Ravens backup running back Willis McGahee is set to earn $6 million in 2011… The Ravens must decide whether to release McGahee prior to his 2011 pay raise kicking in… and risk losing Willis as insurance for Ray Rice, unless Willis would agree to play for less.
Awkward situation for a general manager and for Willis McGahee… The veteran tailback is such a luxury asset to have over a long season…McGahee is healthy and still performing in his prime.
But he costs too much.
McGahee’s contract with the Ravens stipulates a raise from his affordable $3.5 million salary last season to $6 million this year if the Ravens decide to keep him. That’s a lot of dough, especially at a time when revenue streams are threatened by an impending lockout, and when the money could be better spent to sign a free agent needed more desperately at another position…or to hold on to free agent fullback LeRon McClain.
When asked if the Ravens were going to cut McGahee, Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome replied: “I have said there will be no players released before March 3.”
When asked if McGahee would be on the Ravens roster before the beginning of next season, Newsome said: “Right now, there are a lot of things that could happen before next season.”
“Maybe the Ravens can convince McGahee to return at a reduced rate to help the Ravens compete for a championship,” wrote ESPN’s James Walker. “Maybe they can’t and McGahee goes elsewhere. That’s the risk Baltimore is reportedly willing to take.
I can’t be inside Willis McGahee’s head, but I listened to him in a radio interview last week on WBAL’s Sport Line, and it was clear to me he would definitely prefer to remain a Raven. Willis cited “unfinished business” from the past season’s run for the Super Bowl, said he loved the guys here, and he implied his best shot for a Ring would be with the Ravens in 2011.
Of course, if it were me, I’d gladly take a “cut” from $6 million to $3.5 million just to get another Ravens run at the AFC title. I think I could live okay on $3.5 milz!
Local fan reaction concensus is best summed up by “Ravens Fan Thick & Thin”, a regular commenter over at the Ravens NFL site:
“I actually think Willis has a better nose for the end zone than McClain, but I think people incorporate production or potential production too much into the equation. It’s purely a business decision. It just makes no sense for your backup to make 12 times the base salary of your starter (Ray Rice) with less than half the production. At least Willis had 12 rushing TD’s and it was an uncapped year. Yes, he may become a ProBowler or be productive somewhere else, but it’s either keep Willis or McClain. When you have 3 capable backs, everyone wants to be THE man or at least get considerable playing time. It was a nice luxury…but this has to be done at some point considering Rice’s contract is up next year. Can you imagine re-signing Rice, re-signing McClain, and keeping McGahee, who would then be at $7.2 mil next year? The $$$ poured into the backfield would be ridiculous…”
That’s pretty good reasoning from a smart fan. I hope Willis McGahee feels the same sense of logic, and negotiates a reduced contract in time to stay with the Ravens. I think it would be the best possible outcome for all parties involved. After all, Running Back is a commodity that’s in very good supply around the league. There’s really no guarantee for Willis that he could make any more money with another team than what the Ravens may offer him to stay here. And if Willis really wants a Ring, his best chances are right here, right now…
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