Willis McGahee Getting Back to His Old Self?

[J-man]

He looks back to his old, good self. Looking better then last year, and it's good to see that off season workouts are starting to payoff. Him and Rice have been outstanding complements to each other.

His stats
25 attempts
123 yards rushing
4.9 average
16 longest
3 TD

6 receptions
41 yards
6.8 average
14 longest
1 TD

So far, so good.

[samic]

It looks like he is buying into Harbaugh's philosophy. I like his commitment to the team. I hope he stays here for quite a while and continue to work in tandem with Ray Rice. The direction the league is moving in it would be hardly likely that he will be the feature back anywhere and I don't know what team will use him the way we do.

[theFRANCHISE]

Just a reminder not to feed the trolls, folks. Distasteful comment has been removed, the conversation can continue now.

[Alexir]

I think we will see more snaps for Willis and that we will see Rice play a more supporting role and out there for passing downs.

[theFRANCHISE]

[quote name='Alexir' date='21 September 2009 - 06:43 PM' timestamp='1253573003' post='239556']
I think we will see more snaps for Willis and that we will see Rice play a more supporting role and out there for passing downs.
[/quote]
Agreed.

Right now, the idea is to have Ray Rice be the speedy, multi-purpose back and let him do his best MJD/Darren Sproles imitation early in the season. Then, as the games go on, the hot hand will get more touches (most likely Willis) and McGahee will be the primary back headed towards the playoffs. Then, during the playoffs, Rice will start to get more touches again and alternate more with McGahee, and so on and so forth.

Basically, this keeps both backs fresh while still giving them adequate snaps in games all season long. Too often, you see starting running backs wear down towards season's end. It's a three-back league now, and McClain just provides another threat while Matt Lawrence is additional insurance down the line. There's no mistaking that McGahee will get more time to shine.

[J-man]

McGahee is playing with a chip on his shoulder, and it can only help him. He is also a good power back for when McClain plays FB.

[Ravens52]

I've been saying it over and over. I love the new Willis, he's tearing it up.

I wouldn't want to get in that man's way.

[Mr.Elite]

I enjoyed watching him run over the Chargers. He's got all his speed back and he was very loose. The TD run where he plowed the defender on the way in shows that he's got sum power also. Defenders better tighten their chin straps when Willis is on the field cuz he is dangerous.

[H8R]

I'll eat my words! Willis looks great! I like his fire and finish on plays!

[flynismo]

[quote name='H8R' date='21 September 2009 - 08:11 PM' timestamp='1253578260' post='239606']
I'll eat my words! Willis looks great! I like his fire and finish on plays!
[/quote]

Yay, you've seen the light! Now I'm hoping that Clayton shuts me up, and I'm going to be one happy camper.

[Steelerkillers]

The most rewarding thing about our rushing attack is-we're so versatile, if Rice have a not so great day, Wills or Mclain will. If we keep this up, we're gonna rush all the way to the Super Bowl

[J-man]

[quote name='flynismo' date='21 September 2009 - 08:22 PM' timestamp='1253578953' post='239612']
Yay, you've seen the light! Now I'm hoping that Clayton shuts me up, and I'm going to be one happy camper.
[/quote]

Clayton did drop a crucial one last week, hopefully he can bounce back.

[flynismo]

[quote name='J-man' date='21 September 2009 - 08:32 PM' timestamp='1253579571' post='239622']
Clayton did drop a crucial one last week, hopefully he can bounce back.
[/quote]

Yeah, it's all good, happens to the best. One thing I DO like about Mark is that he rarely flat out drops a ball (I do wish he would fight harder sometimes, but at his size, may be asking a bit much).

So, week one he did very well for himself, yesterday, well, he disappeared. If history repeats itself, he probably won't resurface for another three weeks or so and he'll have another solid game.

I really, really want to see him succeed, despite how I criticize him. Mason is done after this year, whether he retires or not, and we need someone to fill those shoes.

[flynismo]

McGahee is an animal.
Thanks for the twenty points for my fantasy team this week!!

[20ravens52]

It's so nice to seem him out there fighting for those yards, hitting the hole with conviction. The guy loves the game and thats always been obvious.

Did anyone notice the stretch plays against the chargers? I didn't get why they bothered. The CHargers have really good OLBs and physical corners. Just a waste of a down IMO.

[YYZ66]

[quote name='flynismo' date='22 September 2009 - 12:05 AM' timestamp='1253588703' post='239682']
McGahee is an animal.
[b]Thanks for the twenty points for my fantasy team this week!![/b]
[/quote]

Unfortunately, I played Rice.
McGagee has looked awesome! Just think how many "Get rid of McGahee" threads we had in the not so distant past. Guess those people are eating their words....

[Ed_Reed_Pick_Six]

[quote name='flynismo' date='22 September 2009 - 04:05 PM' timestamp='1253588703' post='239682']
McGahee is an animal.
Thanks for the twenty points for my fantasy team this week!!
[/quote]
Lol, and I drafted Ray Rice... curses.

[Guest RBates]

[quote name='YYZ66' date='22 September 2009 - 02:41 AM' timestamp='1253601711' post='239730']
Unfortunately, I played Rice.
McGagee has looked awesome! Just think how many "Get rid of McGahee" threads we had in the not so distant past. Guess those people are eating their words....
[/quote]
yep I'm one of them. But i just thought at that price tag he wasn't worth it. But looking at him play this season at any price tag he's worth it. So excuse me while i go remove my shoe from my hind parts.

[die_hard_raven]

I think alot of us were worried about Willis but he deserves his props! It's a contract year anyway but I wish he gave the maximum effort all the time but he's giving it now and that's all that matters.

