Mike---I rarely agree with you, but respect your knowledge of the game of football and sports. But, I must say, this is one where i COMPLETELEY agree. I have always said this stuff gets blown up because people in the media sometimes dont understand sports because they didnt really play. Thanks for being the ONLY ONE who will come out and say how ridiculous it is to say this guy is hurting the team when he really isnt. They dont care what he is saying, they know he will help in any way possible to win.

Are you serious? You are comparing Willis to two people that are out for the season (Marshal and Kyle)- that is a completely different scenario. Willis still has the playoffs ahead of him and as usual he is more focused on what HE has done this year. Maybe if he would attend OTA's and get in better shape then he wouldn't get hurt- he is paid to be a professional football player, that includes showing up in shape. He has nobody to blame but his own laziness.

Mike I totally agree. He is clearly just frustrated. Too many people are looking at his words and assuming he is a selfish person. He's not, he's just a little ticked off about the decrease in carries. Maybe this isn't the right system for him. But I bet he and the other names you listed, while all disappointed in their lack of playing time, would love a super bowl ring.

totally agree Mike. when first reading his initial statements, i was kinda off-put, but after reading what he said today, i see where he's coming from. it's like if you are on a team, at whatever level of that sport, and you weren't able to contribute the way you wanted, and that said team went on to win a championship. yeah, you are going to be happy you won, but that feeling is hollow. you feel like the guys who bled and sweated are looking at you like "why is he so happy? what did he do?". and though that may not be the case, the fact the you, the individual, feel that way is what is important. any competitor would do the same. i'm by no means a McGahee apologist, every time he touches the ball i anticipate a fumble or something, but the last couple weeks he has played the way he should be playing. maybe he's finally getting healthy. oh well, my two cents. Go ravens.

To quote the frivolous Gomer Pyle, "Thank you, thank you, thank you!" The Ravens are in the playoffs and media and fans alike go overboard on Willis commenting on his self assessment and underachieving season. Some fans didn't even hear Willis' comments first hand yet they couldn't wait to fast forward to 2009-10 to embrace a roster excluding McGahee based on subjective reporting. This is winning time folks, time to focus on unity and competitiveness and McGahee is a competitive professional use to personal success. When he ran for that gorgeous 77 yard touchdown run against Dallas and that pounding 13 yard run vs J-ville, I bet everyone was pounding his (or her) chest claiming "that's my boy," And if you weren't so what, I WAS!!! I am a Ravens fan, and I am fired up.

"WHAT'S OUR NAME?" RAVENS!

Mike,

Understanding someone's remarks and allowing them to say what they want when they want is absurd. Cal Ripken and Matt Stover are the only local sports role models I can think of that we should sing the praises of, not McGahee

Willis is being asked the same questions about his status and next year over and over again.I celebrate what he has been able to accomplish and I'll admire his determination to hang in there with a new coaching staff.You don't have to totally love a guy and his personality to understand that he's just a little disappointed about his play this year just like some of the fans.Unfortunately,some idiots think they have a right to smear a player on these blogs and could'nt run 2 yds. with the ball in the NFL so I pass these comments off as bb's hitting hard wood.Go Willis......

Mike,

This does not sound like your writing...You have noted all season when a player has been out of line with their comments. It sounds like you are giving McGahee a pass on this one.

OK, I guess I'm willing to cut the guy some slack. It all comes down to his being ready when his number is called.

Although I don't understand why he didn't keep his feelings to himself - at least until after the playoffs - I'm okay with judging him by his performance alone rather than by what he says.

Let's try to win this thing rather than concentrate on things that don't help the team. Go Ravens!

