I think we all seen this one coming though. You don't rip Ralph Wilson, and try to tell him how to run his business in regards to moving his team to Toronto.

What I find really funny though, is the fact that the Bills waited 2 years for him to heal up.

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) -- Willis McGahee likes to refer to himself as the NFL's best running back. Let's see how he does replacing Jamal Lewis in Baltimore.

The Ravens acquired McGahee in a trade with the Buffalo Bills on Thursday, a day after Lewis signed with Cleveland. In exchange, the Bills received third- and seventh-round picks this year and a third-rounder next year.

"This is a runner who can make people miss and has the explosion and speed to take it the distance," Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome said. "He also has the power and size to run inside. He's a viable receiver out of the backfield and is a good pass blocker, not something every back can do."

McGahee is to travel to Baltimore to meet with team officials later in the day. The Ravens expected him to take a physical either late Thursday or on Friday.

It's anticipated the Ravens will attempt to negotiate a contract extension with McGahee, who is entering the final year of a five-year deal. Buffalo's first-round pick in the 2003 draft, McGahee had been seeking an extension with the Bills this offseason.


Bills coach Dick Jauron sidestepped questions why the team decided to trade McGahee, especially considering Buffalo does not have an immediate replacement for him on its roster.

Jauron simply said the deal was too good to pass up and that it benefited both teams.

Asked if McGahee had requested a trade, Jauron replied: "That's a good question for you to ask him."

McGahee wasn't available for comment.

Despite his claims of being the NFL's best, McGahee has yet to emerge as an elite running back in his three years as the Bills starter. And he hasn't come close to approaching the numbers Lewis produced during his first three seasons in Baltimore, not including 2001, which he missed because of a knee injury.

Lewis three times had 1,300 yards rushing, including 2003, when he finished with 2,066, second-most in league history.

McGahee, who missed his rookie year recuperating from a knee injury, enjoyed his most productive season in 2004, when he had 1,128 yards rushing and 13 touchdowns. His worst season was last year when he managed 990 yards rushing, but led the team with six touchdowns rushing in 14 starts.

That's better than the players the Ravens had left after cutting Lewis -- veteran backup Mike Anderson and Musa Smith, who has primarily been used on special teams -- after losing Lewis.

"We're getting a dynamic back who has the potential to diversify our running game," Ravens coach Brian Billick said. "Getting a player as good as Willis is another example of how Ozzie and his department size up the market and use our resources well."

Buffalo Bills running back Willis McGahee (21) tries to maintain his balance after being tripped up by Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Paul Spicer (95) during the first half of an NFL football game in Buffalo, N.Y., in this Nov. 26, 2006 file photo.

Said Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis, who like McGahee played at Miami: "From what I've seen of Willis, he is a heck of a warrior. The way he runs and the passion he plays with is contagious. He plays the game the way it's supposed to be played. I'm truly excited to have him as a teammate."

The Bills are now left searching for a running back to play in front of a revamped offensive line that features two new starters -- guard Derrick Dockery and tackle Langston Walker -- signed on the first day of free agency last week.

Third-stringer Shaud Williams is the only experienced running back currently on the team's depth chart.

The Bills have expressed interest in at least two free agents, meeting this week with Chris Brown, formerly of the Tennessee Titans, and Dominic Rhodes, a member of the Super Bowl champion Indianapolis Colts.

Without going into detail, Jauron referred to both players as potential options.

"We have a number of options right in front of us," Jauron said. "We'll have to move forward. But we're confident we will run the ball, and run the ball effectively."

AP Sports Writer David Ginsburg contributed to this report.