Why Terrell McClain Will Start For The Dallas Cowboys In 2014

[Idgit]

There was an interview with McClain on an article last week, where he stated that Marinelli has him playing 3 tech because of his foot quickness. Should we discount what he said in the article and proclaim him the starter at nose?

Really? That's interesting. Any chance you can find the link? I'd be interested in that interview.

 

[speedkilz88]

There was an interview with McClain on an article last week, where he stated that Marinelli has him playing 3 tech because of his foot quickness. Should we discount what he said in the article and proclaim him the starter at nose?

The article mentioned he could play both and it was before Melton signed to play the 3.

 

[Idgit]

The article mentioned he could play both and it was before Melton signed to play the 3.

Ok. So that makes sense.

 

[speedkilz88]

http://espn.go.com/blog/dallas/cowboys/post/_/id/4725936/terrell-mcclain-looking-to-start-for-dallas

McClain said he can play both defensive tackle spots in a 4-3 defense and he's also versed in the 3-4 scheme. He likes Marinelli's role for him as the three-technique along the line that was boosted by the signing of Henry Melton on Tuesday.

"Just the fast-paced, get off the ball, get after the quarterback every play," McClain said of Marinelli's defensive scheme. "If you have good quickness off the ball and good footwork you can rally make a difference in the system."

Look for the those type guys in the draft, DE and DTs.

 

[erod]

Yuck.

The writer of this article is clueless -- McClain started most of the season as an under tackle in Carolina's 4-3 scheme and was cut after one year. The Patriots had also switched to a 4-3 by the time they picked him up and promptly cut him to re-sign Bobby Carpenter. Forgive me for not being optimistic about the prospect of a third-string nose tackle from the team with the first overall pick in the draft this year coming in and transforming the Dallas Cowboys DL.

Selvie took a similar path.

Look at Shaun Smith. Dallas cut him, then he kicked around, and now he's a solid defensive tackle. Guys sometimes develop later given the chance.

But I still draft my starter if I can and just hope McClain comes around.

 

[chicago JK]

So is McClain and improvement over Hayden only because the Cowboys signed him? I could have sworn I saw posts that people like Hayden and the LSU guy we released during the season. It may be the same people saying McClain is a clear cut improvement.

I have no idea if he is an improvement. I hope he is, but the bar is not that high. It just seems people were planning Hayden into the Cowboys plans until his replacement was signed.

 

[Idgit]

So is McClain and improvement over Hayden only because the Cowboys signed him? I could have sworn I saw posts that people like Hayden and the LSU guy we released during the season. It may be the same people saying McClain is a clear cut improvement.

I have no idea if he is an improvement. I hope he is, but the bar is not that high. It just seems people were planning Hayden into the Cowboys plans until his replacement was signed.

Most of us see an opportunity to improve the DL at the one tech. Whether that's McClain or another player, it doesn't matter much to me. Hayden was a role player who gave us some starting snaps. I'm glad he did, but something's wrong if he's starting again next season.

 

[speedkilz88]

http://espn.go.com/blog/dallas/cowboys/post/_/id/4725936/terrell-mcclain-looking-to-start-for-dallas

So is McClain and improvement over Hayden only because the Cowboys signed him? I could have sworn I saw posts that people like Hayden and the LSU guy we released during the season. It may be the same people saying McClain is a clear cut improvement.

I have no idea if he is an improvement. I hope he is, but the bar is not that high. It just seems people were planning Hayden into the Cowboys plans until his replacement was signed.

Hayden gave them competent early down play against the run but he was used way too much and even on passing downs because of all the injuries. Pretty good for a late addition off the street. But he's not irreplaceable. I don't think anyones ever said that.

 

[xwalker]

So is McClain and improvement over Hayden only because the Cowboys signed him? I could have sworn I saw posts that people like Hayden and the LSU guy we released during the season. It may be the same people saying McClain is a clear cut improvement.

I have no idea if he is an improvement. I hope he is, but the bar is not that high. It just seems people were planning Hayden into the Cowboys plans until his replacement was signed.

He played quality snaps in 2013. Hayden was out of football in 2012 and Drake Nevis was cut twice in 2013 before coming to the Cowboys.

 

[SportsGuru80]

McClain is better than Hayden...

 

[Nirvana]

SDE-Crawford, Bass, Mincey
DT1-McClain, Draft pick *
DT3-Melton, Draft pick *
WDE-Selvie, Rayford, Draft pick *

* possible starter

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

It is no secret that Rod Marinelli is one of the best defensive coaches in the league at getting the most out of his players. This was the case in 2013 when Marinelli got the most out of George Selvie and Nick Hayden. Although Hayden didn’t have any sacks, he wasn’t that bad at holding his ground in the middle of the field. Selvie on the other hand had by far his best statistical season. The South Florida product had seven sacks, even though he was signed towards the end of training camp in August.

