Looking for Insight on Rolando McClain from the Real Experts
by Rich Langford on Apr 30, 2010 1:15 PM CDT
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PrintAs you may have guessed from the title, I am a faithful member of Raider Nation. I know, I know...this has been a rough membership lately. I believe the Raiders are on the way to righting their pirate ship and Rolando McClain will be the captain. It was a pick that was almost universally applauded in Raiders land.
After he was drafted, Kleph visited us over at S&B Pride and had nothing, but glowing things to say about Mr. McClain and extended an invitation to visit R B R if I had any additional questions. So...
The Raiders have mentioned they will experiment with the 3-4 this year, but will remain primarily a 4-3 team. Do you see any problems with McClain making this switch?
His 40 time isn't the best, which is some cause for concern as a 4-3 MLB, but I think his instincts and knowledge will make his game speed plenty fast.
The Raiders current DT's suck at run D. He is going to have to shed some blockers. This will certainly limit his impact, but he seems as well suited for shedding blockers as any LB. How do you think he will be at shedding NFL lineman?
The Raiders play a ton of man D. Can McClain man-up?
Among his detractors, comments were made that mentioned his inconsistent intensity. Is this a valid complaint?
Feel free to answer any questions or add anything else. Thanks for any insight!
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Howdy....
I’m a Raiders fan also and I’m absolutely giddy over this. I’ll try and answer the best I can.
1. I believe he’ll be just fine in a 4-3. He’s a smart guy and will be able to adjust.
2. No. He isn’t the fastest guy but he seems to play a lot faster than his timed speed. Jerry Rice and Tim Brown weren’t the fastest guys either and I don’t remember them getting caught from behind very often.
3.He’s a big strong man. He’ll do fine.
4. Might be his achilles heel but I believe he’ll be able to learn how to adjust to covering also.
5. These people are obviously Auburn fans or were watching some other teams game film. Ro has Ray Lewis type intensity. He won’t take plays off and as well as knowing exactly where he’s supposed to be and what he’s supposed to be doing he’ll know all the other defesive guys assignments as well. He truly is a "coach on the field.
Hope this helps. You’ll get much better insight from a lot of others but that’s my humble opinion.
Auburn-Where almost happens.
we'll have to get OTS to weigh in...
but most folks describe saban’s 3-4 as a 4-3 hybrid. i don’t know the particulars of what the raiders are looking to do, but i’m inclined to believe the transition will create a defense ro is knowledgeable of.
Roll 'Bama Roll: The Champagne of 'Bama Blogs.
Thanks for the info! Here's to hoping for a McClain led return to glory for the S and B.
It’s nice to see people dispelling the intensity comments.
I think when people are being funny, they are actually being serious and when people are being serious, it's actually really funny.
by Rich Langford on May 1, 2010 4:28 PM CDT up reply actions
lets' be clear...
one thing you get with ro is intensity. more than one person described him as “coach saban on the field” during the past few years. and nobody would ever refer to coach saban “inconsistently intense.”
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Wasn't it Barron that he screamed at
that drew him a penalty early last year? If anything, with Ro I think there might be issues at times controlling the intensity, though those times will be rare, because he’s usually very focused on the field. The lack of intensity comments surprised me when I first heard them, and I still don’t know where anyone got that idea. Kleph’s comparisons to Nick Saban’s intensity are apt. To break it down,
Usually Ro shows this kind of intensity:
But every now and then, it’s more like this:
Or this:
"Let's go be champions, boys!" - Greg McElroy
(Formerly SugarBowl93)
by RememberTheRoseBowl on May 1, 2010 5:07 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
The Raiders are in need of this kind of intensity!
I think when people are being funny, they are actually being serious and when people are being serious, it's actually really funny.
by Rich Langford on May 1, 2010 6:35 PM CDT up reply actions
here's your intensity [check 2:40 mark]
Intense video link
That white stuff on the top of chickencrap is.....chickencrap.
It was Marquis Johnson that he got in the face of and MJ went on to play a helluva game after that.
Auburn and Tennessee fans are a lot like Slinkys...neither are worth much but you do get a sense of satisfaction from pushing them down a flight of stairs
If he stays healthy, HoF for Ro.
Auburn and Tennessee fans are a lot like Slinkys...neither are worth much but you do get a sense of satisfaction from pushing them down a flight of stairs
Ro is Saban's brain on the football field
nuff said
"You have to create 6 seconds of hell each play..."
Coach Nick Saban
and
i hope y’all love and appreciate him as much as we do!
"You have to create 6 seconds of hell each play..."
Coach Nick Saban
The Raiders have been lacking this on D. It shows in the incredible amount of huge plays they have surrendered.
I think when people are being funny, they are actually being serious and when people are being serious, it's actually really funny.
by Rich Langford on May 1, 2010 4:29 PM CDT up reply actions
Lets put it this way...
