Rolando McClain comeback?

[rmw10]

Unless there are some sort of circumstance here, I doubt the Ravens even considered signing him. Being out of shape is somewhat forgivable, but being out of shape, late, and refusing to do drills is inexcusable. There are more than plenty of other options.

 

Exactly.  I can understand not being able to pass the conditioning test.  That happens every year to a whole bunch of guys, and I imagine it's even worse after sitting out a year.  With that being said, there's no excuse for not running the drills.  That was his 2nd chance with us.  I don't see any reason to give a 3rd.

[1/28/01]

Traffic? Ha, like that's a valid excuse (I know its just speculation by some).

[Purple Punishment]

He came in to show the staff where he is in terms of football shape.

They also may have interviewed him to see where his mental frame of mind is at. That's the most important thing at this point. I'm not giving up hope. Hope he moves to Baltimore to train at the castle

[RavensNation14]

I don't see us making another opportunity to get him at all. We were doing him a favor by giving him a workout to see if he had it in him to play again. Obviously he doesn't because something this huge in your life you won't just show up completely gased and not even do the drills. Not to mention you show up late to potentially the last shot you will ever have to play in the NFL. That's pathetic. McClain knows what kind of shape he should be in and he's too lazy to care. 

[MYTH420]

This was to see where he was at. The fact that he came back at all shows some promise. The season is along way off. The Ravens have nothing to lose in this situation. Sign him to his minimum contract, let him train at the facilities, and see how he comes along in camp. Worst case scenario, you cut him. Best case scenario, he turns out to be the player everyone expected.

[berad]

In my head it comes down to the question of if you want to spend a roster spot on Rolando McClain with all the baggage or whether that spot goes to a UDFA player doing everything in his power to play i.e. Albert McClellan, Jameel McClain, Josh Bynes, etc.

[Tyler]

In my head it comes down to the question of if you want to spend a roster spot on Rolando McClain with all the baggage or whether that spot goes to a UDFA player doing everything in his power to play i.e. Albert McClellan, Jameel McClain, Josh Bynes, etc.

You're absolutely right about that. My thing is potential, so I want to see how it plays out. Yes, Bynes, Jameel, Albert and guys of that caliber have had a crazy work ethic. And You have to respect the hell out of that.... But my point is, Rolando McClain is probably more talented than the 3 of those combined realistically. He was deemed by some to be the next Willis or Ray Caliber linebacker.... And I think from a god given talent standpoint he could have been. The problem with that is he has had a Titus Young like head at some points, and next to no work ethic. That's what differentiates him from our UDFA work horses that do everything they can to make it at this level. All I'm saying is the combination of his talent, with a good work ethic could be dangerous... but time will tell.

[omar586]

would rather let UDFAs fight for the spot that mcclain was gonna get, there always hungary players that want play and prove  teams wrong .

[Inqui]

In my head it comes down to the question of if you want to spend a roster spot on Rolando McClain with all the baggage or whether that spot goes to a UDFA player doing everything in his power to play i.e. Albert McClellan, Jameel McClain, Josh Bynes, etc.

I agree here, which is why - admittedly without knowing much about the 80ish-man rosters post-draft - I'd be happy treating him as a UDFA. He has, what, two or three months to get in shape but if he can't humble himself and make a good impression that way then he can always see if McDonald's is hiring. I think we should treat him like anyone else once the pre-season camps start. He should know the score by now, and he's certainly talented enough.

 

One last chance, and if he's made the right adjustments since we picked him up then he should be fine. If not, I don't know what else we can do but move on.

 

Slight tangent (that's not new-thread-worthy), could a guy like Joe Flacco or Jimmy Smith theoretically not make the first roster cut? It's never going to happen in reality, but could they be cut before one of the provided trimming deadlines?

[Purple Punishment]

It took a fair amount of humility to show up knowing he wasn't in football shape and unable to pass the conditioning test, but still take it. All of these guys that say he isn't hungry, he just took a year away to handle his personal issues. That meant more to him than money. He valued straightening his life out with NO income than to continue down a path of self destruction while making a few bucks. Maybe he was HUNGRY for some stability for his FAMILY. These are the same people on here saying don't give him a chance that say give Ray Rice a third chance. I mean if we are using the same logic for personal issues coupled with being in football shape, Ray is on his third chance with Rolando

It kills me for people to say he doesn't deserve. Remember the things you stand by when you are in a situation where all you can do is ask for retribution, but remember, you don't deserve another chance. You know nothing about what this man has embarked on in the past year, don't judge when you don't know. This forum is getting plagued with people that don't see the human element involved in a NFL Player and I think I'm going to take some time to stay away from this site because it truly is disgusting to see a man change his life around for the better and someone here says, nope not good enough. Shame on you all for your negativity.

