04/24/24
March 27, 2007
New team, new start for Ravens' McGahee: Buffalo was big enough for Jim Kelly, Thurman Thomas, etc., but not for Willis McGahee. Citing the lack of nightlife and the city being too small to properly heap adulation upon him, he takes his attitude to Baltimore, where the Ravens are wondering which Willis McGahee they're inheriting.
I'm actually glad the Bills will be moving to Thomas. McGahee leaving helps the team rid itself from another reminder of the Tom Donahoe era, marked by horrible picks (ex. Mike Williams, OT), and wasting a first-round pick on McGahee when they already had Travis Henry, who was coming off a really good year. Even back then I felt it was a cocky pick orchestrated by a egomaniac like Donahoe. It was a slap in the face to the hard-working Henry, and even though they gave McGahee a shot, he rewarded them by not working, saying the Bills should be moved to Toronto, and ripping the city upon leaving. All he has to show for his time in Buffalo is three out-of-wedlock children in two years (McGahee claims all there was to do in Buffalo was play video games. Evidentally he found time to do a few other things). Hopefully the nightlife will be to his liking in Baltimore, because that is the most important thing for a NFL player. Keep talking up THE "U" Willis, because there aren't many people in Buffalo that will miss "U" and your low-class, big mouth (Wow, that felt good to get off my chest. Forgive my ranting, please).
posted by dyams at 09:00 AM on March 27, 2007
I think McGahee will like playing in Baltimore. They have a couple of leaders on the team from the U, Reed and Lewis. Plenty of nightlife, etc. It does sound like he needs to grow up if he thinks that taking care of his kids means paying child support and visiting them when they are at his Mom's house.
posted by bperk at 09:01 AM on March 27, 2007
I love how some players never understand that when it comes to the Buffalo Bills, you have much of a city of 4 million people to draw from as well as your little town of 300,000. That's why that franchise still exists. (I grew up in Toronto a Bills fan, and I was far from the only one; I remember them being covered as such on the local news, which I would assume is still the case.) Eh, well, I guess this works out best for everyone. Thomas will get his chance to step up, and the Ravens always were a place where ego cases and attitude issues could go and sometimes flourish.
posted by chicobangs at 09:09 AM on March 27, 2007
I think Buffalo came out well in the trade -- two third rounders and a seventh rounder should help continue to build the team and add some depth. Considering that running back is a relatively easy position to fill through the draft or free agency and considering that McGahee has not proven himself to be an elite player, I think Baltimore gave up too much to get him.
posted by holden at 09:55 AM on March 27, 2007
I love how some players never understand that when it comes to the Buffalo Bills, you have much of a city of 4 million people to draw from as well as your little town of 300,000. That's why that franchise still exists. (I grew up in Toronto a Bills fan, and I was far from the only one; I remember them being covered as such on the local news, which I would assume is still the case.) I am also a "Toronto Bills" fan. I can attest to the size of the fan base as all you have to do is count the number of Ontario license plates on the cars and buses in the parking lots (legal or otherwise) around the stadium on a Sunday afternoon.
posted by grum@work at 09:56 AM on March 27, 2007
Well, Buffalo isn't New York City, obviously, but is Baltimore going to be the city that Willis embraces? C'mon - Baltimore is that much better than Buffalo? Pfft. He'll be bitching in a month. Ah - my town gets trashed all the time too - mostly by NBA players who think it's on the far side of the moon and we all speak French. I believe the phenomena is generally dumb people with no imagination. However, this is probably the best for all involved. If he doesn't want to be there, you're better off not having him around. That said, of course, I wouldn't want to live in Buffalo either.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 09:56 AM on March 27, 2007
I guess my point of reference on this topic continues to be Jim Kelly. Even though his time is more and more removed each and every year from the present, he was a big name, from a small town, granted, but played college at "The U." It wasn't an easy sell getting him to Buffalo, either, but he came, was successful, and along the way found out he could make a life and a financial killing by being a big fish in a small pond. They built a quality team around him, and he was a huge, Hall of Fame part of it. Oh yeah, and he ultimately embraced the city, continues to do so, and they in return embraced him. I'll never forget Kelly's speech at his Hall induction, and how glowingly he spoke of Buffalo. It's a case of using intelligence in order to look at the big picture. McGahee's work ethic and attitude seems to ensure he'll never have the chance to make a moving speech from the Hall of Fame podium in the future.
posted by dyams at 10:19 AM on March 27, 2007
Bravo dyams, as a life long fan of the Bills i couldn't agree with you more. I knew that draft day he wouln't complete his contract with Buffalo. With the exception of Kelly...who is god in Buffalo...i dont see Marv Levy drafting anymore "U" of Miami players as long as he is there...they tend to have attitudes.
posted by french-connection at 10:45 AM on March 27, 2007
my town gets trashed all the time too - mostly by NBA players who think it's on the far side of the moon and we all speak French. You live in Woonsocket, RI? We should hang out sometime.
posted by yerfatma at 12:40 PM on March 27, 2007
So McGahee thinks that the night life in Baltimore will be superior to that in Buffalo? I have no experience with Buffalo; I've never even driven through the place. I love the city of Baltimore. I lived there for 3 years, met my current wife there, and thoroughly enjoyed all of the city's many attractions. Strangely, I do not remember any significant night life. Maybe going to Dundalk for a beer and a shot is really where it's at.
posted by Howard_T at 06:31 PM on March 27, 2007
You live in Woonsocket, RI? Can't be that one, yerfatma. That actually IS on the far side of the moon.
posted by wfrazerjr at 07:09 PM on March 27, 2007
As for Baltimore, my ex-wife lives there now. I hope to God McGahee meets her and knocks her up !!
posted by wdminott at 08:32 PM on March 27, 2007
I wasn't, I guess, a team leader. But if you aren't happy, you're just going to do your own job and don't worry about nothing else. They asked. But that isn't like me to be trying to get other grown men fired up. They know what they've got to do."Sounds like baltimores got a real good player coming to them, look how great Randy Moss is over in Oakland, real team players. I hear Ray Lewis choked the G.M. for the trade, cause he needed another buddy to go out drinking with, wear the B.P. vest willie!
posted by firestompinmed at 10:04 PM on March 27, 2007
Oh, there's night life in Ballmer, alright. It's called getting shot. Welcome to Charm City, Willis.
posted by The_Black_Hand at 05:26 AM on March 28, 2007
He can live midway between DC and Baltimore and hang out in D.C. with Agent Zero or Portis.
posted by bperk at 08:48 AM on March 28, 2007
The Bills have Anthony Thomas for now and the Ravens have McGahee who in theory should be better than Jamal Lewis I wish both of them the best of luck