Jameel Mcclain To Test The Market

[Pääjärvi]

He's the next linebacker to play alongside Ray to get paid. Just like all the S alongside Reed got their pay

[PWNEDbyDEANO]

Not a surprise really. Like Jamal said, ILB was always going to be a position that needed to be addressed this offseason.

[Radinho84]

[quote name='flynismo' timestamp='1331357678' post='1017295']
McClain isn't exactly irreplaceable or an important cog in our defense. This is actually smart on our part -- once McClain sees how dry the market is for guys like him, he'll be much more inclined to take a cap friendly offer to return to us.
[/quote]
i really think that you are underestimating the value of this guy. he is better than bart scott in my eyes and look what he got!

i don´t think that he wants to leave baltimore but everybody has his price...

[GrimCoconut]

I am sure someone will neg me for this, but I don't care.

Jameel McClain will be Chris Carr if we re-sign him. He will be a good player who would be a starter on many teams that isn't elite. I would rather a team pay McClain 5M/yr so we could get a 3rd or 4th round comp pick next year. He is overrated around here.

You can even compare him to Landry if you want, who may be a better comparison. The truth is that we will be fine without McClain. We have a lot of hungry UDFA linebackers, and on top of that we have Ray Lewis. I really think Ray makes people look better than they are. Just like Ed.

Let another team overpay for McClain. I know he has a cult following around here and people think we need him because he learned the most from Ray. Okay, maybe that's true. Maybe he is better than Bart Scott. So what? Have we not been through this many times already? How many linebackers next to Ray have we lost and still been The Ravens? We will be OK.

I know McClain looked REALLY good in that 49ers game. I will give him that. I do not see him as Lewis' replacement, though. He is a solid ILB. But we will be fine without him. Let's give Bynes or even Williams a try. Let's see what they have. We will probably draft an ILB, or pick one up who was cut.

Not saying we shouldn't try to keep him, but we won't be paying him 5M/yr or even 4M. We don't have it for him. I just see him going to Philly. He's from there, they need an ILB, he played next to Ray. Philly likes free agents & they spend money. Philly also doesn't like drafting linebackers. They will make him an offer he can't refuse, most likely.

[CapoRocky]

I want to draft Hightower in the first and Burflict in the later rounds.

[harfordravenfan]

Mcclain don't have any eye popping stats so besides coming from our defense, can't see a team throwing that much money his way.

[Free Agent]

I wont be upset if he leaves. While he played well last season, he has shown me very little to believe he could be our #1 ILB after Ray retires. I think he's a solid #2, but Id rather bring in a guy, preferably through the draft like Hightower, who could develop into that #1 for us.

[ravensfan520]

[quote name='Purple_ICE 81' timestamp='1331359357' post='1017334']

Ray Lewis is our starter lol
[/quote]

I didn't know we played a 4 3 defense... the last time I looked McClain was starter in our 34 defense.

[1/28/01]

[quote name='Ravenseconbeast' timestamp='1331359564' post='1017338']



In houston today, he is being talked about in texans radio this noon.
[/quote]
Well, poopy on me! See ya, Jameel

[Radinho84]

[quote name='Free Agent' timestamp='1331393005' post='1017477']
I wont be upset if he leaves. While he played well last season, he has shown me very little to believe he could be our #1 ILB after Ray retires. I think he's a solid #2, but Id rather bring in a guy, preferably through the draft like Hightower, who[b] could[/b] develop into that #1 for us.
[/quote]
that is the thing. you never know what happens with draft picks!!! i would be very comfortable with mcclain taking over the show when ray hangs it up. he is a proven team player. he is respected on the team. he learned a lot under ray. and he is a good signal caller.

like someone said before: he is the closest to ray that we have ever had. i don´t say that he will ever be the second coming. but he is just what we need if ray is gone...

look at all those high drafted lbs of the last years. the only one that really earned my respect is maualuga. and he was a second round pick!!!

[berad]

Either he'll get overpaid somewhere else or he'll come back with his tail between his legs - he's replaceable.

