Rolando McClain comeback?

[Bullrush]

I think it sends the wrong message to the guys trying to make the team, late round picks, undrafted free agents, hard working guys that bust their butts all day to make the team. I understand that financially we have nothing to lose by keeping him but that's not what I'd be worried about. I'm more concerned with the fact that somebody who shows up late for a workout, who then quits his workout (if all that is true the way it's been reported) at the end of the day gets rewarded with a contract. What was the point of working him out in the first place if it didn't even matter? To see if he even shows up?

 

There are so many reports out there, maybe I'm being too harsh here. Maybe the conditioning test was that hard to pass, maybe he was too busy studying and in order to pass that test you have to be in tip top shape, maybe he didn't show up late. Who knows what's true and what's not. It sounds to me like it is true. If not then it might be fair to give him a shot and see how he does in camp and whether he can pass the test then...

[Inqui]

I think it sends the wrong message to the guys trying to make the team, late round picks, undrafted free agents, hard working guys that bust their butts all day to make the team. I understand that financially we have nothing to lose by keeping him but that's not what I'd be worried about. I'm more concerned with the fact that somebody who shows up late for a workout, who then quits his workout (if all that is true the way it's been reported) at the end of the day gets rewarded with a contract. What was the point of working him out in the first place if it didn't even matter? To see if he even shows up?

 

There are so many reports out there, maybe I'm being too harsh here. Maybe the conditioning test was that hard to pass, maybe he was too busy studying and in order to pass that test you have to be in tip top shape, maybe he didn't show up late. Who knows what's true and what's not. It sounds to me like it is true. If not then it might be fair to give him a shot and see how he does in camp and whether he can pass the test then...

I wouldn't read too much into him being reinstated. Either he'll redeem himself during the training camps before the season, or he won't make the cuts and he's done as a Raven.

[Juviebest]

Why 24 hours?

Because that's what happened with Favre when he retired then reinstated. The team had a 24 hour deadline to act. Read it on Rotoworld yesterday actually.

[Juviebest]

People harping on the conditioning test need to get over it. Jacoby Jones failed it last off season and not a lot of people killed him over it.

[Inqui]

The important thing is they stand literally nothing to lose by keeping him until training camp.  Just some face on the internet and talk radio.

Don't forget the offseason discussion for the fans. We can't occupy ourselves until the Draft.

[Inqui]

People harping on the conditioning test need to get over it. Jacoby Jones failed it last off season and not a lot of people killed him over it.

The main criticism isn't that he failed the test, but that he (reportedly, in fairness) quit. That was his big chance to make an impression, and he quit.

 

It would be like showing up 22 minutes late for a job interview, and then giving up on some test they give you (in my case, I literally had to sit a test to even be considered). No matter how gruelling the test I got put through, if I quit on it then I'd consider myself lucky to even be in the mix after that.

 

But like others have said, his final chance should come in the preseason camps. If he legitimately beats out everyone else who wants a roster spot, I personally won't care about anything that's just happened and I doubt the FO will. As it is, they'd be within their rights to cut their losses and move on, but I think they have more to gain by keeping him until at least after the draft.

[Bullrush]

People harping on the conditioning test need to get over it. Jacoby Jones failed it last off season and not a lot of people killed him over it.

 

Jacoby was on dancing with the stars when the rest was training.

[Juviebest]

Jacoby was on dancing with the stars when the rest was training.

And Ro was out of football for a year. JJ should've passed the test regardless. Moot point now.

[izvoodoo]

I think it sends the wrong message to the guys trying to make the team, late round picks, undrafted free agents, hard working guys that bust their butts all day to make the team. I understand that financially we have nothing to lose by keeping him but that's not what I'd be worried about. I'm more concerned with the fact that somebody who shows up late for a workout, who then quits his workout (if all that is true the way it's been reported) at the end of the day gets rewarded with a contract. What was the point of working him out in the first place if it didn't even matter? To see if he even shows up?

 

There are so many reports out there, maybe I'm being too harsh here. Maybe the conditioning test was that hard to pass, maybe he was too busy studying and in order to pass that test you have to be in tip top shape, maybe he didn't show up late. Who knows what's true and what's not. It sounds to me like it is true. If not then it might be fair to give him a shot and see how he does in camp and whether he can pass the test then...

I thought about the same thing, but I don't think anyone else would want to get cut after 1 work out.

I doubt he makes the team, but this is a lot over nothing.

[Juviebest]

The main criticism isn't that he failed the test, but that he (reportedly, in fairness) quit. That was his big chance to make an impression, and he quit.

It would be like showing up 22 minutes late for a job interview, and then giving up on some test they give you (in my case, I literally had to sit a test to even be considered). No matter how gruelling the test I got put through, if I quit on it then I'd consider myself lucky to even be in the mix after that.

