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March 9th, 2007
• In recent days the NFL is doing their best to shed the image that they are a league that traditionally doesn't have many big trades and there was yet another major one yesterday.
The latest significant move was the Buffalo Bills sending running back Willis McGahee to the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for 3rd and 7th round picks this year and a 3rd rounder in 2008. Even though they had to give McGahee a huge new contract this was an outstanding move for Baltimore and will give them a major upgrade over Jamal Lewis. From the Bills perspective this was by and large just a financial decision because his contract was up in a year and the team, which was said to not be enamored with him, was highly unlikely to give him the mega dollar extentsion that he was seeking. However, this is a 25-year-old running back in his prime who has rushed for 3,365 yards in three seasons so in my opinion the trade was very questionable, especially when you consider that the Denver Broncos got not only the best cornerback in the league in Champ Bailey but also a high 2nd rounder for Clinton Portis not that long ago. In fact, I think the Bills have made a number of questionable moves this offseason and you can add this deal to the list that already includes losing Nate Clements for nothing and overpaying for Derrick Dockery and Langston Walker. Buffalo now has another big hole to fill at running back and while they may be able to address it with Corey Dillon, Marshawn Lynch, or even both it seems to me that it will be at best a lateral move and could cost them valuable resources that they could have used elsewhere. I'll be the first to admit that I questioned Marv Levy on Draft Day last year and came out batting .500, with Donte Whitner proving worthy of his spot in the Top 10 and John McCargo looking like the reach I said he was, but I have a sneaky feeling that this Buffalo Bill team is going to take a step or two backwards in '07. Only time will tell though.
• In recent days the NFL is doing their best to shed the image that they are a league that traditionally doesn't have many big trades and there was yet another major one yesterday.
The latest significant move was the Buffalo Bills sending running back Willis McGahee to the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for 3rd and 7th round picks this year and a 3rd rounder in 2008. Even though they had to give McGahee a huge new contract this was an outstanding move for Baltimore and will give them a major upgrade over Jamal Lewis. From the Bills perspective this was by and large just a financial decision because his contract was up in a year and the team, which was said to not be enamored with him, was highly unlikely to give him the mega dollar extentsion that he was seeking. However, this is a 25-year-old running back in his prime who has rushed for 3,365 yards in three seasons so in my opinion the trade was very questionable, especially when you consider that the Denver Broncos got not only the best cornerback in the league in Champ Bailey but also a high 2nd rounder for Clinton Portis not that long ago. In fact, I think the Bills have made a number of questionable moves this offseason and you can add this deal to the list that already includes losing Nate Clements for nothing and overpaying for Derrick Dockery and Langston Walker. Buffalo now has another big hole to fill at running back and while they may be able to address it with Corey Dillon, Marshawn Lynch, or even both it seems to me that it will be at best a lateral move and could cost them valuable resources that they could have used elsewhere. I'll be the first to admit that I questioned Marv Levy on Draft Day last year and came out batting .500, with Donte Whitner proving worthy of his spot in the Top 10 and John McCargo looking like the reach I said he was, but I have a sneaky feeling that this Buffalo Bill team is going to take a step or two backwards in '07. Only time will tell though.
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