#2 MLB

[RAYvenFan20]

Just read that McClain has been playing next to Ray so far. Things are still early I know, just wondering who everyone else thinks will be stating week 1. both ellerbe and mcclain looked good last year when given the chance. Im still curious about gooden, this kid has so much potential but may have lost his shot after being injured his rookie year.

[dpatrickguy]

whoever is playing the best football. I tend to like Ellerbe and McClain due to the big plays they've made in the past, but really whoever.

[Dan The Man Ravens #1 Fan]

I said Other only because it is too early to make these kind of decisions. Maybe you can add that as a choice. Too Early To Tell. Anyway, I am impressed with the group as a whole. I believe that the title of starter is just that. Its a title. There will be so much movement throughout the game. The game along with production will determine who gets the bulk of the playing time.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='dpatrickguy' date='04 August 2010 - 07:35 PM' timestamp='1280964912' post='444610']
whoever is playing the best football. I tend to like Ellerbe and McClain due to the big plays they've made in the past, but really whoever.
[/quote]

Agreed.

Either Ellerbe hasn't performed as well as expected in training camp or Jameel has really stepped up. McClain had his issues against the run last season and Ellerbe had his problems in pass coverage. It'll be interesting to see how they perform in pre-season.

[Alexir]

Whoever wins the darn job and plays their butt off should play next to Ray Lewis. Why isn't that an option? I can tell you right now it wont be Jason Phillips, just read how "atrocious" he has been in pass defense.

[Ravenmore74]

Sometimes you just need to play behind people to build experience and the start getting some time on your own. anyone of these guys cand start next to Ray..

[The Raven]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' date='04 August 2010 - 07:56 PM' timestamp='1280966216' post='444614']
Agreed.

Either Ellerbe hasn't performed as well as expected in training camp or Jameel has really stepped up. McClain had his issues against the run last season and Ellerbe had his problems in pass coverage. It'll be interesting to see how they perform in pre-season.
[/quote]

From what I remember, McClain was pretty good against the run, for most of the season he was included in our goal-line package.

I think McClain is obviously leading the battle as the #2 MLB. so, as of now, I think he'll be starting next to Ray on week one. But, there's a lot of training camp left, and a whole pre-season. The starter will be Ellerbe or McClain though.

[Purple Nurple]

Whoever wins the job.

[ed.s52]

How has Jason Philips been doing?

Someone on here said he's been "atrcoious" in coverage but I'd like to hear more than one opinion. I had high hopes for him.

[POE]

[quote name='ed.s52' date='04 August 2010 - 09:10 PM' timestamp='1280970637' post='444660']
How has Jason Philips been doing?

Someone on here said he's been "atrcoious" in coverage but I'd like to hear more than one opinion. I had high hopes for him.
[/quote]
I am for whoever wins the job. I love what I have read about McClain kind of coming out of nowhere just like Ellerbe did last season. It seems that these kind of stories results into dominate play from that individual and becomes a great story and proof that we always find good talent in our LB core.

Like Ed.s52 has stated though, I am really curious on how Phillips has handled his return from injury. I saw a video earlier today of him making a good stop on Willis but other than that nothing has really been said about his progress. If anybody who has seen this first hand could comment on this that would be great.

[Alexir]

[url="http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playerpages/playerbreakingnews.asp?sport=NFL&id=5282&line=177005&spln=1"]http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playerpages/playerbreakingnews.asp?sport=NFL&id=5282&line=177005&spln=1[/url]


More on how "Atrocious" he is

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='The Raven' date='04 August 2010 - 08:47 PM' timestamp='1280969238' post='444642']
[b]From what I remember, McClain was pretty good against the run, for most of the season he was included in our goal-line package. [/b]

I think McClain is obviously leading the battle as the #2 MLB. so, as of now, I think he'll be starting next to Ray on week one. But, there's a lot of training camp left, and a whole pre-season. The starter will be Ellerbe or McClain though.
[/quote]

McClain, Gooden and Barnes rotated inside earlier in the season but they all struggled against the run. Once Ellerbe took the position by the reigns in Week 11, the run D picked up.

[RoflDogs]

I remember McClain being very solid against the run, good against the pass, and very good in pass rush

I want him to be our DE/OLB, but if he does a good job at ILB, I'm fine with that too

[-Truth-]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' date='04 August 2010 - 11:11 PM' timestamp='1280981469' post='444769']
McClain, Gooden and Barnes rotated inside earlier in the season but they all struggled against the run. Once Ellerbe took the position by the reigns in Week 11, the run D picked up.
[/quote]
But maybe that speaks more about Ellerbe than less about McClain. As far as I remember, Adrian Peterson and Cedric Benson were the only successful RBs against us. I mean, as impressive as he was, it's not as if we were mediocre before Dannell's arrival.

[AwakenTheDemon]

I'd much rather see McClain at the outside position, which is where I feel he excels the most. Given the potential logjam at outside linebacker, I can fully understand him trying to earn an inside linebacking job. If he plays the best inside amongst all of our options, then give it to him. Personally, I'd rather see Ellerbe get the job. He really ramped it last season (Oakland game anyone?), turned some heads, and impressed nearly everybody.

With that being said, I'd rather the best man earn the position, not be given it just due to last season's play.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='-Truth-' timestamp='1280983519' post='444784']
But maybe that speaks more about Ellerbe than less about McClain. As far as I remember, Adrian Peterson and Cedric Benson were the only successful RBs against us. I mean, as impressive as he was, it's not as if we were mediocre before Dannell's arrival.
[/quote]

That's true.

We'll see who wants the job more in pre-season.

[Perfekt]

i will take ellerbe or mccliain. i feel confindant that with the style that they both play. i still remember mcclain his rookie year being amazing and thinking man with some more time hes going to be special so im not shocked that hes impressing now. ellerbe still needs more time to develope so im fine with him being the back up but i still feel like he could play right now as well. gooden seems to be the odd man out and with his skill set think he would do better rushing on the outside because of his blazing speed.

[lowrider]

If McClain developed into the starter I would be happy with that. I think he is the best pass rusher out of all three of them. But as a starter, you need to be able to do everything. But sounds like he is developing into an all around good player. And add the fact he can pass rush, he is a deadly linebacker.

[BloodRaven]

It seems like a pick your poison situation, Ellerbie is the best run stopper, Gooden is the best in coverage and McClain is the best pass rusher.

[AwakenTheDemon]

[quote name='BloodRaven' timestamp='1281024021' post='444915']
It seems like a pick your poison situation, Ellerbe is the best run stopper, Gooden is the best in coverage and McClain is the best pass rusher.
[/quote]

If only we could combine them all into one complete linebacker, dominate in all facets of the position.

[Perfekt]

well if thats the situation then based on which team we play is how we should go about who is playing.

[BloodRaven]

I hear Jason Phillips is looking very slow now.

[AwakenTheDemon]

Atrociously slow.

[The Raven]

McClain had an insane practice today. As much as I love Ellerbe, it looks like McClain is gonna win it.

[Ed_Reed_Pick_Six]

Jameel McClain.

[ryanbronson]

Ellerbe should get the job. he's good and seems to be a prospect l8r on if he gets time