I really, really like this acquisition.
Of course the cost is next to nothing if he works out and it actually is nothing if he doesn't work out... but that isn't what I like so much about it.
What is exciting to me is that he has the talent to be a star in the league. I mean, legitimate, blue chip talent. Difference making talent. Almost never do you have an opportunity to add a 24 year old who has that type of talent... at any cost.
McClain is a big, fast, strong, explosive hitter who has natural linebacker instincts. It is a big "if", but if this move works out and he has his head on straight, Dallas got themselves a bona fied star on a LB corps that desperately needs one... and they did it for next to nothing.
The thing that I like so much about him as a player is his instincts. He has a knack for playing the position, and to me, that is one of the best things a LB can have. All of the great LB's have it and almost none of the busts do. Living in SEC country, I remember watching him at Alabama quite a bit and the thing that stuck out to me is how often he would work his way through a gap and hit the RB at or behind the line of scrimmage... and when he got there, the back went down hard. McClain is a big dude and he hits even harder than you would think he does. Always in the right spot, Rolando gave offenses fits in college. I don't remember him being bad in coverage, but honestly I can't remember how often he would drop back in pass defense.
I do recall that he got to the sideline quick for such a big LB and that he would really pop the runner when he arrived. Runs up the gut straight at him were an accident waiting to happen because that guy would get there and it would be like a car wreck. He just always seemed bigger and stronger than the guys he was playing against
Anyway, when he came out in the draft, I really liked him a lot but didn't think the team would use their first on a linebacker, so I didn't focus on him very much.
Once he got in the pro's, being in the AFC, I didn't pay much attention to him but always expected him to do well.
When Dallas traded for him, I tried to not get to excited because the chances of him working out were pretty slim. With McClain actually seeming excited about playing football again though, I think there is a chance it works out for Dallas. All he has to do is care about doing well and he will because his talent is immense. If he does care, then Dallas effectively got an additional #1 pick because he will start and be a star very quickly. The defense will get a real shot in the arm and their aggressiveness and intimidation level just went up about 10 notches. Nasty will be introduced into the middle of the defense, and I will love it.
I'm not counting my chickens before they have hatched, but I am keeping an eye on him and my fingers crossed.
