RAISE YOUR HAND!

[GG]

Thank you.

 

Actually, I'm disagreeing with you.

 

Let's not ignore that the same guy made both decisions. Good thing that he didn't "listen" to the fans when it came to the Bruce Smith move. I think a better comparison is to Ronnie Harmon, who went on to become a very good player in San Diego, but was poison in Buffalo. (Note the similarities in trashing teammates for own faults)

 

Hate to be a broken record - addition by subtraction.

[keepthefaith]

Raise your hands because "Marv FINALLY fixed the offensive line! Which has sucked for a decade! And we have neglected forever and has kept us from winning!

 

And raise your hand ! For Marv getting rid of Willis, that ingrate. who is the biggest **** and loser in the world because he just complained he got no blocking which kept us from winning.

 

Willis's poor reputation in Buffalo was well earned. From the garbage that comes out of his mouth to the inconsistent effort he showed on the field that even a casual fan could spot and his failure to train in Buffalo last off-season with a new coaching staff and new offense - he just doesn't get it. If you haven't seen his introductory presser on the Ravens site, go watch that. He's nothing short of embarrassing. Hard to believe he has the intellect or attitude needed to be as successful as some people expect.

[ThreeBillsDrive]

I'll second that.

 

McStupid will be a total flop in Baltimore, will be cut after two years, will probably blow all of his signing bonus and likely end up in prison for failure to pay child support.

 

Meanwhile, the Bills new running back will thrive with a montser O-line, and the passing game will thrive with JP's rocket-launching arm and Lee Evans' speed, opening the way for [insert name of new RB here] to gain HUGE chunks of yardage.

 

Screw McFucHead. In Marv We Trust!

 

19 and 0 baby!!!!

 

Poor employee work habits are hard to change. Does Willis have raw physical strenght? Yeah.

 

Does he have the hallmarks of a good employee? In football that means:

• learning the playbook through and through,
  
• being a team player (e.g., joining the team for its off-season conditioning program, not whining continually when he wasn't getting as many carries as he wanted),
  
• having concentration (i.e., knowing what down it is),
  
• having class after leaving the "company" (i.e., not trash talking your former employer)
  

Willis thought that his innate physical strength and conditioning were enough to be "the best back in the NFL". Meanwhile he was a lazy ass in not learning the playbook, having poor concentration, and being a disruption due to his off-field antics.

 

This is not the type of "employee" we need on our team

[cåblelady]

What

I

Love

Ladies

Is

Sex

 

.....without protection, of course.

[The Dean]

What

I

Love

Ladies

Is

Sex

 

 

Wow. That gets me hot, Cablebabe. I didn't know you liked the ladies.

[cåblelady]

Wow. That gets me hot, Cablebabe. I didn't know you liked the ladies.

Turd.

[Phil Indablanc]

There is some validity to that, but of Willis' top five rushing games last year three were in the last month of the season. Maybe the line improved a little or maybe it supports your statement about just how bad our running game was all year. i.e not much improvement in an overall bad year when you look at the hard numbers. Regardless, you cannot discount Willis' role in this and his running style did little to help a difficult situation. To say that was all horrible blocking is too much of a blanket statement for me. He has to eat some of that responsibility. Another poster (diff thread) mentioned Barry Sanders and the horrible o lines he ran behind and that's a fact. He simply got it done. If willis in THE best RB in the league, as he claims to be, an average line (which we were at season end) should equate to more than a couple good games a year. just my 2 pennies.

 

Me

[Kelly the Dog]

Actually, I'm disagreeing with you.

 

Let's not ignore that the same guy made both decisions. Good thing that he didn't "listen" to the fans when it came to the Bruce Smith move. I think a better comparison is to Ronnie Harmon, who went on to become a very good player in San Diego, but was poison in Buffalo. (Note the similarities in trashing teammates for own faults)

 

Hate to be a broken record - addition by subtraction.

The thank you was for just pointing out what kind of guy and player that Bruce Smith was. And again, I am not unhappy we are rid of Willis (as long as we get suitable replacements, which I think we will).

