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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

McGahee finds new life with Denver

A change in scenery and eating habits has done wonders for Willis McGahee.

By playing in a run-friendly system, along with reuniting with his former position coach, the Denver Broncos’ tailback has revitalized his career. McGahee, who even eliminated red meat from his diet to become leaner, is on the cusp of his first 1,000-yard season in four years.

A surprise? Maybe to some.

But not to running backs coach Eric Studesville, who lobbied hard for the Broncos to sign the free agent just before camp.

McGahee was coming off a pedestrian 380-yard season for Baltimore in 2010, but Studesville saw flashes of the vision, the power and the quick feet that made McGahee a two-time 1,000-yard back when they were paired in Buffalo.

Studesville campaigned vigorously on McGahee’s behalf. The Broncos listened and were rewarded.

“I see the same intense competitor that’s always been there,” said Studesville, whose protege has 990 yards rushing this season.

At first, McGahee’s transition to a new team was slow to take root. Without an offseason to get acclimated to his surroundings and digest an intricate playbook, McGahee began the year backing up Knowshon Moreno.

That didn’t last long. Moreno pulled a hamstring in a season-opening loss to the Raiders, giving McGahee the opening he needed.

The 30-year-old McGahee has had his share of bumps and bruises. He needed surgery to fix a broken finger on his right hand earlier in the season – keeping him out for a game – and is currently hobbled by a nagging hamstring injury. But he fully intends on playing against his old team, the Bills, in his old stamping grounds, Ralph Wilson Stadium, on Saturday.

The Broncos (8-6) are tantalizingly close to securing their first playoff spot since the 2005 season, with the easiest scenario being simply winning this weekend and again in the finale when they host Kyle Orton and the Kansas City Chiefs.

“There’s a sense of urgency. We’re trying to get the organization to where it was back in the late ’90s,” McGahee said, referring to when the team won back-to-back Super Bowl titles.

McGahee needs just 10 yards to join Ricky Watters as the only NFL backs to turn in 1,000-yard seasons with three different teams.

Manning staying put

Colts owner Jim Irsay says if injured Peyton Manning plays football next season, it will be in Indianapolis.

But if Manning can play in 2012, Irsay says he will not try to slash costs by getting rid of the league’s four-time MVP.

Irsay says the Colts (1-13) would take Manning’s successor in April’s NFL draft if the right quarterback is available.

Around the league

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Anquan Boldin was to have having surgery on a knee Thursday to deal with slightly torn cartilage. He will miss the rest of the regular season but would be able to return for the postseason. … Browns quarterback Colt McCoy hasn’t completely recovered from the concussion he sustained two weeks ago and will not play Saturday.