Big Willi style

Bad news for all the baby mama's-in-waiting living in Buffalo, Willis McGahee is all but gone from the Queen City.

McGahee, the starting running back for the Buffalo Bills with more children out of wedlock than 1,000-yard rushing seasons, will be a free agent after this upcoming NFL season. Instead of risking losing Big-Willy-Style to the highest bidder on the free agent market, the Bills are openly looking to trade him. There are reports of a trade in the works with the New York Giants.

The Bills are on the cusp of playoff contention, yet they have several needy positions that must be sured up over the off-season. Running back is not one of them. Trading McGahee would be the right decision, considering the team has a more then adequate replacement already on the roster, in Anthony Thomas.

Thomas and Bills head coach, Dick Jauron, have a history together. Jauron was Thomas' head coach in Chicago, where Thomas started his career, and also where he had his best seasons as a professional. There is no doubt that McGahee is better then Thomas, but the difference is not that large. If the Bills were able to pick up an extra first round pick for Willis, it would definitely be something to consider.

At this time, NFL draft guru and hair club for men president, Mel Kiper Jr. Has the Bills taking Amobi Okoye a defensive tackle from Louisville, with the 12th pick in the draft. This is the Bills biggest need, as last year's defense ranked 13th in the league and allowed over 140 yards rushing per game.

After that, the Bills will need a cornerback to replace Nate Clements. I have no faith that the Bills will pony up the money needed to resign one of the top five cornerbacks in the NFL. This second first round pick will come in handy in bringing in a blue chip prospect to replace Clements.

Now that the Bills don't have to worry about replacing Clements in the second round, the Bills can draft McGahee's replacement in the second round. If they are willing to take a chance on an injured yet talented back, Louisville's Michael Bush, considered one of the top running backs in the nation before breaking his leg, will be available in the second round. Auburn's Kenny Irons may also be there.

With the Bills openly seeking out the Giants as a trade partner, it begs the question what went wrong with McGahee? Just three years ago, when McGahee took the starting job from Travis Henry and led the Bills to with-in one second half choke job against the Pittsburgh Steelers from making the playoffs, Buffalo loved McGahee and Big Willi-Style was on the cusp of becoming a great running back. McGahee ran for 1,128 yards and 13 touchdowns that year while only starting 11 games.

Yet McGahee has not matched that season's success since and has regressed immensely in the past two seasons. He finished this last season with less then 1,000 yards, and only six touchdowns. What makes matters worst is that midway through the season McGahee was near the top of the league in rushing and then failed to finish the season strong.

Willis is still young and showed spurts of greatness this year, the biggest example coming against the New York Jets where he gained 125 yards on 16 carries and one score. Yet the fans have soured on him, chanting for "A-Train" - Anthony Thomas - by the end of the season. Also, his hustle and work ethic were brought into question at points during the season.

I haven't given up on Willis, he still has the potential to be a top five running back in the NFL, yet if Buffalo can get a first round pick in the upcoming draft, the deal has to be done. Bringing in a cornerback and defensive tackle through the first round of the draft, as well as a running back in the second round to team with Thomas should make the Bills a playoff team.

The question is will people in Buffalo be able to watch it? But that's another column for another day.