Some good words on thread, that reveal a quality kid and also a good linebacker.
Many of the posters who always have a tar bucket and sarcastic word to attempt to agitate, just don't realize how tough a professional transition there is to the NFL.
Troy Aikman was almost unable to make the adjustments, when Jimmy Johnson was trying to control all around the Cowboys, and bring his highlight quarterbacks to the front. Troy was a person who ticked on the concept of loyalty. A countrified city boy from California, early on.
Steve Buerlein and Steve Walsh hit at Troy's confidence, when during his first two seasons, Jimmy Johnson flirted with both, instead of putting confidence in and sticking with Troy. Mix this in with Jimmy getting David Shula from Miami, (which also gave him Dave Wannestedt), and terminated the quarterback coach, Jerry Rhome, who Troy trusted. Dave Shula had a rough relationship with Troy, and shook him up further during his formative time in the NFL.
Wannestedt quickly became the head of the defensive side of the ball for Dallas, but Troy was floundering on the offensive side. Jimmy Johnson wanted a flashing and system strong quarterback more in his preferred style. Not a classic sized, strong armed, and quick release quarterback.
It wasn't until Norv Turner was brought in to develop a relationship and system that complimented Troy the player, that Aikman excelled. How Dallas would have changed, if that had not occurred for the team's benefit.
Now, taking the above picture of how hard things in the real world of the NFL, can change upon people and opportunities that a player experiences when first in the NFL.
Rolando McClain was a talented player, and a good linebacker. He came from a tough school, and when there were privileges that a star athlete was given, both above and below the table. That is hard for a kid to grow up with.
When that kid also had added weight of crime and rough neighborhood attitudes to grow through, hey, he had a heart and head of gold as well.
If one of our cherished heroes, had similar period of mental distresses and challenge, I just can't turn this fan's back upon that real element that a young adult is challenged with today. It's not like the Oakland Raiders of the past three seasons, were bastions of integrity, good coaching, and team support of quality as well.
I'm fully behind this player, but I'm not about to toss the first stone or throw around stereotypes of a convenient manner. He deserves his chance and I'm glad he's both a linebacker, and a Cowboy!
