This is what former first round pick Aaron Curry says about Rolando McClain

[LatinMind]

I think that is what fans need to understand. McClain didn't have the type of support at Oakland or Baltimore that the Cowboys have given Dez Bryant and that it appears he had at Alabama. Even though they both have similar backgrounds.

Bingo. Thats why players who have played in Dallas are loyal to Jerry Jones. Because good or bad choices he makes, star or bust you are his family. And he's going to take care of you. Even if he gets crushed in the media and by fans. Because i believe he understand its just a game and behind that uniform is a person. Thats why he's the best owner in sports, period.

If McClain's head is on right i think he can be a star in Dallas. And then in 2015 i think you could end up seeing Lee move over to WILL and Carter over to the SAM. It just depends on if he's ready to play football.

 

[KDM256]

Someone who has followed McClain's career since a sophomore in high school.

McClain's problem was never the Oakland Raiders. McClain's biggest problem was going back to his hometown of Decatur, Alabama whenever he got a chance. You never heard any reports of McClain getting into trouble while he was in California? All his mishaps has been in his hometown.

Here you have this young kid who all of a sudden becomes a millionaire and becomes the biggest thing in the city and that type of situation can really boost a man's ego and bring jealousy amongst others including the local police department. McClain was charged with assault while playing for Oakland and after he signed with the Ravens, he was charged again for writing "**** You" instead of his name on a Police Citation for a bogus window tint ticket in his hometown.

With 2 arrest in the past two seasons, Roger Goodell was going to suspend him and that is why he retired and concentrated on getting his life back in order because Ro was going into a no win situation.

Never heard anything major at Alabama because Saban kept McClain out of Decatur while he was at the Capstone. Once he lost that support system at Bama and went to Oakland where I assume they treat and expect Men to act like Professionals like any other job.

 

[khiladi]

Thanks for sharing personal tid-bits like this.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

If he were coming straight from Oakland, these excuses for him might make more sense. But what about Baltimore? You don't think they're a good organization? You don't think they wanted him to succeed?

 

[WoodysGirl]

If he were coming straight from Oakland, these excuses for him might make more sense. But what about Baltimore? You don't think they're a good organization? You don't think they wanted him to succeed?

Haven't dug too deep into it or my memory might be a touch fuzzy, but I don't think he ever really settled into Baltimore or even gave them a chance to offer the support that they could provide. He was barely there when he decided to retire.

They held onto him and waited patiently, but after he flaked on them after his workout, I guess they decided to move on.

 

[KDM256]

If he were coming straight from Oakland, these excuses for him might make more sense. But what about Baltimore? You don't think they're a good organization? You don't think they wanted him to succeed?

The ink wasn't even dry on his Baltimore contract when he got his 2nd arrest. Even though the charge was completely bogus, It wasn't a good look for McClain or Baltimore because Goodell was going to suspend him because he had no choice. Ozzie & McClain are from the same area and went to the same college, I believe if it was anybody else they would have cut ties with McClain after the second arrest. Saban & Ozzie are real close and agreed that McClain should take time off and Saban actually allowed McClain back into the practice facilities at Bama.

McClain went back to school, focused on family and pretty much moved to another city. IMO, I don't think Baltimore thinks McClain has lost his ability to play this game but I believe the Ravens cut ties with McClain because they drafted his replacement in CJ Mosely this past draft and factor that in with an average workout, it was a business like decision which I hope works out for both organizations.

 

[CCBoy]

I'm like you KDM, in that I'm not looking for a victim to blame...we all recover from mistakes, and we would all have been stoned if an old Judaic Law was still in effect.

Me, I'm rooting for a young player who has definitely learned his personal lessons, and made the move to correct his 'own demons.'

 

[Tawney88]

I'm like you KDM, in that I'm not looking for a victim to blame...we all recover from mistakes, and we would all have been stoned if an old Judaic Law was still in effect.

Me, I'm rooting for a young player who has definitely learned his personal lessons, and made the move to correct his 'own demons.'

I hope for the best but it's way to premature to make a statement like that.

 

[CCBoy]

I hope for the best but it's way to premature to make a statement like that.

He got his own head together when he went back to school and cleaned up his own act. That was grabbing the tail of the dragon.

Semantics, just like Jerry Jones bashing, can take a very long time to clean up although.

 

[jobberone]

Someone who has followed McClain's career since a sophomore in high school.

McClain's problem was never the Oakland Raiders. McClain's biggest problem was going back to his hometown of Decatur, Alabama whenever he got a chance. You never heard any reports of McClain getting into trouble while he was in California? All his mishaps has been in his hometown.

Here you have this young kid who all of a sudden becomes a millionaire and becomes the biggest thing in the city and that type of situation can really boost a man's ego and bring jealousy amongst others including the local police department. McClain was charged with assault while playing for Oakland and after he signed with the Ravens, he was charged again for writing "**** You" instead of his name on a Police Citation for a bogus window tint ticket in his hometown.

