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Le'Ron McClain held court on Twitter this past week, drawing attention from the media and even his head coach for his "McClain 4 RB!!!" campaign.
The Ravens fullback did the same in person Tuesday, explaining to a horde of reporters exactly what he intended by his Tweets – after telling them he would have campaign T-shirts coming soon.
"[It's] me just wanting to get back to where I was my second year," McClain said before breaking into laughter. "I just thought it would be funny to start it up, so I just started it.
"I'm going to get a few folks to go around and put some stuff on cars and have a few [posters] up on some poles, you know: 'McClain For Running Back.'"
Behind the laughter, there is some substance to the message. McClain would like to get a long-term contract and get more carries after he went from 232 carries for 902 yards in 2008 to 46 for 180 in 2009.
McClain said the role change was "frustrating sometimes," but that he's a team player who takes his blocking duties seriously. He also made it clear that he's not out to replace Ray Rice as the starter.
"I know he's the player," McClain said. "I'll block for him. I'm not trying to take anything from him because I think he's probably the best back in the league.
"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 as a fullback, but I'm just trying to do more to get our team over the hump to get to [the Super Bowl in] Dallas."
McClain said he, Rice and Willis McGahee all talked about the campaign when he first posted it on Twitter and they joke about it in meetings.
"I know they understand it's all fun and games, and we're just out here competing, trying to get the ball," McClain said. "You know, we've only got one ball and only one person can get it, so I hope I'll be that one person."
McClain's tweets caught the attention of Head Coach John Harbaugh, who had a conversation with his fullback about the message. Harbaugh said he felt McClain was "light-hearted about it" and Owner Steve Bisciotti asked McClain if he needed a campaign manager.
"I want him to want more carries," Harbaugh said. "I want him to want more plays. Â I want him to want to be on the punt team too, and kickoff team. You like guys that want to play. If he wants to campaign for more carries, have at it."
McClain is one of three Ravens restricted free agents who hasn't signed their tender. Yet he has been a constant figure at the team's voluntary workouts and offseason camps.
McClain said he is "stepping back and just waiting," when asked about his hopes for a long-term contract from the Ravens. He said he loves Baltimore and feels he has proven he's worthy.
"I just hope my play on the field will take care of the money issue," McClain said. "You know, there's still a lot of work to do – in my eyes – that's why I'm here every day now [doing] a lot of stuff to get better. But I feel like I have shown that with my running, catching and blocking abilities. So, just looking forward to it, hoping they see it, and talk to me a little bit."
