Rolando McClain on the rise?

mmohican29

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Just watched his interview on DC.COM and he definitely seems to have his head on straight and just might like playing for/with this team and coaching staff.

If I'm the Cowboys, he plays significant snaps in pre-season to get himself into football shape. I think he's a guy that needs his mind right to play well and it looks like he's at minimum on that path. Would love anyone that has been to TC give insight on to how he has looked at camp.

I'd also like to give a shout-out to the Dallas media (no way right?), for at least giving the young man respectful and football related questions in the interviews and generally make him feel welcomed back to the NFL.
 

Texas_Pete

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I thought I saw a tweet about him practicing with 1st team?
 

mmohican29

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I thought I saw a tweet about him practicing with 1st team?

if so this is fantastic news. he will need some re-baptizing, but he's always played with a fierceness this team has sometimes lacked. if he can get to 90% of where he was at his best in Oakland- we got ourselves a very good football player on a defense that needs all it can gather.
 

DogFace

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Sounds very promising so far. I'm excited about his possibilities.
Did read somewhere a writer said he lacked top speed.
Does anyone know is that is true? I thought with the Raiders he was known for being fast.
Could've been my Madden days.
 

Leadbelly

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I'm hopeful. It's hard to reconcile his off-field rep with what I'm seeing/hearing firsthand. He seems like a pretty level-headed guy. Maybe it's the glasses. :D

I think the other issue he had was dumb 15-yd penalties and borderline dirty hits. Maybe like a Lavar Arrington or Suh. Remains to be seen.

Potentially brilliant move by Jerry and the pro personnel dept.
 

KingLerxst

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Tempering my excitement. There's always that player or two that really stands out in TC only to never be heard from again.
Still the fact that he got first team reps today. And there being nothing but positive reports concerning him is very promising. For what we gave up and what we are paying him. Anything good he does is all gravy.
 

Jenky

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Outside of Nick Saban, JG might be the best thing that happened to McClain and I barely praise that guy if at all.
 

jobberone

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The potential is there for him to have a big impact on our defense this year. What a pleasant surprise he could turn out to be. Let's just hope he stays healthy.

Always at least one out of no where. This one took a different route than usual but that just leaves room for another one or three to show up. Of course we've got a ways to go but so far it looks promising.
 

Chocolate Lab

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Well of course he looks the best through one week of camp. We already knew he was by far the most talented MLB we have.

The talent has never been the question with him, though. It's keeping his head on straight for weeks and months on end that will be the question.
 

DFWJC

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I'm pretty psyched about the possibilities, but that's all they are for now. We need any help we can get though.

And,btw, the most talented linebacker on the Cowboys is Sean Lee, when healthy.
The most athletic is Bruce Carter.
 

AsthmaField

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I really, really like this acquisition.

Of course the cost is next to nothing if he works out and it actually is nothing if he doesn't work out... but that isn't what I like so much about it.

What is exciting to me is that he has the talent to be a star in the league. I mean, legitimate, blue chip talent. Difference making talent. Almost never do you have an opportunity to add a 24 year old who has that type of talent... at any cost.

McClain is a big, fast, strong, explosive hitter who has natural linebacker instincts. It is a big "if", but if this move works out and he has his head on straight, Dallas got themselves a bona fied star on a LB corps that desperately needs one... and they did it for next to nothing.

The thing that I like so much about him as a player is his instincts. He has a knack for playing the position, and to me, that is one of the best things a LB can have. All of the great LB's have it and almost none of the busts do. Living in SEC country, I remember watching him at Alabama quite a bit and the thing that stuck out to me is how often he would work his way through a gap and hit the RB at or behind the line of scrimmage... and when he got there, the back went down hard. McClain is a big dude and he hits even harder than you would think he does. Always in the right spot, Rolando gave offenses fits in college. I don't remember him being bad in coverage, but honestly I can't remember how often he would drop back in pass defense.

I do recall that he got to the sideline quick for such a big LB and that he would really pop the runner when he arrived. Runs up the gut straight at him were an accident waiting to happen because that guy would get there and it would be like a car wreck. He just always seemed bigger and stronger than the guys he was playing against

Anyway, when he came out in the draft, I really liked him a lot but didn't think the team would use their first on a linebacker, so I didn't focus on him very much.

Once he got in the pro's, being in the AFC, I didn't pay much attention to him but always expected him to do well.

When Dallas traded for him, I tried to not get to excited because the chances of him working out were pretty slim. With McClain actually seeming excited about playing football again though, I think there is a chance it works out for Dallas. All he has to do is care about doing well and he will because his talent is immense. If he does care, then Dallas effectively got an additional #1 pick because he will start and be a star very quickly. The defense will get a real shot in the arm and their aggressiveness and intimidation level just went up about 10 notches. Nasty will be introduced into the middle of the defense, and I will love it.

I'm not counting my chickens before they have hatched, but I am keeping an eye on him and my fingers crossed.
 
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