McGahee has shown his true colors. He is not interested in how the team does, only in himself and what his numbers mean to his next contract. He complained that he likes to compete, but when he was put in a position to do so and step up, he wilted like a tulip in july. He would rather rush for 150 yards in a loss, than convert a key third down play, (and lets not even THINK about pas blocking), and gain 60 yards in a win. The worst part is that we are stuck with him and his contract for at least another year or two. Nothing was overblown. He said it, he doesn't care how it sounded, to hell with him. If Rice was 100 percent, he shouldn't play in the post season at all. He said it himself, "MY season is over". Here is hoping it truly is.

Mike, like other readers I agree with you 100%. I think some people can think on their feet during interviews, I hope Willis thinks quick on his feet Sunday. It appears some players are better to express themselves than others for several reasons. Seems like some of the writers at the sin papers like to stir things up (as you may have earlier) but it doesn't help the players or the Team when this sort of reporting takes place (there is a way to write an objective column). One has to remember players have their individual goals. He has been through a lot earlier regarding his injuries and some sport writers and radio personalities speaking for him. Let him prove himself Sunday, like to see him stay on the Ravens.

Give you an A for the column.

Willis, why say these things now? The Ravens have a real chance at the big prize and you had to open your big mouth at the wrong time. Just wait until the end of the year to voice your opinion about whatever. Be a team player for a change.

All of you, including you Mike, miss the point. Kyle Boller was also a starter who went on the bench and that man never opened his mouth. He is the true team player more than anyone on that team, period. Yes, he's not the one to QB the team but when you have someone like him compared to a big mouth like McGahee, McGahee seems like a little crybaby that should go back to his momma. So Mike, don't be so quick to let McGahee off the hook. this team has had too many whiners over the years and whiners, as we all know, destroy the morale of a team. There is no play for someone like him in the organization. Cut him and let McClain and Rice do their thing.

Mike as I heard the comments on Fox 1370 am yesterday- and then read your blog post , ( the audio interviewis up on the sportswithcoleman.com website, they play ALOT different - than in print . This guy is ONLY ABOUT HIMSELF! just listen .I'm Suprised you are defending the fool. Wait till the playoff run is over Willis!

First off, let's say the obvious: Ravens are no longer a good fit for Willis, and he should be shopped for a pick because he can still play. That said, his comments just show that he is a rare one who is honest, albeit not smart. All those players who come off as not caring about how they do individually so long as the team does well are just playing that character that coaches like. It's a sales pitch for trying to stay in the league. But they feel the same thing Willis feels, even though they are disciplined enough to keep it inside.

You seem to make a big deal of things weather you played the game or not , Willis is a looser who made stupid remarks while the team he is playing for is on a playoff run , he should change his name to McStupid. We all know Willis is not the brightest bulb in the pack but making remarks like this at this time is not becoming of a true professional................and you should recognize that...........

Thank you, Mike. A voice of sanity in a sea of insanity. If we listen to everything Willis has said (including his comments about backing up Portis at the U) we can see this is a little different than the T. Owens type selfishness. What I hear is a player frustrated that he hasn't contributed more. Sure, he is also blaming others, but if I hated everyone that did that, I'd have only 2 friends left in the world.
Great job, Mike.

Mike,
Who cares what Willis sez.. After watching him run hard the last few weeks, he's more then ready, as are all the ravens! It was a radio show, they were looking for him to say something stupid.
Sorry David, but looking at all the local programs sponsored by many of the Raven players, there are plenty of role models on this team. Now paying $500 to see a few "legendary"role models downtown (sorry Eddie), now that's absurd! GO RAVENS!

Mike, as usual I am not surprised that you would come to the defense of a player who does not understand that there is no "i" in team. Let's analyze his quotes (that I have pasted in the context in which they were presented on The Sun's website) and analyze if what Willis had to say was truly a big deal.

Quote 1: "My season is over," McGahee said. "[Since] Week 5, I haven't done anything at all. It's not like I'm going to get 1,000 yards, so I'm just playing my role."

