If Rolando McClain Wins the Mike LB Job

[CCBoy]

Offense is great. They've built a great group -- although I'd argue that you should expect the offense to be pretty good when they've invested 4 out of the last 5 (Dez, Smith, Frederick, and Martin) 1st round picks on the offense.

In the NFC, those investments are supposed to both be dumb and wrong?

 

[perrykemp]

In the NFC, those investments are supposed to both be dumb and wrong?

I dunno about the NFC context you've referenced.

My point is the offense is really good because they've invested in 4 first round picks on offense since 2010 as well as paid out big contracts to Romo, Witten, T. Smith, and Doug Free (since reduced) and are getting ready to pay out another mega-contract to Dez.

In other-words the Cowboys have achieved what you'd expect they'd achieve on offense with massive investments in first round picks and enormous contracts for their starters.

The defense on the other hand -- the highest paid player on the defense this season will probably the nickel corner in Scandrick. When your nickel corner (or the guy who under ideal conditions is the nickel corner is your highest paid player on the field for the defense, it tells you something.

 

[CCBoy]

Yeah. That's kind of the trade off. If Durant happens to both be the best MLB and WLB, and McClain can't realistically play one of the other positions at that level. For my part, though, I still think you want your best player at the Mike and let the other guys compete for time elsewhere.

Just another 'story.' I was a first year letterman at A&I. First year lettermen there got some 'real' privileges.

They scheduled an Lettermen Event for the enjoyment of the student body. The students were put in the seats that surrounded the basketball floor. There were a series of contests arrange, with a boxing ring set up in the middle of the floor.

The first event had over thirty contestants placed into the boxing ring. The eyes were taped shot, and allowing no outside viewing. A boxing glove was place upon the hand of preference, and the other hand taped securely behind that player's back. When the bell rank, the standing boxer won the match. (chuckling to self) Your only 'friend' was the person backed up against your back.

The event I was bestowed, was with another linebacker. We were lead into that center ring. They took about a two foot piece of broom stick and wrapped it only with trainer's tape. They then taped each of our hands onto the end of that stick. It was like a new version of WWF in the ring. When the bell rang, whoever was able to wrestle that stick from his opponent, was able to beat his opponent with it until he made it out of the ring. Well, when the stick came out, my opponent made it out of the ring before I could really react...go figure. (still chuckling to self)

 

[xwalker]

Offense is great. They've built a great group -- although I'd argue that you should expect the offense to be pretty good when they've invested 4 out of the last 5 (Dez, Smith, Frederick, and Martin) 1st round picks on the offense.

If I had to choose which side to develop with draft resources I would pick offense. Offense is more about the unit playing well together; whereas, you should be able to assemble a defense with Free Agents if they have individual talent. You can see that concept where they rotate DLinemen but not OLinemen.

 

[CCBoy]

I dunno about the NFC context you've referenced.

My point is the offense is really good because they've invested in 4 first round picks on offense since 2010 as well as paid out big contracts to Romo, Witten, T. Smith, and Doug Free (since reduced) and are getting ready to pay out another mega-contract to Dez.

In other-words the Cowboys have achieved what you'd expect they'd achieve on offense with massive investments in first round picks and enormous contracts for their starters.

The defense on the other hand -- the highest paid player on the defense this season will probably the nickel corner in Scandrick. When your nickel corner (or the guy who under ideal conditions is the nickel corner is your highest paid player on the field for the defense, it tells you something.

Well, let's address that first.

The NFC has quite a few teams with solid to very good defenses at it's tops.

To achieve in the NFC, one has to have a very strong offensive line. Period. Without one, one just won't fare well in the NFC. Look at the Giants right now...Eli is going to have a pretty long season unless teams react to keep them in games.

Starting from the lockout year, Dallas had to dump an almost complete offensive line...and then start a rebuild.

There wasn't cap money then, to rebuild even from a secondary level upon that line via free agency.

That first year for Jason Garrett, there wasn't even enough draft potential to build upon. It just floundered with the likes of: Bill Nagy, David Arkin, Phil Costa, 'killer' Kowalski.

On the basis of meeting the requirement for a strong offensive line, if one was also to have a good offense...well, the price just had to be paid upfront. Setting that offensive group had highest priority.

That Demarcus Ware, Jay Ratliff, Anthony Spencer, and Sean Lee all got hurt in a clump, and Jason Hatcher sought his last big payday, just didn't make things earlier...not the planning behind it.

Well, the Piper has to be paid...and was. We now have the, or second youngest offensive line group...but three and possibly four of it's members now project strongly out for at least five seasons...probably, with Frederick, Martin, and Smith, a full ten.

But the offense now stands tall, and makes able to compete in that same, and now very strong NFC.

 

[Idgit]

Sorry about your injury history, I blew out an ankle a week before Fall Practices began in a pickup basketball game with my LInebackers coach's basketball college class. My ankle blew up immediately to cantelope size. I understand.

Talk about riding time, I had a hugely barrel chested 2nd Lt who was an All American for UNLV, guard. We did an evening of 'wrestling' while on assigned unit guard duty on the DMZ. I couldn't get my arm around for my hand to his stomach nor a hold on his wrist with the timber for a forearm. yea, I was stationed in Korea at the time. We found two tunnels from the North and two N Korean soldiers were fired upon and killed in their discovery.

