Will the Texans grab him if he is still there at the top of the 2nd round? http://sports.espn.go.com/nfldraft/columnist?id=1542984 By Len Pasquarelli ESPN.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Willis McGahee might have earned himself a first-round paycheck Tuesday. McGahee, who demonstrated that there is some chance he can get back onto a football field in 2003, displayed a range of motion and flexibility and movement skill typically impossible for a player less than four months removed from a catastrophic knee injury. The University of Miami star earned the admiration of those in attendance during his 90-minute on-campus session in Coral Gables, Fla. "To do what he did, after an injury where everyone who saw it thought would knock him out for at least a year, it was remarkable," said Houston Texans offensive coordinator Chris Palmer, whose team hopes McGahee falls into the second round, but which might not get its wish. "It's a real testimony to how hard the guy has worked. It's hard to be that good a year after (knee) surgery, let alone three of four months, to tell you the truth." In what was his first and only audition for league talent evaluators before this weekend's draft, McGahee, who tore three knee ligaments in his left knee during the final minutes of the Fiesta Bowl, did not perform a full-scale workout. Then again, given the updates provided all teams by agent Drew Rosenhaus and surgeon John Uribe, no one expected a combine-type battery of tests. The intent of the workout, Rosenhaus had stressed, was to allow teams to gauge precisely where McGahee was in his recovery, and perhaps project where he will have advanced in three more months. Asked for a self-evaluation, McGahee allowed he felt "pretty good," adding that he was satisfied he had achieved his objectives. "I think," he said, "I showed them something." Essentially the workout was a hint of where McGahee, a consensus top five selection before the injury, might be at the time NFL training camps open this summer. Toward that end, McGahee performed stretching and flexibility exercises to display the range of motion in his knee. He did some squats, and then performed 26 repetitions on the standard 225-pound bench press, the drill that players do at the combine workouts every year. Of all the backs who performed the bench press drill at the combine sessions in February, just three put the bar up more than 26 times. McGahee did some backpedals, ran a pair of 50-yard sprints at about 75-80 percent of top speed, jogged through a few pass patterns and caught 50 passes, with no drops. "Hey, the fact the guy was even out there had to impress you," said Tennessee offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger. "There's a lot of flexibility back in the knee, and you don't normally see that at this point (of rehabilitation). He moved pretty well. Now you have to ask yourself how that translates into when he can play again." There were nine teams represented at the workout, with Tampa Bay general manager Rich McKay the most prominent club official on hand, and, as of Tuesday evening, four more franchises already had requested videotapes of the session. ESPN.com has learned that Tennessee will have McGahee examined by an independent orthopedic specialist on Wednesday, and other franchises might follow suit. The former Hurricanes star, who bypassed his final two seasons of college eligibility despite the injury, was examined by doctors from virtually every NFL team three weeks ago at the combine re-check. Two team physicians contacted by ESPN.com said they saw no signs of excessive swelling and noted that, while the knee is not yet 100 percent, the musculature around it and the supporting tissue has been well developed. Said one AFC scout: "It's not my money, but I'd be tempted to take the gamble (in the first round), because you might not get a second shot at him." General managers around the league remain split on whether McGahee should attempt to play in 2003. Some insist they both he, and the team that drafts him, will be better served to let McGahee "redshirt" for his rookie season, rehabilitate fully, and then come back strong in '04. Dr. Uribe and Ed Garabedian, the physical therapist who has presided over the recovery, still feel McGahee might play this season. "All I can say is that Willis has done his part now," Rosenhaus said. "There's nothing more he could have done to be as prepared as he is, at this point, at least, for the draft. Now we'll see what team pulls the trigger." Rosenhaus reiterated that McGahee, no matter where he is taken, will sign with the club that selects him. He will not, as Rosenhaus has said to ESPN.com several times, bypass an offer and go back into the 2004 draft.
Im impressed too. His work ethic and attitude couldnt have been better given his situation. Really amazing.