But like others have said, his final chance should come in the preseason camps. If he legitimately beats out everyone else who wants a roster spot, I personally won't care about anything that's just happened and I doubt the FO will. As it is, they'd be within their rights to cut their losses and move on, but I think they have more to gain by keeping him until at least after the draft.

Well whether he was late or not is debateable (see today's LFW article) so I can't comment on that.

Did he quit during the condtioning test? Or did he just not pass it in time? I seriously don't know. If he quit during it, then I'll fully agree with you. But if he just didn't pass it, then he should be in OTAs at the very least.

[Inqui]

I thought about the same thing, but I don't think anyone else would want to get cut after 1 work out.

I doubt he makes the team, but this is a lot over nothing.

In the bigger picture of the offseason, I'm inclined to agree. He'll live and die by the training camps (although this won't do him any favours if Harbs is split between keeping him or someone else), but his workout won't even be a story when the schedules are released next week.

[Bullrush]

And Ro was out of football for a year. JJ should've passed the test regardless. Moot point now.

 

What kind of logic is that? JJ had other "obligations" during OTA's. He chose not to train and instead do a TV show that kept him from training and rightfully so he wasn't in shape. What kept "Ro" from training and getting ready for his conditioning test? He wasn't working, he didn't do anything.

[jazz1988]

What kind of logic is that? JJ had other "obligations" during OTA's. He chose not to train and instead do a TV show that kept him from training and rightfully so he wasn't in shape. What kept "Ro" from training and getting ready for his conditioning test? He wasn't working, he didn't do anything.

 

You can be in shape and still fail the conditioning test.I heard it's pretty hard to do at times but atleast now McClain has a chance to work out during the ota's and get into football shape.

[MTRavensFan]

What kind of logic is that? JJ had other "obligations" during OTA's. He chose not to train and instead do a TV show that kept him from training and rightfully so he wasn't in shape. What kept "Ro" from training and getting ready for his conditioning test? He wasn't working, he didn't do anything.

umm...school? getting a degree? raising two toddlers? Seems like pretty important stuff to me.

 

Has anyone considered that maybe the test was set up for him to fail, just to determine how committed he is? Does he come in and re-double his efforts to make the team, or does he give up? That this visit was more a test of character than physical prowess?

Is it also possible that reports of how badly he bombed were exaggerated to/by the media, that the team is putting up a smokescreen around Rolando because they know something we don't? They're already backing off the reports that he showed up late.

 

It doesn't make sense; if they were looking to release him, wouldn't you think they'd keep a poor performance under wraps and try to trade his rights before the draft?

[D-Rey]

What kind of logic is that? JJ had other "obligations" during OTA's. He chose not to train and instead do a TV show that kept him from training and rightfully so he wasn't in shape. What kept "Ro" from training and getting ready for his conditioning test? He wasn't working, he didn't do anything.

Also he finished his degree, so he had other obligations as well.

[D-Rey]

Well whether he was late or not is debateable (see today's LFW article) so I can't comment on that.

Did he quit during the condtioning test? Or did he just not pass it in time? I seriously don't know. If he quit during it, then I'll fully agree with you. But if he just didn't pass it, then he should be in OTAs at the very least.

He quit, its a fact. Thats what people are harping on him for.

[Bullrush]

umm...school? getting a degree? raising two toddlers? Seems like pretty important stuff to me.

 

When did he finish his degree? Last week? I doubt it. And how exactly do you know he's busy with raising his kids when he's divorced and living in another state?

[MTRavensFan]

When did he finish his degree? Last week? I doubt it. And how exactly do you know he's busy with raising his kids when he's divorced and living in another state?

Garrett Downing, LFW:

"He returned to Alabama to raise his two sons, and also re-enrolled at the University of Alabama where he is on schedule to finish his degree this year. He reconnected with former college coach Nick Saban and stayed in shape by working out at his old college facility."

finishing a degree (like conditioning) does not happen in a week.

 

I'm not necessarily disagreeing with you, if you were there and how you describe the situation actually happened.

I'm just suggesting there might be more to this than what the media's putting out there, and that (as in most situations) the team knows more about this than we do. I trust their judgement, and look forward to watching how this plays out.

 

If this guy's still the same old headcase, no way Harbs is going to let him near the team.

[D-Rey]

When did he finish his degree? Last week? I doubt it. And how exactly do you know he's busy with raising his kids when he's divorced and living in another state?

It's been reported that he was finishing his degree and busy with his kids? It's not he's been sitting around doing nothing. He probably lept in shape, but it's hard to keep in NFL shape with everything.

[MTRavensFan]

besides, it's ridiculous to say that Jacoby was out of shape because of DWTS.

He himself said (several times) that the stamina and conditioning needed for the dance competition was way harder than football.

