Rolando McClain to start in the middle for the Cowboys

[Mr Cowboy]

Maybe it’s just the state of the Cowboys’ defense, or maybe Rolando McClain can really play.
Either way, the twice-retired No. 8-overall pick is a starter again, after not playing since 2012.

According to Drew Davison of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Bruce Carter said he was starting on the strong side, McClain in the middle and Justin Durant on the weak side.

Durant spent most of the preseason practicing in the middle, though he has the versatility McClain doesn’t. But team owner Jerry Jones declared McClain “very impressive” this preseason, and that endorsement means a lot.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...clain-to-start-in-the-middle-for-the-cowboys/

 

[Derekmtl85]

That settles that.

Now...we wait and hope for the best.

 

[Texas_Pete]

 

[Zman5]

He's the best option we have now. Hitchens was terrible. Maybe something will click later in the season for him. Durant is more valuable playing weak/strong than middle. Combination mentioned in the article is the best option we have now IMHO.

 

[slick325]

Hoping the light clicks on for Ro McClain. Talented kid but needs to show it consistently. Also needs to show growth and maturity on and off the field.

 

[Bluestang]

Color me surprised!

 

[AKATheRake]

Always said the starting LB corps would be Carter, McClain and Durant.

I also think a lot of how the coaching staff shuffled the LB's around was so that they could get acquainted with the other outside position in case of a starter getting injured and having to be moved to fill that void.

 

[bark]

And there it is. No big surprise. He was the best option. Here's hoping he can hold up physically

 

[Szczepanik]

Well now maybe we can stop the Niners ground game after all...

 

[DC Cowboy]

Hoping the light clicks on for Ro McClain. Talented kid but needs to show it consistently. Also needs to show growth and maturity on and off the field.

let's hope the d-line won't get pushed back into any of the lb's so they can make plays.

 

[slick325]

let's hope the d-line won't get pushed back into any of the lb's so they can make plays.

True...

 

[Boyz981]

He's the best option we have now. Hitchens was terrible. Maybe something will click later in the season for him. Durant is more valuable playing weak/strong than middle. Combination mentioned in the article is the best option we have now IMHO.

Hitchens was not terrible....but he is a rookie.

 

[CowboyStar88]

Hitchens was not terrible....but he is a rookie.

He was terrible. High effort guy which made up for some if it.

 

[theogt]

He was terrible. High effort guy which made up for some if it.

Which games? Which quarters?

 

[Bowdown27]

I'm so amped up to see this kid. It's make or break and I think he shows up

 

[morasp]

Hitchens was not terrible....but he is a rookie.

Hitchens made some good plays.

 

[gimmesix]

Maybe it’s just the state of the Cowboys’ defense, or maybe Rolando McClain can really play.
Either way, the twice-retired No. 8-overall pick is a starter again, after not playing since 2012.

According to Drew Davison of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Bruce Carter said he was starting on the strong side, McClain in the middle and Justin Durant on the weak side.

Durant spent most of the preseason practicing in the middle, though he has the versatility McClain doesn’t. But team owner Jerry Jones declared McClain “very impressive” this preseason, and that endorsement means a lot.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...clain-to-start-in-the-middle-for-the-cowboys/

Not sure why we didn't see more of this combo and how it will work together during the preseason. It's not like they were holding it back to surprise San Fran.

It's just strange to me, especially with Carter, to start him on the strong side without giving him anything other than practice reps there ... and I'm not really sure how many practice reps.

 

[DuDa]

Hitchens wasn't bad but not great or even good. He's seems very slow to me. While watching some Korey Toomer vids, I noticed one of my 2014 Draft pet cats, Kevin Pierre-Louis, making all kinds of plays. He was selected 14 spots after Hitchens and will be a stud for the Seahawks soon. Perhaps the Cowboys just over think when it comes to player evaluations.

 

[JoeyBoy718]

So what's the starting DL?

 

[cwbyfan72]

Watching him get the start against Denver, he looked much improved. Nasty quickness to the qb as well.