HEADLINES

Rolando McClain

Extra Points: Smith, McClain, Prater, Saints

October 6th, 2014 at 9:42pm CST by Luke Adams

Time is running out to determine if Geno Smith is the answer for the Jets, writes Mark Cannizzaro of the New York Post. It’s starting to feel as if the Smith era is in the process of mirroring the Mark Sanchez era, but the key difference is that Sanchez got the Jets to back-to-back AFC Championship games. Sanchez got four years before the Jets finally pulled the plug, and the Jets don’t have that kind of time. More from around the NFL..

  • Rolando McClain is having a career renaissance in Dallas and Cowboys COO Stephen Jones says he’d like to keep the linebacker beyond this season, writes Jon Machota of The Dallas Morning News. In four games, the starting middle linebacker has 23 tackles, a sack, a forced fumble and an interception. McClain is a former top ten pick and Jones feels that he’s finally starting to realize that potential.
  • While the move saves money, Broncos GM John Elway is taking a risk with his release of Matt Prater, who is arguably the best kicker in the game, writes Peter King of The MMQB. Even though Brandon McManus has a great leg, he hasn’t really been tested on field goals in 2014.
  • Former Packers tight end Tom Crabtree has a workout scheduled with the Saints, according to Tyler Dunne of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel (on Twitter).
  • Patriots coach Bill Belichick says that recent acquisition Tim Wright still has “a long way to go” to learn the Pats offense, but he is impressed with his work ethic and intelligence, writes Phil A. Perry of CSNNE.com.
  • If there’s a hot seat for Rex Ryan, there needs to be one for Jets GM John Idzik as well, writes Steve Serby of the New York Post. So who should take over? Bill Polian, who built Super Bowl teams in Buffalo and Indianapolis, is Serby’s suggestion.
  • Agent David Canter (via Twitter) issued a statement regarding the suspension of Dolphins defensive end Derrick Shelby.

NFC East Notes: McClain, Williams, Beckham

July 27th, 2014 at 5:10pm CST by Rob DiRe

Cowboys‘ wideout Terrance Williams is going to have a chance to improve on his 2013 campaign, writes Jon Machota of DallasNews.com. The second year receiver is looking to avoid a sophomore slump by emerging as a dependable number two receiver and the third option in the passing game after Dez Bryant and Jason Witten. Bryant is even more optimistic about Williams’ chances.

“Terrance done blew up,” Bryant said. “He’s lightning fast, outstanding hands, probably one of the best route runners I’ve ever seen. He’s going to do some big things.” 

Head coach Jason Garrett said that Williams would have an increased opportunity to show off his talents. 

“I think he has a little confidence based on how he played and he’s going to have a big role for our football team,” said Garrett. “He earned a bigger role on our football team last year. We’re excited to see him play.”

Here are some other notes from around the NFC East:

  • New Cowboys‘ linebacker Rolando McClain is being given every opportunity to win a starting job with middle linebacker Sean Lee out of the season, writes Tim McMahon of ESPNDallas.com. McClain has been working mostly with the second team, but showcased his natural talent during his first practice with the team.
  • If McClain does earn that spot on the Cowboys‘ defense, he will be part of a unit trying to go from worst in the NFL in 2013 to the best in 2014. At least that is the goal cornerback Morris Claiborne has set for the defensive squad, write Machota. “We were last in the league in defense and we’re trying to be No. 1,” said Claiborne. “That’s our goal. We’re not shying away from it.”
  • Giants‘ head coach Tom Coughlin is frustrated with his first-round pick’s absence from training camp, as Odell Beckham Jr. is sidelined with a hamstring injury, writes Jordan Raanan of NJ.com. Coughlin said that he was disappointed not to see Beckham on the field. “It would be nice to get him back practicing,” Coughlin said. “He actually looks pretty good out there. He’s moving around, catching the ball, he doesn’t favor anything. I’m just hoping it’s a real short amount of time.”
  • The Eagles have a shot to really hurt defenses in the passing game with their backfield in 2014, writes Jimmy Kempski of Philly.com. LeSean McCoy and Darren Sproles are talented receivers out of the backfield, and could find some intriguing mismatches in the defense.
  • The two most important statistics of training camp for the Eagles thus far are a pair zeros, zero injuries and zero interceptions, according to Geoff Mosher of CSNPhilly.com. The team has managed to get through camp unscathed so far, and none of the four quarterbacks has turned the ball over through the air. Of course, while this is a positive for the team’s offense, the linebackers and secondary are not so happy with their part in that second zero.

