Is McGahee in playing shape?
I'm starting to wonder if running back Willis McGahee reported to training camp in shape.
He was a no-show during crunch time in the Buffalo game because he reportedly suffered from dehydration. That's probably true, but I wonder how a guy gets dehydrated in the seventh game of the season playing in near ideal conditions for football. It was about 75 degrees in Buffalo with a nice breeze. McGahee carried the ball only 19 times for 114 yards while his counterpart, rookie Marshawn Lynch, had 27 carries for 84 yards. Lynch played in crunch time. He didn't feel weak, and he is only a rookie.
Yet here is McGahee, who played college ball at the University of Miami, having problems playing in an area where he spent the previous four seasons. McGahee didn't get much work in training camp, and the Ravens have pulled him out of games in the regular season when it appeared he was about to take control.
Maybe it's because he's not in proper playing condition yet, and that wasn't going to be achieved in Billick's training camp, which I call Camp Creampuff because it's so light.
Maybe the Ravens are a second-half team not because Billick takes it easy on them in training camp, but because they finally get into playing shape.
Comments
Mr Preston, I could tell you all about Willis. He had a long run in a pre-season game vs Cincy 2 years ago, right after the run he was sick and dehydrated. He claimed at the time that he had not eaten all day. Last year vs The Jets, the same thing happend. He had a long run, tehn took himself out because he was ill. He has zero stamina, it has nothing to do with training camp or the U of Miami days. The Ravens should know all this when they picked this loser up!
John From Buffalo
Posted by: john donoghue | October 22, 2007 2:51 PM
Yeah, how can a "professional" athlete be dehydrated playing in 75 degree weather.....seems very strange.
Posted by: Art | October 22, 2007 3:00 PM
Finally someone in the Sun calls out what has been obvious all season long. He is clearly out of shape. I don't see other Top Tier running backs taking themselves out of games and needing IV fluids, especially with all of the hydrating products they have available to the players. Stop staying out late and partying and start taking this game seriously. You can start by taking off the sunglasses during the Post Game Press Conference.
Posted by: Jeff | October 22, 2007 3:08 PM
I don't think you can knock a guy that is second in the league in rushing and goes for over a hundred on the day (even if it was a losing battle), in my own opinion.
Posted by: Corey | October 22, 2007 3:40 PM
There you go again. Starting controversy. You bring up a subject throw it out to the average Joe fan and lo&behold you hook your fish. I don't have a problem with someone going to the locker room and getting fluids. You played the game ,juat like I did so you should know it's not only the weather that creates the illness. He had 114 yds on 19 carries, that to me in the NFL is a very productive day.He is runing with very high intensity compared to the intensity of the rest of the team. Maybe if the rest of the team played with the same intensity yesterday instead of worrying about plane flights to get out of town today, we would'nt be having this conversation.
Posted by: chuck | October 22, 2007 3:41 PM
Still curious about what happened here...this could have been the difference in the outcome of the game. If he had 30-35 carries in hot weather it'd be one thing, but....?
Posted by: Rich | October 22, 2007 4:06 PM
It seems to me a big part of the problem with the Ravens IS "out of condition". They seem to just run out of gas - even before other teams started the no huddle.
Also I think the offense is too predictable - geeze guys - just go for it.....
Posted by: ceb | October 22, 2007 5:01 PM
Yep. I have been wondering the same thing myself. You and others have made note of the fact that McGahee comes out of games just as he is hitting his stride, but it seems to me that he has looked completely gassed every time that happens. Not to give Billick any kind of a pass, but perhaps that is why the play-calling was so "bad" on the series after McGahee's sensational run.
Posted by: Jonathan | October 22, 2007 5:49 PM
You guys crack me up. McGahee is second in the league in carries and yards. I'm not saying he's in great shape or not, I really don't know either way. But the #2 rusher in the league is the least of the Ravens problems. If we were playing better as a team, nobody would even care. We have problems on offense, defense and special teams that need fixing and we're talking about a guy that is producing.
Posted by: Ben | October 22, 2007 6:04 PM
Silly ravens fans. #2 in the league. haha. come on now. you're smarter than this. you do realize he's played an extra game than many of the league's top rushers...right?
come talk to me after the ravens have had THEIR bye week and let me know where he is. I'm guesssing it won't be #2!! or 3. or 4. or 5 or 6 or...will he make the top 10?? ohh the excitement. guy had 19 carries. first 7 were for -1 yard. He had one very nice carry...but I can tell you this - he's only good for one carry over 30 yards before he needs a ham sandwich or an IV.
Anyhow, feel free to email me myarmisweakandnoodlelike@gmail.com after week 7 and let me know if he's still "the #2 rusher in the league"
pfft. idiots.
Posted by: Chad Pennington | October 23, 2007 10:48 PM
Right now there is a lot of finger pointing going on....all in different directions! Let's hope that the Ravens can use the Bye to get all of their collective fingers pointing in the same direction, specifically at the
Pittsburgh game. How the Ravens perform against the Steelers will make or break the 2007 Season for the Ravens!
Posted by: Frank Henneman | October 23, 2007 11:30 PM
I agree that it's strange that we have a "professional" athlete who gets dehydrated playing in 75 degree weather. Jamal got stronger as the game went on. McGahee is clearly out of shape despite what Anita Marks says about her Miami buddy. The way she praises him like a 6th grader with a crush makes me sick.
Posted by: Jim | October 24, 2007 8:04 PM
this goes out to the Chad P knockoff chump. Willis is number 2 in the rushing game because he produces. I'll be the first to hit you up once Willis opens up to be the #1 rusher in the league. Who knows if he is out of shape or not. I just know what his numbers say while he is in. This is a good start so quit hating loooser!
Posted by: JERMAINE | October 27, 2007 11:19 AM