Rolando McClain is a gold mine

[Vintage]

For those who didn't know, McClain was the 8th player taken in the draft just 4 years ago.

4 years. 2 retirements.

Brett Favre is jealous.

 

[Nirvana]

Scouting report on McClain before the 2010 draft:

Rolando McClain (Alabama)

Height: 6-4 Weight: 256

40 Time: 4.68

There's something to say about being one of the biggest linebackers available and having the fastest 40 time for any backer over 240 pounds. That scary combination of size and speed is what makes the Alabama native so attractive to scouts.

Aside from his physical tangibles, McClain was an honor student at Alabama and acted as the leader in the locker room and on the field for the defense. His contributions garnered him a Butkus award and his team a national championship. He ended his '09 campaign with 105 tackles, four sacks, a forced fumble, and two interceptions.

What makes the former Alabaman defender truly special is his dedication to the game of football and the study of it. It shows at the line; his reaction skills are elite at the very least. He has a nose for screens and used Saban's aggressive 3-4 defensive strategy to flank his nose tackle and snuff the inside run.

Although a blitzer at heart, McClain has excellent lateral speed and can recover from overpursuing at an odd angle. Some say his aggression at the line will translate to bad cover skills in the NFL, but with some of the faster feet in his class, good coaching at the next level should take care of that.

Against the run, there is very little McClain can do wrong. He has the size to bull rush the line and bust through ill-timed tackles. His long arms are perfect for stacking interior blocks and throwing them aside to block the running lane. Again, though, there is some concern that his dependence upon Terrence Cody in stopping the run will be exposed at the next level.

In pass coverage, McClain plays the role of the semi-athletic linebacker, a large physical specimen that can keep up with marginally quick receivers but looks stiff in quick changes of direction. His speed on the field is often boosted by its general down-hill motion and the instincts that serve as the catalyst for his quick, accelerated motions.

His hands are decent (five interceptions in his career) and his zone coverage skills aren't shabby, either. He has great recognition skills and closes in on the ball quickly. In open space, he acts as a safety, allowing no one to escape his tackle.

Aside from his size and tenacity, McClain's tackling ability stands alone in his class. He has a prototypical hit-lift-drive technique that works well with his large frame. He has worked hard to improve his wrap-up ability, as well.

Going into April, McClain will be one of the most-discussed prospects on the market, mostly for his size and his dedication to improving his game. He is a film room junkie with a humble attitude, a combination that the NFL needs more of.

Look for a team like Miami to use the twelfth pick in the draft to grab McClain. With the possibility of losing Jason Ferguson and Jason Taylor on their mind, it's more than possible the Dolphins will see McClain as their next Patrick Willis, a leader that can learn from veterans Joey Porter and Akin Ayodele.

Linebacker isn't a priority for Miami, but McClain will certainly legitimize their defense and create an easier time of it for Chad Henne and the offense in 2010.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/350992-2010-nfl-draft-scouting-report-rolando-mcclain

 

[Wood]

great find but I wouldn't break bank on him...he is minute-by-minute mentally.

 

[Vintage]

great find but I wouldn't break bank on him...he is minute-by-minute mentally.

Agreed. Personally, I would have a hard time giving him guaranteed money.

 

[Awakened]

I'm guessing that if he stays and continues to play at this level, he'll stay in the middle and Sean Lee would go to the weakside with Carter switching back to the strongside. You think?

 

[Nirvana]

I'm guessing that if he stays and continues to play at this level, he'll stay in the middle and Sean Lee would go to the weakside with Carter switching back to the strongside. You think?

Works for me.

 

[RonSpringsdaman20]

great find but I wouldn't break bank on him...he is minute-by-minute mentally.

 

[The Ominous]

great find but I wouldn't break bank on him...he is minute-by-minute mentally.

Something seems different with him this time. I think our guys have done a great job of surrounding him with a support system that lets him know that we think he can be a GREAT player and valuable part of this team.

 

[Lodeus]

 

[ConstantReboot]

I knew that this guy was gonna be good for us when I absolutely sniffed out a run by the Niners and hit Gore pretty hard that he got up a bit dizzy. It was perfect how he can sniff out a play like Lee can sniff out a pass and read the QBs eyes. He's a different player than Lee. He's stronger at the point of attack, and will get into the backfield to make plays and hit the opponent hard enough to not want to run a play his way. I like it. He is what the defense needs.

If he plays like this all year and actually becomes the catalyst for our defense I say it would be smart to sign him to a contract. Why not? It would make sense and worth the gamble. How many times have we gambled on a defensive player and not having it worked out for us? Too much I say.....

 

[SportsGuru80]

He's a beast out there... Brings that nasty toughness to the defense that I like.

 

[Denim Chicken]

Wish we would have hit him with a two year deal.

 

[Bungarian]

7 tackles a sack and a int. I don't remeber the sack.

 

[yentl911]

I know it's only been two games but if he continues to play like this all year there is no way Lee plays inside again. McClain is a difference maker with great instincts and range.

Plus he plays with an edge to him that we have lacked for a while. Give the FO done credit for pulling this off.

 

[Bungarian]

I know it's only been two games but if he continues to play like this all year there is no way Lee plays inside again. McClain is a difference maker with great instincts and range.

Plus he plays with an edge to him that we have lacked for a while. Give the FO done credit for pulling this off.

McClain is a free agent after this year.

 

[CCBoy]

McClain is a free agent after this year.

I like the idea of Stephen Jones being very busy this upcoming off season.

 

[Risen Star]

He was quoted after the game "There were only a few teams that I would have gotten off the couch for and this was one of them."

Now you can Go Cowboys! that and everything but that's a disturbing quote to me from a young player. A beaten up veteran, okay, but not a guy who hasn't even hit his athletic prime yet.

 

[Craig]

He was quoted after the game "There were only a few teams that I would have gotten off the couch for and this was one of them."

Now you can Go Cowboys! that and everything but that's a disturbing quote to me from a young player. A beaten up veteran, okay, but not a guy who hasn't even hit his athletic prime yet.

If you were offered a billion dollars, would you complain about how you were going to get it home?

 

[ghst187]

The interception was sick. This dude has the potential to be a complete beast for us.

So far so good. Let 's hope he keeps rollin.

ya, looking like one of the best 6th round picks we've ever gotten. He really kept the tide (pun) from turning in this game.

 

[AsthmaField]

Every good game that McClain has... every INT or sack or big hit... only solidifies his status in Dallas that much more, and makes him a part of this team. No longer is he a guy making a comeback attempt. He won the job, is playing lights out, and his team mates love him and what he brings to the table. Each game he becomes a little more a Cowboy and is further and further away from being the guy that didn't want to play.

I honestly feel that way. He has loved football in the past at Alabama, and if he wasn't going to like things in Dallas, I think it would have already fallen apart. He is only becoming more and more a defensive leader now.

A steal of a steal. He is a force and will only get better. Frankly, I think that Marinelli is the perfect guy to be his coach.