In Ozzie We Trust (2014 Edition) The Ravens Free Agency Thread

[1/28/01]

I wouldn't say that. McClain definitely wasn't as good as Leach but still a solid player.

Show me 3 plays where he blew someone up to make a hole. I can show you 3 attemps to lobby for carries and be a "running back" when he was a fullback. Never was a fan of his, never will be a fan of his.

[TDubbs]

Show me 3 plays where he blew someone up to make a hole. I can show you 3 attemps to lobby for carries and be a "running back" when he was a fullback. Never was a fan of his, never will be a fan of his.

 

You wouldn't find them. He sufficed as a FB, but never TRULY wanted to be one. Don't blame him for wanting the glory of a RB, but the fact is he was always more suited for FB (no speed). 

[flynismo]

I wouldn't mind signing him to a 1-year no guarantee deal to push Juszczyk. If we wanted to we could cut him before the season and not have any dead money left over. What's the harm?

The harm is that you're taking critical reps away from Juice; he needs every minute on the field he can get. We already know who and what McClain is...hence his departure

[display name]

Show me 3 plays where he blew someone up to make a hole. I can show you 3 attemps to lobby for carries and be a "running back" when he was a fullback. Never was a fan of his, never will be a fan of his.

Yeah the campaigning to be a RB was definitely annoying, but maybe the fact that he never became much of a RB with KC or SD has humbled him a bit. I am beginning to see what you all are saying about him taking reps away from Juice, but at the very least I don't see the harm in bringing McClain in for a workout just to see where he is physically.

[rmw10]

I've never been a huge fan of McClain myself.  The whole "McClain for RB" campaign also got on my nerves and I never really thought he fit the Ravens mantra off the field.  Good for him for working hard to hopefully play again though.  I hope someone gives him a chance.  I just prefer it not to be us.

[codizzle]

Show me 3 plays where he blew someone up to make a hole. I can show you 3 attemps to lobby for carries and be a "running back" when he was a fullback. Never was a fan of his, never will be a fan of his.

Not much to do with your post but I'll always like him because of this one run

2 minute video but worth it to see block at :49 mark

hashtag hairball

http://youtu.be/iuDjkzM9F1E

[Purple Nurple]

Not much to do with your post but I'll always like him because of this one run

2 minute video but worth it to see block at :49 mark

hashtag hairball

http://youtu.be/iuDjkzM9F1E

Dions reactions to those back to back HUGE TD runs still makes me smile.

[ravensnick]

Show me 3 plays where he blew someone up to make a hole. I can show you 3 attemps to lobby for carries and be a "running back" when he was a fullback. Never was a fan of his, never will be a fan of his.

He did almost rush for 1,000 yards that one year. And yes, he was no Vonta Leach but he was an above league average fullback.

[The Raven]

He did almost rush for 1,000 yards that one year. And yes, he was no Vonta Leach but he was an above league average fullback.

 

He did that on like a 3.5 YPC average. His blocking was soft, too. He didn't like contact if he wasn't carrying the rock.

[ravensnick]

He did that on like a 3.5 YPC average. His blocking was soft, too. He didn't like contact if he wasn't carrying the rock.

The money for fullback is pennies to what runningbacks make, so why wouldn't he like running better? 

[The Raven]

The money for fullback is pennies to what runningbacks make, so why wouldn't he like running better? 

 

It's not a matter of what he likes to do. It's a matter of his job on the team and how good he is at his job...

[display name]

He did that on like a 3.5 YPC average. His blocking was soft, too. He didn't like contact if he wasn't carrying the rock.

3.9 ypc. That's a huge difference. I recognize that McClain's blocking was soft (at least compared to Leach's) but does anyone remember the 11 TDs that he scored for us that year? No Ravens FB besides him has ever scored that much in a season. I know he won't replicate that but it would still be nice to have an insurance policy just in case Juice turns out to be a bust like most of the other players in his draft class have so far.

 

It's not a matter of what he likes to do. It's a matter of his job on the team and how good he is at his job...

At least it should be.

[bMore Heathen]

3.9 ypc. That's a huge difference. I recognize that McClain's blocking was soft (at least compared to Leach's) but does anyone remember the 11 TDs that he scored for us that year? No Ravens FB besides him has ever scored that much in a season. I know he won't replicate that but it would still be nice to have an insurance policy just in case Juice turns out to be a bust like most of the other players in his draft class have so far.

At least it should be.

I don't think you can call anyone from the 2013 a bust so far. The only way I would call them a bust is if they are no longer with the team. It's defiantly unfair to call any of those guys busts because they haven't played yet.

And your right, no FB has scored 11 TDs. But McClain wasn't a FB the year he did that. He was a TB, so I don't think that has any relevance. If we want competition for Juice, bring back Leach. Otherwise, don't even bother.

[52520Andrew]

3.9 ypc. That's a huge difference. I recognize that McClain's blocking was soft (at least compared to Leach's) but does anyone remember the 11 TDs that he scored for us that year? No Ravens FB besides him has ever scored that much in a season. I know he won't replicate that but it would still be nice to have an insurance policy just in case Juice turns out to be a bust like most of the other players in his draft class have so far.