With 2 arrest in the past two seasons, Roger Goodell was going to suspend him and that is why he retired and concentrated on getting his life back in order because Ro was going into a no win situation.

Never heard anything major at Alabama because Saban kept McClain out of Decatur while he was at the Capstone. Once he lost that support system at Bama and went to Oakland where I assume they treat and expect Men to act like Professionals like any other job.

Thanks for sharing. I think he mentioned something about associating with the right people. Important to learn.

 

[DFWJC]

We'll see.
But I predict that he eventually helps us.

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

Hate it when the word "if" be inserted when esplaining how so and so will be great and productive "if" such and such happens.

Wearing the star is a honor.
Making even NFL minimum is a good living.
If you shake on it and then sign a paper to play you better play and with no baggage and "ifs' in your resume.

Halfing said that, I look foward to seeing him develop here. If he does produce he will be a steal and I will be the first (or second, or third) to say, "good choice!"

 

[casmith07]

Someone who has followed McClain's career since a sophomore in high school.

McClain's problem was never the Oakland Raiders. McClain's biggest problem was going back to his hometown of Decatur, Alabama whenever he got a chance. You never heard any reports of McClain getting into trouble while he was in California? All his mishaps has been in his hometown.

Here you have this young kid who all of a sudden becomes a millionaire and becomes the biggest thing in the city and that type of situation can really boost a man's ego and bring jealousy amongst others including the local police department. McClain was charged with assault while playing for Oakland and after he signed with the Ravens, he was charged again for writing "**** You" instead of his name on a Police Citation for a bogus window tint ticket in his hometown.

With 2 arrest in the past two seasons, Roger Goodell was going to suspend him and that is why he retired and concentrated on getting his life back in order because Ro was going into a no win situation.

Never heard anything major at Alabama because Saban kept McClain out of Decatur while he was at the Capstone. Once he lost that support system at Bama and went to Oakland where I assume they treat and expect Men to act like Professionals like any other job.

The ink wasn't even dry on his Baltimore contract when he got his 2nd arrest. Even though the charge was completely bogus, It wasn't a good look for McClain or Baltimore because Goodell was going to suspend him because he had no choice. Ozzie & McClain are from the same area and went to the same college, I believe if it was anybody else they would have cut ties with McClain after the second arrest. Saban & Ozzie are real close and agreed that McClain should take time off and Saban actually allowed McClain back into the practice facilities at Bama.

McClain went back to school, focused on family and pretty much moved to another city. IMO, I don't think Baltimore thinks McClain has lost his ability to play this game but I believe the Ravens cut ties with McClain because they drafted his replacement in CJ Mosely this past draft and factor that in with an average workout, it was a business like decision which I hope works out for both organizations.

Thanks for these, KDM. Helps shed some light on the situation.

Hopefully he finds a "new" hometown here in Dallas and new friends and family in this Cowboys team, and doesn't feel the need to have to go back to those circumstances. Heckuva player when he's focused.

 

[Tawney88]

He got his own head together when he went back to school and cleaned up his own act. That was grabbing the tail of the dragon.

Semantics, just like Jerry Jones bashing, can take a very long time to clean up although.

Going back to school was a step in the right direction, but he retired again this spring from the Ravens. Now I hope he does have his life straightened out but you can't (nor can I) with any logical level of confidence say he is all good in the head. It pure conjecture and hope at this point.

 

[guag]

Making even NFL minimum is a good living.

Understatement of the year.

 

[CCBoy]

Going back to school was a step in the right direction, but he retired again this spring from the Ravens. Now I hope he does have his life straightened out but you can't (nor can I) with any logical level of confidence say he is all good in the head. It pure conjecture and hope at this point.

Perhaps you just ignored the semantics part, and a statement made in the first person, unlike yours...

 

[Tawney88]

Perhaps you just ignored the semantics part, and a statement made in the first person, unlike yours...

I ignored it because quite honestly your last sentence made no sense, much like this post. Clear it up for me.

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

Understatement of the year.

But . . . but . .. when you figure in the costs of a agent-manager, press agent, good clothing that is not from JC Penney or Sears, nightclubs, special "energy" drinks, club-hopping with Kim Darby and Connie Stevens, providing your posse with Crystal and let-it-rain monies there is not enough wiggle room with that salary.

good thing that most are not NFL minimums because life could be hard.
Hey, thanks for the Kroger coupons for cheese and bread.

 

[CCBoy]

I ignored it because quite honestly your last sentence made no sense, much like this post. Clear it up for me.

I'll just leave you with the last word...

 

[Craig]

By responding in that way, didn't you just try to get the last word in?

On point though...this is a ~no risk/high reward acquisition and hopefully it pays off.