In 2011, when Marinelli coached for the Chicago Bears, he had a lot of interest of Terrell McClain. McClain at the time was just entering the NFL from the University of South Florida. In fact, McClain played a year of football with Selvie in college.

This leads me to my next point… I believe McClain will start next to Henry Melton on this defensive line in 2014. Although many believe he will be a depth guy, there is reason to believe why McClain could start on this team. I said earlier how Marinelli made Hayden a better player. The interesting thing about that is that McClain is more talented than Hayden, and it shouldn’t be long until Cowboys fans see that this guy can play.
Article continues here: http://sportdfw.com/2014/03/30/terrell-mcclain-will-start-dallas-cowboys-2014/

lets not forget, we are heaping accolades on selvie and some of these other folks, and they were part of a team that was 32nd in defense and one of the worst in league history and one of the worst DLs and two of the best players just left the team.

doesn't give me a lot of confidence on these players.

both of them are rotational players at best. need upgraded most probably.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

SDE-Crawford, Bass, Mincey
DT1-McClain, Draft pick *
DT3-Melton, Draft pick *
WDE-Selvie, Rayford, Draft pick *

* possible starter

That's not bad.

But I think Bass is going to be an inside player, which is where they had him at training camp prior to his injury. He's 6'5" close to 300lbs. I think he's a DT in this system. And I think he backs up both spots, assuming he stays injury free and assuming he makes the team.

 

[speedkilz88]

That's not bad.

But I think Bass is going to be an inside player, which is where they had him at training camp prior to his injury. He's 6'5" close to 300lbs. I think he's a DT in this system. And I think he backs up both spots, assuming he stays injury free and assuming he makes the team.

Yeah, and Rayford did his damage in Indy at the SDE. They also have Martez Wilson who has been listed as a LB but should be a WDE in the Cowboys scheme.

 

[Nirvana]

Yeah, and Rayford did his damage in Indy at the SDE. They also have Martez Wilson who has been listed as a LB but should be a WDE in the Cowboys scheme.

Wilson has the right size for WDE but doesn't have the skills - I wouldn't expect him to make the final 53 unless something goes very wrong at camp. He's a journeyman who we picked up as an emergency fill in. He was not impressive last season either.

Rayford's best chance at making the team is at WDE depth chart side.

 

[Nirvana]

That's not bad.

But I think Bass is going to be an inside player, which is where they had him at training camp prior to his injury. He's 6'5" close to 300lbs. I think he's a DT in this system. And I think he backs up both spots, assuming he stays injury free and assuming he makes the team.

According to BTB article a few days ago Bass is 285. They had him at SDE last year but I could see him playing some 3 tech and backing up both spots.

http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2014...n-bass-profile-defensive-line-3-tech-DE-DL-DT

 

[Va_BoysFan4 Life]

SDE-Crawford, Mincey, Draft Pick
DT1-McClain, Hayden,Draft pick ( Camp war for position)
DT3-Melton, Bass, Draft pick (Camp war for this one also)
WDE-Selvie, Rayford, Draft pick

I can see 3 draft picks use for the DL, whether that is 2 DT/ 1 DE or 2 DE/ 1DT. I see Hayden coming back as role player unless he loses the job. Rayford really have to show or he will be back on the practice squad or cut. I believe Bass will definitely go inside. And with that being said I have grown a little warmer to a trade down. I do not see Donald as a Cowboy as much as I would like him to be.

 

[jobberone]

I'm not sure the league is ready for Ben Bass.

That got a chuckle. I think Bass has a chance of being a player. JMO.

 

[jobberone]

That's not bad.

But I think Bass is going to be an inside player, which is where they had him at training camp prior to his injury. He's 6'5" close to 300lbs. I think he's a DT in this system. And I think he backs up both spots, assuming he stays injury free and assuming he makes the team.

I think he competes for the 3 and SDE. I think he could play the 1 some as well although that's not the best place for him. I think Selvie gets more snaps as a 5 on passing downs and less on running downs which Crawford and Bass can do for the most part. I'm hoping they draft a 3 and/or a 5 and wouldn't mind a 1 later on. That will make a decent rotation.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

I think he competes for the 3 and SDE. I think he could play the 1 some as well although that's not the best place for him. I think Selvie gets more snaps as a 5 on passing downs and less on running downs which Crawford and Bass can do for the most part. I'm hoping they draft a 3 and/or a 5 and wouldn't mind a 1 later on. That will make a decent rotation.

Yeah, I think a 3, a 5 and a 1 is definitely possible.