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Two seasons ago, Le'Ron McClain was the Ravens' leading rusher, getting 232 carries for 902 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Last year, he got only 46 carries and returned to his role as primarily a blocking fullback.
Over the last few days, in an effort to earn more touches this upcoming season, McClain has taken to Twitter, launching a campaign he calls "McClain 4 RB".
The campaign, he says, is not meant to cause problems, but it's not completely a joke either. The fourth-year fullback truly does hope that he'll get to carry the rock more in 2010.
"I feel like I showed a lot my second year at running the ball," McClain said today. "I had no problem going back to my position last year. Ray Rice did amazing. The guy's great, Willis [McGahee] had an awesome season too. I'm just trying to put my two bits in."
Asked to clarify his intentions with the campaign, McClain said that he doesn't want or expect the starting running back job, just a few more carries here and there.
"Not taking anything from Ray Rice; I know he's the starter, I know he's the player," McClain said. "I block for him. I don't take anything away from him because I think he's the best back in the league, but I'm just trying to get back to where I was my second year, just getting a few carries. Not taking anything away from my blocking at fullback, just trying to do more to get my team over the hump to get to Dallas."
McClain talked with reporters about the campaign for five minutes and had a giant smile on his face the entire time. He clearly is enjoying the whole thing, joking that in true "campaign" style, he was going to get some folks to put signs up on cars and light polls.
The Twitter movement has not gone unnoticed by head coach John Harbaugh, who met with McClain recently to discuss where the fullback is coming from.
"It was light-hearted," Harbaugh said. "He kind of explained to me what he was doing, and I think he's light-hearted about it, he's having fun with it.
"I want him to want more carries. I want him to want more plays. I want him to want to be on the punt team too, the kickoff team. You like guys who want to play, so if he wants to campaign for more carries, have at it. I'm sure in training camp, that will work itself out."
How Rice and McGahee have reacted to the campaign? McClain says they've both taken it for what it is and know where he's coming from.
"I know they understand it's all fun and games and we're just out here competing," McClain said. "Trying to get the ball; we only got one ball and only one person can get it, so I hope I can be that person.
McClain, a restricted free agent, is looking for a new contract this offseason, something that he says the Ravens have not yet discussed with him.
"[I'm] sitting back just waiting," McClain said. "Hoping my folks, my agent and the upstairs people come to something. If they don't, I really don't know. I'm just here working every day. I love Baltimore, I want to be in Baltimore.
"I think I have [shown I'm deserving of a new contract]. Still a lot of work to do in my eyes, that's why I'm in here every day now. But I feel like I've shown a lot with my running, catching and blocking abilities, so just looking forward to it. Just hoping they see it and talk to me a little bit."
