Mcgahee Gives Reason For Off Year

[Marcus]

[quote name='fadoodled' post='114690' date='Dec 30 2008, 09:01 AM']I feel like McGahee has been a liability this year. I don't trust him in the backfield. He misses blocks, drops swing passes, and he doesn't explode through the holes. He's obviously falling away from the "team" attitude, but I've never known the guy to be a "team" guy.[/quote]

have you not watch the last 2 games? it looks like hes returning to his old form.

[neepo13]

[quote name='Shawn`' post='114653' date='Dec 30 2008, 02:08 AM']That's just a fan's way, when a player does great one season and then bad another season it's "TRADE HIM HE SUKZ LOLOLOL"[/quote]

No, its pure logic. And I am sick of everybody hollering about how McGahee had such a great year last year. He was the best player in a bad offense. Like Jamal Lewis had been for years and some of you same people here trying to take up for McGahee ran him out of town and he wasnt even playing as bad as McGahee is right now in his last year here. His last year here actually rivaled McGahee last year numbers wise.

Second of all its nothing personal. McGahee simply put is not worth the money. That 8 million dollars who so could be used to get us a wr or cb and help keep Lewis, Suggs, Scott, and Brown, next year. This is a bussiness and when a player stops performing up to his pay level its time to cut your losses. Its just like in the real world if the company is trying to keep from going under and your sitting there makng 80k a year and some one, let alone two people, are doing an equal or better job then what you are doing for a whole lot less, you can expect a pink slip. Thats how it works even in the real world.

And honestly it was a mistake for us to trade for him anyway, seeing as though even going into last year running backs were a dime a dozen. Thats even more evident now.

[raven43]

[quote name='neepo13' post='114711' date='Dec 30 2008, 10:23 AM']And honestly it was a mistake for us to trade for him anyway, seeing as though even going into last year running backs were a dime a dozen. Thats even more evident now.[/quote]
yeah, until he runs for 1400 yards next year and Mclain suffers a few injuries. Hey, I'll admit I wasn't a huge fan of Mcgahee most of this season but it's pretty obvious that he's raised his level of play the last few weeks and I don't see why everybody hates him.

and I would take Willis over Jamal Lewis [b]any[/b] day

[Black&Purple]

[quote name='Canes21' post='114654' date='Dec 30 2008, 02:09 AM']are you sayin passion of christ needs a sequel?[/quote]

Yeah, like Roc-a-fella needed Sigel

[catty112]

Some of you guys are blowing this waaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyy out of proportion. You guys are clearly interpreting this article the way the author intended, to spark up a distraction. PLEASE STOP. If you guys were chargers fans would you be kicking LT to the curb after this season? Seriously the guy was our only offense and only bright side coming out of last season and then he has one bad (injury plagued) season and you are ready to go after him with torches and pitchforks?

Willis is not going anywhere this offseason, because of his play this year he is not worth much and you all are saying we need to get rid of him because he is taking up to much money. You do realize that by giving him up this year we are going to lose alot of money? No team will be willing to take up his contract and give us something decent in return.

I will admit the amount we paid him was kind of exuberant knowing about his past and all but still for whatever reason (Billick maybe?) we shelled out the big bucks and signed him long term.

I just hope I can pull up this thread next year and make some of you choke on your own words

[foreversunny23]

I think we all can agree that Willis isn't the best speaker, so he is talking gibberish in some ways.

He came into training camp overweight. It would make sense then for the coaches to tell him to lose weight. We have the greatest coaching staff in the NFL hands down. I think that the coaches see potential that Willis might not see right now. Willis should be Willis, but let the coaches talk to him in the off season to clear all this up.

We can debate whether or not Willis is good or not when training camp starts. I still think if he has a good off season workout like Ray Lewis does, he will be everything we paid him to be.

[3Zach21]

[quote name='Bullrush' post='114574' date='Dec 29 2008, 10:45 PM']Good riddance, as far as i'm concerned.

I still have no idea how being in better shape makes you a bad running back. He was in bad shape the entire year. After every 10+ yard run he would go to the sideline and sit there for a quarter with the oxygen mask on his face as if he just ran a marathon. McClain doesn't complain about being in better shape, it helps him. It doesn't help McGahee who needs a scapegoat for his awful season so far. The guy can't catch, he can't block and for much of the season he would stumble over his own feet. He's constantly banged up and he complains non stop. And then you look at the amount of money he's making. A converted fullback and a rookie change of pace back are outperforming Willis, how hard could it be to replace a guy like that? We might as well bring back Musa Smith.[/quote]

And we should still fire Rex, right?

