Getting to know Rolando McClain

[codizzle]

[quote name='arnie_uk' timestamp='1365682930' post='1430677']
Who's giving the speech there? That's intense
[/quote]

I see you found my side job

[justifythegame]

[quote name='The_Raven_Fan' timestamp='1365647160' post='1430422']
i liked this because we get him for cheap and he has tremendous upside, its like drafting a late 1st round pick because hes only 23
[/quote]

Not at all, late first round picks haven't proved to be a bust for 3 years. Its like drafting a 7th round/UDFA, you know he has low potential so you give him a 1 year deal hoping you can develop him to play in your system. I don't doubt the Ravens can get him to produce because they have done so with guys like Bart Scott, Jameel McClain, Ellerbe, but those guys aren't game changers. Its not like they are going to go to just any team and play extremely well. Rolando gives us a starter, but I wouldn't mind trying to draft a guy who has actual potential to become a superstar one day.

[Bltravens]

[quote name='justifythegame' timestamp='1365794786' post='1431871']
Not at all, late first round picks haven't proved to be a bust for 3 years. Its like drafting a 7th round/UDFA, you know he has low potential so you give him a 1 year deal hoping you can develop him to play in your system. I don't doubt the Ravens can get him to produce because they have done so with guys like Bart Scott, Jameel McClain, Ellerbe, but those guys aren't game changers. Its not like they are going to go to just any team and play extremely well. Rolando gives us a starter, but I wouldn't mind trying to draft a guy who has actual potential to become a superstar one day.
[/quote]
Rolando doesn't have low potential...he has low production and terrible off field issues. Which is not good by any means obviously, but Rolando has legitimate potential as a player. Whether that is tapped or not remains to be seen.

[Bltravens]

[quote name='Free Agent' timestamp='1365792252' post='1431844']
I hope he does the same thing to Amendola when we play the Pats this year.
[/quote]
Im all for some violent hits, whether its slightly in the gray zone or not, to put the fear in some offensive players. We went into the NE AFC Champ game this year knowing full well we'd have to eat some penalty yardage in order to to turn the game physical to the point where NE didn't want any part of it.

Trick is controlling it and picking your spots, it can't be a never ending parade of yellow laundry.

[dhstandard]

[quote name='pep_meister' timestamp='1365649370' post='1430463']
Am I the only one dissapointed we only got him on a 1 year contract? I honestly see so much freakn potential.....so so much.
[/quote]

He chose the Ravens over teams which offered more money. He knows what it's like to be in a bad environment and will probably be easy to sign/extend to avoid getting a bit more money for a team like the Browns.

Also if he does play poorly it gives us wiggle room. I think it was a good idea. Also MLB don't always get the most credit and aren't big signings in FA. Even if he does play well I doubt people will make a play for him.

[T-ray]

[quote name='arnie_uk' timestamp='1365682930' post='1430677']
Who's giving the speech there? That's intense
[/quote]

The one giving the speech is Mr. Rolando McClain himself. This was when he was pumped up about playing the sport because of the caliber of the team surrounding him. He is a great leader when he is on his game and focused, just ask arguably the greatest college football coach of all time, Nick Saban, about that.

[T-ray]

[quote name='codizzle' timestamp='1365794481' post='1431870']
I see you found my side job
[/quote]

haha Fly you should give my college basketball team a pep talk sometime!!

[T-ray]

[quote name='dhstandard' timestamp='1365797499' post='1431917']
[b]He chose the Ravens over teams which offered more money.[/b] He knows what it's like to be in a bad environment and will probably be easy to sign/extend to avoid getting a bit more money for a team like the Browns.

Also if he does play poorly it gives us wiggle room. I think it was a good idea. Also MLB don't always get the most credit and aren't big signings in FA. Even if he does play well I doubt people will make a play for him.
[/quote]

The bolded part most definitely speaks volumes. Sounds like he wants to prove that he can change, and that he wants to play for someone who truly cares about him and wants to see him turn his life around. Remember, Ray Lewis changed his life around when he came to our team. Lets never forget about that. Lewis wasn't always exactly a model citizen, but he sure did change into one.

