Rolando McClain to sign with Ravens?

[cnyravens]

[quote name='ClintLB8' timestamp='1365207254' post='1426095']


So, we should just never talk about released players then I guess. Would that better suit you and your preferences? I am actually not surprised by a lot of the new topics posted because yes, when someone gets released.. it is a very feasible thing to post and discuss the potential addition of a player. What purpose does this message board serve you would be my question? I created an account in order to come discuss all things pertaining to the Ravens as well as an extension of the Ravens which would be the NFL. Just because someone posts that they would like to add someone to our roster doesn't mean anything, but I think you are looking to kick up a fuss about something when you click on the link to this topic and take the time to posts things in it. If it is "soooo annoying" to continually read these new topics regarding released players then why even take the time to do all that? Everyone would be happy, would they not? You don't have to "get annoyed" because you simply click on the links of things that interest you and if Rolando McClain doesn't then why click on the link and participate? You are the one causing your own annoyance.. It seems like a pretty simple problem to fix. If people agree or have questions regarding Rolando McClain then they can take the time out to click and participate but those that want nothing to do with him.. then yeah, it's fine to give your opinion and say "no, I wouldn't care for him" and then continue to state why and that's fine but when you come on here just to talk about how annoying it is... well, my response to that is that's your fault. It's a real simple concept.. don't click the link. You'll be a lot happier in the long run because just because you say something "annoys you" doesn't mean people are going to stop.. seems unproductive to me. Wasting your time a little bit..
[/quote]

Good post!

[DUGxRavenBR]

How can someone not love this? This is just a perfect situation for us. A one year deal would be cheap for us, no doubts at all about that. McClain is a physical freak. Has a tremendous upside. He just need better coaching to become a more complete player. He struggles at coverage, true, but we have great linebackers coach. Just watch what we did with Upshaw, Kruger, McClain, Ellerbe, Jarrett Johnson in the past.

He's a Bama boy, that's gotta count big for Ozzie. He would play with former teammates (Upshaw and Cody). And our organization is very known for transforming problematic players into good fellas. We have a great personnel departament and a strong locker room. A lot of veterans could help him to grow up his off field atittudes.

He's 23 years old for god sake. It's a great bet, and if he works out great for us, we could reach a long term deal with him. That also could save us a 1st round pick at ILB. We could seek a SS at the 1st round now (Elam or Cyprien), and go with a WR/OL/ILB at 2nd. Simple like that.

Also, McClain is hungry for a comeback, and the Ravens would be a perfect fit for him. We got similar formations and techniques that Alabama runs, 3-4 scheme and a terrific coaching staff. Also, he would play in a winning team, so he would train and play hard everyday.

[cwfRaven]

[quote name='horus13corvineus' timestamp='1365605622' post='1429516']
quite the attitude change... and him [b]taking a (trial) one year deal says something too[/b]
[/quote]

Good point. Says he realizes he's messed up and has to prove himself. That actually, carries a bit more weight with me than his "turning his life around" article.

[pitchblack_20]

[quote name='The Raven' timestamp='1365604391' post='1429461']
Even though I advocate the signing, I must say that you don't need to know a guy personally to criticize a guy for being arrested, smiling, and writing, "eff y'all" on the ticket.
[/quote]
Nobody is a saint. I;m not saying what he did was good by any means but he is a human and we all did something bad a couple times in our lives.

[Gordo52]

Just like what we did with former Texans we're gonna do with Raiders.

[Guest Mr. Nobody]

so is he in Baltimore yet? no more news since this morning...

[gabefergy]

[quote name='DUGxRavenBR' timestamp='1365614356' post='1429686']
How can someone not love this? This is just a perfect situation for us. A one year deal would be cheap for us, no doubts at all about that. McClain is a physical freak. Has a tremendous upside. He just need better coaching to become a more complete player. He struggles at coverage, true, but we have great linebackers coach. Just watch what we did with Upshaw, Kruger, McClain, Ellerbe, Jarrett Johnson in the past.

He's a Bama boy, that's gotta count big for Ozzie. He would play with former teammates (Upshaw and Cody). And our organization is very known for transforming problematic players into good fellas. We have a great personnel departament and a strong locker room. A lot of veterans could help him to grow up his off field atittudes.

He's 23 years old for god sake. It's a great bet, and if he works out great for us, we could reach a long term deal with him. That also could save us a 1st round pick at ILB. We could seek a SS at the 1st round now (Elam or Cyprien), and go with a WR/OL/ILB at 2nd. Simple like that.