[catty112]

Oh yeah Ray Ray is playing 10-15 pounds heavier than his playing weight... we should cut that fat cow





jk

[RoflDogs]

For the 10000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 time, WE CANNOT CUT MCGAHEE WITHOUT GIVING UP LIKE 10 MILLION IN CAP SPACE


besides, he's been playing better the last few weeks

[PIG 20]

I don't think we are seeing anything here that isn't already known.

I'm sure that it's no secret on the team that this is how Willis plays this game.

It's pretty obvious that the coaching staff knows this as well. Look at the difference in carries that Willis receives compared to McClain.

Hopefully Willis can keep playing good enough for himself up until the superbowl.

[neepo13]

[quote name='catty112' post='114724' date='Dec 30 2008, 10:56 AM']Oh yeah Ray Ray is playing 10-15 pounds heavier than his playing weight... we should cut that fat cow





jk[/quote]

WOW. If you dont know the difference between a LB and a RB, then prehaps you need to find another sport.

[neepo13]

[quote name='raven43' post='114713' date='Dec 30 2008, 10:28 AM']yeah, until he runs for 1400 yards next year and Mclain suffers a few injuries. Hey, I'll admit I wasn't a huge fan of Mcgahee most of this season but it's pretty obvious that he's raised his level of play the last few weeks and I don't see why everybody hates him.

[b]and I would take Willis over Jamal Lewis[/b] [b]any[/b] [b]day[/b][/quote]

Whatever. Willis in his prime couldnt hold Jamal's jock strap in his prime. You guys are so obsessed with what Willis did last year that you want to give him chance after chance but Jamal gave us 10x more production then Willis will probably ever give us and no one was ready to give him another chance.

[catty112]

[quote name='Betweenthetackles' post='114605' date='Dec 30 2008, 12:34 AM']www.nfl.com Look at his combine results compared to others....this year. 4.47 42 inch vertical 6 ft 224......I think this guy is a real steal....Ravens picked up a positive, hard workin' lunch pale kinda guy for literally peanuts ($300K). I'm telling you..they will find a way to get this kid some action somehow/someway.....Think of Curtis Martin.....wasn't a superstar in any one catagory...but just did the little things and ran with passion...and doesn't miss every 3rd practice because of an injury, come into camp out of shape, missing voluntary workouts......doesn't break tackles, can't pass block worth a crap, poor fundamentals and technique, and piss poor attitude for a guy that has been in the league for 7 years (McGahee)

Harbough is lookin for a way to get rid of McGahee...he's poison to a team...he's selfish, if he truly cared about his teammates, he would be sweating his nuts off in Apil, May, June like Ray and the rest of them.....the guy is a lazy has-been whose time is about to come...either by injury or force majure...right off the roster...salary cap or not. Trust me on this one....I've got some good sources.

If you have ever played a collegiate or professional sport...especially football, you can probably think of a few players that you played with that had a ton of natural ability however, just didn't quite "fit-in" and due to their attitude or lack thereof..ended up actually hurting the team they were supposedly helping. This guy needs to go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Watch him run routes....watch him on pass pro....watch his posture and body language.....he's sloppy and not sure footed,......this guy is a cancer that needs to be cured (cut)[/quote]


Wow... are you serious? You obviously hate Mcgahee huh. I bet you hated him this much last year too. What type of fan compares one of there better players to cancer!? Dude give the man a break, so he had a bad year he still manage to put up decent number for splitting carries with two other tailbacks. I bet everytime he makes a mistake its because he sucks but when he does something good he got lucky.

Either way you look at it it would be a lose lose situation if we got rid of him. PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT. Now next year if he has another year like this or worse then we would be in a better situation. But he looks like he has been making a turnaround and this offseason will be key to what his future holds

I can't take anything you say serious I consider it all slander against Willis Mcgahee. Unless you are able to come up witht your "good sources".



PLEASE STOP THE HATE

[catty112]

[quote name='neepo13' post='114747' date='Dec 30 2008, 12:02 PM']WOW. If you dont know the difference between a LB and a RB, then prehaps you need to find another sport.[/quote]


Umm... what? That was obviously a joke filled with lots of sarcasm. Sorry im just confused with your response, doesn't make sense at all

[heapitup247]

[quote name='Bullrush' post='114611' date='Dec 30 2008, 12:42 AM']You don't become a powerback or a speedback withing a few months. It's physically impossible. Week 1 McGahee doesn't look any different from Week 17 McGahee. More succeptable to injuries? You mean like getting poked in the eye? His chronic knee issues? Migraines? Ribs? Ankles? None of that has anything to do with what his weight is/was. He's had these issues ever since he came out of Miami.


