Rolando McClain's Future

[tm1119]

Weird...so the combine got his weight wrong? I thought 223 was a little light but how did his # get so screwed up?

 

[speedkilz88]

Cowboys even list him at 245

Smith, Jaylon
LB
6-3
245
20
R
Notre Dame

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Weird...so the combine got his weight wrong? I thought 223 was a little light but how did his # get so screwed up?

I don't know when this photo was taken but I don't think it was at the combine. There were reports that he lost a lot of weight since the injury.

 

[the_h0wey]

Many people from the get go didn't want us to even re-sign this guy, but I feel like when he plays well he is a pro bowl caliber linebacker.

So I wonder how people would feel if he puts together a career year this year AND Jaylon Smith returns healthy? What would you suggest?

I think it would be interesting to see what kind of defense we could have if we move Lee to the strong side position and have a linebacker corps of Smith - McClain - Lee. I think it would be absolutely stunning.

I think more likely the McClain days are over and Smith will be slotted as a middle linebacker, but I don't even know if that is the best position for him to be honest. I think it is also possible that Lee moves back to middle and Jaylon takes over at the will and McClain is still out, but I would like to see this kid put things together here.

When Jaylon comes back healthy we will forget all about McClain. Didn't he take himself out of a game 2 years ago? Not because of a injury, he just quit on the team. We are held hostage by him now because we don't have a better option. I'm glad that will come to an end when Jaylon is healthy.

 

[speedkilz88]

Weird...so the combine got his weight wrong? I thought 223 was a little light but how did his # get so screwed up?

I suspect after he injured the knee and could not move on it for the first month or however long that he kept his caloric intake down and then increased it back up when he could be active again. So maybe he was 223 around February.

Or the media just went by his Notre Dame roster measurements. Ones taken at least a year ago.

 

[gimmesix]

Many people from the get go didn't want us to even re-sign this guy, but I feel like when he plays well he is a pro bowl caliber linebacker.

So I wonder how people would feel if he puts together a career year this year AND Jaylon Smith returns healthy? What would you suggest?

I think it would be interesting to see what kind of defense we could have if we move Lee to the strong side position and have a linebacker corps of Smith - McClain - Lee. I think it would be absolutely stunning.

I think more likely the McClain days are over and Smith will be slotted as a middle linebacker, but I don't even know if that is the best position for him to be honest. I think it is also possible that Lee moves back to middle and Jaylon takes over at the will and McClain is still out, but I would like to see this kid put things together here.

If McClain puts together a career year, his contract demands will go up and his accountability will likely go down.

I don't see any way we retain him because of his lack of reliability so far in his career. We've given him one-year deals the past two years because of that reason despite our MLB need. Next year we won't have to. But I hope he has a career year while we've got him because it's in the best interest of our team.

 

[jnday]

We have to keep McClain and hope that he comes around. We are talking as if Smith will recover and that he will be a dominating player. None of that is a guarantee.

They have to keep him this year, but as soon as they can find s decent replacement, he needs to go. I can easily see him bring the type of player that drags the entire team down with his lack of effort and careless attitude.

 

[tm1119]

I don't know when this photo was taken but I don't think it was at the combine. There were reports that he lost a lot of weight since the injury.

Yeah true...would have been weighed around Feb 20th for the combine and he posted that April 13th. I guess it's conceivable he put on 20 lbs in the 60 or so days in between. Especially if he couldn't work out in February

 

[Zimmy Lives]

They have to keep him this year, but as soon as they can find s decent replacement, he needs to go. I can easily see him bring the type of player that drags the entire team down with his lack of effort and careless attitude.

This.

He is on borrowed time. The three As are working against him; apathy, age and appetite.

 

[kiheikiwi]

Think it was Broadus who said the 223 was after the surgery and that he is back up to his playing weight ( plus some).

 

[plasticman]

Lets find out.

Conveniently, there will be a training camp where players will have an opportunity to compete. Those who make the team will be able to demonstrate their value in the regular season by their performance and commitment to team policies.

If he performs really great then I recomend we keep him. If he performs poorly or has issues that keep him out of games then I think the Cowboys should move on without him.

Does that seem fair?

 

[ccb04]

Jaylon better be eating cheeseburgers in between rehabbing because 223 pounds is going to be rough sledding as an NFL Mike...

Love the guy and he's obviously a much better player than Ro, but Sean Lee needs to be looking over his shoulder after 2016 as well. Last year was a big step, but if he can't stay on the field it's going to be hard to pay him his $8M(ish) a year with WIL being Smith's likely best position.

He's already back up to 240-lbs.

Interestingly...prior to the draft, Jaylon said he could see himself rushing the passer as a 3-4 OLB...playing inside or outside in a 4-3...or even adding weight to become a 4-3 DE.

 

[conner01]

At age 26 it is not too late for Ro to turn his career around. With what at least appears all past troubles behind him he has the opportunity to live up to his expectations. I think it is all in his hands of what he wants out of his career. The talent is there.

If RO shows up in shape, motivated and ready to play he can be an asset. Talent has never been an issue, seems like desire has been his biggest issue. Does he have the desire to be great? We shall see, but when motivated he is a good player

 

[slick325]

LOL!!!!

 

[Aven8]

It seems to me that we run the 4-2-5 the majority of the time, especially last year.

 

[dallasdave]

LOL!!!!

 

[zrinkill]

Cant trust Ro to stay out of trouble ........ cant trust Lee to not be always banged up if not outright injured ....... we need to move on from both of them real soon.

 

[Nightman]

Ro is a Catch-22

If he has a good year he prices himself out of back-up/rotational LB here
If he struggles or gets suspended, we already have his permanent replacement

 

[Bowdown27]

He's a bridge to Jaylon. They won't pay him next year if Jaylon's prognosis is good in 2017.

Exactly.

 

[SportsGuru80]

Rolando McClain is gone once Smith returns in 2017