From Pro Football Weekly online.....
Russell’s red flags could make Quinn the first QB drafted in ’07
In the minds of many evaluators, including PFW resident draft analyst Nolan Nawrocki, there is a considerable gap between QBs JaMarcus Russell and Brady Quinn.
The way we hear it, it is Quinn, not Russell, who Nawrocki and a growing contingent of teams think will be the better pro. And perhaps to the surprise of many draft fans, more of the teams we consulted had finished their pre-Combine draft meetings thinking Quinn would be the better pro.
Multiple teams that have begun digging into Russell's background have been turned off by his lazy work habits and immaturity. When he took off his shirt at the Combine weigh-ins and exposed a very soft, fleshy body filled with baby fat, the concerns immediately heightened for one top-10 team that PFW spoke with, revealing what some consider to be the tip of the iceberg.
Much like Vince Young a year ago, whose poor Wonderlic test result was leaked and wound up setting in motion a lot of questions about how far he would fall, the significance of Russell's unshapely physique may be way overblown.
Our sources say Oakland’s Al Davis, who holds the top pick, is still chafed he decided not to take Matt Leinart a year ago and is dead-set on finding a signalcaller of the future to replace the recently released Aaron Brooks, whose option was not exercised after one year with the team.
Davis is widely assumed to favor the more strong-armed Russell, who better fits the vertical offense the Raiders have long run. However, had Davis made the call a year ago, our sources say he would have selected the more cerebral, NFL-ready Leinart, not the more strong-armed Jay Cutler, whom the Broncos traded up to select one pick later.
Said one astute, high-ranking evaluator, whose team has no need for a quarterback, of the draft's top two quarterbacks: “Physically, arm-strength-wise, there is no question who has the advantage. But if you want to talk about mental aptitude, ability to escape pressure and make good decisions, it's not even close. There is a big ‘miss’ factor on Russell. He had a lot of up-and-down games, and he makes a lot of bad decisions. He's sitting in the middle of the second round right now on our board. He'll never make it that far, but that’s where his value is. After Quinn, I would be sweating if I needed a quarterback from the rest of this crop.”
If Davis fails to land a veteran passer such as Houston’s David Carr, who has been thrown on the trading block after his struggles last year, or Byron Leftwich, who may be dealt despite Jack Del Rio’s statement that he is the Jaguars’ starter for 2007, don't be surprised if Quinn, not Russell, winds up becoming the first overall pick. Davis could be among those who are scared off by the red flags surrounding Russell and thus opt for Quinn. That could leave Russell, despite the concerns, falling only, like Young, to the No. 3 spot, where fellow Mobile, Ala., native and Browns GM Phil Savage would be waiting with open arms, the way we hear it.
Sources close to the Browns have even speculated that Savage, who helped advise Russell on his decision to enter the draft, has already informed Russell that he would not fall any further than the spot where the Browns were picking, and that he would be a lock top-four pick.
Friday, March 09, 2007
Broncos Sign Ramsey as Backup QB
Report: Broncos, Ramsey Reach Agreement-see my comment!
By Associated Press
DENVER -- The Denver Broncos agreed to a two-year contract with veteran backup quarterback Patrick Ramsey, according to a published report Thursday.
The Denver Post quoted Ramsey's agent as saying Ramsey, who replaces Jake Plummer as Jay Cutler's backup, agreed to a deal worth between $4 million to $5 million.
"Patrick thinks it's the right place for him," Sexton said.
Sexton did not return messages left by The Associated Press. Team officials declined comment.
The 28-year-old Ramsey, a first-round draft pick by Washington in 2002, was cut by the New York Jets earlier this week. Ramsey started 24 games for the Redskins, but threw only one pass for the Jets last season, his only year in New York.
Ramsey has 34 touchdown passes and 29 interceptions and a career passer rating of 74.9.
So remember last summer when the JETS signed Ramsey and Head coach Eric"the Mangenuis" Mangini insistet that there was an open competition at QB?? They were So eanmored with 2nd round draft pick Kellen Clemens and Ramsey that they let Brooks Bollinger go bye bye. So now Ramsey is gone as well. I'm just wondering why he thinks he's not capable of being a starter in this leauge anymore? Did something happen before he left Washington? or did it happen in NY last year?
