McGahee Has It in High Gear
As the Running Back Goes, So Goes the Ravens' Offense

By Camille Powell
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, December 7, 2007

OWINGS MILLS, Md., Dec. 6 -- Derrick Mason knew that Willis McGahee was lurking right behind him as he talked to reporters Thursday afternoon, so the Baltimore Ravens wide receiver made sure he spoke extra clearly when he was asked about the running back's performance against New England.

"Willis needs to run like that again," Mason said with a smile. "Don't be a one-game wonder, please."

McGahee, of course, has hardly been that this season. He is the fourth-leading rusher in the NFL, with 1,048 yards on 243 carries, and had his best performance since coming to the Ravens via an offseason trade with Buffalo in the 27-24 loss to the undefeated Patriots on Monday night.

He ran for 138 yards -- the highest total against New England this season -- and one touchdown, and was a major reason the Ravens (4-8) were able to control the ball and outgain the top offense in the league.

"No doubt about it, we moved the ball running and passing," said McGahee, who has scored a rushing touchdown in seven straight games, a franchise record. "Sorry it took so long, but that was just a glimpse of what this offense can do."

Baltimore could use another performance like that Sunday, when Indianapolis (10-2) comes to M&T Bank Stadium. The way the Ravens ran the ball during the first three quarters against New England was reminiscent of the way they used to wear down teams with Jamal Lewis, who is now with the Cleveland Browns.

The offensive line opened some big holes for McGahee, but he also gained extra yards with his strength or his ability to make defenders miss in the open field -- like the move he put on Junior Seau in the third quarter, which caused the linebacker to spin around.

McGahee was the workhorse on Baltimore's three touchdown drives; he touched the ball on 16 of the 25 plays. On the first drive of the second half, he carried the ball six times for 48 yards, including a 17-yard touchdown run.

"As the game goes on, I get a little stronger and that's how my game has developed," said McGahee, who gained 80 yards in the second half. "My teammates were looking at me, and we made a deal; we made a deal with Coach [Brian] Billick that if we get three yards a carry, we're going to keep running the ball. We were all grinding."

The Ravens, who sent the Bills three draft picks in exchange for the 26-year old back, liked McGahee because of his versatility and potential for explosive plays. He has four 100-yard rushing performances this season. He is also second on the team in receptions, with 37 (well behind Mason's 85 catches).

McGahee has six plays of longer than 20 yards, including touchdown runs of 46 and 33 yards. Lewis, in 16 games last season, had just three runs of longer than 20 yards.

"He's much more physical than I thought," Billick said of McGahee. "He's an excellent pass blocker, and we ask a lot out of our backs. He does a great job with it. He's very good out of the backfield. He's a very complete player. That was an excellent pickup for us."

Ravens Notes: Defensive coordinator Rex Ryan said that he called timeout when New England faced a fourth and one late in the fourth quarter -- the Ravens stuffed Tom Brady on a sneak attempt, but the play was wiped out -- because Baltimore had its speed team, which consists of just one defensive tackle, on the field at the time.

"It's my job as the defensive coordinator to put our players in the best defense possible to stop what we feel is going to happen," Ryan said. "Obviously if they're going to run a sneak and you know it's going to be a sneak, you probably don't want that personnel grouping on the field. If I would've had a crystal ball, I would've obviously left that group on the field and won the game by stopping it like we did." . . .

The Ravens signed quarterback Cullen Finnerty, who set several passing records at Grand Valley State, to their practice squad. They have just two quarterbacks on the active roster: starter Kyle Boller and rookie Troy Smith. . . . Cornerback Chris McAlister (knee) has not practiced this week, but expects to be a game-time decision, as he was Monday. Defensive tackle Justin Bannan (knee), fullback Le'Ron McClain (illness), safety Ed Reed (hip) and wide receiver Demetrius Williams (ankle) did not practice Thursday.