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So what's the NFL draft lowdown on Alabama's Rolando McClain?
By Don Kausler Jr. -- The Birmingham News
February 27, 2010, 11:07AM
http://blog.al.com/tide-source/2010/0/so_whats_the_nfl_draft_lowdown.html
Rolando McClain cheers on his Alabama teammates during a 2009 victory over Chattanooga. (The Birmingham News / Mark Almond)INDIANAPOLIS - Inside linebackers aren't as valued in the NFL as they used to be. The last time one was selected in the first round of the NFL draft was 2007. Ole Miss' Patrick Willis was taken by the San Francisco 49ers, who had the 11th pick.
"Most inside linebackers can't play on third down," said Charley Casserly, the former Washington Commanders and Houston Texans general manager who now is a draft analyst for the NFL Network. "That's why they're playing inside. Teams don't want to be paying a lot of money for a guy who's only playing first or second down."
So what does that mean for Alabama junior All-American Rolando McClain?
The best player on college football's best team in 2009 is expected to be picked in the someone in the No. 10 to No. 15 spot of the first round in April.
That he will be drafted that high says something about how good pro scouts think he is. That he won't go higher says he is playing a premium position.
"One of the things for McClain is, can he play on third down?" Casserly said.
McClain is participating this week in the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium.
"A lot of times now with the linebacker position, it's about the outside guy. Sacks," Chicago Bears coach Lovie Smith said. "But you have to have a great Mike (middle) linebacker, since he's the quarterback of the team.
"I know the player you're talking about is a quarterback on the team. You just need a great leader who can make plays. We put a big premium on our Mike linebacker. A lot of teams do."
So what is the lowdown on McClain?
Here's an analysis by NFLDraftScout.com, which predicts McClain will be the 11th player taken in the first round:
•Read & React: Excellent key-and-diagnose skills. Identifies the play quickly and has little to no wasted motion in getting to the action. Rarely fooled by misdirection. Recognizes screens quickly and attacks before linemen have a chance to set up blocks. Dedicated and he has to be kicked out of the film room.
•Run defense: Prototypical size and strength for inside linebacker. Instinctive. Takes good angles to the ball. Good vision and balance to flow through the trash. Great strength in his hands to stack and shed blockers. Tall enough to locate the ballcarrier while being blocked and can forcefully toss the blocker to the side to make the play. Has good, not great speed lateral and straight-line speed to the sideline. Faster on the field than in workouts because of his instincts.
•Pass defense: Gains good depth in his drops, but is stiff and struggles a bit changing direction to stay with receivers in man coverage. Alert in zone and shows good route recognition. Closes on the ball quickly. Long arms and quick hands to slap away the pass as it arrives. At least adequate ball skills (five career INTs).
•Tackling: True thumper that can be an intimidating force in the middle. Classic hit-lift-drive tackler with the strength to knock the ballcarrier off his feet with the long arms to wrap around for the secure stop. Breaks down well in space to make the sure stop against smaller, quicker ballcarriers. Good hustle laterally, though he can give up too easily in pursuit downfield.
•Pass Rush/Blitz: Great size and closing speed but he isn't there yet. Times his blitz well and gets skinny to get through the line of scrimmage. Doesn't show enough hand technique to disengage as a pass rusher. Relies on his bull rush to push the pocket and is strong enough for this to be effective. Savvy enough to get his hands up in the passing lanes when he can't get to the quarterback in time.
•Intangibles: Described as a film junkie and defensive coordinator on the field. Is characterized as not only knowing his assignment on every defensive call, but also the job of every defensive teammate. Incredibly competitive. Never missed a game at Alabama. Voted a team captain in 2009 as a junior.
So what's the NFL draft lowdown on Alabama's Rolando McClain?
By Don Kausler Jr. -- The Birmingham News
February 27, 2010, 11:07AM
http://blog.al.com/tide-source/2010/0/so_whats_the_nfl_draft_lowdown.html
Rolando McClain cheers on his Alabama teammates during a 2009 victory over Chattanooga. (The Birmingham News / Mark Almond)INDIANAPOLIS - Inside linebackers aren't as valued in the NFL as they used to be. The last time one was selected in the first round of the NFL draft was 2007. Ole Miss' Patrick Willis was taken by the San Francisco 49ers, who had the 11th pick.
"Most inside linebackers can't play on third down," said Charley Casserly, the former Washington Commanders and Houston Texans general manager who now is a draft analyst for the NFL Network. "That's why they're playing inside. Teams don't want to be paying a lot of money for a guy who's only playing first or second down."
So what does that mean for Alabama junior All-American Rolando McClain?
The best player on college football's best team in 2009 is expected to be picked in the someone in the No. 10 to No. 15 spot of the first round in April.
That he will be drafted that high says something about how good pro scouts think he is. That he won't go higher says he is playing a premium position.
"One of the things for McClain is, can he play on third down?" Casserly said.
McClain is participating this week in the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium.
"A lot of times now with the linebacker position, it's about the outside guy. Sacks," Chicago Bears coach Lovie Smith said. "But you have to have a great Mike (middle) linebacker, since he's the quarterback of the team.
"I know the player you're talking about is a quarterback on the team. You just need a great leader who can make plays. We put a big premium on our Mike linebacker. A lot of teams do."
So what is the lowdown on McClain?
Here's an analysis by NFLDraftScout.com, which predicts McClain will be the 11th player taken in the first round:
•Read & React: Excellent key-and-diagnose skills. Identifies the play quickly and has little to no wasted motion in getting to the action. Rarely fooled by misdirection. Recognizes screens quickly and attacks before linemen have a chance to set up blocks. Dedicated and he has to be kicked out of the film room.
•Run defense: Prototypical size and strength for inside linebacker. Instinctive. Takes good angles to the ball. Good vision and balance to flow through the trash. Great strength in his hands to stack and shed blockers. Tall enough to locate the ballcarrier while being blocked and can forcefully toss the blocker to the side to make the play. Has good, not great speed lateral and straight-line speed to the sideline. Faster on the field than in workouts because of his instincts.
•Pass defense: Gains good depth in his drops, but is stiff and struggles a bit changing direction to stay with receivers in man coverage. Alert in zone and shows good route recognition. Closes on the ball quickly. Long arms and quick hands to slap away the pass as it arrives. At least adequate ball skills (five career INTs).
•Tackling: True thumper that can be an intimidating force in the middle. Classic hit-lift-drive tackler with the strength to knock the ballcarrier off his feet with the long arms to wrap around for the secure stop. Breaks down well in space to make the sure stop against smaller, quicker ballcarriers. Good hustle laterally, though he can give up too easily in pursuit downfield.
•Pass Rush/Blitz: Great size and closing speed but he isn't there yet. Times his blitz well and gets skinny to get through the line of scrimmage. Doesn't show enough hand technique to disengage as a pass rusher. Relies on his bull rush to push the pocket and is strong enough for this to be effective. Savvy enough to get his hands up in the passing lanes when he can't get to the quarterback in time.
•Intangibles: Described as a film junkie and defensive coordinator on the field. Is characterized as not only knowing his assignment on every defensive call, but also the job of every defensive teammate. Incredibly competitive. Never missed a game at Alabama. Voted a team captain in 2009 as a junior.