Recommended Film Review: Rolando McClain

[Dodger12]

Saban sounded about as mystified as anyone in his public comments after McClain quit the last time.

But I guess he was saving up secret McClain sauce for Garrett that he did not bother to do for Newsome.

I don't think it's as much Garrett as it is Saban thinking of the unlimited possibilities of pairing McClain up with Marinelli. Perfect situation and he'll get a nickname to boot.

 

[jnday]

https://search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=AgYqQNn4btqfv_8FjQjqETKbvZx4?p=story of locker room incident between chad hennings and charles haley&toggle=1&cop=mss&ei=UTF-8&fr=yfp-t-309


Quiet Hennings expected to play loud

By DENNE H. FREEMAN / AP Sports Writer

AUSTIN (AP) - Chad Hennings is the John Wayne type. He doesn't say much. But don't rile him unless you want trouble.

Charles Haley did one day last year. He finally tested Hennings' patience and the next thing he knew, he was pinned up against a locker.

Haley didn't mess with Hennings again.

"I don't go around saying a lot," said the Dallas Cowboys defensive end. "I do have a limit on how far my patience can be pushed."

The Cowboys hope Hennings takes his 6-foot-6, 292-pound frame and this kind of attitude into the 1997 season. Dallas' depleted defensive line needs him until Leon Lett can return from his 13-game NFL suspension.

"We're going to need a big season from Chad, and I think we'll get one," said defensive coordinator Dave Campo. "What you see is what you get with Chad. He's not a flashy, big-play kind of guy. But he's good and solid. He's an excellent NFL player."

Hennings, who received a four-year extension on his contract in the off-season, had an impressive 1996 season.

He had 31 solo tackles and picked up 4.5 quarterback sacks. He was credited with 30 quarterback pressures, recovered two fumbles and blocked a kick.

"There's a lot of pressure on the older guys on the team like me to produce this year until Leon can get back," Hennings said. "I know I'll have some heat on me. I got double-teamed at times last year, and I expect to be double-teamed even more this season."

Hennings - a former Outland Trophy winner - was a sixth-round draft pick out of the Air Force in 1988. He joined the Cowboys after his tour of duty, which included a stint as a pilot in the Gulf War.

He stepped into the starting lineup at left tackle last year and had some big games, although right tackle is his more natural position.

"We're putting him on the right side this year, and Chad should even be better than he was last season," Campo said.

Hennings said although the defensive line is being perceived as a weak link, it could be a strong point.

"I'm sure teams will try to run on us, and I think we can stop them," he said. "We're going to surprise some people. I think we have a great chance to make a Super Bowl run. There are about six teams that have a legitimate chance, and I think we're one of them."

Anyone want to argue? Charles?

It is good to hear from you CC. Many of us have been missing your unique style of posting and the spirited debates that we used to have. Hang around and talk for a few days. We will take it easy on you.

 

[ologan]

Good read I never thought Oakland ditch him because of play more of due to attitudes or some sort. Heck it's Oakland.

Think you hit the nail there. Damn good player playing for a not so good organization, in a not too good situation. This could be a great pick-up for us!

 

[jnday]

I have one comment/question for everybody. I understand the concern and questions about McClain considering his past mistakes. My question is , what is his ceiling? This guy was a very high draft pick for a LB. I remember him playing at Bama and I remember that he was very good. I read some old scouting reports and they even mentioned that he had good coverage skills. He is young and healthy. This guy was a first round talent. What is he now? Is he a first round talent that is a head case? Without the stupidity issues, is the talent still there or was he overrated when he was drafted? Is this guy a bust because of stupidity , or was it because of his talent level is not up to the level where he was first evaluated? So, what is it? Jag or not? In the best case , could this guy come in and be the Pro Bowl player that he was expected to be? A replacement for Lee?

 

[sideon]

He has loads of talents but like everyone else said it's the mental part that he has to overcome. This is where you trust in guys like Marinelli because if he can't get him to become committed to football then there's no hope. Everyone that's played for Rod has nothing but the utmost respect for him and he's a true leader on the sidelines, he may not be a great head coach but as with Wade just because you fail as a coach doesn't mean you can't still make your mark at a different position.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

And why would the Ravens, a traditionally well-run organization, not be that place but we would?

The Ravens may have gotten sick of being led down the alter with the guy and him not following through.

