The new broom continues to sweep at One Bills Drive. And the Buffalo Bills have released another veteran from the defensive side of the ball.
On Thursday, the team parted ways with veteran cornerback Terrence McGee, a former fourth round draft pick in 2003. He arrived in Buffalo in 2003 along with kicker Rian Lindell and defensive end Chris Kelsay, making the trio the three longest-tenured Buffalo Bills on last year's roster.
The move comes three days after the team released veterans Nick Barnett and George Wilson.
Bills General Manager Buddy Nix praised McGee's 10-years of service to the franchise in a statement released Thursday.
"Terrence has been a contributor to the Bills organization for 10 years and we thank him for his efforts on the field and off," Nix said. "We wish him the best of luck in the future."
McGee struggled through the 2012 season as he battled back from knee surgery. He played in seven games for the Bills before going on injured reserve November 6th. McGee's injury problems mounted over the last three seasons, as he played in just nine games in 2010 and six in 2011.
With 17 career interceptions, McGee is tied for 15th all time in franchise history. He had his best year defensively in 2007 when he started 15-games and finished the year with four interceptions.
McGee went to the Pro Bowl in his second year in the league, 2004, as a kick return specialist. He averaged 26.3 yards per kick return and ran three kickoffs back for touchdowns. At Miami in December 2004, he returned the opening kickoff back 104-yards for a touchdown, the longest kickoff return in team history. It was also the first time a Bills player has returned a game opening kickoff for a touchdown.
In 2005, McGee had a record setting day in a Christmas Eve game in Cincinnati. He returned a kickoff 99-yards for a touchdown in the game, and then later intercepted a pass and returned it 46-yards for another score. McGee became the first player in NFL history to return a kickoff and an interception for a touchdown in a single game.
In all, McGee had seven return touchdowns for the Bills in his career (5-kickoff returns, 1-interception, 1-fumble recovery). He is tied with Nate Clements for the most return touchdowns in franchise history. And he's one of only 13 NFL players with five or more kick return touchdowns.
