Ravens' Ray Rice Could Be Bad News for Willis McGahee

Mike Lombardi is the former Raiders personnel executive-turned-teevee talking head. A few days ago, he lamented the fact that Oakland, like 30 other teams, missed out on the Tony Romo phenomenon (if there had only been a long-drive competition as part of the combine!).

And today he writes that Ravens second-round pick, Ray Rice, could be the blue-chip back that Willis McGahee isn't. (Or, more specifically, that Lombardi doesn't think McGahee is; while Bills fans might agree, I suspect Willis and Drew Rosenhaus feel differently.)

Although Rice may have been overlooked by some teams because of his size, Lombardi says that's a mistake.

Too often scouts make a big deal about a running backs height, but height is really not a factor in the run game, just if you want to extend the back out of the formation. Short backs are effective if they have a great lower body and can possess great balance. Our west coast scout in Oakland told me I was crazy for liking Maurice Drew-"he is a midget" was his first comment.

Lombardi points to this Baltimore Sun article as evidence new offensive coordinator Cam Cameron is smitten; I'm not so sure, but I do agree that small backs shouldn't be summarily dismissed because, well, they're small.

Warrick Dunn's made out okay, and with virtually every team going to a back-by-committee approach, having a smaller, shiftier runner makes sense. Lombardi thinks Rice could be bad news for McGahee; I think it could extend McGahee's career, all else equal. Either way, it's good news for the Ravens' offense.