Bills’ McGee still special at cornerback

By Anthony Bialy  |   Friday, May 29, 2009  |  Comments( 100 )

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He’ll never be as famous as Shaquille O’Neal or Donovan McNabb, but fellow Irishman Terrence McGee has nonetheless made himself an indispensable member of the Buffalo Bills. The fact his shoulder is bruised and not injured is a relief for a team that needs him shouldering the load as the top pass stopper. About to enter his seventh year, he’s no longer counted upon to be a special teams freak. But that simply allows him to focus on defending.

The team can keep accumulating cornerbacks, but it only needs to find one starter among its draft picks and free agents thanks to its 2003 fourth-rounder. The Bills are better off letting the thoroughly sturdy McGee focus on his regular role, as he’s officially and wisely a fine defender who used to return kicks.

McGee put forth a typically notable stat line last season, piling up 66 tackles (all but five of them credited as solo efforts) in 14 games and 13 starts. He also defended 18 passes and intercepted three more, as he remains both speedy and quick. Throw in the fact that he’s as stout as a pint of porter, and it’s safe to call McGee one of the top unglamorous cornerbacks in the game.

His stats were impacted by the fact that he was briefly short one functioning joint. McGee lost two games officially thanks to a sprained knee. Plus, McGee basically missed a third on the day he was victimized by Ted Ginn Jr. of the Miami Dolphins. It was Ginn the Younger’s only 100-yard game of his career so far, not to mention the only 175-yard game; that’s the amount he gained with his seven catches. But the proper response for Ginn’s prey is praise.

That game was the best example of the kind of Buffalo Bill McGee is, not for his play but rather for the fact he played. Specifically, he was so clearly hobbled that he could have begged off with no issue. But this team was short on corners, and McGee gamely put up an effort knowing that their only other options for slowing Ginn were to use either untested rookie Leodis McKelvin or a metal garbage can. His worst day as a pro showed McGee at his best.

As for when he was healthy, McGee was bolstered by only having to work at stopping scores and not having to handle the ball after them. Specifically, letting McKelvin return 52 kickoffs to McGee’s three was a wisely unsentimental move by coaches: It’s the best way to ensure that he doesn’t decline as fast as he ages.

He no longer faces the strain of three or so special teams plays per game where he sprints and cuts to avoid 10 ferocious pursuers plus a kicker. That takes a toll on a veteran player every game and over a season. It’s in Buffalo’s best interests to keep McGee feeling as youthful as possible.

The Northwestern State man’s five kickoff return touchdowns and fantastic 26.3-yard career average will always make him a tempting special teams option to the staff; they just need to remember that he’s valuable as a defender to the point of being invaluable.

Now, even McKelvin faces competition at kickoff returner: With a platoon of rookie draftees in the secondary from Jairus Byrd to Ellis Lankster hungry to get playing time in any way possible, there are ample choices to take the place of the man who took McGee’s place. And that’s fine for the senior ranking player. It means the top cornerback can focus on staying up top.

McGee is having a Robert James-type career, as he’s shined on the corner for some largely unimpressive Bills squads. Like his Nixon-era predecessor, McGee might also end up on the Wall of Fame; it’s currently a borderline call, and what’s relevant is that his spectacular career as a special teamer wouldn’t be the only reason he makes it.
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No.1
sportstradamus		04:44 AM
05/29/2009
Wanted to say, Denney has 10 sacks in him this year! First. and Fred Jackson reminds me of Thurman and wait wait - Marshall...
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No.2
sportstradamus		04:56 AM
05/29/2009
Almost June, its inching ever so closer. I started thinking if McCargo becomes consistent and stops the run our D Line is no...
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No.3
anello1960		08:03 AM
05/29/2009
DE Gerald Washington is my "dark horse" pick this year. He could be 09's rags to riches story a'la Kurt Warner...He's a beast...
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