By Associated Press
DENVER -- The Denver Broncos agreed to a two-year contract with veteran backup quarterback Patrick Ramsey, according to a published report Thursday.
The Denver Post quoted Ramsey's agent as saying Ramsey, who replaces Jake Plummer as Jay Cutler's backup, agreed to a deal worth between $4 million to $5 million.
"Patrick thinks it's the right place for him," Sexton said.
Sexton did not return messages left by The Associated Press. Team officials declined comment.
The 28-year-old Ramsey, a first-round draft pick by Washington in 2002, was cut by the New York Jets earlier this week. Ramsey started 24 games for the Redskins, but threw only one pass for the Jets last season, his only year in New York.
Ramsey has 34 touchdown passes and 29 interceptions and a career passer rating of 74.9.
So remember last summer when the JETS signed Ramsey and Head coach Eric"the Mangenuis" Mangini insistet that there was an open competition at QB?? They were So eanmored with 2nd round draft pick Kellen Clemens and Ramsey that they let Brooks Bollinger go bye bye. So now Ramsey is gone as well. I'm just wondering why he thinks he's not capable of being a starter in this leauge anymore? Did something happen before he left Washington? or did it happen in NY last year?
Thursday, March 08, 2007
GDC San Francisco - Day Four Of Five Days
I am writing from the lobby of the W Hotel waiting for my friend Randy and after my attendance at Day Four of this five-day Game Developers Conference, or GDC.
Now, I found out about the conference via Randy, who's in the business of placing ads in games. Well, he was in the business. His company AdSacpe Media was just purchased by Google for about $23 million. So now it seems Randy's not going to be retained by the firm. He came to the conference in search of a job.
Me?
I came not because Randy told me about it -- I could have stayed away -- but because a deep curiousity over what was done at these large meetings and a desire to find a real good student or students who would take the "interface" design of our Sports Business Simulation products The Oakland Baseball Simworld and The XFL Simworld and totally update and redesign it.
Or as Randy would say "Take it to The Next Level."
After some poking around, I'm certain I founds that person -- or rather school. Actually, I discovered three programs: The Savanah Art College, The University of California Business R&D Program, and The Academy Of Art College in San Francisco.
There may be more programs, and I'm sure there are -- for example, USC has a program -- but I've at least found three to start.
As for the conference itself, it's hoot. When I combine this experience with WonderCon, which I just attended over the weekend, I've now got a full dose of what's new and hot in entertainment pop-culture. There must be between 30,000 and 50,000 people here, mostly male by far, and with most of but not all of the women attendees models from different promotion agencies hired to staff the various booth events.
I've got a lot of video to upload and edit from this, so stay tuned.
Now, I found out about the conference via Randy, who's in the business of placing ads in games. Well, he was in the business. His company AdSacpe Media was just purchased by Google for about $23 million. So now it seems Randy's not going to be retained by the firm. He came to the conference in search of a job.
Me?
I came not because Randy told me about it -- I could have stayed away -- but because a deep curiousity over what was done at these large meetings and a desire to find a real good student or students who would take the "interface" design of our Sports Business Simulation products The Oakland Baseball Simworld and The XFL Simworld and totally update and redesign it.
Or as Randy would say "Take it to The Next Level."
After some poking around, I'm certain I founds that person -- or rather school. Actually, I discovered three programs: The Savanah Art College, The University of California Business R&D Program, and The Academy Of Art College in San Francisco.
There may be more programs, and I'm sure there are -- for example, USC has a program -- but I've at least found three to start.
As for the conference itself, it's hoot. When I combine this experience with WonderCon, which I just attended over the weekend, I've now got a full dose of what's new and hot in entertainment pop-culture. There must be between 30,000 and 50,000 people here, mostly male by far, and with most of but not all of the women attendees models from different promotion agencies hired to staff the various booth events.
I've got a lot of video to upload and edit from this, so stay tuned.
Steelers Head Coach Let's LB Joey Porter Go - To The Miami Dolphins
I think Tomlin should have met face-to-face with Porter, rather than just calling him on the telephone. Now, he's a Dolphin. Still, Porter's not the most effective linebacker he used to be and it may be that getting a ring had impacted his intensity. We'll see. The Miami weather could do the same!
Porter thinks he'd be a Steeler if Cowher had stayed
Thursday, March 08, 2007
By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Joey Porter believes he might have remained with the Steelers had Bill Cowher not quit as their coach in January.
