Coach Tuesday Posted January 13, 2005 Share Posted January 13, 2005 http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/stor..._len&id=1966122 Starter trouble: Bills backup Henry wants out Travis Henry wants out of ... By Len Pasquarelli ESPN.com The agent for unhappy Buffalo Bills tailback Travis Henry, who lost his starting job to Willis McGahee during the 2004 season, has received permission from team officials to discuss a possible trade with other franchises. Travis Henry Running Back Buffalo Bills Profile 2004 SEASON STATISTICS Rush Yds TD Rec Yds TD 94 326 0 10 45 0 The permission, requested by Henry through agent Hadley Engelhard, was granted during a meeting with Bills president/general manager Tom Donahoe at this week's practices for the East-West Shrine all-star game. While significant, such a move rarely precipitates a trade, but Engelhard said he has received positive feedback from the several clubs with whom he has already spoken. "I think there's definitely interest from several teams," Engelhard said. "Here's a guy who has twice rushed for 1,000 yards, is only 26 years old and is a proven commodity. We intend to have further dialogue with some teams over the next few weeks." Essentially, the move allows Engelhard to shop his client, gauge interest and define a market. He would then report to Donahoe on the franchises with interest in Henry, and the Bills could follow up to see whether a deal could be struck. With the rapid development of McGahee, the team's first-round choice in the '03 draft, Henry might be deemed superfluous. Donahoe said in his season-ending press session, though, that the Bills want to maintain depth at the tailback spot and that Henry could return for the 2005 season. "We'll see how it develops," Donahoe said. "I do know this: Travis Henry is a good football player, a good back, and we're not going to give him away." Engelhard said he does not know what it would take, in terms of compensation, for a team to acquire his client. But he reiterated that Henry is "very adamant" about leaving the Bills and finding a team where he could regain his starter's status. His comments echoed those of Henry, who acknowledged a day after the regular season ended that it is time for him to move on, and that he would not accept a backup role. A four-year veteran and former second-round draft choice, Henry started the first four games of the season, and five of the first six, before suffering a series of injuries. He was replaced in the lineup by McGahee, who rushed for 1,128 yards despite starting in just 11 games, and then a leg injury sidelined Henry for the final five games of the year. Henry finished the season with 94 carries for 326 yards and no touchdowns. In the two previous seasons, the former University of Tennessee star averaged 328 rushes for 1,397 yards, 74 first downs and 11.5 touchdowns. A compactly built tailback, at 5 feet 9 and 215 pounds, Henry is a tough inside runner with quickness to the hole. At the end of the season, Henry contended that he didn't lose his starting job but that it was taken from him. "It was given away, let's get that straight," Henry said. "It was a difficult year, but things can only go up. I'm just looking forward to getting healthy and doing the things I know I can still do on the football field." Engelhard declined comment on whether Henry would participate in the Bills' offseason program if he is not traded, but said his client's priority is to play elsewhere in 2005. Henry has one season remaining on his current contract, with a scheduled base salary of $1.25 million for 2005, and Engelhard said the tailback is prepared to sign a long-term extension with any team that acquires him in a trade. "We appreciate the Bills allowing us to initiate dialogue with other teams, and it could be a situation that benefits both sides," Engelhard said. "As [Donahoe] noted, they aren't just going to give Travis away, and we wouldn't expect that. At this point, very early in the offseason, he is just about 100 percent recovered from the leg injury. And I don't think there's any debate about the fact he is a quality running back." Len Pasquarelli is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com. To check out Len's chat archive, click here . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USMCBillsFan Posted January 13, 2005 Share Posted January 13, 2005 Wonder if Henry pulled an Abraham? The article says he's nearly 100% now. Hmmmm.... Seems awfully strange that he loses his starting job, McGahee turns out to be a stud and Henry remains hurt until the week after the season ends.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IDBillzFan Posted January 13, 2005 Share Posted January 13, 2005 Not a bad idea, actually. Let Travis' agent do all the work to get a decent deal for the Bills. Let TD and company worry about everyone else who wants to play for the team. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
d_wag Posted January 13, 2005 Share Posted January 13, 2005 Not a bad idea, actually. Let Travis' agent do all the work to get a decent deal for the Bills. Let TD and company worry about everyone else who wants to play for the team. 204223[/snapback] worked with peerless....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duey Posted January 13, 2005 Share Posted January 13, 2005 This whole thing could only have upside for the Bills. Go get 'em Hadley! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevewin Posted January 13, 2005 Share Posted January 13, 2005 It's also good to see Henry's camp repeating the notion that he is 'adamant' about leaving and being a starter somewhere else - which would imply an expectation of 'starting RB'-type compensation for those interested. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AKC Posted January 13, 2005 Share Posted January 13, 2005 He's apparently directed his agent to contact KHardy at the football program linked here: KHardie Seeks Running Back Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillsNYC Posted January 13, 2005 Share Posted January 13, 2005 Yeah...but if we can't get a decent player/pick in return and its not worth trading him, what do we do with him then? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan III Posted January 13, 2005 Share Posted January 13, 2005 Not a bad idea, actually. Let Travis' agent do all the work to get a decent deal for the Bills. Let TD and company worry about everyone else who wants to play for the team. 204223[/snapback] I hoping for TB's 2nd rnd pick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan III Posted January 13, 2005 Share Posted January 13, 2005 He's apparently directed his agent to contact KHardy at the football program linked here: KHardie Seeks Running Back 204261[/snapback] no..no.. he told his agent to look into the cheerleaders.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnTheRocks Posted January 13, 2005 Share Posted January 13, 2005 this is good. it gives the Bills a full offseason to figure this out. weigh different offers and get the best possible value. if any of McGahee's injuries the last few weeks of the season had been serious, they would not have been able to do this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duey Posted January 13, 2005 Share Posted January 13, 2005 Well, lets look at teams that probably need a starting back... Miami (FORGET IT! :I starred in Brokeback Mountain: ) Cleveland Oakland Carolina Tampa Bay Arizona San Francisco Can we convince one of these guys to give us a 2 for TH? Miami would probably be the most willing, then Oakland? We can only hope. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnTheRocks Posted January 13, 2005 Share Posted January 13, 2005 Donahoe said. "I do know this: Travis Henry is a good football player, a good back, and we're not going to give him away." I like that he is sending this message out from the get-go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buftex Posted January 13, 2005 Share Posted January 13, 2005 Did anyone see/hear Warren Sapps' comments on Travis Henry in this weeks USA TODAY Sportsweekly? I am not sure in what context the comments cam out, but he basically said Henry should "man up" and try to win his job back from McGahee, instead of demanding a trade. Hey, I can't stand Sapp as much as the next TSW'er, but I just thought it was interesting for a guy like him to make that comment...not sure if anybody else already mentioned this.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob4Bills Posted January 13, 2005 Share Posted January 13, 2005 I think this is great news! Yes, we want quality depth at RB, but TH/agent doin' all the leg work, then presenting it to TD frees TD to work only on the '05 Bills and can say ok/hell no! to the best offer they dig up. If it's a second rounder, I say ship his azz- no matter who! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BF_in_Indiana Posted January 13, 2005 Share Posted January 13, 2005 I think we can get a second for him, he's only worth a 3rd though. At least I won't have to see him in a Bills uniform next year though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuckeyeBill Posted January 13, 2005 Share Posted January 13, 2005 I think this is great news! Yes, we want quality depth at RB, but TH/agent doin' all the leg work, then presenting it to TD frees TD to work only on the '05 Bills and can say ok/hell no! to the best offer they dig up. If it's a second rounder, I say ship his azz- no matter who! 204393[/snapback] Unless it's Miami... TT going to Miami nearly broke my heart. Don't want to see it happen again. Screw the fish! Stay away from TH. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ch19079 Posted January 13, 2005 Share Posted January 13, 2005 it was expected. 2nd rounder is not to much to pay for a young 1300+ yard RB. but then again TO went for a second... but AJ feely went for a second rounder.... its all about what they are willing to pay. and carolina has a good running back. they were lost due to injuries. doesnt mean they wont be back next year. i can see it now. the eagles trade their first rounder for R. Moss cus they dont have any recievers... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill from NYC Posted January 13, 2005 Share Posted January 13, 2005 it was expected. 2nd rounder is not to much to pay for a young 1300+ yard RB. but then again TO went for a second... but AJ feely went for a second rounder.... its all about what they are willing to pay. and carolina has a good running back. they were lost due to injuries. doesnt mean they wont be back next year. i can see it now. the eagles trade their first rounder for R. Moss cus they dont have any recievers... 204424[/snapback] Feely did go for a 2nd, and RJ was 9th pick in the draft and a 4th. QBs are different. As for RBs, Dillon was a #2. Faulk in his prime was a 2nd and a 5th. Henry is a headcase with serious limitations who is coming off an injury. If we can salvage a 5th, I say that we take it and run. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
d_wag Posted January 13, 2005 Share Posted January 13, 2005 Feely did go for a 2nd, and RJ was 9th pick in the draft and a 4th. QBs are different. As for RBs, Dillon was a #2. Faulk in his prime was a 2nd and a 5th. Henry is a headcase with serious limitations who is coming off an injury. If we can salvage a 5th, I say that we take it and run. 204488[/snapback] just like we'd NEVER get a 1st rounder for peerless.......it happened, and so will henry for a 2nd rounder........ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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