Sturm: Morning After: Checking In With The Linebackers

[Chocolate Lab]

Can't seem to get a link to work but Dallas Morning New's Brandon George is reportng Rolondo McClain isn't practicing and was seen looking out the weight room window. Whatever that means.

An excerpt

What was more alarming for Cowboys Nation on Wednesday is linebacker Rolando McClain was in the weight room to start practice and not on the field. This was a day after the Cowboys had given McClain many of the first-team repetitions at middle linebacker in practice and moved Justin Durant to first-team weak-side linebacker.

After stretching his legs in the weight room, McClain was seen sitting on a bench, glaring out onto the practice field. McClain has retired twice and been arrested three times since being drafted eighth overall in 2010. The Cowboys are hopeful he can win the starting middle linebacker job to give them more athleticism in their front seven with Sean Lee out for the season.

McClain missed practice time during training camp in Oxnard, Calif., with a stomach virus and a strained quad.

The last week of training camp, McClain was asked if he loves football again, to which he said he loves life and life is part of football.

 

[Idgit]

Can't seem to get a link to work but Dallas Morning New's Brandon George is reportng Rolondo McClain isn't practicing and was seen looking out the weight room window. Whatever that means.

Sigh. Whether there's anything to this or not, I'm already tired of the speculation around this guy. Injury, soreness, heart not in it, wild speculation. Makes it hard to rely on him. Or for me as a fan to put any faith in him. At least.

 

[Sydla]

Sigh. Whether there's anything to this or not, I'm already tired of the speculation around this guy. Injury, soreness, heart not in it, wild speculation. Makes it hard to rely on him. Or for me as a fan to put any faith in him. At least.

Yeah, it's tough having to almost each week if that's the week he's going to pull the plug. But Dallas is in a bind at LB so they have to ride the McClain rollercoaster, even as frustrating as it appears to be.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Wow. So Garrett says McClain didn't practice because he got some cramps yesterday.

 

[CCBoy]

I've heard a bunch of different reasons for why he opted out, but most of them from the Cowboys side are things that were present when they signed on with the Ticket. Weak signal, could make more money elsewhere, etc.

Jerry went with the Ticket because they smoke everyone else in ratings, and he thought he could "buy" the biggest sports radio station in the market.

He may not mind the playful mocking, but he doesn't like the legit criticism.

I don't think that I would be yelling at Ben Hur that he spends a little too long in the john...

 

[CCBoy]

I don't know where he fits.

I agree with Cas here, Carter seems to be getting a little heavier in his reactions, and not as spontaneous as he was coming onto the team. He still has carry over pass protection skills, and his now reactions, does favor a strong side reaction time first, to a strong run response.

 

[Idgit]

Wow. So Garrett says McClain didn't practice because he got some cramps yesterday.

I'm not buying this cramps and soreness stuff. This looks like more than handling him with kid gloves. Especially for a player who needs the interval conditioning. Maybe it's all part of their plan with him, but it sure smells fishy.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

I'm not buying this cramps and soreness stuff. This looks like more than handling him with kid gloves. Especially for a player who needs the interval conditioning. Maybe it's all part of their plan with him, but it sure smells fishy.

I think it's both... I don't doubt he had some cramps -- you're coming from 65* weather to 95 or whatever -- but they're also the softest of kid gloves.

I mean, cramps yesterday and you can't practice today? Good thing Miami doesn't have any heat or humidity.

Again, I hate how we're basically letting a guy like this decide when he wants to play and doesn't want to play. Bad precedent, bad message to the rest of the team. And if he quits on us, we'll have wasted all these valuable reps that could have been given to Durant or even Hitchens.

 

[Idgit]

I think it's both... I don't doubt he had some cramps -- you're coming from 65* weather to 95 or whatever -- but they're also the softest of kid gloves.

I mean, cramps yesterday and you can't practice today? Good thing Miami doesn't have any heat or humidity.

Again, I hate how we're basically letting a guy like this decide when he wants to play and doesn't want to play. Bad precedent, bad message to the rest of the team. And if he quits on us, we'll have wasted all these valuable reps that could have been given to Durant or even Hitchens.

I hate it, too. Every now and then you get one of these Jerry-guys who gets obvious special treatment. It stinks to high heavens and everybody knows it. Jerry creates the environment and the HC either shouldn't allow it or is powerless to stop it and it undermines his authority. We did it with TO, too. And Pacman. And we'll do it with Brent.

I don't necessarily have anything against McClain, and maybe if we knew all the circumstances the special treatment would make more sense, but it looks bad and makes me want to not like the player. It also reminds me of the dysfunction that keeps biting us in the butt when we try to put a system in place and follow it.

 

[CCBoy]

I'm not buying this cramps and soreness stuff. This looks like more than handling him with kid gloves. Especially for a player who needs the interval conditioning. Maybe it's all part of their plan with him, but it sure smells fishy.

I was at the Army Master Fitness School, and was taking our course timed two mile run for grade. I was going pretty solid, and was at the age of about 35. I had about half a lap to finish my run, when I looked up at the curve to the finish line and saw a female 2nd LIeutenant actually putting a strong kick to the finish. I was miserable, and old at that point. She was in her early twenties, attached to an Airborne Unit, and rode a bicycle to and from all classes and physical activities in the Fitness School. That included a 10 mile forced march in full combat gear that was immediately followed by an hour class of water aerobics.

