Tweet
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Willis McGahee: The best running back in the NFL, as he declared himself last October? A stretch, to say the least.
Willis McGahee: The most important running back in the NFL? Now that he just might be. "In our division, and where we play, we have to run the ball," new Buffalo coach Dick Jauron said after the Bills' preseason opener Saturday night here against the Panthers. "We're going to run it."
Frankly, the Bills don't have much of a choice. It's not like they're going to be great at throwing it. Last year the organization handed the quarterback job to J.P. Losman, but the 2004 first-round pick wasn't up to the task. The Bills were forced to start veteran Kelly Holcomb in eight games as the team finished 29th in passing. In the offseason, the Bills traded wide receiver Eric Moulds and signed career backup Craig Nall to "compete" for the QB job (Nall hasn't practiced all month because of a hamstring injury). That's all the moves of significance the Bills made to improve their talent at the skill positions on offense. Hard to imagine the passing game, or the rebuilding Bills in general (they were 5-11 last year) being much, if any, better in '06.
Which brings us back to McGahee. He's really all the Bills have on offense. (We'll find out whether Lee Evans is a true No. 1 wideout. The Bills believe he is, just without the flash. Oh, and the quarterback.) There isn't another back in the league who stands to be more of the focal point of his team's offense.
Maybe LaDainian Tomlinson, what with Philip Rivers' taking over in San Diego. But aha -- L.T.'s got Antonio Gates. Larry Johnson will be counted on to be a workhorse in Kansas City, but he, too, plays with a great tight end: Tony Gonzalez. Reuben Droughns has his work cut out for him in Cleveland with young Charlie Frye at QB, but Droughns still has help. Just about every running back, except McGahee, has going for him at least one if not more of the following: (a) a legit QB, (b) a proven threat in the passing game, or (c) a serviceable sidekick/backup. McGahee has none of the above.
Mark Konezny/WireImage.com
For the Bills to hold their own in the AFC East, Willis McGahee must be at his best.
Most counted-on back in the game. Definitely.
The good news (and listen up, fantasy owners) is that McGahee's now in an offense that will feature him more. For some reason he was underutilized by former head coach Mike Mularkey and offensive coordinator Tom Clements. Last year, McGahee would watch third downs from the sideline, while Shaud Williams did his thing. McGahee wasn't properly utilized in the red zone either; the Bills often took to throwing it on those rare occasions that they actually approached the goal line.
"I wasn't part of the Mularkey package," McGahee has said.
That won't be the case with Jauron and offensive coordinator Steve Fairchild, the former Rams OC. McGahee is the package.
Fairchild brings with him elements of the Rams' scheme, which means more touches for McGahee in the passing game. In the two seasons (and 26 starts) since he came back from the knee injury he suffered in his last collegiate game, McGahee has but 50 receptions. This year McGahee won't come off the field unless necessary, and without a real threat opposite Evans, it's conceivable McGahee will match or even exceed that total.
Recall last year, when Mularkey criticized McGahee for not hitting holes hard enough. The old regime tried to make him a between-the-tackles runner. The new staff is encouraging McGahee to get outside more and use his speed. Down anywhere from 10 to 15 pounds to his college playing weight of 228, McGahee should have more than the four runs of 20 or more yards he ripped off last season.
That is, of course, if the Bills' revamped line can create some running room for him.
| Inside Bills camp |
|---|
 Who should start for the Bills at QB? How does Peerless Price look in his return to Buffalo? Those are just two of the things Michael Smith touches on in his observations from Bills camp.• Inside Bills camp  |
Frankly, the Bills don't have much of a choice. It's not like they're going to be great at throwing it. Last year the organization handed the quarterback job to J.P. Losman, but the 2004 first-round pick wasn't up to the task. The Bills were forced to start veteran Kelly Holcomb in eight games as the team finished 29th in passing. In the offseason, the Bills traded wide receiver Eric Moulds and signed career backup Craig Nall to "compete" for the QB job (Nall hasn't practiced all month because of a hamstring injury). That's all the moves of significance the Bills made to improve their talent at the skill positions on offense. Hard to imagine the passing game, or the rebuilding Bills in general (they were 5-11 last year) being much, if any, better in '06.
Which brings us back to McGahee. He's really all the Bills have on offense. (We'll find out whether Lee Evans is a true No. 1 wideout. The Bills believe he is, just without the flash. Oh, and the quarterback.) There isn't another back in the league who stands to be more of the focal point of his team's offense.
Maybe LaDainian Tomlinson, what with Philip Rivers' taking over in San Diego. But aha -- L.T.'s got Antonio Gates. Larry Johnson will be counted on to be a workhorse in Kansas City, but he, too, plays with a great tight end: Tony Gonzalez. Reuben Droughns has his work cut out for him in Cleveland with young Charlie Frye at QB, but Droughns still has help. Just about every running back, except McGahee, has going for him at least one if not more of the following: (a) a legit QB, (b) a proven threat in the passing game, or (c) a serviceable sidekick/backup. McGahee has none of the above.
Mark Konezny/WireImage.com
For the Bills to hold their own in the AFC East, Willis McGahee must be at his best.
Most counted-on back in the game. Definitely.
The good news (and listen up, fantasy owners) is that McGahee's now in an offense that will feature him more. For some reason he was underutilized by former head coach Mike Mularkey and offensive coordinator Tom Clements. Last year, McGahee would watch third downs from the sideline, while Shaud Williams did his thing. McGahee wasn't properly utilized in the red zone either; the Bills often took to throwing it on those rare occasions that they actually approached the goal line.
"I wasn't part of the Mularkey package," McGahee has said.
That won't be the case with Jauron and offensive coordinator Steve Fairchild, the former Rams OC. McGahee is the package.
Fairchild brings with him elements of the Rams' scheme, which means more touches for McGahee in the passing game. In the two seasons (and 26 starts) since he came back from the knee injury he suffered in his last collegiate game, McGahee has but 50 receptions. This year McGahee won't come off the field unless necessary, and without a real threat opposite Evans, it's conceivable McGahee will match or even exceed that total.
Recall last year, when Mularkey criticized McGahee for not hitting holes hard enough. The old regime tried to make him a between-the-tackles runner. The new staff is encouraging McGahee to get outside more and use his speed. Down anywhere from 10 to 15 pounds to his college playing weight of 228, McGahee should have more than the four runs of 20 or more yards he ripped off last season.
That is, of course, if the Bills' revamped line can create some running room for him.
Comment