Also, McClain is hungry for a comeback, and the Ravens would be a perfect fit for him. We got similar formations and techniques that Alabama runs, 3-4 scheme and a terrific coaching staff. Also, he would play in a winning team, so he would train and play hard everyday.
[/quote]
Your post is full of assumptions. Maybe he just isn't very good. There have been a lot of high high draft picks who haven't panned out for various reasons. While starting over on a new team might help his career there is no guarantee that is the case. Everyone wants to talk about his potential, but his potential is negligible if all he is getting is a one year deal. I see this potential signing as a move to help our depth and that is it. He will have to beat out the other LBs currently on the roster and given his sub-par career to this point there is no guarantee he will even make the final 53. As I said before, I want to see what the contract looks like before I pass judgment, but I doubt he gets much if any guaranteed money.

[black blood purple passion]

[quote name='Ravens<3' timestamp='1365614892' post='1429701']
Just like what we did with former Texans we're gonna do with Raiders.
[/quote]

I was going to say why haven't we stolen our yearly Texan yet. If it ain't broke don't fix it.

[J-man]

People were quick to hate on the Jacoby signing last year and look what happened. Give him some time to show us what he has. Players in Oakland never play to potential. Prime example: Randy Moss.

[Sizzlebshu]

[quote name='gabefergy' timestamp='1365615294' post='1429712']
Your post is full of assumptions. Maybe he just isn't very good. There have been a lot of high high draft picks who haven't panned out for various reasons. While starting over on a new team might help his career there is no guarantee that is the case. Everyone wants to talk about his potential, but his potential is negligible if all he is getting is a one year deal. I see this potential signing as a move to help our depth and that is it. He will have to beat out the other LBs currently on the roster and given his sub-par career to this point there is no guarantee he will even make the final 53. As I said before, I want to see what the contract looks like before I pass judgment, but I doubt he gets much if any guaranteed money.
[/quote]
Agreed

[Blackbirds Rule]

[quote name='ClintLB8' timestamp='1365606283' post='1429539']
If this move pays off for Ozzie, he won't let an ILB under 25 walk away after 1 year after taking a risk on him. We will have to pay him if he does become a boss, but I don't think he leaves. He got a big fat check from Oakland and he realized real quick that money means nothing when you are miserable doing what you are doing for an organization like the Raiders were. He stays if he turns it around.
[/quote]

I agree I think the 1 year he performs well and then we sign him long term. The only problem is who do we let go next year. Pitta, and Oher are up for contracts. We may have to restructure Suggs and Ngata in order to afford all of them. If neither of them make the pro bowl it helps us out money wise. Leach may be gone next year as i don't think we'll cut him now. Depending on who we get in the draft the other McClain may not make the team either which will also free up money.

McClain gives us flexibility in this draft. I think we'll trade down all we need IMO are depth picks for the most part. We need a coverage LB, ILB for depth, a blocking TE, a coverage sure tackling SS, Possession receiver with separation and hands, Tackle depth, Guard/ Center depth. With 12 picks we can definitely get that. The only other FA signing I see is McKinnie unless another FA gets released.

[cwfRaven]

[quote name='ClintLB8' timestamp='1365606435' post='1429546']
[url="http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/columns/story?columnist=maisel_ivan&id=4619628"]http://sports.espn.g...ivan&id=4619628[/url]

This is an article about McClain before he was drafted. Definitely lost his way a little bit but he might have just lost his passion in Oakland. Time will tell.
[/quote]

Good read. I'm slowing moving from guarded to cautiously optimistic.

I haven't delved deeply, but most of the hits I've seen on youtube make Pollard (who I loved) look like a cupcake. But, how has he been with penalties? The Amendola body slam...obviously. But has he overall been diciplined or is he going to be a huge penalty magnet?

ETA: Amendola now a Patriot...guess we have a new Patriot Killer.

[The Raven]

[quote name='Ravens<3' timestamp='1365614892' post='1429701']
Just like what we did with former Texans we're gonna do with Raiders.
[/quote]

First we raid Seattle, then Houston, and now Oakland. I wonder who's next?

[UxbridgeRaven]

I like the signing, if the money is low enough, the guy is 23, there will probably be atleast 5 or 6 guys that age or older that go in the first round this year. I just can't read anything into what happened on the field with the Raiders who are utterly disfunctional. I'm not dismissing the fact that he seems like a prize idiot but if he doesn't shape up you can ship him out.

[reediddy]

[quote name='The Raven' timestamp='1365616321' post='1429731']
First we raid Seattle, then Houston, and now Oakland. I wonder who's next?
[/quote]

we raided Seattle? I can only recall Josh Wilson

[gabefergy]

[quote name='J-man' timestamp='1365615727' post='1429719']
People were quick to hate on the Jacoby signing last year and look what happened. Give him some time to show us what he has. Players in Oakland never play to potential. Prime example: Randy Moss.
[/quote]

What about Desmond Bryant, Richard Syemour, and Phillip Wheeler who all excelled in Oakland? Blaming an organization for a player's poor pay is an excuse simple as that.

