How Willis McGahee got his groove back

OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- Willis McGahee has his smile back, and no one's happier about it than his Baltimore Ravens teammates.

McGahee has scored four touchdowns and totaled 164 yards in two games. He is tied for the NFL lead in scoring, ranks second on the Ravens with 123 yards rushing and has six catches, one off the team lead.

What makes all this even more impressive is that McGahee isn't Baltimore's starting running back. And, unlike last year, he doesn't care where he stands on the depth chart.

McGahee struggled last season in a variety of ways. He reported to camp out of shape, missed the opener while recovering from arthroscopic knee surgery, then battled eye, ankle and knee injuries over the next 16 weeks. He played in only 13 games, started eight and finished with career lows in carries (170) and yards rushing (671).
Entering the offseason, McGahee knew something had to change if he was to be a significant contributor to the Baltimore offense.

"Basically, don't come in with a hard head," he said. "That's about it. Don't do that."

So McGahee trained hard during the offseason. He participated in virtually every minicamp practice. He didn't miss a day of training camp. And he accepted his role as a part-time ball carrier.

"I think Willis had a great attitude when he came in. He obviously worked really hard to get himself in shape," coach John Harbaugh said. "I think it's made a difference in his play."

McGahee had two options: Get in step with Harbaugh's way of thinking, or endure another frustrating season. He chose the former.

"He's definitely taken a different approach this year, and it's for the better," said Ray Rice, Baltimore's starting running back. "I just think there comes a time and point where it's going to be one way or the other. I think he became accustomed to how the coaches want it here, and now he's become a great teammate to all of us. That's how great teams pull together -- you buy into one vision."

Once McGahee got to know Harbaugh, he could easier deal with his expectations.

"When you've got a new head coach coming in, you don't know what to expect. Sometimes things tend to go a different route," McGahee said. "They want you to come in at a weight they think you're good at. When you've got another year under that coach, you know what to expect from him. So you try not to make those same mistakes."

It working out perfectly. The Ravens are undefeated, and McGahee is playing a major role in their revived offense.

"Last year, it was difficult," McGahee said. "I think I was losing hair last year worrying about what was going on. But right now, no worries. It's all about having fun and staying healthy, and that's what we're doing right now."
Le'Ron McClain, who had more carries and yards than McGahee last year, is content to block for the 7-year veteran.

"I just feel like he's getting back to that old Willis that he was," McClain said. "I remember watching him growing up, when I was in high school and he was at Miami. ... I told him I've got his back 100 percent. I said, 'Just follow me man, I'll going to try to get you back to destiny.' "

At the University of Miami and throughout his NFL career, McGahee felt his destiny was to put up gaudy numbers. Even last year, before Baltimore's first playoff game, he proclaimed, "My season is over with. My season was over Week 5. I haven't done anything at all. I'm just playing my role."

Now, after scoring four of Baltimore's nine touchdowns in two games, McGahee realizes that six points for the team is more important than his own numbers.

"Stats versus six points? If you would have asked me that a couple of years ago, I would be all for stats, but I'm going for six points right now," he said. "You can't worry about stats because sometimes you might just have a 36-yard game and it is what it is. When you get the touchdowns, it overlooks the stats."



(delawareonline.com)