If Rolando McClain Wins the Mike LB Job

[Bluestang]

As McClain works his way into "football shape" he's flashing those abilities that made him a top LB in college and a top pick in the NFL.

The good:

- McClain will become the heart of the defense and he will give the LB corps a solid player that can handle the duties as the signal caller on defense. He hits like a Mack Truck and can cover the middle of the field. Last night he showed up in the stats column in a full qtr's worth of work.


The bad:

- McClain becomes the Mike, and that means you have a decision to make with Durant. By all accounts Durant has had a great camp, he is the best LB on field right now. I think he would play the Will, which means that puts Carter on the outside looking in. No, you don't move him to the Sam, because he hasn't played that position all camp and Wilbur is more than capable to play that position because of his pass rush abilities.


I'm all for this team getting better no matter what. The coaches have said the best 3 will be on the field.

May the odds be in their favor...

 

[texbumthelife]

They're said several times, including last night, that Durant would go to the SAM.

The best three right now is WLB Carter--MLB McCLain--SLB Durant

In the nickel I think it will wind up being McClain and Durant with Wilbur seeing rotation at WDE

 

[Aven8]

I've already penciled Ro in at MLB. I've listened to 3 interviews from Jerry in the past weeks and he wants him in there, so that's that.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

I gotta say I'm not a fan of Wilber. I'd move Durant to the weak side and let Carter/Wilber battle it out and I would bet that Carter beats him out for the starting job.

 

[Risen Star]

Nobody ever questioned McClain's talent. Its his desire and love for the game that are the issues.

I don't know about you but I'll take a player who lacks a little skill but lives and breathes football over the reverse.

 

[Risen Star]

I've already penciled Ro in at MLB. I've listened to 3 interviews from Jerry in the past weeks and he wants him in there, so that's that.

And there's nothing to be concerned with about that.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

I've already penciled Ro in at MLB. I've listened to 3 interviews from Jerry in the past weeks and he wants him in there, so that's that.

Bingo. We've pretty much already decided that he's going to be in there. It's just a matter of getting him in shape.

But Gawd I hate counting on this guy. We're pretty much putting him in a leadership position where he has all the leverage. Not good IMO.

 

[Bluestang]

Nobody ever questioned McClain's talent. Its his desire and love for the game that are the issues.

Bingo. We've pretty much already decided that he's going to be in there. It's just a matter of getting him in shape.

But Gawd I hate counting on this guy. We're pretty much putting him in a leadership position where he has all the leverage. Not good IMO.

I don't know about you but I'll take a player who lacks a little skill but lives and breathes football over the reverse.

It's the position that this front office has us in. McClain has us by the stones - figuratively speaking.

Hitchens is no where near ready to play in the NFL.

 

[Risen Star]

It's the position that this front office has us in. McClain has us by the stones - figuratively speaking.

Hitchens is no where near ready to play in the NFL.

Just as an aside, which comment did you like more? Mine or Chocolate Lab's?

 

[xwalker]

As McClain works his way into "football shape" he's flashing those abilities that made him a top LB in college and a top pick in the NFL.

The good:

- McClain will become the heart of the defense and he will give the LB corps a solid player that can handle the duties as the signal caller on defense. He hits like a Mack Truck and can cover the middle of the field. Last night he showed up in the stats column in a full qtr's worth of work.


The bad:

- McClain becomes the Mike, and that means you have a decision to make with Durant. By all accounts Durant has had a great camp, he is the best LB on field right now. I think he would play the Will, which means that puts Carter on the outside looking in. No, you don't move him to the Sam, because he hasn't played that position all camp and Wilbur is more than capable to play that position because of his pass rush abilities.


I'm all for this team getting better no matter what. The coaches have said the best 3 will be on the field.

May the odds be in their favor...

They could just have Durant as 1 of the 2 LBs in the Nickel. The Cowboys defense played Nickel 61% of the snaps last season. McClain wore down in games when he played 100% of the snaps in Oakland. They eventually pulled him out of the Nickel defense which kept him from wearing down. I don't expect him to play in the Nickel in Dallas.

 

[Idgit]

Anybody else uncomfortable with taking Durant-who by all accounts is outplaying the competition at MLB and moving him? Id keep him where he's playing best and make the guys who can't beat him out move, or sit.

 

[Bluestang]

Just as an aside, which comment did you like more? Mine or Chocolate Lab's?

LOL you are an egomaniac.

Both of you made great points, I give the edge to CL though because the owner has the guy penned into the lineup.

 

[waving monkey]

I've already penciled Ro in at MLB. I've listened to 3 interviews from Jerry in the past weeks and he wants him in there, so that's that.

everybody can see the man has it and can even replace Lee when Lee is well.
you roll with the best you got if he folds he put Durant back in his place
thats why they cross train for this very reason.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

In my view the linebacking corps is the least talented group on the team.

And regardless of McClain's motivations or background, what I've seen of him out there... Well the guy simply looks like he knows what he's doing. I can't say that of some of the other backers.

There's 3 weeks before the start of the season, I would have to think that he can be in good enough "football shape" by then to contribute 30 snaps a game. Keep in mind that this defense is going to play "nickel" and awful lot and he (McClain) won't need to be out there for that.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

They could just have Durant as 1 of the 2 LBs in the Nickel. The Cowboys defense played Nickel 61% of the snaps last season. McClain wore down in games when he played 100% of the snaps in Oakland. They eventually pulled him out of the Nickel defense which kept him from wearing down. I don't expect him to play in the Nickel in Dallas.

I just posted something similar.

 

[waving monkey]

Anybody else uncomfortable with taking Durant-who by all accounts is outplaying the competition at MLB and moving him? If keep him where he's playing best and make the guys who can't beat him out move, or sit.

no I am good with McClain at the mike. I fsomething goes wrong Durant's your man.

 

[Bluestang]

They could just have Durant as 1 of the 2 LBs in the Nickel. The Cowboys defense played Nickel 61% of the snaps last season. McClain wore down in games when he played 100% of the snaps in Oakland. They eventually pulled him out of the Nickel defense which kept him from wearing down. I don't expect him to play in the Nickel in Dallas.

McClain played in nickel sets last night.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Anybody else uncomfortable with taking Durant-who by all accounts is outplaying the competition at MLB and moving him? If keep him where he's playing best and make the guys who can't beat him out move, or sit.

Up to this point yeah, Durant has had a fine camp. But in my view you put the 3 best LBers out there in positions that most fit those skills.

And if McClain is one of the 3 best, then he goes out there. It's not like Durant hasn't been a better than OK OLB in the NFL. I'm sure he could slide there for the Cowboys and have a decent season.

 

[Bullflop]

I doubt it's a question of IF McClain wins the Mike job but rather WHEN he does. By his own admission, he's not in the sort of condition that he needs to be in before he's fully prepared to start at MLB. It may not happen by the time we're playing San Fran in game one but if not, I'd bet it'll come sometime soon thereafter. You just don't bypass that level of talent any longer than necessary.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

I doubt it's a question of IF McClain wins the Mike job but rather WHEN he does. By his own admission, he's not in the sort of condition that he needs to be in before he's fully prepared to start at MLB. It may not happen by the time we're playing San Fran in game one but if not, I'd bet it'll come sometime soon thereafter. You just don't bypass that level of talent any longer than necessary.

He's got 3 weeks between now and the SF game... I would think he could make some very big strides as far as conditioning by then.