That would explain his sloppy mechanics every time he runs for 10+ yards. If you can't see that the guy gets tired easily then i don't know what to say. It doesn't get any more obvious. I don't see McClain jog to the sideline, take his helmet off and then act as if he's having a stroke, and the guy is 270 pounds, it's way tougher on him.


You're being ridiculous now. Watch the Steelers game when Timmons sacked Flacco. McGahee looked like he had no legs. Timmons just ran around him and he came through untouched i believe. That's pretty pathetic when you are assigned to block somebody. Watch the Cowboys game when McGahee failed to pick up the blitzing LB (Burnett) up the middle. Those are just 2 examples. Blocking is clearly not one of his strengths. If it were you would see him out there on 3rd downs more often. Same goes for his catching skills. I was obviously exaggerating when i said he can't catch. He can, but he's not a reliable target. Rice is.


Willis is the most talented back we have, he CAN be the best, but right now he clearly isn't. Maybe he'll change again and get back to the guy he was last season. Right now he's exactly what Jamal Lewis was in his last year with the Ravens. We all knew he can be a great back but for some reason he wasn't.

Harbaugh is not going to accept his "now i'm on my own, screw the coaches" attitude. It's a dumb argument. Just a week ago McGahee said he played like "doo doo" and now all of a sudden he's blaming the coaches. If that's his attitude then yeah i don't want him to be part of this team in 09 anymore. If the players take over again you'll see this team turn into what it was a couple years ago with Billick. Nobody respected the guy, nobody listened to him.

When was the last time a team stacked with selfish players won the superbowl? Has there ever been one? Patriots? Giants? Colts? Steelers? Don't you think that there's a reason why these teams continue to be successful?[/quote]

When you lose weight you tend to become a little bit more brittle. Its a common thing. Someone getting hit who is 180 pounds is gunna get hurt easier than someone at 200 pounds. For his blocking, yes the steelers one is a bit bad, but the cowboys one marshall faulk himself said it wasnt mcgahees fault. Mcgahee should pick up edge rushers in a blitz, not up the middle. And lately, i have seen him out there on third downs. That also has to do with pass catching and whether or not he is the feature back. And i think thats a common misconception with what he said. "screw the coaches" isnt what hes saying at all. He said they tried to get him to be someone else, and it didnt work out, so hes gunna go back to what worked. How is that saying "screw the coaches?" I think that Billick was a terrific coach and thats always been my opinion. He just lost control of the locker room due to Kyle Boller and Steve McNair. Everybody and their momma was calling for Troy, and yet, he never gave him a shot. That's where he lost them. McGahee isnt taking over and i dont even see how you can infer that from what he stated. I agree with your last statement, but i dont understand when willis was selfish. He never said "gimme the ball" or "these coaches are wack, i want my touches."

[noy]

Willis has identified his problem...Willis is going to rectify his problem...Willis will be the RB of last year.

Losing weight to become a speedy back in that amount of time would also mean he had to dehydrate is body, hence lack of endurance, hence more injuries. If you aren't physically fit and playing a high level sport, you won't be as strong as the people around you, hence....getting ******ed up.

[Bullrush]

[quote name='catty112' post='114724' date='Dec 30 2008, 10:56 AM']Oh yeah Ray Ray is playing 10-15 pounds heavier than his playing weight... we should cut that fat cow





jk[/quote]
Last time i checked that "fat cow" made the Pro Bowl. And his playing weight has always been 260. The past few seasons he looked more like a safety when he played around 240. Now he's back to his playing weight of 260.

[catty112]

jk= just kidding...

[Ravens52]

He says he's gonna change, I believe him. This is a non issue to me


[quote name='noy' post='114763' date='Dec 30 2008, 12:26 PM']Willis has identified his problem...Willis is going to rectify his problem...Willis will be the RB of last year.

Losing weight to become a speedy back in that amount of time would also mean he had to dehydrate is body, hence lack of endurance, hence more injuries. If you aren't physically fit and playing a high level sport, you won't be as strong as the people around you, hence....getting ******ed up.[/quote]

That^^

[Bullrush]

[quote name='noy' post='114763' date='Dec 30 2008, 12:26 PM']Willis has identified his problem...Willis is going to rectify his problem...Willis will be the RB of last year.

