i hate to say it but mcgahee

[drunkenirishmann]

What he said.

 

For some reason, there are some people on this board who have it in for Willis.  I just do not understand it.

 

Let's recap:

 

1.  Willis had the strength of character to come back from what could have been a career ending injury. I am amazed he has been able to do what he has done given my initial reaction when I saw the play.

 

2.  Willis is the fastest Bills RB to gain 2,000 yards in his career.  Faster than OJ.  Faster than Thurman.  Faster than anyone else.  He did this behind a piss poor offensive line.  He also did this even though our brilliant coaching staff took him out of games on third down so often.

 

3.  Anyone who saw the Miami game last year and saw the expression on Willlis' face when the Dolphins one the game knows that Willis cares deeply about winning and losing.  In fact, he said, when Bills were out of the playoff picture, that the players have to continue to play hard for the pride of the players and the team.

 

4.  Instead of bitching and moaning like TH did, Willis welcomed the challenge to compete with TH.

 

5.  Willis comes from a good family in Miami.  Yet, he did not grow up in white middle class suburbia as most of us on this board probably did.  Just because he does not speak like you and me does NOT mean that he is not intelligent.

 

6.  People have questioned his commitment to the Bills and from the moment he was drafted have been predicting that he would hold out and demand more money.  Has he?  No.  Instead, he has bought a house in Buffalo.

 

7.  Willis did not show up yesterday for a VOLUNTARY work out.  Neither did London Fletcher, Troy Vincent, and others.  Have there been other posts today dissing Fletcher or Vincent as punks etc.  Of course not.

 

8.  It appears that there are some on the board who have it in for Willis for reasons that have nothing to do with what he has done on the field.  My guess is that it is some anti-Cane bias on their part. I also have seen the same thing when people go out of their way to criticize Roscoe Parrish.

 

9.  I have a lot of concerns about the Bills. Willis is not one of them.  I would love to see the offensive line and QB (whoever it might be) show as much as Willis has in the two years he has been playing with the Bills.  If they did, we would have a very good offense.

685363[/snapback]

 

There have been times throughout Willis's career that I've questioned his commitment to Buffalo but you do bring up some good points.

 

Nice post

[Lori]

THIS MIGHT BE WORTH MENTIONING ALSO, WILLIS IS IN MIAMI IN 100 DEGREE WEATHER, WORKING HIS ASS OFF. i just thought that might help out when others question his attitude and work ethic. !@#$ mini camp. that sh-- is for the rooks!

685359[/snapback]

Not when your brand-new coaching staff is trying to install a brand-new offense.

 

For the record, I had the same reaction when Travis skipped one of Mularkey's first minicamps two years ago. As with Henry, I'm not worried about McGahee showing up for training camp out of shape -- that's never been a problem with either player. But I'd rather not see WMcG wait until training camp to start getting some reps in Fairchild's offense, either.

 

JMO.

 

And for future reference: calling someone a dumbass (or other 'colorful metaphor'), merely because he or she happens to disagree with your opinion, is frowned upon by the TSW moderating staff.

 

Thanks, and have a nice day.

[C.Biscuit97]

Sorry, but you couldn't be any more wrong imro. Your stats leave out some important issues:

 

1) W/L record. Lori once did me a favor and looked up the W/L records of games in which both backs started. Willis had an OK record (approx. .500) and the Bills won a shockingly low number of games in which Travis started.

  Yes, I know it is a "team game," but the Bills didn't start winning in 04 until Travis was benched. Do you deny this?

 

2) As is the actual screen name of a poster on TSW, Henry Fumbles. His giveaways have cost the Bills a few losses, including his debut vs. the jests iirc.

 

3) Henry can't catch. Nubmbers notwithstanding,  he drops the football quite often when it is thrown his way. Not only that, he is too stupid to run assigned patterns.

 

4) Henry is a poor blocker. He is built to block and certainly strong enough to do so, but he seems to be too dumb to know who he is even supposed to block. Sacks decreased dramatically as soon as he was benched in 04, right?

 

5) If Henry was even almost as good as you say, why is he not in there (when not on drug suspension) all the time? Do you consider Fisher too dumb to put such a star on the field? Do you think that Willis would see more playing time than Travis if he was a Titan? 

 

In summary, if Willis is not satisfied right now, I am glad. The team was 5-11, and he played behid a horrid OL and shaky at best qbs. If we are to improve in 06, I am thinking that Willis will be a huge part of the equation.

 

The Bills have far bigger problems than Willis MaGahee.

Jmo.

685466[/snapback]

 

To clarify, my main point wasn't to say Henry was better than McGahee. As pure athletes, no one can argue that Willis is better than Henry. Willis is bigger and faster (though as I pointed out Henry's long run was 64 and Willis is 41). It was to call out Willis for not being at mini camp and learning the new offense. I used Henry for an example to show Willis still has a long way to go.

