Rolando McClain agrees to 1 year, $700k deal

[rmw10]

[quote name='ClintLB8' timestamp='1365638780' post='1430224']
I worry about Jameel. I seriously believe he could be a cap casualty because of his back. If we keep him, I still don't believe he starts.
[/quote]

I don't think he'll be cut. He doesn't save that much this year, $1.2M I think? For a position with uncertainty, Jameel will likely stay around. I fully expect him to be cut after the season, though.

[GrimCoconut]

[quote name='ClintLB8' timestamp='1365638989' post='1430228']
This is going along with my prediction that Rolando is going to really make an impact this year but this is how I list those priorities:

Dennis Pitta TE
Michael Oher OT
Arthur Jones DL
Rolando McClain ILB
Jacoby Jones WR
Corey Graham CB
Vonta Leach FB
[/quote]
I agree. We just have too many question marks at ILB:

[b]Josh Bynes[/b]: looked good, could be another Ellerbe.
[b]Nigel Carr[/b]: see above.
[b]Jameel McClain[/b]: decent starter, 2-down LB, average tackler, good instincts, below average in coverage, versatile, [u]injured[/u].
[b]Rolando McClain[/b]: decent starter, 2-down LB, excellent tackler, very good instincts, below average in coverage, character concerns, huge upside, one-year deal.
[b]Albert McClellan[/b]: looks good, coaches are high on him, versatile, good tackler, good against the run as a SAM, and I don't remember him as being bad against the pass. Can offer some pass rush. Good on ST.

Out of those guys, one could be cut due to injury, one will be a FA in 2014, and one may be a FA or an RFA in 2014.

I just believe we'll get a guy earlier than the 3rd day.

[quote name='rmw10' timestamp='1365639431' post='1430242']
I don't think he'll be cut. He doesn't save that much this year, $1.2M I think? For a position with uncertainty, Jameel will likely stay around. I fully expect him to be cut after the season, though.
[/quote]
He could be cut this year but in all likelihood, if Chris Carr remains on the team for an uncertain position then he will as well. I agree. I think at worst McClain is here this year, rides IR, and is cut next year.

[Ray Ray Ravens]

[quote name='GrimCoconut' timestamp='1365639495' post='1430245']
I agree. We just have too many question marks at ILB:

[b]Josh Bynes[/b]: looked good, could be another Ellerbe.
[b]Nigel Carr[/b]: see above.
[b]Jameel McClain[/b]: decent starter, 2-down LB, average tackler, good instincts, below average in coverage, versatile, [u]injured[/u].
[b]Rolando McClain[/b]: decent starter, 2-down LB, excellent tackler, very good instincts, below average in coverage, character concerns, huge upside, one-year deal.
[b]Albert McClellan[/b]: looks good, coaches are high on him, versatile, good tackler, good against the run as a SAM, and I don't remember him as being bad against the pass. Can offer some pass rush. Good on ST.

Out of those guys, one could be cut due to injury, one will be a FA in 2014, and one may be a FA or an RFA in 2014.

I just believe we'll get a guy earlier than the 3rd day.
[/quote] Question marks are on a few positions. LT S C ILB WR. I can see a toss up between any 3 to take the first three rounds. But I know we haven't taken any free agents in LT C or WR so it can go a bunch of directions.

[rmw10]

[quote name='GrimCoconut' timestamp='1365639595' post='1430247']
He could be cut this year but in all likelihood, if Chris Carr remains on the team for an uncertain position then he will as well. I agree. I think at worst McClain is here this year, rides IR, and is cut next year.
[/quote]

Carr is a great comparison. If it was any other year, it would probably make sense to cut him. However, with so much uncertainty, I don't think you can cut him at this point. If we get through training camp and find Rolando and Bynes/McClellan/Draft Pick can handle the position, then I can see him being cut. Not at this point, though.

[mg90]

[quote name='Mr. Irrelevant' timestamp='1365636059' post='1430137']

Yep, only cut guys
[/quote]Are the comp picks based off of how they produced for the Ravens or their current team?

[GrimCoconut]

[quote name='Ray Ray Ravens' timestamp='1365639830' post='1430252']
Question marks are on a few positions. LT S C ILB WR. I can see a toss up between any 3 to take the first three rounds. But I know we haven't taken any free agents in LT C or WR so it can go a bunch of directions.
[/quote]
[b]LT[/b]: Ozzie said he "likes the guys we have", have Michael Oher in his final year of his rookie deal, ready for an extension. No LT we take in the 1st round will play LT on this team except perhaps Luke Joeckel, Lane Johnson & Eric Fisher. There is no LT in this class that I believe will start day 1 at LT. I honestly don't believe that at all. Terron Armstead, as much as I like him, would be either a RT in 2013 or a back-up.

