Clinton Portis

true, Henry's stupid. And he's playing well in the Kevin Gilbride offense, where partial differentiation is used to decode the blocking assignments. Seriously. I heard Gilbride's offense is ridiculous.

here's the entire McGahee portion.

2) Willis McGahee, Sophomore, Miami

Draft Grade: A (First Round)

The Skinny: Originally a backup to Miami super-prospect Frank Gore, McGahee has elevated himself as a top prospect with a standout 2003 season. A third-year sophomore with homerun speed, McGahee has soft hands and a surprisingly large frame. Often compared to fellow Hurricanes Clinton Portis and Edgerrin James in terms of overall ability, he excels in all aspects of the game, with the exception of blocking. He's not a smart person and his Wonderlic score will be among the lowest. In fact, he was nearly academically ineligible to meet NAACP requirements out of high school. He doesn't run as strong as his size indicates and some scouts believe that his production is in no small part due to a top-notch Miami offensive line. McGahee's mental toughness is also an issue and has admitted to letting criticism affect his level of play. Of course, the scrutiny he faced in college will pale to that as a first round draft pick in an NFL city and he'll need tougher skin. His ability to absorb punishment is a warning flag, as is his inability to crack the starting lineup when his teammates are healthy. He has an unusually high boom-or-bust potential, but if he booms, he's a perennial Pro Bowler who dominates games and resurrects a franchise.

 

Is it just me, or does he sound too RISKY for us to spend a high 1st rounder on (given our luck in the 1st)?



Wouldn't L Johnson be a safer bet AND a better fit for us?

 

You don't understand. We'd take LJ, and he'd crush both his knees walking in the stadium for the last pre-season game.

Take the stud.

 

I got the impression that LJ would be the more "studly" and durable of the two . . . does he have an injury history?

 

Not that I know of. Just saying, don't shy away from impact cause you've been burned.

LJ doens't have that many carries. He wasn't the guy until his senior year.

I like WM's cuts better. He's faster. He's quite big himself. LJ's not real shifty. He could be good, and might work with us as a power back like George, but I like McGahee a little better. We need some exposiveness.

 

both have some minor character concerns, from a teammate standpoint. These guys say McGahee gets down on himself, which probably means a fumble or two and he's lost for a few games. Johnson's been known to criticize playcalling. But since neither started nor played much before this year hard to say what either could do.

McGahee's the better back hands down.

 

Where did that write up come from?

I have seen McGahee in interviews and read comments from a lot of teamates. Saying the guy is stupid is a presumptuous and cruel, especially considering the guy is only 21 and is a bit introverted anyway. He doesn't talk like a presidental candidate in interviews but he seems intellegent enough. McGahee is a very tough runner and breaks a lot of tackles and it isn't just the oline. This article seems to contridict itself as well. In one breath he can't even start at Miami with healthy backs in front of him and the next he could be a "perennial Pro Bowler who dominates games and resurrects a franchise". Makes me wonder the motivation for the negative comments.

IMO, McGahee has everything needed to be a starting RB in the NFL. He has the talent to be a Pro Bowler IMO too. Forget all the media shit - guys don't do what he did this season if they can't get it done on the field. Bshit assessment IMO.

And I agree with Pipers assessment also. LJ is a good back and some team is gonna be happy to get him - but McGahee's top end speed seperates him just a bit. Johnson is very talented too though and could and should be a very good power back in the NFL. This team would be better off with either in the backfield. If I could pick though - gimmie Willis.

 

The "can't crack the lineup" comment is unfair, but I know where it comes from. Portis and Davenport from last year. To me, I cut him slack because he was a Frosh and it was their time. Youth and shyness explain much of the rest as well.

Every scout has to say something negative about a player, to cover their asses in case they bust. And McGahee has a fair amount of bust potential. Notice he said "some scouts question" though. Overall, a draft grade of A shows me what this scout really thinks of him. He's got burst, power and speed.

 

Word.
Anyone who doesn't like McGahee as a propect will have to tell me exactly what they want in a RB. Superman? The Hulk? or The Flash or all those combined? McGahee's cupboard is full. Period.

 

it's not full. That's insane, to suggest that a prospect is perfect. I don't find the negative criticism to be unwarranted, and chances are this comes from talking to this player rather than just being happy about him and defending him. He's not a good blocker, he's probably not smart, and I'd take him as our back. Doesn't mean he doesn't have faults, doesn't mean he's not a hihg risk player.

yeah, "can't crack the lineup" can be said of most collegiate players at a top program. He wasn't even supposed to be the starter this year, and yet he won the job, once the draft picks cleared out.

Just like I'm sure Payton would be a beast at a 1-aa school like his father, McGahee would have been a successful back behind this line for two or three years. I don't doubt he's a good back, and I welcome any criticism of any player because I like to have things brought to my attention I wouldn't know because I'm a novice. I like knowing things I won't see on tape. I also like having things to disagree with, that I can bring up in my mind and feel is still not truthful.

But I seriously doubt any of us know Willis McGahee enough to say whether or not he's a truly hard worker, or how smart, stupid, instinctive, or savvy he can be, so I'm not going to pass judgement either way for myself. You can choose to believe it, or not, but I think it holds some merit. Guess I oughta cross reference with TFY...I don't know if they've talked to him yet but I'm sure they're networked.