When he ran the first wind sprints on the tarmack, it was like the parting of the Red Sea at the finish line, lines in PT.

As to respects for your heart's position, there will always be respect there, my friend.

From my experience, 'wrestling' is not a great word to put in quotes unless you're actually not talking about wrestling at all.

Just another 'story.' I was a first year letterman at A&I. First year lettermen there got some 'real' privileges.

They scheduled an Lettermen Event for the enjoyment of the student body. The students were put in the seats that surrounded the basketball floor. There were a series of contests arrange, with a boxing ring set up in the middle of the floor.

The first event had over thirty contestants placed into the boxing ring. The eyes were taped shot, and allowing no outside viewing. A boxing glove was place upon the hand of preference, and the other hand taped securely behind that player's back. When the bell rank, the standing boxer won the match. (chuckling to self) Your only 'friend' was the person backed up against your back.

The event I was bestowed, was with another linebacker. We were lead into that center ring. They took about a two foot piece of broom stick and wrapped it only with trainer's tape. They then taped each of our hands onto the end of that stick. It was like a new version of WWF in the ring. When the bell rang, whoever was able to wrestle that stick from his opponent, was able to beat his opponent with it until he made it out of the ring. Well, when the stick came out, my opponent made it out of the ring before I could really react...go figure. (still chuckling to self)

I bet he did. Can you imagine this stuff in the days of video?!?

 

[Doc50]

Good. I would expect him to do it in the preseason. He showed the ability to do it in Oakland, but he would wear down in games. He's a big guy to be running all over the field on 100% of the defensive snaps. He does look like he lost weight from when he last played in Oakland which should help.

I was expecting Holloman to be 1 of the 2 LBs in the Nickel during the season, but it's sounds like he has a significant injury. I'm more concerned about who plays those 2 spots than who plays the 3 LB spots in the base.

We may have seen the last of Holloman -- he may have cervical stenosis, and be in a similar position with that anomaly as Irvin was.
Even if just uncertain about his future, I expect we'll sign a last-round LB cut, as well as DL.

 

[lwehlers]

i agree that Durant and mcClain are the best lbs on this team and we need them to play but it is really disappointing that another second round linebacker pick in carter has failed to make an impact on this team in the last five years. now next year we are going to have to draft two linebackers to make up for carter and maybe lee. if mcClain plays well this year he will be a free agent and i really do not know if i would invest money in a player that has quit twice in four years.

 

[CCBoy]

From my experience, 'wrestling' is not a great word to put in quotes unless you're actually not talking about wrestling at all.

I took wrestling as a course at the Academy, it was required as was boxing, gymnastics, and swimming. I got volunteered to box for my squadron as my intramural sport, besides playing football. They boxed me at the unlimited category...as a privilege of being a first year Cadet.

I used the parenthesis to exaggerate and poke a little fun at the expense of myself. In wrestling, myself, I wasn't scored upon in the course. It took a reversal to keep a clean slate, but as a course I was alright. Against a person out of my weight class completely, I would hardly describe my struggles as wrestling...there was a reason for the manner intended.

 

[CCBoy]

From my experience, 'wrestling' is not a great word to put in quotes unless you're actually not talking about wrestling at all.


I bet he did. Can you imagine this stuff in the days of video?!?

(chuckling to self) There would be some hits on that one...

 

[Cowboy Brian]

Very talented player, when Lee is healthy this could give us one of the best LB cores in the league.

 

[Bleu Star]

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

Nailed it. That's what I dream of.

 

[ScipioCowboy]

Clearly, the time has come for the Cowboys to trade FOR Dexter Coakley.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Clearly, the time has come for the Cowboys to trade FOR Dexter Coakley.

Is this one of those reverse psychology thingys?

 

[SilverStarCowboy]

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.

Anthony Hitchens?....Anthony Hitchens.

 

[coach steele]

i agree that Durant and mcClain are the best lbs on this team and we need them to play but it is really disappointing that another second round linebacker pick in carter has failed to make an impact on this team in the last five years. now next year we are going to have to draft two linebackers to make up for carter and maybe lee. if mcClain plays well this year he will be a free agent and i really do not know if i would invest money in a player that has quit twice in four years.

It is disappointing about Carter. As for McCain, if he plays well this year we will likely sign him to a 3 year contract next year. He will likely sign with us due to us giving him a chance.

 

[aikemirv]

I did not like what I saw from Mclain the other night. He was yelling at people shaking his head and rolling his eyes at his teamates.

It did not look promising to me from a team standpoint but maybe I am misreading his attitude.

 

[burmafrd]

Very talented player, when Lee is healthy this could give us one of the best LB cores in the league.

problem is that the evidence at this point is over whelming that he spends most of his time on the IR list. Does not matter how talented you are if you are not playing.

Like Josh Gordon; you cannot be great if you are not playing - no matter the reason.

 

[Doomsday101]

I think the job is McClain for the taking as far as Carter this would be a big test for him character wise and talent wise. Right now the Cowboys are trying to field the 3 best LB to start so I see that as a challenge thrown at the feet of Carter to go out and prove he is one of the 3 best LB on this team.

 

[gimmesix]

I don't know who will end up as the 2 Nickel LBs.

I assume it will be Durant and Holloman (if healthy). That's assuming we don't use more of a package that puts Church at one of the linebacker spots to bring in another DB.