Jameel McClain

[Shadowalker]

The man has been playing his heart out. I honestly feel we have found another gem. I think under Ray's tutelage he has the athleticism, determination, and raw ability to hold that ILB position down for a while. Every gang tackle I see, Jameel is there, you cant help but just like the guy. When we lost Bart Scott I was incredibly upset, but now 53 makes that decision so much better.

[colljb9]

I know i should probably put this in the draft board but i feel like its an important point. First i agree jameel is really coming into his own and is playing outstanding. But not sure how many of you are watching this but vontaze burflict got benched tonight for too many personal fouls. I understand we have a strong locker room but that is not the guy if he fell to us that i would want to draft to replace lewis. Besides that again i agree mcclain is outstanding and after reading his story it makes it that much sweeter to see him succeed.

[ravensfan520]

There will never be another Ray Lewis... but as much as Patrick Willis gets compared to him I think that McMclain has been showing that he may not be Ray lewis but he can command a defense alongside Suggs and Ngata that come become great.

[CalvinSmoke]

McClain has earned all of my respect man... he fills the gaps fearlessly. Plays like a true Raven, and is very athletic. We just need one more strong guy to fill the spot next to him, and we will have such a nasty front 7. Imagine the pass rush if the next man up is athletic lol.

[BloodRaven]

I don't buy it, I still think he's average in every department. I used to get mad watching him hit the wrong hole or just wait for Ray to make the tackle.

[Shadowalker]

[quote name='BloodRaven' timestamp='1322311195' post='887067']
I don't buy it, I still think he's average in every department. I used to get mad watching him hit the wrong hole or just wait for Ray to make the tackle.
[/quote]

That's because sometimes it's his job to occupy the blocker so Ray CAN hit the hole. I

[True]

I think he's alright as a complimentary player, not someone I'd pick to man the position of MLB. This years class has some talented ILB prospects and I'd take a shot at one of them to fill up the depth.

[SecretAgentMan]

Solid, that is all he is. Can't do any better. But Imagine, put him with Zac Brown, from UNC, who can potentially move from OLB to ILB. That duo would be great

[Jamal]

Good back-up.

We still desperately need to upgrade the ILB position this off-season.

[PWNEDbyDEANO]

I don't think much to him in coverage, he gets beat a lot by the guy he's covering but otherwise I like him. He plays with like a Raven and did a great job against SF

[BloodRaven]

[quote name='Shadowalker' timestamp='1322320051' post='887109']

That's because sometimes it's his job to occupy the blocker so Ray CAN hit the hole. I
[/quote]

Don't try and feed me that line, I know what I see and he hasn't changed much into his second starting season.

[CapoRocky]

[quote name='True' timestamp='1322320894' post='887116']
I think he's alright as a complimentary player, not someone I'd pick to man the position of MLB. This years class has some talented ILB prospects and I'd take a shot at one of them to fill up the depth.
[/quote]

Keep him for depth and draft for the future.

[JohnnyBoy8102]

McClain has played decent vs the run and as a pass rusher but like others have said his pass coverage leaves a lot to be desired.

Since the Jax game he is 16/18 for 252 yards given up in coverage. He was responsible for those 2 long Marshawn Lynch catches in that Seattle game as well.

[The King]

He's also had some plays where his coverage has been pretty tight, and I feel like that's the one area where he really needs to improve as LB. He rushes the passer very well and plays the run at a good level. He could be a starter, though maybe not a star player, for several years. There's no reason why he shouldn't be considered a quality ILB for the future.

That said, I would still like to see them draft someone with a high-round pick to fill the gap Ray Lewis leaves at ILB. While a player who can truly replace Ray would be an incredibly rare talent, we need someone who can at least take the role.

[H8R]

McClain is a solid back up. Very solid. He misses a lot of tackles and isn't as physical as I'd like. He's got time to improve and become physically stronger and more consistent tackler.

[BloodRaven]

Ellerbe is the better ILB and always has been in my opinion.

[Militant X 1]

[quote name='BloodRaven' timestamp='1322333149' post='887266']
Ellerbe is the better ILB and always has been in my opinion.
[/quote]

i agree! but the more McClain gets the opportunity to man the ship he'll improve.

~Mili

[True]

The Ravens need an ILB who can cover the TE and protect the middle. McClain is too slow and also takes some bad angles when tackling. In the 3-4 he's an OK addition but I'd let him and Ellerbe go for the ILB next to a future draft pick who is more talented. I like the guys but they were both UDFAs, so you need some real talent at MLB who does all phases of the Mike well.

[TheRavenouseD2008]

keep ion mind we are a 3-4 we got 2 ilb spots to fill next year develope them both

[Corvus]

First, I am all for using a higher pick on a good ILB prospect this April. Ellerbe can't seem to stay healthy, Ayanbadejo is 35, other than Ray and Jameel the well is pretty dry for us at ILB, and Ray isn't going to play forever...

