Positives and negatives about McClain

[jobberone]

So maybe he is a Sam and not a Mike.

 

[jrumann59]

So maybe he is a Sam and not a Mike.

I think he is a piece to a puzzle, the question is, is he a piece that will fit in Dallas. It almost seems like they are just throwing all the LBers into a blender and seeing which iterations work best together.

 

[speedkilz88]

So maybe he is a Sam and not a Mike.

I think their sole reason for signing him is for the Mike.

 

[Sportsbabe]

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.

Also, for the grammar police ... sorry about the typo

 

[xwalker]

To those complaining about losing a 6th in favor of a 7th -- keep in mind that the Ravens are probably likely to have a high 7th, whereas we're probably looking around something like a mid 6th (maybe a little better, maybe a little worse depending on what you believe)... so this is probably only about a move 15 spots back at the end of the draft. Practically nothing if you ask me.

Aren't the Ravens likely to win more games than the Cowboys? In your scenario, the Ravens would have to win less games than the Cowboys.

Ravens record:
2011: 12-4
2012: 10-6
2013: 8-8

 

[xwalker]

I think their sole reason for signing him is for the Mike.

I could see him at MLB and then replaced in the Nickel when they go to 2 LBs.

The Cowboys played Nickel 61% of the snaps last season.

Any lack of range would be a minimal problem if he only plays MLB in the base 4-3 alignment, IMO.

 

[guag]

Aren't the Ravens likely to win more games than the Cowboys? In your scenario, the Ravens would have to win less games than the Cowboys.

Ravens record:
2011: 12-4
2012: 10-6
2013: 8-8

Shoot, I had my logic in reverse. Thanks for pointing that out. So if the Ravens do well and we do poorly, it would be almost a 2-round difference.

If we go by the 2013 records of both teams, a 1 round difference. Not as good as I originally thought, but still not terrible.

 

[jobberone]

I think their sole reason for signing him is for the Mike.

That was my first thought but he seems to be more of a Sam to me after looking at his measurables and watching him play. Not saying that is where he will play. Perhaps he is a two down Mike. Or perhaps they want someone more mobile and with more lateral quickness to play the Mike in this defense. TBH, if he is a 3-4 Mike then he is a Sam in this defense.

But we'll see. I don't like to pigeon hole players because just because they look like one type of player doesn't make them fit there best.

If I had to guess they want Durant at the Mike and will plug someone else there in the Nickel if he doesn't cut it. Carter can play the Nickel. Church can play the Mike in the dime although don't expect him there.

Right now I have Durant at Mike, Wilber at Sam and Carter at Will. I think McLain will be tried at Mike esp a two down M. I think he will get reps at Sam. He may be better than Wilber although I like Wilber a lot. McLain has to prove he can still play first but I'm guessing he'll complete. Just don't know where. Not sure where Holloman fits although I suspect he'll see some SP time at LB.

I only count 8 LBers on the roster right now and I don't believe that. I have McLain, Durant, Wilber, Carter, Holloman, Hitchens, C Lawrence, Lemon, Sapp, and Windsor. Watch out for Sapp. He just may make the 53 and even get some snaps this year.

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

Low risk. I like that.

 

[xwalker]

Low risk. I like that.

It's better than low risk. It's zero risk based on the conditions of the trade.

It's like a lottery ticket that you only pay for if you win.

 

[manster4ever]

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...

That's a GOOD post and similar to the one I just made in the other thread on this young man. Calvin Hill is the MAN IMO and has helped Dez in a HUGE way. He's our best hope here. I posted this older ESPN article in the other thread but what the heck. It's a good one and should remind everyone how fortunate we are to have Calvin in Big D' to help these guys:

http://espn.go.com/dallas/nfl/story...-provides-expert-field-support-dallas-cowboys

 

[SilverStarCowboy]

I could see him at MLB and then replaced in the Nickel when they go to 2 LBs.

The Cowboys played Nickel 61% of the snaps last season.

Any lack of range would be a minimal problem if he only plays MLB in the base 4-3 alignment, IMO.

Not exactly like Dexter Coackley or Dat Nguyen but McClain has good range, even for a 4/3 MLB.

 

[Fletch]

My thoughts on McClain...

First the positives...

1) If he makes the team, his size and physicality can improve the middle of our goal line defense...

2) Could be effective as a situational player creating a rotation at linebacker in which players stay fresh by not taking too many snaps...

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...

7) According to an article I read, in college spent a lot of time in film room... did well when he had a strong support system in place...

The negatives...

1) Based on an article I read about him.... has a personality that engages in risky behavior, ex. driving recklessly, high potential to get in trouble with the law and cause distractions to the team...

2) Questions about him being mentally and physically ready for camp...

3) High potential to quit team at first sign of adversity...

4) Would have benefited from a hands on role model like Sean Lee...

Can still benefit from a hands on role model like Sean considering Sean is once again hurt. Sean can be that mental-style coach that a dude like McClain, with his God-given abilities, can utilize.

This is not a bad pickup. Low risk. Potentially a high reward. I give credit to JJ, Stephen, Garrett, Marinelli, and Eferblus for the big picture move.

 

[Ren]

We got him almost for free, it's really hard to find to many negatives with that. If he can play great if not we cut him and he cost nothing

 

[conner01]

and if Leaf had gotten his brain together, he could have had a long NFL career too

thats the thing. if mcclain can get his head straight the talent is there. leaf was very talented but hard to judge a layers mental makeup and leaf's was flawed

 

[Doomsday101]

thats the thing. if mcclain can get his head straight the talent is there. leaf was very talented but hard to judge a layers mental makeup and leaf's was flawed

Leaf also had a serious wrist injury that never fully healed.