 

[jobberone]

I have one comment/question for everybody. I understand the concern and questions about McClain considering his past mistakes. My question is , what is his ceiling? This guy was a very high draft pick for a LB. I remember him playing at Bama and I remember that he was very good. I read some old scouting reports and they even mentioned that he had good coverage skills. He is young and healthy. This guy was a first round talent. What is he now? Is he a first round talent that is a head case? Without the stupidity issues, is the talent still there or was he overrated when he was drafted? Is this guy a bust because of stupidity , or was it because of his talent level is not up to the level where he was first evaluated? So, what is it? Jag or not? In the best case , could this guy come in and be the Pro Bowl player that he was expected to be? A replacement for Lee?

People do walk away from football and some for good reasons; at least to them. If you're aren't in the game and love it then you should consider walking. There is not a lot of ordinary things worse than hating to go to work. We can't get into his head so we'll have to wait. You don't have to be in love with something to do a good job at it. It's just more tedious.

As far as his ceiling, he's an old fashion thumper but with decent explosion and lateral agility and pursuit. To me he is a prototypical MLB in the 3-4 and one as a 4-3 Sam. I think he can play the Mike even in this defense although you'd like someone a tad faster with better coverage skills. Someone mentioned his moderate blitz skills and that's fair. But in the 4-3 you don't have to get big blitz skills from your Sam although you'd like all your front seven to make plays. The Mike doesn't blitz a lot in this defense.

We'll see but that's my take on him. If he has great instincts then he'll play faster and cover better.

 

[CCBoy]

I think that it is his age group associations. He was a stud in college, and much of it due to the coaching he received at Alabama. But he also had some directional imput as to goals and directions of his own life.

The problem with a young life that doesn't have good moorings when they start their own journey, their emotions aren't being directed by core and solid mental values beyond a philosophical level.

Today, violence and lack of ethics are epidemic in a collegiate setting, where young adults are allowed complete freedoms of pursuit on almost anything that may come up or forced upon them as spontaneous.

Expectations of a violent sport, and being degraded personally in an environment thrust into in Oakland, and his personality just wasn't able to adjust and sort out his part in values. He has now had time to make some mental notes and sort more of those things.

In Baltimore, he may have been confronted an environment once again, before some settling in time, that challenged on a flight or flight instinctual level. But he did have a leadership role while at Alabama and going against the best talents in the country, at the collegiate levels.

Frustration and injury are a hard task master for any youth attempting to become a professional and exhibit a dominance.

Mentally, McCain may well be where Sean Lee was at year two or three, but without the support network found in Dallas. He may be helped more by the team environment presently in a Jason Garrett Dallas team now.

He just has too much talent and potential not to give it an educated try.

 

[jobberone]

I think that it is his age group associations. He was a stud in college, and much of it due to the coaching he received at Alabama. But he also had some directional imput as to goals and directions of his own life.

The problem with a young life that doesn't have good moorings when they start their own journey, their emotions aren't being directed by core and solid mental values beyond a philosophical level.

Today, violence and lack of ethics are epidemic in a collegiate setting, where young adults are allowed complete freedoms of pursuit on almost anything that may come up or forced upon them as spontaneous.

Expectations of a violent sport, and being degraded personally in an environment thrust into in Oakland, and his personality just wasn't able to adjust and sort out his part in values. He has now had time to make some mental notes and sort more of those things.

In Baltimore, he may have been confronted an environment once again, before some settling in time, that challenged on a flight or flight instinctual level. But he did have a leadership role while at Alabama and going against the best talents in the country, at the collegiate levels.

Frustration and injury are a hard task master for any youth attempting to become a professional and exhibit a dominance.

Mentally, McCain may well be where Sean Lee was at year two or three, but without the support network found in Dallas. He may be helped more by the team environment presently in a Jason Garrett Dallas team now.

He just has too much talent and potential not to give it an educated try.

Now this is a great post! Calvin Hill can help him but in the end we all must conquer our demons.

 

[DFWJC]

I'm pretty sure this guy was considered a bust on the field..

I honestly didn't see that. The usually looked pretty solid and sometimes better than that.
IF he had a passion to play keeps his nose clean, I think he makes this team and contributes.
Those are big ifs though.

