Willis McGahee: My case for our #1 pick

Here are a few statements from a recent ESPN article on McGahee...

Fastest Hurricane EVER:
http://espn.go.com/ncf/columns/harig_bob/1457504.html

McGahee is 6-foot-1 and 224 pounds and runs the 40-yard dash in 4.28, making him the fastest Hurricane ever. He bench presses 375 pounds and squats 500.

But looks don't always translate to greatness. "There was a time when people were doubting him,'' Romberg said. "He wouldn't finish. He was an immature football player. His attitude changed. He became a man.''

“ (McGahee) brings so much speed to the table. He's 225 or 230 pounds. If you're human, you're not supposed to move that fast if you're that big. ”
— Miami OL Brett Romberg

In the spring of 2001, McGahee was so impressive that UM's new head coach Larry Coker marveled. After all, there was Clinton Portis, who led the team in rushing as a freshman in 1999 and was was the starter in the second half of the 2000 season. It seemed obvious to everyone that 2001 was the year for Portis to shine.

Only the coaches couldn't stop talking about McGahee.

"We talked about the best back we had, and it wasn't Clinton Portis,'' Coker said.

I think if this guy is available (assuming Leftwich and Manning aren't there) we should grab him a not look back. This guy is an amazing talent who is gonna get nothing but better. A true workhorse that can bust the big one as well. I want Willis McGahee if he is there.

 

Only if a very good QB isn't available. Will McGahee be available is the question, though.

 

I think I heard he was staying in school So, I don't think he will be available.

 

he's been running behind a great line. I'm not going to take away from what he's been doing but that speed will be a lot less of an asset here. As long as a back has enough speed to be respectable, that's my concern, where having blazing speed - or having hype because of that speed - isn't really something that tickles my fancy.

 

But look at what Portis is doing and if Coker says he's better then I'll take his word on it. He got to see them side by side on a daily basis.

 

He's the top back IMO and guanteed to go in the top 10. He should leave school now. His stock will never be higher than right now - especially if he has a big game against a stout Ohio State defense. He could go top 5.

McGahee has everything you want in a back. He could turn out to be one of the true great ones in time. He can run with power or speed, catch the ball, good blocker on blitz and is a good person and natural leader. There is nothing he doesn't have - and I wouldn't at all be surprised if he turns out to be the BEST player to come out of this draft. He is a dominate running game waiting to happen.

 

certainly. I'm not taking away from what Willis has done.

But in this offense, we'll basically be running bellies and sweeps and draws to make use of him rather than power shit. And that basically puts us where we were with Dee Brown. We certainly can't turn down a franchise guy, but for this offense the value is not huge compared to QB and WR.

 

Oh yea, there are plenty of ways to go with this pick. No doubt. I just feel that if you want to control the clock and be a smash mouth running team - you better get yourself a couple of great backs. McGahee could be 1. Then you limit Foster's carries (if he can return) and hopefully protect him a bit more from injury. Could have a nice ball control team pretty soon. QB position can stay one of patience and we wouldn't need a savior, just someone to steer the ship. We can spend some $$ in FA for a WR IMO.

But your right - plenty of ways to look at this.