 

Now for the sake of argument, let me argue some of the points you made.

1) When Willis stepped in 2004, the Bills started winning. However in his first year as a starter, the team went 5-11. Henry in 2003 was coming off an 8-8 season and by all accounts a playoff contender for 2004. However, TD used a first round pick on Willis rather than someone who could be an immediate help to the team. But as you said, it is a team game.

 

2) Henry does fumble a great deal and Willis is a lot better handling the ball. However, Henry did improve as he grew older like other good backs have (see Tiki Barber and Ahman Green). In fact, in 2004 before he was benched, he had zero fumbles.

 

3) Travis had seasons of 40 and 28 catches. For a guy who can't catch and is too dumb to run routes, he got lucky 40 times. Not too bad. Willis has yet to have 20. Granted, Willis isn't being used right but how come the Bills decided to keep Henry in on 3rd downs?

 

4) Drew Bledsoe can make any pass protection look bad.

 

5) The drug suspension definitely hurt Travis. However, the Titans still thought enough of Henry to give up a high 3rd in a market where Edge and Alexander couldn't get a 2nd and Eric Moulds was only worth a 5th. It is also interesting how many linemen said they loved blocking for Henry and opponents like Keith Bullock talked about how hard it was to tackle Henry and how hard he ran.

 

In closing, my point wasn't to say Henry is better than Willis. Willis is our best offensive player, really good in Madden, and one of the few players we have that are nationally recognized. However, Henry never got enough respect and Willis got his too quickly. I know our line sucks and it is by no means Willis' fault. However, San Diego doesn't have all pros or high round picks all over their line and LT makes it work. Willis can be (and I hope) an amazing rb. I want him to get 1,800 yards and 10 tds. However in terms of production, he has yet to match Henry. I really want him to step up and become a leader. That starts by building chemistry with teammates and learning a new offense. And Willis can't do that from Miami. Nice arguing with you, though.

[C.Biscuit97]

Not when your brand-new coaching staff is trying to install a brand-new offense.

 

For the record, I had the same reaction when Travis skipped one of Mularkey's first minicamps two years ago. As with Henry, I'm not worried about McGahee showing up for training camp out of shape -- that's never been a problem with either player. But I'd rather not see WMcG wait until training camp to start getting some reps in Fairchild's offense, either.

 

JMO.

 

And for future reference: calling someone a dumbass (or other 'colorful metaphor'), merely because he or she happens to disagree with your opinion, is frowned upon by the TSW moderating staff.

 

Thanks, and have a nice day.

685523[/snapback]

 

 

I agree with that 100% and that was my main point.

[C.Biscuit97]

A long term deal where? At the Betty Ford Clinic, or the local bus depot to search for runaway teens?

685467[/snapback]

 

When Willis leaves or tries to hold out, are you going to trash him as well? I guess you really don't like Henry but you don't need to trash him. He was productive with the Bills and now he is Tennessee's problem. Come on man, where's the love?

[LabattBlue]

Not when your brand-new coaching staff is trying to install a brand-new offense.

 

For the record, I had the same reaction when Travis skipped one of Mularkey's first minicamps two years ago. As with Henry, I'm not worried about McGahee showing up for training camp out of shape -- that's never been a problem with either player. But I'd rather not see WMcG wait until training camp to start getting some reps in Fairchild's offense, either.

 

685523[/snapback]

AMEN AMEN AMEN AMEN AMEN!!!

[Ghost of BiB]

Henry's not here.

[Rico]

Henry's not here.

685562[/snapback]

Yet.

[LabattBlue]

What he said.

 

For some reason, there are some people on this board who have it in for Willis.  I just do not understand it.

 

Let's recap:

 

1.  Willis had the strength of character to come back from what could have been a career ending injury. I am amazed he has been able to do what he has done given my initial reaction when I saw the play.

 

2.  Willis is the fastest Bills RB to gain 2,000 yards in his career.  Faster than OJ.  Faster than Thurman.  Faster than anyone else.  He did this behind a piss poor offensive line.  He also did this even though our brilliant coaching staff took him out of games on third down so often.

 

3.  Anyone who saw the Miami game last year and saw the expression on Willlis' face when the Dolphins won the game knows that Willis cares deeply about winning and losing.  In fact, he said, when Bills were out of the playoff picture, that the players have to continue to play hard for the pride of the players and the team.

 

4.  Instead of bitching and moaning like TH did, Willis welcomed the challenge to compete with TH.

 

5.  Willis comes from a good family in Miami.  Yet, he did not grow up in white middle class suburbia as most of us on this board probably did.  Just because he does not speak like you and me does NOT mean that he is not intelligent.