[b]C[/b]: I believe this will be addressed with a G/C prospect, a guy who can play either position & a cut FA vet, or a vet already available who hasn't been signed by TC (possibly Brown, who was cut last year). We will use a veteran center (IMO) to back-up Gradkowski.

[b]S[/b]: A need, no doubt.

[b]WR[/b]: A need, but not as much as you may think. Tommy Streeter, Torrey Smith, Deonte Thompson, LaQuan Williams, Jacoby Jones, David Reed, & Tandon Doss as well as that guy we signed from Green Bay. That's a crowded group. Sure, you can say none are proven, but let me ask you a question:

Why would we cut Boldin if we were just going to replace him with a 1st round pick? First of all, that's not what we do here in Baltimore. The FO is a thorough, planned, cautious, conservative FO. Let's be real. We kept Chris Carr & Foxworth because we had an uncertain position in CB. If that was the case, we would've cut Carr & Foxworth & rolled with the draft & prayed we got a good CB. That's not how we operate. We're very methodical.

That's why I like this signing of Rolando McClain. Rolando brings a lot to this team. Yeah, he has character concerns. Yeah, he's only been a 2-Down LB so far. Hell, he may not even improve. But he provides insurance if Jameel's injury is worse or hampers him more than expected, if Albert McClellan can't handle a starting job, if Josh Bynes isn't ready, if Nigel Carr can't be a 3-Down LB, if a guy goes down due to injury, etc.

[quote name='DraiNBamagE' timestamp='1365640717' post='1430282']
Are the comp picks based off of how they produced for the Ravens or their current team?
[/quote]
Comps are based first off of salary, then postseason honors & team honors as well as starts. So, this means the more money, more playing time, more playoff games, etc. a player gets, the better return we get.

An example is if Paul Kruger starts every game, helps his team get to the playoffs, gets elected to the Pro Bowl then we will probably get a 3rd round pick for him in return.

[Clutch Ravens]

[quote name='ClintLB8' timestamp='1365639212' post='1430237']
You are correct, sir. I am a big Bama fan and I know Rolando.. but, another guy I know is both Courtney and Terrance (I know a lot of the team because [b]my best friend just finished his career there[/b]). I have not been a big advocate of Terrance as of late. I try not to be bias.
[/quote]

I'm now sat here trying to guess just who it could be.

[Ray Ray Ravens]

[quote name='GrimCoconut' timestamp='1365640742' post='1430284']
[b]LT[/b]: Ozzie said he "likes the guys we have", have Michael Oher in his final year of his rookie deal, ready for an extension. No LT we take in the 1st round will play LT on this team except perhaps Luke Joeckel, Lane Johnson & Eric Fisher. There is no LT in this class that I believe will start day 1 at LT. I honestly don't believe that at all. Terron Armstead, as much as I like him, would be either a RT in 2013 or a back-up.

[b]C[/b]: I believe this will be addressed with a G/C prospect, a guy who can play either position & a cut FA vet, or a vet already available who hasn't been signed by TC (possibly Brown, who was cut last year). We will use a veteran center (IMO) to back-up Gradkowski.

[b]S[/b]: A need, no doubt.

[b]WR[/b]: A need, but not as much as you may think. Tommy Streeter, Torrey Smith, Deonte Thompson, LaQuan Williams, Jacoby Jones, David Reed, & Tandon Doss as well as that guy we signed from Green Bay. That's a crowded group. Sure, you can say none are proven, but let me ask you a question:

Why would we cut Boldin if we were just going to replace him with a 1st round pick? First of all, that's not what we do here in Baltimore. The FO is a thorough, planned, cautious, conservative FO. Let's be real. We kept Chris Carr & Foxworth because we had an uncertain position in CB. If that was the case, we would've cut Carr & Foxworth & rolled with the draft & prayed we got a good CB. That's not how we operate. We're very methodical.

That's why I like this signing of Rolando McClain. Rolando brings a lot to this team. Yeah, he has character concerns. Yeah, he's only been a 2-Down LB so far. Hell, he may not even improve. But he provides insurance if Jameel's injury is worse or hampers him more than expected, if Albert McClellan can't handle a starting job, if Josh Bynes isn't ready, if Nigel Carr can't be a 3-Down LB, if a guy goes down due to injury, etc.
[/quote] I wouldn't say we would take a 1st round WR but I could see a safety in the first. After that the ILB is suppose to be deep. Maybe we go with best player 2nd round and see how many prospect ILBs are left going into the 3rd and 4th. I don't believe I am correct but Ozzie is a different animal that we cant predict.

