According to a report in today's South Florida Sun-Sentinel injured University of Miami running back Willis McGahee worked out for the Patriots on Wednesday. Just three months after a serious knee injury, McGahee was limited in what he could do in the workout but reportedly caught passes from Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick.
"Basically it was his first on-field work since the surgery," McGahee's agent Drew Rosenhaus told the Sun-Sentinel. "It was more stationary work where Willis would jump and pivot, because he's not ready to run routes yet."
McGahee is scheduled to travel to Indianapolis on Friday with other injured draft prospects to undergo medical testing and then meet with the medical staffs of individual teams on Saturday.
"We anticipate he's going to pass with flying colors," Rosenhaus said. "His doctor told me today that he's at least 10 weeks ahead of schedule."
Although McGahee will not be the top-five pick that he likely would have been before the knee injury, he is expected to be a first day pick. The question now is simply which team will take a chance on the explosive tailback and how high he might go in the first three rounds. There has been speculation that McGahee could be tough to sign after the draft and could choose to re-enter the draft in 2004 if not give sufficient compensation, but Rosenhaus has reportedly told all 32 NFL teams that his client will sign with the club that selects him in the April 26 draft.
Notes
Guard Teag Whiting, who spent part of last season on the Patriots practice squad, signed with the Arizona Cardinals. … Defensive end and prized restricted free agent Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila reportedly reached a seven-year, $37 million deal to re-sign with the Packers on Wednesday. According to ESPN.com the deal includes $13.25 million in guaranteed money. … The NFL Europe season will open this weekend with games on both Saturday and Sunday. … The NFL is expected to release the schedule for the 2003 season later today. Check back to Patriots.com this afternoon to see the times and dates associated with New England's previously released list of opponents. New England will have home games against the Jets, Dolphins, Bills, Jaguars, Titans, Cowboys, Giants and Browns. The team will face the Jets, Dolphins, Bills, Texans, Colts, Eagles, Redskins and Broncos on the road.
