Let's get it straight: there's no controversy in the Baltimore Ravens' training camp among the running backs. Ray Rice is the featured back among the group, with Willis McGahee providing the rest of the spark. But where does "tailback," oops! But where does fullback Le'Ron McClain fit in?
"I'm a big fan of Le'Ron [McClain]," said Ravens' offensive coordinator Cam Cameron when asked about McClain's self-campaign for more carries as a running back. "We all know he's good player. We know he can run the ball well. He's proven that."
McClain doesn't look very fast when he's running, not until after he breaks a tackle or tackles. McClain stands at 6-0, 260 lbs. and despite his physical appearance, he has a way to disappear between the tackles, runs on his toes, is light on his feet, is patient, understands his angles, and is a flat-out football player.
In the 2008 season, McClain rushed for 902 yards on 232 attempts, but last season, he ran for only 180 yards on just 46 attempts. With numbers like that, one would think McClain was injured, when in reality he played in all 16 games. What a drop off for a Pro Bowler the year before.
"I know I have a lot to offer," said McClain. "I'm trying to get back into the mode for the season. I have great speed and I feel as though I can do it."
McClain is a fun-loving person, but he's a battering ram on the field who loves to trash talk. In the first preseason game Thursday against the Carolina Panthers, McClain was happy to finally make some contact against another team and to get the ball, unexpectedly.
"It felt great, man, to get out there against another team, talk a little trash, but the carries I got early in the game was unexpected," said McClain after the team's victory Thursday night against the Panthers. "It was unexpected, but I was glad to take advantage of them and I think I made the best out of the carries I was given."
McClain knows that Rice and McGahee are the top two backs and all three of them are great friends and support each other. McClain does not compare himself the backs, but he knows he still have a long way to go. "For me, I have a lot of work to put in and I have a long way to go and I will keep on going to be a help to my team," said McClain.
McClain had some t-shirts produced to campaign himself as a running back, in the spirit of fun with a point. "I'm not voting for McClain, even though he gave me one of his t-shirts," said Ravens coach John Harbaugh. "It was good to see him run hard. We know he can play and we're having fun with him."
The Ravens are excited in having more weapons for the passing game, but the running game could be the true key to the team's success because they could control the clock and help balance the offense completely - a balance McClain can contribute to, if Cameron provides a game plan with McClain in mind.
McClain is a young man who wants to live up to his dream as a running back in the NFL. The Super Bowl is held at Cowboy Stadium this season and when McClain was asked if he stopped running through Dallas (in 2008, he broke off a touchdown run for 82 yards), he said he can't wait to run back to Dallas.
"It's been my dream to be the Super Bowl MVP at running back... I'm trying to get back there and tear that field up," said McClain.
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  Le’Ron McClain was held out of Wednesday morning’s practice after developing what the two-time Pro Bowl fullback called “a little back tightness.” “Just flared up the last couple of days,” said McClain, who had also practiced on Sunday with his upper right thigh wrapped. “I wanted to practice, but the coaches told me to chill out today and get ready.” Rookie Mike McLaughlin took a majority of the snaps at fullback, but McClain vowed to return to the practice field at McDaniel College in Westminster by Thursday. “I’m practicing tomorrow,” he said. “That’s my goal. I hate missing practice. So I’ve got to get back out here.” And what about his availability for Saturday night’s preseason game at the Washington Redskins? “No question,” McClain said. “I’ve got to play against the Redskins.”
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As training camp is now underway, Baltimore Ravens fans have lots of reasons to be optimistic. The Running Game If you haven't heard, the Ravens have one of the more talented backfields in the game today. Ray Rice is a machine, and has come in to camp this year stronger than ever. Willis McGahee has accepted his role as the second back, and again this year we'll see him shine in situational running. Le'Ron McClain at 6' 260 pounds remains a premier fullback with running back ability. Expect impressive performance out of this group, if for no other reason than the improved passing attack [more]
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By Kris Dunn November 11, 2009 Exclusively provided by CurvSports.com
Content powered by NovaFantasySports.com
The world of sports has taken a
huge turn in recent years. Think
back to when you were younger and all you cared about was watching your
team
play. You knew everything about
everyone on the team. If the back
up running back were to walk by you on the street you would stop
immediately
and point him out. He didnt have
to be the face of the franchise for you to know who he was, or even
recognize
who he was. It seems as thought
lately these days have gone by the wayside.
In the current era of fantasy
football, it no longer is about taking pride in your local team but
instead
its about taking pride in your fantasy team. With this transformation
taking place it makes things very
difficult for a six foot 260 lb fullback to make a name for himself.
Yet, LeRon McClain has done exactly
that.
Drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in
the 4th round of the 2007 NFL Draft, LeRon McClain was
brought in
to serve as the their fullback.
The Ravens were unsure of what to expect from injured fullback Justin
Green, and their other option, Mike Anderson hadnt been a true fullback
for a
couple years. During his senior
season at Alabama, McClain only carried the ball 11 times and totaled 64
yards. All signs pointed to McClain
serving solely as a fullback.
Enter the 2008 season; LeRon
McClain, serving as the fullback for Pro Bowl running back Willis
McGahee, came
into camp prepared to improve in his sophomore season. Everyone in the
fantasy world knows
what happened next, Willis McGahee had arthroscopic surgery on his knee
and
missed the entire preseason, thus making way for LeRon McClain to carry
the
load.
Once McClain was given the
opportunity to receive consistent playing time he excelled. During the
2008 season McClain tallied
232 carries and came up just shy of 1,000 yards rushing while entering
the end
zone on 10 different occasions, not to mention the 19 receptions and one
receiving touchdown. In just his
second season in the NFL LeRon McClain found himself in the Pro Bowl. A
far cry from what scouts thought he
was capable of entering the 2008 season.
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