[The Raven]

This dude's gonna bring the ferocity back to our defense. I'm not saying he'll be as good as Ray was but he can at least bring that level of physicality and intensity.

[justifythegame]

[quote name='Bltravens' timestamp='1365796529' post='1431903']
Rolando doesn't have low potential...he has low production and terrible off field issues. Which is not good by any means obviously, but Rolando has legitimate potential as a player. Whether that is tapped or not remains to be seen.
[/quote]

He basically averaged 80 tackles/yr. Those are basically #2 LB eg Jameel McClain stats. I can understand if it was based on 1 year, but this is 3. His off field issues have nothing to do with his actual play on the field over the years, which was average. For 3 years it was pretty clear the man is slow and can't cover. He can stand in the middle and tackle a guy coming right at him (just like Jameel McClain) and even get a pass rush like Bart Scott did but his last 3 years show that his "potential" can't trump his weaknesses. Fans can jump up and down at every single signing and pretend like they are going to be a pro bowl player, but the reality is we now have better depth (since he can actually start if need be) than Ayenbedejo at less cost than him, great signing with little to risk and we will still get a linebacker at some point in the draft.

[Bltravens]

[quote name='justifythegame' timestamp='1365805238' post='1432055']
He basically averaged 80 tackles/yr. Those are basically #2 LB eg Jameel McClain stats. I can understand if it was based on 1 year, but this is 3. His off field issues have nothing to do with his actual play on the field over the years, which was average. For 3 years it was pretty clear the man is slow and can't cover. He can stand in the middle and tackle a guy coming right at him (just like Jameel McClain) and even get a pass rush like Bart Scott did but his last 3 years show that his "potential" can't trump his weaknesses. Fans can jump up and down at every single signing and pretend like they are going to be a pro bowl player, but the reality is we now have better depth (since he can actually start if need be) than Ayenbedejo at less cost than him, great signing with little to risk and we will still get a linebacker at some point in the draft.
[/quote]'
I agree 100%, no way do we not take an ILB in the first 3 rounds in my eyes. McClain is great value, but I'll be very shocked if he's the answer at ILB. I was just saying he does have potential, but clearly that has not been tapped yet given his years in Oakland.

[GrimCoconut]

[quote name='Bltravens' timestamp='1365808025' post='1432100']
'
I agree 100%, no way do we not take an ILB in the first 3 rounds in my eyes. McClain is great value, but I'll be very shocked if he's the answer at ILB. I was just saying he does have potential, but clearly that has not been tapped yet given his years in Oakland.
[/quote]
I agree but also disagree or perhaps feel this needs to be elaborated:

I feel Rolando McClain may be the answer at ILB, but I doubt the Ravens risk it.

[sflegend89]

It's a "Go out and prove it" contract but your looking at the next starting MLB for the Baltimore Ravens, you can quote me on it. There will never be another Ray Lewis but Ro represents the intensity and physicality that Ray Lewis engrained into what it meant to play MLB for the Baltimore Ravens. McClain is high energy, a leader, and has a good football IQ, these are traits I'm looking for in Ray's "heir to the thrown" so to speak. This is a guy who could be breaking down the defense before games like Ray used to in a couple years, he never got to show that in Oakland because they were never serious about winning like his Alabama team was, it's a discouraging atmosphere for a competative guy like McClain. The lack of guidance in Oakland has been well documented, I'm a very realistic person but I can say with 100% confidence that Ravens fans should be excited about Rolando McClain. He may not set the world on fire from day one but he will personify a Ravens LB and I think we'll all be proud of what he accomplishes here at the end of the day.

[Yatagarasu]

I remember back in 2010, everyone wanted Rolando McClain to pair up with Ray Lewis.

Well, that wish came true.

