Rolando McClain

The upside to McClain, is that he is young. Only 23 years old. He had a monster year at Bama, and came out pretty early. He had an average year a couple years ago with 99 tackles and 5 sacks. Maybe he is better suited for the 3-4. The raiders play a 4-3 I believe. Maybe worth a shot, but no way worth big money. Nor do the Steelers have much money to spend, which is the biggest problem of them all, very little cap space.

 

This has been discussed here plenty because Hack has brought it up a few times.


At this point every little bit of cap space is very important... Do we have the room to sign him? I guess if you get him, you let Sly walk (which maybe they were planning anyway). Or do you sign him with what they were going to give Foote?

I find it a little puzzling that they were supposedly working on numbers with Foote at the start of the combine, but we still haven't heard anything about a deal.

 

With his terrible play and attitude/arrests I can't imagine it'd be more than minimum.

 

Here's something to think about:

We signed a LBer FA in 02' that was a 1st rd bust. Highly drafted but failed to impress and was let go by his team, the jets after 5 years. We signed him to a small contract and let walk Earl Holmes who signed a fat contract at the time with the browns.

That LBers name was James Farrior and he had a Stellar Career here.

Is McLain able to do the same for us?

Cajun-

 

Only difference was farrior was a leader at that time and gave it his all. He had zero off field issues and a great attitude.

 

vet minimum + incentives

 

I want to make 6 figures

 

I was on McClain last year during training camp...Anyone who looked saw the Raiders were going to get rid of him......He is very much like Carson Palmer with the Bengals...he wanted out of Oakland very badly.

We probably could have had him for a 7th round pick when I brought him up....giving us a year of tire kicking...that would have cost almost nothing.

I would sign him tomorrow....to a 3 year back loaded deal....with the majority of the cash in roster bonuses.... I think this kid can be a star in this league....he was more touted than just about any ILB in the last 10 years....he has size and speed...the only question is heart at this point....and his heart was simply not in Oakland.

and as for his "bad year" ...he would have been 6th on the Steelers for tackles...and that was in 11 games.....When the Raiders sat him down for his attitude...he would have been second on the Steelers in tackels

Harrison,Timmons, McClain, Woodley....could be the best group of LB's we have had since Kirkland, Brown, Greene, Lloyd...IMO

HACK

 

McClain I have no problem bringing him in if we can afford him. I would want to get some info from him or get him to sit down with Butler to talk about what his struggles are about though...not on field but off the field.

 

I was thinking the same...obviously as someone said Farrior didnt have off the field/etc stuff...but still the picture is quite similar! And for the right money I'd welcome him and then they can not worry about using a high pick on an ILB. I feel bad for most players in Oakland over recent years...I'd rather play for the Browns than them. So maybe playing for a REAL organization that has class and a winning history and are contender almost every year...can change a person like him and he can play like a lot know he can.

 

The need is there especially considering
Spence's prognosis? Move Silverback inside
play Worilds at Silverback's position. Problem solved for 2 years.
Save also on us selecting an OLB in first round where a safety is needed.

 

I'm a fan of his idea as well,Cowher used to say James was a better MLB than outside anyway. They were in discussion with Foote and I guess are still considering brining him back but it's been quiet on that front. I'm glad it's taken long because with the imminent release of Rolo. and the release of Spikes I'd rather have either of those guys than Foote.

 

The problem there is one thing....Harrison isn't taking a pay cut to stay here.

 

McClain sucks let him go be a problem somewhere else he already had two scrapes with the law the Steelers aren't the Bengals. I would rather find a young linebacker in the draft. He ain't coming here for the veteran minimum.

 

Just go get some young guy is not an answer....WHO? Who you want that has a higher ceiling than McClain does at this time. What round you think he will go in? That is an answer.

HACK

 

HACK!!! We're counting on you to start working the phones!

 

we payd foote and we don't have the money for mclain

 

Given the combination of his character issues and the salary cap issues the Steelers face, I doubt the Steelers will look to acquire him. Maybe they will look to Kevin Minter in round 2. More than likely I don't see the Steelers choosing a middle LB until at least round 4. I think the organization wants to see what they have in the young options already on the roster given their needs at other positions i.e S, WR, and OLB.

 

being a bama fan, i followed rolando alot. when he went to the raiders the popular opinion i tide land was it was the worst place he could go. he had a few little problems on campus that were keep quiet. he needs alot of structure. he needs a strong locker room and coaches. he has all the talent in the world and he knows the game inside and out. he just needs to apply that same work ethic off the field. that being said i would love it if we got him. word is he is humbled and looking for a good situation so maybe we can offer that

 

Thanks for the quote. I was gonna come here and do it but since you did I'll just add my comments.

The guy is not a kid needing guidance or supervision. He's an extremely talented football player with serious character flaws/issues. I'm not gonna get into the obama guncontrol crap but I love guns, shooting, hunting and I understand how are to be used. Mcclain firing a gun near some-ones head on purpose is not good. He also doesn't seem to respect authority which is what got him suspended fromn the raiders.

He has also failed miserably on the field since hitting the pros. Its not all schemematics either. It was obvious his "effort" wasn't there and he seemed like a J. Russell type guy=== just there to collect that huge check!!!

With all that said would I sign him. Only to a non gauranteed vet min for only 1 year. I'd let him know this is your last chance. You must 1st make the final 53 as it isn't being given to you and you must prove you worth investing more money and time in. I'd hire Farrior back as a "defensive asst" to Butler to work with the LBers and be Mcclains Mentor/monitor for on&off the field.

Cajun-