[K-Dog]

Disappointed really.

[757RavensFan]

It took a fair amount of humility to show up knowing he wasn't in football shape and unable to pass the conditioning test, but still take it. All of these guys that say he isn't hungry, he just took a year away to handle his personal issues. That meant more to him than money. He valued straightening his life out with NO income than to continue down a path of self destruction while making a few bucks. Maybe he was HUNGRY for some stability for his FAMILY. These are the same people on here saying don't give him a chance that say give Ray Rice a third chance. I mean if we are using the same logic for personal issues coupled with being in football shape, Ray is on his third chance with Rolando

It kills me for people to say he doesn't deserve. Remember the things you stand by when you are in a situation where all you can do is ask for retribution, but remember, you don't deserve another chance. You know nothing about what this man has embarked on in the past year, don't judge when you don't know. This forum is getting plagued with people that don't see the human element involved in a NFL Player and I think I'm going to take some time to stay away from this site because it truly is disgusting to see a man change his life around for the better and someone here says, nope not good enough. Shame on you all for your negativity.

I had to switch from the mobile version to the full Web version on my phone just so I could give you a +1 on your response. Well said sir! It seems as though some members forget that these guys are human and have personal issues to deal with like we all do. IF McClain was a Raven for the past 3 years and was a monster at his position and had to take a year off to get his life right, everyone in this forum would overlook his workout the other day. IJS.

[flynismo]

It took a fair amount of humility to show up knowing he wasn't in football shape and unable to pass the conditioning test, but still take it. All of these guys that say he isn't hungry, he just took a year away to handle his personal issues. That meant more to him than money. He valued straightening his life out with NO income than to continue down a path of self destruction while making a few bucks. Maybe he was HUNGRY for some stability for his FAMILY. These are the same people on here saying don't give him a chance that say give Ray Rice a third chance. I mean if we are using the same logic for personal issues coupled with being in football shape, Ray is on his third chance with Rolando

It kills me for people to say he doesn't deserve. Remember the things you stand by when you are in a situation where all you can do is ask for retribution, but remember, you don't deserve another chance. You know nothing about what this man has embarked on in the past year, don't judge when you don't know. This forum is getting plagued with people that don't see the human element involved in a NFL Player and I think I'm going to take some time to stay away from this site because it truly is disgusting to see a man change his life around for the better and someone here says, nope not good enough. Shame on you all for your negativity.

 

 

Come on now, be reasonable. It is not fair to ask people to hold themselves to the same standards they hold others to! How are they supposed to feel high and mighty then?

[flynismo]

I think what far too many people forget is that Rolando's appearance was completely and totally of his own accord. He is not under contract to anyone, and has NO obligation to even be in town, much less anything else. So he tried to comeback before he was really ready.....to me, that shows desire and ambition. Now unless you want to crucify him for being late, let's just say, "Good luck to you, Rolando" and hope that someday soon, he will be more prepared for his big audition and possibly help our team out at some point.

 

And this is coming from the guy that was not happy at all that we brought him in last year.

[1/28/01]

What are the excuses for the simple fact that he was late? I mean, you're late? Really???

[codizzle]

What are the excuses for the simple fact that he was late? I mean, you're late? Really???

My excuse? Hitting up every wawa and royal farms within a 30 mile radius before showing up

[1/28/01]

My excuse? Hitting up every wawa and royal farms within a 30 mile radius before showing up

Oh man, WaWa's are awesome. Their breakfast sandwiches are the ish...as are their subs!

[izvoodoo]

Oh man, WaWa's are awesome. Their breakfast sandwiches are the ish...as are their subs!

There used to be a WAWA at college park which was a mecca.  Then it closed.  It was tragic.

[rmw10]

I think some people are missing the point.  What has the guy done to deserve another chance?  He's continually blown his opportunities.  Why should we keep giving them to him?

 

I'm not concerned at all about him not passing the conditioning test.  That's to be expected when he hasn't played football in over a year.  What is concerning is the fact that he was late (traffic, really?) and that he didn't even perform the drills.  If I show up to a job interview late, and then only do part of the interview and skip out on the main portion, am I going to get the job?  Absolutely not.  We owe him nothing.  He owes it to us to prove that he wants to be playing football.  I don't see any humility out of a guy that showed up late and then didn't even do his drills.  If he didn't want the workout, he shouldn't have even scheduled it.

