Positives and negatives about McClain

[Bullflop]

With Marinelli, a strong support system and Calvin Hill to aid his cause, McClain stands a fair chance to find himself and renew a career that has never been problematical in terms of talent. He's young enough to have made mistakes and is apparently getting older and more matured enough to realize them and to do what's required of him to turn his life around. Much stranger things have happened.

Sure, the Cowboys have taken a chance with this guy but the low degree of risk is well worth taking when considering the high rewards to come if they're correct. The questionable state of our defense coupled with the need for talent at LB makes this move desirable, imo. In the event this decision proves unwise, McClain could be dismissed without undue repercussions. If it proves worthwhile, the benefits to be realized could provide a pivotal step in reestablishing an advantage in the Eastern Division. Despite the risk, I like this move a lot.

 

[Wheeltax]

If you haven't read the ESPN piece on him from last Fall, I highly recommend it. I don't think his situation is as simple as "can't decide whether he wants to play," and that bodes well for Dallas.

 

[coult44]

+ve:
Costs next to nothing if he works out, nothing if he doesn't.

-ve:
Adds more ammo for whiny CZ posters.

Agree,,,Good move with hardly any cost!!

It's fun to whine about whiney folks isn't it? Lol..::

 

[kevm3]

Can't complain about this signing. Swapped a late round pick to get him. Not bad at all.

 

[Fredd]

this is a decent enough move....perhaps the guy doesn't want his NFL legacy to be mentioned with Leaf-esque negativity? This could be his chance to balance his NFL scale more to the positive...I like that the team continues to look for improvement in cost-effective ways

 

[rags747]

Did we just give up a 6th for him or a 7th as well? News story's are all over the place on this. Some make it seem like a 6th but we get the Ravens 7th in return...Which is it?

 

[Cowboys22]

Did we just give up a 6th for him or a 7th as well? News story's are all over the place on this. Some make it seem like a 6th but we get the Ravens 7th in return...Which is it?

The 6th is conditional based on his playing time and yes we get their 7th also. If he never plays or plays very little, we gave up nothing.

 

[noshame]

Rod Marinelli vs. McClain It's really not a question of whether he makes the team, it's a question of will he last till training camp.

 

[Doc50]

The guy needs a second chance, a rebirth, a renaissance -- heck, the whole defense needs that.

Could be a good fit.

 

[jazzcat22]

LOL! At everybody talking about where he was drafted. Ryan Leaf was the second pick in the draft. He couldnt play either.

LOL at your post...Tom Brady was a 6th round pick....

 

[Aven8]

This is a McClay move IMO. If he gives us any decent snaps it's a win IMO. It's a heck of a lot better then bringing back Ernie Sims.

 

[LandryFan]

I'd file any sort of financial security in the negative column.

For him personally, it's great. For any team relying on him probably not so much.

I would counter what you're saying with the argument that if he's not playing for the money, he must be playing for the simple love of playing. That to me would be the best sign of all.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

The main negative I see is that I question his love for the game. He seems to be a person that loved the success that the game brought him instead of just loving to play the game. For me, the main characteristic I would want in a player is the true love for the game. If they have that, it usually solves so many problems.



YR

 

[WV Cowboy]

My thoughts on McClain...

First the positives...

6) Has admitted he has found faith in God, which can be a stabilizing force in a young person's life...

If #6 is true, and really legit, .. he could be an entirely different person. A changed man.

This could turn out to be a nice pickup, .. IF #6 is genuinely true.

 

[Sportsbabe]

McClain seems to have a very similar past to Dez Bryant ... unstable family environment, absent father... volatile relationship with mother... unable to control his emotions... lack of maturity, self control...

Looks like their success with Dez weighed heavily on taking the chance with Rolando...

Reason he should be personally graded/judged on a curve. "Don't judge a man to you've traveled a mile in his mocassins (sp)." Hope he does well for the team (and in life).

 

[jazzcat22]

Reason he should be personally graded/judged on a curve. "Don't judge a man to you've traveled a mile in his mocassins (sp)." Hope he does well for the team (and in life).

Very true but unfortunately too many people don't go by this, they just judge without merit but yet don't want to be judged themselves.
Too many people complain about every player signed or drafted, without seeing what they can do in TC or regular season.

 

[65fastback2plus2]

3) Read that he did not squander all of his money, put his money in the hands of a professional investor early in his career... doesn't appear to have money problems...

4) Has kids so he is returning to play football to be a positive role model for his kids...

5) Has cut ties with many childhood friends who tried to exploit him for money...

6) Has admitted he has found faith in God, which can be a stabilizing force in a young person's life...

some pretty good positives here that tip the scale to "good trade"

 

[speedkilz88]

The main negative I see is that I question his love for the game. He seems to be a person that loved the success that the game brought him instead of just loving to play the game. For me, the main characteristic I would want in a player is the true love for the game. If they have that, it usually solves so many problems.



YR

He seemed to love it just fine when he was in the college bubble at Alabama. It all changed when he went to Oakland and everyone (family&friends) had their hand out.

 

[TellerMorrow34]

Well I guess we can hope he does something. I'm not going to hold my breath. If he turns into a servicable guy for us then the cost was low enough that it's a win.

 

[guag]

It all changed when he went to Oakland

Big surprise there.