Now I ask you: "It's not like I'm going to get 1,000 yards"...what does that have to do with helping this team? My answer: Absolutely nothing. The 1,000 yard plateau is a personal goal that has nothing whatsoever to do with the success of the team. By making that statement, Willis McGahee has basically admitted he - personally - has nothing to play for, so it does not matter that the team is in the playoffs. He did not reach his goal, so his season is a failure. You know what I say to that? Suck it up, buttercup. The season is over. There are more important things to worry about right now. You can go back and cry over your failed season after the team wins the SuperBowl.

McGahee acknowledged that the practice and playing time he missed in training camp, in addition to the solid performances of converted fullback Le'Ron McClain and rookie Ray Rice at running back, made it inevitable that he would play fewer snaps. Yet, he remained steadfast that he was disappointed with his year even when reminded that the playoffs represented a second season.

Quote 2: "See, I'm talking about my season, I'm not talking about the team's season," McGahee said. "I'm talking about my season as an individual. That's what I'm meaning: My season is over with." My take: No, your season is not over with. The question here is very simple. Is Willis McGahee a player on the Baltimore Ravens team? If the answer to that question is yes, then his season is not over. In fact, I would argue that his season is just beginning. The very idea that he would make such a ludicrous comment is further proof that he is more interested in putting himself above the team. If you cannot see that, shame on you.

MP,I certainly hope it has no effect on his team or his play in the post season.

...but the big deal is in the fact that (on The Monty Show) he threw the coaches and staff "under the bus" blaming them for all of his personal misfortunes this year.

This completely goes against the TEAM mentality Harbaugh has been instilling into the Ravens this year. Have you ever heard anyone else on the team say one thing negative about Willis?

Of course he's frustrated, but why would he go public about it when he's received nothing but praise (from everyone) about the way he's handled it up until now?

...stupid...stupid...stupid!

I don't think anyone could reasonably expect Willis McGahee to be especially happy, given how this season panned out.

That wasn't caused the issue, his expression of not being happy or satisfied.

When a player in the ultimate team game makes comments about "I'm only playing for myself" from now on - that is the issue and problem.

I take McGahee's comments as a look back at his season seperating his personal production and his contributions to the team. This is no big deal. McGahee will be ready this Sunday.

Magahee is a above average back, and we will need his output along with everyone else for the playoff push. what we dont need is sports writters like maese preston and steele trying to make stories out of nothing. all they want to do is cause contention, so that they will have something to write about. willis is no worse than any other big egos on our team or any other team, if they didnt think highly of there own abillitys, they wouldnt be pros. give the guy a break, and hope he preforms well in miami Go Ravens

McGahee is not and never has been (except in his own mind) in the company of Reed and Lewis. Man wake up. McGahee is a good player. He's not Pro Bowl nor is he headed or even close to heading to the Hall of Fame. This has a chance to be his best year by far, in his medicore career, and he's so out of touch with reality that he doesn't realize it. He acts like one of those guys, from years ago, that took mending socks as a major in college. A chance to contribute to a real team in the play-offs, with the Super Bowl in their sites. Go figure! He blew out in college, underchieved in the pro's, and who knows he probably be standing on a corner with a tin cup in a couple of years.

mike,

i completely agree. WIllis wants to be the best. Every player that even sniffs an NFL job has that mentality. When Joe Flacco was asked if he envisioned himself being a winning quarterback on a playoff team, he basically said, "of course."

To put in the kind of effort that it takes to be a professional athlete, it all starts with doing things for yourself. A pride, courage, and bravado that even a guy like Matt Stover has to have.

Some guys just say things better than others. Willis is a runningback and he wants to be the best, and he hasn't been this year and he says so himself. Let's have the guy's back and hope he shreds the Dolphins.

Mike in Orange.

Thanks for that message Mike. Shame on the media for trying to make this an issue, especailly at this point in the season.

Mike, your comments about this non-story are perfect, but let's not hide behind the term "media" to describe the attempt by your Sun colleagues to create news out of McGahee's frustration over his performance. David Steele and Bill Ordine both wrote articles trying to turn this silliness into an issue, not the "media."