"I would like to say that he would have made an effort to get something done over there. I just feel that way," said Porter at a news conference yesterday in Miami after he signed a five-year, $32 million contract with the Dolphins.
Last summer, Cowher talked Porter out of a planned training-camp holdout over unhappiness with his contract, which then had two years to go.
The Steelers released Porter, who turns 30 March 22, last Thursday rather than pay him a $1 million roster bonus and another $4 million in salary for 2007. New coach Mike Tomlin told Porter of their decision in a telephone call.
The Steelers feared he would go through with a holdout this year. Porter scoffed at reports that the Steelers believed his play had slipped last season after he made three Pro Bowls in eight years with them and climbed to fourth on their career sack list with 60.
"They have to have something to write so it doesn't bother me at all," Porter said. "I know what I can do. The reality of it, you put me in a situation to do my job, I can do my job well.
"The reality of last year, our whole season last year, the team didn't get it done. We didn't play well enough to be successful. I think as a whole team we never had that many third downs; we never were ahead of a team to get after the quarterback like we normally would.
"As far as my play, my play will be there. I am not worried about it. If they look at it as a down year -- we had a whole down year as a team so we all failed in getting the job done that we wanted to get done, but I feel like I can still play this game at a Pro Bowl level, and that's the type of player I am."
The Dolphins plan to team Porter at one outside linebacker with Jason Taylor on the other side. The Dolphins will give Porter a $12 million signing bonus with a reported $20 million of his contract guaranteed.
"This was a blessing in disguise for me, me having the opportunity to come play here in Miami," Porter said. "I think it is going to be a perfect fit. I am excited about the transition."
Dom Capers, Cowher's first defensive coordinator with the Steelers, holds the same job with the Dolphins and plans to run a 3-4 defense more often next season. He said he saw no falloff in Porter's play in 2006.
"I'm still fairly familiar with a number of the people in the Steelers' organization," Capers said. "There was a period of time, I think, with Joey that he had a hamstring pull. It affected him, I think, in a number of games. When you watched him early in the season and you watched him late in the season, you saw somewhat the same player that you did during the playoff run and their run to the Super Bowl the year before. He impacted those games probably as much as any player that they had. I thought he was outstanding in their playoff stretch run there and in the Super Bowl."
Capers said he was surprised the Steelers released him.
"Anytime that there is a player who's been an impact player and he's done it fairly consistently throughout his career, you're going to take a good look. The minute that I saw he was released, we tried to gather as much information as we could so we could certainly talk about him and, hopefully, make a good decision."
Capers compared Porter's situation on the Steelers to the one when the team did not attempt to re-sign outside linebacker Kevin Greene when he became a free agent after the 1995 season. Capers was by then the head coach of the Carolina Panthers, who signed Greene.
"Different organizations look at things differently," Capers said. "There was a very similar situation where Kevin Greene was released and Jason Gildon stepped in, and Kevin Greene came to Carolina and led the league in sacks the next year. We were able to pick up a football player who was still very productive -- went to the Pro Bowl.
"You would say then, 'Why did that happen?' So you never really know. Certain teams, when they've been running schemes as long as they have up there in Pittsburgh -- 15 years it's been the same scheme. So they've had a long line of the Kevin Greenes, the Jason Gildons, the Joey Porters -- Pro Bowl players at those positions."
Porter thinks he'd be a Steeler if Cowher had stayed
Thursday, March 08, 2007
By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Joey Porter believes he might have remained with the Steelers had Bill Cowher not quit as their coach in January.
"I would like to say that he would have made an effort to get something done over there. I just feel that way," said Porter at a news conference yesterday in Miami after he signed a five-year, $32 million contract with the Dolphins.
Last summer, Cowher talked Porter out of a planned training-camp holdout over unhappiness with his contract, which then had two years to go.
The Steelers released Porter, who turns 30 March 22, last Thursday rather than pay him a $1 million roster bonus and another $4 million in salary for 2007. New coach Mike Tomlin told Porter of their decision in a telephone call.
The Steelers feared he would go through with a holdout this year. Porter scoffed at reports that the Steelers believed his play had slipped last season after he made three Pro Bowls in eight years with them and climbed to fourth on their career sack list with 60.