[Raven07]

with this move, im feeling P.O.N (position of need) will be on the defensive side of the football, with us drafting Birks replacement in the mid rounds, and us potentially drafting a WR in the second round and potentially further. since there's no way of knowing, im just going with my gut feeling on this. MLB or CB right now with the first pick. with WR going in the second. (barring we keep our first round selection, we all know Ozzie loves Draft picks and if he can trade out of the first round for more picks, thats what he will do)

[redrum52]

[quote name='Purple_ICE 81' timestamp='1331355038' post='1017253']
Jonathan Vilma is going to get cut by the saints most likely. Aside from all the "bounty gate" hooplah surrounding him, he could come for cheap. He could provide some solid depth. However he could face suspensions for the scandal, but its still unknown. I wouldnt mind having him on our team.
[/quote]

I don't think he played well in the 3-4 which is why the Jets didn't resign him or cut himx whatever it was. I would like to keep McClain if at the right price though. If not that basically guarantees that first pick to defense unless Ozzie sees something on the practice squad or active roster we didn't know about.

[Free Agent]

[quote name='Radinho84' timestamp='1331398774' post='1017532']
that is the thing. you never know what happens with draft picks!!! i would be very comfortable with mcclain taking over the show when ray hangs it up. he is a proven team player. he is respected on the team. he learned a lot under ray. and he is a good signal caller.

like someone said before: he is the closest to ray that we have ever had. i don´t say that he will ever be the second coming. but he is just what we need if ray is gone...

look at all those high drafted lbs of the last years. the only one that really earned my respect is maualuga. and he was a second round pick!!!
[/quote]
The problem is McClain is average. Hes an average tackler, hes average at best in coverage, hes average in run support, and he doesnt really have any areas where he shines. Hes an average football player. If he did become Ray's replacement, he would probably do a good job, but every offseason we would likely feel the need for an upgrade. Sure, he would be good, but with the defense that we have put together, we cant settle for just an average linebacker. And its not like he's going to get much better... he's 27 and in his prime. We need a very good, if not great, middle linebacker to take over for Ray.

[SideStep77]

I think some low caliber team will offer big bucks. Then it comes down to does he want money or a super bowl.

[gabefergy]

I like Jameel, but I would rather hold onto JJ if I had to choose. Ozzie has shown that he can find solid ILBs either late in the draft or in the UFDA market.

[Purple_ICE 81]

[quote name='ravensfan520' timestamp='1331395124' post='1017502']
I didn't know we played a 4 3 defense... the last time I looked McClain was starter in our 34 defense.
[/quote]
I know lol it was a joke. I was getting at Ray lewis playing both spots if jameel left, obviously Jameel is our starter next to Ray and Suggs


[b]J Johnson Ray Lewis Jameel Suggs[/b]

[BloodRaven]

I think the free agent options in our price range would be around Dan Connor and David Hawthorne, both tackling machines but not really great at taking on blockers.

[Raven07]

in letting Jameel to test the open market, is a ploy of Ozzie (most likely) to gauge other team's interest in him and how much they are willing to pay him, that way Oz gets an accurate range of how much to pay the guy or if he's gonna be too much we are willing to do.

[Radinho84]

[quote name='Free Agent' timestamp='1331401204' post='1017569'] The problem is McClain is average. Hes an average tackler, hes average at best in coverage, hes average in run support, and he doesnt really have any areas where he shines. Hes an average football player. If he did become Ray's replacement, he would probably do a good job, but every offseason we would likely feel the need for an upgrade. Sure, he would be good, but with the defense that we have put together, we cant settle for just an average linebacker. And its not like he's going to get much better... he's 27 and in his prime. [b]We need a very good, if not great, middle linebacker to take over for Ray.[/b][/quote]
i have to disagree at this point.
in todays nfl the importance of a great middle linebacker is decreasing.
the outside linebacker become much more important in such pass happy days. you have to get pressure on the qb. the middle linebacker in the 3-4 doesn´t rush the passer. he has to hit the wholes to stop the running back or cover the tight end.

