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November 13, 2009

McGahee still 'cool' with playing time

If Willis McGahee is upset over his reduced playing time, the Ravens veteran running back has done a good job concealing it.

"I'm cool, man. I look at it as I'm healthy this year, I have no injuries. My body's in good shape," McGahee told reporters this week when asked about his recent lack of involvement in the offense.

McGahee didn't touch the ball in Sunday's loss at Cincinnati and has taken a back seat to second-year starter Ray Rice this season.

"He's doing a great job," McGahee said about Rice. "He gets hot in the game. As long as he stays hot, keep running the ball."

McGahee caused a stir last season when he expressed frustration over lack of playing time. Although he scored seven touchdowns in the Ravens' 3-0 start this season, his time has steadily diminished.

"You grow up, get older, get wiser," he said of his ability to deal with the situation better this year. "I'm not out there getting beat us, so that's the main thing."

Asked if he believed he still had a future in Baltimore, he said: "I would hope so. But you know, it's a business."

Offensive coordinator Cam Cameron today said that McGahee's playing time has been affected by the strong performance by Rice and the reduced snaps of the offense.

"If Ray were playing poorly, then obviously Willis would play more," Cameron said. "I think I stated last week, we'd like to get Willis in there for two series in the first half ...It's been a snap issue more than anything else, and it's been a Ray Rice level-of-play issue as well. We like all our backs, and the more snaps we have, the more they all are going to play."

Posted by Ken Murray at 5:42 PM | | Comments (5)
        

Comments

Sorry Willis, I don't believe you.

Willis, you are saying exactly what you should be saying. Your contract is up at the end of the year and there is no sense pissing into the wind. Just go with the flow and catch on with another team.

You know why you are not playing, Cameron knows why and the Head Coach knows why. It's just that the fans don't.

The Head Coach said earlier in the season that you complimented Rice well and he liked the change of pace when you alternated with Rice.

I guess the alternating thing is no longer funtional.

This is a non story.

Look at time of possession earlier in the season vs. lately.

McGahee will play, if the defense starts getting people off the field, and the offense avoids those 3 and outs .

I believe Willis is being honest. NFL RBs' career expectancy is directly related to the combination of age and the number of carries. Willis may have milked an extra year of service -- somewhere else -- by playing behind Rice and McLain the past two seasons.

Hate to bust fans bubble, but Willis McGahee has four years left on his deal.

If the league somehow extends the CBA, he is going to be on the books for at least two or three more years because he would cost too much cap to release.

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