 

6.  People have questioned his commitment to the Bills and from the moment he was drafted have been predicting that he would hold out and demand more money.  Has he?  No.  Instead, he has bought a house in Buffalo.

 

7.  Willis did not show up yesterday for a VOLUNTARY work out.  Neither did London Fletcher, Troy Vincent, and others.  Have there been other posts today dissing Fletcher or Vincent as punks etc.  Of course not.

 

8.  It appears that there are some on the board who have it in for Willis for reasons that have nothing to do with what he has done on the field.  My guess is that it is some anti-Cane bias on their part. I also have seen the same thing when people go out of their way to criticize Roscoe Parrish.

 

9.  I have a lot of concerns about the Bills. Willis is not one of them.  I would love to see the offensive line and QB (whoever it might be) show as much as Willis has in the two years he has been playing with the Bills.  If they did, we would have a very good offense.

685363[/snapback]

Now that's a ball washing that Joe Theismann would be proud of. He may use some of your material if the Bills ever make it back onto primetime.

[Peter]

Now that's a ball washing that Joe Theismann would be proud of.  He may use some of your material if the Bills ever make it back onto primetime.

685565[/snapback]

 

Unfortunately for you, it is all true.

 

Don't let the facts stand in your way of your attempts to trash Willis.

[Ghost of BiB]

Unfortunately for you, it is all true.

 

Don't let the facts stand in your way of your attempts to trash Willis.

685581[/snapback]

 

Bottom line, the only facts that make a difference is the record at the end of the season.

[Dr. K]

See that's my problem right there.  Granted, Henry was a poor decision maker and had problems off the field (as his many critics will point) but he worked his butt off.  Plus, he grew up loved the Bills and loved being here.  Now, I like Willis alot and certainly believe he's a good player.  But I think he is more in love with being a famous football player as evidence by him doing all these silly shows.  I'm not saying he doesn't work hard.  But his attitude has changed from that guy who was coming off the knee injury and trying to show the world he was back.  So this attitude of not showing up to voluntary camp is just really ticking me off.  News flash Willis.  You're not the best back in the league.  You're not even better than Travis Henry.

 

Travis Henry (2nd year)

2002 Buffalo Bills 16 16 325 1438 4.4 34 13 10 72

 

Willis (best year)

2005 Buffalo Bills 16 15 325 1247 3.8 27 5 4 71

 

And for those who think Henry couldn't break a long run, Henry's long is 64.  Willis is 41.  I don't want people to think I have a something against Willis.  I just really liked Henry and defintiely think he was very underappreciated (and very disrespected by fans).  Willis is a good football player but I think his selection is the perfect summary of the the TD era.  He makes a great trade with Atlanta and gets a first round pick.  Rather than select a lineman on either side of the ball, he goes for a guy who can't help us for a year and alienates one of the better players on our time.  Flash over substance.  So Willis please cut the crap and become a leader.  That being said, here's hoping for 1,800 yards and 10 tds.    Sorry for the rant, Go Sabres!!! 

685317[/snapback]

 

Thanks for saying this. I have thought these things silently for a long time, and I think TD and the Bills fans treated TH shamelessly. No one worked harder than Henry. Willis, despite his obvious skills, doesn't seem like a team player to me. I expect him to be out of here once his contract runs out.

[Peter]

Bottom line, the only facts that make a difference is the record at the end of the season.

685587[/snapback]

 

You are partially correct. Who was responsible for that miserable record?

[Peter]

Thanks for saying this.  I have thought these things silently for a long time, and I think TD and the Bills fans treated TH shamelessly.  No one worked harder than Henry.  Willis, despite his obvious skills, doesn't seem like a team player to me.  I expect him to be out of here once his contract runs out.

685592[/snapback]

 

Would any of you guys trade Willis straight up for TH????

 

There is not one GM or coach in this league that would do that.

[delo]

Great post Cbiscuit.

685362[/snapback]

[Fixxxer]

Would any of you guys trade Willis straight up for TH????

 

There is not one GM or coach in this league that would do that.

685596[/snapback]

 

I wouldn't make that trade as of todya as I wouldn't have drafted Willis.

[delo]

i wuld trade willis for a first and second round pick next yea. i watched him take too many games off. barry sanders had no o-line and he did alright

[Peter]

i wuld trade willis for a first and second round pick next yea. i watched him take too many games off. barry sanders had no o-line and he did alright

685600[/snapback]

 

What do you think you could get for JP?

[MartyBall4Buffalo]

i wuld trade willis for a first and second round pick next yea. i watched him take too many games off. barry sanders had no o-line and he did alright

685600[/snapback]

 

 

If thats the measuring stick you're gonna use for rb's then you're going to be sorely dissapointed in any rb we ever get.

[Peter]

I wouldn't make that trade as of todya as I wouldn't have drafted Willis.

685599[/snapback]

 

Non-response.