Willis Saves Us Again

[Marc2k6]

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

end of story[/quote]


Thank you! Who really cares? Hey, this was a wild card game? Right! We did win this game? Right!

[Marc2k6]

[quote name='RavensIQ' post='120080' date='Jan 5 2009, 12:32 AM']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![/quote]
Right! I really do not know why you people cry like a bunch of chics every week about who is better and who is not when we are winning games and we are in the freaking playoff! Give all of the bull crap a break!

[flynismo]

[quote name='tweety' post='119707' date='Jan 4 2009, 06:53 PM']If you think it can be improved test it.[/quote]

Point is, if it's winning us games, why would you want to tempt fate like that?

[RavensFan#52]

I'm for whomever gives us the best chance of winning. If that ultimately means a two back rotation, fine. A lot of times have that. Besides, I look at this as a GOOD problem to have, as long as one doesn't become a locker room cancer which I don't see Coach Harbaugh letting happen.