Rolando McClain agrees to 1 year, $700k deal

[jaege]

[quote name='RBates' timestamp='1365754464' post='1431517']
How does Ozzie manage to pull these type of deals off year after year. Its amazing! This guy is really the best to ever do it. We went from doom and gloom to a true competition at ever major position on the field.

Go Ozzie, Eric and whoever else. The Bad boys in the front office game.
[/quote]


I think part of it is he is patient. He is not concerned about getting into that feeding frenzy that starts at the beginning of FA. And the FO has a good read on the quality players in the league that are somewhere near being released or going into free agency. Imagine the amount of information they have to track.

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='horus13corvineus' timestamp='1365755405' post='1431522']


even before the whole love/hate discussion about him started, i looked at the possibility of getting him just like an extra pick in this year's draft - and that he is at 23, with a new chance at a new team and a deal that keeps him on the short leash
[/quote]

I agree, but I'd say he's even better then a draft pick because he's already experienced failure in the NFL. There is no better teacher in life then trial and error imo. I think McClain's time in Oakland will make him appreciate the position he's in more. His youthful mistake and awful time in Oakland will lead people to say he can't be a leader, but I think he'll lead by example because from this point on nobody will out work him. Harbs and Pees will love this guy I think.

@RBates. I think the better question is why do so manyy people continue to doubt Ozzie? If this was the Patriots making moves like this you wouldn't get the media to stop talking about the genius of the Pats FO. The Ravens are building a Dynasty and Ozzie is the architect of the blueprint.

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='jaege' timestamp='1365767312' post='1431539']



I think part of it is he is patient. He is not concerned about getting into that feeding frenzy that starts at the beginning of FA. And the FO has a good read on the quality players in the league that are somewhere near being released or going into free agency. Imagine the amount of information they have to track.
[/quote]

Add being a great talent evaluator to that. Ozzie knows the value of each position to this team. Even better he knows the talent on this team. He's not gonna overpay or overvalue anyone. Ozzie does a great job of identifying assets vs liabilities. Take Ed Reed for example. Ed became a liability in pass coverage, tackling and even communication. His greatest asset is now his leadership, but in most cases leadership without production is false.

Sometimes it's hard to identify what exactly makes a guy great because greatness is usually found during times when no one else is watching.

[GrimCoconut]

[quote name='ClintLB8' timestamp='1365746249' post='1431489']
Sorry! I did indeed miss this one as well. Well, McClain has been miserable since he entered the league. He loved the south, he loved the structured program at Alabama, he loved having a coach that was a disciplinary but at the same time had compassion for his players, he missed a "true" fan base that had his back at all times.. People said "it's all about the money, he will go where he gets the biggest contract". I'm here to tell you, after getting the money he already got from Oakland, he doesn't give a flip about money. You can quote me on that. I'm not saying if he does play well that he won't consider going to another team if they pay him a big pay check but I just don't see it. I have a feeling guys, you are going to see a very happy man tomorrow. He is so glad to get closer to home, back in what is technically considered the south, and into an organization that he can be proud to play for. Our fan base is special (a lot like Bama). I had no connections to the Ravens.. But I started liking Ray because I played MLB and I found out just how special this fan base is. Closest thing to Alabama's that I've ever seen. Die hard and passionate but classy and respectable as well. Rolando is about to get his taste of this and I believe he will want to resign with us (even if he has to accept less money). Metaphor: Rolando has been driving around a 1990 Ford Ranger with 200,000 miles on it.. And he just got his Ferrari. The kids that truly appreciate the nice, new stuff are the ones who had to deal with the crap to start. Rolando is freaking thrilled to be Raven.
[/quote]
Ahh! Great! Thanks for taking the time to respond. This definitely helped me fill in the gaps.

[Guest Mr. Nobody]

apparently he'll be at the castle today for a chat with harbs and ozzie. maybe we'll give him a proper jersey as well

[berad]

[quote name='horus13corvineus' timestamp='1365774352' post='1431584']
apparently he'll be at the castle today for a chat with harbs and ozzie. maybe we'll give him a proper jersey as well
[/quote]

Hmm 51? 59? We've got a few open to him or he could get one off a young player.

[jaege]

Wow. Lot of excitment about this kid! There wasn't this much excitment about Dumerville. I am getting the impression that Rolando might just add a little something to the team.

[Marcus]

[quote name='Purple Nurple' timestamp='1365745405' post='1431482']


Crazy. But that's our FO.
[/quote]

Gotta love this organization

[cwfRaven]

I like the signing - we've got almost nothing to loose and lots to gain. I'm looking forward to press conference/introduction. I want to see what he has to say and how he says it - cocky, humble, or somewhere in between? That, I think, will be telling. I DO like his comment about how he wants to "fill Ray's slot. No one can fill his shoes..." To me, that shows the appropriate respect but still shows confidence too.

[quote name='jaege' timestamp='1365779033' post='1431650']
Wow. Lot of excitment about this kid! [b]There wasn't this much excitment about Dumerville[/b]. I am getting the impression that Rolando might just add a little something to the team.
[/quote]

I wouldn't say that...I think there's more discussion because there are more varied opinions. Most everyone was [b]thrilled [/b]about Doom - most everyone is[b] intrigued [/b]with McClain. JMO.

