LeSean McCoy sat on the stage at the NovaCare Complex flashing his multi-million dollar smile as he was asked about how important it was to have a long-term contract that rewarded him like one of the elite running backs in the NFL.

In his charismatic way, McCoy slapped the backs of head coach Andy Reid and general manager Howie Roseman and simply said, "These guys can tell you I'm one of the best."

Reid pointed to one of the Eagles helmets sitting on the table and brilliantly quipped that the team might "have to get a bigger helmet."

The Eagles signed McCoy to a five-year contract extension on Thursday ensuring that the All-Pro running back will sport midnight green through 2017. Reid and Roseman understand how special of a talent McCoy is and also how beloved he is in the locker room. A lot of the Eagles will tell you that McCoy is one of the funniest players on the team. He is also one of the hardest-working players behind the scenes which fueled his meteoric rise to superstardom.

"We're just so excited to have him here. He's part of the family," Roseman said. "His smile and his play is so important to this organization and this team. I know I speak for all of us when I say we're just real excited that he's going to be here for a long time."

A second-round pick out of Pittsburgh in 2009, McCoy set the franchise record for rushing and total touchdowns last season. A versatile threat out of the backfield, McCoy was among the league leaders in a variety of offensive categories. The running back position is not what it once was in the NFL. Teams now feature multiple running backs. The shelf life of a running back is not as long as at other positions because of the sheer physicality of the job. Yet, the Eagles stepped up and made sure that they let their All-Pro know how important he is to the success of the team.

"This is not a one-dimensional running back. He's a running back that not only can carry the football for you, but he catches the football as well as the wide receivers," Reid said. "He can block. He loves playing the game and that brings great energy to our football team.

"We know he loves to play the game. We want to make sure that he can do that to the best of his ability where things don't get cluttered."

After McCoy's amazing 2011 season ended, he knew that he wanted to be an Eagle for a long time thinking that "nothing could be better" than playing for his hometown team. However, the Harrisburg, Pa. native still had one year left on his rookie contract. The Eagles could have waited and as a last resort utilized the franchise tag after this season.

McCoy spoke with his mentor and former Eagle Brian Westbrook, who told McCoy that he believed the Eagles could take care of him. And they did.

"I have to admit. It will feel good to wake up tomorrow knowing that the deal is done. It's over with," McCoy said.

"I'm one of those guys who wants to be fully focused on football."

Now, McCoy can put his energy into helping fulfill the team's goal of winning a championship.

"We have one main goal. ... The main goal is to win a championship," McCoy said. "I think we're on the same page."

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