2010 Scouting Report presented by Comcast: Rolando McClain, LB, Alabama
by Jonathan Loesche on Apr 6, 2010 12:19 PM EDT
in 2010 Scouting Reports
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When Nick Saban says that a player is the best defensive player he's ever coached, it would be wise to take a look at that player. Saban was speaking of LB Rolando McClain. Just like Patrick Willis and Aaron Curry, McClain is clearly the top linebacker in his class. Where McClain really excels is his Peyton Manning-esque way of breaking down a play. You can see him read what a QB is doing, making proper adjustments, take the perfect angle, and then deliver a big hit
However, much has been made of McClains less than impressive measurables. McClain ran somewhere between a 4.69 and 4.74 40 at his Pro Day. Although that cerrtainly isn't terrible (I'm looking at you and your 5.0 40, Brandon Spikes), it does lead you to question whether he can make lateral plays or not.
Another issue is whether McClain's skill set can transfer over to a 4-3 or not. McClain himself said ," I played a 4-3 in high school and 3-4 under Coach Saban. I'm a lot better in the 3-4, but Saban's defense is known for being good. But yes, I was better in the 3-4 defense." It is almost out of the question that McClain could play an outside linebacker position with his lack of speed. Even then, could he play as a middle linebacker in a 4-3?
I believe he can. Any linebacker that possesses the instincts and desire that McClain has can excel in either a 4-3 or a 3-4. As long as he's not going to be asked to cover Dallas Clark or Owen Daniels, McClain would excel at the middle linebacker spot in Jacksonville.
Video Killed the Scouting Report
Rolando McClain: By The Numbers
| At A Glance | |||||
| Position 1: Linebacker |
Height: 6'3 | ||||
| Position 2: N/A |
Weight: 255 | ||||
| Class: Junior | Age: 21 | ||||
| Projected Round: 1st |
40time: 4.6-4.8 |
||||
2009 Butkus Award Winner (Nation's Top Linebacker)
2009 First Team All-American
2008, 2009 First Team All-SEC
2009 Lombari Award Finalist
| Stats Overview | Tackles | Misc | Interceptions | |||||||||||
| YEAR | TOT | SOLO | AST | SACK | STF | STFY | FF | BK | INT | YDS | AVG | LNG | TD | PD |
| 2007 | 74 | 36 | 38 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 40 | 20.0 | 23 | 0 | 0 |
| 2008 | 91 | 45 | 46 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 12 | 12.0 | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| 2009 | 105 | 53 | 52 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 21 | 10.5 | 21 | 0 |
0 |
According to the Experts
Positives
Recognition skills are at an elite level. Is never out of place, which makes his burst and athleticism seem even more impressive. Doesn't get fooled by play-action and quickly recognizes blocking schemes. McClain is perhaps the premier run-stopping linebacker in the draft. He's strong and rangy. Playing on the inside, McClain doesn't wait for the ball carrier to come at him, he attacks.
Negatives
Hands are nothing special. Needs to become a little more technically sound shedding blocks.
Positives
Outstanding instincts, excellent tackling technique, very good pass rusher
Negatives
Questionable as a 4-3 MLB. The lateral range is just not there for me. He could be exposed when he overpursues.
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Comments
He is my dream pick at 10.
Yeah speed and is he fit for a 4-3 MLB (and Crohmn) is a question; but with him; I think the Jags LB copr will be elite and we woud get a Leader at MLB.
Nice job John!
(Shameless plug of my stuff – here is my reort written back in January from him:
http://blackandteal.com/2010/01/31/scouting-rolando-mcclain-lb-alabama-the-most-likely-scenario/)
Life without knowledge is death in disguise
by Zoltan from Budapest on Apr 6, 2010 11:34 AM EDT reply actions
Sorry wrong linkcode
http://blackandteal.com/2010/01/31/scouting-rolando-mcclain-lb-alabama-the-most-likely-scenario/
Life without knowledge is death in disguise
by Zoltan from Budapest on Apr 6, 2010 11:37 AM EDT up reply actions
If he lacks speed and freely admits he isn't as comfortable in a 4-3, how does that make the Jags' LB corps elite?
Elite implies nearly without flaw, but those are two enormous flaws, especially the speed. He will be exploited over and over again in coverage – or taken out of the game, neither of which you should expect from a top 10 selection.
McClain is a dream pick – for our opponents.
In Gene We Trust.
by MoveThoseChains on Apr 6, 2010 3:00 PM EDT up reply actions
He is a stud Thumper in the middle who can drop back in coverage at times.