[ClintLB8]

[quote name='jaege' timestamp='1365767139' post='1431538']



Dont be so humble. You called that pretty close. A cheap contract with incentives. That is what you suggested, that is what Ozzie did. Dead on.
[/quote]

Well, one thing I learned this offseason after everything we lost and Ozzie let go on top of what we already knew of Ozzie, I really tried to get into his mind set. Patient.. I feel like he saw talent to be great in Rolando and he analyzed the factors surrounding him as to why he had not tapped into the potential yet and so that's what I did. I felt like he was most definitely a risk worth taking but I also knew Ozzie is not going to risk big money on some like McClain. What Ozzie will do is take care of Rolando once he has proved himself. I just saw low paying contract with a lot of incentives to motivate and then I guarantee you he made a heck of a sales pitch on him. Instead of attacking off seasons with my approach and "thinking" I've been disappointed every year, I'm trying to learn and see this from his side and angle because his way = much more effective than any way I've tried to go with. Haha

[rmw10]

It's official.

[color=#333333][font='Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif]
[url="https://twitter.com/Ravens"][b]Baltimore Ravens[/b] ‏[size=3][s]@[/s][b]Ravens[/b][/size][/url][url="https://twitter.com/Ravens/status/322773839085989888"]3m[/url][/font][/color][color=#333333][font='Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif]
LB Rolando McClain has passed his physical and signed a one-year contract with the [url="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Ravens&src=hash"][s]#[/s][b]Ravens[/b][/url].[/font][/color]

[cwfRaven]

[quote name='rmw10' timestamp='1365790462' post='1431818']
It's official.


[color=#333333][url="https://twitter.com/Ravens"][b]Baltimore Ravens[/b] ‏[size=3][s]@[/s][b]Ravens[/b][/size][/url][url="https://twitter.com/Ravens/status/322773839085989888"]3m[/url][/color]
[color=#333333]LB Rolando McClain has passed his physical and signed a one-year contract with the [url="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Ravens&src=hash"][s]#[/s][b]Ravens[/b][/url].[/color]
[/quote]

Dang you're fast! I was just about to do this!

[jaege]

[quote name='cwfRaven' timestamp='1365785860' post='1431767']
I like the signing - we've got almost nothing to loose and lots to gain. I'm looking forward to press conference/introduction. I want to see what he has to say and how he says it - cocky, humble, or somewhere in between? That, I think, will be telling. I DO like his comment about how he wants to "fill Ray's slot. No one can fill his shoes..." To me, that shows the appropriate respect but still shows confidence too.



I wouldn't say that...I think there's more discussion because there are more varied opinions. Most everyone was [b]thrilled [/b]about Doom - most everyone is[b] intrigued [/b]with McClain. JMO.
[/quote]

Good point.

[Guest RBates]

[quote name='Ravensfan23' timestamp='1365768189' post='1431541']
I agree, but I'd say he's even better then a draft pick because he's already experienced failure in the NFL. There is no better teacher in life then trial and error imo. I think McClain's time in Oakland will make him appreciate the position he's in more. His youthful mistake and awful time in Oakland will lead people to say he can't be a leader, but I think he'll lead by example because from this point on nobody will out work him. Harbs and Pees will love this guy I think.

@RBates. I think the better question is why do so manyy people continue to doubt Ozzie? If this was the Patriots making moves like this you wouldn't get the media to stop talking about the genius of the Pats FO. The Ravens are building a Dynasty and Ozzie is the architect of the blueprint.
[/quote]I must say i was really bummed with letting Pollard and Reed walk in free agency. But with the new additions on defense I feel as though we could have a legitimate shot at being better on that side of the ball. I am still dumbfounded by the Boldin move. Who knows what Ozzie is capable of, but i for one will never doubt him again.This is turning out to be a great off-season.

[sflegend89]

59 would remind me of Ellerbe too much. Hope he get's Bart Scott's old number 57.

[ClintLB8]

[quote name='sflegend89' timestamp='1365802964' post='1432003']
59 would remind me of Ellerbe too much. Hope he get's Bart Scott's old number 57.
[/quote]

I agree. I would hope 57 if it came down to 51, 57, and 59 but 51 wouldn't be terrible. I'd love to have him at 54 and have Hamilton switch to 94 or something.

[GermanRavensFan]

Love Adam Schein's comment on NFL.com:

"The Oakland Raiders' roster has been a wasteland where talent goes to die."

Look at all the first round picks: Robert Gallery, Fabian Washington, JaMarcus Russell, LaMarr Houston, McClain, DHB.
They all sucked in Oakland because of the organization and system, not because they werent talented.

With that said, I really think McClain will be aforce when used in the right system. Love the singing!!!

BTW: All of a sudden were stacked at LB. McClain, McClain, Suggs, Upshaw, Dumervil. Love it!

[rmw10]

Since it's been brought up many times in this thread, Rolando McClain will be wearing #51 according to the roster on the Ravens website.

[ClintLB8]

[quote name='rmw10' timestamp='1366048751' post='1434172']
Since it's been brought up many times in this thread, Rolando McClain will be wearing #51 according to the roster on the Ravens website.
[/quote]

Ahh thank you! I would've preferred 57 or 54 but 51 isn't bad at all! It could grow on me! I'm just glad it's not 59!

[The Raven]

I dig 51. Not bad!

[berad]

Rolando McClain would not be wearing Brigance's 57...

51 fits. It was either that or the also-recently-departed 59.

[Guest Mr. Nobody]

i agree #51 looks miles better than #59 for R McClain and he can still buy #54 during OTAs / Training Camp from Hamilton

[CARavensFan]

Well then go #51!

[GrimCoconut]

Now we know why BA was cut.


Joe Flacco. Thought I would say McClain, huh? Nope. Everything leads back to Joe.