Dallas Cowboys Trade & Free Agency News, Rumors 2014: Squad Trades for Former First Round Pick Rolando McClain
As everyone already knows, the Dallas Cowboys had one of the worst defensive teams in NFL history last season. The team ranked dead last in total defense, 30th in pass defense, and 27th in rush defense. All of that led to (yet again) another 8-8 season. What makes that so scary is that was with DeMarcus Ware and Sean Lee playing for the majority of the season.
With Ware now a member of the Denver Broncos and Sean Lee tearing his ACL, expectations are lower than ever for the five time Super Bowl champions. To make matters worse, Lee has been officially put on the team's injured reserve list and is out for the entire 2014 season.
So with the defense at an all time low in Dallas, Owner/General Manager/Team President Jerry Jones decided to trade for Rolando McClain in exchange for a sixth round pick.
McClain was a standout playing for Alabama and Nick Saban. While playing for the Crimson Tide, McClain was one of the best tacklers, won a BCS National Title, and received many awards as the best linebacker in football. He was scouted very high and the Oakland Raiders selected him No. 8 overall in the 2010 NFL Draft.
In his first two seasons with the team, McClain was a good player who put up decent numbers. He recorded a combined 5.5 sacks and 138 tackles in his first two seasons playing for the silver and black. In 2011, he led the entire team with 79 tackles. But unfortunately, his off-field issues got the better of him. Multiple times in his four-year NFL career, he has been arrested for off-field incidents and fined for on-field issues.
McClain's off field arrests include; assault, resisting arrest, tinted windows, and illegally discharging a firearm.
Being drafted No. 8 overall, McClain had high hopes for the Raiders but he never really paid off. McClain would also go on to have several incidents with teammates. His playing time dramatically decreased and he was eventually cut by the team. The Ravens gave him a chance and signed him, but he never played a down with the team.
The biggest reason the Cowboys are signing McClain is for backup and depth. This defense is already hurting and among the worst in the league, so adding another piece can't hurt, right? It is actually a risky move because Rolando is a head case and has problems off the field. If he begins to show bad behavior in the locker room or the practices, then the Cowboys may have to cut him for team unity reasons.
It's sad that a 24-year-old with so much potential out of college, who was drafted No. 8 overall, is having so many issues. If McClain is going to make his way into the starting lineup one day, he's going to have to start listening to his coaches. If he starts acting up or becomes a distraction, he will find himself unemployed again. This is a good chance for McClain to work his way into a roster that needs linebacker help badly.
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