[The Raven]

[quote name='reediddy' timestamp='1365616647' post='1429737']
we raided Seattle? I can only recall Josh Wilson
[/quote]

Cory Redding came in that shipment as well.

[reediddy]

[quote name='UxbridgeRaven' timestamp='1365616391' post='1429732']
I like the signing, if the money is low enough, the guy is 23, there will probably be atleast 5 or 6 guys that age or older that go in the first round this year. I just can't read anything into what happened on the field with the Raiders who are utterly disfunctional. I'm not dismissing the fact that he seems like a prize idiot but if he doesn't shape up you can ship him out.
[/quote]

I think the age is ultimately the reason we aren't pursuing Dansby, regardless of his proficiency as a pass defender (5th amongst LB according to PFF) and 134 tackles. Oz is just too smart though, bring Rolando in on a one-year deal, see what he's got, see if his head is really on straight, and if so resign him long-term as the future. Awesome

[UxbridgeRaven]

[quote name='reediddy' timestamp='1365616759' post='1429743']
I think the age is ultimately the reason we aren't pursuing Dansby, regardless of his proficiency as a pass defender (5th amongst LB according to PFF) and 134 tackles. Oz is just too smart though, bring Rolando in on a one-year deal, see what he's got, see if his head is really on straight, and if so resign him long-term as the future. Awesome
[/quote]

Hopefully he is going to get a small enough deal that we can basically look at him as an undrafted free agent. I don't see the downside beyond possible difficulty in resigning him if he does turn it around.

[The Raven]

From a personnel perspective, we really can't go wrong with this. Give him a cheap, one year deal, and he might turn out to be a beast. If not, oh well. We didn't lose much. There's virtually no risk here, but there is a lot of potential.

I like Ozzie's strategy to filling the ILB hole. It looks like he's just bringing in a big group of players to compete, and hopefully we find a diamond in the rough. We have McClain, Bynes, Carr, Hall, maybe Rolando McClain, DJ Bryant ,McClellan, and we still have whatever draftees and UDFAs we pick up. Surely, we can find two starter quality guys out of that group.

[gabefergy]

[quote name='The Raven' timestamp='1365616748' post='1429742']


Cory Redding came in that shipment as well.
[/quote]
Cory Redding was a FA out of Detroit.

[The Raven]

[quote name='gabefergy' timestamp='1365618138' post='1429769']
Cory Redding was a FA out of Detroit.
[/quote]

Nope. [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cory_Redding#Seattle_Seahawks"]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cory_Redding#Seattle_Seahawks[/url]

[T-ray]

[quote name='ClintLB8' timestamp='1365608550' post='1429589']
Sarcasm?
[/quote]

No sir... I have done research on this guy... I think he can be a very good player, and he's only 23. My thing on him was the fact that he wasn't a good character player... however, after doing some more research, I've found that he was merely trying to get out of the heck hole called the Raiders, at any and all costs. This concern only washed away even more when I found out that his former teammate, Michael Huff, who has played with McClain the entire time McClain has been in the NFL, said "love it" on twitter referring back to the Ravens signing McClain. Another thing is, we signed him to a one year, "show something or you're out" kind of move that negates much of the risk factor associated with a player of this caliber. Yet another piece of evidence that he can and probably will turn himself around is the fact that he called a small town beat writer to get the news out first, so that small town beat writer was able to get his "claim to fame" and perhaps save his job. Another thing was, if McClain wasn't capable of turning it around, then hello, Oz wouldn't have even taken one look at him.

Not to mention that he did take a one year contract in the first place, and showed massive enthusiasm to be playing for us. That not only speaks volumes to the fact that he can change his ways and become a star, but it also clearly shows that he knows and accepts that what he did in Oakland was wrong, and that he now needs to grow up if he is to have a future in the league. I like this guy and want to see him succeed in turning his life and career around.

[dhstandard]

[quote name='jaege' timestamp='1365385636' post='1427574']
You and I considering anyone is completely meaningless. I know that I have no influence with the decision makers on any NFL team, much less the Ravens, and I am going to take a wild leap here and conclude that you don't either.

I never said that the FO of the Ravens organization should not consider anyone. I implied that it is ludicrous for fans here to consider [u]everyone.[/u] Certainly "we" can talk about anyone we like, but I am reasonably certain that Ozzie does not consult this board to see where his next player is coming from.
[/quote]

Well WE can talk about whatever we want. That's the fun of coming to these forums and being a fan. To talk about certain things we want to happen or possibilities. Clearly I was right on this one as we signed him. You didn't even want to talk about him and completely dismissed him. Well, look what happened.

