J. Barham | R. McClain

[John813]

Definitely optimistic about his game and going back to ILB.

Obviously, even if we drafted JRod/Allen we still had to wait and see if they were legit or a miss, but Barham seems to have some abilities we've lacked at ILB. Not going to put too many expectations on him year 1, and health pending on Overshown/Winters I don't expect JB to get 50%+ snaps this year.

 

[Texas_Pete3]

I was listening to J. Hoyt talk about his interaction with J. Barham when they discussed the Oklahoma drill, which I’m sure you have all heard by now. What Hoyt said that stood out to him during this rookie mini camp was that Barham was every bit the 6’4” 240 pounds he was listed at.

That immediately got my mind churning and thinking of the last monster we had in the middle of our defense R. McClain. So I went to go check their measurables and they are eerily similar

Barham
6’3.5 inches
240 pounds
4.64 40
33 inch arms
10 1/14 hands

McClain
6’4
250 pounds
4.68 40
33 inch arms
9 3/8 hands

I’m not siting here comparing Barham to McClain in ability. Physically speaking, even style of play, with the violence , tenacity, and ability to set the tone for an entire defense. If J. Barham can bring even 60% of what R. McClain was able to bring to this defense , he will instantly become a fan favorite. To close out, Barham also decided to go with #55, the same number McClain wore.

I know we have had some decent linebackers since McClain has been here, but in my opinion, peak R. McClain was clear of all of them and it hasn’t been particularly close. Hopefully we have the R. McClain 2.0 without all of the off field issues.

Fantastic post. Caleb Downs is the headliner and for good reason. Malachi Lawrence is going to surprise people. But Barham is who I am rooting for the most. He does have a similar profile as Def Ro McClain and looking at his college tape, Barham is a thumper. Him in that #55 jersey is gonna be awesome to see.

Christian Parker says he wants players to be multiple. Well, Barham can put his hand in the dirt too.

This draft class might be my favorite one since Dak and Zeke. I'm irrationally excited about this team's potential.

 

[Proof]

McClain was a baller. Too bad his head got in the way.

him and david irving are such huge what if's / let downs. those two together ...

 

[Proof]

He grades out the same as Marist.

cool man. and?

 

[shabazz]

I wonder if Barham likes purple dank too?

Oh no you didn't......

 

[shabazz]

I loved McClain, too bad he was a dumb a**.

Its because of bungholes like him that us decent folk cant get cough syrup with Codeine anymore even if we're hacking our lungs up

 

[gimmesix]

It’s good news for us because with the addition of Lawrence and Gary we made improvements to the edge but LB is still a weakness!

Yeah, when we ended up with Downs and Lawrence in the first round, it appears that we immediately started working on trading for a veteran, which was good to see. This front office usually has a tendency to let some position lag, trusting a mid-round to late-round pick to step in as a rookie. As much as I like the Barham pick, I'm glad the team didn't just toss him into the fire. Dee Winters is at least a starting-caliber linebacker, so if Barham takes snaps away, he'll have to earn them.

 

[Kwyn]

Yeah, when we ended up with Downs and Lawrence in the first round, it appears that we immediately started working on trading for a veteran, which was good to see. This front office usually has a tendency to let some position lag, trusting a mid-round to late-round pick to step in as a rookie. As much as I like the Barham pick, I'm glad the team didn't just toss him into the fire. Dee Winters is at least a starting-caliber linebacker, so if Barham takes snaps away, he'll have to earn them.

Pretty sure we had a deal already lined up with the Niners that once the run on linebackers stated in the second that we would be calling.

 

[LouBrown]

Interesting comp - they have similar demeanors I guess but I don't think they play much alike. McClain, for all his nastiness, was a very instinctive player and good in coverage. That's not really what Barham is at all - he's about as pure of a run-and-hit LB as there is.

McClain was also 14 lbs heavier at the combine, that's pretty significant for a Mike. Barham isn't going to have some of the same physical advantages McClain had, because of that.

 

[CowboyStar88]

I’ve said it before, but this is the guy I’m most excited about as a rookie. I’m also excited to see DeMo this year really break out.

 

[deerhunter11]

him and david irving are such huge what if's / let downs. those two together ...