Rolando McClain has a pretty tough road to regain top end potentials again. If he does make the journey successfully after his lay out, there is no doubt about commitment at that point.

 

[CyberB0b]

So now that Carter has been benched, just a few days after this article, some of you guys owe @Sturm1310 an apology. He's the most objective media person out there.

 

[CCBoy]

I hate it, too. Every now and then you get one of these Jerry-guys who gets obvious special treatment. It stinks to high heavens and everybody knows it. Jerry creates the environment and the HC either shouldn't allow it or is powerless to stop it and it undermines his authority. We did it with TO, too. And Pacman. And we'll do it with Brent.

I don't necessarily have anything against McClain, and maybe if we knew all the circumstances the special treatment would make more sense, but it looks bad and makes me want to not like the player. It also reminds me of the dysfunction that keeps biting us in the butt when we try to put a system in place and follow it.

Just a casual observation here, but it seems the reconditioning staff/coaching staff are trying to be extremely pro-active in care and prefention of muscular related injuries before the season starts. They also seem to be leaving an unusual energy reserve in players in anticipation of the season starting. The team appears to thus, be hedging for a strong initial burst out of the gate when the season starts.

 

[Idgit]

Just a casual observation here, but it seems the reconditioning staff/coaching staff are trying to be extremely pro-active in care and prefention of muscular related injuries before the season starts. They also seem to be leaving an unusual energy reserve in players in anticipation of the season starting. The team appears to thus, be hedging for a strong initial burst out of the gate when the season starts.

It kinda does seem like they're sitting guys pretty quickly across the board.

 

[CCBoy]

So now that Carter has been benched, just a few days after this article, some of you guys owe @Sturm1310 an apology. He's the most objective media person out there.

Lol, I don't have stereotype types of problem with Sturm. To this fan, he's still a pretty good analyst and a good read.

 

[Sydla]

FWIW, they said he was cramping up again this morning so technically it's not just cramps yesterday, sit out today (that is if the cramp story isn't a cover for something else, which is certainly possible).

 

[peplaw06]

none of that means anything.

LOL ok then

jerry got paid A LOT more money.
that was his motivation and what matters.
the ticket was still at training camp and they still cover the cowboys.
anyone can argue whatever they want except Jerry not being able to make money.
he does that in spades.

You already said all this. If I bring up a point to question or refute a point you make, it's not particularly effective to repeat yourself.

the ticket has only two legacy shows:
hardline which has one original member and the other worked last for CBS.
and the musers which includes Jerry's former PA guy at Texas stadium.

BAD radio was very close to leaving for CBS but got a deal done last minute that was competitive but not equal to CBS.

end of the day there is no loyalty beyond silly fans.
the Ticket has been sold at least 3 times and is no where near what it once was.
any Ticket show that comes up for renewal will talk to CBS.
It is simply good business.
And if CBS makes them the same double your rate offer they gave the Cowboys, that show will be all CBS all the time.

Well, it sounds like there was some loyalty if Bob and Dan stayed at the Ticket for less money. I'm not really interested in arguing about your subjective definition of what is a "legacy show..." what does that even matter? The Ticket wins the ratings by almost double when they have local talent on the air.

 

[jterrell]

LOL ok then
You already said all this. If I bring up a point to question or refute a point you make, it's not particularly effective to repeat yourself.


Well, it sounds like there was some loyalty if Bob and Dan stayed at the Ticket for less money. I'm not really interested in arguing about your subjective definition of what is a "legacy show..." what does that even matter? The Ticket wins the ratings by almost double when they have local talent on the air.

good lord man.
bring an actual fact to the discussion perhaps?

you have an opinion backed by nothing, zero, zilch, not even circumstantial evidence.

you made some fanboy butthurt comment and when politely called on it with facts as to why your take was awful offered nothing but whines.

your point was goofy, ill-formed and tiresome.
now you go on ignore.

 

[CCBoy]

Wow. So Garrett says McClain didn't practice because he got some cramps yesterday.

Cramps, he shouldn't get pregnant...

 

[CCBoy]

good lord man.
bring an actual fact to the discussion perhaps?

you have an opinion backed by nothing, zero, zilch, not even circumstantial evidence.

you made some fanboy butthurt comment and when politely called on it with facts as to why your take was awful offered nothing but whines.

your point was goofy, ill-formed and tiresome.
now you go on ignore.

There one goes, only looking for the positive items... I guess that I can take it all, if it really is directed towards football and not view sent from.

 

[Bluestang]

I just heard Steven Dennis talk about Rolando McClain for about 5 minutes on the Break.

I guess Steve interviewed him for a Cowboys Insider special and Dennis is absolutely convinced that McClain is not going to quit. He said that that he's a total different guy and he believes that McClain is going to stick here. McClain's answers to Steve were well thought out and Steve could infer that McClain's attitude was totally different.

The issue has been the conditioning and him trying to recover. He even admitted that it was a "very steep hill" for him to climb to get back to where he once was playing at a high level.

I couldn't believe my ears that Steve Dennis is a believer. I'm not sure what to think, but really Steve Dennis stands behind McClain and thinks he's going to see this through?

Broaddus said it a week ago, I think it was selfish to sit here and think that McClain would be able to come in here right away and play. He should have been put on the PUP and worked his way through the conditioning and getting his body right first and then ease him back in.

I'm going to see if I can DVR this interview.