[T-ray]

One other thing I was just reminded of as I read the espn article on McClain that has been linked to this thread (the one on the previous page). When Bama was playing UT a few years back, the game of course was on the national network (this was when UT was at least respectable). McClain was spotlighted on there, and it showed his major and gpa, and he was on the school's deans list. I don't exactly recall what the exact major was, but he was in one of the harder majors, I do remember that. So anyone saying that McClain is dumb, well, you better check your facts out before you get called dumb yourself.

[gabefergy]

[quote name='The Raven' timestamp='1365618327' post='1429779']


Nope. [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cory_Redding#Seattle_Seahawks"]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cory_Redding#Seattle_Seahawks[/url]
[/quote]
OK. He played one season in Seattle. He was still a FA signing and had nothing to do with Josh Wilson.

[Intercepted]

[quote name='T-ray' timestamp='1365620923' post='1429804']
No sir... I have done research on this guy... I think he can be a very good player, and he's only 23. My thing on him was the fact that he wasn't a good character player... however, after doing some more research, I've found that he was merely trying to get out of the heck hole called the Raiders, at any and all costs. This concern only washed away even more when I found out that his former teammate, Michael Huff, who has played with McClain the entire time McClain has been in the NFL, said "love it" on twitter referring back to the Ravens signing McClain. Another thing is, we signed him to a one year, "show something or you're out" kind of move that negates much of the risk factor associated with a player of this caliber. Yet another piece of evidence that he can and probably will turn himself around is the fact that he called a small town beat writer to get the news out first, so that small town beat writer was able to get his "claim to fame" and perhaps save his job. Another thing was, if McClain wasn't capable of turning it around, then hello, Oz wouldn't have even taken one look at him.

Not to mention that he did take a one year contract in the first place, and showed massive enthusiasm to be playing for us. That not only speaks volumes to the fact that he can change his ways and become a star, but it also clearly shows that he knows and accepts that what he did in Oakland was wrong, and that he now needs to grow up if he is to have a future in the league. I like this guy and want to see him succeed in turning his life and career around.
[/quote]

Well said. Imagine if he became an all-pro with us and flourished into a leader. It would be a great story.

From what I've read and heard about him he's a lot smarter than many people realize. I think he just needs the right people and the right environment to harness his potential.

From twitter:
Ian Rapoport: "On Rolando McClain, who I covered at Bama: 1 of the smartest players I've met. Has flaws, but he's brilliant. Just needs structure #Ravens"

[The Raven]

[quote name='gabefergy' timestamp='1365622080' post='1429819']
OK. He played one season in Seattle. He was still a FA signing and had nothing to do with Josh Wilson.
[/quote]

They both came from Seattle, regardless of how they got here. I am merely commenting that we got two players from Seattle, then we got some players from Houston, and now from Oakland. Are you really going to argue over this? Smh.

[gabefergy]

[quote name='The Raven' timestamp='1365622166' post='1429821']


They both came from Seattle, regardless of how they got here. I am merely commenting that we got two players from Seattle, then we got some players from Houston, and now from Oakland. Are you really going to argue over this? Smh.
[/quote]
Keep on shaking your head. I wouldn't consider it raiding a team when all we did was sign a free agent who was there for one season. The way you worded it sounded like we got him in the Wilson deal which isn't the case. Kudos to Ozzie for signing players that their old organizations don't wish to retain. He has an eye for finding talent on the free agent market.

[DMH_in_WA]

As I said before, I have seen him play very sparingly, so can't really form my own opinion of his talent and play. But I have been doing some reading on him for the last couple of days and I think this might be a very good fit for the Ravens (because of the defense we run, the stability of our locker room, the level of our coaching and the environment). This guy could fit in very well. I've been reading a bunch of Raiders forums trying to get a feel for him.

Here's a message from one of the Raiders fans that seems to sum up quite a few of the things that I see other Raiders fans saying. It tends to mirror what has been said by some here about McClain:

"I remember all this same [expletive] being said about Moss when Belichik signed him.

All Moss did was give them 3765 yds and 47 receiving TDs in 3 seasons. He also set the all-time single-season receiving TD record with 23.

There's a reason McClain was picked so high in the draft. He was a ravening beast at Alabama.

He had 100 tackles and 5 sacks in 2011 in only 14 starts, in a 4-3 defense, under the incompetent guidance of Bresnahan. Last season he rebelled against even worse incompetence. But he's a big, strong, instinctive kid, and he's only 23 [expletive] years old.

The bottom line is I'd much rather we had kept McClain instead of Dennis Allen, knowing that the 2 guys can't coexist. We gave up on a ton of talent. Ro will move into BAL's 3-4 where he's supposed to be, get coached by real professionals and kick [expletive]. He won't be elite, but he will be better than solid."