…I’ll be working to get a McClain Raiders jersey as soon as I can. Not that the other Bama draftees/UDFA guys aren’t worth it, but because Ro is that good.
It's not what you've done but what you are doing that matters.
And the roses in this grand ol' stadium are once again Crimson. - Eli Gold, CTSN Broadcast of the BCS Championship Game at the Rose Bowl, 1-7-2010
And because...
…the Raiders still have the baddest jersey in the NFL….
"High standards come from passion within...." --Coach Nick Saban
by NiceLittleSaturday on Apr 30, 2010 8:31 PM CDT up reply actions
That's just an added perk.
It's not what you've done but what you are doing that matters.
And the roses in this grand ol' stadium are once again Crimson. - Eli Gold, CTSN Broadcast of the BCS Championship Game at the Rose Bowl, 1-7-2010
by AlabamaJammer on Apr 30, 2010 8:34 PM CDT up reply actions
I am going to get one, too! He's going with 55 if you haven't heard.
I think when people are being funny, they are actually being serious and when people are being serious, it's actually really funny.
by Rich Langford on May 1, 2010 4:30 PM CDT up reply actions
#55, lots of greats have worn that number...
…Ro will just be added to the list.
Man, that is one sexy jersey. Will replace my Peppers #90 very well.
…but should I go hardcore like the UT fan pissing on the Tiffin shirt or just mail it to my Bears friend?
It's not what you've done but what you are doing that matters.
And the roses in this grand ol' stadium are once again Crimson. - Eli Gold, CTSN Broadcast of the BCS Championship Game at the Rose Bowl, 1-7-2010
by AlabamaJammer on May 1, 2010 6:08 PM CDT up reply actions
Since you have a Bears friend...
I say piss on it then mail it to them…haha! Raiders fans have taken to burning their JaMarcus jerseys.
I think when people are being funny, they are actually being serious and when people are being serious, it's actually really funny.
by Rich Langford on May 1, 2010 6:33 PM CDT up reply actions
don't do that!
they will make great tents for refugees from the haiti earthquake.
Roll 'Bama Roll: The Champagne of 'Bama Blogs.
by kleph on May 1, 2010 7:00 PM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
err, Kiffin
Where in the hell was my head? [picks up fourth mojito]
It's not what you've done but what you are doing that matters.
And the roses in this grand ol' stadium are once again Crimson. - Eli Gold, CTSN Broadcast of the BCS Championship Game at the Rose Bowl, 1-7-2010
by AlabamaJammer on May 1, 2010 10:46 PM CDT up reply actions
Lightweight
"Yeah, it's Tennessee, that's the way it is sometimes." - Corey Zickefoose, Pulitzer Prize winner and robbery victim
"This is not the end. This is the beginning." - The Great and Powerful Saban
by Thomas Walker Esq on May 1, 2010 11:10 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
He is a leader.
Whatever he lacks is skill which ain’t much he makes up for with his leadership. I think even McElroy even tweeted that Ro would be done playing and already be COACHING in ten years.
by rolltidefromaz on Apr 30, 2010 10:27 PM CDT reply actions
As a Saints fan, I feel your pain
Don’t worry, dude, Al Davis has to kick the bucket sooner or later (his diet of small children will eventually catch up to him).
As for the transition to a 4-3, Kleph is right. Our d shifts to a 4-3 on pass rushing situations, and Rolo did just fine shifting to a true MLB in those instances.
NFL pundits often take entirely too much stock in 40 times. His knowledge and instincts make him much faster laterally on the field than a number indicates.
At 6’4, 260lbs, he shouldn’t have too much trouble shedding blockers. Again, b/c of his intelligence, he recognizes the holes and knows just where to be. The guy was literally all over the field the past 3 years.
Man coverage is the weakest part of his game, but I wouldn’t foresee him having too much problems with a TE. If he’s covering a speedy WR, well, then, that’s just a stupid scheme call.
Inconsistent intensity? That’s so ludicrous it should have come from Todd McShay’s mouth. Here’s intensity. Check the 2:40 mark. He was a true leader and respected by everyone, players and coaches. You guys picked up an incredibly talented and enormously intelligent individual. Please don’t let him be another example of unfulfilled potential due to front office ineptitude.
"Yeah, it's Tennessee, that's the way it is sometimes." - Corey Zickefoose, Pulitzer Prize winner and robbery victim
"This is not the end. This is the beginning." - The Great and Powerful Saban
by Thomas Walker Esq on May 1, 2010 2:59 PM CDT reply actions
the only way i can make heads or tails of that "inconsistent intensity" remark
is that it refers to one of the times he got flagged for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty when he got excited and did something dumb. i think there was one at a critical point in the virginia tech game, if i’m not mistaken. but those were very few and far far between.
