McClain would also be well advised to run North and South and stick it up in there rather than try to juke. When there is nothing there his strength is good for two yards, rather than a loss of two as he has done lately on the few carries he has gotten.

Same for Magahee.

He'll be a good tailback again, unfortunately he'll go to another team to do it. We won more games than we should have last year because of McClain. This year we'll lose more and probably miss the playoffs because of the stupid decision not to run him. He has a unique ability to extend drives and keep out defense off the field.

Gil, I agree 100%

Dave, while I agree that Le'Ron should be more involved, I can't say it is a stupid decision (see the fact that Ray Rice is leading the league in yards from scrimmage).

I suspect that we will see more of McClain against the Steelers & Colts (teams we might not be able to just "outshoot")

McClain's ability to punish a defense throughout the game allowed the Ravens to run out the clock a few times last year.

Rice brings big play potential, but doesn't necessarily wear teams down (unless they are tired of chasing him.)

Only problem now is who will block for McClain? When he can get to scrimage uninteruppted, he builds up enough mo to take on anyone.

Gil, you hit the nail right on the head, i have noticed the same thing from McGahee and McClain!Besides, why would you want to limit Ray's touches when he is so dangerous to break one from anywhere on the field? Mclain is a 3 yards and a cloud of dust back he does not have the breakaway capability of Rice or McGahee for that matter!But we should be using him in short yardage situations more tan we have.

2 things carried the ravens to the afc title game last year, a dominant defense and a power running game. unfortunately we have been unable to display either this season, keep your head up McClain in hopes that this team can rediscover it's identity. This makes me think about the phrase harbaugh was preaching all off season about playing like a raven, we need to get back to that. I don't think airing it out 40+ times a game and only running it 17-18 times (and downhill running with power even less) is that, unless we are talking about 1996-1998 ravens football that is.

McClain should at least be used in short yardage situations, it's tough to say he should be in the 08 role again when Rice has been tearing it up and McGahee was dominating the first four games of the season. Our running game is not the problem, but McClain should still be used in those short yardage areas and if he's the best fit against certain teams.

I tell you head coach has made a couple stupid decisions this year. the game against the patriots when they were in illegal formation he challenged the catch. pointless decision. also the secondary is trash except Reed. he has made a few mistakes. he also shows he makes up very well. linebackers look great and have made some mistakes as well. they to make up very well.

I personally loved our offensive game plan for this past game. We were a lot more balanced. We ran until we started to wear them down and create holes. Hope to see more of it. McClain does need to go north and south when he gets the ball. That throw out to the flat where he tried to juke and lost yards is not his style. He needs to plow over people when he gets the rock! I would like to see more bruising offensive football from us, but I am not complaining about Joe airing it out. I am a lot more confidant in our passing game than when Boller was back there. Just want Joe to be more careful inside the 20yd line. I'd love to see us run it in a three wideout set in the redzone. And about the blocker for McClain, all I have to say is Ngata problem.

It is beyond me why if we weren't gonna keep Lorenzo Neal, that they never tried to replace him. When you have a lead late in the game and need to burn clock, I'm sorry but Rice and McGahee aren't the guys to do that. If we had another guy like Neal or Neal himself, we could go to that package with McClain at Tailback. Just look back at the Cinncy game @ home last year and the Dallas game on the road. Look at the Cinncy game this year, the couldn't sustain a drive at the end or even the NE game this year when they failed on 3rd & 4th and one.

McClain was most effective last year when he had Lorenzo Neal in front blocking for him. Who is going to be the blocking back for him this year? Wish we still had Neal.

"I suspect that we will see more of McClain against the Steelers & Colts (teams we might not be able to just 'outshoot')"

Well, we got smoked by the Colts last year and lost to the Steelers three times when McClain was in the backfield and we we supposedly a "running" team...maybe it's time we try to "outshoot" them because it's obvious that whatever we were doing last year wasn't working.

If McLain wants to be considered as a tailback he should lose some weight and keep it off. For the second spring training in a row he came to Owings Mills out of shape. Good players don't use spring training to get in shape. They use it to tune up. If he wants to be good, he needs to start taking care of his body and do a lot of film study. He needs to change his work ethic.

Plow ahead and stop juking!
Meantime,Cornerbacks! We need Cornerbacks!

Need that running game 25 to 30 carries PLEASE!!! Release Frank"toast"Walker PLEASE!!!

McClain must get more carries, especially in short-yardage situations. With older defenders like Ray Lewis and Ed Reed needing rest, we need to put together long drives that can help us win the battle of time of possession.

I am more concerned that McClain is "waiting" for his day. This means he is unhappy with his role. My advice to McClain is, "You are a full back. Your main job is to block, so get out there and block like a champion instead of worrying about when you'll score next.". I don't like that this guy is complaining to the media, while trying to come off like a team guy. I was afraid this would be a problem when he whined about it during the off season...and it seems that my fears were somewhat warranted. Things change. And if he doesn't block better...one of those things will be his place on the team.

I am more concerned that McClain is "waiting" for his day. This means he is unhappy with his role. His "day" comes every Sunday when he has the privelege of walking out onto an NFL field as an offensive starter, period. My advice to McClain is, "You are a full back. Your main job is to block, so get out there and block like a champion instead of worrying about when you'll score next.". I don't like that this guy is complaining to the media, while trying to come off like a team guy. I was afraid this would be a problem when he whined about it during the off season...and it seems that my fears were somewhat warranted. Things change. And if he doesn't block better...one of those things will be his place on the team.