Willis has been nuthing but a beast breaking takles, running over players and moving the ball down the field. I hope he continues to run this way. This team needs all the weapons it can get.

[flynismo]

[quote name='RBates' date='22 September 2009 - 05:21 AM' timestamp='1253611271' post='239749']
yep I'm one of them. But i just thought at that price tag he wasn't worth it. But looking at him play this season at any price tag he's worth it. So excuse me while i go remove my shoe from my hind parts.
[/quote]

Well, I can understand why you feel we are paying him too much; no need to backtrack on that statement.
I just think the people who said Willis sucks and is washed up and all that other stuff should give it up to Willis, and acknowledge that he's addressed the concerns we ALL had about him (attitude and work ethic).

[BuckWilds]

[b]Minus the scoring, Willis' and Ray's rushing stats are similar:[/b]

Ray: 27 carries, 144 yds, 5.3/attempt, 72 yds/gm, long 22, 0 TD's

Willis: 25 carries, 123 yds, 4.9/attempt, 61.5 yds/gm, long 16, 3 TD's


[b]Passing isn't all that different:[/b]

Ray: 7 receptions, 58 yards, 8.3 yds/rec, 29 yds/gm, long 21, 0 TD's

Willis: 6 receptions, 41 yards, 6.8 yds/rec, 20.5/gm, long 14, 1 TD

[b]Overall Touches:[/b]

Ray: 34 touches, 202 yards, [b]5.94 yds/touch
[/b]
Willis: 31 touches, 164 yards, [b]5.29 yds/touch[/b]


The attack is fine the way it is. And not to neglect our Pro-Bowl Hammer named Leron McClain in the yds/touch department:

15 touches, 70 yards, [b]4.67 yds/touch[/b]

When your three running backs are ranging between 4.67 and 5.94 yards per touch, you're doing OK.

[BuckWilds]

[quote name='20ravens52' date='21 September 2009 - 11:12 PM' timestamp='1253589175' post='239687']
It's so nice to seem him out there fighting for those yards, hitting the hole with conviction. The guy loves the game and thats always been obvious.

Did anyone notice the stretch plays against the chargers? I didn't get why they bothered. The CHargers have really good OLBs and physical corners. Just a waste of a down IMO.
[/quote]

I think we used it a little too often. It became predictable and not the best option against a fast defense on the corners when the middle was lined with young ones on D. That said, maybe Cam ran it to set up the interior or to keep the edge defenders honest on the rush and the interior.

[Bltravens]

All he had to do was get back to the U and get his head on straight lol

[beetus]

[quote name='Zhamtao' date='22 September 2009 - 12:48 PM' timestamp='1253638127' post='239870']
[b]Minus the scoring, Willis' and Ray's rushing stats are similar:[/b]

Ray: 27 carries, 144 yds, 5.3/attempt, 72 yds/gm, long 22, 0 TD's

Willis: 25 carries, 123 yds, 4.9/attempt, 61.5 yds/gm, long 16, 3 TD's

[/quote]

This is what makes me smile, a combined 5.1 ypc. If we can bring that type of efficientcy to a top tier defense (Pittsburgh) and continue to pass the ball, we're gonna be in excellent shape come January.

[FerrariFan87]

Willis is making a strong case to supplant Rice as the starter. My thinking, however, is that we shouldn't try to fix that which is not broken.

[darklight1216]

[quote name='beetus' date='22 September 2009 - 01:29 PM' timestamp='1253640548' post='239883']
This is what makes me smile, a combined 5.1 ypc. If we can bring that type of efficientcy to a top tier defense (Pittsburgh) and continue to pass the ball, we're gonna be in excellent shape come January.
[/quote]
Lol, if we can do that then we will be in good shape come February.

[J-man]

[quote name='FerrariFan87' date='22 September 2009 - 01:52 PM' timestamp='1253641926' post='239896']
Willis is making a strong case to supplant Rice as the starter. My thinking, however, is that we shouldn't try to fix that which is not broken.
[/quote]

Exactly. Or maybe split majority handoffs every games. Willis gives a game, Ray the next, Willis the next after that, ect. That way they dont wear out during the season.

BTW, I thought the nickname for the Browns was Clowns.

[kash96ravenstotalfan]

[quote name='YYZ66' date='22 September 2009 - 02:41 AM' timestamp='1253601711' post='239730']
Unfortunately, I played Rice.
McGagee has looked awesome! Just think how many "Get rid of McGahee" threads we had in the not so distant past. Guess those people are eating their words....
[/quote]
Yeah, I am eating my words. When Willis showed up out of shape for camp I was down on him because I thought he was not buying into the Harbs plan. I suppose Harbs had the right idea to make him compete for his position this year. Seems to have paid-off. I am really excited by his play so far this season.

[flynismo]

[quote name='J-man' date='22 September 2009 - 07:42 PM' timestamp='1253662973' post='240076']
Exactly. Or maybe split majority handoffs every games. Willis gives a game, Ray the next, Willis the next after that, ect. That way they dont wear out during the season.

BTW, I thought the nickname for the Browns was Clowns.
[/quote]

Don't let them fool ya with the "Rice is our starter" talk....whoever the coaches feel presents the biggest matchup problem for the defense is who's going to get the slight majority of the carries. Regardless of who we're playing they'll both get double digit carries though.

[Ravens_fan]

I really tried not get down on him too much last year, considering the nagging injuries, but will admit, I was frustrated at times. I like his production so far, even if it could be just to show his skills for another team. Sadly as we all know it's a what have you done for me lately leauge.