Casserly Rips Rolando McClain

July 26th, 2014 at 10:08am CST by Matt Feminis

Charley Casserly of NFL Network is not a fan of Cowboys linebacker Rolando McClain.

Appearing on Inside Training Camp Casserly, a former NFL GM, did not sugarcoat his opinion of the former eighth overall pick: “McClain …I would never have taken this guy with the eighth pick in the draft,” spouted Casserly. “I think this guy is not good enough. I don’t think he’s physical enough. I don’t think his instincts are good. I don’t think he can cover; I don’t think he can play. To me, it was a trade that is a waste of time. They were hoping, I guess, to get a big guy in the middle because [Justin Durant] and [DeVonte Holloman] aren’t that kind of a guy. Hey, I’m going to go see them in 10 days. I hope he’s not there to waste my time with him.”

McClain, who missed the beginning of camp to deal with legal issues, is expected to join the team today.

Extra Points: McClain, Nicks, White, Johnson

July 25th, 2014 at 10:24pm CST by Ben Levine

Recently-acquired linebacker Rolando McClain is expected to make his team debut at the Cowboys walkthrough on Saturday. McClain was tardy because he was in court in Alabama, where he was found guilty of resisting arrest and disorderly conduct stemming from an April 2013 incident (via John Breech of CBSSports.com). The 25-year-old has been sentenced to 18 days in jail, but his lawyers have filed an appeal.

According to ESPNDallas.com’s Todd Archer, the Cowboys were aware of the trial when they acquired the 25-year-old from the Ravens earlier this month. Even with a potential jail sentence, the team’s executive vice president didn’t sound overly concerned.

“We’ve got to learn a little more about it, but I don’t think it’s anything that’s going to keep him from playing,” Stephen Jones said.

“I had a great visit with (Ravens general manager) Ozzie (Newsome), very comfortable with what he’s been through. That’s why we decided to make the decision we did.”

Let’s look at some assorted notes on this Friday evening…

  • Following the release of guard Carl Nicks, ESPN.com’s Pat Yasinskas writes that the Buccaneers are in rough shape at the position. The team currently has Patrick Omameh, Oniel Cousins, Jamon Meredith and rookie Kadeem Edwards competing for the starting left guard gig and Yasinskas guesses that the team will be monitoring the waiver wire for additional depth.
  • Jason Fitzgerald of Over The Cap points out (via Twitter) that Nicks will count $2.357MM against the Buccaneers cap in 2014 and $4.714MM in 2015.
  • The Falcons extended wideout Roddy White yesterday and the veteran reiterated that he always wanted to stay in Atlanta. “There is where I always wanted to be,” White said (via The Atlanta Journal-Constitution). “You hardly ever see players nowadays being with a team this long, so it was important to me to get the deal done. When we got it done, I was so happy that I’m going to be here for the next couple of years. Hopefully we can go out there and win a Super Bowl.”
  • The Falcons waived wideout Darius Johnson earlier today, and ESPN.com’s Vaughn McClure tweets that the player had “had enough” with football and intends on coaching at his alma mater, SMU.

Cowboys Acquire Rolando McClain, Place Sean Lee On IR

July 3rd, 2014 at 11:04am CST by Dallas Robinson

THURSDAY, 11:04am: The Cowboys’ official site has provided clarity on the draft picks potentially changing hands in this deal. Here are the details:

  • If McClain plays 50% or more of the Cowboys’ defensive snaps in 2014, the Ravens receive a 2015 sixth-round pick and the Cowboys receive a 2015 seventh-round pick.
  • If McClain doesn’t play 50% of the defensive snaps but is on the 53-man roster for five games or the 46-man roster for three games, the Cowboys will swap 2016 seventh-round picks with Baltimore, assuming Dallas’ pick is higher.
  • Otherwise, no picks will change hands.

WEDNESDAY, 4:59pm: According to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter), the Cowboys now say they sent a seventh-round pick to Baltimore in the McClain deal, and that the seventh-rounders going both ways are for 2016, rather than 2015.