That said, before you all completely keep ripping the man who helped hold together our fantastic defensive performance Thursday night, remember how much playing time he has at ILB for his entire football career. He was an OLB his rookie year and was buried in the depth chart in '09. As recently as his last year at Syracuse in '07 he was exclusively a 4-3 defensive end. I am by no means saying Jameel is our answer at the position, and there are several times he has missed plays. But when you consider how far the guy has come from a 4-3 end to calling the plays as the mike backer on Thursday, its pretty impressive. All of you that are peddling the "he's a decent backup" line need to put some logic into your statements, Jameel is only going to get better as he continues growing into the role the team has made for him.

[The Raven]

[quote name='Shadowalker' timestamp='1322320051' post='887109']

That's because sometimes it's his job to occupy the blocker so Ray CAN hit the hole. I
[/quote]

Not exactly true, in fact thats just false. In a 3-4 defense, one linebacker is supposed to hit the hole or "fill" and the other is supposed to make the tackle. That's how it works. One LB fills, one linebacker tackles.

[quote name='BloodRaven' timestamp='1322321821' post='887127']

Don't try and feed me that line, I know what I see and he hasn't changed much into his second starting season.
[/quote]

Don't try and give me that crap. He's been significantly better against the run. He's a lot more physical and he's finally figuring out the ILB position. The general consensus is that Jameel is having a very good year. I'd like to see his coverage improve but how many DE's coverted ILB's are perfect in coverage? How many ILB's period are perfect in coverage? Let's try and be realists.

[quote name='BloodRaven' timestamp='1322333149' post='887266']
Ellerbe is the better ILB and always has been in my opinion.
[/quote]

If he was significantly better I'm sure he'd be starting now McClain. Our coaching staff has made a few personnel mistakes, but I'm positive that McClain is better than Ellerbe. Absolutely positive. If Ellerbe was [i]that[/i] much better he would have started.

[BloodRaven]

[quote name='Militant X 1' timestamp='1322337664' post='887313']

i agree! but the more McClain gets the opportunity to man the ship he'll improve.

~Mili
[/quote]

How much time does he need? he's had the starting role for two years ever since Ellerbe put himself in Harbaughs doghouse. He's just not a natural at the position and probably won't improve much.

[Free Agent]

McClain is good in the role he is in right now. I just cant see him becoming our #1 ILB after Ray retires.

[wayne]

I would like to see us go after a ILB in the draft but its not b/c I don't like how McClain is playing but is more so of the fact that we need someone solid next to McClain when Ray hangs it up.We need to keep McClain at the position he is now and draft someone to come in and fill Rays spot. I look at it and we are good at O-line, WR,TE,CB,D-line....... we might need to draft for a future FS ( if they move Webb to FS then we aight ).... we good at RB,QB. We basically good at everything moving forward except ILB and FS.

IT will be curious to see which way the FO goes in the draft next year. If we are able to get a solid player that has dropped even though we good at the position, will the FO jump on that or will they draft for need.

[BloodRaven]

[quote name='The Raven' timestamp='1322339471' post='887328']
[b]Don't try and give me that crap.[/b] He's been significantly better against the run. He's a lot more physical and he's finally figuring out the ILB position. The general consensus is that Jameel is having a very good year. I'd like to see his coverage improve but how many DE's coverted ILB's are perfect in coverage? How many ILB's period are perfect in coverage? Let's try and be realists.
[/quote]

Who asked you? this isn't a debate, if you don't like my opinion then kick rocks.

[XxSizzleXx]

If Ellerbe could only stay on the field, McClain is taking advantage with Ellerbe not hitting the field. I do think McClain is better than average though, he is a solid ILB. He is better than a lot of other teams ILB's.

[colljb9]

If we're that confident i think we should really try to get that Kuechly guy from boston college. Burflict is a liability to his team if anyone watched the Arizona state game last night. Mcclain is solid but i believe is clearly helped by the solid play around him. That being said if we can draft a solid ILB to play next to mcclain he will also get better.

[Shadowalker]

Alright fellas easy now were all on the same side here

[Ravenseconbeast]

Redding, Jameel has been doing their job. Dont give them too much props yet. There has been times when they were completely invisible and times when they were a force. For now I hope Jameel can keep what he has been doing these past few weeks. Its been nothing but beauty to see how dominant our defense has played so far.

[The Raven]

[quote name='BloodRaven' timestamp='1322342738' post='887376']

Who asked you? this isn't a debate, if you don't like my opinion then kick rocks.
[/quote]

Sorry buddy, I'm just giving you my opinion.