jacksonville, the two embarked on their own adventure to Philly’s Fine Wine & Good Spirits – located on Girard Avenue – to promote their collaboration with Kevin Hart’s Gran Coramino Tequila, the official tequila of the Eagles.

Before signing bottles for fans, McCoy and Jackson spoke to The Inquirer and had a lot to say about their careers. Saquon Barkley‘s talent, and where AJ Brown is considered the best Eagles wide receiver of all time.

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The Inquirer: What does it mean to be inducted into the Eagles Hall of Fame?

McCoy: It means a lot. All the hard work, the sacrifices, the injuries, the relationships and all that. It mattered. It meant something. Yesterday I was with my son, we were walking around the stadium talking to everyone and he said, ‘Man, Dad, is this all for you?’ And I thought, ‘Yes.’ It shows what hard work really gets you. I’m super excited and it’s an honor. … The Eagles have been around for generations, so it’s a super big honor.

Q: Do you remember the first time you found out you were being initiated?

A: I’m going to put that video on social media. It was weird because we talk to Mr. (Jeffrey) Lurie – the owner of the Eagles – here and there. We text more than talk. It was weird because he approached my manager and said, “Hey, it’s Jeffrey.” That’s when I knew it was serious because I thought: Jeffrey, who is that? It’s Mr. Lurie. I don’t call him Jeffrey. They were like, Jeffrey wants to talk to LeSean one-on-one. Can you make sure he has his phone at one o’clock? I’m like, ‘What, this guy calls me another time and now we have a scheduled meeting?’

I knew something was strange. And the other thing is, since I left Philadelphia, there’s never been anyone wearing 25, so I already knew something was up. Then he calls me and we start talking about something small and he says, “The real reason I called is also to tell you that we’re going to induct you into the Eagles Hall of Fame.” That was very emotional and he kind of fooled me into talking about whatever, and then it got to the real topic. That was a very emotional conversation.

Q: LeSean comes in as a rookie and ends up taking over for Brian Westbrook. DeSean, what was your first impression of him as a running back?

A: My first impression of LeSean when he first came in was like a young kid who really just wanted to be a great player. I could tell from his swagger that he had it in him from day one. And when he came to Philly, obviously I was considered the young top dog, and he came in and didn’t let anyone down. I remember coming into his freshman year and Brian Westbrook got hurt, the lights were never too bright for him. We made some special memories and I feel like our time was short, but we obviously had great times in Philly.

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Q: Where would you place McCoy on the list of the greatest running backs of all time and the greatest Eagles running backs of all time?

McCoy: Yes, ask him the hard questions. Before you start, I rank 22nd all-time in rushing.

Jackson: Obviously, his career for the Eagles is No. 1 in my book. I also liked Ricky Watters. Ricky Watters was…

McCoy: Ricky Watters, where does he come from?

Jackson: Harrisburg?

McCoy: You know it!

Jackson: Ricky Watters was cold too and I know he wore 32 when he played for the Eagles. I feel like Shady always got him. But I really liked Ricky Watters. Obviously Brian Westbrook. Always and definitely Shady in Eagles history. NFL of all time, I don’t know what the top five is, but definitely the top 10.

Q: LeSean, where do you place DeSean on the list of all-time great Eagles receivers?

A: Once I received a lot of criticism for this. I don’t know about the reactions, but it caused a lot of arguing. We talked about the best deep threats of all time. Obviously you have guys like Tyreek Hill, I said Tyreek is phenomenal, but he hasn’t done enough threat-wise to pass Jackson. So then they brought up Randy Moss. And that was a great argument, but I said I’ll take DeSean Jackson because I’ve never seen a 5-10 player with that kind of speed and 170 pounds track the ball like that and play at a high level.

So in my opinion, I put him as the best wide receiver for the Eagles. It’s hard to do the things he’s done at his size and with his frame. I always rank D-Jack highly. He has certain skills that many people don’t have.

Q: One of our beat writers, Jeff McLane, said AJ Brown was the greatest Eagles receiver of all time. What are your thoughts on that?

Jackson: He’s a freak of nature, man. AJ has done great things in his third year with the Eagles. As far as his accolades and stats go, he has proven himself to be a top receiver in the league. You’ve always had some great Eagles receivers. You can go for Michael Quick, Harold Carmichael, Terrell Owens or myself. Obviously AJ is involved in that conversation. I think it’s just your poison. You have so many ballers at that position.

But I’m an older man, I’ve played at a high level and my time is not now. It’s the time of the young boys. I will never hate the young cats. I’m here for it, I love it. So if he can continue to get the ball and compete at a high level, then hopefully he can get a ring.

» READ MORE: Eagles locker room: Saquon Barkley and LeSean McCoy’s mutual respect; Johnny Wilson’s ‘big on team’ message

Q: LeSean, Saquon Barkley said he never saw anyone that could cut like you or stop on a dime. What does it mean to know that you’ve inspired a whole new generation of running backs?

A: The first is this: you feel old. A lot of the young players I see talk about the way I cut and move; my style is unique. So when you hear Saquon say it, it means a lot. There was a time when I idolized running backs and tried to model my game after them, like Barry Sanders. So that means a lot to me and I can see it in some of his cuts. Like, ‘Oh, maybe he got that from me.’ He’s a great player. Shoot, I wish I had his kind of talent.

The Eagles play the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 9. Join the Eagles as reporters Olivia Reiner and EJ Smith break down the hottest storylines surrounding the team on Playday Centrallive from Lincoln Financial Field.