Mike,

First of all, Terrell Suggs IS a role player this year. Rex isn't just letting him pin his ears back and go after the quarterback. Ray told Suggs "you're having a monster year" and Terrell said yeah but I don't have the sacks. I'm sure Suggs is disappointed, but I don't hear him saying this season is a loss for him. He's pumped to be in the playoffs.

Imagine Flacco saying, "Yeah the playoffs are good I guess, but I didn't win rookie of the year, so the season is basically a loss for me."

Right on Mike! We don't need any papers or talk shows scrutinizing everything word the man says.We have bigger things ahead.The game where is eye was injured showed me all I needed to know.GO WILLIS-GO RAVENS!!!

Wow,,,I must be missing something here. I guess if Willis "I got no one to play for but myself" McGahee didn't have a history of being a selfish, me first player, I could give him a pass. This is exactly the same reason why he was let go in Buffalo and why he will be let go in Baltimore, unless his cap hit is too big. Of course, with all of his natural ability and "potential", he will be signed by another team and this pattern will repeat itself. His comments are a big deal Mike becuase they show his true colors and biggest flaw as an athelete. He puts himself first.

Anyone who has a problem with McGahee's comments needs to get over it. We've got bigger "fish" to fry this weekend. Go Ravens!!!

Gee Mike...it sure is different seeing someone who, in my opinion, seems to fan this type of thing as much as anyone, actually trying to downplay it.

I don't care whether he is or has the right to be upset or not...now is NOT the time to voice that on a national stage.

If Rice is healthy enough Sunday, Harbaugh will answer his comments by keeping Willis benched.

This is NOT Billick's team anymore.

My understanding is that he said he wishes that he could be more of a contributor to his team. I do not see anything wrong with that. You do not have to be involved with sports to understand that statement: He is with an organization that is doing well; he is being paid well to be a contributor, and he wishes that he could fullfill his part of the agreement better.

What's really obvious is Willis is probably the dullest bulb on the string of purple, Raven Christmas lights. I understand what you are saying and agree within a context; however, the players are supposed to put the team first in public comments (even if they are truly playing for "themselves," by virtue that they all sign individual contracts). As someone pointed out, does Suggs complain about his sack total dropping?

Willis, though, it would seem, has mostly himself to blame. Had he spent more time working out in the off-season with Ray Lewis, he might have avoided injury. He should feel blessed that the team is giving him a chance to salvage what would have been a rotten year due to injury.

If you collect too many players like Willis on your team, you'll end up like Dallas. Of course, Selfish will be ready to play on Sunday, he is a professional (playing for himself), so although this will likely not impact Sunday, it will imact his future with the team.

It must be a new year and a new attitude because I COMPLETELY AGREE with Mike for a change. Ask any injured player on a Super Bowl winning team if he is as happy as the guys who actually played in the game. I'd rather have a guy who's angry at his performance or lack thereof, than a guy who's just happy to be collecting a paycheck! Go get em Willis!!

I'm with you on this one.

"Willis...whatchu talkin' about?!"

THE SEASON'S OVER FOR ALL YOU RAVENS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's hard to feel proud of an accomplishment you don't feel you fairly contributed to. Understandable. However, the season is NOT over and you could still contribute greatly. Maybe you know you are too hurt to be of any assistance. Well then don't tip your hand. Other teams are paying attention. This occurred directly because of a poor work ethic on your part. Accept this and rectify whatever needs to be before next season. Or pack and leave.

It's been a nice run but the ride is over this Sunday! DOLPHINS 23 WAVENS 16

Willis McGahee is a team player. I understand his frustration, he was a top 10 running back last year, now he shares his carries. But he doesnt complain about McClain taking them or Rice taking them. He complains that his performace wasnt good enough and I feel if any of you have ever played sports that even if you win you feel like crap if you didnt do your best.

