McClain’s mind ahead of playmaking _ so far
By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Saturday, October 23rd, 2010 at 10:16 am in Oakland Raiders.
It’s been only six games, a small portion of what probably will encompass the career of middle linebacker Rolando McClain.
The most impatient of the fan base is already throwing around the B-word, given his selection as the No. 8 pick in the NFL draft.
They expected more than no sacks, no interceptions, no forced fumbles, no recovered fumbles. So did yours truly, who made a case both on the air and in this forum about why the Raiders needed to select McClain in the draft (and was utterly astonished that Al Davis felt the same way).
So did defensive coordinator John Marshall, who said he chided McClain about the lack of turnovers this week.
Surely, McClain would help the NFL’s most inept rushing defense over previous seven seasons (29th, 31st, 31st, 25th, 25th, 22nd and 32nd) and stem the tidal wave of rushing touchdowns (146 in those 112 games).
Instead, the Raiders are ranked 31st through six games, coming off a game in which Frank Gore rushed for 149 yards and McClain found himself blocked out of a late 64-yard run by fullback Moran Norris which helped the 49ers put the game away _ precisely the kind of play he was selected to stop.
McClain is probably frustrated as well, but he’s not talking. He explained to me earlier this week it’s nothing personal, he simply isn’t comfortable doing interviews or dealing with the media. As he put it, “Sometimes I say yes, sometimes I say no, but 99 times out of a hundred I say no.”
Job interviews were another matter. McClain impressed virtually everyone he met with his knowledge and understanding of theories and concepts, and that included Denver coach Josh McDaniels.
“I don’t know if I have ever interviewed a more intelligent defensive player at the combine or in person here in our building than Rolando McClain,” McDaniels told Denver reporters this week. “He was off the charts, and he’s a guy that plays physical, he is big and he is a good player in the run game.
“They have kept him on the field every snap — he’s not coming off on third down and he is in there in the dime. You can tell how much he is communicating and for a rookie to be able to do that his first year against all the different looks he is seeing and all the different packages, I think what he showed us has really transferred over and he’s using it now for them. We liked him a lot. It was definitely part of the consideration as a guy that you would have to look at to take that high, and he is definitely going to be an impact player for them for a long time.”
McDaniels has been throwing bouquets at the Raiders all week, but it’s worth remembering that it’s been only six games and McClain has been given a huge responsibility to quarterback the defense as a rookie.
Said Marshall: “He’s smart and the players respect him and he runs that defense, you know? The great thing about him is he’s very situation aware. He knows what’s going on on field, he knows what’s on the field and that kind of thing. And I enjoy coaching him on the sideline. He can get angry, but he’s not a guy that loses it and blocks you out. You know, so he can discuss, he talks and he’s good on the sideline.”
Early in the season, Cable talked of McClain having the proper knowledge but was still working on “pulling the trigger.”
Asked about it Friday, Cable said, “In that regard I think he’s making progress. I think what John was alluding to was last week he had a chance for the interception. Those are impact play and I think those are coming more and more to him now, let’s get him making those plays. But in terms of playing the position and his progression and everything I think he’s on track now, I think he’s doing well.”
Given Denver’s propensity to use multiple wide receivers including the same kind of underneath routes Wes Welker thrives with in New England (McDaniels ran the Patriots offense before being hired by Denver), a lot of action will be coming McClain’s way Sunday.
Marshall pointed to a play McClain made behind the line of scrimmage where he appeared to be reacting rather than thinking, dropping Gore for a loss, as an example of what he expects.
McClain saw an opening, abandoned his over-the-top responsibility and knifed in to make the tackle.
“I tell them, I don’t want a bunch of iron deer on the lawn, cardboard cutouts, (where they say) `Oh, I’m doing what coach said. I’m not making any plays, but I’m doing that,’ ” Marshall said. “He just went and made a football play on that one.”
