Grapple Raven

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Posts posted by Grapple Raven

  2. Posted · Report post

    Hear me out for a second.  Forget about Rolando the football player for a moment, and look at Rolando the man... this ESPN article from Oct. 30, 2013 is very telling, I think, about where the problems are with Rolando that he must figure out before he embarks forward in his life.

     

    This is a very well written piece that looks into the life of Rolando. It is worth a read if you haven't seen it already.  If you have, I apologize.

    Link:  http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/9882568/nfl-former-oakland-raiders-alabama-linebacker-rolando-mcclain-self-imposed-exile

     

    Pertinent excerpt:

     

    {"He left after three years, expecting NFL money to solve his family's problems. He got drafted, went to Oakland and almost immediately wished he'd never left Tuscaloosa. So here he is, trying to re-create something that he's realizing no longer exists. McClain and Saban talk only occasionally, and Saban didn't reply to interview requests for this story. Shortly after McClain returned to Tuscaloosa, the coach did introduce McClain to a therapist. They spoke a few times, but McClain hasn't worked up the courage to commit. "I'm scared of what he might figure out about me," he says with a forced laugh.

    What does he not want to know?(the reporter asked of McClain)  "I don't know if I'm ready to know, man, why I was so angry. I don't know if I'm ready to know what triggers my anger. I just feel like I figured out on my own how to stay calm, how to enjoy life, how to be happy. Eventually, I might find the source of the problem, get over it. But right now …"  He sounds like someone who's already had counseling, with self-awareness and smarts that are rare in any 24-year-old. And yet there's another piece of him that seems to drift."}

     

    This is the part of Rolando that concerns me...until he is willing to commit to finding out what triggers his anger he can't move forward in his life and be successful.   This lack of courage to commit, not knowing if he is ready to figure out what triggers his anger, thinking he can figure this all out on his own is what bothers me about Rolando. He had a very difficult upbringing, alot of tragedy in his life, made a lot of bad choices, and yes a lot of people have as well and have overcome them on their own. But we are all built differently and some people have inherently better coping mechanisms and support systems... Rolando maybe one of the exceptions that doesn't.  He maybe the person that needs professional help to overcome the issues of his upbringing.  The fact that he is not willing to try to seek out solutions to his issues is troubling for me. 

     

    I think that is why he showed up late and out of shape to his second chance at football...it kind of represents the unresolved conflict in his life up to this point... as in yes, he wants to play football, but he can't commit...Rolando is searching for an answer trying to find out the missing piece in his puzzle of life, but he is to naive to realize he can't find it on his own. Its sad, but right now football isn't the answer for Rolando, until he finds out the other answers first, imho.  For his sake, and his children's sake I hope he does. Once he finds those answers, if that brings him back to football...then he will be successful.  But until then Rolando has a lot of work to do...on himself. Just my thoughts.

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  3. Posted · Report post

    For those that are interested in the draft and like to follow prospects, if you are looking for draft video you might give http://draftbreakdown.com/ a try. They are a great site. With this site you won't have to be concerned with language on these videos either. They have every draft prospect listed by several categories, ie position, school, class, and videos available.  They have multiple videos on each prospect by game. In each game video they have per player, they show all their specific plays throughout one game...the good and the bad, it isn't just highlight plays.

     

    They also have mock drafts, really great articles that cover a wide range of diverse topics related to the draft, prospects, etc. and some good links to other draft sites if you are so inclined.  The site is used by the national media and scouts to search for players, and it is well respected. It is a great resource and is really easy to navigate.  If you are into the draft, as many of our posters are, this a great site, lol.  Hope this helps.

    Grapple

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  5. Posted · Report post

    rmw10 is correct, his cap number is friendly.  Jacoby is a playmaker. You also have to consider that Jacoby brings a lot of fun and excitement to the game as well, as he is very popular with the fanbase. He has brought in a lot of new fans to the organization.  In light of all the negative press the Ravens have incurred this offseason his value there can't be overlooked either.

     

    I am glad he is still a Raven...Raven's football just wouldn't have been the same without Jacoby!