I'm kinda partial to Cecil Sapp. But McGahee's (6-0, 223, 4.45) work-ethic and heart have gotten my attention (after his knee injury). By the way, I don't like TALL running backs; like Eddie George (6'3"). Guys like him have a high-running stance. That's why I like Sapp (5-10, 229, 4.62). Kinda of a Terrell Davis (5'11"/210) type player. Larry Johnson (6-1, 228, 4.6) is big time player. It's going to be interesting who we pick, if we do pick a RB. We might get a WR for Carr.
I almost posted this in the Hangout, but decided to check here first...heh All I have to say is that the teams that pass up on McGahee are going to regret it. I wished that NYKRule would show his ugly mug around here. I'll never forget the night that Willis hurt himself, that jabroni was posting here, "Career over!" and stupid **** like that. Yea, fool, his career is really "over", especially considering it is just getting ready to start.
I think like ESPN. Oakland and Tennessee are both looking for RB's. I don't think he'll last that long anymore. Although both teams already have good starters so they could pass on him. It will be interesting to see what happens.
from CNNSI: McGahee started his weight lifting session by squatting 185 pounds 10 times, then 205 pounds 10 times and finally 225 pounds 10 times. Then, giving his knee a short break, he benched pressed 225 pounds 26 times...
Only squatting 225 10X says he has a long ways to go. The bench is impressive, but when you consider that for a couple months all he did was work his upper body (while rehabbing) it's not that unbelievable. I wish him well, be interesting to see who takes a chance on him. I still believe your 1st and 2nd round picks should be ready to contribute next year, so someone will be taking a chance taking him. Also someone else metioned this: -No matter where he gets drafted he will want paid like a top 5 pick -If he doesn't get his money he can just not sign and re-enter the draft next year. That makes him a very questionable/expensive selection.
I dont think anyone is going to pay him like he is a top five pick because no one will do that. He is still damaged goods (no matter how quickly he has come back) until he has a full season of productive play under his belt. He will take less money now and when his first contract (or after his first good season) is up he will get his money. I would take a gamble on him and hope he ends up with the Texans.
Larry Johnson had a damn good college career, but I don't see him doing much in the pros - he's a little on the slow side. He racked up tons of yards against bad teams. Reminds me of a smaller Ron Dayne. I was impressed with Lee Suggs, but he's had knee problems in the past. Right now the Texans have two losers at RB in Wells and Allen. This year's RB crop is pretty thin, but I think that Onterrio Smith (Oregon) or Chris Brown (Colorado) would be very solid picks in the 2nd or 3rd. The Texans lack of depth at RB makes me hesitant to wait for McGahee. Right now I'd say take the safe pick in Smith or Brown. I am pulling for Willis though- the guy's a total badass. Scary thing is that Miami's Frank Gore is supposed to be even better than him or Edgerrin James.
He only did 10 at 225, but that was after having done 185 pounds 10 times, and 205 pounds 10 times. <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ap-draft-mcgahee&prov=ap&type=lgns">Source: Yahoo Sports</a>. As for your fears about him not signing -- read the last paragraph of the article posted by codell.
True story: Last night, I had a dream that I watched the NFL draft on a sort of stock ticker thingy, and this was how the draft played out: Cincy - Charles Rogers Detroit - Terence Newman Houston - Willis McGahee I didn't get around to Chicago's pick, because I woke up screaming. (Thank goodness my fiancee is out of town...) All I have to say is that Drew Rosenhaus may very well be the best agent in the history of mankind...
CK, If I was heypartner, I would say "Bet me!", but alas (and thank God ), I am not. However, Willis will make you eat your words, Lard Boy!
I am shocked Buffalo picked him with Travis Henry onboard, but who am I to argue with the bills gm? He's a pretty good gm. I suppose he is the goods, but I just think he'll be an ongoing injury, ala TD. But if they can get a few great seasons out of him I guess its worth it.
One of the things the "experts" have been saying is that in his workouts he has not done any cutting or start stop drills. The injuries he had greatly affect those two types of moves. I don't really see him as being ready to play this season. One question, is Henry a FA after the 2003 season?
