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All Access: McGahee Has Knee Cleaned
Thursday, 07 May 2009 03:57    PDF Print E-mail

Running back Willis McGahee could be limited in mini-camp as he recently had a procedure to clean out his knee. The Sun's Jamison Hensley doesn't specify which knee, but it's likely the same one that has given McGahee trouble since tearing it up in college. Given his history of knee and conditioning issues, the clean-up is another strike against McGahee.

Mancini's Take: It's clearly another strike indeed. McGahee isn't what you would call a durable back, and I'm not just referring to his knee. For Baltimore's sake, let's just hope he does a better job of conditioning himself this time around. Watching him get winded and checking out of games as he's done in the past isn't what you want to see out of your starting running back. At this point, Le'Ron McClain is the number-one back in the Ravens' offense, and the only reason McGahee is still in Crab City is because the team would take a salary-cap hit of close to $11 million if they decide to cut him loose right now. Look for this to be the former Bill's last season in a black and purple uniform. He'll be plenty motivated to have an outstanding year in anticipation of becoming a free agent. Is this guy on his last legs, Rosstradamus?

Mandel's Take:
He's only 27, but he's an old 27, isn't he? McGahee has never been a big-time NFL back, even when healthy, averaging between 3.8 and 4.1 yards per carry in his five seasons in the League, which isn't impressive. McClain, for all of the hype, wasn't all that (3.9 ypc) in his first season getting major carries either. I'd like to see the Ravens give Rice a legitimate shot at being a feature back. I know that McGahee is in a contract year, but how long can the Ravens wait for him to get motivated? I'm not sure he deserves a whole season to show he's a new, healthy, motivated player...this is a playoff team that needs to take a step forward, not tread water. McGahee should be on a short leash and merit should determine who gets the reps.

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