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you aren't mistaken
only time I ever saw him lose his cool. The guy said something to him and he snapped and popped the guy in the helmet, then almost went through a ref to get after the guy. He regained his composure, apologized to the kid, the ref, Coach Saban, and all his teammates in the locker room. Again, it was the only time in 3 years I saw him do something stupid like that, so dud must’ve said some awful shit. I don’t see 1 instance as being any cause for concern.
"Yeah, it's Tennessee, that's the way it is sometimes." - Corey Zickefoose, Pulitzer Prize winner and robbery victim
"This is not the end. This is the beginning." - The Great and Powerful Saban
by Thomas Walker Esq on May 1, 2010 3:23 PM CDT up reply actions
that's the one...
but i seem to recall at least one other time he did something similar to get a zebra’s attention. bottom line though, it’s unusual enough that it sticks out in one’s memory of the guys’ entire career at the capstone.
Roll 'Bama Roll: The Champagne of 'Bama Blogs.
Thanks kleph! I am glad you all are tossing aside the intensity comments.
I envision McClain being the vocal, playing and emotional leader of this D. Our Ray Lewis!
I think when people are being funny, they are actually being serious and when people are being serious, it's actually really funny.
by Rich Langford on May 1, 2010 4:35 PM CDT up reply actions
The Raiders seemed to be making a real effort to go young and go with quality hard working players.
Thanks for the 4-3 info that is great news. Not that I was really worried about it, he seems to have plenty of game speed, but this helps even further erase those doubts.
It’ll be interesting to see how the man plays out. The Raiders D uses the SS position to man on the TE as much as the MLB, but he will also have to worry about the RB in some sets.
I think when people are being funny, they are actually being serious and when people are being serious, it's actually really funny.
by Rich Langford on May 1, 2010 4:33 PM CDT up reply actions
oops, darn enter key jumped up at tagged my finger.
I don’t think “worry” is what you will call it when you see him play.
That white stuff on the top of chickencrap is.....chickencrap.
or, to be more precise, worry is what we've been doing
no alabama fan with more than a passing familiarity of our defense has had any doubts about mcclain’s ability to prosper at the next level. even if they don’t have a grasp on the x’s and o’s, the leadership and determination ro has shown is bluntly obvious.
on the other hand, the disarray in the raiders organization is a huge concern for alabama fans who want to see ro go on to a great pro career. he’s a rookie. he’ll need to work hard to step up his game and bring it on par with the best in the nfl. but it’s not something he can do by himself.
ro became what he is due in large part to the coaching staff and his teammates at alabama. that’s not different now. and, bluntly, the raiders track record with developing young players and supporting them isn’t the best. we hope, as you do, that things have turned around on that score but recent history isn’t exactly soothing our furrowed brows.
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Shoot me an e-mail...
… and I’ll make sure you get something.
"Underlying most arguments against the free market is a lack of belief in freedom itself." -- Milton Friedman
by outsidethesidelines on May 2, 2010 12:47 AM CDT reply actions
one of the panjandrums over as S&B Pride, KA1ZER
had an open question thread and i inquired about the organization’s player development system and if we should be worried about rolando’s future in the pros as a result.
the response:
The talented coaching staff on the defensive side of the ball can work with him and he should fit in perfectly since he excelled covering the mid-zone, which the Raiders use a lot with their MLB. He will also get to blitz a lot behind a great D-Line so look for some good sack numbers.
He’s already doing very well in practice and is already acting like the leader of a firey Raiders defense.
…
We turn late round picks into quality starters like 6th. rounder Scott being an x-factor blitzer, 3rd round shaughnessy being a possible starter, Nnamdi as a top-2 corner, etc.
McClain should fit nicely with the mean, aggressive, no nonsense Raiders defense.
Roll 'Bama Roll: The Champagne of 'Bama Blogs.
I wouldn't expect Ro to be blitzing too much...
the Raiders are historically on the bottom of blitzes per game list. Who knows, maybe this will change, but I wouldn’t count on seeing him blitz much at all.
I fully agree about the player development, however. Especially a guy like Ro, who by all accounts is self motivated. They only kind of players whose careers have been derailed by the Raiders are the ones who use excuses to not work hard or the ones who piss off Al Davis. Ro doesn’t seem like either type.
For all the shit Davis takes, it is not easy to get on Davis’ bad side. And if a guy is loyal to him he will have a place with the Raiders forever and he will be given what he needs to succeed.
I think when people are being funny, they are actually being serious and when people are being serious, it's actually really funny.
by Rich Langford on May 3, 2010 12:16 AM CDT up reply actions
You 6 assholes who voted for 'solid starter'
Should be ashamed of yourselves. Or go back to Track ’Em Tigers.
