Rolando McClain comeback?

[jaege]

I was against the original signing, as he seemed to be a thug. Walking away from all the money and glory of the NFL sure is a way to prove he was serious about changing. It would be good to see if he succeeded and no harm to us. Very low cost, with nothing but upside. I would like to see him come back and hopefully get himself a ring in his first year as a Raven

[GrimCoconut]

I'd welcome him back. Arthur Brown, Rolando McClain, Daryl Smith(?), Albert McClellan, Josh Bynes is an OK LB corps. I still feel like we'd need another guy. I'd really like to transition to a 4-3 defense. I don't think we're that far off from it either. 

[redrum52]

I'd welcome him back. Arthur Brown, Rolando McClain, Daryl Smith(?), Albert McClellan, Josh Bynes is an OK LB corps. I still feel like we'd need another guy. I'd really like to transition to a 4-3 defense. I don't think we're that far off from it either.

With or without Jones, if McClain and Smith comeback, our front 7 is stacked.

[Poes Crows]

From this perspective it brings back memories of crafty old Dallas Cowboy acquisitions.

 

The Cowboys drafted Roger Staubach out of Navy knowing he had a service commitment and could not play for about 4 years.  It was a gamble that paid off.

 

They did similar with Hershel Walker, selecting him in later rounds even knowing he was off to the USFL.

 

The signing of McClain could pay off even though he sat out a year.  If it does it will go a long way to restoring some of the luster that's clean worn off the old Ozmobile.

[ClintLB8]

Before the draft having this defense:

 

DE - Chris Canty, DeAngelo Tyson

NT - Brandon Williams

DT - Haloti Ngata, Kapron Lewis-Moore

SAM - Elvis Dumervil, Courtney Upshaw, Albert McClellan

MIKE - Daryl Smith, Rolando McClain

WILL - Arthur Brown, Josh Bynes

RUSH - Terrell Suggs, Pernell McPhee, John Simon

CB - Jimmy Smith, Lardarius Webb, Chykie Brown, Asa Jackson

FS - Omar Brown, Anthony Levine

SS - Matt Elam

 

That's not a bad start.. and hopefully we can fill some more of these holes before the draft, but that's a strong start.

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

The crazy thing about him, and I always forget this, is that he's still only 25 years old. I feel like he's been around forever, has now taken an entire year off, and still has so much of his football life ahead of him to continue to improve and develop.

I'm actually very optimistic that this is going to work out wonderfully for both the team and him. I just have a gut feeling that he's going to come back ready to roll and seize this opportunity. And if he is able to reach his potential, we've got a possibly dominant player on our hands.

The other thing to keep in mind is that Oakland wasn't a schematic fit for him. If he comes back for us, he's going to be on a much better team, that's fits his talents better, and hopefully now mature enough to realize the opportunity he has to be the best he can be. I'm really rooting for the kid.

Even if he only becomes a rotational player and is average, it's not going to be very hard for him to live up to the value of his current contract.

[Bullrush]

At best he'd be another training camp body right now. He needs to get in shape first and even when he's in shape he needs to prove he can play. He wasn't able to do that in Oakland, and now being out of shape I find it hard he's suddenly gonna be a difference maker. Like I said, I think if everything works out for him he can be a rotational guy. Maybe next year or so after a year under his belt he can take over as a starter but those are all big if's and maybe's.

[Guest Mr. Nobody]

We still hold his rights.  We can choose to match the 1 year, $800K (or whatever he signed last year) contract from last year for 2014.

$700K he signed for, so that's peanuts if he comes back and plays even as back-up for a year

[ClintLB8]

At best he'd be another training camp body right now. He needs to get in shape first and even when he's in shape he needs to prove he can play. He wasn't able to do that in Oakland, and now being out of shape I find it hard he's suddenly gonna be a difference maker. Like I said, I think if everything works out for him he can be a rotational guy. Maybe next year or so after a year under his belt he can take over as a starter but those are all big if's and maybe's.

At 700k, I say we could still bring back Daryl Smith and give Rolando a year to get his feet back.. But I say we need Daryl's 2nd-3rd year of the contract a lot less guaranteed so we can cut him if McClain does develop so we could take the money from cutting Daryl (if need be) and resign Rolando.

[Ravenseconbeast]

Would love to see him at least make an effort to comeback.

 

24 yr old is too young.   He has(had) the physical tool to be someone in the NFL.   Its 'go' time.

[TheRavenouseD2008]

hey is about to come back he said he will accept no other team he wants to be a Raven

[52520Andrew]

And I want to Ravens to have him as well. He would be a really nice compliment to Arthur Brown if he gets his act together but he has to earn it.

[Ravenslifer]

Btw, is Rolando any good in coverage at all?  Because at 6'4", he's as tall as most of the tight ends he'd have to cover.

