McGahee is confident he'll learn the system because that's what he has done his entire career.
He has had a different head coach the past four seasons.
"I get a new playbook every year, so it's something I'm used to," McGahee said. "[But] this is the first offensive coordinator I've had that uses the tailback this much."
If McGahee wants to thrive in this increased role, he'll have to be in excellent shape, which has become a hot topic this offseason.
At a minicamp in late May, first-year Ravens coach John Harbaugh pointed out that McGahee needed to get into "football shape." McGahee said he weighed in at training camp at 236 pounds and wanted to get to 230 pounds by the start of the season.
"He looked good," Harbaugh said. "He got through the practice and was strong throughout the whole practice."
While there have been questions about whether he has the stamina to be an every-down back, there have been no doubts about whether he has the talent to play on third downs.
Cameron and Ravens players have been impressed with McGahee's ability to catch the ball. He made a career-high 43 receptions last season after never catching more than 28 in his previous three seasons.
"He's not a two-down back," wide receiver Derrick Mason said. "He's the kind of back that you can have him in there to pound the ball for first and second down. But you can split him out on a linebacker and safety and he can still make a play."
When Cameron was the San Diego Chargers' offensive coordinator from 2002 to 2006, he consistently used running back LaDainian Tomlinson in the passing game. In Cameron's system, Tomlinson averaged 67.8 receptions.
Cameron foresees a similar impact with McGahee.
"The sky is the limit as to what kind of receiver he can be," Cameron said.
But after fumbling twice Friday, McGahee understands he has to make some strides before he can reach that potential.
"I know I'm rusty," McGahee said. "I know I'm not going to come to training camp and be on point. That's hard, and I've got to work to that level."
jamison.hensley@baltsun.com
Training camp today
@McDaniel College; practices: 8:45 a.m., 2:45 p.m.
A touch behind
Of the top 10 rushers in the NFL last season, the Ravens' Willis McGahee ranked seventh in number of touches:
Player, team Car. Rec. Touches
Tomlinson, S.D. 315 60 375
Portis, Was. 325 47 372
Westbrook, Phi. 278 90 368
James, Ariz. 324 24 348
Parker, Pitt. 321 23 344
Jones, N.Y.J 310 28 338
McGahee, Ravens 294 43 337
Lewis, Clev. 298 30 328
Peterson, Minn. 238 19 257
Taylor, J'ville 223 9 232
