Jameel Mcclain.

[grape drank]

Just been looking through a lot of the topics on the forum, and have noticed a slight trend beginning to develop. A lot of people, either when making mock drafts, or talking about salary cap, 3 times out of 5 have Jameel McClain being cut as a cap casualty. Now I know, that we are looking for Ray Lewis' successor, and that may (if he pulls a Bart Scott), or may not be Jameel. HOWEVER, I also understand that we run a 3-4 which implies that there are TWO inside linebackers. We are looking for Ray's successor, but we still need Jameel who is very solid to man down the other position!

When Ray Lewis was injured Jameel played admirably and our defence arguably played its best football during those weeks in the absence of its heralded leader. Now when contract discussions begin with Jameel, a LB depleted team may offer more than we are willing to match; however, we need to propose him a fair offer, as he is becoming quite the talent!

thoughts? Opinions?

[GrimCoconut]

I don't believe anyone has stated in their mocks to "cut" McClain. I also can't speak for other people, but I can speak for myself.

When I made my mock, I had Jameel walking not because we didn't try but because we will probably be outbid by another team. You have to admit it is a very realistic possibility. I also believe that if we sign a guy like Burflict we can have him start next to Ray. If that happened Jameel would just sit there.

Bottom-line, my gut tells me he walks. I will predict he goes to the Giants, Eagles, or Steelers if they release Foote.

[Alexir]

Didn't know people were saying to cut him. If anyone shouldn't be back it should be Ayanbadejo and Ellerbe. Neither one are going to replace Ray and we can find depth in draft or even a possible heir.

[BloodRaven]

McClain is slightly above average at best and will probably only be retained for the right price, he still has issues with open field tackles, coverage and instincts.

[berad]

It's crazy that we only have three LBs under contract - Ray, Sizzle, and Kruger[i].[/i]

I think McClain comes back, maybe Ayanbadejo if it's cheap, JJ is most likely gone, Ellerbe is an RFA so he'll be back, and our exclusive rights guys (McAdoo, Kindle, McClellan, Bynes) will probably be back too.

[SideStep77]

I like McClain he did do a good job stepping up and calling the defense. He might not be as good as Lewis but what are the odds of you ever finding another Ray Lewis? I think he can take over Rays position but I believe Suggs will take over the D and become the leader and motivator when Lewis does leave.

[ravensfan520]

I think we should resign McClain and still draft a ilb. Out of all the linebackers we have had McClain has probably learned the most from Lewis and has the leadership qualities to take over. I think thay McClain has he work ethic to succeed. Undrafted lived homeless half his life and moved positions.

[Militant X 1]

McClain held his own in Ray's absence.

~Mili

[Yatagarasu]

I say Stephen Tulloch!

Grand Theft Linebacker at $3.25 M. Oh wait, that was last year.

[PWNEDbyDEANO]

McClain is solid but unspectacular. Ozzie and co will try to re-sign him but it's a very real possibility that he will go elsewhere for more money.

[bMore Heathen]

I think McClain played better at strong side (Rays position) than he did on the weak side. But most of the time that weak side is taking on linemen, so it's hard to stand out.
But it might be time for a change in defensive philosophy. With so many teams now running the 3-4, it a lot harder to find those LBs. and that's really not the strength of our team anymore. I think it's time to think about a 4-3. Nagta is an athletic freak, so him and Cody inside, Suggs and Kruger/Kindle at DE. We would need at least 1 more LB to play the outside, but I think McClain can be 1 of them. Since we have a full offseason to start teaching these guys some new positions. Ngata, Suggs, Kindle, and Kruger all played in the 4-3 in college, so the learning curve won't be as bad for the line. Just a thought...

[scrock]

i dont know if we are going to part ways with Jameel...he's 1 of the LBs who has actually proven himself..especially when Lewis was out with injury

Ellerbe, who I thought was more talented, is injury prone...so it looks like Jameel will stick around

[codizzle]

[quote name='scrock' timestamp='1328898946' post='991385']
i dont know if we are going to part ways with Jameel...he's 1 of the LBs who has actually proven himself..especially when Lewis was out with injury

Ellerbe, who I thought was more talented, is injury prone...so it looks like Jameel will stick around
[/quote]
Ellerbe is RFA.. A lot easier to keep

[Free Agent]

McClain is a good #2 ILB, but I have no faith in him as a #1.