"They have to have something to write so it doesn't bother me at all," Porter said. "I know what I can do. The reality of it, you put me in a situation to do my job, I can do my job well.
"The reality of last year, our whole season last year, the team didn't get it done. We didn't play well enough to be successful. I think as a whole team we never had that many third downs; we never were ahead of a team to get after the quarterback like we normally would.
"As far as my play, my play will be there. I am not worried about it. If they look at it as a down year -- we had a whole down year as a team so we all failed in getting the job done that we wanted to get done, but I feel like I can still play this game at a Pro Bowl level, and that's the type of player I am."
The Dolphins plan to team Porter at one outside linebacker with Jason Taylor on the other side. The Dolphins will give Porter a $12 million signing bonus with a reported $20 million of his contract guaranteed.
"This was a blessing in disguise for me, me having the opportunity to come play here in Miami," Porter said. "I think it is going to be a perfect fit. I am excited about the transition."
Dom Capers, Cowher's first defensive coordinator with the Steelers, holds the same job with the Dolphins and plans to run a 3-4 defense more often next season. He said he saw no falloff in Porter's play in 2006.
"I'm still fairly familiar with a number of the people in the Steelers' organization," Capers said. "There was a period of time, I think, with Joey that he had a hamstring pull. It affected him, I think, in a number of games. When you watched him early in the season and you watched him late in the season, you saw somewhat the same player that you did during the playoff run and their run to the Super Bowl the year before. He impacted those games probably as much as any player that they had. I thought he was outstanding in their playoff stretch run there and in the Super Bowl."
Capers said he was surprised the Steelers released him.
"Anytime that there is a player who's been an impact player and he's done it fairly consistently throughout his career, you're going to take a good look. The minute that I saw he was released, we tried to gather as much information as we could so we could certainly talk about him and, hopefully, make a good decision."
Capers compared Porter's situation on the Steelers to the one when the team did not attempt to re-sign outside linebacker Kevin Greene when he became a free agent after the 1995 season. Capers was by then the head coach of the Carolina Panthers, who signed Greene.
"Different organizations look at things differently," Capers said. "There was a very similar situation where Kevin Greene was released and Jason Gildon stepped in, and Kevin Greene came to Carolina and led the league in sacks the next year. We were able to pick up a football player who was still very productive -- went to the Pro Bowl.
"You would say then, 'Why did that happen?' So you never really know. Certain teams, when they've been running schemes as long as they have up there in Pittsburgh -- 15 years it's been the same scheme. So they've had a long line of the Kevin Greenes, the Jason Gildons, the Joey Porters -- Pro Bowl players at those positions."
Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin Lets LB Joey Porter Go - To The Miami Dolphins
I think Tomlin should have met face-to-face with Porter, rather than just calling him on the telephone. Now, he's a Dolphin. Still, Porter's not the most effective linebacker he used to be and it may be that getting a ring had impacted his intensity. We'll see. The Miami weather could do the same!
Porter thinks he'd be a Steeler if Cowher had stayed
Thursday, March 08, 2007
By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Joey Porter believes he might have remained with the Steelers had Bill Cowher not quit as their coach in January.
"I would like to say that he would have made an effort to get something done over there. I just feel that way," said Porter at a news conference yesterday in Miami after he signed a five-year, $32 million contract with the Dolphins.
Last summer, Cowher talked Porter out of a planned training-camp holdout over unhappiness with his contract, which then had two years to go.
The Steelers released Porter, who turns 30 March 22, last Thursday rather than pay him a $1 million roster bonus and another $4 million in salary for 2007. New coach Mike Tomlin told Porter of their decision in a telephone call.
The Steelers feared he would go through with a holdout this year. Porter scoffed at reports that the Steelers believed his play had slipped last season after he made three Pro Bowls in eight years with them and climbed to fourth on their career sack list with 60.
"They have to have something to write so it doesn't bother me at all," Porter said. "I know what I can do. The reality of it, you put me in a situation to do my job, I can do my job well.
"The reality of last year, our whole season last year, the team didn't get it done. We didn't play well enough to be successful. I think as a whole team we never had that many third downs; we never were ahead of a team to get after the quarterback like we normally would.
"As far as my play, my play will be there. I am not worried about it. If they look at it as a down year -- we had a whole down year as a team so we all failed in getting the job done that we wanted to get done, but I feel like I can still play this game at a Pro Bowl level, and that's the type of player I am."
