Archives for March 8, 2007

‘”From what I have seen of Willis, he is a heck of a warrior," said middle linebacker Ray Lewis, a Miami football alum. "The way he runs and the passion he plays with is contagious. He plays the game the way it is supposed to be played. I am truly excited to have him as a teammate and look forward to a great season.”‘

‘The Ravens traded three draft picks Thursday to acquire Willis McGahee from the Buffalo Bills. They gave up a third and a seventh in this year’s draft, plus a third in 2008. What did they get? The got a running back who has a major ACL injury on his resume, one with a 3.9-yards-per-rush average.’

‘ don’t care that they lost to Indianapolis in the playoffs. What I care about is they identified a problem, sought to address it and then solved it. So what if McNair is near the end of his career? He gave the Ravens exactly what they needed. And so will McGahee.’

‘The six-year veteran is a former fifth-round pick of the Atlanta Falcons where he played his first four years in the league. McCadam served mainly as a reserve safety, but was a big contributor on special teams for the Falcons.’

‘The deal comes the day after former Ravens running back Jamal Lewis signed with the Cleveland Browns. Baltimore cut Lewis on Feb. 28 in a salary-cap related move but was optimistic it could bring re-sign him. When contract talks broke down this week, the Ravens began targeting McGahee.’

‘The trade is pending a physical that is likely to take place on Friday.’

‘"Way to go Ozzie!" Billick said. "We’re getting a dynamic back who has the potential to diversify our running game. We’ve studied him, and he brings the same passion and preparation that is common to Miami players, like Ray Lewis and Ed Reed. Getting a player as good as Willis is another example of how Ozzie and his department size up the market and use our resources well."’

‘The Bills are now left searching for a starting running back to play in front of a revamped offensive line that features two new starters — guard Derrick Dockery and tackle Langston Walker — signed on the first day of free agency last week. Third-stringer Shaud Williams is the only experienced running back currently on the team’s depth chart.’

‘Buffalo’s former first-round draft choice never seemed to realize his full potential with the Bills. After a strong debut season in 2004 that convinced Buffalo’s front office to make him their future and trade Travis Henry, McGahee never became as productive as he was in his wildly successful final college season at the University of Miami.’

‘”This is a runner who can make people miss and has the explosion and speed to take it the distance,” said general manager and executive vice president Ozzie Newsome. “He also has the power and size to run inside. He’s a viable receiver out of the backfield and is a good pass blocker, not something every back can do.”‘

‘ESPN is reporting that the Bills and Ravens have agreed to a deal that will send Running Back Willis McGahee to Baltimore. In exchange, the Bills receive a 3rd round pick and a 7th round pick in the upcoming draft. Buffalo also gets the Ravens 3rd round pick in next year’s draft.’

‘McGahee is coming off his worst season, gaining 990 yards last season (although some observers say that was a result of a poor offensive line). He has never consistently produced big runs, totaling 18 runs over 20 yards in his career, including just four last season.’

‘The Ravens and Bills agreed to a trade Thursday that will send running back Willis McGahee to Baltimore in exchange for the team’s third and seventh-round picks in this year’s draft, along with the Ravens’ third-round pick in 2008.’

‘Buffalo is the first visit for Dillon, who asked for and received his release from the Patriots last week. The 10-year veteran wants to be a team’s featured back after splitting time last year with Laurence Maroney, who will be the Pats’ top ball carrier in 2007.’

‘Levy has the right idea. But he hasn’t played his hand all that well. By auditioning running backs while McGahee is still on the roster, he has weakened his leverage in a trade. Teams know the Bills are eager to unload McGahee. It’s reminiscent of 2004, when everyone knew they had to move Henry or allow him to be a distraction in training camp.’