Losing weight to become a speedy back in that amount of time would also mean he had to dehydrate is body, hence lack of endurance, hence more injuries. If you aren't physically fit and playing a high level sport, you won't be as strong as the people around you, hence....getting ******ed up.[/quote]
Players lose weight all the time. If losing 10 pounds means you'll get hurt more often then teams wouldn't be able to line up more than 10 guys on gameday because everyone would be on I.R.
McGahee's injuries are not weight related. If you get poked in the eye it's not because you lost weight. He's had issues with his knee/eyes ever since he came out of Miami. Has nothing to do with weight. And the other stuff (ankle, ribs) is something every RB has to deal with, that's why they're wearing tapes around their ankles. Taking shots in the rib area. Bumps and bruises.

[noy]

[quote name='Bullrush' post='114783' date='Dec 30 2008, 12:48 PM']Players lose weight all the time. If losing 10 pounds means you'll get hurt more often then teams wouldn't be able to line up more than 10 guys on gameday because everyone would be on I.R.
McGahee's injuries are not weight related. If you get poked in the eye it's not because you lost weight. He's had issues with his knee/eyes ever since he came out of Miami. Has nothing to do with weight. And the other stuff (ankle, ribs) is something every RB has to deal with, that's why they're wearing tapes around their ankles. Taking shots in the rib area. Bumps and bruises.[/quote]

Have you even tried to lose weight? Notice how it's significantly harder to do than to gain...it takes time, a lot of time. Believe it or not, football players have limits and not all of them are the same. Besides, I'm not sure how you're arguing over something that is already proven: McGahee is not a good running back at the weight he is currently at. He has now realized this and will try to pack on the weight he lost (regardless of who told him to do so, I don't care). As long as he knows what his problem is and how to fix it, I see all this as a positive. All you people trying to kick a man while he's down just shows how cutthroat fans can be. It's easy to criticize from an armchair, but sometimes you have to put yourself in their shoes at the heat of the moment.

And Neepo, people talking about last year is a legitimate argument. It is proof that he is capable of being a great back: we would have been down there with Miami last year, imo, if we didn't have his running game. No matter how you spin this, he's got nowhere to go but up.

[WhackoForFlacco]

McGahee was a mistake from the outset. A very expensive mistake that we're now stuck with. Even last year, he was sucking wind/getting an I.V. on the sideline when we needed him to keep running the rock against the Bills. He has lousy work ethics, is stupid, and is immature (even his mother said that in interviews). All these things are even more apparent now. Gaither grew up fast this year; McGahee didn't, and most likely never will. His defenders? LOL. Too funny.

[Bullrush]

[quote name='noy' post='114794' date='Dec 30 2008, 01:11 PM']Have you even tried to lose weight? Notice how it's significantly harder to do than to gain...it takes time, a lot of time. Believe it or not, football players have limits and not all of them are the same. Besides, I'm not sure how you're arguing over something that is already proven: McGahee is not a good running back at the weight he is currently at. He has now realized this and will try to pack on the weight he lost (regardless of who told him to do so, I don't care). As long as he knows what his problem is and how to fix it, I see all this as a positive. All you people trying to kick a man while he's down just shows how cutthroat fans can be. It's easy to criticize from an armchair, but sometimes you have to put yourself in their shoes at the heat of the moment.[/quote]
The weight had nothing to do with it but let's just agree to disagree.
As for the weight argument, he had some pretty good games this season when he was "heavy". The Texans game, the Dolphins game. How did he do that? I thought he was too heavy and trying to be somebody else? Yet he still performed. His weight wasn't an issue back then.

[bmorefan80]

I think we all should just chill out for now...SERIOUSLY! We all know McGahee made mistakes this year. Reality is, we have a PLAYOFF game this week!

Are we the Dallas Cowboys? We don't need the media to stir stuff up for us! We have the biggest game thus far for the Ravens this weekend.

Our team needs our support 110% right now. Every single game they have in the playoffs will be on the road. So Lets stop talking negative and get all worked up over something stupid.

[heapitup247]

[quote name='Bullrush' post='114806' date='Dec 30 2008, 01:54 PM']The weight had nothing to do with it but let's just agree to disagree.
As for the weight argument, he had some pretty good games this season when he was "heavy". The Texans game, the Dolphins game. How did he do that? I thought he was too heavy and trying to be somebody else? Yet he still performed. His weight wasn't an issue back then.[/quote]

His weight didnt affect his play, but rather his injury proneness. Sometimes when you try to lose too much weight too fast you feel kind of weak and just drained. Ive felt that way for wrestling when ive had to lose 3 or 4 pounds in a couple days. you just feel drained and like you dont want to do anything for a while until you get used to it (or the season is over and you gain it back +5 pounds).

