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Join Date: Sep 2006
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Addition of McGahee Has Ravens Raving
washingtonpost.com - nation, world, technology and Washington area news and headlines
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Amid the gloom and disbelief in the Baltimore Ravens' locker room following January's heartbreaking playoff loss at home to the Indianapolis Colts, it was painfully clear the rejuvenated offense that propelled Baltimore to the postseason had sputtered at the worst possible time.
More than six months later, at the dawn of a new season, the Ravens hope that letdown facilitates the transition to a new era of offense, one that matches the defense's longstanding dominance and ultimately leads to the Super Bowl.
"He's going to give us a lot of versatility in our running game that maybe we haven't had the last few years," Coach Brian Billick said of Willis McGahee. "He's very multiple, both as an inside runner and outside runner."
The Ravens report to training camp today at McDaniel College in Westminster, Md., with reasons to believe their offense can vault into the NFL's upper class. The addition of running back Willis McGahee to a unit with an experienced quarterback, established receivers and versatile line has generated plenty of optimism. Their ability to mesh and meet expectations probably will determine whether the Ravens reach their stated goal of a Super Bowl title or suffer another disappointment.
"Perfect scenario, perfect situation, perfect team," McGahee said last spring. "It doesn't get any better than this."
Upgrading the rushing attack was critical after the Ravens ranked 25th in total rushing yards in the NFL last season. Baltimore allowed Jamal Lewis, the franchise's all-time leading rusher, to sign with Cleveland in free agency and replaced him by trading three draft picks to Buffalo for the 25-year-old McGahee and signing him to a five-year, $40.1 million contract.
But for McGahee to spark Baltimore's ground game, he must be integrated into an offense that also has changed significantly along the offensive line. There will be at least two new starters on the line for the season opener at Cincinnati on Sept. 10, so getting the components of the rushing attack to jell is a top priority during training camp.
"I think we'll do a few things different with Willis here this year over Jamal, but hopefully it's all going to be for the good," veteran left tackle Jonathan Ogden said.
Ravens players and coaches have gushed about McGahee this offseason like a teenager telling his buddies about his new car.
Because McGahee (6 feet, 232 pounds) relies on speed and elusiveness more than Lewis (5-11, 245), who uses more brute strength and power, the coaches are eager to implement plays that exploit McGahee's quickness and establish elements that have been missing from the running game.
They plan on showcasing McGahee's speed by positioning him alone in the backfield, without a blocking fullback. Lewis, by contrast, preferred having a fullback, offensive coordinator Rick Neuheisel said.
That McGahee is comfortable with a fullback in certain situations allows for flexible play-calling.
"He's going to give us a lot of versatility in our running game that maybe we haven't had the last few years," Coach Brian Billick said. "He's very multiple, both as an inside runner and outside runner."
The Ravens also have heralded the versatility McGahee provides as a receiver out of the backfield. They consider him an important part of their passing attack, although McGahee's receiving statistics from the last two seasons aren't better than Lewis's.
Lewis caught 50 passes for 306 yards and a touchdown during that span, while McGahee had 46 catches for 334 yards and no touchdowns.
"He's going to give us a lot of versatility in our running game that maybe we haven't had the last few years," Coach Brian Billick said of Willis McGahee. "He's very multiple, both as an inside runner and outside runner."
"He's not only going to help us in the running game but also the passing game," said quarterback Steve McNair, who enters his second year with the Ravens. "If you give the ball to him at five yards, you'll get 10 out of it."
McGahee's first NFL season was his best -- he rushed for 1,128 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2004. He has 11 touchdowns combined in two seasons since and last year finished with 990 yards. Whether he can return to his 2004 form will depend partly on Baltimore's offensive line, which was transformed. Competition for playing time should be fierce during camp, as the group tries to mesh with the new running back.
Gone are Tony Pashos, last year's starting right tackle who left for Jacksonville via free agency, and Edwin Mulitalo, the starting left guard who was released after a triceps injury shortened his season.
Third-year tackle Adam Terry was promoted to a starting role following Pashos's departure. Jason Brown, who started 12 games last season in place of Mulitalo, is now the full-time starter at left guard.
At right guard, incumbent starter Keydrick Vincent will try to hold off second-year lineman Chris Chester and first-round draft pick Ben Grubbs. Chester also could play center, where starter Mike Flynn returns.
Question marks linger even at left tackle -- the one position with an uncontested starter. Ogden, a 10-time Pro Bowl pick, delayed his retirement for at least a year, but the hyperextended left big toe that hampered him late last season will sideline him for the start of camp.
Despite the uncertainty, Billick and Neuheisel have raved about the quality of this year's line.
"Offensive line depth is at an all-time high since I've been here," Neuheisel said. "We have a lot of young guys working hard to learn what's going on, so it will be fun to watch those guys go through two-a-days and get lots of snaps in the preseason games and see who our best five are. Beyond the best five, we'll have six, seven and eight that are very confident players, also."
The talent up front bodes well for McGahee. As he seeks to duplicate the production from his first NFL season, Baltimore's offense finally could become a strength instead of a liability.
"You've got to make [the running game] work," tight end Todd Heap said. "I don't think there have been any teams that don't run the ball that win the Super Bowl.
"I expect Willis to have a huge year. When that happens, it will be a big year for all of us as well."
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Addition of McGahee Has Ravens Raving
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