The Cleveland Browns received much flak yesterday when fans heard that they had traded their number 3 draft pick, Trent Richardson, to the Indianapolis Colts for simply a first-round draft pick. In fact, the news was taken so harshly that this inspired meme popped up on the interwebs yesterday:
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However, the Cleveland Browns made a move today to ensure that their entire fan-base would not desert them – they signed running back Willis McGahee to a one year contract, following a passed physical.
This is McGahee’s 11th year in the NFL after being selected 23rd in the first-round of the 2003 draft by the Buffalo Bills. McGahee played college football for the University of Miami, where he was selected as an All-American running back. Thus far in his career, McGahee has rushed for 8,097 yards with 63 touchdowns, 202 receptions for 1,319 yards with five touchdowns. These numbers make McGahee the fourth most productive active running back in the NFL. McGahee is also one of only two players to have rushed for over 1,000 yard with 3 different NFL teams – Buffalo, Baltimore, and Denver.
McGahee was Denver’s number one running back for the past 2 seasons, even getting a nod to the Pro Bowl in 2011. He was let go by Denver this June due to an injury suffered last season which kept him sidelined for 2 months. (He was still Denver’s leading rusher despite this injury.)
Despite his injury-prone past, McGahee is reported to be in physically great shape and plans on playing this Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings.
However, Browns fans should not expect McGahee to be a savior by any means. In his first two games this season, Trent Richardson (All-American and winner of 2 BCS National Championships) was not able to surpass 60 yards rushing in either game. Perhaps the answer to Cleveland’s problems is Tim Tebow. Signing him seems to be all the rage these days.
Image via YouTube