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McClain leads linebacker draft class
By MIKE McLAIN Tribune Chronicle
POSTED: April 18, 2010 Save | Print | Email Email: "McClain leads linebacker draft class"
http://www.tribtoday.com/page/content.detail/id/536151.html?nav=5024
Fact Box
•Inside linebackersSchoolHt.Wt.THE SKINNY
Rolando McClainAlabama6-3254Tackling machine, but not real fast.
Brandon SpikesFlorida6-2249Gets by on great instincts.
Sean LeePenn State6-2236Smart player with questionable size.
•OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS SchoolHt.Wt.THE SKINNY
Sergio KindleTexas6-3250Is explosive off the edge.
Sean WeatherspoonMissouri6-1239A high risk-reward pick.
Ricky SappClemson6-4252Could be a pass-rushing end.
- Mike McLain
There were several reasons why the national champion Alabama Crimson Tide had one of the top defenses in college football last season, and inside linebacker Rolando McClain was one of them.
McClain (6-foot-3, 254) was a tackling machine on his way to winning the Butkus Award, which is symbolic of the nation's top linebacker. McClain registered 105 tackles, 14.5 tackles for lost yardage and four sacks.
McClain has a pro-sized physique and natural instincts that stand out. He's not hesitant about taking on lead blockers and generally doesn't miss a tackle attempt.
It's possible that McClain will be selected in the top 10, but most projections have him going between 10 and 20. The Cleveland Browns need a dominant interior run-stopper, but it might be considered a stretch to pick McClain with the seventh overall pick.
McClain models his style after Baltimore Ravens perennial Pro Bowl linebacker Ray Lewis, but that might be a stretch. McClain isn't as intimidating as Lewis. Then again, who is?
"I love Ray Lewis. I like the way he plays the game," McClain said. "He's one of the best to ever play linebacker. Not just his play, but the way he's able to get the guys up. He's inspirational, and he's a real leader.
That's why I pride myself after him."
McClain had to benefit from having Nick Saban as his coach at Alabama. Saban spent several seasons in the NFL as a defensive coordinator for Bill Belichick and then as head coach for the Miami Dolphins.
"He knows what it takes to be great," McClain said. "I think me playing under coach Saban kind of gave me an advantage, especially playing in his 3-4. His 3-4 is so complicated. He's one of the best defensive minds. I learned so much from him."
The best of the outside linebackers is Sergio Kindle of Texas. Depending on the needs of teams picking in the top 15, Kindle could go off the board before McClain.
Kindle (6-3, 250) is the classic hybrid linebacker. He started nine games at strong-side linebacker and two at defensive end in 2008, but he started all 14 games at end last year. He became the first player ever to be a finalist for the Hendricks Award (top defensive end) and Butkus Award.
Kindle totaled 58 tackles, 15 tackles for lost yardage and six sacks last season. He shows a quick burst off the edge and the ability to range far to make plays. Off-the-field issues could be a concern.
It appears Kindle is destined to play linebacker at the next level.
"That's where I started," he said. "I played it in 2008. It's just the best for me that I learned how to play defensive end. I played defensive end this year, and it makes me a little bit more versatile for whatever team takes me."
Brandon Spikes of Florida could be the second inside linebacker selected. Spikes (6-2, 249) doesn't have great speed (he didn't run at the NFL combine) or strength, but he gets by on instincts and a high motor. He posted 68 tackles, 6.5 tackles for lost yardage and three sacks last season.
Spikes could play inside or outside. He has no preference.
"Basically I told them I could play anything," he said. "I'm pretty versatile. They asked me what I prefer. I told them wherever and that I would get the job done and do it at a high level."
Sean Weatherspoon of Missouri has a good chance of being picked in the first round. Weatherspoon (6-1, 239) lacks prototypical size for an outside linebacker, but he makes plays with speed and a hard-hitting style. He had 111 tackles, 14.5 stops for lost yardage and 4.5 sacks last season.
Weatherspoon likes to talk. Some scouts think he talks a little too much.