If DT Dan Williams or CB Joe Haden is there, I would have to pull the trigger on them. Sean Weatherspoon is better all around because of his more fluid sideline to sideline and coverage skills. He is not the thumper that Mcclain is though. Good Post I like that your thinking defense.
by MikeThomasSlotReceiver on Apr 6, 2010 3:01 PM EDT up reply actions
It would be wise to select 5 players before Mcclain.
1 DT Dan Williams
2 CB Joe Haden
3 FS/CB Earl Thomas
4 G/C Maurkice Pouncey
5 RB CJ Spiller
but let’s hope on trading back not for Tebow.
by MikeThomasSlotReceiver on Apr 6, 2010 5:31 PM EDT up reply actions
Yea 10 would be too high
Considering the 3 players(most likely to be available at 10th overall ) ranked ahead of him. Its a need of the Jags.Though it can be thoroughly adressed by acquiring 2nd RD pick and landing a gem.like Mike Johnson-Alabama.
by MikeThomasSlotReceiver on Apr 6, 2010 8:33 PM EDT up reply actions
10
Is slightly early for Weatherspoon, but not undoable. The most important thing for a linebacker in the 4-3 is speed and recognition skills. Weatherspoon isn’t a thumper, but playing behind Terrance Knighton and John Henderson, do you really need to be? Durant isn’t a thumper and his issues this year(not like he had many) were not because of him being pushed around in the middle.
If hip hop is dead, then it happened the day that Dilla died.
-Akrobatik
Durant
just couldn’t stay healthy. And he was still learning how to cover the better TE’s. I think people forget that this was his first year at MLB.
Yeah
I didn’t say he had a bad year. He had some issues in coverage, but like I said, even without a Ray Lewis type physicality level, he held up fine in the middle, which most 4-3 backers can do with a good defensive line. I’m not jumping on the 40 sacks next year bandwagon, but like we were talking about the other day, teams aren’t getting to the second level consistently against our defensive line.
If hip hop is dead, then it happened the day that Dilla died.
-Akrobatik
QB for the D
Drafting McClain would finally give us the leader on defense that we’ve been missing since Peterson. My only concern is his stamina… after seeing him wear out @ Bama’s Pro Day in a indoor facility, I worry how he’ll handle the Florida heat during training camp. If he’s going to be a Captain of the defense he’s also going to have to last 4 qtrs.
In the face of adversity, what you do from then on dictates who you really are...
I agree! Wow!
Intangibles are worthless if your tangibles aren’t good.
In Gene We Trust.
by MoveThoseChains on Apr 6, 2010 1:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Reggie Nelson... nuff said.
In the face of adversity, what you do from then on dictates who you really are...
Hahaha, well clearly you need intangibles too.
I’m just saying that we have a lot of smart knowledgeable people on this site, and there could be some great leaders here too….but the reason we’re not playing in the NFL is because we don’t have the tangibles. They’re both important, but intangibles without enough tangible talent are useless.
In Gene We Trust.
by MoveThoseChains on Apr 6, 2010 2:13 PM EDT up reply actions
"As long as he's not going to be asked to cover Dallas Clark or Owen Daniels, McClain would excel at the middle linebacker spot in Jacksonville."
That’s where it all goes wrong, John. If you have a guy that slow on your defense, you better believe other offenses will find ways to ensure he ends up covering a TE or RB in the flat, especially in today’s NFL where physicality is being legislated out of the game more and more. Watching his video, the lack of speed really jumps out immediately. The only way to protect your defense from getting exploited play after play would be to remove him from the field in passing situations. But the #10 pick should be able to play every down, so that would be a waste of a pick.
In Gene We Trust.
I would be scared if he had to cover Chris Johnson by himself
A top 10 pick is too high for a player who could be a liablility in pass coverage.
Is there any LB prospect you wouldn't be scared to see cover CJ by himself?
It seems like this is not really a factor, because there’s not a LB in the draft I’d want defending Chris Johnson in coverage.
There are two novels that can change a bookish fourteen-year old's life: The Lord of the Rings and Atlas Shrugged. One is a childish fantasy that often engenders a lifelong obsession with its unbelievable heroes, leading to an emotionally stunted, socially crippled adulthood, unable to deal with the real world. The other, of course, involves orcs.
by burntorangehorn on Apr 7, 2010 1:38 AM EDT up reply actions
True
How about any back with decent speed? No linebacker would be put in that position, but teams will find a way to exploit a slow player. The Jags need more speed at linebacker, and McClain doesn’t fit the bill.
This is the best site, I love these comment sections, you guys are funny!