[GrimCoconut]

[quote name='Ray Ray Ravens' timestamp='1365641137' post='1430293']
I wouldn't say we would take a 1st round WR but I could see a safety in the first. After that the ILB is suppose to be deep. Maybe we go with best player 2nd round and see how many prospect ILBs are left going into the 3rd and 4th. I don't believe I am correct but Ozzie is a different animal that we cant predict.
[/quote]
That's true. I don't disagree it's quite possible. I just don't think we take a WR unless it's some blow-your-mind prospect, like Tavon Austin, DeAndre Hopkins, maybe even Keenan Allen (though it's possible he has some crazy free-fall and goes mid-2nd round in a crowded draft class and we call Ozzie a genius once again).

[NaveSenrag]

Ah. If this works out, it'll be a rather poetic way to make up for losing Burfict last year.

[K-Dog]

Oz has been shopping at Ollies.

[Ray Ray Ravens]

[quote name='GrimCoconut' timestamp='1365641351' post='1430298']
That's true. I don't disagree it's quite possible. I just don't think we take a WR unless it's some blow-your-mind prospect, like Tavon Austin, DeAndre Hopkins, maybe even Keenan Allen (though it's possible he has some crazy free-fall and goes mid-2nd round in a crowded draft class and we call Ozzie a genius once again).
[/quote]Or maybe we move up into the high 2nd round with our 1st and 4th. So many possibilities. I love the draft unless i watch all day to see nothing.

[The Raven]

[quote name='GrimCoconut' timestamp='1365640742' post='1430284']
[b]LT[/b]: Ozzie said he "likes the guys we have", have Michael Oher in his final year of his rookie deal, ready for an extension. No LT we take in the 1st round will play LT on this team except perhaps Luke Joeckel, Lane Johnson & Eric Fisher. There is no LT in this class that I believe will start day 1 at LT. I honestly don't believe that at all. Terron Armstead, as much as I like him, would be either a RT in 2013 or a back-up.

[b]C[/b]: I believe this will be addressed with a G/C prospect, a guy who can play either position & a cut FA vet, or a vet already available who hasn't been signed by TC (possibly Brown, who was cut last year). We will use a veteran center (IMO) to back-up Gradkowski.

[b]S[/b]: A need, no doubt.

[b]WR[/b]: A need, but not as much as you may think. Tommy Streeter, Torrey Smith, Deonte Thompson, LaQuan Williams, Jacoby Jones, David Reed, & Tandon Doss as well as that guy we signed from Green Bay. That's a crowded group. Sure, you can say none are proven, but let me ask you a question:

[b]Why would we cut Boldin if we were just going to replace him with a 1st round pick?[/b] First of all, that's not what we do here in Baltimore. The FO is a thorough, planned, cautious, conservative FO. Let's be real. We kept Chris Carr & Foxworth because we had an uncertain position in CB. If that was the case, we would've cut Carr & Foxworth & rolled with the draft & prayed we got a good CB. That's not how we operate. We're very methodical.

That's why I like this signing of Rolando McClain. Rolando brings a lot to this team. Yeah, he has character concerns. Yeah, he's only been a 2-Down LB so far. Hell, he may not even improve. But he provides insurance if Jameel's injury is worse or hampers him more than expected, if Albert McClellan can't handle a starting job, if Josh Bynes isn't ready, if Nigel Carr can't be a 3-Down LB, if a guy goes down due to injury, etc.
[/quote]

To save money and to get younger?

[GrimCoconut]

[quote name='The Raven' timestamp='1365642528' post='1430314']
To save money and to get younger?
[/quote]
Yeah, but you don't cut a productive player unless you believe you can replace their production and you don't rely on players you [b]may[/b] get in the draft, but guys on your roster.

[Grapple Raven]

Mod note: Guys and Gals let's stick to the topic of this thread please which is the McClain acquisition, and keep the draft talk for the Draft forums. Thanks.

[Ray Ray Ravens]

Now that we have McClain who do we draft in the first round since ILB is not as big of a need as before?

[flynismo]

[quote name='ratedr' timestamp='1365635990' post='1430135']
Also, I really think we're gonna take Keenan Allen or DeAndre Hopkins in the first.
[/quote]
Keenan Allen would be awesome.
But I would rather we trade way up and grab Lane Johnson and grab Woods in the second

[SecretAgentMan]

[quote name='flynismo' timestamp='1365643734' post='1430334']
Keenan Allen would be awesome.
But I would rather we trade way up and grab Lane Johnson and grab Woods in the second
[/quote]This! Brilliant.

