Willis Saves Us Again

[Canes21]

the whole game

[MKdave]

[quote name='tweety' post='119637' date='Jan 4 2009, 11:02 PM']Dido, all is takes is one good game. Who ever collaborates better with the Oline deserves the spot. I haven't seen a concrete reason to drop McCain from the starting position.

Is McClain 100% > McGahee 75%?[/quote]

Much. I think McClain 100% > McGahee 100%. Being a good running back isn't all about Yards.

[RavenFever]

[quote name='WACKO4FLACC0' post='119423' date='Jan 4 2009, 04:22 PM']That is a joke right? he played great, but saved us? I dont think so. McClain is not just an average runner and McGahee has major ball control issues[/quote]
Agreed!!

Ball control issues, conditioning, and attitude!! All three make him a back-up to McClain IMO. (Not withstanding the McClain fumble in the 1st Qtr).

[ravensalways]

Was ray rice out for today's game?

[Canes21]

mcclain didnt wear down the defense at all. we had 6 possesions in the second half. 4 were 3 and outs. the other 2 were touchdowns off of the suggs fumble recovery inside the 20. andd willis's big run.

[tweety]

[quote name='MKdave' post='119654' date='Jan 4 2009, 06:21 PM']Much. I think McClain 100% > McGahee 100%. Being a good running back isn't all about Yards.[/quote]
So are you saying he set up the pass? Flacco didn't even get 150 yards. Maybe he set up McGahee. Or maybe his presence wasn't as noticable this game.

I agree with what you are saying but I would like to see a little more than one touchdown from our Offense.

He did what he needed to win the game. That is all I care about concerning this matter.

[macbrak]

Neither of these backs are consistently living up to being the feature back. That probably has more to do with the system then the players.

McGahee's got stars in his eyes and loves to show off for the home crowd. Hopefully the rest of the playoffs are a big enough stage for him to keep it going.

[MKdave]

[quote name='tweety' post='119682' date='Jan 4 2009, 11:39 PM']So are you saying he set up the pass? Flacco didn't even get 150 yards. Maybe he set up McGahee. Or maybe his presence wasn't as noticable this game.

I agree with what you are saying but I would like to see a little more than one touchdown from our Offense.[/quote]

I was also talking about blocking and putting a hurting on the defense. Picking up yards when they matter most (at the goal line and short yardage situations). Blocking (Willis' problems blocking are overstated, but he's still nowhere near the blocker that McClain is). All those things.

[Bullrush]

People forget that McClain softens them up for 3 quarters so that McGahee can finish them off in the 4th quarter when they're tired. That's how the Giants handle it with Jacobs and Ward/Bradshaw.

[tweety]

I would prefer to keep McCain in FB shape. I don't want him to lose weight over the summer expecting to play RB. I'm more confident Ray Rice or McGahee will amerge. And McClain can get his job back at FB and be the pro-bowler he is. The best FB pounder in the league.

That is my expectations. Like I said for this year McClain has done nothing to take his position as leading RB.

[bce086]

[quote name='52Kia Kaha92' post='119400' date='Jan 4 2009, 04:16 PM']no it was actually willis looked as slow as hell, it was like it was in slow mo the speed he was running lol
you have to admit he looked slow but he used his freakish stiff arm to full effect on that run[/quote]


Ummm were you watching the game? Because they had up the speed chart, and WHILE he was making his cuts and dodging his tackles he was running up to 19 mph... Stop the hate.

[ravensfan2430]

i would like 75% mcclain 25% willis in the 1st half then 75% wiliis 25% mcclain in the 2nd half

mcclain is great at pounding it, but he does not have the explosiveness to have big play potential often. willis is not as explosive as last year but i would like to see our backs hit some of the holes that we had today for big yards .

with this said .. if its not broke dont fix it

[tweety]

[quote name='ravensfan2430' post='119702' date='Jan 4 2009, 06:50 PM']with this said .. if its not broke dont fix it[/quote]
If you think it can be improved test it. I really don't like that saying with any aspect of life, including football, lol.

[BuckWilds]

[quote name='Canes21' post='119368' date='Jan 4 2009, 04:05 PM']mcclain is just average our o-line makes him look better then he is. willis makes our offense more explosive and so much better. he should be starting.

not to mention the fumble could have hurt[/quote]

You need to get a surgeon to detach you from McGahee's jock. In other news, the [u]TEAM[/u] won and McGahee had a nifty run as well.

[Revolution]

[quote name='kze' post='119404' date='Jan 4 2009, 04:17 PM'][img]http://smiliesftw.com/x/roflpuke2.gif[/img] One bad block in the Steelers game and all of a sudden he's a bad blocker.

Give me whatever you're smoking.[/quote]

He is not a good blocker and we are a ball control offense. And it wasn't just one game.

