Ravens Sign Rolando McClain

[TheImmortalGoud]

Rotoworld

Ravens signed ILB Rolando McClain, formerly of the Raiders, to a one-year, $700,000 contract.

Per NFL.com's Ian Rapoport, the deal also includes playing-time incentives. It's a minimum commitment from the Ravens, but one that could pay off nicely if McClain emerges as a starter in training camp. There's a decent chance he will, but McClain is strictly a two-down 'backer. He's been poor in coverage since being the No. 8 pick of the 2010 draft. The Ravens should remain on the prowl for help at inside linebacker after losing Ray Lewis and Dannell Ellerbe. Although he won't turn 24 until July, this could be McClain's last chance after he proved to be a massive headache in Oakland.

[Aso]

Well they are really thin at inside linebacker. We'll see how this turns out.

[Guest]

A friend of mine who is a Ravens fan was really pumping this up. I told him the worst roster in the league let him go, how does that bode well for your team? No response.

[ralaw]

The Ravens only hope for this guy is that the post Ray Lewis defensive culture remains the same, which causes him to be more accountable and raise his level of play.

[Bmore]

A friend of mine who is a Ravens fan was really pumping this up. I told him the worst roster in the league let him go, how does that bode well for your team? No response.

... McClain didn't play for the Jags...

The defense scheme Baltimore plays is about as close to Alabama's Defense scheme as the NFL has. So he will fit right in.

He's 6'4" 260lb, perfect size for our defense. I bet you any amount of money he will fit right in and make plays beside Suggs/Dumervil/Upshaw.

Is he an upgrade over Ray Lewis? Hell no.
Is he an upgrade over Danelle Elerbe? possibly, I'd grade them even as of now.

Is it a great signing for Baltimore? At 700k? Hell yes. Ozzie Newsome once again proves that you build through the draft and wait around for the scraps and late releases in free agency.

Bernard Pollard and Jacoby Jones are recent proof of that.


Now heading into the draft all we need to do is draft a WR (to replace Boldin) and another ILB for depth.

OR... we could sign Urlacher... (which has been mentioned through news sources.)

[Glenbino]

LOL @ considering him equal with Ellerbe. Take off the purple shades bro.

[Aso]

Im sure f16 will get pissy if he hears McClain is as good as Ellerbe. The Dolphins are suppose to be having the best off-season of all time. Know your role bmore.

[Glenbino]

Im sure f16 will get pissy if he hears McClain is as good as Ellerbe. The Dolphins are suppose to be having the best off-season of all time. Know your role bmore.

As should anyone with a brain... McClain had less than half the production Ellerbe did last regular season not to mention the havoc Ellerbe wreaked in the playoffs.

The Ravens don't get out of Denver last year with McClain in Ellerbe's role in the defense. He was an amazing interior pass rusher for the Ravens in the postseason.

[Bmore]

As should anyone with a brain... McClain had less than half the production Ellerbe did last regular season not to mention the havoc Ellerbe wreaked in the playoffs.

The Ravens don't get out of Denver last year with McClain in Ellerbe's role in the defense. He was an amazing interior pass rusher for the Ravens in the postseason.

What production? Ellerbe was on the same defense that gave up the most rushing yards by any Ravens defense in a single season.

I get that your downplaying McClain as a player and, I will agree he is no where near worth what he was drafted at. But Ellerbe was a back up 3rd down guy who came in to give Lewis and McClain a breather. Both Lewis and McClain got injured and Ellerbe came in, racked up tackles... intercepts Tom Brady (barely) with a cast on his arm and now he is a stellar ILB?

Good luck with that.

Ask Adalius Thomas, Bart Scott, and Edgerton Hartwell what it's like to be a "star" at linebacker for the Ravens. Good luck Miami with Ellerbe, Hopefully history doesn't continue to repeat itself. Baltimore will continue to sit pat and pick up all these "Bums".

[Glenbino]

I'm telling you what I saw in the playoffs. Ellerbe killed teams coming up the middle, especially in Denver.

And while you say what production go ahead and look at what the guy you just signed did last season.

You say they're equals yet one guy has more than twice as many tackles and 4 times as many sacks despite only playing in two more games.

McClain is cheaper sure, and Ellerbe probably got overpaid. I don't recall ever calling him a great ILB in my post. But for you to call them equals is laughable.

As bad as your defense was the Raiders were much worse and Rolando lost his starting job even among that sorry LB corps.

And not to mention the guy already has a history of being a liability off the field.

I'd seriously be surprised if he's still on the roster when the season starts.

[Leftwich]

... McClain didn't play for the Jags...

The defense scheme Baltimore plays is about as close to Alabama's Defense scheme as the NFL has. So he will fit right in.

He's 6'4" 260lb, perfect size for our defense. I bet you any amount of money he will fit right in and make plays beside Suggs/Dumervil/Upshaw.

Is he an upgrade over Ray Lewis? Hell no.
Is he an upgrade over Danelle Elerbe? possibly, I'd grade them even as of now.

Is it a great signing for Baltimore? At 700k? Hell yes. Ozzie Newsome once again proves that you build through the draft and wait around for the scraps and late releases in free agency.

Bernard Pollard and Jacoby Jones are recent proof of that.


Now heading into the draft all we need to do is draft a WR (to replace Boldin) and another ILB for depth.

OR... we could sign Urlacher... (which has been mentioned through news sources.)

That is such a shitty joke.

[JBregz]

I'm surprised the plane hasn't crashed into this thread yet. Nothing to get real excited about imo, but playing for a contract and in a new system that actually has a winning tradition. I'd expect his numbers to be improved.

[f16harm]

LOL @ considering him equal with Ellerbe. Take off the purple shades bro.

you cannot tell Ravens country anything. Raider fan called in this morning and told how he has been a Raider fan all his life. Told the WFAN guys McClain is awful. Horrible in pass coverage, takes terrible angles and can't shed blocks. Also told them Mike Huff can't tackle to save his life. They should be very worried on the upcoming season. Each guy's reply to caller?

Steve Davis. "Well, look at the team he's coming from. They've been awful. My guess is once they have the change of scenery and get around the Ravens coaches, they'll play much better because of the coaches. Baltimore has the best coaches in the league and will make a difference."
Ed Norris. "I'll admit you [the Raider fan] have watched these guys more than me, however, I doubt Ozzie hasn't watched every bit of film on these two prior to signing them. I'm pretty sure he knows more than you who have watched their career so far. I think you're just a disappointed fan that they didn't work out for your team and are now in Baltimore."

[Matt]

I like this signing. McClain is a 3-4 ILB only. He was a bad draft pick for the Raiders. He was slow and bad in pass coverage from the beginning. Now he will be allowed to take on blockers like he did at Alabama and open up holes for other players.

I think McClain makes a big difference in the Ravens system. Plus he is still young.

[Raidersabc123]

As said above McClain since being drafted looks slow, cant cover or shed blocks I think he will definitely fit better in a 3-4 defense