At least it should be.

I can't really call any of these guys a bust after only 1 year with the exception of Mellette and Anthony who were late 7th rounders.

[GrimCoconut]

I have zero interest in bringing back McLame. Others have stated my reasons for it. My biggest issue with bringing him here is who do you cut to make room? We know what kind of player he is and it's not very good, especially at his age now. It's time to let go.

[display name]

I don't think you can call anyone from the 2013 a bust so far. The only way I would call them a bust is if they are no longer with the team. It's defiantly unfair to call any of those guys busts because they haven't played yet.

And your right, no FB has scored 11 TDs. But McClain wasn't a FB the year he did that. He was a TB, so I don't think that has any relevance. If we want competition for Juice, bring back Leach. Otherwise, don't even bother.

I italicized "so far" to show that in their first season the class did not live up to its expectations, though you and Andrew both brought up relevant points in response. 

I also see your point about McClain being a RB in 2008, but it still shows that he can run if we really need him to.

[Inqui]

I can't really call any of these guys a bust after only 1 year with the exception of Mellette and Anthony who were late 7th rounders.

And I was about to burn my KLM jersey.

 

Gotta give these guys at least two more seasons each imo.

[52520Andrew]

And I was about to burn my KLM jersey.

Gotta give these guys at least two more seasons each imo.

Lol exactly, Jimmy Smith was apparently a bust before last year and Suggs took a while as well. Gotta be patient and wait for the guys to earn it.

[52520Andrew]

I italicized "so far" to show that in their first season the class did not live up to its expectations, though you and Andrew both brought up relevant points in response.

I also see your point about McClain being a RB in 2008, but it still shows that he can run if we really need him to.

Generally unless they are very high first rounders, you can't count on rookies having a huge impact straight away. They have to adjust to the system and life in general in the NFL. Some positions are easier obbiously like RB but for most positions a rookie having a huge impact is more the exception as opposed to the rule.

[display name]

Lol exactly, Jimmy Smith was apparently a bust before last year and Suggs took a while as well. Gotta be patient and wait for the guys to earn it.

Suggs had 12 sacks and an interception as a rookie, and 10.5 the next year. Point taken though.

[BmoreBird22]

Suggs had 12 sacks and an interception as a rookie, and 10.5 the next year. Point taken though.

He was really only a pass rusher, though, and now he's considered one of the best edge setters in the game

[Ausman]

We should all know by now that Tylor Taylor flat out sucks. If Joe goes down than, we will most likely be getting a top 10 draft pick for 2015. But this doesn't have to happen. The way we can avoid this is to get a quality backup.

 

The answer? Why not Kyle Orton? I've seen him do great things for the Bears and Broncos. He can win games and I've seen him at times put on a passing clinic and he threw a couple of nice passes against us when he was playing for the Broncos a few years back.

 

I think signing Kyle Orton is a must! He a viable backup and spot starter plus not to mention he's a winner.

[Bullrush]

Um, he quit on the Cowboys, he doesn't want to play. He's gonna retire.

[BmoreBird22]

Um, he quit on the Cowboys, he doesn't want to play. He's gonna retire.

Well, there not exactly a team that's known to rise to the occasion or win the big important games, including playoff games.

 

Could just need a contender at this point in his career. Not saying we should sign him, but I would not mind a veteran backup

[bMore Heathen]

Didn't he retire?

[rmw10]

Yep.  The Cowboys released Orton because he was dead serious about retirement.  I still wouldn't mind calling him up and seeing if there might be interest on his part, but I think he's choosing to ride off into the sunset judging by the amount of money he walked away from.

[Ravensfan23]

Yep.  The Cowboys released Orton because he was dead serious about retirement.  I still wouldn't mind calling him up and seeing if there might be interest on his part, but I think he's choosing to ride off into the sunset judging by the amount of money he walked away from.

 

It never hurts to call, but the guy seems like he's done and I'm not sure you want a guy who has already checked out mentally and walked away from a nice payday. Even as the backup you need that guy fully committed and I'm not sure he'd be that, even for a chance to win a SB.

[Ausman]

Um, he quit on the Cowboys, he doesn't want to play. He's gonna retire.

Becuase he knows the Cowboys suck and are not going anywhere!

Yep. The Cowboys released Orton because he was dead serious about retirement. I still wouldn't mind calling him up and seeing if there might be interest on his part, but I think he's choosing to ride off into the sunset judging by the amount of money he walked away from.

A chance to get a Superbowl Ring with the Ravens?? Would you have liked that opportunity as a player? Hell yeah!

[rmw10]

It never hurts to call, but the guy seems like he's done and I'm not sure you want a guy who has already checked out mentally and walked away from a nice payday. Even as the backup you need that guy fully committed and I'm not sure he'd be that, even for a chance to win a SB.

 

I think he'd be more of a guy that you call up midseason if Flacco has to miss a few games and Tyrod and/or Wenning just aren't capable of keeping the team competitive.

[flynismo]

Because he sucks. And is retiring.