[MKdave]

[quote name='tweety' post='119707' date='Jan 4 2009, 11:53 PM']If you think it can be improved test it. I really don't like that saying with any aspect of life, including football, lol.[/quote]

The reason for the saying isn't complacency. We're in the playoffs. What we're doing now is working. If we try it your way and we lose, then what? It's one and done my friend. No second chances.

[BuckWilds]

[quote name='Canes21' post='119426' date='Jan 4 2009, 04:23 PM']mcclain didnt do anything to the d. the run was all willis. and if he doesnt make that run miami gets the ball back down 11 with all their time outs. im not sayin they woulda won but the games alot closer. also if miami scores a td off the mcclain fumble that changes the game as well. and dont say you wouldnt be calling for mcgahees head if he was the one who fumbled[/quote]

You realize there were linemen on the field, right? There were receivers blocking. McClain pounded the Dolphins all day... Many of us like McGahee for what he brings to the game, but we don't worship his sweaty clothing like you do - and some of us certainly think he needs to shut his pie hole and show up for work in shape. Your brain only function like a toggle-switch. He's either a life-saver or a goat. Let me introduce you to another idea: He contributed to the team win and did what he needed to do to get the job done. You act like he broke 11 tackles and won the Super Bowl with a 99-yard run. Seriously, get off his jock.

[Canes21]

why dont you get off my jock. mcclain comes in and you think hes god. he doesnt do anything soecial at all

[MKdave]

[quote name='Canes21' post='119737' date='Jan 5 2009, 12:10 AM']why dont you get off my jock. mcclain comes in and you think hes god. he doesnt do anything soecial at all[/quote]

If you believe that you clearly don't understand football.

[RavenFever]

[quote name='MKdave' post='119738' date='Jan 4 2009, 07:12 PM']If you believe that you clearly don't understand football.[/quote]
Amen, Bro!!

[ravens27]

[quote name='Canes21' post='119737' date='Jan 4 2009, 07:10 PM']why dont you get off my jock. mcclain comes in and you think hes god. he doesnt do anything soecial at all[/quote]

You kind of sound like a McGahee apologist.

[Jesse Conroy]

He makes a big play.. doesnt make him consistent in yardage, I am not putting down McGahee, I like him, I just dont like anyone putting down McClain.

[ravens27]

[quote name='Jesse Conroy' post='119962' date='Jan 4 2009, 09:49 PM']He makes a big play.. doesnt make him consistent in yardage, I am not putting down McGahee, I like him, I just dont like anyone putting down McClain.[/quote]

I agree with what you said. I am not calling McGahee bad, but we need to tip our hats to McClain. He has done so much for us this season, 10 rushing touchdowns, 1 receiving touchdown, and he continues to get us the yards we need and then some. Once McGahee is healthy again, he will be a big threat. He has shown some burst of greatness this season but not on a consistent basis.

GO RAVENS BEAT THE TITANS

[neepo13]

[quote name='tweety' post='119707' date='Jan 4 2009, 06:53 PM']If you think it can be improved test it. I really don't like that saying with any aspect of life, including football, lol.[/quote]

There is a time and a place for everything. I am not sure, getting away from what works in the middle of a Superbowl run is the best thing to do.

[neepo13]

[quote name='Canes21' post='119737' date='Jan 4 2009, 07:10 PM']why dont you get off my jock. mcclain comes in and you think hes god. he doesnt do anything soecial at all[/quote]

He's a FB, that had a better year then our 8 million dollar running back. Thats pretty damn special in my book. Either that or Willis is just that bad.

[flynismo]

[quote name='WACKO4FLACC0' post='119423' date='Jan 4 2009, 04:22 PM']McGahee has major ball control issues[/quote]

that's what she said

[Canes21]

im not putting down mcclain. my point was any of our 3 running backs could have run for his 900 yards and 10 tds given the carries hes had behind our offensive line.

[ravenwildman]

[quote name='codizzle' post='119437' date='Jan 4 2009, 04:25 PM']mcclain played well
mcgahee played well

end of story[/quote]


I am with you brother..don't forget it was 70 degrees there and our last what 8 ganes have been in cold weather?! Man I say they are both doing the job that has got to be done..rock on to both!! I do hope to see more Rice next week :-)

[RavensIQ]

While reading this thread for a minute there I almost forgot that Willis McGahee [u][b]IS A BALTIMORE RAVEN!![/b][/u] Why are there still people hating on him? He puts his jersey on the same way as everyone else and yet somehow he's less important? He comes through in a clutch drive and breaks a 40yd+ run that sealed the ravens 1st playoff game of the year and yet people still don't give credit where credit is due...What a shame. To busy being arrogant with a big head full of pride bcuz they're too stubborn to admit how important Willis McGahee really is to our team.

Let me remind all of you for a minute of the series of events that lead up to McGahee's off year.

