DMN: Machota: Will Rolando McClain fall out of favor with Jason Garrett, Cowboys because of off-fiel

[jobberone]

Machota: Will Rolando McClain fall out of favor with Jason Garrett, Cowboys because of off-field issues?

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Staff Writer

Published: 27 February 2015 04:40 PM
Updated: 27 February 2015 04:40 PM

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SportsDay's Jon Machota answered questions in a chat Monday. Here are some highlights.

Roland McClain seems to be in the headlines almost every week. Will this disqualify him as one of Garrett's guys?

Machota: It doesn't help him but I also don't think it's enough for the Cowboys to completely write him off. It's difficult to overlook the impact he made when he was healthy. They need playmakers on defense and he was arguably their best. You can't have all perfect guys on and off the field. Garrett can overlook some things if the player is that talented.

Do you think Adrian Peterson will end up with the Cowboys? Would it happen by trade or would the Vikes cut him?

Machota: I don't think Adrian Peterson will be a Cowboy. I think he'd like to be a Cowboy, however, it's very complicated. A trade makes no sense. The Cowboys need so much help on defense that I can't see them giving up a bunch of picks to land a 30-year-old running back. That's what it will take. They aren't trading Terrance Williams, Gavin Escobar and a third-round pick for Peterson. NFL trades almost never work like that. The way it would most likely happen is signing Peterson if the Vikings release him. From everything I heard last week, that's not happening.

Click here to read the full chat.

On Twitter: @JonMachota

 

[JackOfNoTrades]

Someone, please remind me on what are the off-field issue"s" (plural)? I know he got nabbed recently for testing positive for a substance banned in the NFL......don't recall hearing specifically what substance it was. Non the less, that's one issue.

Then his house burning down, which was ruled arson but if I'm not mistaken, he wasn't accused of being involved. Certainly on the surface it seems suspicious but someone could very well have broken in and burned his house - would that be something held over his head?

Are there any other off-field "issues" for Rolando that I'm forgetting since he became a Cowboy?

 

[coach steele]

I know he had an assault charge ruling that he was appealing (or something like that). Has it been taken care of or does he have to serve jail time this offseason?

 

[jazzcat22]

There is nothing off the field that says Ro is not a Garrett type guy.
Sign him, he made this defense much better, and now a year back of playing, and a complete off season, knowing the defense, he will be better and healthier.

Scandrick was suspended, then lifted, Hamilton was suspended, then was on the roster, though in-active all year. Until released because they needed a roster spot due to injuries for the playoffs.
I believe CJ Spillman had some type of issue that turned into nothing. He stayed on the roster. So there is no reason not to sign Ro.

I wouldn't be surprised, depending on FA and the draft, if a S is needed in TC, Hamilton would be signed if available.

 

[Sportsbabe]

Someone, please remind me on what are the off-field issue"s" (plural)? I know he got nabbed recently for testing positive for a substance banned in the NFL......don't recall hearing specifically what substance it was. Non the less, that's one issue.

Then his house burning down, which was ruled arson but if I'm not mistaken, he wasn't accused of being involved. Certainly on the surface it seems suspicious but someone could very well have broken in and burned his house - would that be something held over his head?

Are there any other off-field "issues" for Rolando that I'm forgetting since he became a Cowboy?

They got tired of beating up on Dez for a minute. Time for some Fresh.

 

[MagicMan]

This "one of Garrett's guys" thing I am not sure about.......when they let Josh Brent back on the team, is he "one of Garrett's guys"? They lost me on that one. I don't think McClain has any more baggage than various other players on this team-----which is the ability to stay healthy. We shall see.

But I would say compared to some of these other guys-----sign him.

 

[BigStar]

This "one of Garrett's guys" thing I am not sure about.......when they let Josh Brent back on the team, is he "one of Garrett's guys"? They lost me on that one. I don't think McClain has any more baggage than various other players on this team-----which is the ability to stay healthy. We shall see.

But I would say compared to some of these other guys-----sign him.

RKG = people who like to play football who have enough talent to play for the team @ "this" amount. Anyone can join

 

[jobberone]

I disagree with some here in their definition of RKG. There's room for guys that fit in and work hard as team players buying into the coaching.

 

[xwalker]

Someone, please remind me on what are the off-field issue"s" (plural)? I know he got nabbed recently for testing positive for a substance banned in the NFL......don't recall hearing specifically what substance it was. Non the less, that's one issue.

Then his house burning down, which was ruled arson but if I'm not mistaken, he wasn't accused of being involved. Certainly on the surface it seems suspicious but someone could very well have broken in and burned his house - would that be something held over his head?

Are there any other off-field "issues" for Rolando that I'm forgetting since he became a Cowboy?

Only the Cowboys really know his specific character issues, IMO.

