McGahee's perseverance impresses Harbaugh

It took 15 games, but Willis McGahee finally demonstrated why Coach John Harbaugh regularly had praised the running back who had struggled mightily this season.

McGahee had by far his best game of the year on Saturday against the Cowboys, as his 77-yard run with fewer than four minutes remaining was pivotal in a 33-24 victory. This season, McGahee has rushed for 647 yards and six touchdowns on 166 carries after amassing 1,207 yards last year to earn his first invitation to the Pro Bowl.

Fullback Le'Ron McClain has taken over as the primary running back, and leads the team with 832 yards and eight touchdowns on 207 carries. McClain, in his second year, will play in his first Pro Bowl in February.

"Willis has handled the whole season well," Harbaugh said. "It's been disappointing because this season has just not worked out with how many carries and yards he expected to have. But to me, the most measurable thing that has shown is the character he has expressed through this whole thing."

(baltimoreexaminer.com)