[b]1.[/b] New Coaching regime asks him to come in lighter to training camp.
(by the way being that he is from ''The U", Miami boys tend to workout with each other in the off season cuz that's just what they do...u know like Ed Reed + Ray Lewis, so kill all the noise about McGahee skipping OTA's)

[b]2.[/b] McGahee comes into camp, some say out of shape others say "lighter", and he begins the Hardball Training Camp which took it's toll on a lot of players (check the IR)

[b]3.[/b] McGahee has a knee problem (probably from the physicality of TC)

[b]4.[/b] McGahee has knee surgery causing him to miss a month of practice, he misses valuable reps + valuable learning time in a NEW OFFENSE which many players still didn't fully grip until the 2nd month of the regular season.

[b]5.[/b] McGahee misses the 1st game of the year bcuz his knee is still rehabbing, he doesn't get his 1st game reps until week 3 against the Cleveland Browns where he rushed for only 15 attempts for 64 yards (4.3 ypc) and 1 TD. Oh yeah not to mention he had to leave the game early cuz a 350 lb angry DT tried to gouge his eye out (did you see the Blood!!!???)

[b]6.[/b] Week 4&5 we faced the Steelers Run D and the Titans Run D and everybody on offense struggled not just McGahee. He also had to leave the field on a CART right b4 halftime against the Steelers bcuz he injured his ribs from a brutal hit that he took. (but let's forget that ever happened bcuz after all he is a featured back and broken ribs...what's the big deal right? ) But! He DID suit up against the Titans the following week..."Willis McGahee (ribs) is 'so banged up' that he is unlikely to make it through Sunday's game against Tennessee, according to ESPN's John Clayton." -Usa Today...just thought i'd throw that out there.

[b]7.[/b] NFL.com senior writer Steve Wyche reports from Cleveland that Ravens RB Willis McGahee will play against the Browns today despite an ankle injury. McGahee was listed as questionable. This is the week Cam Cameron and Harbaugh said McGAhee will only be used as an emergency option bcuz of his injuries (they rested him that game and he didn't play)

[b]8.[/b] The Baltimore Sun suggests that the Ravens could hold Willis McGahee out for another week now that they've seen Ray Rice can play. McGahee could use rest because he's battling ankle and knee injuries and Baltimore should have success running against Houston no matter which of its three backs are in. BUT....McGahee DID start and he put up 112 yards on 22 attempts and 2 td's (4.5 ypc) INJURED!!!

[b]9.[/b] Week 11 (11/16) Willis McGahee limped off the field with an apparent ankle injury in the third quarter Sunday and did not return. McGahee landed awkwardly on his leg and will be re-evaluated early next week. He rushed nine times for 18 yards and caught two passes for seven yards before exiting. (This was against the NY Giants)

[b]10.[/b] Against the Eagles, week 12 (11/23) "McGahee must have been bothered by his ankle injury. He could barely get out of the backfield and wasn't a consideration in the passing game, all while his competition, LeRon McClain and Ray Rice, had productive days." (Bcuz of his ankle injury they only ran him 7 times that game)

[b]11.[/b] Week 13 (11/30) the Ravens HC John Harbaugh decided to rest McGahee so he could be healthier down the final stretch when they needed him the most (he did not receive 1 carry in the blowout game against the Cincinnatti Bengals)

[b]12.[/b] Despite giving Willis McGahee no carries in Week 13, coach John Harbaugh says McGahee is still in the Ravens' plans. "It's strategic," Harbaugh said. "We've got a plan for Willis, I guarantee you. And he's going to be a big part in December, no question about it. We're going to put him in the best situation to play." McGahee has just 16 carries in the three games since his 112-yard, two-touchdown effort in Week 10.

[b]13.[/b] (Dec. 7) Willis McGahee (illness) was held out of Ravens practice Thursday.

[b]14.[/b] Willis McGahee left his Week 14 game with a right shoulder injury after taking a big hit and did not return.

All the guy was doing was trying to play injured which which in turn, caused him to become even more injured. HE made no excuses!! He took his criticism on the chin even if it was unjust. YOU'RE the ones that made all of the excuses!!! The coaches limited his plays on the field, which derrr limited his production! When he did get his chances he sucked up the pain, toughed it out, and gave it his all (even if it wasn't his best). Sounds like a warrior to me...

Give the guy a break already. He's FINALLY, starting to get healthy, so kill all the noise about him not being important to this team in the playoffs. You've seen what a healthier Willis McGAhee has been able to do these last couple weeks, so get off his back already. In his last 19 rushing attempts he's rushed the ball for 194 yards (10.2 ypc) and 3 touchdowns + has 54 receiving yards on 6 receptions.

Willis McGAhee is a Baltimore Raven, so start treating him like one!

[20ravens52]

I saw willis lay a couple nice blocks today and one of them was on joey "big mouth" porter.

He is obviously the better back. He gets a lot of total yards on such few carries every game. Plus he actually had experience running the ball before this year.