NFL GridIron Gab Daily Digest

From the National Football Post:

Due to his high salary, the Baltimore Ravens are still expected to eventually part ways with running back Willis McGahee via release or trade.A pay cut is unlikely to be accepted, and McGahee is due $6 million next season. Plus, the Ravens have former Pro Bowl running back Ray Rice as their featured back.

"We don't expect to be back unless they'll pay him his contract," agent Drew Rosenhaus said during a television appearance.

Ravens coach John Harbaugh recently said the team won't make a final resolution on cutting or keeping the former Pro Bowl running back until the collective bargaining agreement and salary cap situation are resolved.

Harbaugh was noncommittal on whether the team will retain him.

McGahee rushed for a career-low 380 yards and five touchdowns on 100 carries last season. He averaged only 3.8 yards per carry.

"Willis McGahee can play," Harbaugh said. "He's a good person, a hard worker, a leader on our team. I'm a big fan of Willis McGahee."

Harbaugh's comments are the kiss of death. Whenever he says what a fan he is of a certain player usually means he's headed out the door.

The discussion about McGahee's price tag has been going on for the past several seasons now. He's definitely overpriced considering his role with the team. But with the status of Le'Ron McClain in doubt you'd have to wonder what direction the team will go in to find a backup to Ray Rice.

Do they look for a late draft choice, take a look at free agency, or go in house and give Jalen Parmele a hard look? Either way it appears that McGahee's tenure is finished in Baltimore.

Cam Newton is the wild card in this year’s NFL Draft, and the Bills could be in a position to draft him at #3 overall. Reports are that Bills brass had dinner with Newton and his powers to be on Monday.

NFL.com's Gil Brandt believes Auburn quarterback Cam Newton has shown enough to get drafted No. 1 overall.

The teams looking for quarterbacks at the top of the draft are certainly showing Newton the requisite amount of attention. The Bills had dinner with Newton and his agents on Monday night.

New York Jets guard Matt Slauson, told the NY Times that he is moving back in with his parents along with his wife and their new born.

"I'm constantly working with my budgets," said Slauson. "I know that this week could be my last week in the N.F.L., and then I won't have any more checks coming in."

Slauson signed a four year, $1.8 contract with the Jets after he was drafted in the 6th round in the 2009 NFL Draft. Yet, the uncertainty of the NFL labor situation has forced him to make this decision.

While he is the first NFL player to admit to this, I'm sure he won't be the last.

Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post reports that shortly after Raiders offensive tackle Robert Gallery announced that he wouldn’t be returning to the AFC West franchise, senior executive John Herrera said it was because the veteran blocker had priced himself out the Raiders’ financial threshold.

"What was mutually agreed upon were his numbers he wanted, and his agent wanted, were way out of line," Herrera said. "He was asking for too much money. "He wanted $8 million; we were at $2.5 million. It was just way out of line with what we thought was reasonable."

Gallery declined to react to Herrera’s comments tonight at the Ed Block Courage Awards banquet when asked if that was an accurate characterization.

“My parents always told me to be professional, be classy and tell the truth,” Gallery said. “What he chose to say is his business, and I really don’t have any comment on what he said. I’ve always told the truth.”

Gallery emphasized that he had a good conversation with Raiders owner Al Davis where they both agreed that it was time for him to move on.

“It was good,” Gallery said. “He’s always been good to talk to. I talked to him a lot throughout my career. It’s a business. Everybody knows how that is and I’m excited for the next opportunity. I definitely enjoyed playing there. I loved playing for Mr. Davis, but they’re moving in a different direction.”