[scrock]

[quote name='codizzle' timestamp='1328900032' post='991402']
Ellerbe is RFA.. A lot easier to keep
[/quote]

yeah....but Ellerbe really hasnt proven anything, he was in and out of the doghouse and then he cant stay on the field because of injury....idk about him anymore

[gabefergy]

I like McClain, but its going to depend on what he can get in FA. I think we bring him back if he wants to sign a reasonable contract, but its possible there is a team out there that overpays for him. The Ravens wont be that team. In reality he is a very good 2 down LB, but he hasnt proven yet to be a consistent enough coverage guy to get paid like a top ILB.

[Gordo52]

I feel unless McClain takes less to be here he'll be somewhere else. Maybe even colts with jj

[raybaby]

My current memory of Ellerbe is him getting torched against NE. Everyone was saying what a genius BB was for attacking our linebackers because of Ray Lewis & his covering abilities.... uhhh news flash Ellerbe was the one who couldn't cover in that game & I don't feel like NE changed their philosophy at all anyways... Tom Brady has always been more of a dinker and donker. Ray Ray struggled most in the Chargers game which probably had to do with some rust. I think McClain has a lot of upside.. I'd rather keep him than Ellerbe but Ellerbe is a RFA.

[gabefergy]

[quote name='raybaby' timestamp='1328912244' post='991562']
My current memory of Ellerbe is him getting torched against NE. Everyone was saying what a genius BB was for attacking our linebackers because of Ray Lewis & his covering abilities.... uhhh news flash Ellerbe was the one who couldn't cover in that game & I don't feel like NE changed their philosophy at all anyways... Tom Brady has always been more of a dinker and donker. Ray Ray struggled most in the Chargers game which probably had to do with some rust. I think McClain has a lot of upside.. I'd rather keep him than Ellerbe but Ellerbe is a RFA.
[/quote]
Yeah Ellerbe and McClain are both liabilities in coverage. I think we will keep Ellerbe simply because he will be relatively inexpensive, but McClain could certainly walk if he finds some team that will pay him to be a full-time starter.

[Yoonkeem]

yeah, i predict if we let him walk, he'll go with Pagano, with the colts.
Pagano will be familiar to him, so im guessing familiarity and continuity will factor in.
McClain is what i consider an equivalent to K Morrison.
I think their playing styles are pretty similar, and are disciplined on the field.

IMO, he's worth the money that he's worth right now.
I mean, we cant just use someone else instead of him anyways.
Maybe Ellerbe, or grrom Bynes,
but we'll downgrade skill wise.

So in terms of money and skill, i say he's worth it.

[Irish Raven]

McClain did a nice job when he was given the mic and told to communicate the plays when Ray was out.
Good player, and such a fantastic story coming from being homeless.

I'd keep McClain over Ellerbe every day but that's not saying much

Depends on what his demands are
Pagano may want him and pay something we can't match

[jdynamite]

McClain had a very solid season this year, he shed blocks better filled in holes better was a overall more consistent player... I think was more because he didn't have to worry about that crazy 3 man rotation of past few years with ellerbe gooden and himself....

When I see Jameel McClain I basically see Ed Hartwell... An average good player...

[The Raven]

I really want us to keep him, but unfortunately I can see him going to Philly or to Indy, heck, maybe even Pittsburgh. If he went to Philly, he could play Sam for them, and move to DE on 3rd down. they need LB help and a pass rusher. Indy could use him as a Jack or as a Sam in my opinion. Of course, his going to Indy is very dependent on whether or not they do decide to switch to the 3-4.

[GrimCoconut]

[quote name='The Raven' timestamp='1328981595' post='991969']
I really want us to keep him, but unfortunately I can see him going to Philly or to Indy, heck, maybe even Pittsburgh. If he went to Philly, he could play Sam for them, and move to DE on 3rd down. they need LB help and a pass rusher. Indy could use him as a Jack or as a Sam in my opinion. Of course, his going to Indy is very dependent on whether or not they do decide to switch to the 3-4.
[/quote]
100% agree, though I see him going to either Eagles, Giants, Cardinals, Pittsburgh, Indy. I don't really see him going to Indy, though. They don't exactly need linebackers since they have some decent ones. I see Indy taking our secondary players like Zbikowski, Haruki, Carr, Foxworth, etc. rather than linebackers. If they get any linebacker it would be JJ. I really see Pagano targeting our D-line, namely McKinney or Redding.

