As usual, Ozzie went after a player from a big college program with baggage, then they wonder why they have a "flake" on their hands. McGahee doesn't seem to be a Harbaugh-type guy but the team is stuck with him for the next several years. But the Sun and everyone else will continue to call the Ravens' front office the best in pro football.

Mike, I couldn't agree with you more. McGahee should be ashamed of himself. He should be reprimanded and fined. What consequences does coach Harbaugh impose when a player is late for practice?

Mike i couldn't agree with you more. Willis did the same thing in buffalo, that is why they traded him.If john is going to have any crediability with the remaining veterans on this team he needs to put his mark on these situations very early in camp and let everybody know right from the start that there is a new show in town.

We should have kept Jamal.

Is McGahee some privileged primadonna? If he's too lazy to show up on time and put in the time with a new system, ship his lazy a$$ out and put Rice in there. It's not like he ruled the world last year. He couldn't play more than 2 downs at a time. Trade his a$$. I've seen enough of this type player for the last few years.

If by "drink the Purple Kool-Aid" you mean being a Ravens fan, the whole city is guilty. You are criticized sometimes unfairly because you are consistently negative about everything Ravens. You seem to be constantly trying to prove your objectivity by finding the negative aspect of every story and focusing your entire article on that. You seem to be afraid to say good things for fear of having your objectivity questioned. So even when you do manage something positive, it's tepid and uninspired.

I had no problem with your comments Mike. Your recent articles have been as fair and concise as any written about our beloved Ravens. McGahee is a flake. You can tell that when you watch his interviews. And he needs a nice, swift John Harbaugh kick in the pants.

I wouldnt be surprised if Willis is gone after this year...he was not Harbaughs choice, not that he necessarily has anything against him, but unless he has a strong season and a good attitude dont be surprised to see him somewhere else for 2009. I like McGahee, but he needs to work harder...unless he has asthma or some related illness, there is no reason for him to be taking so many 'breathers' in a game and taking himself out so often. I'm really excited to see Rice...he reminds me a little bit of Emitt Smith, but with quicker lateral movements...if they can get another 10 pounds or so on him for 2009, he could be take a big load.

To me McGahee isn't a team player,he has never been in shape, he quit in games last year. McGahee just comes to pick up his checks. He hasn't changed since he left Buffalo. I think Ray should knock him along the side of the head and wake him up

MCGAEE IS A FLAKE; WILL NEVER STEP UP. BUFFALO GOT RID OF HIM. ONE MORE SEASON FOR WILLIS IN BALTIMORE. WE IN BUFFALO TRACK HIS "PROGRESS". MY GUESS IS HE COLLECTS ANOTHER BUNDLE FROM HIS NEXT TEAM AND THAT IS IT.
RON - BUFFALO, NY

AMEN!
I read the article in question but didn't have the chance to blog about it. Had I had the opportunity too do so, I wouldn't have disagreed with you. Your description of McGahee's tendencies and habits are right on. You were being nice when you said that "McGahee lacked discipline" for me, lazy and self centered seem to be a better fit. (But I don’t have to be as eloquent as you do)
McGahee's career in Buffalo reeked of it towards the end of his time there; he claimed it was because he was unhappy and even hinted that his lack of production was mostly due to his being held back. Baltimore represented a fresh start for him; he could finally be happy swimming in the big pond with former “U” teammates Ed Reed and Ray Lewis in an organization that was poised to win.
Now one season removed it all and it seems like the old Willis is showing up again. Wasn't it the segregated off season workouts in Florida that caused him so much angst in the first place? And wasn’t it also his dedication to individualism and his refusal to totally mesh with the team the cause of his trade? Sure there were other mitigating factors that prompted Buffalo to trade him, but weren’t those two things the sticks that were used to poke the tiger?
Football teams are all the same; I don't care if it’s POP WARNER or the NFL, coaches want you in camp, they want you on site as much as possible. McGahee knows that, he’s been playing football far too long not to. He should also know that no one is guaranteed a job, especially when there’s a new Sheriff in town and as far as he is concerned everybody is unproven Veteran and Rookie alike! New coach, new scheme, new team… wake up Willis, you got some fresh young talent gunning for your job and the clock is ticking. Good observations Mike and a good read.

Agreed. However, your previous article did not elaborate on Mcgahee being "flakey". The article was fine, but that comment was out of place. If you put it out there, you need to back it up.

Sound the trumpets!!! First time in 20 years I agree with Preston!

McGahee is the poster boy for everything the oridnary fan despises. Self-centered, lazy millionaire with a sense of self-entitlement, no accountability or work ethic. Thinks the whole world revolves around him and that he doesn't have to do anything he doesn't feel like (attend off-season camps or be in good shape) to earn his millions.

Now it is becomming very clear why we drafted Ray Rice with our second pick even thought running back wasn't as high a priority as some of the other positions. Rice may be the starter before the end of the season.

Harbaugh missed a golden opportunity to establish his standards. Willis' tardiness to practice should have carried the following consequences:
1.prohibited from practicing with the team
2. removal from the field
3. the duration of the practice spent working under supervision in the conditioning facility
4. A heavy fine
Any form or degree of non-compliance...CUT HIM !!!

Likeable begins with an L...so does lazy, loafer, loser, etc.

I think that the comments about willis were pretty much accurate. For some reason it seems that over the past few years the ravens have lost that ability to control the game offensively and I think that all comes back to running the football and willis. We should've kept Jamal Lewis to me along with Ray Lewis personified Ravens football..tough, hard nosed, and gritty!

All you naysayers and haters from Buffalo are out of your minds. The guy ran for over 1,200 yards last season, and anyone who follows the Ravens and knows anything about football could clearly see that the guy was our best player on offense last year - at times, he was the only offense - and he did it with very suspect blocking for most of the season. Remember, winning is the best deodorant. Had he been on any playoff team last year he would be considered a bona fide star and an elite back. Think I'm wrong, check out the New England game. Not only he is a great player, but he brings his best performances in the big-time games.

I agree with Adam. We all have VERY short memories. Willis was the only offense for several games last year, creating yards out of nothing, as Preston himself reported on several occasions.

I can't believe all the Jamal fans coming out now. The Browns invested many million$ to get the best O-line, we have scraps.

Give Willis a chance!

I can't believe people actually think McGahee is an upgrade from Jamal Lewis. Jamal was a much more physical player. McGahee took himself out of games in crucial situations last year. I remember seeing Billick visibly upset at McGahee on the sidelines for doing that, but Billick took the heat from the media for not using McGahee on critical 3rd and 4th downs late in the game. Billick didn't publicly call McGahee out on that but it was apparent to the knowledgeable fan.