August 20, 200421 yr Source: McGahee asks to be traded if he's not starting By JOHN WAWROW, AP Sports Writer August 20, 2004 AP - Aug 5, 5:43 pm EDT More Photos ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) -- Running back Willis McGahee has asked the Buffalo Bills to trade him if he is not their starter on opening day, a source told The Associated Press on Friday. McGahee's request was not issued as an ultimatum, but the player made clear he won't be happy playing backup to incumbent Travis Henry, said the source, who is close to McGahee, and spoke on the condition of anonymity. Bills spokesman Scott Berchtold said, ``There is no truth to that whatsoever.'' McGahee was not available for comment, as the Bills were off Friday in preparation for Saturday's preseason game against Tennessee. McGahee's agent Drew Rosenhaus declined comment. After hosting Tennessee, the Bills close their preseason with two road games in preparation for their season-opener against Jacksonville on Sept. 12. Questions about how the two running backs can work together have been raised since the Bills selected McGahee 23rd overall in the 2003 draft. Henry is now coming off his second consecutive 1,000-yard season while McGahee missed his entire rookie season recovering from reconstructive surgery on his left knee. ADVERTISEMENT The former Miami star was considered a top-three pick before he was hurt in his final college game, the Hurricanes' loss to Ohio State in the national championship, the 2003 Fiesta Bowl. Rookie coach Mike Mularkey has said that both players can work together this season, but has maintained that Henry is his starter. That's been evident through camp, where Henry has worked exclusively with the starting unit, while McGahee has worked mostly with the second string. McGahee has looked good so far. In his preseason debut, he had 13 carries for 58 yards, a 9-yard reception, and scored the go-ahead touchdown from the 1, in Buffalo's 16-6 win over Denver last Sunday. McGahee also shone, scoring four touchdowns from within 2 yards, during a controlled scrimmage against Cleveland earlier this month. While Henry and McGahee refer to themselves as friends, it has been an uneasy relationship. Henry initially called the Bills' decision to draft McGahee a slap in the face. He's since backed off that claim, saying the two can work together. Henry, however, has previously said that he's not prepared to be a backup to McGahee. Henry has also said that he expects one of them to be traded after the end of this season. Henry is signed through the 2005 season. McGahee has four years left on a contract that could potentially be worth $15.53 million if he meets all the incentives.
August 20, 200421 yr Maybe this is Willis trying to squeeze his way back home to Miami for the Dolphins. I don't think the Fins would think twice about a Waley,McGahee trade.
August 20, 200421 yr Both say that they want to be traded if there not starters. And I would think the Bills wouldnt want to deal one of these guys to a team in the division...
August 20, 200421 yr And I would think the Bills wouldnt want to deal one of these guys to a team in the division... 519874[/snapback] For Ogunleye, I think they'd be hard pressed not to. The Dolphins, Speilman and Wanney are desperate for a runner so they'd give Walley up for one, and the Bills would sure up the D. Who woulda thunk the Pats would have kept Bledsoe inside the division?
August 20, 200421 yr ya who the hell didnt see this coming last year. 519886[/snapback] The blind guy who lives around the corner.... I am pretty sure he doesn't even see it now. :lol
August 20, 200421 yr Author Hopefully Minor does good and we don't need to give anything to the stinkin Bills, but McGahee back in Miami would be nice.
August 20, 200421 yr Travis would be good in a place like St. Louis since he is a finesse runner. Our team and line is built to run up the middle, not bounce outside and be quick.
August 20, 200421 yr If McGahee is traded to Miami. I will die happily. Willis is such a nice hardworking person and a great running back, I think better than Ricky Williams was...
August 20, 200421 yr Willis obviously thinks very highly of himself. Sure, I'd trade Wale for him because I'm not sure Wale's is worth all that much to the Phins. But I'd be worried about trouble with Willis down the road. This guy hasn't done crap in the NFL and he has the nerve to demand a starting job over a guy who's probably in the Top 10 of NFL backs? Come on, man...
August 20, 200421 yr Willis obviously thinks very highly of himself. Sure, I'd trade Wale for him because I'm not sure Wale's is worth all that much to the Phins. But I'd be worried about trouble with Willis down the road. This guy hasn't done crap in the NFL and he has the nerve to demand a starting job over a guy who's probably in the Top 10 of NFL backs? Come on, man... 519910[/snapback] Did you watch the guy at UM? Just a question but he would be starting over Henry right now IMO if he wasn't injured. He is freakish in his strength and speed. Can't beat that. I'd be demanding my job too if I was just sitting on the sidelines doing nothing knowing I have the talent to do something.
August 20, 200421 yr Willis obviously thinks very highly of himself.? Sure, I'd trade Wale for him because I'm not sure Wale's is worth all that much to the Phins.? But I'd be worried about trouble with Willis down the road.? This guy hasn't done crap in the NFL and he has the nerve to demand a starting job over a guy who's probably in the Top 10 of NFL backs?? Come on, man... 519910[/snapback] Did you watch the guy at UM? Just a question but he would be starting over Henry right now IMO if he wasn't injured. He is freakish in his strength and speed. Can't beat that. I'd be demanding my job too if I was just sitting on the sidelines doing nothing knowing I have the talent to do something. 519914[/snapback] I haven't seen him play since his injury. And whatever his numbers are in the preseason, they don't mean jack. Willis has to prove himself in the NFL before he can possibly expect Buffalo to just cut ties with Henry. And there have been dozens upon dozens of great college backs who fizzled out in the NFL. Kijana Carter and Lawrence Phillips come immediately to mind. Buffalo has a good thing in Travis Henry. And Henry's been pretty good throughout this whole situation. He's said a few things--things you'd want any competitve player to say--but he's shown a real willingness to compromise. Does Willis have the same team-first attitude? Doesn't seem like it. If I'm Buffalo I keep Travis Henry, and get some real good s*** for McGahee.
August 20, 200421 yr Willis obviously thinks very highly of himself.? Sure, I'd trade Wale for him because I'm not sure Wale's is worth all that much to the Phins.? But I'd be worried about trouble with Willis down the road.? This guy hasn't done crap in the NFL and he has the nerve to demand a starting job over a guy who's probably in the Top 10 of NFL backs?? Come on, man... 519910[/snapback] Did you watch the guy at UM? Just a question but he would be starting over Henry right now IMO if he wasn't injured. He is freakish in his strength and speed. Can't beat that. I'd be demanding my job too if I was just sitting on the sidelines doing nothing knowing I have the talent to do something. 519914[/snapback] I haven't seen him play since his injury. And whatever his numbers are in the preseason, they don't mean jack. Willis has to prove himself in the NFL before he can possibly expect Buffalo to just cut ties with Henry. And there have been dozens upon dozens of great college backs who fizzled out in the NFL. Kijana Carter and Lawrence Phillips come immediately to mind. Buffalo has a good thing in Travis Henry. And Henry's been pretty good throughout this whole situation. He's said a few things--things you'd want any competitve player to say--but he's shown a real willingness to compromise. Does Willis have the same team-first attitude? Doesn't seem like it. If I'm Buffalo I keep Travis Henry, and get some real good s*** for McGahee. 519922[/snapback] Your right, but I question Henry. He's been ok from what I've seen him do. I never saw Willis or heard Willis question team-first... But I'd still rather have Willis over Henry any day.
August 21, 200421 yr I'd rather the Fins get Edge as a free agent after the 2004 season and possibly keep Adewale as well. Willis would be nice though too.
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