I dare say there’s not a LB on the planet that can cover Chris Johnson or even Clark or Daniels by himself. I can’t think of one. That’s where “intangibles” come into play – they say the game is 90% mental at this level.
We can’t ask these guys in the draft to be perfect coming straight out of college. Even Ed Reed and Ray Lewis had issues when they entered the draft – no one knew they would be All-Pro. But it’s no doubt McClain would make our LB corps better.
He’s doesn’t have elite measurables across the board, but so what? Most guys don’t, even in the NFL. We don’t want the next Vernon Gholston, who tore the combine up but hasn’t done squat since.
If Gene drafts him then that means the guy can play football.
Life's battles don't always go
To the stronger or faster man;
But soon or late the man who wins
Is the one who thinks he can.
by JagGameFace on Apr 6, 2010 3:22 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Thanks, I step down from my soap box now & hand over the mic...
Life's battles don't always go
To the stronger or faster man;
But soon or late the man who wins
Is the one who thinks he can.
I have to believe
that there are MLB’s that can cover a Dallas Clark or Owen Daniels. No one can really shut them down on their own. But I’m sure some could do a better job than McClain can. Someone like a safety-LB convert that has good hips and ball skills. That means not you Taylor Mays.
Can handle
Clark and Daniels.
If hip hop is dead, then it happened the day that Dilla died.
-Akrobatik
To some degree
yes. I think Michael Boley is underrated, IMO. No one mentions him, but he’s really good in coverage and as a sack artist. And Vilma may not be super athletic, but he’s smart enough to make up for some of his shortcomings phsyically. He’s still not as slow as McClain.
Vilma
Has some short comings now, but when he came out he was one of the fastest MLBs in the league. I agree though, he is very intelligent.
If hip hop is dead, then it happened the day that Dilla died.
-Akrobatik
I agree to some extent.
But Reed’s and Lewis’s issues were with technique, not physical ability. You can coach a guy until he can recognize plays and shed blocks, but you can’t coach a guy to be faster, at least not in this situation. You can’t succeed with only tangibles or only intangibles, but between the two, i’d pick tangible physical ability.
I wouldnt be upset if we drafted him............
frankDUBZ aka Frank Silba
"You have to stand for something, or you will fall for anything" - Me
I agree.
Spiller would also cause me to think the Jaguars aren’t getting maximum value, but I’d still be ok with him on the team.
In Gene We Trust.
by MoveThoseChains on Apr 6, 2010 4:33 PM EDT up reply actions
McClain
Reminds me of Demeco Ryans. Witherspoon is going to be a great OLB so i dont care if hes a reach at 10 hes gonna be good. Mcclain Smith and Durant sounds like a pretty good LB core. I dont see why we shouldnt draft him
Ryans
Has more speed and is better against the pass.
If hip hop is dead, then it happened the day that Dilla died.
-Akrobatik
Ryans
Has more speed than McClain. Not sure how you can argue against that one…
If hip hop is dead, then it happened the day that Dilla died.
-Akrobatik
Not much faster than McClain...
Game speed for McClain could be faster if his game intelligence is what they say and he puts himself in the right position more.
In the face of adversity, what you do from then on dictates who you really are...
I'm
Talking game speed. Ryans flies around and makes plays. He has been known for a while now as a fringe elite backer.
If hip hop is dead, then it happened the day that Dilla died.
-Akrobatik
Ryans is a superior coverage All Around linebacker than Mcclain.
Mcclain is like a slightly bigger more athletic Rey Mauluga. He will be a better coverage than RM, but he still isn’t a coverage backer. Ryans is closer to Willis than Mcclain.
by MikeThomasSlotReceiver on Apr 6, 2010 10:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Those videos
don’t impress me at all. I just don’t see it. The only part he looks decent at is the handling blockers/dealing with traffic part. If he has space, he doesn’t look good. In fact, it looks like he doesn’t even try hard. He gives up on plays when he knows he will be outrun.
I noticed
The giving up on plays part as well. I’ve also found watching his various tape that he isn’t physical cleaning up plays. A teammate will have a guy held up, normally thats when a physical leader lights the ball carriers ass up. McClain doesn’t do that.
If hip hop is dead, then it happened the day that Dilla died.
-Akrobatik
Others?
Does anyone have a link to a better highlight video for McClain? He has all the stats and awards, so I trust he is better than what is shown in those 2 videos. I don’t see any ‘thumping’ on them. I found one highlight of a sack against Auburn where he looked quick and actually punished the quarterback. Zoltan says he did well in the BCS Championship. I found a highlight video for that game and I never even spotted his number in the whole video.