"Some teams asked me if I put on a front at the Senior Bowl," he said. "They were like, 'Is that you all the time?' I was like, 'Yeah, that's me.' That's the way I grew up. I've always been that loud guy. When I was a kid, I would always get those marks on my progress reports that said, 'Talks excessively.' "
[email protected]
By MIKE McLAIN Tribune Chronicle
POSTED: April 18, 2010 Save | Print | Email Email: "McClain leads linebacker draft class"
http://www.tribtoday.com/page/content.detail/id/536151.html?nav=5024
Fact Box
•Inside linebackersSchoolHt.Wt.THE SKINNY
Rolando McClainAlabama6-3254Tackling machine, but not real fast.
Brandon SpikesFlorida6-2249Gets by on great instincts.
Sean LeePenn State6-2236Smart player with questionable size.
•OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS SchoolHt.Wt.THE SKINNY
Sergio KindleTexas6-3250Is explosive off the edge.
Sean WeatherspoonMissouri6-1239A high risk-reward pick.
Ricky SappClemson6-4252Could be a pass-rushing end.
- Mike McLain
There were several reasons why the national champion Alabama Crimson Tide had one of the top defenses in college football last season, and inside linebacker Rolando McClain was one of them.
McClain (6-foot-3, 254) was a tackling machine on his way to winning the Butkus Award, which is symbolic of the nation's top linebacker. McClain registered 105 tackles, 14.5 tackles for lost yardage and four sacks.
McClain has a pro-sized physique and natural instincts that stand out. He's not hesitant about taking on lead blockers and generally doesn't miss a tackle attempt.
It's possible that McClain will be selected in the top 10, but most projections have him going between 10 and 20. The Cleveland Browns need a dominant interior run-stopper, but it might be considered a stretch to pick McClain with the seventh overall pick.
McClain models his style after Baltimore Ravens perennial Pro Bowl linebacker Ray Lewis, but that might be a stretch. McClain isn't as intimidating as Lewis. Then again, who is?
"I love Ray Lewis. I like the way he plays the game," McClain said. "He's one of the best to ever play linebacker. Not just his play, but the way he's able to get the guys up. He's inspirational, and he's a real leader.
That's why I pride myself after him."
McClain had to benefit from having Nick Saban as his coach at Alabama. Saban spent several seasons in the NFL as a defensive coordinator for Bill Belichick and then as head coach for the Miami Dolphins.
"He knows what it takes to be great," McClain said. "I think me playing under coach Saban kind of gave me an advantage, especially playing in his 3-4. His 3-4 is so complicated. He's one of the best defensive minds. I learned so much from him."
The best of the outside linebackers is Sergio Kindle of Texas. Depending on the needs of teams picking in the top 15, Kindle could go off the board before McClain.
Kindle (6-3, 250) is the classic hybrid linebacker. He started nine games at strong-side linebacker and two at defensive end in 2008, but he started all 14 games at end last year. He became the first player ever to be a finalist for the Hendricks Award (top defensive end) and Butkus Award.
Kindle totaled 58 tackles, 15 tackles for lost yardage and six sacks last season. He shows a quick burst off the edge and the ability to range far to make plays. Off-the-field issues could be a concern.
It appears Kindle is destined to play linebacker at the next level.
"That's where I started," he said. "I played it in 2008. It's just the best for me that I learned how to play defensive end. I played defensive end this year, and it makes me a little bit more versatile for whatever team takes me."
Brandon Spikes of Florida could be the second inside linebacker selected. Spikes (6-2, 249) doesn't have great speed (he didn't run at the NFL combine) or strength, but he gets by on instincts and a high motor. He posted 68 tackles, 6.5 tackles for lost yardage and three sacks last season.
Spikes could play inside or outside. He has no preference.
"Basically I told them I could play anything," he said. "I'm pretty versatile. They asked me what I prefer. I told them wherever and that I would get the job done and do it at a high level."
Sean Weatherspoon of Missouri has a good chance of being picked in the first round. Weatherspoon (6-1, 239) lacks prototypical size for an outside linebacker, but he makes plays with speed and a hard-hitting style. He had 111 tackles, 14.5 stops for lost yardage and 4.5 sacks last season.
Weatherspoon likes to talk. Some scouts think he talks a little too much.
"Some teams asked me if I put on a front at the Senior Bowl," he said. "They were like, 'Is that you all the time?' I was like, 'Yeah, that's me.' That's the way I grew up. I've always been that loud guy. When I was a kid, I would always get those marks on my progress reports that said, 'Talks excessively.' "
[email protected]