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  9. Posted · Report post

    In addition, Bisciotti said that the players are on good terms with Castillo now. So there's that

     

    http://articles.balt...i-juan-castillo

     

    Bisciotti did indeed indicate by his own words:  1) said a repeated "failure" would not be tolerated.  2.)   "I have to be patient to let people fail, but I don't have to be patient enough to let people repeat failure," Bisciotti said. "I'll be more apt to get my way next year if their solutions don't change the problems. That's fair, that's where I am as owner.  3.)  "They know they've failed, they know they need to change, and to make improvements. If it's not the way I think it should be and then it fails again, then obviously it comes down to owner-head coach relationship."

     

    As to Castillo, Biscotti did indicate that there was some conflict on the offensive side of the ball:  "Juan has had sustained success and he didn't stop being a great coach. He came in, saw some flaws and said 'I'm going to change this.'" He got the natural resistance from guys who don't want to make changes. I have to admit that he did come on too strong and ruffled some feathers."

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  10. Posted · Report post

    @Asmodeus71 and @Mystigo Dragon let me help ya out, see article below:

     

    http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2014-01-08/sports/bs-sp-preston-ravens-column-0109-20140108_1_john-harbaugh-steve-bisciotti-juan-castillo

     

    Bisciotti did indeed indicate by his own words:  1) said a repeated "failure" would not be tolerated.  2.)   "I have to be patient to let people fail, but I don't have to be patient enough to let people repeat failure," Bisciotti said. "I'll be more apt to get my way next year if their solutions don't change the problems. That's fair, that's where I am as owner.  3.)  "They know they've failed, they know they need to change, and to make improvements. If it's not the way I think it should be and then it fails again, then obviously it comes down to owner-head coach relationship."

     

    As to Castillo, Biscotti did indicate that there was some conflict on the offensive side of the ball:  "Juan has had sustained success and he didn't stop being a great coach. He came in, saw some flaws and said 'I'm going to change this.'" He got the natural resistance from guys who don't want to make changes. I have to admit that he did come on too strong and ruffled some feathers."

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  11. Posted · Report post

    If it was to be a promotion from within, I'd actually prefer TE coach, Wade Harmon to JIm Hostler.  Think about this, Harmon has been here since Todd Heap was drafted, and lead Heap to 2 pro bowls, and the 5th most receptions, receiving yards, and 4th most receiving TDs from 2002-2010.  Now think of the TEs that have been in the league during that period, and then remember that Heap did this catching passes from Jeff Blake, Anthony Wright, Chris Redman and Kyle Boller.  And I would like the TEs to be featured much more prominently and creatively next season.

    Agree, Harmon would have been a better choice if going for a candidate from within the organization.  I remember specifically in the last game of the season several yrs. ago it was Harmon that designed several new plays for Pitta to get open and helped us win that game. At the time Harbs was very complimentary of Harmon for that.

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  12. Posted · Report post

    Mod note:

     

    Please do not post your thoughts or wishes in a way that they are taken as fact.  The blogs are written for informational purposes, and this doesn't do our membership any good as it starts unsubstantiated rumors that forces our membership to have to mull through.   If you have information please list it with a verified source.  Thanks.

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  18. Posted · Report post

    Wow, that Georgia vs. Tennessee game was off the charts!  Amazing what Georgia was able to do with all the injuries they sustained to go on and win in OT!  Murray was cool as a cucumber! Hated to see Marshall to go down with a knee in the first qr. and several other WR's as well.  Kudos to the Dawgs for pullin' that one out!

     

    ECU had a good game today as well.  Cardin had a good game again today even though they lost best RB in Cooper today.  Kudos to the Pirates!

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  19. Posted · Report post

    Georgia is SEC bro, not ACC.

    This is quite a game, I'm glad I skipped out on my alma mater beating up on some bad team for this.

     

    I meant that normally I am fan of an ACC team, not SEC, sorry for not making that clear, but I was was so into this game, lol.  But I will follow the Bulldogs as long as Gurley is there!

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  22. Posted · Report post

    Are they all hunky-dory now?  Do they bond over Titans and Grizzlies games?

     

    Too soon to tell, show just started this week, lol.  But I think the actual feud was over years ago, although on the show they still seem to be a fiesty bunch. Think the premise of the show is to bring the two sides together over the legalization of moonshine.

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