The Dolphins plan to team Porter at one outside linebacker with Jason Taylor on the other side. The Dolphins will give Porter a $12 million signing bonus with a reported $20 million of his contract guaranteed.
"This was a blessing in disguise for me, me having the opportunity to come play here in Miami," Porter said. "I think it is going to be a perfect fit. I am excited about the transition."
Dom Capers, Cowher's first defensive coordinator with the Steelers, holds the same job with the Dolphins and plans to run a 3-4 defense more often next season. He said he saw no falloff in Porter's play in 2006.
"I'm still fairly familiar with a number of the people in the Steelers' organization," Capers said. "There was a period of time, I think, with Joey that he had a hamstring pull. It affected him, I think, in a number of games. When you watched him early in the season and you watched him late in the season, you saw somewhat the same player that you did during the playoff run and their run to the Super Bowl the year before. He impacted those games probably as much as any player that they had. I thought he was outstanding in their playoff stretch run there and in the Super Bowl."
Capers said he was surprised the Steelers released him.
"Anytime that there is a player who's been an impact player and he's done it fairly consistently throughout his career, you're going to take a good look. The minute that I saw he was released, we tried to gather as much information as we could so we could certainly talk about him and, hopefully, make a good decision."
Capers compared Porter's situation on the Steelers to the one when the team did not attempt to re-sign outside linebacker Kevin Greene when he became a free agent after the 1995 season. Capers was by then the head coach of the Carolina Panthers, who signed Greene.
"Different organizations look at things differently," Capers said. "There was a very similar situation where Kevin Greene was released and Jason Gildon stepped in, and Kevin Greene came to Carolina and led the league in sacks the next year. We were able to pick up a football player who was still very productive -- went to the Pro Bowl.
"You would say then, 'Why did that happen?' So you never really know. Certain teams, when they've been running schemes as long as they have up there in Pittsburgh -- 15 years it's been the same scheme. So they've had a long line of the Kevin Greenes, the Jason Gildons, the Joey Porters -- Pro Bowl players at those positions."
Porter thinks he'd be a Steeler if Cowher had stayed
Thursday, March 08, 2007
By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Joey Porter believes he might have remained with the Steelers had Bill Cowher not quit as their coach in January.
"I would like to say that he would have made an effort to get something done over there. I just feel that way," said Porter at a news conference yesterday in Miami after he signed a five-year, $32 million contract with the Dolphins.
Last summer, Cowher talked Porter out of a planned training-camp holdout over unhappiness with his contract, which then had two years to go.
The Steelers released Porter, who turns 30 March 22, last Thursday rather than pay him a $1 million roster bonus and another $4 million in salary for 2007. New coach Mike Tomlin told Porter of their decision in a telephone call.
The Steelers feared he would go through with a holdout this year. Porter scoffed at reports that the Steelers believed his play had slipped last season after he made three Pro Bowls in eight years with them and climbed to fourth on their career sack list with 60.
"They have to have something to write so it doesn't bother me at all," Porter said. "I know what I can do. The reality of it, you put me in a situation to do my job, I can do my job well.
"The reality of last year, our whole season last year, the team didn't get it done. We didn't play well enough to be successful. I think as a whole team we never had that many third downs; we never were ahead of a team to get after the quarterback like we normally would.
"As far as my play, my play will be there. I am not worried about it. If they look at it as a down year -- we had a whole down year as a team so we all failed in getting the job done that we wanted to get done, but I feel like I can still play this game at a Pro Bowl level, and that's the type of player I am."
The Dolphins plan to team Porter at one outside linebacker with Jason Taylor on the other side. The Dolphins will give Porter a $12 million signing bonus with a reported $20 million of his contract guaranteed.
"This was a blessing in disguise for me, me having the opportunity to come play here in Miami," Porter said. "I think it is going to be a perfect fit. I am excited about the transition."
Dom Capers, Cowher's first defensive coordinator with the Steelers, holds the same job with the Dolphins and plans to run a 3-4 defense more often next season. He said he saw no falloff in Porter's play in 2006.
"I'm still fairly familiar with a number of the people in the Steelers' organization," Capers said. "There was a period of time, I think, with Joey that he had a hamstring pull. It affected him, I think, in a number of games. When you watched him early in the season and you watched him late in the season, you saw somewhat the same player that you did during the playoff run and their run to the Super Bowl the year before. He impacted those games probably as much as any player that they had. I thought he was outstanding in their playoff stretch run there and in the Super Bowl."
