Willis McGahee's unusual pre-game routine

Willis McGahee, who could be the most popular interview subject this week if Ray Rice’s sprained knee prevents him from playing against the Pittsburgh Steelers next Sunday, has a curious pre-game routine.

When the players take the field – home or on the road – and break up to participate in positional drills, McGahee is noticeably absent from the running backs group, which includes Rice, Jalen Parmele and fullback Le’Ron McClain.

So where is McGahee? He’s usually warming up with defensive linemen. Here’s McGahee’s response as to why he’s completing drills with those guys.

“That’s where I bang at most of the time,” he said. “I’m in there with the defensive linemen, I’m in there with the offensive linemen. Why not bang with them? I call it The Trenches. I’m in The Trenches.”

McGahee said the practice began this season, and he feels the work with the defensive linemen prepares him for the blows he can expect from opponents during games. So far, no one from the Ravens has told him he can't do it, so they must be OK with this plan.

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(baltimoresun.com)