[flynismo]

[quote name='Ray Ray Ravens' timestamp='1365643705' post='1430333']
Now that we have McClain who do we draft in the first round since ILB is not as big of a need as before?
[/quote]

I really doubt signing McClain changes anything. If we were targeting Teo (for example) we are still going to draft him if he's available

[SecretAgentMan]

[quote name='Ray Ray Ravens' timestamp='1365643705' post='1430333']
Now that we have McClain who do we draft in the first round since ILB is not as big of a need as before?
[/quote]Me! You can always draft me!

[Ray Ray Ravens]

[quote name='flynismo' timestamp='1365643805' post='1430337']
I really doubt signing McClain changes anything. If we were targeting Teo (for example) we are still going to draft him if he's available
[/quote] No other position moves up with the lose of other pieces?

[GrimCoconut]

His salary is very small, but from what I read, it sounds like there are some incentives as well. I'm curious to see what those incentives are. I'm sure it's based off of him starting, of course. I believe he has a very good chance to start on this football team, and I think there's a very good chance he replaces our own McClain on this squad. Jameel does have the spinal injury. I am curious to see how he has been affected by that, but that could be blown out of proportion as well.

One thing that excites me is I feel like Rolando is a definite upgrade over what we had in Jameel. That alone excites me.

[T3hRaven]

You can't complain about signing McClain when Ozzie got him that cheap. Very low risk, very high reward.

[izvoodoo]

[quote name='flynismo' timestamp='1365643805' post='1430337']
I really doubt signing McClain changes anything. If we were targeting Teo (for example) we are still going to draft him if he's available
[/quote]
I think it means WR is a bigger need than ILB, but I don't think anyone at 32 is going to come in and really change the team.

[PuRock]

Personally, I love this move. Low risk, high reward. I love taking highly touted talents from poor managed teams and utilizing them to their full potentials.

[flynismo]

[quote name='Ray Ray Ravens' timestamp='1365643865' post='1430339']
No other position moves up with the lose of other pieces?
[/quote]

In this instance, I doubt it. What I mean is that there's just a good chance that R. McClain will ride the bench a large part of the year as he is to start; we have no idea what we're really getting from him. Best to assume he is just a depth guy.

[quote name='izvoodoo' timestamp='1365644264' post='1430349']
I think it means WR is a bigger need than ILB, but I don't think anyone at 32 is going to come in and really change the team.
[/quote]

If WR is a bigger need (not agreeing or disagreeing whether it is or not), then that was the case before McClain...we shouldn't get ahead of ourselves and assume he will make any sort of impact on our defense where we can put ILB on the backburner

[H8R]

Oline is the biggest need.

unless we keep McKinnie . Oher will NEVER be a top flight LT.

[flynismo]

[quote name='H8R' timestamp='1365645014' post='1430368']
Oline is the biggest need.

unless we keep McKinnie . Oher will NEVER be a top flight LT.
[/quote]

Agreed

[PolishRifle]

[quote name='flynismo' timestamp='1365644953' post='1430367']
If WR is a bigger need (not agreeing or disagreeing whether it is or not), then that was the case before McClain...we shouldn't get ahead of ourselves and assume he will make any sort of impact on our defense where we can put ILB on the backburner
[/quote]

This move just softens the blow of losing Ellerbe and provides depth at the ILB position. We still need a decent ILB in this draft, so nothing changed, except for the fact, that picking up just one ILB will do now, instead of having to draft two LBs.

[GrimCoconut]

[quote name='PuRock' timestamp='1365644663' post='1430357']
Personally, I love this move. Low risk, high reward. I love taking highly tauted talents from poor managed teams and utilizing them to their full potentials.
[/quote]
I agree. Michael Huff, Chris Canty, Marcus Spears, Rolando McClain. Ozzie really did focus on remaking the middle of the defense. Everyone expected him to go to the draft for it, but he did what he does best: waited for pieces to fall and put them into a puzzle. I feel like Rolando is/will be just another piece of the puzzle.

I'm really stoked about the potential Rolando may have here. I realize he could do nothing, could go to jail. I doubt that happens, though. To me it sounds like he took a cheap deal to play with a class-act organization like the Baltimore Ravens and to be a part of an environment he longed for since he left Alabama. I don't know Rolando McClain and won't pretend to know him, but my interpretation is that he is a family man who is protective of his family and very competitive.