Capers said he was surprised the Steelers released him.
"Anytime that there is a player who's been an impact player and he's done it fairly consistently throughout his career, you're going to take a good look. The minute that I saw he was released, we tried to gather as much information as we could so we could certainly talk about him and, hopefully, make a good decision."
Capers compared Porter's situation on the Steelers to the one when the team did not attempt to re-sign outside linebacker Kevin Greene when he became a free agent after the 1995 season. Capers was by then the head coach of the Carolina Panthers, who signed Greene.
"Different organizations look at things differently," Capers said. "There was a very similar situation where Kevin Greene was released and Jason Gildon stepped in, and Kevin Greene came to Carolina and led the league in sacks the next year. We were able to pick up a football player who was still very productive -- went to the Pro Bowl.
"You would say then, 'Why did that happen?' So you never really know. Certain teams, when they've been running schemes as long as they have up there in Pittsburgh -- 15 years it's been the same scheme. So they've had a long line of the Kevin Greenes, the Jason Gildons, the Joey Porters -- Pro Bowl players at those positions."
Bills Trade Willis McGahee to Ravens- Oh BoY!!!!Hot off the Press....
By JOHN WAWROW
AP Sports Writer
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Running back Willis McGahee was traded to the Baltimore Ravens by Buffalo for three draft choices Thursday, a day after Jamal Lewis signed with Cleveland.
Two of the picks will be in this year's draft and another one next year.
McGahee, with whom the Bills had become dissatisfied, is to travel to Baltimore to meet with team officials later in the day. McGahee had one year left on his five-year contract with Buffalo, and had been seeking an extension.
"This is a runner who can make people miss and has the explosion and speed to take it the distance," said Baltimore general manager 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.
"He also plays physical and with toughness, which are things we pride ourselves on here."
Lewis, whose productivity had been declining, was released last week by the Ravens.
McGahee will take over as the No. 1, ahead of veteran backup Mike Anderson and Musa Smith, who has primarily been used on special teams.
The Bills were not immediately available for comment.
Buffalo's first-round pick out of Miami in 2003, McGahee is coming off a season in which he finished with a career-low 990 yards rushing, but led the team with six rushing touchdowns in 14 starts.
In 2005, he had ran for 1,247 yards and five touchdowns in 15 starts. He established himself as the Bills starter in 2004 with 1,128 yards rushing and 13 touchdowns in 11 starts. That performance led the team to trade Travis Henry to Tennessee the following summer.
McGahee sat out his rookie season recovering from major knee surgery.
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.
The Bills have expressed interest in at least two free agents, meeting this week with Chris Brown, formerly of the Tennessee Titans, and Dominic Rhodes, a member of the Super Bowl champion Indianapolis Colts.
Brown spent the past two days visiting the team's Orchard Park headquarters, but left for Detroit on Thursday without a deal.
So I guess he Giants can forget getting a Runingback. McGahee is a good Move for Baltimore though. Billick is Smart
By JOHN WAWROW
AP Sports Writer
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Running back Willis McGahee was traded to the Baltimore Ravens by Buffalo for three draft choices Thursday, a day after Jamal Lewis signed with Cleveland.
Two of the picks will be in this year's draft and another one next year.
McGahee, with whom the Bills had become dissatisfied, is to travel to Baltimore to meet with team officials later in the day. McGahee had one year left on his five-year contract with Buffalo, and had been seeking an extension.
"This is a runner who can make people miss and has the explosion and speed to take it the distance," said Baltimore general manager 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.
"He also plays physical and with toughness, which are things we pride ourselves on here."
Lewis, whose productivity had been declining, was released last week by the Ravens.
McGahee will take over as the No. 1, ahead of veteran backup Mike Anderson and Musa Smith, who has primarily been used on special teams.
The Bills were not immediately available for comment.
Buffalo's first-round pick out of Miami in 2003, McGahee is coming off a season in which he finished with a career-low 990 yards rushing, but led the team with six rushing touchdowns in 14 starts.
