Remember how Willie McGinest was irked when Junior Seau signed with the Patriots and was allowed to wear “55” right after Willie left for Cleveland? Well it sounds like McGinest wants to erase the years the fraud wore his number.
While speaking with The Boston Herald, McGinest said, “Yeah, I’ve talked to (quarterback) Tom (Brady), (defensive end Richard) Seymour and some other guys there. Those guys are lifelong friends, and I’ve heard some people say that it’d be a good fit. Why wouldn’t you want to be a part of that? And with all the history I have, what we accomplished in the playoffs, that wouldn’t be a bad way to finish up.”
This is the first indication I’ve heard that Willie wants to play one more year. After the Browns released him, McGinest was contemplating retirement. Whether it’s an itch he must scratch for one more season or more about joining a championship-caliber team that he has a long history with for one more run at a ring, McGinest wants to play with the Pats in ’09. He wants his 55 back.
Calling Seau a fraud is harsh language, but don’t take me seriously. Remember it’s because of Seau that McGinest wore 55 in the first place. As a marquee LB at USC, the worthy ‘backer earns the right to wear the number. Seau did it before McGinest did. And when they reached the pros, they continued to wear it for their respective teams.
So when the 17-year veteran came out of retirement to play with New England back in 2006, out of respect he got the 55 McGinest made famous with the Pats for the last 12 years.
Learning Seau would wear his number instead of it being reserved out of respect, it surprised Willie. McGinest didn’t throw a tantrum or get angry. He was caught off guard.
Junior played well in 55. He was even part of a history-making undefeated regular season team. Junior will be remembered in New England.
Maybe McGinest wants to make sure when people think of 55, they think of him first. He says people think he’d be a perfect fit with a second tour of duty with the Pats. Considering the OLB competition opposite Adalius Thomas is wide open and completely unsettled, then there is a place McGinest could fit in.
But with fans, it’s always a “what have you done for me lately” demand. They remember what McGinest meant for New England in the three Super Bowl titles. They also remember that head coach Bill Belichick let McGinest leave because Bill felt Willie outlived his usefulness.
Based on his three years in Cleveland, there will be some fans wanting more.
In 41 games, McGinest had just seven sacks. For an OLB in a 3-4 defense, that lack of a pass rush isn’t acceptable. And there’s a legitimate question of whether Willie can lug his 6-5, 270-pound, 37-year-old behind into pass coverage.
By his third season with the Browns, McGinest was reduced to a two-down ‘backer, playing only on run downs. In that kind of role Willie can be very effective. But the idea of signing McGinest as a run stuffing OLB doesn’t sound like enough of a reason to bring him back. With the assortment already on the roster at the position, an anchor on the outside might already be in Foxborough. And this player is likely athletic enough to be more than a one skill player.
But if McGinest is willing to be flexible, there might be a place for him.
I’m not suggesting he play fullback or tight end. The idea is to use his size and impressive strength in the best possible way.
I still remember McGinest bull rushing the massive Leonard Davis (about 375 pounds) when Davis played for Arizona. Davis’ feet didn’t move, but McGinest pushed him backwards like Davis was on ice skates before bringing down the quarterback. Based on situations or opponent, McGinest can play linebacker and along the defensive line.
They say imitation is the best form of flattery, so in a nod to the 2007 New York Giants defense, McGinest could be used like Justin Tuck was. I do believe Willie can still be an effective pass rusher. To make McGinest more productive, the coaching staff can shorten the distance McGinest travels to the passer.
McGinest is about the same size as Bobby Hamilton and the Patriots won two Super Bowls with Hamilton playing DE in 2001 and 2003. If McGinest is willing to shift inside when called upon, it could give the Patriots pass rush a needed boost.
A D-line of Richard Seymour and McGinest with either Jarvis Green or Mike Wright at nose tackle sounds intimidating. Enhance that with Adalius Thomas or someone else effectively rushing from the outside, and New England could consistently collapse the pocket without sending extra blitzers.
And since McGinest is nearly immovable on the outside, he could help improve a run defense ranked 15th in the league.
That’s the optimistic view. Belichick has a good history of knowing when to let a player go. So far Belichick looks right on with McGinest. But maybe reinventing Willie gets him back to playing like the 55 we remember.