[ClintLB8]

hey is about to come back he said he will accept no other team he wants to be a Raven

 

He will accept another team if the Ravens don't keep him. He won't stay retired unless no one wants him. He prefers to be a Ravens, but he will absolutely "accept" another team if Ravens say no.

[ClintLB8]

Btw, is Rolando any good in coverage at all?  Because at 6'4", he's as tall as most of the tight ends he'd have to cover.

 

He struggled with coverage honestly. His last two years, he barely tried though.. he wasn't in a good mental state so I'm not sure how much was lack of effort to improve in that area or he simply can't do it. I guess we will find out.

[B-more Ravor]

For a non-guaranteed, minimal 1-year deal, it's likely worth it to give him a shot.

 

Given the offseason issues so far, though, they'd likely have to be very sure that he's put his problems behind him.  For most reports, it appears that he has really tried to work on his issues, so we'll see.

[Flacco2Mason]

Personally i do not like him but give him a shot. It will be cheap but it might work out. We need help at linebacker anyway.

[GrimCoconut]

If Daryl Smith walks and this guy comes back and starts I wouldn't be surprised. I think that could've been Ozzie's plan the whole time. I hope we re-sign Smith because he was a big part of our defense.

[ellicottraven]

There are conflicting reports on McClain. We just lost one McClain to the Giants. Do you think Rolando McClain unretires and comes back to play for the Ravens? He is said to be working out and keeping in shape, but football shape is a whole different thing. However, if he has straightened his act this past year and is really motivated to succeed, how do you think his presence affects our D?

I have previously posted that Ozzie will surprise us all and pick a D-Tackle in the first round, probably Nix (doubtful if he'll be available), Jernigan, Hegeman or Aaron Donald to shore up our defensive front and to make up for Art Jones' loss. With a really tough front, if we can add Rolando to the linebacking corps along with D. Smith I think we'll be an awesome defense.

However, there is a major 'if' with Rolando. What do you guys think?

[BBoogieMan]

I'd like to see him compete for a roster spot. His youth, size, and physicality (and price tag) would be an asset, If he's grown more mature and his emotions are stable. With the LB corps we have now, he'd have plenty of time to get back into football shape. By maybe, Nov. he could be playing a high number of snaps. Middle of the defense improved from 2012 - 2013, but after we get a true FS, put Matt at SS, DeAngelo & Brandon Williams step-up, Ngata stays healthy (I wouldn't be surprise if Oz take a DT either)....add Ro-Mac's talents to the mix, we could be even better.

[Puntit]

Yeah, no reason not to let him compete -- he's stuck with the Ravens at a pretty cheap salary if he wants to come back, and there's an open spot at the moment. as for who Ozzie is going to take in the draft, it going to be BPA in the first round, and if there's no one he loves he will try to trade back for more picks. I can see him considering dropping back in or out of the first round to get more 2nd or 3rd round picks regardless, to try and fill WR, TE, FS and OL spots with 2nd day guys -- that's historically been his wheelhouse.

[BloodRaven]

Until he gets his head right and is coming in 100% committed then I'm not interested in what he has to say or speculation on "what ifs". He's either a Raven or he's not.

[CalvinSmoke]

I go through the day assuming he's not going to be a Raven

[TheRavenouseD2008]

I am assuming the deal is he gets his rear to camp does well and earns an extension

[Mad Puppy]

Don't count on Rolando McClain, he is too far removed and had too many  bad seasons, and too much baggage.

Moving on....

[757RavensFan]

He wants to come back and play this year as a Raven. I say since it's low risk and high reward give him a shot in training camp and see if he's serious.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/04/03/rolando-mcclain-wants-to-rejoin-ravens/

[757RavensFan]

He wants to come back and play this year as a Raven. I say since it's low risk and high reward give him a shot in training camp and see if he's serious.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/04/03/rolando-mcclain-wants-to-rejoin-ravens/

[RavensAllTheWay]

I'd give him a shot in a flash.  Almost nothing to lose for either side.

[Ravenslifer]

He wants to come back and play this year as a Raven. I say since it's low risk and high reward give him a shot in training camp and see if he's serious.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/04/03/rolando-mcclain-wants-to-rejoin-ravens/

 

I'd be happy to have him - from what I've heard he's done a lot to turn his life around, and he's still just 24 years old - he's done some dumb things in the past, but he's young enough to easily put that stuff behind him.  And I think being here in Baltimore, with the team we have, as opposed to the quagmire that is still Oakland (though I give Reggie McKenzie a lot of credit for what he's trying to do) will do Rolando a lot of good both on and off the field.

[T3hRaven]

He's on the veteran minimum so it's nbd either way. It doesn't hurt the team to give him a shot.