 

At the end of the day, actions speak louder than words.  He's been talking the talk that he's in the best shape of his life and he's changed things around. He certainly didn't show that by completely bombing this work out.  Whether there's a monetary risk or not, I'd rather that spot go to a UDFA who's going to fight every single day for that spot even if he doesn't have a remote chance of making the team.

[berad]

I think what far too many people forget is that Rolando's appearance was completely and totally of his own accord. He is not under contract to anyone, and has NO obligation to even be in town, much less anything else. So he tried to comeback before he was really ready.....to me, that shows desire and ambition. Now unless you want to crucify him for being late, let's just say, "Good luck to you, Rolando" and hope that someday soon, he will be more prepared for his big audition and possibly help our team out at some point.

 

And this is coming from the guy that was not happy at all that we brought him in last year.

 

Well if he wants to re-start his NFL career, he has to see the Ravens first. They hold his contractual rights.

 

I agree with this but what we've seen in his NFL career thus far is pretty disappointing. As people have rightly pointed out, he was a top-10 pick and one that was almost unanimously lauded as excellent by the Raiders in 2010... until he started underperforming and getting arrested.

 

Then again, if something is of your own accord, why schedule it when you're not conditioned and can not / will not do the drills? And then show up late? It was an audition to get back onto the team and it did not go well.

 

Wasn't thrilled when we first picked him up, or when he got arrested, or when he retired, or when he came back and blew the workout.

[Militant X 1]

What are the excuses for the simple fact that he was late? I mean, you're late? Really???

 

I'm serious!  You're trying to restart your career with the team that you abruptly retired on a month after acquiring your services and NOW you come to your job interview out of shape and late?  Smh!

 

My excuse? Hitting up every wawa and royal farms within a 30 mile radius before showing up

 

WaWa is hot man!  My wife and I love that spot!

 

Oh man, WaWa's are awesome. Their breakfast sandwiches are the ish...as are their subs!

 

Aww man!  Don't get me started on their subs!  I love creating my masterpieces there.  lol!

 

#Mili

[Tenacious Faulker]

One workout won't mean the end of his time as a Raven.  Rust was expected in hiis workout and even Jacoby failed a conditioning test after his stint on DWTS the first time that year.  

 

Truth is we don't what to expect from a "re-invented Rolando McClain.  Greatness?  Same ol', same ol'?  Could've been a number of legit reasons for being late or to judge him for it as if none of us ever have been late to work before?  Might as well fire the lot of us now.

 

Ozzie sees something in the kid - maybe feels for him.  I think he wants to help him the best he can.  We ALL deserve second chances,  i know I feel like I've deserve one.  Two even.  All this banter is meaningless.  Ozzie will decide when and if McClain should be on the team and 99% of us here will agree in the end because, by and large, we trust what Ozzie thinks when it comes to the team.

 

Peace.

[bMore Heathen]

Aditi Kinkhabwala ‏@AKinkhabwala 7m

Rolando McClain got his workout w the Ravens and I'm hearing it was NOT a roaring success. Didn't finish conditioning test, didn't do drills

That sucks.... I guess we'd better start looking for a big, mid to late round thumper.

[Purple_ICE 81]

Well I guess he hasn't been working out and exercising during his 1 year break period which is obviously concerning due to his failed conditioning test. I mean the conditioning test is definitely challenging for anyone who is in shape or not, but it would have been nice to see McClain give a little more effort and heart out there instead of giving up on it. Whether we sign him or not I will leave it up to Ozzie and company to make that decision. Personally I dont care...at this point im not sure what McClain has to offer as an ILB..when was the last time he played at a high level? 3 seasons ago? He may be done  and it looks to be heading that way. 

[izvoodoo]

I don't care that he failed the conditioning test.  But you should never be late to something this big.  

[Ravensuperfan1]

not really surprised. I think he's gonna need a trainer or life coach for a few weeks/months so he can get back and football shape.

 

Hopefully his life is together off the field

[RLewis52]

Guess he wants to remain one of those good old 1st rounder selections from the raiders. Laundry list of great ones, starting with JaMarcus Russell

[1/28/01]

Guess he wants to remain one of those good old 1st rounder selections from the raiders. Laundry list of great ones, starting with JaMarcus Russell

Go back 4 more decades. Started with Eldridge Dickey.

[bMore Heathen]

Guess he wants to remain one of those good old 1st rounder selections from the raiders. Laundry list of great ones, starting with JaMarcus Russell

Jamarcus Russell... Lol!!!!! Heyward-Bey was a real head scratcher too.... And failure.

[K-Dog]

Free coffee and hot chocolate all day at WAWA.