Ravens sign Rolando McClain

[chad72]

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/ravens-insider/bal-ravens-agree-to-terms-with-former-raiders-linebacker-rolando-mcclain-source-says-20130410,0,4158694.story

 

The Ravens' D will be as good as it was a few years ago. However, it is their O that got them over the hump and i still believe their O will be their downfall after Boldin's departure.

[Insert Colts Pun Here]

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/ravens-insider/bal-ravens-agree-to-terms-with-former-raiders-linebacker-rolando-mcclain-source-says-20130410,0,4158694.story

 

The Ravens' D will be as good as it was a few years ago. However, it is their O that got them over the hump and i still believe their O will be their downfall after Boldin's departure.

Their defence might even be better this year!

Dumervil, McClain, Ellerbe, Suggs

That's one scary set of linebackers.

[james_zeigler1994]

For sure.

[Black-Vell]

Whoa - i didnt know R McClain was available. Nice still young should still be hungry ILB. His name is a little too popular for us at IND - but I would have said the same about v davis & DHB tho. I bet this means M Teo has dropped out the1st rnd.

[Black-Vell]

Ellerbe's in MIA right?

[Nobody]

Their defence might even be better this year!

Dumervil, McClain, Ellerbe, Suggs

That's one scary set of linebackers.

No Ellerbe, McClain isn't very good, Dumervil is old and hasn't played in a 3-4 or at a high level in years. Their defense will be worse.

[chad72]

No Ellerbe, McClain isn't very good, Dumervil is old and hasn't played in a 3-4 or at a high level in years. Their defense will be worse.

 

It is the Ravens' coaching staff that make things better. LaDarius Webb and Ellerbe, we never heard of their skills/names till the Ravens got their hands on them, same thing with Cary Williams.

 

Besides, when was the last guy on a Raiders roster perceived as good?

[Insert Colts Pun Here]

No Ellerbe, McClain isn't very good, Dumervil is old and hasn't played in a 3-4 or at a high level in years. Their defense will be worse.

Ellerbe signed for the Dolphins actually didn't he...

General consensus is that McClain is great against the run but can't do anything else. Stopping the run is all he'll need to do for the Ravens.

Dumervil isn't old, he's 29! And never having played in a 3-4 doesn't mean he can't play in a 3-4.

[chad72]

Dumervil isn't old, he's 29! And never having played in a 3-4 doesn't mean he can't play in a 3-4.

 

Actually, Dumervil is just 1 year removed from playing in a 3-4 under Dennis Allen. He will be fine, IMO.

[BProland85]

Their defence might even be better this year!

Dumervil, McClain, Ellerbe, Suggs

That's one scary set of linebackers.

No chance their defense is better next season. They lost Ray Lewis and Ed Reed their 2 leaders on defense.

[Insert Colts Pun Here]

Actually, Dumervil is just 1 year removed from playing in a 3-4 under Dennis Allen. He will be fine, IMO.

I think he'll be fine too. But I thought they still ran a 4-3 then?

[chad72]

I think he'll be fine too. But I thought they still ran a 4-3 then?

 

It was changed to a 4-3 under Jack Del Rio. They ran a lot of 3-4 formations under Dennis Allen. But then, I did not follow the Broncos then even with Tebow , Broncos fans can illuminate if they ran a lot of 3-4 under Dennis Allen.

 

Dumervil's big contract was obtained during the Josh McDaniels' days when he played 3-4 OLB, he had his most productive year then that led to the contract, I think in 2010, which was Josh McDaniels' last year.

[The Old Crow]

For the price the Ravens would have paid to sign Paul Kruger for what the Browns offered him, Ozzie got Dumervil, Canty, Spears, Huff, and McClain. Five defensive players for the price of one ! Yes , Boldin is a loss, but Ozzie still has twelve draft picks up his sleeve, and maybe a few more surprises. I'm very happy that the Ravens aren't standing still with aging guys, and that they are moving forward. Admitidly, some of the guys mentioned above are stop-gap guys, but that will allow the young players and draftees to develop. These moves will allow Ozzie flexability to take best player available, and not just gamble to fill needs, and gaping holes, in the draft. Really, the only hole they need to fill now is replacing Boldin. Obviously, the loss of Lewis's and Reed's leadership ability is huge, but they had to retire or leave at some time, so you have to move on. No matter where those guys go, they will be heros in Baltimore. Hopefully, the next batch of Ravens can live up to what those guys did for our town.

[HtownColt]

Dumerville, Rolando McClain, Jameel McClain, Suggs. LB core is good.

Just Suggs and Ngata are going to have to take on a more leadership role on that defense.

[The Old Crow]

Suggs scares me as a leader. He skipped the Ed Block Courage Awards this year in Baltimore, which is a big event locally for charity . Bethea was there from the Colts. This is not the kind of leadership you like to see in the community. I also didn't like his trash talking about the Patriots after the AFCCG.Suggs needs to start acting like a leader, in the community, and on the field. Time will tell. 

[Colts_Fan12]

Suggs scares me as a leader. He skipped the Ed Block Courage Awards this year in Baltimore, which is a big event locally for charity . Bethea was there from the Colts. This is not the kind of leadership you like to see in the community. I also didn't like his trash talking about the Patriots after the AFCCG.Suggs needs to start acting like a leader, in the community, and on the field. Time will tell.

The community thing I agree about but anyone who bashes the pats I'm a fan of

[The Old Crow]

Secretly, I king of liked it, but after you've beaten the stuffing out of them two out of three times in home playoff games, just get out of there and get to the next game. He kinda agitated me by missing that awards show. It is a big deal in Baltimore, and he cancelled at the last minute. Not a cool move.

[Colts_Fan12]

Secretly, I king of liked it, but after you've beaten the stuffing out of them two out of three times in home playoff games, just get out of there and get to the next game. He kinda agitated me by missing that awards show. It is a big deal in Baltimore, and he cancelled at the last minute. Not a cool move.

I can understand that I wouldn't like it if I was a ravens fan but bashing the pats any player who does that us fine with me cause I can't stand them at all

[Dustin]

Guess I can scratch MLB off of my mock for them.

[The Old Crow]

I can understand that I wouldn't like it if I was a ravens fan but bashing the pats any player who does that us fine with me cause I can't stand them at all

 

 

I don't like them either, but no sense giving those goofs bulletin board fodder next year. He was right about the Patriots being the most arrogant team around, but I guess it was kind of funny.

[BOTT]

No chance their defense is better next season. They lost Ray Lewis and Ed Reed their 2 leaders on defense.

Meh...Lewis was a shell of himself and reed isn't what he used to be. It wouldn't surprise me at all if the D is just as good or better next year.

[Andy]

I like this signing a lot.

 

I think McClain was just on the wrong team. Still think he has a ton of potential and could surprise in Baltimore.

[The Old Crow]

Meh...Lewis was a shell of himself and reed isn't what he used to be. It wouldn't surprise me at all if the D is just as good or better next year.

 

Leadership is an intangible that is hard to quantify. That is the biggest downside of losing Lewis and Reed. As you pointed out, Lewis was at the end of the line. He had torn triceps, and could no longer cover backs and tightends down the field. Reed has trouble tacking because of a chronically bad shoulder. The Ravens are hoping the climate of winning these two guys set in the organization, carries over with the veterans that are remaining, and will be an example for the new guys coming on board. Right now, it is Joe Flacco's team.