"Yeah, it's Tennessee, that's the way it is sometimes." - Corey Zickefoose, Pulitzer Prize winner and robbery victim
"This is not the end. This is the beginning." - The Great and Powerful Saban
by Thomas Walker Esq on May 2, 2010 11:12 PM CDT via mobile reply actions 1 recs
Raiders were dumb to pick McClain
And it’s not because McClain is a bad player, far from it, but because it’s not what the raiders needed.
They picked up McClain to help stop the run, so do not expect to see him blitzing too often. The raiders had one of the worse run defenses last year.
But the Raiders are in need of offense, and the reason they were so bad against the run is because the other teams offense was always on the field, running the ball and clock out.
You can’t leave your defense on the field that much and expect to have good defensive numbers no matter how great your defense may be.
When the Raiders offense didn’t produce, the raiders got raped and lots of points scored on them. When the Raiders offense did produce and spent a little time on the field, the Raiders D usually kept teams around 20 pts or less.
McClain is a great player and a good addition to any team IMO. But I don’t think it’s really what the raiders needed. On the bright side, even considering that it’s still a huge step up from recent years picks for the Raiders.
Just don’t think it’s going to fix their problems.
As for 4-3 D, McClain will just play the middle. Still gotta stop the run, and that is there reason for picking him.
well, i've got my hands full trying to completely understand
the logic behind what is happening on my team. i’m not about to start second guessing some pro team’s decisions. i just hope it works out for ro.
Roll 'Bama Roll: The Champagne of 'Bama Blogs.
The Raiders run D woes extended way beyond them being fatigued.
They gave up big run plays without prejudice or regard to their level of fatigue. Their run D sucked and has sucked for years.
Too many times players blew assignments and/or were out of position and the Raiders got toasted with big plays. This had nothing to do with fatigue. We are all hoping that Ro’s intelligence and leadership begin to change this.
Also, our last MLB was solid in pass D, but a little sucky against the run. He over pursued and couldn’t fight off blockers.
Don’t get me wrong, the offense needs help, too. It is a very young group. J. Campbell should do much to bring some consistency to the O.
I loved the pick. These are the kind of guys you build championships around. There was no one player ever to grace the planet that could’ve singlehandedly turned the Raiders around. It is a process.
I think when people are being funny, they are actually being serious and when people are being serious, it's actually really funny.
by Rich Langford on May 3, 2010 9:08 PM CDT up reply actions
Just like...
..that last Chargers drive in the opening game last year. Big play after big play went right up the middle. Fatigue didn’t cause that because the Raider O had actually gone toe to toe with the Chargers that day. Was purely missed assignments and pisspoor tackling.
Auburn-Where almost happens.
when i think of Ro i think of 3 other MLB's
Ray Lewis, DeMeco Ryans, and Cornelious Bennet.
Kid is Pro Bowl material at worst, Canton at best.
The beauty of The Process is that you have never arrived, so you get to continue being perpetually awesome... -Espyonage
This comment and the poll get me jacked for football season.
I am going to try and keep my expectations for the young man in check for his rookie season, especially since the Raiders lack blocker eating DT’s but can’t wait to see what impact he has on the team!
I think when people are being funny, they are actually being serious and when people are being serious, it's actually really funny.
by Rich Langford on May 3, 2010 9:10 PM CDT up reply actions
mcclain made a comment last year about the complexity of saban's defense
noting that it took him a year to master what he was supposed to do on the field. it took him another year to completely understand what everyone else was doing on the field. and then, in his last year, he was ready to run the whole thing correctly.
that expereince will help him tremendously, of course, but its reasonable to expect a similar learning curve for him in the pros. not just for the complexity of the oakland defense, but also for the complexity of the offenses he’ll be adjusting against.
Roll 'Bama Roll: The Champagne of 'Bama Blogs.
It was reported the day after he was drafted,
he asked for the playbook and DVDs. The Raiders mini-camp was closed off to the public and video, but the members of the media that attended said the Ro’ needed little coaching to correct his assignments.
Knowing that he already has that down and will not settle until he knows where all of his teammates need to be and anticipating what the offenses are trying to do, is exactly what I want out of a franchise MLB.
I think when people are being funny, they are actually being serious and when people are being serious, it's actually really funny.
by Rich Langford on May 4, 2010 12:35 PM CDT up reply actions
every time i read 'MLB'
my first thought is ‘major league baseball’ – WHAT THE HELL IS UP WITH THAT?
"You have to create 6 seconds of hell each play..."
Coach Nick Saban
…look, LittleSis, if you and the ladies would like to sit around talking baseball the kitchen table is that way. We men are talking about the only sport that matters…
;-)
It's not what you've done but what you are doing that matters.
And the roses in this grand ol' stadium are once again Crimson. - Eli Gold, CTSN Broadcast of the BCS Championship Game at the Rose Bowl, 1-7-2010
by AlabamaJammer on May 4, 2010 1:25 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
WELCOME RAIDER FANS!
let us know if you need any more info on our boy Ro!
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