 

[jnday]

It is good to get opinions on McClain if he can overcome his problems. I have serious doubts about Lee and the other LBs on the roster. It would be nice to get a first round talent with such a small investment. There is no doubt that his size fits the 3-4 much better, but maybe he can lose some weight.

 

[xwalker]

I suppose that means Carter plays Sam or is gone? They tried Lee at the Will and it was a short trial although they swapped places with Carter so not sure that means a great deal. I don't see them moving Lee out of the MLB position but I could be wrong.

I'm assuming that they don't re-sign Carter in that Scenario.

Anyway, I'm getting way ahead of things. We need to see if McClain is truly motivated to play and if he can get in shape quickly enough to win a spot.

 

[Texas_Pete]

Can't wait to hear about him and JC Copeland going at in TC when they put the pads on. Two noted thumpers. Get your popcorn ready.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

I'm assuming that they don't re-sign Carter in that Scenario.

Anyway, I'm getting way ahead of things. We need to see if McClain is truly motivated to play and if he can get in shape quickly enough to win a spot.

Exactly right.

There are two ?'s at Linebacker now, Carter being the smaller ? and McClain being the bigger one.

 

[xwalker]

Exactly right.

There are two ?'s at Linebacker now, Carter being the smaller ? and McClain being the bigger one.

The thing that surprised me is that they didn't have Holloman at either MLB or WLB in the OTAs. I really thought that he would be the best guy to push Carter before the Lee injury and the best option to replace Lee after the injury. They have Holloman at SLB, but that is less important position in Marinelli's defense than the other 2.

Having said that, I'll be really surprised if Carter is not much better this season. He seems to be a slow learner and being in the 2nd year of this scheme should really help him. In addition to that, he has to be tired of the criticism because the narrative this off-season has been focus on him as much or more than any other player on defense.

 

[lostar2009]

Think you hit the nail there. Damn good player playing for a not so good organization, in a not too good situation. This could be a great pick-up for us!

Yup, I think the front office didn't want to waste too much time with rookies. We needed someone back there who knew what they were doing. But think about it who would have known Rondo Mclain and Ryan Williams would become cowboys.

 

[Bluestang]

The thing that surprised me is that they didn't have Holloman at either MLB or WLB in the OTAs. I really thought that he would be the best guy to push Carter before the Lee injury and the best option to replace Lee after the injury. They have Holloman at SLB, but that is less important position in Marinelli's defense than the other 2.

Having said that, I'll be really surprised if Carter is not much better this season. He seems to be a slow learner and being in the 2nd year of this scheme should really help him. In addition to that, he has to be tired of the criticism because the narrative this off-season has been focus on him as much or more than any other player on defense.

I think the biggest thing with Carter is that he has flash plays that impress - ie the tackle from behind on Julio Jones where he caught up to him.

And then he seems to loaf around - ie the SD game when he covered Danny Woodhead.

With Carter it's a matter of him playing at his fastest speed the entire game instead of one or two plays within the game.

Whatever his issue is, learning the scheme, motivation, etc...he really needs to play with his hair on fire this year if he wants to stay in Dallas.

 

[jobberone]

I'm assuming that they don't re-sign Carter in that Scenario.

Anyway, I'm getting way ahead of things. We need to see if McClain is truly motivated to play and if he can get in shape quickly enough to win a spot.

It's the offseason. Nothing wrong with projecting into the future. Having options is a good thing.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

The thing that surprised me is that they didn't have Holloman at either MLB or WLB in the OTAs. I really thought that he would be the best guy to push Carter before the Lee injury and the best option to replace Lee after the injury. They have Holloman at SLB, but that is less important position in Marinelli's defense than the other 2.

Having said that, I'll be really surprised if Carter is not much better this season. He seems to be a slow learner and being in the 2nd year of this scheme should really help him. In addition to that, he has to be tired of the criticism because the narrative this off-season has been focus on him as much or more than any other player on defense.

I don't think Holloman played as well as what is perceived.

Now, once training camp fires up, maybe Holloman will make some noise at either MLB or WLB.

 

[xwalker]

I don't think Holloman played as well as what is perceived.

Now, once training camp fires up, maybe Holloman will make some noise at either MLB or WLB.

I reviewed all of his snaps in the final game of the season. He was better than I remembered. I thought he was good considering that the he had never played or practiced MLB until after Lee was injured.