Last season...
The Jags had issues tackling in space, pass rush and coverage. Aaron Kampman (if healthy) would somewhat answer the pass rush, a healthy Rashean should strengthen the coverage and McClain should aid in the tackling…he’s worth the pick…
Welcome to Camelot
by ArtoriusG on Apr 6, 2010 7:57 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
zoltan
im sorry but you know how i feel about this
that said, if they draft. congrats for you because he will be to you what jarret dillard was to me.
i did a happy dance. im not joking
LateRoundPick.com
You should have seen how mad i was
to know Collie was drafted by the colts. But moments later I found out we had already drafted Mike Thomas. Then you should have seen how ecstatic I was. haha
Agreed-4th RD gem
Such a steal- Mike Thomas. Jags need a deep threat to complement Walker outside. Even with Williamson we need to address that. Keep Thomas in the middle. I like Dillard as the #5 WR.
by MikeThomasSlotReceiver on Apr 7, 2010 12:01 AM EDT up reply actions
Who's the guy ahead of Dillard?
1. Sims-Walker
2. Thomas
3. Williamson
4. _
5. Dillard
Follow me on Twitter
Osgood?
I think Dillard cdan boom this year by the way- if he is healthy!
Life without knowledge is death in disguise
by Zoltan from Budapest on Apr 7, 2010 12:51 AM EDT up reply actions
I think
Dillard will be the 3rd guy after MSW; and Thomas.
Life without knowledge is death in disguise
by Zoltan from Budapest on Apr 7, 2010 12:54 AM EDT up reply actions
It's really hard to say
I don’t want to underestimate Williamson because he was so strong in all of training camp and preseason last year. If he played at that level during the regular season, without injury, he could’ve been the #2 or even possibly #1 receiver in 2009.
And I don’t want to underestimate Osgood because we have no idea what we have here. He seems like he has the athleticism, just never got the opportunity to display it.
But then again, I really liked Dillard and he got better as the season went on. Give him a full offseason of work and who knows how much improved he may be.
And who knows if Tiquan Underwood got all that potential together and will come up with a great sophomore season.
Follow me on Twitter
Yeah
Underwood is the X factor.
Williamson is facing a make or break scenario this year by the way…His career is on the line; if he blew this he might join the Jerry Porter-Reggie Williams bookclub…
Life without knowledge is death in disguise
by Zoltan from Budapest on Apr 7, 2010 2:59 AM EDT up reply actions
I'm gonna hate
to see anyone in the WR group get cut. I think all of them have the ability to contribute. I’m thinking we should trade someone before we lose them due to roster numbers.
Osgood was a good acquisition but has only proved special teams success.
Osgood has potential to be a red-zone threat and possession receiver. However the Jags should look for a deep threat in the draft.
In the mid- later rounds of the draft, the Jags can look forward to possibly grabbing deep threat WR Taylor Price Ohio. Jacoby Ford from Syracuse should also be considered.
These players could provide needed insurance for WR Troy Williamson.
We could keep 6 WR if each can feel needs on special teams, which looks likely.
by MikeThomasSlotReceiver on Apr 7, 2010 1:34 AM EDT up reply actions
yep good catch I confuse clemson and syracuse for some reason
must be the orange
by MikeThomasSlotReceiver on Apr 7, 2010 9:49 PM EDT up reply actions
He or Berry if he falls
are my ideal picks at 10.
Life without knowledge is death in disguise
by Zoltan from Budapest on Apr 7, 2010 12:52 AM EDT up reply actions
I agree with you Conservative
I wasn’t impressed with these videos either… am I missing something?
It's never too late to live your life, the time is now, it's yours and mine.
At 6'4, 260lbs...
4.6 is good speed and I’m pretty sure the strentgh training coach woul get some of that body fat down which will increase his speed.
Another scenerio is the Jags can trade this pick to the Giants (I live in NY and that’s all i’m hearing; McClain’s name)…we’ll see
Welcome to Camelot
by ArtoriusG on Apr 7, 2010 6:37 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
He's closer to
4.7 than 4.6(4.68/4.73), especially considering he ran that time at his pro day and not the combine. Second he was only 6’3" and 254 lbs. Not a huge difference, but it all adds up. I would like to trade down, and I think that’s a possibilty with the Giants. One problem is, they could also be targeting the same players we are.
Giants
Have a lot of the same needs we do. They need another end, a safety, and are in big need of a middle linebacker. Sounds like a clone of us draft wise.
If hip hop is dead, then it happened the day that Dilla died.
-Akrobatik
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