Taking a handoff in the first contact practice of training camp, Willis McGahee hit the hole only to get stripped of the ball.
If that wasn't humiliating enough, cornerback Corey Ivy shouted across the field, "Get them here on time, running back coach."
McGahee was one of the last players to arrive to morning practice Friday, again raising questions about the mercurial running back's commitment to the team.
Because McGahee skipped most of the offseason workouts this year and struggled to stay on the field last season, it wouldn't come as a surprise if the Ravens decreased McGahee's workload, especially after drafting Ray Rice in the second round.
Instead, the Ravens are planning to increase it.
"There is no question in my mind that Willis McGahee can be a three-down back," offensive coordinator Cam Cameron said. "I think this is the right time in his career to do it. With his ability, there is no reason why he shouldn't excel on three downs."
McGahee was on the field only for first and second downs last season, when the Ravens used Musa Smith as the third-down back.
As a result, McGahee had only 337 touches, seventh among the NFL's top 10 rushers last season.
There were times when he asked for breathers during a game, which caused some to question whether he was in optimal shape. In his return game to Buffalo, he was given fluids intravenously after a 46-yard touchdown run.
"The goal for me is to stay on the field," McGahee said. "I didn't stay on the field as much last year. [But] that's last year, and this is a whole new year."
This has already been a different year for McGahee.
Last offseason, he lived up to his promise about coming to most of the voluntary workouts. This spring, he went back to his routine that was heavily criticized during his time in Buffalo, attending one voluntary minicamp and the mandatory one.
His absence could have affected his practice Friday, when he fumbled an exchange with quarterback Troy Smith in one drill and then coughed it up again trying to get through the line of scrimmage in another.
Running backs coach Wilbert Montgomery said McGahee is "playing catch-up" because he wasn't around this offseason.
"If he wasn't the athlete that we all know he is, it would be frustrating," Montgomery said. "It still is kind of frustrating right now because we're trying to teach him, and it's just not coming as fast as you would like it to. But you know it will come."
