DMN: Position series: How will Cowboys adjust to Rolando McClain suspension?

[jobberone]

Position series: How will Cowboys adjust to Rolando McClain suspension?
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Jon Machota Email jmachota@***BANNED-URL***
Published: July 5, 2015 11:08 pm
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Dallas Cowboys middle linebacker Rolando McClain walks off the field during a mini camp Tuesday, June 16, 2015 at the team’s Valley Ranch practice facility in Irving, Texas. (G.J. McCarthy/The Dallas Morning News)

To give you an idea of what the Cowboys roster looks like with training camp a month away, we’re breaking it down position by position.

Here’s the situation at linebacker.

Players predicted to make the 53-man roster:

1.) Sean Lee

2.) Rolando McClain

3.) Anthony Hitchens

4.) Jasper Brinkley

5.) Damien Wilson

6.) Kyle Wilber

7.) Andrew Gachkar

Outlook for the 2015 season:

At the moment, it should technically only be six of those linebackers on the opening week 53-man roster. Rolando McClain’s failed drug test will have him out for the first four games. Jasper Brinkley will likely step into McClain’s middle linebacker spot when the Cowboys are in their base 4-3 defense. Anthony Hitchens, who will be on the strongside, will likely line up alongside Sean Lee in nickel situations.

The loss of McClain to open the season is significant. The Cowboys defense was at its best last year when McClain was healthy. Although he has dealt with off-field problems, retired twice and missed time because of numerous injuries, the Cowboys re-signed McClain to a one-year deal in April.

“He’s an inspirational player,” Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said last month. “He’s probably as good of natural football player as we’ve had and that’s saying a lot. But he’s got that kind of skill. … I know this, if he has the kind of season that he’s capable of having and gets to play without injury, then he’s going to be a player we want here a long time.”

McClain’s absence should open the door for another linebacker to make the roster. Keith Rivers, Cameron Lawrence, Mark Nzeocha, Justin Jackson and Donnie Baggs are the others competing for a spot.

The Cowboys signed McClain last season after Lee tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during organized team activities. The good news for Dallas is that Lee participated in a large part of offseason workouts and is on track to be a full participant in training camp. The team’s leading tackler in 2011 has moved from the middle to weakside.

Follow Jon Machota on Twitter: @jonmachota

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Position series: How will Cowboys adjust to Rolando McClain suspension?

• Position series: Why Jerry Jones thinks Cowboys could be 'excellent' at CB

• Position series: Why Cowboys appear thin at safety, but opponents should fear the hits

 

[chris1995]

Position series: How will Cowboys adjust to Rolando McClain suspension?
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Jon Machota Email jmachota@***BANNED-URL***
Published: July 5, 2015 11:08 pm
http://cowboysblog.***BANNED-URL***/files/2015/07/NS_16COWSBRIEFS02GM_444706411.jpg
Dallas Cowboys middle linebacker Rolando McClain walks off the field during a mini camp Tuesday, June 16, 2015 at the team’s Valley Ranch practice facility in Irving, Texas. (G.J. McCarthy/The Dallas Morning News)

To give you an idea of what the Cowboys roster looks like with training camp a month away, we’re breaking it down position by position.

Here’s the situation at linebacker.

Players predicted to make the 53-man roster:

1.) Sean Lee

2.) Rolando McClain

3.) Anthony Hitchens

4.) Jasper Brinkley

5.) Damien Wilson

6.) Kyle Wilber

7.) Andrew Gachkar

Outlook for the 2015 season:

At the moment, it should technically only be six of those linebackers on the opening week 53-man roster. Rolando McClain’s failed drug test will have him out for the first four games. Jasper Brinkley will likely step into McClain’s middle linebacker spot when the Cowboys are in their base 4-3 defense. Anthony Hitchens, who will be on the strongside, will likely line up alongside Sean Lee in nickel situations.

The loss of McClain to open the season is significant. The Cowboys defense was at its best last year when McClain was healthy. Although he has dealt with off-field problems, retired twice and missed time because of numerous injuries, the Cowboys re-signed McClain to a one-year deal in April.

“He’s an inspirational player,” Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said last month. “He’s probably as good of natural football player as we’ve had and that’s saying a lot. But he’s got that kind of skill. … I know this, if he has the kind of season that he’s capable of having and gets to play without injury, then he’s going to be a player we want here a long time.”

McClain’s absence should open the door for another linebacker to make the roster. Keith Rivers, Cameron Lawrence, Mark Nzeocha, Justin Jackson and Donnie Baggs are the others competing for a spot.