Barham loves football, Dallas will not have a problem with him not giving 100 percent like the Irvings and McClains of the world. Barham will make number 55 shine, and make the older fans remember another great linebacker that wore 55 the great Lee Roy Jordan 1963-1976. Barham has become my pet cat from this impressive draft class.

 

[deerhunter11]

Yeah, when we ended up with Downs and Lawrence in the first round, it appears that we immediately started working on trading for a veteran, which was good to see. This front office usually has a tendency to let some position lag, trusting a mid-round to late-round pick to step in as a rookie. As much as I like the Barham pick, I'm glad the team didn't just toss him into the fire. Dee Winters is at least a starting-caliber linebacker, so if Barham takes snaps away, he'll have to earn them.

Somebody in that draft room for Dallas had their thinking cap on, with this Winters trade for 5th round 152. Is this Christian Parkers doing, Dallas still needs another inside linebacker.

 

[gimmesix]

Somebody in that draft room for Dallas had their thinking cap on, with this Winters trade for 5th round 152. Is this Christian Parkers doing, Dallas still needs another inside linebacker.

I don't see us doing anything else. Winters and Overshown will start out as the ILBs, with Barham pushing them for playing time. We did pick up another veteran with some starting experience, Curtis Robinson, and players like James, Barron and Patterson will have to push him for a roster spot. I also see Liufau eventually going back to ILB. I think he's a bad fit for OLB but may just be a bad fit anywhere because of a lack of instincts.

 

[JeffInDC]

Interesting comp - they have similar demeanors I guess but I don't think they play much alike. McClain, for all his nastiness, was a very instinctive player and good in coverage. That's not really what Barham is at all - he's about as pure of a run-and-hit LB as there is.

McClain was also 14 lbs heavier at the combine, that's pretty significant for a Mike. Barham isn't going to have some of the same physical advantages McClain had, because of that.

Barham was up to 251 at his Pro Day - I'm betting he can play above 245.

 

[speedkilz88]

Jaishawn was 251 at his proday. I do question his split times although the nfl has the same numbers. But .05 between 10 & 20 seems out of place. Most LBs are taking twice that long like Ro did.

 

[DarkVader33]

Jaishawn was 251 at his proday. I do question his split times although the nfl has the same numbers. But .05 between 10 & 20 seems out of place. Most LBs are taking twice that long like Ro did.

Maybe you read it wrong but there is a full second difference between the two. Unless my eyes are deceiving me.

 

[speedkilz88]

Maybe you read it wrong but there is a full second difference between the two. Unless my eyes are deceiving me.

Yeah, you are right. The time is faster than most though which threw me off. 1.05 vs 1.10.

 

[Coogiguy03]

He does.

Reports were when on campus all he did was watch film, workout and practice. When his teammates were away he was breaking down film 24/7. He is a film junkie and loves violence

Just made tears come to my eye

 

[xwalker]

I was listening to J. Hoyt talk about his interaction with J. Barham when they discussed the Oklahoma drill, which I’m sure you have all heard by now. What Hoyt said that stood out to him during this rookie mini camp was that Barham was every bit the 6’4” 240 pounds he was listed at.

That immediately got my mind churning and thinking of the last monster we had in the middle of our defense R. McClain. So I went to go check their measurables and they are eerily similar

Barham
6’3.5 inches
240 pounds
4.64 40
33 inch arms
10 1/14 hands

McClain
6’4
250 pounds
4.68 40
33 inch arms
9 3/8 hands

I’m not siting here comparing Barham to McClain in ability. Physically speaking, even style of play, with the violence , tenacity, and ability to set the tone for an entire defense. If J. Barham can bring even 60% of what R. McClain was able to bring to this defense , he will instantly become a fan favorite. To close out, Barham also decided to go with #55, the same number McClain wore.

I know we have had some decent linebackers since McClain has been here, but in my opinion, peak R. McClain was clear of all of them and it hasn’t been particularly close. Hopefully we have the R. McClain 2.0 without all of the off field issues.

This comparison crossed my mind.

Most fans don't know that R.McClain had an extremely high football IQ.

If not for the off-field issues (purple drank, depression, etc..) he was a healthy Sean Lee at 6-5, 250.

RoMc could "stand up" OLinemen that tried to block him down field but could also cover WRs.

We'll have to see about Barham's instincts but he is an extremely explosive athlete that plays with his hair on fire.