November 30, 2015

Highlighted Year: Le’Ron McClain, 2008

Fullback, Baltimore Ravens


Age: 24 (Dec. 27)
2nd season in pro football & with Ravens
College: Alabama
Height: 6’0”   Weight: 260

Prelude:
Recognized for his strong blocking ability in college, McClain was chosen by the Ravens in the fourth round of the 2007 NFL draft. He showed promise as a rookie, although rarely touching the ball (8 rushing attempts for 18 yards, 9 catches for 55 yards and a TD). He saw more action in ’08, often used as a tailback in combination with RB Willis McGahee and rookie RB Ray Rice due to his punishing running style.

2008 Season Summary
Appeared in all 16 games
[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Rushing
Attempts – 232 [18]
Most attempts, game – 25 (for 86 yds.) at Cincinnati 11/30, (for 70 yds.) vs. Jacksonville 12/28
Yards – 902 [20]
Most yards, game – 139 yards (on 22 carries) at Dallas 12/20
Average gain – 3.9
TDs – 10 [8, tied with four others]
100-yard rushing games – 1

Pass Receiving
Receptions – 19      
Most receptions, game – 3 (for 26 yds.) at Pittsburgh 9/29, (for 10 yds.) at Miami 10/19, (for 31 yds.) at NY Giants 11/16
Yards – 123
Most yards, game – 31 (on 3 catches) at NY Giants 11/16
Average gain – 6.5
TDs – 1

Scoring
TDs – 11 [13, tied with Anquan Boldin & Randy Moss]
Points – 66

Postseason: 3 G
Rushing attempts – 32
Most rushing attempts, game – 19 at Miami, AFC Wild Card playoff
Rushing yards – 90
Most rushing yards, game – 75 at Miami, AFC Wild Card playoff
Average gain rushing – 2.8
Rushing TDs – 1

Kickoff returns – 1
Kickoff return yards – 23
Kickoff return TDs – 0

Awards & Honors:
1st team All-NFL: AP
Pro Bowl

Ravens went 11-5 to finish second in the AFC North while leading the conference in rushing yards (2376) and qualified for a Wild Card spot in the postseason. Won AFC Wild Card playoff over Miami Dolphins (27-0) and AFC Divisional playoff over Tennessee Titans (13-10). Lost AFC Championship to Pittsburgh Steelers (23-14).

Aftermath:
McClain never again carried more than 46 times in a season as he returned to a primarily blocking role in 2009. Still, he received second-team All-NFL recognition from the Associated Press and Pro Football Focus and was named to the Pro Bowl again. After one more year with Baltimore in 2010, McClain signed with Kansas City in 2011 and moved on to the San Diego Chargers in 2012 and ’13, his last two seasons, where he was still an effective lead blocker but rarely touched the ball and saw scant action. Overall, McClain rushed for 1310 yards and caught 94 passes for another 557 yards, scoring a total of 16 touchdowns. Most of his production came with the Ravens, amounting to 1185 yards on 314 carries (3.8 avg.) and 70 pass receptions for 453 yards, with 14 total TDs. He was a first-team All-NFL selection once and was twice chosen to the Pro Bowl.

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Highlighted Years features players who were consensus first-team All-League* selections or league* or conference** leaders in the following statistical categories:

Rushing: Yards, TDs (min. 10)
Passing: Yards, Completion Pct., Yards per Attempt, TDs, Rating
Receiving: Catches, Yards, TDs (min. 10)
Scoring: TDs, Points, Field Goals (min. 5)
All-Purpose: Total Yards
Defense: Interceptions, Sacks
Kickoff Returns: Average
Punt Returns: Average
Punting: Average

*Leagues include NFL (1920 to date), AFL (1926), AFL (1936-37), AAFC (1946-49), AFL (1960-69), WFL (1974-75), USFL (1983-85)

**NFC/AFC since 1970

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