ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Willis McGahee likes to refer to himself as the NFL's best running back. Let's see how he does replacing Jamal Lewis in Baltimore.
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The Ravens acquired McGahee in a trade with the Buffalo Bills on Thursday, a day after Lewis signed with Cleveland. In exchange, the Bills received third- and seventh-round picks this year and a third-rounder next year.
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"This is a runner who can make people miss and has the explosion and speed to take it the distance," Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome said. "He also has the power and size to run inside. He's a viable receiver out of the backfield and is a good pass blocker, not something every back can do."
McGahee is to travel to Baltimore to meet with team officials later in the day. The Ravens expected him to take a physical either late Thursday or on Friday.
It's anticipated the Ravens will attempt to negotiate a contract extension with McGahee, who is entering the final year of a five-year deal. Buffalo's first-round pick in the 2003 draft, McGahee had been seeking an extension with the Bills this offseason.
Bills coach Dick Jauron sidestepped questions why the team decided to trade McGahee, especially considering Buffalo does not have an immediate replacement for him on its roster.
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| Willis McGahee is a big backfield upgrade, the Ravens are saying. (Getty Images) |
Asked if McGahee had requested a trade, Jauron replied: "That's a good question for you to ask him."
McGahee wasn't available for comment.
Despite his claims of being the NFL's best, McGahee has yet to emerge as an elite running back in his three years as the Bills starter. And he hasn't come close to approaching the numbers Lewis produced during his first three seasons in Baltimore, not including 2001, which he missed because of a knee injury.
Lewis three times had 1,300 yards rushing, including 2003, when he finished with 2,066, second-most in league history.
McGahee, who missed his rookie year recuperating from a knee injury, enjoyed his most productive season in 2004, when he had 1,128 yards rushing and 13 touchdowns. His worst season was last year when he managed 990 yards rushing, but led the team with six touchdowns rushing in 14 starts.
That's better than the players the Ravens had left after cutting Lewis -- veteran backup Mike Anderson and Musa Smith, who has primarily been used on special teams -- after losing Lewis.
