Willis McGahee

Pherr the Dorf · Post by **Pherr the Dorf** » August 16, 2004, 4:29 pm

http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/gamecente ... 15_DEN@BUF

It's early yet, but if he is healed from his knee problems then the Bills scored beyond words, he was a top 3 pick projected and they got him at the end of the first round.

McGahee's confidence appeared to grow as the game progressed. On the Bills' first drive of the third quarter, McGahee reeled off a strong 16-yard scamper to the left, and followed it up with a few nifty cutbacks, breaking three tackles, for a 6-yard gain.

This is what everyone hoped to expect from McGahee. He's the former Miami star the Bills selected 23rd overall in the 2003 draft, knowing that he would need at least a year to recover after he was hurt in his final college game, the national championship against Ohio State.

McGahee had already provided a glimpse of his talent when he scored four times, all from within 2 yards, in a controlled scrimmage against Cleveland earlier this month.

"I think the rust is getting further off," Mularkey said. "Comparing him to the scrimmage to the preseason game, I think he started stronger than he did. He ran well."

Now when Henry goes down injured, as we all know he will, the Bills will actually have a second option, possibly the kind of option that becomes a starter.

Kelshara · Post by **Kelshara** » August 16, 2004, 5:03 pm

I actually think Henry will be traded. And I think the Bills will be better off without him. I also think that the injury might have been good for McGahee's career since it gave him a bit of a humbling experience and his attitude got adjusted some.

flankmen · Post by **flankmen** » August 16, 2004, 5:03 pm

Henry's a tough back, who played through some nasty injuries last season for the benefit of his team. If McGahee starts taking his carries, he'll ask/demand to be traded.... and I can't say that I'd blame him.

masteen · Post by **masteen** » August 17, 2004, 1:41 pm

If Henry asks to be traded because his team has a second back, then he's as big a punk as Winslow. EVERY NFL team needs 2 quality rushers, and he should be happy not to have to all the work. Ask Terell Davis how fun being a workhorse in the NFL is.

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » August 17, 2004, 2:04 pm

Henry is still the man this year. The Bills can't trade him based off of a few games from a 2nd year rookie. Henry needed rest at times last year and the Bills didn't have a good RB to relieve him. Now they do.

I drafted Henry with my 24th pick last weekend as my 2nd RB. There's a slim chance he'd be traded to Miami, Arizona or someone else along those lines but wherever he was traded he'd be the man so I'm not worried. I always draft extra quality RBs just in case though : )

I'd like to see Henry in Arizona next year.

Kelshara · Post by **Kelshara** » August 17, 2004, 2:11 pm

I like what Green (Packers) said about having several RBs: "I like it. I have had it that way my entire career. It keeps me fresher, and every one of us bring something special to the table".

That is a very healthy attitude imho.

Menelaos · Post by **Menelaos** » August 18, 2004, 2:57 am

Ask Terell Davis how fun being a workhorse in the NFL is.

On the other hand, you could ask Ricky Williams how much fun it was for him in 2002 when he rushed more times than some entire teams did that year.

Or ask Priest Holmes how much fun he is having being "The Man".

Terrell Davis would have loved to have kept on going as he was, had he not busted up his knees. Being a workhorse wasn't his downfall; it was just an indirect cause of it.

Knowing how most athletes are today, if they are physically able to, most runnings backs would prefer to hog all the carries.

I love that Ahman Green said what he said. Need more of that in the league! It's always been a common strategy to have a 3rd down back for a change of pace.

On the other hand, if Mcgahee turns out to be a feature back-qualty player, which Travis Henry currrently is, I don't see how either of them could be happy in that situation. They'd both want their carries, which they both deserve if they really are that good. You'd have to trade one of them, first because you couldn't afford them both, second because you wouldn't want a controversy nor a locker room problem.

Even if McGahee turns out to be a stud, it probably won't be a problem until next year, when during the offseason the front office discusses ways to trim the cap...

Pherr the Dorf · Post by **Pherr the Dorf** » August 18, 2004, 11:41 am

Menelaos wrote:
Ask Terell Davis how fun being a workhorse in the NFL is.
On the other hand, you could ask Ricky Williams how much fun it was for him in 2002 when he rushed more times than some entire teams did that year.

Or ask Priest Holmes how much fun he is having being "The Man".

Terrell Davis would have loved to have kept on going as he was, had he not busted up his knees. Being a workhorse wasn't his downfall; it was just an indirect cause of it.

Knowing how most athletes are today, if they are physically able to, most runnings backs would prefer to hog all the carries.

I love that Ahman Green said what he said. Need more of that in the league! It's always been a common strategy to have a 3rd down back for a change of pace.

On the other hand, if Mcgahee turns out to be a feature back-qualty player, which Travis Henry currrently is, I don't see how either of them could be happy in that situation. They'd both want their carries, which they both deserve if they really are that good. You'd have to trade one of them, first because you couldn't afford them both, second because you wouldn't want a controversy nor a locker room problem.

Even if McGahee turns out to be a stud, it probably won't be a problem until next year, when during the offseason the front office discusses ways to trim the cap...

A problem many teams wish they had. I am just happy for him, he's fought real hard to come back, it's one of those stories you want the guy to suceed.

Menelaos · Post by **Menelaos** » August 20, 2004, 3:38 pm

Looks like McGahee is the one with the attitude problem, not Travis. He's had attitude problems since at least college, so it's not a surprise. Travis has kept mum and very diplomatic about the situation at RB, but McGahee has publically decalred his wish to be traded if he is not the starter on opening day, basically saying that he would not make it an ultimatum, but that he'd be very unhappy about it if he did not get his wish. What a team player. I've lost what little respect I ever had for the guy.

I hope he gets traded to some bottom-feeding team that won't ever see the playoffs for the entirety of his career. Not likely he will go to the Dolphins, the Bills arch-nemesis. Wonder where he'd go to, if they do indeed trade him.

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » August 20, 2004, 11:33 pm

Menelaos wrote:Looks like McGahee is the one with the attitude problem, not Travis. He's had attitude problems since at least college, so it's not a surprise. Travis has kept mum and very diplomatic about the situation at RB, but McGahee has publically decalred his wish to be traded if he is not the starter on opening day, basically saying that he would not make it an ultimatum, but that he'd be very unhappy about it if he did not get his wish. What a team player. I've lost what little respect I ever had for the guy.

I hope he gets traded to some bottom-feeding team that won't ever see the playoffs for the entirety of his career. Not likely he will go to the Dolphins, the Bills arch-nemesis. Wonder where he'd go to, if they do indeed trade him.

Arizona! : )

I don't really want an attitude player but we really need a RB. The Bills would be fools to trade Henry.