[sflegend89]

Lardarius Webb on Rolando McClain signing

"I'm a Roll Tide fan, so I know exactly who Rolando is and what he's about," Webb said. "Once he gets into our locker room and we lead by example and show him how we do things, it will be a great thing for him. He's a young man and he has so far to grow."

"Not taking nothing away from Oakland, I know the organization we have and the people we have in our locker room, it's going to be a great fit for him. We're ready to get him in and show him what we do."
[color=#000000][left][background=rgb(255, 255, 255)]
[url="http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/ravens-insider/bal-lardarius-webb-confident-in-recovery-from-torn-anterior-cruciate-ligament-says-its-going-really-well-20130411,0,4514417.story#ixzz2QIr6dTn8"]http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/ravens-insider/bal-lardarius-webb-confident-in-recovery-from-torn-anterior-cruciate-ligament-says-its-going-really-well-20130411,0,4514417.story#ixzz2QIr6dTn8[/url][/background][/left][/color]

[bmore187]

dude straight up suplexed Danny Amendola

[H8R]

[quote name='justifythegame' timestamp='1365805238' post='1432055']


He basically averaged 80 tackles/yr. Those are basically #2 LB eg Jameel McClain stats. I can understand if it was based on 1 year, but this is 3. His off field issues have nothing to do with his actual play on the field over the years, which was average. For 3 years it was pretty clear the man is slow and can't cover. He can stand in the middle and tackle a guy coming right at him (just like Jameel McClain) and even get a pass rush like Bart Scott did but his last 3 years show that his "potential" can't trump his weaknesses. Fans can jump up and down at every single signing and pretend like they are going to be a pro bowl player, but the reality is we now have better depth (since he can actually start if need be) than Ayenbedejo at less cost than him, great signing with little to risk and we will still get a linebacker at some point in the draft.
[/quote]

I'll love when McClain shuts people like you up.

[Ravenseconbeast]

[quote name='bmore187' timestamp='1365818361' post='1432238']
dude straight up suplexed Danny Amendola
[/quote]

that was pretty stupid tbh. Hope he doesn't showboat like that on our game.

[flynismo]

[quote name='Corvus Amplus' timestamp='1365815886' post='1432185']
I remember back in 2010, everyone wanted Rolando McClain to pair up with Ray Lewis.

Well, that wish came true.
[/quote]

I must have missed the Ray Lewis un-retirement press conference

[ClintLB8]

[quote name='sflegend89' timestamp='1365817039' post='1432199']
Lardarius Webb on Rolando McClain signing

"I'm a Roll Tide fan, so I know exactly who Rolando is and what he's about," Webb said. "Once he gets into our locker room and we lead by example and show him how we do things, it will be a great thing for him. He's a young man and he has so far to grow."

"Not taking nothing away from Oakland, I know the organization we have and the people we have in our locker room, it's going to be a great fit for him. We're ready to get him in and show him what we do."
[color=#000000][left][background=rgb(255, 255, 255)]
[url="http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/ravens-insider/bal-lardarius-webb-confident-in-recovery-from-torn-anterior-cruciate-ligament-says-its-going-really-well-20130411,0,4514417.story#ixzz2QIr6dTn8"]http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/ravens-insider/bal-lardarius-webb-confident-in-recovery-from-torn-anterior-cruciate-ligament-says-its-going-really-well-20130411,0,4514417.story#ixzz2QIr6dTn8[/url][/background][/left][/color]
[/quote]

That is freaking awesome. And he is absolutely right.. Dumervil, Ngata, Upshaw, Cody, Canty, Suggs, Huff, Webb.. I mean, that's a lot of strong character guys who can get great influences on him.

[arnie_uk]

Where did you get that speech from?

