the HUGE question is: who is Willis' backup? Who would be the guy, if anyone, that would be the guy if this were a longterm thing?
A-Train.
He's fighting for a roster spot..was on the blog on RTSports for what it's worth.
ya, the below article really isn't definitive. Looks like it could be Thomas or Gates or Williams. So basically no one is the guy to get. Basically, if McGahee gets knocked out for any length of time I'd say the "starter" would be worthless considering the lack of talent among the backups, horrible line, and bad QB. Willis (and maybe Evans) are the only players worth having IMO.Thomas uses all his talents--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Veteran back blocks, plays special teams, tooBy RODNEY MCKISSIC News Sports Reporter8/23/2006 James P. McCoy/Buffalo NewsIn two preseason games, Anthony Thomas has rushed nine times for 25 yards. PITTSFORD - It's 11-on-11 drills, and linebacker Keith Ellison noticed a small sliver of light and made a beeline to the quarterback. Turns out it was too small. Running back Anthony Thomas stepped in front of Ellison's path, sending the poor rookie backwards with a block that was probably felt throughout the St. John Fisher campus. Ellison had just been introduced to the A Train. "It just happens like that sometimes," Thomas said, smiling. "I thought he was pulling up but he didn't see me and we collided. It wasn't anything real special." That's Thomas' rep: big, strong, physical running who tends to inflict bodily harm. His next trick is sending a forearm shiver into the competition for the backup role at running back to Willis McGahee. Thomas, a 6-foot-2, 225-pound six-year veteran is in an arduous battle at running back with Lionel Gates, Shaud Williams, Joe Burns and Fred Jackson. Yet trying to figure out who's in the lead and who's on the bubble is anyone's guess, even with two preseason games remaining. Each brings a different element to the Bills running game that's desperate for production behind McGahee. In two preseason games, Thomas has rushed nine times for 25 yards with a long of eight yards. Williams is the second leading rusher behind McGahee with 10 carries for 51 yards and Gates is next with a team-high 13 rushes for 37 yards. "Everyone of these guys can play in the NFL, and play productively," said Bills running backs coach Eric Studesville. "I think it's really premature to rank them in any kind of way, that's what we use the preseason for to give them a chance. As far as the depth chart and where they are, I don't even have one yet." Whoever it is has to be an upgrade. Last season, the Bills rushed for 1,607 yards and six touchdowns and McGahee was responsible for 1,247 yards and five TDs. The other one was scored by quarterback Kelly Holcomb. Williams was the second leading rusher with 161 yards. Now compare that to league leading Atlanta, which piled up 2,546 yards and 17 touchdowns. With six touchdowns, quarterback Michael Vick equaled the Bills' season total from a year ago. So did Miami running back Ricky Williams in just three starts. Other than McGahee, Thomas is the only proven 1,000-yard runner. In 2001, Thomas put together the best rushing season by a Chicago Bears' rookie running back - a list that includes Gale Sayers, Walter Payton, Neal Anderson and Heisman Trophy winner Rashaan Salaam - with 1,183 yards. Three seasons ago in Chicago, Thomas rushed for 1,024 yards and six touchdowns. "He's right in the middle of it," Jauron said. "I probably know him better than anybody here because we had him (in Chicago). I've seen him do it, and I have a lot of confidence in him." Jauron said Thomas will receive more reps in the Bills' third preseason game at home Saturday against the Cleveland Browns. "He's got to make the most of them," Jauron said. "It's a hot competition." And Thomas is trying to make himself indispensable by playing special teams for the first time. "I can fit pretty good," he said. "I'm trying to build on some of the stuff I haven't been able to do before. Being a running back in the offense, I kind of know what's going on with that. I'm just trying to get myself in shape and see how things go. You have to use all your talents in this league."
Marv is the man!
Obviously the Cowboy reference was in humor, I see the Cowboys as a highly likely playoff team, could even make some noise in the playoffs too.