 

This is too funny, but I really think that "Willis is misunderstood."

 

The guy doesn't have a great education and simply doesn't either kowtow to the media, or care what people think about him. MOST of the time, I find that completely refreshing. He says he thinks he's the best back in the league, good for him. 50 guys think they're the best and only one of them is. I want him thinking he's the best. He's not a smart guy and has few social skills but all it really is is Willis has no filter on what he says, and doesn't care, the way 1000 other pro athletes think and act the same way, but hide it when they're in front of a camera. And I also think it's total and utter bullschitt that he doesn't try. The guy works his ass off all year, he's in tremendous shape, he plays extremely hard and plays hurt. From all indications his teammates like him. He doesn't hit the holes hard because that's his style. It completely fails on a team to be a guy waiting for blocks and holes that don't materialize.

 

Again, ultimately, it's probably good that he's gone. He has a lot of faults. He probably doesn't want to be in Buffalo although I think that would never have happened if we were winning and I don't blame that on his play. It would be dumb to give him a huge extension now, not that we could anyway. And I agree with the addition by subtraction, all things considered.

[The Dean]

The thank you was for just pointing out what kind of guy and player that Bruce Smith was. And again, I am not unhappy we are rid of Willis (as long as we get suitable replacements, which I think we will).

 

This is too funny, but I really think that "Willis is misunderstood."

 

The guy doesn't have a great education and simply doesn't either kowtow to the media, or care what people think about him. MOST of the time, I find that completely refreshing. He says he thinks he's the best back in the league, good for him. 50 guys think they're the best and only one of them is. I want him thinking he's the best. He's not a smart guy and has few social skills but all it really is is Willis has no filter on what he says, and doesn't care, the way 1000 other pro athletes think and act the same way, but hide it when they're in front of a camera. And I also think it's total and utter bullschitt that he doesn't try. The guy works his ass off all year, he's in tremendous shape, he plays extremely hard and plays hurt. From all indications his teammates like him. He doesn't hit the holes hard because that's his style. It completely fails on a team to be a guy waiting for blocks and holes that don't materialize.

 

Again, ultimately, it's probably good that he's gone. He has a lot of faults. He probably doesn't want to be in Buffalo although I think that would never have happened if we were winning and I don't blame that on his play. It would be dumb to give him a huge extension now, not that we could anyway. And I agree with the addition by subtraction, all things considered.

 

 

I almost completely agree with your take. I'd add that, on top of being under-educated, Willis seems to be a bit of an idiot...and you can't fix stupid. I also question whether he consistently gave is best effort.

 

I'm fine with him gone (and was ROOTING for him to be traded). However, if a poster is going to trash Willis (something I think is unnecessary and demeaning to the poster) at least admit he did not have the best of circumstances in Buffalo.

 

That's all.

[John from Riverside]

Bruce Smith.

 

Kelly,

 

The difference between Bruce and Willis is Bruce actually backed up his complaining and grandstanding with production......

 

I going to say one more thing on the Willis Magehee issue and then I am done except when we play (and hopefully hold to negative yards) him next year.....

 

It isn't just that Magehee is a average, always hurt, slow, dance dance revolution, cant catch, cant block name brand for nothing running back to me....I dont hate players because of their limitations as long as they are giving it their all....

 

We drafted this ingrate in the 1st round (he very well could have slipped to the 2nd and lost a TON of money) we allow him to rehab in our facilities for a year while being paid.....HOW MANY TEAMS WOULD HAVE DONE THAT.......we should this rb something that is just uncommon in the sports business...FAITH.

 

He rewards us by talking crap about the team headed out the door......he isn't even a good enough player to be doing that.

 

If Marv never makes another smart move as a GM.....I will always remember and applaud this one......F YOU Willis Magehee

[yall]

He says he thinks he's the best back in the league, good for him. 50 guys think they're the best and only one of them is. I want him thinking he's the best.

