By Tim Graham
Terrence McGee expected the Buffalo Bills to cut him.
When the phone call came this morning, however, the frequently injured cornerback said he "felt blindsided."
The Bills cut McGee because of a failed physical. He had one year left on his contract with a base salary of $1.75 million.
The announcement came three days after unloading two other veteran defenders: linebacker Nick Barnett and safety George Wilson.
"They've got to make the best move for them," McGee told me from Texas. "I understand that. They're trying to look ahead.
"But I was just there to have the doctor look at my knee and met with the coaches. As soon as I got home, before I even got off the plane, I had a voicemail."
McGee visited One Bills Drive on Wednesday and said he received positive feedback from secondary coach Donnie Henderson.
"I could see it coming, but not the next day," McGee said of being cut. "Maybe a month down the road or something. That's why I felt blindsided. It still caught me off guard.
"But what kind of argument can I make? I was there for 10 years. I've been hurt a lot. I understand. It's nothing I can get mad at."
McGee, 32, is recovering from surgery on his left knee in November. He played seven games last season with zero starts.
Over the past three seasons, he played only 22 games, starting 10.
But from 2002 through 2009, he logged double-digit starts. He went to the Pro Bowl in 2004 as a kick returner who scored three touchdowns. He had a career-high four interceptions in 2005 and 2007.
"I'm trying to get my knee back to 100 percent and hopefully find a landing spot somewhere else," McGee said. "I definitely have not thrown in the towel. That's not even in my brain right now.
"Hopefully, when I get healthy I'll have a shot at a couple teams and show what I can do. Once my knee's all right, I'll be all right."
McGee also noted he holds no grudge with the Bills and would welcome the chance to re-sign with them.
"I'd definitely be open to that," McGee said. "I've been a Bill for 10 years. I love the fans. I love the city. I think we have a lot of talent.
"I'd love to come back but they didn't give me any indication that could happen."
tagged
Donnie Henderson | George Wilson | Nick Barnett | Terrence McGee