I'm certain that they have a good feel for whether he is a reasonable risk going forward. There are some questions about his issues at the end of the season and playoffs in games where he didn't play much. The specifics of those issues are unknown to anybody but the Cowboys. He did miss practice time right after the house burned down and from the outside something seemed to be going on with him, but the team would know the specific details and we never will.

 

[JackOfNoTrades]

Only the Cowboys really know his specific character issues, IMO.

I'm certain that they have a good feel for whether he is a reasonable risk going forward. There are some questions about his issues at the end of the season and playoffs in games where he didn't play much. The specifics of those issues are unknown to anybody but the Cowboys. He did miss practice time right after the house burned down and from the outside something seemed to be going on with him, but the team would know the specific details and we never will.

I agree Cowboys management/coaches have a good feel for where Rolando is mentally and from everything I read and heard about him, he was in a good and stable place. That very well could be the perception put out there. As for him missing playing time towards the end of the season, I was always of the impression it was injury related as he was hobbled and dinged in many areas, no?

 

[big dog cowboy]

Machota: It's difficult to overlook the impact he made when he was healthy. They need playmakers on defense and he was arguably their best.

 

[xwalker]

I agree Cowboys management/coaches have a good feel for where Rolando is mentally and from everything I read and heard about him, he was in a good and stable place. That very well could be the perception put out there. As for him missing playing time towards the end of the season, I was always of the impression it was injury related as he was hobbled and dinged in many areas, no?

He was away from practice altogether after the house fire but didn't actual travel to where the house was located. Garrett gave some answer that seemed odd at the time in regards to his absence. He started a couple of games but was out after a few plays. It was never completely clear what the specific problems was in those games. There was a possible concussion issue but it seemed vague.

The was enough going on to make someone on the outside suspicious but only the team would know for certain.

On the flip side there was a report that he pushed really hard for the team to let him play in a game that he ended up not playing.

IMO, his best bet personally would be to sign a 1 year deal with the Cowboys. That would allow him to show what he can do and get away from past issues. It would be his best chance for a big contact after the season. Whatever contract he signs this year will be smaller than what he would get if he proved himself in 2015 and was a free agent after that.

 

[Teague31]

Pass. This dude is the nuke laloosh of the NFL. Resign carter and durant. play hitch in the middle and Lee at WLB.

 

[Pessimist_cowboy]

vet minimum or nothing . I don't feel he gave everything at the end of the season. He's lazy.

 

[Nightman]

vet minimum or nothing . I don't feel he gave everything at the end of the season. He's lazy.

I don't know if he is lazy. But he does miss a lot of practice time and he still seems to have a few off field issues. I wouldn't risk a big signing bonus, but another prove it deal would be OK.

 

[Brooksey]

vet minimum or nothing . I don't feel he gave everything at the end of the season. He's lazy.

The vet minimum for a 26 year old top 10 pick who was our best defensive player last year? I'd try to lock this guy up for the next 3-4 years, unless they know something that we don't know.

 

[Sportsbabe]

I don't know if he is lazy. But he does miss a lot of practice time and he still seems to have a few off field issues. I wouldn't risk a big signing bonus, but another prove it deal would be OK.

I know if he's lazy. It ain't hard to tell.

 

[LandryFan]

Someone, please remind me on what are the off-field issue"s" (plural)? I know he got nabbed recently for testing positive for a substance banned in the NFL......don't recall hearing specifically what substance it was. Non the less, that's one issue.

Then his house burning down, which was ruled arson but if I'm not mistaken, he wasn't accused of being involved. Certainly on the surface it seems suspicious but someone could very well have broken in and burned his house - would that be something held over his head?

Are there any other off-field "issues" for Rolando that I'm forgetting since he became a Cowboy?

He didn't test positive, he missed the test. The NFL treats that the same as a positive test. You identified the other potential off the field issues that I'm aware of.

 

[lane]

Rolando could have played on the 85 bears defense...he just has that presence on the football field...he was a huge reason we won several games this year. I can only hope he is cleared of any wrongdoing in the house fire and that the reason he misses practice is because of injury.


He is the man in the middle that helped fuel our great year.

Lee
Ro
Hitchens

That in my opinion would be a lb core from hell next year.

 

[Rogerthat12]

vet minimum or nothing . I don't feel he gave everything at the end of the season. He's lazy.

I disagree, I think Ro balled out most of the season but considering the time away from the game and the season tiself, his body gave out toward the end of the season.

He also had a few concussions towards the end of the season, I think Garrett and the coaches knew Ro was not physically prepared for the season but his play making ability and their need at the position drove the move.

I think his lack of practice was a mix of acclimating back to the NFL and play very physical.

I still would not offer much but not because he is lazy but because I would need to know he is not going to "miss" any more tests.