 

I've always had the impression that the guys that are the best, rarely state it. Ali being the one exception I can think of off the top of my head.

[GG]

Again, ultimately, it's probably good that he's gone. He has a lot of faults. He probably doesn't want to be in Buffalo although I think that would never have happened if we were winning and I don't blame that on his play. It would be dumb to give him a huge extension now, not that we could anyway. And I agree with the addition by subtraction, all things considered.

 

Basically, a long winded way to reinforce that the rollercoaster doesn't stop.

[Kelly the Dog]

Kelly,

 

The difference between Bruce and Willis is Bruce actually backed up his complaining and grandstanding with production......

 

I going to say one more thing on the Willis Magehee issue and then I am done except when we play (and hopefully hold to negative yards) him next year.....

 

It isn't just that Magehee is a average, always hurt, slow, dance dance revolution, cant catch, cant block name brand for nothing running back to me....I dont hate players because of their limitations as long as they are giving it their all....

 

We drafted this ingrate in the 1st round (he very well could have slipped to the 2nd and lost a TON of money) we allow him to rehab in our facilities for a year while being paid.....HOW MANY TEAMS WOULD HAVE DONE THAT.......we should this rb something that is just uncommon in the sports business...FAITH.

 

He rewards us by talking crap about the team headed out the door......he isn't even a good enough player to be doing that.

 

If Marv never makes another smart move as a GM.....I will always remember and applaud this one......F YOU Willis Magehee

If you actually watch the interview, which I saw on NFL Network. Willis was talking about the Ravens, not the Bills. He wasn't saying the Bills receivers suck, the QB sucks, the line sucks, he was saying that the Ravens have all these pieces in place and thinks that's a winning combination. People here are just implying that he was badmouthing his old teammates but again, I don't think he's that smart or that vindictive. Just like the Toronto comment. He just says what pops into his pea-sized brain, "Hey! Toronto's a great place! They move the team here!" All this Willis is trashing Buffalo is pretty much inferiority complexes rearing their ugly heads again IMO.

 

He did say he didn't get much help in Buffalo and he didn't. He did say there wasn't a winning attitude in Buffalo in his time here and there wasn't.

[BillsFanM.D.]

Bruce Smith was a damn good player prior to the broncos signing him to the offer sheet. As I recall that was one of the longest weeks of my life waiting for Ralph to pony up and match the deal. He was a bit chubby and slack initially but the guy was clearly a stud by his third year. He had 51 sacks in four years leading up to the Broncos signing him. It would have cost them two number ones if the Bills failed to match. Clearly in todays market no team is willing to risk that on our former RB "star."

 

I understand what you're saying Kelly. A lot of hypocrisy exists in these commentaries and I'm sure I've been guilty of it to a degree myself. However, Bruce ripping the administration or thurman calling out Kelly as the "weak link on the team" is a far cry from someone who throws ex teammates under the bus after he leaves town. I was not particularly disgruntled with Willis (though I thought the trade was best for many reasons) but I found it impossible to justify him calling out guys after the fact. That's why (and when) i personally got on the willis bashing bandwagon. He trashed everybody after the fact and a lot of those guys don't deserve it (some obviously do). In addition, he accepts no responsibility as his own. As a player, he was solid but not worth our initial investment or time. He may still be very good but we took something instead of nothing next year. Willis should have been accountable and said it while he was here or not at all. It's mickey mouse to do it the way he chose to and that, above all else, is hypocritical.

McGahee said that his lack of production last season wasn't his fault.

 

"My situation wasn't that great," said McGahee, adding that his knee is no longer an issue. "Thank God for getting the 990, to tell you the truth. ... If you get to a better team with receivers, a quarterback, a line helping out, it's going to be hard to stop everybody."

[Kelly the Dog]

This is a perfect example. People here gave him SO much garbage about saying that he's the best back in football. Here is what he actually says about that, when asked about it yesterday...