Well, well, well, all the people on here are missing one important point. A team player is someone who plays as part of a team, am I right? Well, McGahee said when his number is called he will do whatever he can to help. To me that is what a team player is all about. He was asked specific questions about his specific situation, what do you want him to say? Well Ray Lewis did this wrong or when Kyle Boller was the quarterback we did this or coach Harbaugh said that. He was asked about his situation, his thoughts on Willis McGahee and that is what he addressed. He didn't go after these so called "reporters" or "journalists" (and I use both terms loosely) for interviews they came after him. They had been negotiating for months to interview him on that radio show. It is my understanding when the timing was confirmed months ago, they assumed the Ravens would not be in the position they are today. Leave the guy alone, leave the team alone and stop trying to start controversy where there is none. Do you or don't you want this team to go all the way to Tampa? That is the question! If you do then stop trying to tear apart everything that Harbaugh has tried to do with this team this year and try to look at the team in a positive light and write positive things not negative.

There is nothing wrong with Willis' comments, if he had said he was happy with his performance then we would have an issue. The issue lies with the sports media not having any experience with actually playing sports. Take it from a former 6'4" wide receiver; Willis' attitude is exactly what you look for in a football player. If he had gone over 1,000 yards, I would rather him say the exact same things then to have said he was satisfied with his performance. You always look to do better then what you have done, you always put the bar higher then you can reach. Want an example; look at Ray Lewis, always working on being better then he was the last game and last season. As for Willis’ season being over, he's damn right; it's the postseason now, everyone’s 2008 season has ended. There needs to be more sports media reporters who are experienced with playing the sport. Right now we have a bunch of people who go to college for a media degree, watching the games from the stadium seats. You have no idea what it means to be a athlete if you have never been an athlete on some level. Think for a second; a professional media reporter get paid 1,000's a year, an professional athlete gets paid 1,000,000's a year. Now which do you think knows more about what it takes to be a professional athlete?

Most people don't realize that ALL professional athletes view team goals with one eye and individual goals with the other. Failure to pay attention to personal goals in pro sports will come back to haunt you. The path to getting waived or released is not what you say out of your mouth (see T.O), it is the numbers you put up - especially in the skill positions. Teams talk about team goals, because it is good PR for the fan base, but only the coaches are rewarded for team goals - not the players. Many of the highest paid players have never won anything. And if you don't think it is all about the numbers and then all about the $$$$, then you have not been watching the Mark Teixeira auction. Fans need to wake up and get off this blind loyalty binge. The players know what time it is. As for the fans, just remember that you don't have to be a sucker ALL the time.

I love the quote, "It's just Willis being Willis!"

Bottom line: Willis McGahee is a HUGE talent that has had an up and down year...more down than up! Whether it is because of injuries or lack of conditioning or whatever...Baltimore needs Willis to figure that out and make sure it doesn't happen next year...and we as fans should give him a pass for the time being. Keep in mind he has had some big games and plays this year which undoubtedly has helped the team. Now that we are in the playoffs, we need him to be the Willis of old (last year) more than ever. You keep truckin Willis...some of us will keep the faith in you!

I honestly believe that McGahee is just saying that he is disappointed in himself -- that he expects better play from himself.

I don't think he is trying to make any kind of commentary on the team or his specific role in it. I think he's just saying that he hasn't made enough of the opportunities he's been given.

As usual, the media "misinterprets" things and does what it can to pour gasoline on a fire.

Thanks, Mike! You are the only one in Baltimore with the guts to say what's right. Willis IS a team player, otherwise he wouldn't be mentoring McClain and Rice on and off the field. This is a team sport and all the haters out there should take up watching golf if they want to hate on individuals. This is a team, WE ARE RAVENS, and if you can't back your TEAM, then you're not as purple as you should be. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ARTICLE!! It's about time someone said what you did!

Willis McGahee is one of the dumbest humans on this planet. ANYTHING that comes out of his mouth should be summarily dismissed.