Thread: Rolando McClain

Rolando McClain 6'4" 256 Lbs

Well, the offseason is officially here, so let's start to take a closer look at some of the players that would make sense for Denver. While Sam Bradford is my first choice, McClain could be there when Denver is on the clock. He makes sense for Denver for 3 reasons:

1. He's a playmaker. Whether it's against the pass or the run, this kid can make plays all over the field. He the type of LB that you can build a defense around. Behind Suh and Berry, McClain may be the safest pick in the draft. While Davis has done and admirable job this season, the team fell apart against the run down the stretch. One of the reasons was because Davis just didn't seem to have much left in the tank.

2. He's a leader. Denver will need a QB for this defense when BDawk leaves. McClain fits the bill perfectly.

3. He's the best and most versatile LB in the draft. He can play any of the LB spots in the 3-4 defense. He would give Nolan a ticket to be even more creative with his blitzes and coverages. Playing with DJ in the middle, Denver could be the first 3-4 team with 2 LB'ers that can play 3 downs. It would be a huge boost in gameplanning, especially against no-huddle offenses.

If you want an example of the type of player McClain is, think about a bigger faster version of Al Wilson.

Amen.

Yep. Without a doubt.

We have much bigger needs than to invest another first round pick on linebacker when Andra Davis and DJ Williams played great this season.

As cliche as it sounds, games are won in the trenches. We need to rebuild the interior of our offensive line & rebuild the defensive line. Not sure who to suggest right now, not until I do my homework on the draft. I'd like Mt. Cody though, and I don't think he'll be taken in the top-10.

I don't care if we trade back in the 1st round...we really really really need interior offensive line. Weigmann is washed up...Hochstein and Hamilton are free agents after the season and Chris Kuper is a restricted free agent.

Fix the offensive line, and this offense suddenly looks legitimate.

Originally Posted by getlynched47

We have much bigger needs than to invest another first round pick on linebacker when Andra Davis and DJ Williams played great this season.

As cliche as it sounds, games are won in the trenches. We need to rebuild the interior of our offensive line & rebuild the defensive line. Not sure who to suggest right now, not until I do my homework on the draft. I'd like Mt. Cody though, and I don't think he'll be taken in the top-10.

I don't care if we trade back in the 1st round...we really really really need interior offensive line. Weigmann is washed up...Hochstein and Hamilton are free agents after the season and Chris Kuper is a restricted free agent.

Fix the offensive line, and this offense suddenly looks legitimate.

You're not going to get any arguments about needing to build the LOS. The point of this thread is just to study one of the players that the Broncos might consider taking at the 10/11 spot in the draft, not to argue about who it will be. Offensive and defensive lineman will have threads also. Let's try to keep the focus on the player that the particular thread is about please.

Originally Posted by Ziggy

You're not going to get any arguments about needing to build the LOS. The point of this thread is just to study one of the players that the Broncos might consider taking at the 10/11 spot in the draft, not to argue about who it will be. Offensive and defensive lineman will have threads also. Let's try to keep the focus on the player that the particular thread is about please.

Rolando McClain is a badass. He's a great player. I disagree that we need to get him in the draft.

I do like McClain. He could definitely be Nolan's Patrick Willis for this team.

If he is undersized we will take him.

We need a Dawkins-type leader before anything else on D. I'm sorry, DL aren't those guys... we need an Al Wilson, Ray Lewis, Troy Polamalu, Brian Urlacher or Dawkins type emotional leader. When those guys play - the D as a whole plays worlds better. Our D decline can be traced to Wilson going down... and MLBs if they are smart (and McClain is supposedly smart as well) they make a big difference setting the D before each play.

DL don't do that... and there is no disagreement that we need DL badly... but we need leaders first... McClain fits the bill more than anyone else other than Eric Berry. If we have a shot at either, I say take it.... we just HAVE to have that guy that leads us into the future and all the other guys follow. Then, I want a NT or OG.... Iatupi fits the bill at OG (and would certainly satisfy everyone here in terms of size at 330lbs, but he can certainly move.) Hope he works out at Senior Bowl to make sure.

Everyone seems to hates on Cody because he is fat, but he IS actually athletic... and more importantly would be a Pat Williams type plugger in the middle for us... and boy oh boy do we need to fix the rush D.

I totally agree with JDL post above. We need a leader at ILB.

I also disagree with the original poster, in that I don't feel that DJ and Andra played all that well this year. They got lost in space too many times and missed tackles, or thanks to DJ's speed, made saving tackles downfield.

I'd rather have ILBs that meet the ball carrier head on instead of tackling their ankles.

I'm all for starting at ILB in the draft then moving to DE and then Offensive Line.

I think I have the most knowledge of McClain as I follow Bama more than I do the Broncos...

I agree with lynch that our biggest need is interior DLmen but you CAN NOT pass up on McClain if he's there... You just can't. He has everything you want in a LB; leadership, length, range, toughness, knowledge. He is a Dawkins-esqe type leader that holds each and every player accountable on the defense. He has an great work ethic and love for film study that hasn't been seen in a draft in a VERY long time. He pretty much knows what play the offense is going to run every time they line up.

I agree that he can play every LB position but he is BEST suited to play inside. He does an excellent job of taking on blockers and getting into passing lanes in pass coverage with his long arms and ideal height.

I don't think there is a bigger 'sure thing' in this draft than Rolando McClain.. This includes Suh, Berry and Okung.

McClain is the no brainer choice at #10 or 11. NT would be nice, but Mt. Cody is now being projected a SECOND ROUNDER. One of the "experts" has him as the #52 overall and #7 DT. W/ all the junior coming out and the rise of Dan Williams, etc (who I'd love to have), We MAY be able to go Bama in rounds 1 and 2 w/ Rolando and Cody.

He's probably the best LB in the draft, I personally think he's better than Spikes but Spikes has an argument.

He hits hard but he's a tackler. I'm not sold that he's excellent in coverage, but he's good at it.

Sometimes you gotta take the BPA.

Me likey McClain a lot! Instant starter and difference maker.

We would be absolutely moronic to pass McClain up.