In 2005, he had ran for 1,247 yards and five touchdowns in 15 starts. He established himself as the Bills starter in 2004 with 1,128 yards rushing and 13 touchdowns in 11 starts. That performance led the team to trade Travis Henry to Tennessee the following summer.
McGahee sat out his rookie season recovering from major knee surgery.
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.
The Bills have expressed interest in at least two free agents, meeting this week with Chris Brown, formerly of the Tennessee Titans, and Dominic Rhodes, a member of the Super Bowl champion Indianapolis Colts.
Brown spent the past two days visiting the team's Orchard Park headquarters, but left for Detroit on Thursday without a deal.
So I guess he Giants can forget getting a Runingback. McGahee is a good Move for Baltimore though. Billick is Smart
McGahee to The Ravens
Bills Trade Willis McGahee to Ravens- Oh BoY!!!!Hot off the Press....
By JOHN WAWROW
AP Sports Writer
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Running back Willis McGahee was traded to the Baltimore Ravens by Buffalo for three draft choices Thursday, a day after Jamal Lewis signed with Cleveland.
Two of the picks will be in this year's draft and another one next year.
McGahee, with whom the Bills had become dissatisfied, is to travel to Baltimore to meet with team officials later in the day. McGahee had one year left on his five-year contract with Buffalo, and had been seeking an extension.
"This is a runner who can make people miss and has the explosion and speed to take it the distance," said Baltimore general manager 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.
"He also plays physical and with toughness, which are things we pride ourselves on here."
Lewis, whose productivity had been declining, was released last week by the Ravens.
McGahee will take over as the No. 1, ahead of veteran backup Mike Anderson and Musa Smith, who has primarily been used on special teams.
The Bills were not immediately available for comment.
Buffalo's first-round pick out of Miami in 2003, McGahee is coming off a season in which he finished with a career-low 990 yards rushing, but led the team with six rushing touchdowns in 14 starts.
In 2005, he had ran for 1,247 yards and five touchdowns in 15 starts. He established himself as the Bills starter in 2004 with 1,128 yards rushing and 13 touchdowns in 11 starts. That performance led the team to trade Travis Henry to Tennessee the following summer.
McGahee sat out his rookie season recovering from major knee surgery.
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.
The Bills have expressed interest in at least two free agents, meeting this week with Chris Brown, formerly of the Tennessee Titans, and Dominic Rhodes, a member of the Super Bowl champion Indianapolis Colts.
Brown spent the past two days visiting the team's Orchard Park headquarters, but left for Detroit on Thursday without a deal.
So I guess he Giants can forget getting a Runingback. McGahee is a good Move for Baltimore though. Billick is Smart
By JOHN WAWROW
AP Sports Writer
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Running back Willis McGahee was traded to the Baltimore Ravens by Buffalo for three draft choices Thursday, a day after Jamal Lewis signed with Cleveland.
Two of the picks will be in this year's draft and another one next year.
McGahee, with whom the Bills had become dissatisfied, is to travel to Baltimore to meet with team officials later in the day. McGahee had one year left on his five-year contract with Buffalo, and had been seeking an extension.
"This is a runner who can make people miss and has the explosion and speed to take it the distance," said Baltimore general manager 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.
"He also plays physical and with toughness, which are things we pride ourselves on here."
Lewis, whose productivity had been declining, was released last week by the Ravens.
McGahee will take over as the No. 1, ahead of veteran backup Mike Anderson and Musa Smith, who has primarily been used on special teams.
The Bills were not immediately available for comment.
Buffalo's first-round pick out of Miami in 2003, McGahee is coming off a season in which he finished with a career-low 990 yards rushing, but led the team with six rushing touchdowns in 14 starts.
In 2005, he had ran for 1,247 yards and five touchdowns in 15 starts. He established himself as the Bills starter in 2004 with 1,128 yards rushing and 13 touchdowns in 11 starts. That performance led the team to trade Travis Henry to Tennessee the following summer.
McGahee sat out his rookie season recovering from major knee surgery.
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.
The Bills have expressed interest in at least two free agents, meeting this week with Chris Brown, formerly of the Tennessee Titans, and Dominic Rhodes, a member of the Super Bowl champion Indianapolis Colts.
Brown spent the past two days visiting the team's Orchard Park headquarters, but left for Detroit on Thursday without a deal.
So I guess he Giants can forget getting a Runingback. McGahee is a good Move for Baltimore though. Billick is Smart
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