Yesterday there were rumors floating around the Internet that the Buffalo Bills were intending to release veteran cornerback, Terrence McGee. Those rumors turned out to be false, but would releasing the nine-year veteran be a good idea? The Bills are looking to completely revamp their roster with just 19 players remaining from the Dick Jauron era.
McGee has been a solid starting cornerback for his eight years with the Bills despite missing 19 of a possible 128 games due to injuries.
Last year, he was sidelined most of the year as a nerve injury in his knee continued to nag him throughout the season, and he hasn’t really made an impact since 2008. McGee is 30-years-old, and with the re-signing of fellow cornerback Drayton Florence and the selection of Aaron Williams in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft, does he become expendable?
The former Northwestern State product has made 484 tackles, three sacks, forced three fumbles, while picking off 17 passes and deflecting another 94 in his career. Furthermore, he has had four seasons of gaining at least 1,000 yards on kick returns.
He is by far the most consistent cornerback on the roster when healthy, but it could be time for the youngsters to step up. Another question that arises is whether he deserves the $3.2 million he is owed his season followed by $3.6 million in 2012 and $4.6 million owed in 2013. For a 30-year-old on the downside of his career, that money could be used elsewhere especially on a team that doesn’t necessarily have a realistic shot at making the playoffs in the next two to three seasons.
Leodis McKelvin, a former first round draft pick, still hasn’t lived up to his potential, but if he were to be inserted into a full-time starting role, it’s possible that he could prosper and prove his worth as a first round-caliber corner. Drayton Florence is still capable of locking down receivers, and Williams has looked solid in training camp and preseason, giving some faith to trust him in nickel and dime packages.
The only real issue is who will be the fourth and fifth cornerbacks. Unless Nix likes one of the corners expected to be released this week, Reggie Corner and Justin Rogers are the only remaining corners on the roster.
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