The Cowboys signed McClain last season after Lee tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during organized team activities. The good news for Dallas is that Lee participated in a large part of offseason workouts and is on track to be a full participant in training camp. The team’s leading tackler in 2011 has moved from the middle to weakside.

Follow Jon Machota on Twitter: @jonmachota

http://cowboysblog.***BANNED-URL***...ys-adjust-to-rolando-mcclain-suspension.html/

Position series: How will Cowboys adjust to Rolando McClain suspension?

• Position series: Why Jerry Jones thinks Cowboys could be 'excellent' at CB

• Position series: Why Cowboys appear thin at safety, but opponents should fear the hits

The Cowboys are paying a lot of McClain's money on per game basis so Dallas will save some money on his contract. If McClain can not get anymore trouble he will be fresh legs in week 5. In the opening roster I see Dallas keeping 7 LB's and I think one will be Keith Rivers. When McClain comes back in week 5 if one of the LB's is not injured I see the Cowboys cutting Wilber.

 

[jobberone]

The Cowboys are paying a lot of McClain's money on per game basis so Dallas will save some money on his contract. If McClain can not get anymore trouble he will be fresh legs in week 5. In the opening roster I see Dallas keeping 7 LB's and I think one will be Keith Rivers. When McClain comes back in week 5 if one of the LB's is not injured I see the Cowboys cutting Wilber.

IDK. I think they keep 8 LBers. Lee and McClain are problematic. I suspect there will be an injury or three to one of them.

 

[xwalker]

IDK. I think they keep 8 LBers. Lee and McClain are problematic. I suspect there will be an injury or three to one of them.

I actually like getting suspended players back during the season. There will inevitably be other players out injured by the time the suspended players return. It's like having extra roster spots.

 

[jobberone]

I actually like getting suspended players back during the season. There will inevitably be other players out injured by the time the suspended players return. It's like having extra roster spots.

Can't say I like it but that's the bright side of it

 

[chris1995]

I actually like getting suspended players back during the season. There will inevitably be other players out injured by the time the suspended players return. It's like having extra roster spots.

Extra roster spots.

 

[Enlightened32]

I actually like getting suspended players back during the season. There will inevitably be other players out injured by the time the suspended players return. It's like having extra roster spots.

Well, that is one way to look at it. I think we can win without McClain, but getting him back will definitely help the defense.

I think Lee, Hitchens, and Brinkley/Rivers can hold it down until he gets back.

 

[xwalker]

Well, that is one way to look at it. I think we can win without McClain, but getting him back will definitely help the defense.

I think Lee, Hitchens, and Brinkley/Rivers can hold it down until he gets back.

For anybody that obsesses about the final 53 roster spots, there is an odd joy in the extra roster spots that are made available temporarily by the suspensions. The 53 man roster spots always seem most critical at the cut down day just after the preseason because spots always seem to open up after a few weeks due to injuries.

It's obviously not the most rational emotion, because players like McClain and Hardy are obviously more important to the season than the 54th player that becomes the 53rd player due to the suspension of one of them; nonetheless, there is a certain positive feeling about being able to keep 2 additional players for a few weeks.

I feel like the Cowboys could have won the Green Bay playoff game if they had added a player like Hardy to the roster late in the season.

 

[xwalker]

Extra roster spots.

Can't say I like it but that's the bright side of it

It also increases the probability that those players will be healthy and available for the playoffs.

If the Cowboys could have added Hardy after week 10 last year, there is a good chance they would have won the Green Bay playoff game.

I'm obviously not saying it is better to have players suspended, but it is much better to get them back after suspension than to not have them at all.

 

[visionary]

I actually like getting suspended players back during the season. There will inevitably be other players out injured by the time the suspended players return. It's like having extra roster spots.

Hey XW, since you like this so much I'm going to suspend Romo for 4 games and see how you like that extra roster spot

Come to think of it, that is exactly what the Patriots are doing

Why those low down , no good....
They're always ahead of everybody else
I knew Goodell was in Krafts pocket

They had this all planned out

I can see it right now ....

Deflate balls
Get caught
Win SB
Lie about it ( yeah I saw through that Kane non denial denial from pretty boy right away)
Get caught lying
Brady gets suspended 4 games
Presto extra roster spot !!!




JK with you XW but this was too easy to pass up buddy

 

[jobberone]

It also increases the probability that those players will be healthy and available for the playoffs.

If the Cowboys could have added Hardy after week 10 last year, there is a good chance they would have won the Green Bay playoff game.

I'm obviously not saying it is better to have players suspended, but it is much better to get them back after suspension than to not have them at all.

I agree. I don't like carrying them on the roster until they are ready to play and generally players need a game or two to get up to their complete game.