i don´t think that there will ever be a MLB like ray lewis again so i don´t think that we need one to take over for him. i would much rather see the us getting a counterpart for suggs who brings in the pressure all day. upshaw comes to my mind here or r.lewis (the one from the draft). i know we have kruger and he did a nice progress over the years but i don´t think he is that good. if you have a tandem like the steelers had when harrison was at his best completed with woodley you have to plan for those games on a special way.

you don´t have to plan that different against a very good MLB because they don´t have that big of an impact anymore.

look at P.Willis from the niners. he was called the next ray. he is all good and stuff but he isn´t near ray by any means. and you don´t have to in these days.

i don´t know if you get what i am trying to say...

[ravensdfan]

[quote name='Purple_ICE 81' timestamp='1331355038' post='1017253']
Jonathan Vilma is going to get cut by the saints most likely. Aside from all the "bounty gate" hooplah surrounding him, he could come for cheap. He could provide some solid depth. However he could face suspensions for the scandal, but its still unknown. I wouldnt mind having him on our team.
[/quote]

I don't want us to touch any of those bounty people with a ten foot pole, cheap, talented or whatever.

[ThePurpleWall]

[quote name='ravensdfan' timestamp='1331413832' post='1017702']

I don't want us to touch any of those bounty people with a ten foot pole, cheap, talented or whatever.
[/quote]

I was going say the same thing.

[Bltravens]

I dont know, getting paid or not I would be scared to leave Baltimore as a LB. ALL of those dudes who left were out of the league 3 years later, except for Jamie Sharper, when teams realized they werent very good without mad talent around them. Does Jameel really think that HBs are going to get funnelled to the middle for him like they are with Ngata and Cody in front of him and Suggs on one edge?

I'd be wary of leaving for my careers sake.

[display name]

Hope we can retain him and JJ. Might not happen though. Of course, with a couple exceptions, it doesn't realy turn out well for Baltimore Ravens defenders on other teams.

[Bazooka Joe]

This is a good move for us. Not too upset if we lose Jamal McCain, because he benefitted from playing next to Ray.

He'll get his money and we'll get his replacement.

We can sure find some good LBs amongst the UDFAs.

[Bazooka Joe]

I do agree that the days of the dominant MLB will die once Ray is gone. That position was crucial during the Eras of the dominant runners.

Even today, the better RBs in the league are also dangerous in the passing game.

Just get decent LBs that can cover as well.

[sman555555]

it is a fact that teams overpay for ravens defenders that dont always do well when they leave. so if he leaves take comfort knowing that he played well for us and if he doesnt get on a good, team winning wont really be something he'll be doing too often. all said and done it is a business and most guys care more about money than winning.

[CapoRocky]

I'm resolved to let some of our FAs leave and draft/sign new players to replace them. Sometimes, it's better to change things around a little to make it better. We don't have money to waste on average players that seek a big payday elsewhere.

[GrimCoconut]

[quote name='CapoRocky' timestamp='1331490723' post='1018077']
I'm resolved to let some of our FAs leave and draft/sign new players to replace them. Sometimes, it's better to change things around a little to make it better. We don't have money to waste on average players that seek a big payday elsewhere.
[/quote]
Agree. I mean, it would be great to get Grubbs, Haruki, Zibby, Redding, Rice, Birk, Gurode, JJ, & McClain back, but imagine the comp picks we will get. We have McPhee behind Redding & Kruger & Kindle behind JJ as well as McAdoo. There is nobody behind Haruki & Zibby, so I could see us re-sign one of them on the cheap if we can. Not sure if we will now that I hear Haruki wants to start. I like the prospects behind McClain such as Willians, McClellin & Bynes. They all showed promise.

We can only get 4 comp picks, but I imagine we will see some 3rd & 4th round comp picks. It depends on how active we are in FA.

[Ravenseconbeast]

Lose JJ, but Jameel? He NEEDS to come back. His a +100 tackles guy, and we can lock him for 17-20m for 6years. Lets get this man locked up, along with Webb on defense.