Anyway, I digress. The point I am making is that I believe Jameel McClain will be an Eagle next year. Here's why: they need linebackers, he's a free agent, the Ravens won't engage in a bidding war for him when they have to re-sign/extend other players (Grubbs, Rice, Flacco, Webb), and he is from Philadelphia. I can easily see Jameel McClain become another Josh Wilson.

[ravensfan520]

[quote name='bMore Heathen' timestamp='1328895861' post='991334']
I think McClain played better at strong side (Rays position) than he did on the weak side. But most of the time that weak side is taking on linemen, so it's hard to stand out.
But it might be time for a change in defensive philosophy. With so many teams now running the 3-4, it a lot harder to find those LBs. and that's really not the strength of our team anymore. I think it's time to think about a 4-3. Nagta is an athletic freak, so him and Cody inside, Suggs and Kruger/Kindle at DE. We would need at least 1 more LB to play the outside, but I think McClain can be 1 of them. Since we have a full offseason to start teaching these guys some new positions. Ngata, Suggs, Kindle, and Kruger all played in the 4-3 in college, so the learning curve won't be as bad for the line. Just a thought...
[/quote]

So who would be the LBs? Lewis... McClain (hopefully and he did swith from olb to play ilb) and then who if Suggs is on the line. We need to stick with the 34 and resign McClain draft a future replacement to fill for McClain and move McClain over...Lewis, Suggs and then Kindle or Kruger.

My starters...
CODY (dt)
NGATA (de)
Mcphee (de)
Suggs (olb)
McClain(ilb)
LEWIS (ILB)
Kindle/Kruger (olb)
Webb (cb1)
Smith (cb2)
POLLARD(SS)
REED(FS)

On passing downs Ngata can move to nose and either Kruger or Kindle can move to DE and the other stays at olb or we switch to nickle/dime packages and Williams would be first and Gorrer or Brown next.
Just my thoughts.

[tctony]

[quote name='bMore Heathen' timestamp='1328895861' post='991334']
I think McClain played better at strong side (Rays position) than he did on the weak side. But most of the time that weak side is taking on linemen, so it's hard to stand out.
But it might be time for a change in defensive philosophy. With so many teams now running the 3-4, it a lot harder to find those LBs. and that's really not the strength of our team anymore. I think it's time to think about a 4-3. Nagta is an athletic freak, so him and Cody inside, Suggs and Kruger/Kindle at DE. We would need at least 1 more LB to play the outside, but I think McClain can be 1 of them. Since we have a full offseason to start teaching these guys some new positions. Ngata, Suggs, Kindle, and Kruger all played in the 4-3 in college, so the learning curve won't be as bad for the line. Just a thought...
[/quote]

I think we are better suited to a 4-3 as well. Unfortunately, with Ray as the starting MLB we probably wouldn't be able to run it.

[CapoRocky]

[quote name='BloodRaven' timestamp='1328881193' post='991120']
McClain is slightly above average at best and will probably only be retained for the right price, he still has issues with open field tackles, coverage and instincts.
[/quote]

We will probably keep McClain. This might change if we draft Burflict.

[SpearSrai]

[quote name='CapoRocky' timestamp='1328985658' post='991998']


We will probably keep McClain. This might change if we draft Burflict.
[/quote]

Won't all of this happen way before the draft?

[SideStep77]

[quote name='SpearSrai' timestamp='1328986004' post='992004']
Won't all of this happen way before the draft?
[/quote]

Yeah I thought we have to sign them all like long before the draft?

[bauer77]

I would love if we had the money to bring back McClain. He definitely stepped his game up when Ray was out.

I think, that if we decide to let Grubbs walk, we would have the money to bring back guys like Jameel, Redding, and maybe even lock up Flacco and/or Webb up long term.