[Bullrush]

besides, it's ridiculous to say that Jacoby was out of shape because of DWTS.

He himself said (several times) that the stamina and conditioning needed for the dance competition was way harder than football.

 

Stamina had nothing to do with it, he said he was in great shape. The heat bothered him.

[Juviebest]

He quit, its a fact. Thats what people are harping on him for.

I'm not seeing it anywhere where he quit during the conditioning test itself. If he quit after the test, and after failing it, then I'll understand a little clearer. I'm not saying he didn't quit during it, I just can't find where it's been reported that he did so.

Might've answered my own question:

"Should a player not make his prescribed target time during any of the six runs, then it's determined that he's failed the conditioning test.

Last year, Ravens Pro Bowl kick returner Jacoby Jones didn't complete the test on the first try at the start of training camp but then passed it on the second try, allowing him to practice."

http://touch.baltimoresun.com/#section/-1/article/p2p-79929953/

So if he failed the first part of the test, then he fails the whole test and of course doesn't finish the whole thing. That's not quitting.

[1/28/01]

I'm not seeing it anywhere where he quit during the conditioning test itself. If he quit after the test, and after failing it, then I'll understand a little clearer. I'm not saying he didn't quit during it, I just can't find where it's been reported that he did so.

Might've answered my own question:

"Should a player not make his prescribed target time during any of the six runs, then it's determined that he's failed the conditioning test.

Last year, Ravens Pro Bowl kick returner Jacoby Jones didn't complete the test on the first try at the start of training camp but then passed it on the second try, allowing him to practice."

http://touch.baltimoresun.com/#section/-1/article/p2p-79929953/

So if he failed the first part of the test, then he fails the whole test and of course doesn't finish the whole thing. That's not quitting.

Splitting hairs here. He opted out of the LB specific drills. Man, when I was a lazy 24 year old I wish I had people making excuses for me.

[Willbacker]

They only reinstated him so he can work out with the team. This is being way overanalyzed.

[757RavensFan]

Well it looks like he's gonna be working out with the team on Monday! Best of luck to him. If he can get it together, I love the upside of keeping him.

http://touch.baltimoresun.com/#section/-1/article/p2p-79954417/

[52520Andrew]

Hope he does well, we will see how it works out for him but if he is willing to work, he deserves a shot

[Mad Puppy]

I'm a very skeptical fan.

That quitting thing last year still stings (there was soo much hope for a steal here).

But I think the Ravens are  going to wait and see how he does in the conditioning program (seriously many a player fails the conditioning test before the season), and am sure that he will be evaluated through OTA's. After OTA's I feel a decision needs to be made. Either he makes the team right there or you cut bait. There is way too much history to deny anyone else the opportunity.

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

Guaranteed the workout was designed to break him and it did. It's disappointing that he couldn't do the position drills but there's no reason to cut bait from him yet.

He didn't make excuses for himself or attempt to hide from it. He publicly addressed it immediately expressing his own disappointment. Again, it certainly doesn't excuse anything, but it does show a little sign of maturity in how he conducts himself.

Give him a couple months in a professional environment under the guidance of the coaching staff and veteran players before deciding. If he ends up making the team and contributing not a single person will be mentioning this work out.

While it's an extreme long shot, if he somehow gets back and can play up to his original potential of a top 10 pick will any of you wish we had cut him now because he didn't finish a workout before OTAs even began?? Nope. If he wasn't insanely talented and the team didn't see huge potential in him we wouldn't have given him the year off, the private workout or a shot at a comeback. Players who don't have that upside don't get this many chances.

The fact that this guy still has a chance, especially when we've kept pretty short leashes with most of our players and have gotten rid of players who have actually contributed on the field because of their poor work ethic and off field transgressions, tells me the front office and coaching staff are fairly confident in his ability to fulfill that potential.

[ellicottraven]

I am a huge redemption type guy. So, I am truly hoping Rolando redeems himself. The fact that he showed up tells me he truly wants to get back into the NFL. After reading Mt. Cody's interview with the 'Sun' I am halfway convinced Rolando is on the path to full redemption.

As we all know and understand, this is a no lose situation for the Ravens, but I honestly believe this Rolando situation will turn out to be the biggest win of all for us this season... just my instincts and nothing else folks.

Here is the link:

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/ravens-insider/bal-terrence-cody-says-rolando-mcclain-has-humbled-himself-is-ready-to-play-football-20140418,0,3389460.story

[rmw10]

Seth Wickersham ‏@SethWickersham  9m

Filed to http://ESPN.com : @RMcClain205 is walking away from football, this time for good. "I'm done," he told me in a text.

 

Seth Wickersham ‏@SethWickersham  6m

. @RMcClain205 texted me: "If football made me complete I would play.But whenever I think of it my heart pulls me away from whatever reason"