[WhackoForFlacco]

[quote name='bmorefan80' post='114845' date='Dec 30 2008, 02:52 PM']I think we all should just chill out for now...SERIOUSLY! We all know McGahee made mistakes this year. Reality is, we have a PLAYOFF game this week!

Are we the Dallas Cowboys? We don't need the media to stir stuff up for us! We have the biggest game thus far for the Ravens this weekend.

Our team needs our support 110% right now. Every single game they have in the playoffs will be on the road. So Lets stop talking negative and get all worked up over something stupid.[/quote]LOL. Tell McGahee. HE'S the one shooting off his big mouth a week before a huge playoff game. SERIOUSLY. We're just commenting on his stupidity, dude.

[wolfzie06]

Ray Lewis is playing a little heavier this year, but he is back to his weight of old, around 260. The past couple of years he slimmed down a bit to keep his speed. Now, he is more focused on strictly playing the middle and said to a reporter that last year he got knocked around by some lineman. So he added some more muscle mass this offseason. His scenario is nothing like Willis McGahee, who reported out of shape and missed all voluntary workouts. I am not saying we should get rid of him, but I hope he comes back next year prepared.

[RavensIQ]

The problem isn't McGahee's comments or the lack of production, the problem is his salary. Neepo hit it on the head when she said McGahee isn't playing up to his pay grade. The standard is set so high for McGahee that if he doesn't live up to expectations as a feature back game after game, he gets labeled a bust. That's why everyone has an issue.

Willis McGahee has had 5 different Head Coaches over the last 6 years in the NFL. I'm sure the New Regime change for Baltimore took its toll on McGahee in the offseason and he probably felt like here we go again. That's a lot of change to have to go through in such a short period of time, in fact that's pretty dam difficult to do in the NFL. Then there were the knee issues and conditioning question marks. To make matters worse some of his comments from time to time were taken the wrong way and blown way out of proportion. Insult to injury, the media was attacking him and the fans were calling for his head (myself included). I'm sure that had to affect his confidence in some form or fashion.

But let's be realistic here, an off year doesn't mean he is a horrible player. Willis McGahee is a top 10 back in this league, he has talent out the ying-yang, and he has one of the most physically dominating running styles in the league. He runs hard every play and he gives it all, injured or not. The fact that he's even taking the field with the injuries he has shows he has heart, shows he has dedication, shows he wants this team to be successful. He knows his declined role is bcuz he's not performing the way he should be and I haven't heard him complain 1 time bcuz of it. The Fact remains though, he IS the BEST back on this team, hands down.

When McGahee broke that TD against the Cowboys you could see it on his face how much that meant to him. You could see how much it meant to his teammates when everyone rushed over to embrace him bcuz they knew what he's had to go through over these last few months. At first I gave up on McGahee but after seeing what I saw on the sidelines after that 77 yd touchdown run I knew from that moment Willis was back. Hate him or Love him we need him for the playoffs. Don't get it twisted.

[noy]

[quote name='WhackoForFlacco' post='114864' date='Dec 30 2008, 03:23 PM']LOL. Tell McGahee. HE'S the one shooting off his big mouth a week before a huge playoff game. SERIOUSLY. We're just commenting on his stupidity, dude.[/quote]

Here's a comment for your comment.

<[i]no insulting other posters allowed[/i]>

[quote name='heapitup247' post='114860' date='Dec 30 2008, 03:18 PM']His weight didnt affect his play, but rather his injury proneness. Sometimes when you try to lose too much weight too fast you feel kind of weak and just drained. Ive felt that way for wrestling when ive had to lose 3 or 4 pounds in a couple days. you just feel drained and like you dont want to do anything for a while until you get used to it (or the season is over and you gain it back +5 pounds).[/quote]

thank you. Pretty much what I was trying to say, much clearer with your own personal example. Also when a player is heavier, he's going to match up better (in this sport at least) than if he was lighter. Heavier = hydrated, harder to tackle, have more power in his running etc. Lighter = dehydrated, skinnier [easier] frame to tackle, less power in his running etc.

Oh and I agree he is taking up a lot of cap space, but he's had one amazing year...and one off year. That's not nearly enough evidence to justify trading him, and besides, we're sort of underestimating how Harbaugh can change a player with a whole year to see what they can do while under his system. Now that McGahee has shared his opinion with all of us, hopefully Harbaugh will understand that a heavier McGahee is a better McGahee.
.....
And pretty much everything RavensIQ just said.

[RavensFanMvp]

Regardless of why Willis struggled early this season, I hope he continue to play the way he played the last 2 weeks because we're going to need him to play big in the playoffs.