9:35am: The sixth-round pick the Cowboys are including in the deal is conditional based on McClain’s playing time, says Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram (via Twitter). It’s not clear what picks, if any, would change hands if McClain doesn’t play, but presumably the Ravens’ seventh-rounder wouldn’t go anywhere in that case either.

TUESDAY, 5:00pm: The Cowboys have acquired linebacker Rolando McClain and a 2015 seventh-round pick from the Ravens in exchange for a 2015 sixth-rounder, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN (via Twitter). In a corresponding roster move, Dallas has placed linebacker Sean Lee, who tore his ACL last month, on injured reserve, tweets ESPN.com’s Field Yates.

McClain, 24, was selected by the Raiders at pick No. 8 in the 2010 draft. After being released in April 2013, he signed with Baltimore, but retired a month later. In March of this year, he announced his intentions to return to the NFL, but retired a second time in April. He was once again reinstated from the reserve/retired list today. Over the course of three seasons, McClain has amassed 175 tackles and 6.5 sacks, while grading out positively each year per Pro Football Focus’ metrics (subscription required).

Dallas will assume the contract McClain signed with Baltimore, which pays him $700K in non-guaranteed base salary, and contains another $400K in incentives based on playing time, according to Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post (Twitter link). Provided he commits to playing out the season, McClain could be a worthwhile addition for the Cowboys, especially given the low cost to acquire him.

McClain will presumably compete with Justin Durant and fourth-round pick Anthony Hitchens to replace Lee at middle linebacker. Lee, who signed a six-year extension worth $42.6MM last August, has now suffered three ACL injuries (two on his left leg) in a six-year span.

Rolando McClain Retires

April 22nd, 2014 at 3:52pm CST by Luke Adams

TUESDAY, 3:52pm: McClain has officially been placed back on the reserve/retired list, confirms Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (via Twitter).

MONDAY, 11:43am: Just a few days after having been reinstated by the Ravens, former first-round pick Rolando McClain has decided to give up his comeback attempt and end his NFL playing career for good, according to Seth Wickersham of ESPN.com (via Twitter).

“I’m done,” McClain said in a text message to Wickersham (Twitter link). “If football made me complete I would play. But whenever I think of it my heart pulls me away [for] whatever reason.” McClain has since retweeted Wickersham’s report and changed his own Twitter profile to refer to himself as a “retired NFL vet.”

McClain, the No. 8 overall pick in the 2010 draft, was unable to reach his potential on the field, partly due to poor decision-making and inconsistent effort. Off the field, he has had several run-ins with the law, including a gun charge in late 2011. His best season on the field also came in 2011, when he racked up 100 tackles and five sacks for the Raiders. However, he hasn’t appeared in a regular-season game since 2012.

Last week, we heard that McClain had a workout with the Ravens and that it went poorly, to say the least. The 24-year-old was unable to finish his conditioning test and didn’t participate in some of the drills the team put him through. Even if McClain’s heart had been in the comeback attempt, it sounds it would have taken some time to work his body back into NFL shape.

AFC Notes: Bridgewater, Texans, Dolphins

April 18th, 2014 at 12:46pm CST by Luke Adams

Teddy Bridgewater visited with the Jaguars earlier in the month, but it appears Jacksonville is interested enough in the Louisville quarterback to take a longer look at him. According to Josina Anderson of ESPN.com (via Twitter), Bridgewater is scheduled to have a second meeting and workout tomorrow with the Jags. Jacksonville isn’t the only AFC South team eyeing the young signal-caller. While we originally heard that Bridgewater was supposed to visit the Texans this week, it seems that visit will actually happen next week, according to Tania Ganguli of ESPN.com (via Twitter).

Here’s more from around the AFC:

  • The Texans need a quarterback, and you could make a case for the team drafting a player like Johnny Manziel or Blake Bortles first overall, but Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com thinks Houston should nab Jadeveon Clowney with the No. 1 pick in May. In La Canfora’s view, Clowney is the clear-cut top prospect available, and the Texans would be better off letting Bill O’Brien “work his magic” on a quarterback drafted in the second or third round.
  • James Walker of ESPN.com suggests the Dolphins‘ fifth-year option decision on center Mike Pouncey isn’t as simple as it may seem on the surface, though the team is still likely to pick up that 2015 option.
  • The amount of homework the Dolphins have done on quarterbacks like Miami’s Stephen Morris and Georgia’s Aaron Murray signals that the team could seriously be considering drafting a signal-caller next month, writes Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald.
  • The current plan for Rolando McClain is to have the linebacker join the Ravens as early as Monday for the team’s offseason workout program, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.
  • Boston College running back Andre Williams has drawn the most interest from the Patriots, Browns, Steelers, and Jets, says Wilson at the National Football Post.
  • Wilson also reports (via the Sun) that Wisconsin nose tackle Beau Allen and Bowling Green tight end Alex Bayer visited the Ravens this week, and writes (via the NFP) that the Jets will host Murray State wide receiver Walter Powell for a visit on Monday.

North Rumors: Bears, Ravens, Mosley

April 17th, 2014 at 7:03pm CST by Zachary Links

The Bears met with Arizona State defensive tackle Will Sutton, writes Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times. Sutton, considered a good fit as the 3-technique defensive tackle in the Bears’ 4-3 system, had 20.5 sacks in college, including 13 as a junior. Double-teamed as a bulked-up senior, Sutton had three sacks, a fumble recovery and an interception. More out of the AFC and NFC North..

  • Alabama linebacker C.J. Mosley visited the Ravens, a source tells Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. In 2012, Mosley had 107 tackles with two interceptions and a forced fumble before dislocating his hip in the national championship game and undergoing offseason shoulder surgery.
  • The Ravens aren’t making any immediate decision on Rolando McClain, so don’t expect any resolution over the weekend, cautions Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com (via Twitter). Earlier today, the Ravens reinstated the troubled linebacker from the reserve/retired list.
  • While the Jets’ Eric Decker is the highest-paid free agent at wide receiver, the Lions‘ Golden Tate may be in a position to have a bigger statistical year, says John Clayton of ESPN.com (video link).
  • The Ravens haven’t brought in Boston College running back Andre Williams for visit or worked him out yet but they’ve talked to him a lot, tweets Wilson.

Ravens Reinstate Rolando McClain

April 17th, 2014 at 5:14pm CST by Zachary Links

The Ravens have reinstated linebacker Rolando McClain from the reserve/retired list, tweets Adam Caplan of ESPN.com. McClain has not seen the gridiron since November 25, 2012 when he faced the Bengals as a member of the Raiders.

McClain, the No. 8 overall pick in the 2010 draft, has yet to realize his potential, to say the least. Despite his physical gifts, McClain has been unable to put it all together on the football field thanks to poor decision making and inconsistent effort. Off the field, he has had several run-ins with the law, including a gun charge in late 2011.

Yesterday we heard that McClain had a workout with the Ravens and it went poorly, to say the least. The 24-year-old (25 in July) was unable to finish his conditioning test and didn’t participate in some of the drills the team put him through. McClain’s reinstatement is far from a guarantee that he’ll be in purple and black in 2014, but it does leave the door open. As Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun (on Twitter) notes, the move will allow him to take part in the Ravens’ offseason workouts, which start on Monday.

Ravens Rumors: McClain, Barrett, Wenning

April 15th, 2014 at 8:53pm CST by Zachary Links

Earlier tonight, we learned that the Ravens pitched a sizable long-term extension to Haloti Ngata only to be turned down. A new deal would have given the Ravens some extra breathing room against the salary cap but they’ll instead be stuck with the defensive tackle’s $16MM cap number. A lesser player might be cut in order to save some cash but, as Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun reported earlier this winter, that was never really an option for Baltimore. The latest on the Ravens..

  • Former Raiders linebacker Rolando McClain worked out with the Ravens today and it didn’t go too well, tweets Aditi Kinkhabwala of NFL.com. McClain didn’t finish his conditioning test and didn’t participate in some drills. A league source told Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (on Twitter) that he wasn’t surprised to learn of the linebacker’s poor conditioning.
  • Colorado State linebacker Shaquil Barrett was among the players participating in the Ravens’ local prospect day on Monday, writes Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. Barrett, who had 246 collegiate tackles with 18 sacks and 32.5 tackles for losses, is graded anywhere from the fifth round to the seventh round by draft analysts.
  • Ball State quarterback Keith Wenning visited the Ravens today and his next stops will be with the Vikings and Packers, writes Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. Wenning was a four-year starter who passed for 4,148 yards as a senior with 35 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
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