[GrimCoconut]

[quote name='arnie_uk' timestamp='1365858982' post='1432633']
Where did you get that speech from?
[/quote]
[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=yX39J_YyKbs"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=yX39J_YyKbs[/url]

[Tiz]

[quote name='justifythegame' timestamp='1365805238' post='1432055']


He basically averaged 80 tackles/yr. Those are basically #2 LB eg Jameel McClain stats. I can understand if it was based on 1 year, but this is 3. His off field issues have nothing to do with his actual play on the field over the years, which was average. For 3 years it was pretty clear the man is slow and can't cover. He can stand in the middle and tackle a guy coming right at him (just like Jameel McClain) and even get a pass rush like Bart Scott did but his last 3 years show that his "potential" can't trump his weaknesses. Fans can jump up and down at every single signing and pretend like they are going to be a pro bowl player, but the reality is we now have better depth (since he can actually start if need be) than Ayenbedejo at less cost than him, great signing with little to risk and we will still get a linebacker at some point in the draft.
[/quote]

An ilb with low tackle stats can also be contributed to the ease in which the defense gave up passing yards. If teams can throw deep outs on them then an ilb isn't going to be up there in tackles.

Tackles are also a false way to truely judge an impact of an ilb. Former niner ilb Derek smith had several 100 tackle seasons but they were 4 and 5 yards down field. Its. To impressive when a guy racks up tackles by letting the ball carrier come to him now is it?

As others have said he is a 23yr old guy who hasn't lost his physical tools who can be coached up. You're insistent on treating him as if he is an udfa is fine but it doesn't mean that someone viewing him as a mid pick and viewing Oakland as an extended college audition is wrong p. I mean he is 23 and we all know Oakland hasn't had tremendous coaching

[Alexir]

Ro >Te'o

And we didnt have to use a pick! Awesome. Let's keep picking up all the cut players, we are going to have soooo many comp picks next year.

Building a dynasty, not a flash in the pan.

[justifythegame]

[quote name='Corvus Amplus' timestamp='1365815886' post='1432185']
I remember back in 2010, everyone wanted Rolando McClain to pair up with Ray Lewis.

Well, that wish came true.
[/quote]
no it didnt....

[justifythegame]

[quote name='H8R' timestamp='1365818862' post='1432257']
I'll love when McClain shuts people like you up.
[/quote]

i'll love when mcclain shuts you up

[503_ravens_fan]

yes yes yes yes i totally forgot he was the dude that went reverse suplex on a charger. me and my friends exploded when it happened. room full of people going "ohhhhhhhhhhh damn"

[GrimCoconut]

[quote name='503_ravens_fan' timestamp='1365863317' post='1432678']
yes yes yes yes i totally forgot he was the dude that went reverse suplex on a charger. me and my friends exploded when it happened. room full of people going "ohhhhhhhhhhh damn"
[/quote]
Rolando is a really strong kid. Unlike other LBs like even Te'o, he doesn't really need help to bring down guys. I love that about him.

Personally, I think there is a very high chance this happens next year:

2014 FA Losses:
DT Arthur Jones
CB Corey Graham
TE Ed Dickson
WR Jacoby Jones
FB Vonta Leach

2014 Re-Signings:
LB Rolando McClain
OT Michael Oher
TE Dennis Pitta

Obviously, some of those guys might get extended early like Oher & Pitta. I have a feeling Jones will be allowed to walk unless he does incredibly well, Haloti does poor again, & Canty, Spears & McPhee are ho-hum.

[RavenzAllDay]

[quote name='justifythegame' timestamp='1365862461' post='1432666']


i'll love when mcclain shuts you up
[/quote]

The points you used were horrible, McClain actually had a better grade in Run D then Ellerbe, Jameek and Ray Lewis last year. He barely misses tackles and his pass D is his weakness but is still better than Jameels and Rays... In short, he is an upgrade from last year

[arnie_uk]

[quote name='T-ray' timestamp='1365797702' post='1431919']


The one giving the speech is Mr. Rolando McClain himself. This was when he was pumped up about playing the sport because of the caliber of the team surrounding him. He is a great leader when he is on his game and focused, just ask arguably the greatest college football coach of all time, Nick Saban, about that.
[/quote]thats not McClain speaking and that's not McClain that video grim posted, which is I'm assuming the original speech, that's someone called coach flowers apparently