“That’s how I think,” McGahee said at the Ravens’ training complex while flanked by general manager Ozzie Newsome and coach Brian Billick. “I’m not going to sit here and say I’m second to last in the NFL. If I think I’m the best, and that’s my mentality, that’s how I’m going to approach things. That’s just my opinion.”

 

IMO there is zero wrong with thinking that and saying that, and I want my feature back thinking and even saying that. And yet people here take those words to mean "Oh, Willis thinks he's God and he really sucks."

[BillsFanM.D.]

I have no problem with an athlete saying they're the best (as long as they're in the neighborhood) and I never had a qualm with him saying it. I must admit I thought it was brash at the time but it was ok with me. My problem is "if i had a quarterback, a receiver and ......" Those are completely different issues. One is the classic "I want the ball mentality" which can be admirable. The other is I'm not very good because it's everyone else's fault. Not to mention he if firing across the noses of Lee Evans (1200 yards), Jason Peters and JP to name a few. He is right in part as we were clearly not the best offensive team in the league....but he accepts no part as his own and puts down others to make himself look/feel better. It can't simply be about everyone but Willis.

[Kelly the Dog]

I have no problem with an athlete saying they're the best (as long as they're in the neighborhood) and I never had a qualm with him saying it. I must admit I thought it was brash at the time but it was ok with me. My problem is "if i had a quarterback, a receiver and ......" Those are completely different issues. One is the classic "I want the ball mentality" which can be admirable. The other is I'm not very good because it's everyone else's fault. Not to mention he if firing across the noses of Lee Evans (1200 yards), Jason Peters and JP to name a few. He is right in part as we were clearly not the best offensive team in the league....but he accepts no part as his own and puts down others to make himself look/feel better. It can't simply be about everyone but Willis.

Again, I really believe he was talking about the Ravens. The sentence was, "If you get to a better team with receivers, a quarterback, a line helping out, it's going to be hard to stop everybody." The better team is the Ravens. That's just a fact. When he says "it's going to be hard to stop everybody" he's talking about the Ravens. Yeah, he wasn't happy here and yeah he's glad he's gone and yeah, he's a moron, but in this particular case, I really don't think he was trashing Evans and Losman.

 

Granted, there is the perception is reality equation. But Willis is so removed from reality 90% of the time, I don't think you can blame him for it.

[BillsFanM.D.]

Again, I really believe he was talking about the Ravens. The sentence was, "If you get to a better team with receivers, a quarterback, a line helping out, it's going to be hard to stop everybody." The better team is the Ravens. That's just a fact. When he says "it's going to be hard to stop everybody" he's talking about the Ravens. Yeah, he wasn't happy here and yeah he's glad he's gone and yeah, he's a moron, but in this particular case, I really don't think he was trashing Evans and Losman.

 

Granted, there is the perception is reality equation. But Willis is so removed from reality 90% of the time, I don't think you can blame him for it.

Good discussion and I certainly appreciate a lot of your points but we can agree to disagree on the whole intent of his message. I still feel part is a shot at the bills. Maybe I'm wrong. Gotta run Kelly...my wife is screaming at me to hang curtain rods. Now that's scary....

[Kelly the Dog]

I just actually watched the entire press conference with the Ravens. You can, too, at...

http://baltimoreravens.com/multimedia/default.jsp

First of all, the first thing he said is he thanks Buffalo and all they did for him. Later on, at the end of the first half of the press conference, a reporter asks him specifically, about "Coming to a better team" and what that means to him when he only got 990 yards the last year. His response, clearly, and almost inarguably, was about the Ravens and not the Bills.

He also comes across as a complete moron, but was fairly humble as often as he was bragging.

 

Also, the Ravens approached the Bills about the trade, at the airport at the combine. Newsome saw Marv there and went up to him and asked him about the availability of Willis. Marv said he would get back to them and did.

 

Willis also said that in the Toronto interview they specifically asked him about what he would think about coming to Toronto to play.

[dave mcbride]

Bruce Smith.

Bruce Smith was, um, really good. WM is, um, average.