In the timeless words of eighties chart-topper Bryan Adams:

"It cuts like a knife. But it feels so right."

For fantasy owners who stole Baltimore backup Ray Rice in early drafts that's exactly how they're feeling today.

Ravens starter Willis McGahee will undergo arthroscopic knee surgery, a "cautionary procedure" described by team doctors. He is expected to miss 2-4 weeks. Since Baltimore's season-opener versus Cincinnati is September 7, McGahee will likely be given the always maddening "questionable" label Week 1.

Surgery is the latest setback in a forgettable training camp for the once self-proclaimed "greatest back in the NFL." Following Shawn Kemp's Guide to Offseason Physical Deterioration, the 26-year-old plowshare, who attended only one mandatory minicamp and another voluntary session, reported to camp out of shape and out of mind. As Ravens running back coach Wilbert Montgomery remarked to the Carroll County Times:

"He's got to learn what we're doing. The offseason program that we implemented here, they can't make it mandatory that you be here, but you need to be here to learn what's going on. Willis wasn't here, so he's playing catch-up. You have to be in great shape in this offense. Right now, he's going to struggle a little bit until he understands what we're asking him to do. If he wasn't the athlete that we all know he is, it would be frustrating. It still is kind of frustrating 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."

According to Yahoo! ADP values, McGahee is currently going around pick 22 (Mock Draft ADP: 16.4) or the 12th running back selected. Based on the worrisome news and given his injury plagued history, he's quickly becoming someone to avoid in the early rounds. At this point, Jamal Lewis (Y! ADP 41.9, MockDraft ADP: 24.8), Michael Turner (59.2, 38.5) and Thomas Jones (85.4, 51.1) are more trustworthy options.

Meanwhile for the white-hot Rice, McGahee's potential Week 1 absence catapults his draft value. The Rutgers product, who's been drafted in only 36 percent of Y! leagues, has greatly impressed onlookers in camp. His bruising running style and laser vision could prove fruitful in a Cam Cameron system where running backs typically flourish (e.g. LaDainian Tomlinson).

Assuming Rice gets the nod Week 1, he should be considered a strong RB2 versus the Bengals. Cincinnati made marginal improvements on defense this past offseason and are expected to be below average against the run again this year (21st in rush D in '07). However, even with a strong performance, head coach John Harbaugh will relegate the youngster to a backup role when McGahee returns:

"Willis is our back, no question."

At this point, Rice, selected on average at pick 183.4 per Mock Draft Central, is someone who must be considered as early as Round 9 in 12-team drafts, especially for anyone who invests an early round pick in McGahee.

Comment below on where McGahee/Rice falls/rises on your cheat sheet.

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Images courtesy of US Presswire

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